Make Us One

Keep the fire burning, and be ready to meet the Lord when He returns.  Oh I don’t know about you all, but I intend to keep *my* fire burning, as I continue to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to everlasting life.  Yes, as we push onward in 2010, I plan to keep my eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  You know so many times in the Body of Christ, we the people of God, have a tendency to say things like . . . Oh how I want to be like Jesus . . . Oh how I long to walk like Jesus . . . Oh how I want to talk like Jesus, but do we really, really understand the depth of the words that flow out of our mouths?  Did Jesus, the God of Israel, talk about doing away with the law, or did He encourage us to keep the law?  Did Jesus our Loving Saviour go to church on Sunday the first day of the week, or did He go into the Synogogue on the Sabbath day, the seventh day of the week, as His custom was, which is Saturday?  Did Jesus the Messiah observe all of the Feast Days as outlined in our Fathers word, or do we read about Him celebrating pagan holidays, some not even mentioned in the bible?  My friends, let’s take a stroll down the straight and narrow, with our eyes focused on our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let’s put a little more oil inside our vessels, so that we can be prepared to meet Him when He comes.  Whose report will you believe?  I shall believe the report of the Lord.  Let’s listen to His Words.

Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until the sky and earth pass away and perish, not one smallest letter nor one little hook [identifying certain Hebrew letters] will pass from the Law until all things [it foreshadows] are accomplished.  Whoever then breaks or does away with or relaxes one of the least important of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least important in the kingdom of heaven, but he who practices them and teaches others to do so shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:17-19; Amplified)

Let’s check this out my friends.  Has the sky and earth passed away and perished? Of course not!  Has all things been accomplished that the law foreshadowed?  Without a shadow of a doubt, they have most definitely not all been accomplished yet!  Therefore, because these key events have not happened yet, we must understand then that every letter of the Royal Law is still in effect.  Remember in our last edition, we saw that Jesus Himself, when speaking to the rich young ruler, said that if he wanted to enter into life, he had to keep the commandments.  Please go back and review.  Did you not know that the children of Israel were commanded to keep His Commandments, and agreed to do so, before, they entered into the Promised Land.  Selah [pause and calmly think on this]  It was not until 430 years later, that the law of animal sacrifices, for unintentional sin, was put on the table.  Remember the bible defines sin as the transgression or breaking of Gods law . . . In other words, the children of Israel had to break the Ten Commandments or the Royal Laws in order for it to qualify as sin.  Notice, in the next set of scriptures, that we shall see two different laws in motion.  Let’s investigate.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:  (Leviticus 4:1-2)  

Let’s pause for a moment. The law that is being referred to is the Ten Commandments, or the Royal Laws, as recorded in Exodus the 20^th Chapter.  You know thou shall not kill . . . Thou shall not steal . . . Thou shall have no other gods before me . . . Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy, etc. etc. etc.  Of course we know that there were other statutes and ordinances given to the children of Israel, but their obedience to the Royal Laws would have aligned themselves to work in agreement to the others. Let’s look at the sacrificial law, and how it was added and used when a person broke one of these Royal Commandments of God unintentionally.

And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.  And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.  And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.  (Leviticus 4:27-30)

When the common people sinned (broke the commandments of God), through ignorance, and they realized what they had done, they would then bring an offering for their sin to the priest, and he would then offer the animal to the Lord, dipping his finger in the blood, and placing it upon the horns of the alter. In other words, the animal was killed in the place of the person who committed the sin.  Since God is the same God yesterday, today, and forevermore, what do you think will happen to us on Judgment Day, if we transgress against the Lords Commandments?  Surely this is food for thought.  However, we thank God for Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice, the Precious Lamb of God, who died to take away the sins of the world.  Glory to God . . . Glory to God . . . Glory to God in the Highest!  We no longer need bulls and goats to take away our sin.  Jesus paid the ultimate price . . . And like He told the woman caught in the act of adultery, He continues to say today . . . Go and sin no more!  You see the law of animal sacrifice was only added, because of transgressions, or the breaking of the law, until Jesus came.  Therefore, we no longer need to kill animals any more.  Let’s go to the New Testament now to see what Paul had to say about these two laws.

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  (Galatians 3:19)

Notice sister and brothers . . . The law of animal sacrifices was added because of the breaking of Gods Royal Laws.  Again, take notice we are talking about two different laws in operation.  Paul was simply asking these people why must they continue performing the sacrificial laws that were added because of sin, and this was for only until the Promised Seed should come.  Of course we know that Promised Seed was Christ.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:24-26)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, the law of animal sacrifice, as we have just read, was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  We are not talking about the Royal laws of God, and as we shall see from the Word of God, we are not even justified by faith alone.  Let’s see what the Apostle Paul says in the book of Romans.

Do we then make void the law through faith?  God forbid: yea, we establish the law (Romans 3:31)

My friends what law is Paul talking about that we must establish?  Surely he is not talking about the sacrificial law.  That law was added because of transgression, or the breaking of Gods law, until the Promised Seed came.  Again, that Promised Seed was Christ.  As prophesied, Jesus came and did all that the Father commanded Him to do. So therefore that sacrificial law is over and done away with.  However, the law that *is* established forever is the Lords Commandments, the Royal Law.  Let’s look at what James has to say about it, and we shall move on.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  (James 2:14-26)

That’s it in a nutshell my friends, some works must go along with our faith . . . And those works are keeping Gods Commandments.  Keeping Gods Commandments, as Jesus Himself has told us, leads to eternal life.  Now most people don’t have a problem when it comes to not killing, or stealing, or bearing false witness against their neighbor.  They really don’t disagree with any of the last six Commandments, the ones which are summed up in loving your neighbor as yourself.  But when it comes to the first four Commandments, which are summed up as loving the Lord our God with our whole heart, then there is a problem, especially with Commandment # 4 . . . Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.  Thank God, in His Infinite Wisdom, He was so gracious to point out exactly what day the Sabbath Day is . . . The 7^th Day (Saturday) and not Sunday, the 1^st Day of the week, so that there could be no mistake.  You see, the Body of Christ has come up with all kinds of excuses to validate Sunday worship, and push the Sabbath Day, Gods Holy Day, a sign between Him and His people, to the side, but none of them lines us with the Word of God.  The truth of the matter is simply this . . . God is the same God yesterday, today, and forever, and He don’t change.  Let’s take a look in the Bible, and see exactly what day Jesus went to church.  We are following Him . . . Right?  We want to be like Him . . . Correct?  Let’s let the Bible speak.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.  And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.  And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.  (Luke 4:14-16)

Did yall see that in your Bibles?  Jesus went into the synagogue, every Sabbath Day, as His custom was.  Now was the Sabbath Day back then, the same Sabbath Day today?  Let’s let the Bible answer that question.

 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.  (Matthew 28:1)

That’s simple right?  At the end of the Sabbath (which was Saturday, the 7^th day), as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week (Sunday), came the sisters to the sepulchre.  The Saturday and Sunday then, is the same Saturday and Sunday today.  Let’s see who else went to Church on the Sabbath Day, many years later, after the resurrection of Christ.  

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.  (Acts 18:1-4)

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.  But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.   And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.  Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.  (Acts 13:13-16)

And I tell you Paul preached a powerful message in the synagogue on that  Sabbath Day.  Did not Paul say, follow me as I follow Christ?

 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.  (Acts 13:42)

The folks were so excited over the Word of God, they wanted Paul to come back the next Sabbath Day to do it all over again.  Notice the Gentiles did not say come to our church tomorrow (Sunday) and share the gospel, they said come back on the next Sabbath Day.  There was no such thing as Sunday worship.  Everybody worshipped the Lord on the Sabbath Day.  That was the day God sanctified and commanded us to remember, to keep it Holy.  It wasn’t until Emperor Constantine came along that things began to change. Selah [pause and calmly think about this]  Moving on now, let’s continue up the straight and narrow path and see if Jesus, our Great High Priest, kept the Feast Days.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (John 7:37-38)

Do yall see that?  Right during the Feast of Tabernacles, on the last day of the Feast, Jesus stood up and gave a mini sermon.  Let’s look at this Feast that our example followed.

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.  On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.  Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.  (Leviticus 23:34-36)

That’s right yall.  Jesus observed the Feasts of the Lord.  He even Himself became our Passover Lamb.

 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

Jesus our Passover Lamb taught His disciples well and they too, even after His death, continued to observe the Feasts of the Lord.  Let’s look at another Feast that they observed.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:1-4)

That’s right my friends, on the day of Pentecost, or as it is called in the Old Testament, the Feast of Weeks, the disciples were gathered to observe this High Holy Day.  They were not tarrying for the Holy Ghost, as some would have you to believe.  We just read, they were all with one accord, and in one place, when the day of Pentecost was fully come.  Let’s look at this commandment again, in the book of Leviticus.

And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete:  Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.  Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.  (Leviticus 23:15-17)

Let’s see it in Deuteronomy

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:   Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee.   (Deuteronomy 16:16-17)

My sisters and brothers, all those Israelites gathered from every nation and tongue were there to observe the Feast of Weeks, and the Holy Spirit, without a doubt manifested himself there at that time. Do we want to be like Jesus?  Of course we do.  Do we want to walk and talk just like He did?  Of course we do.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.  (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)