Entering His Rest – Sermon Notes, Announcements, Handout & Podcast
Entering His Rest – by Jeff Fitzgerald
(Sermon Audio Now Available on the Podcast stream as well as a player instance at the bottom of this post)
1. Old Covenant Rest (Sabbath)
The Sabbath was only between GOD and THE ISRAELITES- Exodus 31:12-17 (NASB)
The Sign of the Sabbath
Exodus 31:12 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘ You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death. 16 So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. ’ 17 It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”
Sabbatarianism (def.) a strict and rigorous observance of the law.
Matthew 5:17-18 (Their favorite verse)
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Questions for Sabbatarians
A. When and why did you stop the animal sacrifices? (Leviticus 1)
B. Why aren’t you killing those that desecrate the Sabbath? (Exodus 31:14)
Exodus 31:14 Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.
Jesus came to FULFILL the law! (Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44; James 2:10)
Matthew 5:17-18
17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Luke 24:27
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
Luke 24:44
44 Now He said to them, “ These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
James 2:10
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
2. New Covenant Rest
We do not work FOR Rest but FROM Rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
Matthew 11:28 “ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
We enter simply by BELIEVING! (Hebrews 3:19)
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
3. Three Keys to Rest
A. Know your POSITION (Ephesians 2:2-6; Hebrews 10:11-12)
Ephesians 2:2-6
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Hebrews 10:11-12
11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,
B. Know you are DEAD
Jesus died AS YOU (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6; 1 Cor.15:31-32)
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Romans 6:6
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
1 Cor.15:31-32
31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
C. Know You are RIGHTEOUS
You are just as righteous as God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Righteousness is a GIFT not a WAGE- (Romans 5:17-19)
Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
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18 Comments
by Bill
On August 13, 2012
Well done, Jeff. Entering His rest by virtue of the finished work of Christ is transforming. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Whew!!!
by Curtis
On August 14, 2012
Nice try jeff.
“Fulfill” means to, “teach fully”.
Let’s go futher into the text. Matt. 5:18-20
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (heaven and earth are still here)
19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Easy to do, obey the Torah instead of the traditions of men).
Gal. 3:29
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Abraham’s seed is Israel.
Check out, “Identity crises” from Passion for Truth Ministries;
http://passionfortruth.com/contentpages/18867/823504f4-e16a-4581-bb5f-66570740f985/NumberOneTeaching.aspx
Psalm 19:7-11
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
Also check out “119 ministries” great teaching “the Lost Sheep”
http://119ministries.com/the-lost-sheep?vi=249580
BLESSINGS!
by Bill
On August 15, 2012
No one other than Jesus was able to keep the law in every aspect, including its intent within the heart.
Let’s be clear here. By espousing the doctrine of grace through the finished work of Christ, no one is suggesting that the believer is now licensed to be law-less in conduct. However, to be set free from the law of sin and death only to bow to it once again in hopes that one’s “self-effort” toward obedience will somehow keep him in good favor with God is at best a mixture that goes against the Gospel of the Kingdom, and at worst is a doctrine of demons designed to bind the believer to that which gives no hope and cannot give life.
The law was an impossible standard and it was designed to silence all human effort to earn God’s blessing and favor. That is why the children of Israel needed the right offerings and sacrifices to cover them.
Hundreds of years before the law was given through Moses, a covenant was enacted by God with Abraham. (Gal. 3:15-f) God related with Abraham on the basis of his faith in His grace and not based upon Abraham’s obedience.
Abraham was never justified by law keeping. “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Gen 15:6; Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6) The children of Israel depended upon God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant for approximately 400 years prior to the giving of the law. This was a covenant of grace which foreshadowed the New Covenant of Grace in Christ which would be perfect and everlasting.
The law served to point men to the holiness of God while revealing and condemning the unholiness of sinful man. (Gal. 3: 19-f) The law condemned…it never redeemed nor exonerated. Yet, since it was given in command form from God, it had to be fulfilled. Until it was fulfilled, it condemned day and night, 24/7.
Jesus didn’t come to abolish it, but to fulfill it, and fulfill it He did…all of it. Nothing was left undone. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
Everything about the law was completed in Christ, this is why Paul said that the rituals and requirements of the law “are shadows of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Col. 2:17)
As you look back, please look through the revelation of the New Covenant, or else you will find yourself trusting in the flesh to satisfy the Old when the New has already come in both spirit and truth. We are the righteousness of God in Christ, not because of what we have done, and can do, but because of what He did. (Romans 10:4; 2 Cor. 5:21)
Glorious victory is ours in life and conduct because of Jesus and He alone.
By the way, one more point … the scripture tells us that Abraham’s Seed was Christ, not Israel, and that whoever is in Christ is also the seed of Abraham. (refer to Galatians 3:16-29)
I am amazed how people want to be under something that served to condemn them, and something that they have been delivered from. Jesus set us free, and whom the Son set’s free they are free indeed!
by Curtis
On August 15, 2012
Bill,
Where in scripture is “keeping the law” have anything to do with Salvation? Did not God choose the Children of Israel way before the Law of God was given on Mount Sinai?
So not to be, “law-less”, by which law do you keep. If you say, “well I just walk in the Spirit so I am no longher under the law”.
The Spirit is never against God’s Commandments. The Spirit will never tell you it’s ok to lie, murder, commit adultery, etc.
If I am driving down the road and the speed limit says 60mph and I drive to my destination at 60mph, I have just fulfilled the law so I am not under the law.
Is the Constatution of United States of America there to take away your liberity or is it there to insure your liberities. No one goes around saying, “If we would just get rid of the Constatution then we can really be free”.
Just like Paul says, “The Law is good”, “we are to establish it”
Jesus said, “The whole of the Law (Torah) are contained in these, Love God and Love your neighbor”. If you do not know how the least of one of the 613 instructions apply to loving God and neighbor, then you do not know how to truely love.
What law do you adhear to?
Options:
- I do what ever seems right in my own eyes.
- The law of the land (always changing).
- Only the laws that Jesus said to keep. Which is for most, the excuse I hear that they don’t keep Sabbath. It must be ok now though, to misuse God’s name because Jesus never said you can’t.
- No Law. (Sin is law-lessness)
To tell you the truth, I don’t even know where to start. God’s Grace is nothing new, it has been there sense the beggining. When we finally figure out that God’s Instructions are “His Grace” they are a delight. Psalm 119
We are in a fallen world where there are many dangers.
If the stove is hot, a God who does not care will not tell you that it is hot. Our loving Father gives us instructions (Grace) to not put our hand on it.
Will you hear and obey and say, “Thank you”?
Or will you shake your burnt fist at God and say, “a loving God would not let this happen to me”.
“If you love me, obey my Commandments”
John 14:15
Blessings!
Curtis
by James Barron
On August 16, 2012
Curtis:
I don’t think you can hear what Bill is saying (great response Bill!) because you probably have some foundational truth missing in your understanding of the Gospel.
For example, the following three items are crucial for understanding how we are free from all law in Christ. They may not seem to relate, but they do. Here they are:
1. The believer does not need to confess his sins daily in order to get fogiven or cleansed of sin over and over again so that he can maintain fellowship with God, as is commonly taught in the church presently;
2. The believer has a new heart as a new creation and no sin is in that new heart, for the power of sin now resides in the members of our body;
3. The believer is already perfect and complete through an act of creation and as the mind is renewed to the new reality of our union with Jesus by the Spirit then the new man is manifested in thoughts, words and deeds, and this process of the renewal of the mind is a focus on Jesus Himself and our new selves in Him, not a search for sin in our flesh.
Those three truths are key. Most believers do not see those three truths and if you don’t see those, then it is very difficult, if not impossible, to see that the believer is completely free of all law and now simply lives by the Life of Another, even Jesus Himself. To live is Christ!
Do you see those three truths Curtis?
by Curtis
On August 19, 2012
James-
Frist off, let’s define Truth.
2 Samuel 7:28
For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
Psalm 119:160
The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.
John 17:17
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
John 6:48
I am the bread of life.
Deuteronomy 8:3
….that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 12:32
“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
James, your three truths don’t seem to be found coming from the mouth of Father nor his son. You have taken them from Paul. Your error is that in your understanding of Paul’s writtings you have not tested what you believe he is saying to what God says.
God does not change, nor is He a man that he should lie.
If you think that Paul would promote your three truths, that would make Paul a false prophet and you should have nothing to do with him. The test comes straight from Father, Deu. 13
Deuteronomy 13:1-4
13 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.
From your three truths you show that your understanding of Paul’s writtings are against the “Torah, the Prophets and the Writtings”, God’s Word.
You have twisted his writting to promote law-lessness.
Peter warns that this would happen in 2 Peter.
2 Peter 3:14-18
Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, [a]free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
15 And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord [[b]His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world] is salvation ([c]that which is conducive to the soul’s safety), even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the spiritual insight given him,
16 Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue to their own [d]utter destruction, just as [they distort and misinterpret] the rest of the Scriptures.
17 Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind].
18 But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and [e]recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen
I believe Paul writtings are in agreement with Father’s words. I study scripture from a Hebrew perspective not greek prespective.
As I have posted earlier please have the courage to view “Identity Crises” teaching from, “Passion for Truth Ministries”
http://passionfortruth.com/contentpages/18844/6d51551d-7c8d-4c7c-b689-762f82d8cb21/NewToHebrewRoots.aspx
And or, “The Lost Tribes” from, “119 ministries”
http://119ministries.com/the-lost-sheep?vi=249580
The real Truth will set you free.
Other scripture to consider:
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:3-6
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Revelation 12:17
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 14:24
He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Bottom line; from the Words of our Messiah, Savior and King,
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Blessings to you and yours!
Curtis
P. S. I had a very enjoyable Shabbat (Friday at sun-down to Saturday at sun-down) with our congregation, studing, praying, and at rest. None of us felt in bondage what-so-ever.
In fact we all rejoice that we have all been set free from the bondages of demoninationism and “the traditions of men”.
We all look forward to celebrating the three unfulfilled Fall Feasts of YHVH, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles.
Matthew 15:3
Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?
by Jeff
On August 20, 2012
Where in scripture does it say or imply that Gentiles were required then or now to keep the Law of Moses? If you can answer that question, then I will have a civil conversation here.
by James Barron
On August 21, 2012
Curtis:
Jeff is correct. The Law of Moses was never meant for the Gentiles. In Acts 15 all the apostles and elders in Jerusalem came together for this very discussion. Their final decision, saying “it seems good to us and the Holy Spirit” that the Gentiles should not be directed to keep the Law of Moses. The Law actually ended for Jews and Gentiles the moment Jesus died on the cross and the veil of the temple was torn in two pieces by the hands of God Himself from the top all the way to the bottom. What God has torn asunder let no man attempt to sew back together!
Jeff, excellent teaching on Jesus Himself being the true Sabbath, not a day in time on this earth but a person, our High Priest, who has passed into the heavens! Contrary to what Curtis believes, all the feasts of Israel have been fulfilled in Christ. For now we announce to the world like “trumpets” that our High Priest has entered into the true tabernacle not made with hands accomplishing the final “Day of Atonement” for all men for all sin for all time and we now enjoy that great “Feast of Tabernacles” or “dwelling places” in that we have been made the dwelling place of God in Christ by the Spirit!
We do not have any desire to try to be Jewish for we are neither Jew nor Gentile, but a New Creation! Peace and mercy be upon the TRUE ISRAEL, the New Creation in Jesus!
by Curtis
On August 21, 2012
James-
Great civil discussion and I hope Jeff will join in. Please know that if you do not want my comments which I think you where asking for, I will stop writting them. I hope we all never stop seeking real “Truth” or ever quit asking the hard questions. I believe it is important to be like the Bereans in Acts 17;
Acts 17:10-12
10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
*Interesting that the Greeks were in the Jewish synagogue.
In you first statement;
“The Law of Moses was never meant for the Gentiles”.
If this is so then why in the same text that you stated in Acts 15 read;
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them
to abstain from food polluted by idols,
from sexual immorality,
from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
Why, if it all ended at the cross are these instructions given to the Gentiles?
And why verse 21?
I will leave you that to ponder for now. I need to get to work.
Also a few of questions;
1. Who are the “Gentiles” and where did they come from?
2. Who are the “Jews”?
3. Who is “Israel”?
4. Who are the “Nations”
In Matthew 13:24-30 and 13:36-43
5. Who are the “Wheat, Good Seed”?
6. Who are the “Tears, Bad Seed”?
In Revelation 21:8
7. Who are they?
In Revelation 22:15?
8. Who are they?
9. Who is the Bride, the wife of the lamb, Rev. 21:2&9?
If you need help identifing the players, please refir to the web-sites that I referenced in my eariler posts.
Blessings to you all!
Curtis
by James Barron
On August 21, 2012
Curtis, it’s very telling that you do not believe those three truths I referred to above. Those truths are the heart of the finished work of Christ. It is no wonder that you believe the believer is still under law.
Jesus sent Paul personally to go forth and explain His gospel. Jesus even appeared to Paul at various times during his ministry to encourage Paul, never to rebuke him for his teachings. Paul proclaimed a complete release from the law such that he said we believers should consider ourselves dead to the law!
Paul was commissioned by Jesus to teach the New Covenant to His church. We neglect his awesome teachings at our own peril for in neglecting the clear words of Paul that the believer is not under law, that sin is no longer counted against the believer and that the believer has been created new with a new heart, we are choosing to refuse our King’s messenger and apostle and the message of our King.
by Jeff
On August 21, 2012
The Law was added to Jews because of transgressions till Abraham’s seed came–it was nothing more than a guide to Christ. He came and fulfilled the prophecy of the Law. (Gal. 3:19-25) The law had a prescribed time; its duration ended on Calvary! If Jesus fulfilled the Law, there is no reason we need to obey the Law. Again, it was never meant for Gentiles. When in the city of Antioch in Pisidia, Paul preached this message: And by Him [Jesus] everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:39). These certain men…from Judea would have objected, saying “Jesus saves us, but only after we have done all we can do to keep the Law of Moses.” But Paul taught a man could only be right with God on the basis of what Jesus had done.”But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
Many of those who opposed Paul and Barnabas were Christians who had been Pharisees. The Pharisees were well known for their high regard for the law, and their desire to obey the law in the smallest details. They go on to say ” It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses” These former Pharisees taught two things. First, Gentile converts must be initiated into Judaism through circumcision. Second, that Gentile converts must live under the law of Moses if they were to be right with God and embraced into the Christian community. Basically, their teaching was: Gentiles are free to come to Jesus. We welcome them and want them to come to Jesus. But they have to come through the Law of Moses in order to come to Jesus. Paul and Barnabas, among others, have allowed Gentiles to come to Jesus without first coming through the Law of Moses. To answer your question about this scripture”But that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood: James’ decision that Gentile believers should not be under the Mosaic Law was also given with practical instruction. The idea was that it was important that Gentile believers did not act in a way that would offend the Jewish community in every city and destroy the church’s witness among Jews. These three commands had to do with the eating habits of Gentile Christians. Though they were not bound under the Law of Moses, they were bound under the Law of Love. The Law of Love told them, “Don’t unnecessarily antagonize your Jewish neighbors, both in and out of the church.” Gentile Christians had the “right” to eat meat sacrificed to idols, to continue their marriage practices, and to eat food without a kosher bleeding, because these were aspects of the Mosaic Law they definitely were not under. However, they were encouraged (required?) to law down their rights in these matters as a display of love to their Jewish brethren. – Taken from David Guzik. Hope that clears things up..and I am always up for these types of positive discussions. Blessings to you as well
by Jeff
On August 21, 2012
To adress your other scripture reference…”For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
When the gospel was preached among the gentiles Christ had commanded that the gospel first go to the Jew and then the gentile. The Jew in the synagogues had made a 2,000 year old HABIT of trying to convert the gentile and thus make THE GENTILES become circumcised and “COMMANDING HIM TO KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES”. They were preaching Moses and this is what started the entire problem. After God had given salvation and the Holy Spirit by grace through faith as Peter declares, some of the Sect of the Pharisees began PREACHING MOSES. Let me post verse five of this chapter here, “5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO THE CHURCHES SO THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING. THE GENTILES WERE NOT to be made BOUND TO THE LAW OF MOSES. The whole point in verse 21 is to say that it was necessary to write to the gentiles because in every city was a synagogue where the Jews would preach Moses (not Christ, not the gospel, but MOSES AS THE WAY TO SALVATION) and the apostles wanted no misunderstanding that the gentiles were not to be circumcised and commanded to keep the law of Moses BECAUSE FAITH IN CHRIST IS THE WAY UNTO SALVATION- Taken from Robert Clanton
by Harris Dvores
On August 21, 2012
Curtis,
Always nice to meet another Jewish believer!
You wrote, “The Spirit is never against God’s Commandments. The Spirit will never tell you it’s ok to lie, murder, commit adultery, etc.”
I agree. The Spirit will never lead you to an action that is contrary to the spirit of the Old Testament commandments. But that doesn’t mean we who live under the New Covenant are bound to follow the 613 statutes.
Consider a few of these 613 statutes:
Exodus 13:12: You shall devote to the Lord the first offspring of every womb…
Exodus 13:13: … if you do not redeem it you shall break its neck.
Exodus 21:17 And he who curses his father or mother shall be put to death
Do you follow all 613 statutes? To break one is to be guilty of breaking all. And even the ones we think we can follow, we cannot. See Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:21-30, which show that all men are guilty of adultery and murder.
I thank God for the grace of his New Covenant, not at all like the covenant He made with my forefathers.
I’d like to commend you, Curtis, on your study of the scriptures and your desire for the truth. What Jeff, Bill and James are saying here is a true paradigm shift for you. It was for me, too, when I first heard it 25 years ago. It took awhile for me to work through it, but once I did, I found it life changing.
God Bless!
by Jeff
On August 21, 2012
Thanks for the comment Harris. Glad to hear of your revelation of HIM! Blessings!
by Curtis
On August 22, 2012
Harris-
Nice to meet you too. Just to let you know, I am not a Jewish believer. I am glad that you have come out of Orthadox Judahism and have recognized Yeshua as our Messiah. Well done, your vail has been removed. The only danger that I see is that your pendulem may have swung too far the other way.
I don’t have time right now to explain but I will write more soon.
Some foundations must laid from our Hebraic roots first.
We need to understand who the players are. (Refir to above post).
We need to define the word “law”. Like the word, “love” there are many types of love. I love french fries and I love my wife. Two differant types of love.
In the same way there is, “Torah”, and there are, “Traditions of men” Two types of law. Which one is Paul talking about?
Will write more soon.
Blessings to all.
Curtis
by Curtis
On August 24, 2012
Jeff, Bill, James, and Harris-
I have read and researched all your points and opinions. They just don’t seem to add up with the whole of Scripture. There definitely is an identity crises going on here.
I will try to give a short snap shot of history. This is what got Steven in Acts, stoned to death telling. I hope you will not stone me.
Remember, the entire Bible was written by Hebrews for Hebrews.
What is a Hebrew? “One who crosses over” from darkness to Light.
Who are the players in Yah’s creation?
We start with the basics from Matthew 13:24-30 and 13:36-43.
There are only two seeds on the earth, Yah’s Creation and the counterfit seed of the enemy. Right from the beginning we see the two seeds in conflict. Cain (Bad Seed) bent on distroying the (Good Seed) Able. Fast forward, Noah has three sons, Shem, Japheth are (Good Seed) and Ham is (Bad Seed).
Out of the (Good Seed) Yah chooses Shem to carry the story of Redemption. Japheth becomes, “The Nations”.
Fast forward again, Abraham is chosen out of Shems linage. Yah makes covenant with Abraham and says that he and his desendants will be a light to, “The Nations”.
Example: Yah has 10 sons that he wanted to bless with candy. Man’s thinking is to divide the candy and give each son an equal share. Yah’s plan was to chose one son, give him all the candy and tell him to share it with the other sons.
Moving forward, Jacob and his twelve sons become, “ISRAEL”.
Israel is chosen to be betroved to Yeshua Messiah on Mount Sinai. First Yah must deliver them from Egypt. Once Yah gets them to Mount Sinai, Yah persents them the betrothal document and Israel says, “I do”. Obediance to the document was not about Salvation but a condition on receiving their inheritance, (The promised Land”.
Moving forward, Israel is divided into two parts (Yah’s doing). The Nortern Kingdom called, “Israel” and the Southern Kingdom called “The House Judah”. The term “Jew” refirs to this house.
Israel “Northern Kingdom” goes off with Jeroboam and adulterates herself with foreign god’s where Yah grants Israel a devorse.
Israel is then scattered into, “The Nations” (Gentiles), assimilated into their cultures and forget who they are. The House of Judah (Jews) aduterated themselves and where exiled to Babylon but not devorced due to the promise to David. After 70 years where allowed to return to the land.
Now why did Yeshua take on an earthen vessel and walk among us? Answer; To redeem Israel his Bride, to bring her back and unite her again with her brother Judah. (The one new man) Yeshua’s body had to be of the house of David (Royal Blood).
Yeshua tell’s us this in Matthew 15:24,
Matthew 15:24
24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Israel (Nothern Kingdom) had a death sentence on her because of her adultries. Her betroved steps in and dies for her instead.
He raises from the dead and is rebetrothed to her.
If Israel is not Redeamed, there is no hope for, “The Nations” (Gentiles) The true “Gospel” is the call to become part of Israel. Just like Ruth did. She was a Moabite and became part of Israel.
If we do not enter into the betrothal covenant with Israel we stay, “The Nations” and are outside the new Jersalem (His Bride) in His Kingdom to come. Rev 22:15 “the dogs”.
The sign that you are part of the bride is keeping the Sabbath. It is the engagement ring. The Fall feasts are all about the second coming when Yeshua comes to get his bride, “Israel” and consomates the marriage. “The Nations” are the guests at the wedding.
There is alot more to be said but am out of time.
Isaiah 55 and 56 gives more details.
I pray that this will be a Blessing to all.
An Invitation to Abundant Life
55 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
And nations who do not know you shall run to you,
Because of the Lord your God,
And the Holy One of Israel;
For He has glorified you.”
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,
And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;
And it shall be to the Lord for a name,
For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Salvation for the Gentiles
56 Thus says the Lord:
“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come,
And My righteousness to be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner
Who has joined himself to the Lord
Speak, saying,
“The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”;
Nor let the eunuch say,
“Here I am, a dry tree.”
4 For thus says the Lord:
“To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
And choose what pleases Me,
And hold fast My covenant,
5 Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them[a] an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off.
6 “Also the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
“Yet I will gather to him
Others besides those who are gathered to him.”
“The Nations” Irresponsible Leaders
9 All you beasts of the field, come to devour,
All you beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind,
They are all ignorant;
They are all dumb dogs,
They cannot bark;
Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yes, they are greedy dogs
Which never have enough.
And they are shepherds
Who cannot understand;
They all look to their own way,
Every one for his own gain,
From his own territory.
12 “Come,” one says, “I will bring wine,
And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink;
Tomorrow will be as today,
And much more abundant.”
by Harris
On August 24, 2012
Curtis,
I will not stone you… that would be the “law”.
You ask, “What is a Hebrew?” You answer: “One who crosses over from darkness to Light.”
But here is the scriptural answer from Romans 2:
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
A true Jew does not live by the letter of the Law, Curtis.
And again in Galatians 2:
15 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of [n]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of [o]the Law; since by the works of [p]the Law no [q]flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through [r]the Law I died to [s]the Law, so that I might live to God.
I died to the law, Curtis. It’s purpose has been fulfilled, as shown in Galatians 3:
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
The Spirit in me leads me to the choices that please God. The sons of God are led by the Spirit of God, not by the law:
Romans 8:13 “…if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
If you are a son of God, Curtis, do not live by the old covenant law.
I noted that you did not respond to my question about the law. Do you keep the law, Curtis? If you look honestly, you will see that you do not.
Why would you yoke yourself to a burden that even my people could not bear?
As I said in my earlier post, this is a paradigm shift for you. It will not fit into the “spiritual model” in you head now.
If you are a seeker of the truth, Curtis, put aside all that you think you understand about this subject. Then get a concordance and go through the New Testament on the subjects we have been discussing. You will see that there is a much better way that God has ordained for you…
God promised this better way through Jeremiah 31:
31 “ Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “ I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
My friend, trade in the law that was written in stone… for the law written on your heart.
by Curtis
On August 25, 2012
Harris-
Thank you for your civil responce but I still will respectfully say that your presuppositions are flawed and goes against, “What hath God said”. Please let me explain.
First off, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were not Jews. They where Hebrews. If you research for yourself you will find that the word means, in Hebrew, “One who crosses over”.
Second, to be “Justify by Faith” and not by works has always been that way from the beginning. How was Abraham “Justified?
Romans 4, “faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness”.
and tested in Gen.22.
“The Spirit in me leads me to the choices that please God.”
Does the Spirit tell us to observe man’s holidays and reject Yah’s Holly days?
Zechariah 14:16-19
16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
Leviticus 23
Feasts of the Lord
23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.
These are not Jewish feasts, “these are My feasts”.
…”it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings”.
In Leviticus 23, The Sabbath is listed as the first Feast on the list.
You ask if I keep the Law? Yes. What you Harris don’t seem to understand is that His Instructions (His Torah) is a Path. When you start to walk on the path it is unfamiliar and often I stray off.
When correction comes you humble yourself, ask forgivness and return to the path. No condonation, all is right and continue up the path.
Somehow, some theologen said if you stray off the path then you are always guilty of straying off and are not saved. How crazy is that. If my son disobeys me, then he’s not my child any more? Or he can only be apart of our family if he does not error. That’s crazy! I will discipline my son and put him back on the path because I love him.
We can get into “willful” vs “Unintentional” behavior another time.
Also I obey His 613 instructions according to my station in life. I am not a Levi Priest, I am not a woman, I am not in the Land, I am still in exile.
As far as your presupposition that no one can keep Yah’s instructions is incorrect. If you believe this, you call Yah a lier.
When one becomes a believer and is filled with His Spirit, he has been given back the power to chose. He is no longer a slave to disobedience. It’s not that a believer can’t obey, it’s that he dosn’t want to obey.
His Torah is the Law of Liberity. Freedom. The Tree of Life.
Deuteronomy 30:11-16
The Choice of Life or Death
11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.
15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
“it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.”
“Why would you yoke yourself to a burden that even my people could not bear?”
Yeshua’s yoke is His Torah. The yoke that Paul was talking about was their traditions of men.
Matthew 15:3
3 Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?
Luke 11:46
46 “Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.
Jeremiah 31. I am glad you brought this up.
The renewed covenant is with “Israel and with the house of Judah” not the gentiles. If you do not become part of Israel, the covenant is not for you. That’s why Yeshua had to come and redeem her.
Without redeemed Israel, there is no hope for gentiles (the nations).
“this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “ I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Again, “with the house of Israel” no gentiles.
Israel is the Olive Tree Nation. Gentiles must be grafted ito the tree and become part of Israel. The text even says that you were “wild” olive branches, (Northern Kingdom)
Parable of the Lost Son, Luke 15:11-31
What law is Yah putting in them?
His Torah! What other law is there?
I am sorry if what I am about to write offends you. A watch man on the wall must shout the warning!
How do you define Lawlessness?
In Hebrew it means, “without Torah”
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
The Great Apostasy
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
My friend, trade in lawlessness and learn to delight in his instructions.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one![a] 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
John 14:15
“If you love me, obey my commandments.”
Blessings to you and yours,
Curtis