01/05/2007 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Mark 2:23 - And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

Mark 2:24 - And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Mark 2:25 - And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

Mark 2:26 - How he went into the house of YAHWEH in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

Mark 2:27 - And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Mark 2:28 - Therefore the Son of man is master also of the sabbath.

Mark 3:1 - And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

Mark 3:2 - And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

Mark 3:3 - And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

In the preceding verses we see two different understandings of scripture

Many accuse those who love the law of Yahweh of being a legalist.

Some might be compared to the Scribes and Pharisees simply because we keep the Sabbath day.

But it is evident that Yahushua also kept the Sabbath day

So just what is legalism?

Is it seeking to obey the commands of Yahweh with all our hearts?

Is it adding to the commands of Yahweh?

Is it focusing too much on obedience and not enough on "salvation"?

Interestingly, the word "Legalism" is nowhere to be found within the pages of scriptures

Because of this, a true definition of Legalism is probably in the eyes of whoever wants to define it.

In the above scriptures we saw examples of where the Scribes and Pharisees had added to the commandment of Sabbath observance.

They added to Yahweh's word things that Yahweh never intended, nor commanded.

Albeit, it was in the effort to be careful in keeping Yahweh's commandment.. so they would go an extra step.

Thus, a fence is built around Yahweh's commandments

So that if you breach the fence, at least you haven't broken one of Yahweh's commandments.

But in so doing, observing the commandments can become burdensome.

For it turns the focus toward the commandments of men

Deuteronomy 12:32 - What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Thus men were drawn away from a relationship with Yahweh and toward the religious leaders

Thus glory is taken away from Yahweh and attempted to be stolen by men

The Sabbath was not given to us so that we might starve if we were too busy doing Yahweh's work or ministering to prepare rightly

It was given to be a blessing and benefit, it was made for man.

This is the perspective coming from Yahweh in both the "Old testament" and the "New testament"

Luke 13:14 - And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Yahushua had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Luke 13:15 - Yahushua then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

Luke 13:16 - And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

They had added many other things to His word but Yahushua showed them how wrong it was. According to Yahushua, the motives of the Scribes and Pharisees was not out of a love for Yahweh but out of a love for traditions and doctrines of men:

Mark 7:6 - He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mark 7:7 - Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:8 - For laying aside the commandment of YAHWEH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

So Yahweh's commandments can be ignored if the commandments of men are the focus.

Such is the case in this generation.

There are actually many traditions in the festivals that are observed by mainstream Christianity that are the perfect example of what one might call legalism.

Festivals like Christmas and Easter and observing the Sabbath on the first day of the week. None of these traditions are in the word of Yahweh but rather came from paganism. All these things are adding to Yahweh's already perfect word.

Does keeping Yahweh's Torah save us?

In other words, did we receive salvation because we kept Yahweh's Torah?

Or, do we maintain our salvation if we keep Yahweh's Torah?

Such matters are the cause of much confusion today

Let's just see what the scriptures say:

Romans 2:12 - For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Romans 2:13 - (For not the hearers of the law are just before YAHWEH, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

First, it is clear that only the doers of the law will be justified (declared righteous)

Galatians 5:4 - You have become estranged from the Messiah, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from favor.

Here it says we are fallen from favor (grace) if we attempt to be justified by the law

So then, how are we justified?

Galatians 3:11 - But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of YAHWEH is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:12 - Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."

Here we see that we can only be justified by faith, not by the law. Why?

Because it is only that man who does them (a doer of the law) that can "live" (Have eternal life) by them!

Have we done them?

Romans 3:20 - Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:21 - But now the righteousness of YAHWEH without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:22 - Even the righteousness of YAHWEH which is by faith of Yahushua the Messiah unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of YAHWEH;

Romans 3:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Messiah Yahushua:

We have all sinned. This means we have all transgressed Yahweh's law, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

To receive justification (to be declared righteous), we must receive it by faith. Through the righteousness of Yahweh which is in Yahushua we receive justification.

Through Yahushua we are declared righteous (justified)

For when we are in Him, it is no longer we who live...

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been impaled with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of YAHWEH, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

When the Adam man (the sinner) is dead and Yahushua (the righteous) lives in us.. we have salvation and justification!

This is symbolized in baptism:

Acts 2:38 - Then Kepha said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahushua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as the Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Notice carefully Kepha/Peter's words in Acts 2:38 where we are told that we must "Repent", and Romans 6:4 says we should walk in the newness of life

Repent means to "Turn".. to turn away from sin (breaking Yahweh's law) and turn toward righteousness (keeping Yahweh's law).

Repentance is a requirement for Yahushua to choose to live in you

It is a requirement that must be fulfilled prior to baptism

Once we have a change of heart.. to turn away from sin, we should be living our lives as Yahushua lived His.. for He is in you, yes?

1John 2:1 - My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yahushua the Messiah the righteous.

1John 2:2 - And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

1John 2:3 - Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

1John 2:4 - He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Many are those who say they have a "personal relationship" with the Savior of men

And that they know Him

But when it comes to keeping the commandments, they want to hear none of it

Some (but not all) are following their own spirit, and following a Messiah that they have invented for themselves.. one that's contrary to the one spoken of in scripture.

1John 2:5 - But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of YAHWEH is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

1John 2:6 - He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

In truth, Yahweh wants a relationship with each one of us

But it will be on His terms, and not one we invent for ourselves!

Yahweh loves us so much it is probably beyond our comprehension

The hairs of our head are numbered.

Matthew 10:30 - But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

He counts our steps

Job 31:4 - Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

Drawing near to Him with a belief that He will mold Himself to what we want Him to be is delusional

Let's seek to truly know and love Him, for we know how much He loves and knows us.

And by what He says He is.. let's draw near to Him in relationship

And not be deceived with a strong delusion because we do not love the truth

Once we have receive salvation and justification in Him, we aren't supposed to be returning to the vomit!

In fact, that is a more dangerous situation to be in than if we have never known Yahushua:

2Peter 2:21 - For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

2Peter 2:22 - But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."

Romans 6:15 - What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means!

Romans 6:16 - Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

And it is on this point that many have stumbled.

Sin is STILL transgression of the law. Sin is still breaking the commandments of Yahweh!

1John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin trangresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.

1John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

1John 3:6 - Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1John 3:7 - Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1John 3:8 - He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of YAHWEH was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1John 3:9 - Whoever has been born of YAHWEH does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of YAHWEH.

When the fullness of our rebirth has come and we have receive immortality, we will be sinless. And we are to be living our lives in this way now, for that is evidence of Yahushua the Messiah living in you. He did not sin!

And if out love a believer has a strong desire to walk in His footstep, this is NOT legalism.

It is expected!

Was Yahushua a legalist?

He said..

Matthew 5:27 - Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Matthew 5:28 - But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Did He take that commandment further than it was actually written?

In truth, no.. but the same ones who believe this also believe He made the law "harder to keep."

Yahushua went into the heart Yahweh's commandments brethren, and that is what we should be seeking. It isn't a list of do's and don't's that we seek, but to love Him.. to know Him and to seek that walk with Messiah

We should beware of excuses to excuse away what Yahweh does say

Yahushua was not adding to any of the commandments here. He taught that if you hate your brother that it is like you are committing murder in your heart. And He taught that if you lust after a woman, than you have already committed adultery in your heart. Lust and Hate were sins long before Yahushua came to earth for it is written "Do not covet your neighbors wife" and "You shall not take vengeance nor bear any grudge"

What if a man goes around teaching the commandments of Yahweh and really focusing on them? Is this legalism?

No, it is actually a part of the great commission!

Matthew 28:18 - And Yahushua came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

Matthew 28:20 - Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.

Teaching them to observe commandments...

What did Yahushua teach?

Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:18 - For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 5:19 - Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Very interesting! We can see that those whoever does and teaches even the least of the commandments of Yahweh shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Why then would we those who do such things be called a supposed derogatory term like "Legalist" today?

The motivations are many, perhaps the strongest motivation is "Conscience relief"

If one can insult someone who keeps Yahweh's commandments by calling him a "Legalist", it relieves them of their conscience which is often harassing them by seeing the righteous example.

Thus, the conscience is seared

A scripture says..

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Well, I have found a new proverb.. "For every commandment Yahweh gives, man has an excuse to break it"

Take the Ten Commandments for instance...

Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other elohim before me.

I've heard the excuse, "Well, that says have no other elohim BEFORE Yahweh.. that means that of all the gods I worship Yahweh has to be #1.. and He is!" (I heard this from a pagan)

And Yahweh said...

Exodus 20:4 - Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Exodus 20:5 - Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I YAHWEH thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

There's the excuse, "Well uh.. just because I'm bowing before that statue of Jesus doesn't mean I'm worshiping the idol... I'm worshiping the one it represents!"

And Yahweh said..

Exodus 20:7 - Thou shalt not take the name of YAHWEH thy Elohim in vain; for YAHWEH will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

I've heard the excuse, "Well, we just take the name of Yahweh out of scripture (thus actually making it vain, useless, of no purpose, etc) so that people won't use it, blaspheme it or take it in vain!"

And Yahweh said..

Exodus 20:8 - Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

We've all heard the excuse, "Well, that was for the Jews" or "The Messiah is our Sabbath now! or "Every day is our Sabbath" or "I keep the Sabbath, I just do it on another day!"

And Yahweh said..

Exodus 20:12 - Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which YAHWEH thy Elohim giveth thee.

I've often heard the excuse "Well, my Father or my Mother are evil so I don't need to honor them!"

And Yahweh said..

Exodus 20:13 - Thou shalt not kill.

I've often heard the excuse, "Well, if I abort (kill) my baby now.. he won't live in this cruel world where I won't be able to support him or her!"

And Yahweh said...

Exodus 20:14 - Thou shalt not commit adultery.

We've probably all heard the excuse "Well, she was the one who was dressed that way, how could I not look at her in that way?"

Exodus 20:15 - Thou shalt not steal.

For this, I've heard the excuse "Well, nothing in the the USA law says I have to pay income tax!", or "They are wealthy and probably wouldn't care"

Exodus 20:16 - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

For this people say "It's just a white lie.. white lies are okay", or "I didn't know that it was just a rumor"

And Yahweh said..

Exodus 20:17 - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

And for this we hear, "I'm not coveting.. I just hope to have one like that one some day when I can afford it", or "I'll just put it on the credit card!" or again "Well, she was the one who was dressed that way, how could I not look at her in that way?"

Do we see that with every commandment there is an excuse? And for those of us who seek no excuses, we are branded "Legalists"

It's all for "conscience relief" and when we are called "Legalists" it's just another tactic and excuse for disobedience

Many other excuses are "The Messiah fulfilled that", "We aren't Jews" and "He didn't mean that literally"

Yahushua gave us fair warning:

Matthew 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Rabbi, Rabbi, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:22 - Many will say to me in that day, Rabbi, Rabbi, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Matthew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

They thought they knew Him, and He them.

But if you look in your Strong's lexicon, you will have an interesting definition for the word "iniquity". Let's see:

458. anomia an-om-ee'-ah from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness: -iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

Notice that one of the definitions is "Illegality"

Brethren, it is evident that too many people are too concerned about being a legalist and not nearly enough concerned that they are an Illegalist and are ignoring the commandments of Yahweh!

Let us hear the words of Yahushua:

Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Rabbi, Rabbi, and do not the things which I say?

Luke 6:47 - Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Luke 6:48 - He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luke 6:49 - But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Luke 6:50 -

What house do you want to build? Let us build the house on the rock!

The "Legalist" accusations too often undermines that.

Yes, it is possible for someone to go to the other extreme and forget that it is Yahushua who brings them salvation. There is a such thing as Mercy... Yahweh gives it liberally to those who confess their sins and endeavor to walk before Him blamelessly.

1John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

IF we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us.

What if we come across something in His word that we have not noticed before and realized that we were not walking in obedience? Should our first step not be to stop and pray right at that moment and confess our sin unto Him? I think this is what we should be doing. Even confessing then, is an act of obedience!

Philippians 2:12 - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Is this what we often see today? Fear and trembling? What is usually heard is "Ah! He doesn't care about that commandment or this commandment!" or "We don't have to do that anymore because (insert excuse here)"

Let us walk in His perfect will because we love Yahushua so much that we want to be like Him!

But who is like Him? Who seeks to walk in the Torah law as He did?

Very few.

Very few observe the Sabbath as He did. Very few keep the feast days as He did. Very few wear the tassels as He did. Very few keep the unclean/clean commandments as He did. Very few honor Yahweh's name as He did. Yes, very few show the true love for obedience to His Father as He did! He was very picky as to who He would call a brother:

Luke 8:20 - And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

Luke 8:21 - And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of YAHWEH, and do it.

How's that for a qualifier?

It cuts right through all the excuses. Yahweh says it, we do it.. case closed, end of decision, no excuses!

Look at how devoted to obedience Yahushua was:

Matthew 26:38 - Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Matthew 26:39 - And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

As He sweat blood because He loves His Father and loves us so much.. Yahushua not only obeyed the commandments given to Him. He obeyed them to His death. Even though none were with Him.

He asked His disciples to watch with Him. But they didn't...they fell asleep.

Brethren, even if we are the last ones standing on the earth who seek to obey His word.. we must not turn away. He who loved us is worthy!

And if we happen to do what is commanded us..

Luke 17:10 - So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

It is the power of Yahweh in us that gives us the strength to do His will, we are nothing of ourselves. It is not we who live, but Yahushua who abides and lives in us.. doing the works

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been impaled with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of YAHWEH, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Seek to love Him, to know Him, to let Him walk in You and He walked on the earth

And through it all, to Yahweh be all the glory!

Our righteousness comes from Yahweh through Him.. not from the Torah. But we surely must have a heart of obedience to His word

We surely should not heed the excuses, insults and ramblings of those who are inspired by the wrong spirit. It is not the Spirit of Yahweh that tries to get you to be disobedient, it is an unclean spirit motivating people to do that.

Where does it say, "Depart from me, you commandment keepers... into the lake of fire you go!"

So let us not sleep as the disciples did while Yahushua prayed and chose Yahweh's will over His own, but let us arise and keep Yahweh commandments just as He intended us to keep them with an attitude of love. For by this He knows...

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:16 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Brethren, this is not legalism...

This is LOVE

1John 4:19 - We love Him because He first loved us.

May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!