02/01/2008 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

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An all important question will be examined tonight.

It's a question that all of us must be diligent in understanding the answer to.

How can we be saved from death and damnation.. and inherit eternal life?

Many accuse us of trying to "earn our salvation", and say that we are "legalists" who focus more on law-keeping than on His grace.

The reason why they say this is because we keep certain commandments that they do not keep.

For instance, we keep the Sabbath day. For this reason alone, many will call you a "Judaizer" who is trying to "earn your salvation"

So let's examine this question at length to see what the word of Yahweh has to say about it.

What does Yahweh desire of us?

Every one of us in this room should know that we are not deserving of eternal life by our own merits.

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

The question is, how are we redeemed from the condition of sin that separates us from Yahweh?

Some say, "Just believe in Jesus"

But scripture says there is something we do need to work out:

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.

Many are the sermons today which proclaim an eternal truth that we cannot be not saved by our works.

However, it is implied in many of these teachings a very subtle doctrine that we need not be particularly concerned about having good works.

After all, since we aren't saved by works.. why bother with seeking to have good works?

To what benefit might it be to even concern ourselves with having good works at all.. since we aren't saved by it?

Let's seek the scriptures on this matter.

It is written:

Romans 9:30 - What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Romans 9:31 - But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

These two scriptures taken out of context might compel one to think it's a bad thing to concern ourselves with keeping Yahweh's law.

For the Gentiles, who were law-breakers, were able to attain righteousness. But the supposed law-keeping Israelites were not.

But the reason Paul gives as to why the Israelites were not able to attain to righteousness is given in the next verse:

Romans 9:32 - Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

"Because they sought it not by faith"

Sought what not by faith? Righteousness

Romans 9:33 - As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Yahushua the Messiah was what they stumbled over.

It is very clear that THIS is why they did not "Attain righteousness".

We know that the Israelites were given the law of Yahweh. The law taught the Israelites (and all who joined themselves to Yahweh) the difference between righteousness and sin.

The law, without exception has ALWAYS taught, continues to teach and will always teach the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness.

Thus the word "Law" in Hebrew (Torah) means "Teaching"

It is the law that reveals what sin is:

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

Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the law sin? By no means! Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

So while the law does teach us the righteous way to walk, we cannot "attain righteousness" through the law.

We can only attain righteousness when we seek it by faith, believing in Yahushua rather than stumbling

For it is only through Him that we can "attain righteousness."

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Continuing in Romans as it takes us to the next chapter...

Romans 10:1 - Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to YAHWEH for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Romans 10:2 - For I bear them record that they have a zeal of YAHWEH, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of YAHWEH's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of YAHWEH.

So the zeal of Israel was not according to knowledge. They were ignorant of Yahweh's righteousness.

Because they did not seek righteousness by faith in Yahushua, they did not submit to the 'Righteousness of Yahweh".

In the law and prophets, there is a certain "righteousness" which is predicted to be given unto men...

It is written that this righteousness was going to come from Yahweh Himself.

Isaiah 45:23 - I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:24 - Surely, shall one say, in YAHWEH have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

Last week we discussed the fact that we can only receive the strength to overcome if we seek Yahweh's strength. For only in Him do we have righteousness and strength to walk in righteousness.

Let's read more about the righteousness of Yahweh, which is given to men?

Let's read more about the righteousness of Yahweh, which is given to men:

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of YAHWEH, and their righteousness is of me, saith YAHWEH.

To have our righteousness be "of Yahweh" is quite a heritage!

Isaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in YAHWEH, my soul shall be joyful in my Elohim; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

So in the prophets, we see that we receive this righteousness through the Messiah

Jeremiah 23:5 - Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6 - In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Notice that the Messiah is called "Yahweh our Righteousness," that is, Yahweh Tzidkenu

This is because it is through Him that we receive Yahweh's righteousness!

When we accept Him, it is not our righteousness that Yahweh sees..but His own righteousness which He placed in Yahushua the Messiah

The righteousness of Yahushua the Messiah IS the righteousness of Yahweh. For when one called Him "Good", Yahushua declared:

Matthew 19:16 - And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Rabbi, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Matthew 19:17 - And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, YAHWEH: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

And in another place He said:

John 5:19 - Then answered Yahushua and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

And again..

John 14:10 - Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Every one of us has sinned. But if we accept Yahweh's way of bringing us righteousness.. we can say:

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.

We must have this righteousness of Yahweh in us, in order to be cleansed from sin. This is why there is only ONE way to the Father: Yahushua the Messiah.

This we receive and believe by faith.

John 14:6 - Yahushua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

So it is only through the Messiah that we can "attain the righteousness" we need to be in the Father's presence. Thus, Yahushua is called "Yahweh our Righteousness" (Jer 23) or in Hebrew.. "Yahweh Tzidkenu"

For this reason, we are not saved by our own righteousness. We are saved by Yahweh's righteousness through Yahushua the Messiah. Thus, we are saved by His work, not our own works.

With this in mind, let's read Romans 10 again:

Romans 10:1 - Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to YAHWEH for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Romans 10:2 - For I bear them record that they have a zeal of YAHWEH, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of YAHWEH's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of YAHWEH.

So we must not be ignorant of Yahweh's righteousness, but we must submit to to the righteousness of Yahweh.. for every tongue will have to confess that "in Yahweh have I righteousness and strength!" (Isaiah 45).

If we are ignorant of His righteousness and we (like Israel) do not submit to His righteousness, we will have no choice but to trying to establish our own righteousness to be saved. But if we even try that, the law will simply condemn us!

For the truth is that none of us trying to establish our own righteousness will be declared righteous on judgment day.

So the law cannot give us righteousness. It can only show us what righteousness is.

Therefore, the law must be understood in that context. It does not declare us righteous unless we have kept it. But we have not kept it. Therefore...

Romans 10:4 - For the Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Note that it says Yahushua is the end of the law "FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Yahweh's law doesn't make anyone righteous, it only shows/reveals to all their sin because we did not keep this law.

Therefore, the Messiah is the end of the law "For righteousness" because it cannot give us righteousness. Only Yahweh can give us the righteousness we need to be justified (declared righteous). He does that through Yahushua.

This is why Yahweh said in Isaiah:

Isaiah 45:24 - Surely, shall one say, in YAHWEH have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

Isaiah 45:25 - In YAHWEH shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

"In YAHWEH shall all the seed of Israel be justified."

Through Yahweh's righteousness we are justified.

Not our own righteousness which might come through the law.

The law only condemns us, it doesn't give us righteousness.

If we take Romans 10:4 out of context, we will not understand that Paul is simply saying that Messiah is the end of the law "for righteousness." He is not saying that the age of law keeping has ended!

Now the word "end" in "End of the law for righteousness" is believed by many torah observant believers to not really mean "end", but mean "aim or goal"

But the greek word translated "end" in this verse does mean "end" and it is translated "End" 35 times and miscellaneous words 7 times.

For example, it is used here:

Matthew 24:13 - But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

We simply need to understand the context to grasp what is being spoken here. Again, Paul is simply saying that Messiah is the end of the law "for righteousness." He is not saying that the age of law keeping has ended!

Yahweh saw that we needed salvation.. we could not save ourselves.

Isaiah 59:15 - Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and YAHWEH saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Isaiah 59:16 - And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Notice it says "therefore his ARM brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him". Yahushua is likened unto the arm of Yahweh. But to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?

Isaiah 53:1 - Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of YAHWEH revealed?

Isaiah 53:2 - For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:3 - He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

We must believe the report.. and the arm of Yahweh (Yahushua) must be revealed to us. We must not stumble over Him but accept that Yahweh's righteousness is given to us through Him...so that we might be justified (declared righteous) in Yahweh's sight.

Back to Isaiah 59:16 ....

Isaiah 59:16 - And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Isaiah 59:17 - For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

We should also put on this armor of Yahweh that we might be able to stand (Ephesians 6). It is because Yahushua dwells in us that we have this armor to begin with.

Brethren, there is no other way.. only in Yahweh.. through His righteousness in Yahushua can we be justified (declared righteous, and thus have salvation)

Thus it is only through Him that we can receive peace.. and ultimately eternal life. If you do not know Him, I would encourage you to seek Him! Without Him, we are wicked, filthy sinners in Yahweh's sight and we will be condemned!

Therefore, seek Him!

Jeremiah 29:13 - And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

I share these things from the prophets lest anyone think that this was just some teaching that Paul made up on his own. He didn't make it up, it was in the prophets all along!

Thus, the Messiah is the end of the law "FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS". The law never made anyone righteous, it only shows us what righteousness is.

Those who reject Yahushua and cling to the Torah are relying on the torah to justify them. But without Yahweh's righteousness in us, we will not be declared righteous!

We need the Righteousness of Yahweh..through Yahshua the Messiah in order for us to appear righteous unto Yahweh. We have sinned.. we can't be declared righteous through our own works. Nobody relying on the law to justify them are going to make it. Nobody will be able to stand before Yahweh on the day of judgment and say .. "See, I kept your law!"

Every one of us have sinned at some point in our life. The whole mistake of Israel was that they did not seek the righteousness of Yahweh in faith (through the Messiah). Instead they tried to attain righteousness by their own power (establishing their own righteousness).

Anyone seeking that will fail miserably.

Continuing in Romans:

Romans 10:5 - For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

"The man who does them shall live by them."

Live by what? Live by His law, His commandments

So if we do the commandments, we will 'live' (have eternal life) by them.

Problem..

Nobody has ever done them, except one.

And none of us are that one.

Yahushua is that ONE.

Therefore HE LIVES!

The grave could not contain Him!

Acts 2:24 - Whom YAHWEH hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

But when this scripture speaks of "living" in Romans 10:5 ("live by them"), does it mean eternal life?

Consider the words of Yahushua:

Luke 10:25 - And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Notice that He is asking what to do to inherit "Eternal" life

Luke 10:26 - He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

Luke 10:27 - And he answering said, Thou shalt love YAHWEH thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 10:28 - And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Do this and thou shalt "Live," meaning you will inherit eternal life because the original question was "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

So let's read this quote in Romans 10:5 again..but this time let's read what Paul was actually quoting from, Leviticus:

Leviticus 18:5 - Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am YAHWEH.

So yes, righteousness could come through the law if one had done them.

But since we haven't, we need Yahweh's Righteousness IN US if we ever want to "live," that is have eternal life.

We will live because it is no longer we who live, but Yahushua (and His righteousness) in us.

So many today, ask that the Messiah would "come into their heart"

But then they will reject the word of Yahweh which the new covenant says is to be written on their heart, through Messiah.

We know that Yahushua is called the "Word" in a number of places.

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim.

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Revelation 19:13 - He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of YAHWEH.

If the Messiah is in our heart, then the Word is also. And if the Word is, then Yahweh's Law is also.

Yahushua is the living Torah, for He kept every command. He is perfectly righteous in every way.

And all of Yahweh's commandments, are part of the "Word", whether it's in Leviticus or Revelation.

If the Messiah is in our heart, then the Torah (Law) is also. And if the Torah is, then it will reflect through our obedience to it.

In fact, if Yahweh's righteousness dwells in us, we will walk as Yahushua walked: Keeping Yahweh's law

Continuing in Romans..

Romans 10:6 - But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring the Messiah down from above:)

Romans 10:7 - Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up the Messiah again from the dead.)

Romans 10:8 - But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Master Yahushua, and shalt believe in thine heart that Elohim hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

HalleluYah! Do we see how it all ties in together?

Yahushua is the LIVING word (Torah/law) of Yahweh made flesh

The common notion that all we have to do is "believe and confess" to be saved is true.

We will believe "unto righteousness"

Romans 10:1 - Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to YAHWEH for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Romans 10:10 - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10 actually is a quotation of the words of Moses in Deuteronomy:

When he speaks to Israel he says:

Deuteronomy 30:11 - For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

Deuteronomy 30:12 - It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Paul likens Yahushua to the word, the "commandment"

Because he said:

Romans 10:6 - But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring the Messiah down from above:)

Deuteronomy 30:13 - Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

Romans 10:7 - Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up the Messiah again from the dead.)

Deuteronomy 10:14 - Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is YAHWEH's thy Elohim, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Deuteronomy 30:14 - But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Romans 10:8 - But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Master Yahushua, and shalt believe in thine heart that Elohim hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

So in Messiah, we can say that we are able to do the commandments and we can say that we are righteous (have kept the commandments of the law)

Romans 10:10 - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Thus, we will believe "unto righteousness"

Our belief results in Yahweh giving us the righteousness we need to be saved. A true belief will say "The Word, the Messiah and His righteousness is in me!"

If this is true then You will have righteousness within you like Yahushua was righteous.

SO THEN...

Can we forget about walking in righteousness, and just trust the Messiah to make us righteous?

Should we live a life of sin anyway, since the righteousness of Yahweh is in us?

Are we free now to break the law of Yahweh because Yahushua kept all that for us?

Brethren...

This is where the enemy has blinded the eyes of billions !!!!

First, by changing the definition of sin (ignoring the fact that sin is transgression of the Torah/law).. and second, by perverting Paul's words to say that since we aren't saved by our own righteousness.. we need not be so concerned about any sin (transgression of the law) in our lives.

But we must realize that before we can receive the righteousness of Yahweh through Messiah, we must repent!

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.

So Yahweh should see an attitude of repentance within us... repent means to TURN. We were going the wrong direction, but we must turn and go the right direction.

Problem: If we don't care whether or not we are going the right direction because we think that we have Yahweh's righteousness in us.. we have skipped a step that we must make to receive Yahweh's righteousness to begin with and we are deceiving ourselves!

Of course, as we shared a few weeks ago repentance does not mean we instantly walk in perfection. Repentance means that we truly and sincerely want to, desire to, and seek Yahweh's strength to walk in perfection!

Paul declared publicly that he taught repentance.. and the need for works to back it up:

Acts 26:19 - Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Acts 26:10 - Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Acts 26:20 - But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to YAHWEH, and do works meet for repentance.

So we turn to Yahweh and do works meet (worthy) of repentance.

Anyone who thinks they can receive salvation without repentance is deceived. So is anyone who believes that sin is no longer transgression of the Torah/law of Yahweh.

The very definition of sin is breaking the law. We cannot "sin that grace may abound"!

Romans 6:1 - What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Romans 6:2 - By no means! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

It is an insult to the awesome work of Yahushua, who suffered immeasurably so that we would be saved, that anyone would think it is okay to sin now that we have received salvation. After all, it was because of our law-breaking that Yahushua had to come and die for us in the first place!

And He wants so much to live in us. But if we claim that He is living in us and we have an "oh well, I'm a sinner" attitude, this is evidence that He really is not in us at all! He never had such an attitude.

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.

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.

"By this we know we are in Him!"

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

If we claim to abide in Yahushua then we should be diligently seeking to walk as He walked.

That law is written on our heart because Yahushua is there.

Did He keep the Torah/Law of Yahweh? YES

That settles it for me!

Yet some think they "have the Spirit now" and are free to disobey Yahweh's law.

Brethren, the Spirit of Yahweh does not lead us to disobey Yahweh's commandments, it is an unclean spirit that leads us to do that!

John 14:26 - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Notice that the Holy Spirit comes in Yahushua's name. And His Spirit, His word, Yahushua's righteousness will come into our hearts and manifest itself.

The Spirit brings the "Word" to our remembrance.

Just as Yahweh predicted in the prophets:

Ezekiel 36:27 - And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

What? That scripture doesn't say that the Spirit of Yahweh will cause you to reject or ignore "that old law"?

The Spirit doesn't warn you to "quit spending so much time in the Old Testament?"

Well, there is a spirit that will tell you that, but it isn't Yahweh's Spirit!

It doesn't say in Ezekiel 36:27 that the Spirit will lead you to some new and improved, fresh and exciting law that would be to come.

Not at all, the Spirit will lead us to keeping Yahweh's commandments as already given. Yahweh didn't make a mistake.

His Spirit is supposed to cause us to walk in His statutes, not forget about them and say "Hey, I don't have to do that because I have the law in my heart" That doesn't make any sense!

How can the law be in your heart when you reject it?

How can the law be in our heart if we tell everyone it's done away with?

If the Spirit of Yahweh is in you and the law is in your heart, where are the fruits of the Spirit?

The fruits of the Spirit are obedience.

So if we refuse to keep the commandments that Yahushua kept, where is the evidence that He dwells in us?

Where is the evidence of His Spirit causing us to walk in His statutes and do them? How can we claim we are walking as He walked?

Thus it is, my brethren.. "by this we know."

By this we know that we are in Yahushua, and He in us

By this we know that we love Him.

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

If Yahushua is the living word, He didn't just speak the words in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Yahweh speaks through Him all throughout the scriptures

And if His righteousness is in us, His Word is in us, we will be wanting to keep His commandments.. that Spirit in us will guide us to righteousness.

Isn't it an awesome thing how His word all ties in together?

Brethren, the old, tired, confusing way of looking at the scriptures.. as if the "Old and New Testaments" are opposed one another needs to be disposed of.

The scriptures really are ONE message, ONE sweet, beautiful, unified word of truth from cover to cover. HalleluYah!

Again I say, works will save nobody. It has always been that way, even in the "Old testament."

Habakkuk 2:4 - Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

"The Just (one who is declared righteous) shall live (have eternal life) by faith"

We have faith in Yahweh's mercy that He will forgive us, cleanse us and declare us righteous.

And when Yahushua came, it was revealed just how He was going to do that.

Yahushua said:

John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

We have no righteousness, or strength to walk in righteousness apart from Him.

Now, contrary to popular opinion.. Paul also taught that righteous works are necessary to enter the kingdom:

1Corinthians 6:9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH.

"Be not deceived."

Paul never taught against righteousness at all!

Galatians 5:19 - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Galatians 5:20 - idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Galatians 5:21 - envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH.

"Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH."

And again..

Ephesians 5:3 - But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

Ephesians 5:4 - neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:5 - For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and YAHWEH.

These were the issues in the first century. But now men want to act as if they are the only issues we need to deal with.

It wasn't hard to find a Sabbath keeper in those days, as it is today. After all, we read in many places in the book of Acts that Paul made the initial contact with the Gentiles in the synagogues.

Today, some think that sabbath keeping has nothing to do with "bearing the fruits of the Spirit"

Or that refraining from eating abominable meats has nothing to do with whether or not we are walking in righteousness.

But any act of obedience to Yahweh is bearing the fruits of His Spirit. We, who abide in the vine, will bear the fruits of obedience that Yahushua bore.

Ezekiel 36:27 - And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

It is true that there is no commandment keeping that we can do to make up for the times that we DID break His commmandments

However, unless we 'repent' from our sins and do works worthy of repentance, we cannot be saved because we have failed to abide in the Vine! We are cast out as a fruitless branch and burned!

John 15:6 - If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Our works will automatically match our faith & heart if our faith & heart are truly sincere! This is not to say we might not fail from time to time, and this is not to say that we don't have the grace available to learn and grow...

1John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

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.

As we shared last week. Simply confess them in humility before Yahweh, trust in His mercy... and press on toward the goal!

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves

But we ought to seek to be without sin!

Philippians 3:13 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14 - I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of YAHWEH in the Messiah Yahushua.

If we have the right attitude and heart toward obedience to His commandments and we humbly repent seek forgiveness when we realize we have done wrong.. and don't treat Yahweh like an automatic vending machine (up goes the prayer and out comes forgiveness)... we can count on His mercy!

We must take Yahushua's words seriously...

Yahushua said that He who does not abide in Him "is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."

Without righteous works, where is the evidence of Yahushua being in us?

Where is the vine?

Is it possible to be saved apart from good works?

In a round about way, a question I've been asked too many times is "how much can we get away with?"

As I've been sharing in recent studies, if we have that kind of attitude, we won't get away with much of anything

Is Yahushua at all concerned about our works? Some think not.. but let's see

In these verses, Yahushua was speaking of certain assemblies. To the assembly in Ephesus He said:

Revelation 2:2 - "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

To Smyrna He said:

Revelation 2:9 - "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

To Thyatira He said:

Revelation 2:19 - "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

To Pergamos He said:

Revelation 2:13 - "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne [is]. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

To Philadelphia He said:

Revelation 3:8 - "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

And to Laodicea He said:

Revelation 3:15 - "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Revelation 3:16 - "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Yahushua said He would separate the lukewarm from His body. Brethren, let's not lose our zeal and love for Him.

So in summary Yahushua said to them:

"I know your works", "I know your works", "I know your works", "I know your works", "I know your works", "I know your works", and (finally) "I know your works"!

Do you suppose that He might have been a bit concerned with their works?

He said it to all seven of them!

And to some of them He warned that they were in danger of losing salvation, and He listed their works and admonished them to "Overcome!"

So let me put it this way, my brothers and sisters..

We are not saved by our works..

But without good works, we will not be saved!

Works are important.. no matter what anyone tells you.

Revelation 22:12 - "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Revelation 22:13 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Yes, it is abundantly clear that we must keep His commandments. It is abundantly clear that we must have HIS WORKS abiding in us.

Else we aren't really the "Body of Yahushua" because when Yahushua walked this earth HE walked in righteousness, perfectly. If we aren't willing to submit to the head of the body then maybe we are not a part of His body.

Revelation 14:12 - Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of YAHWEH and the faith of Yahushua.

There is a good picture, a picture of the saints.

The saints are those who keep the commandments of Yahweh AND have the faith of Yahushua.

In this, there are two religions. Judaism accepts the Torah, but rejects the Messiah. Christianity accepts the Messiah but rejects the Torah.

But you can't have one without the other. Yahushua is the TORAH/WORD of Yahweh! We must accept both, for they are in unity with one another.

How did Yahushua walk?

Did He break the Sabbath?

Did He keep this Winter Solstice/Christmas holiday we saw going on over a month ago?

Did He observe things like Halloween?

Did He eat the abominable meats like pork and shellfish?

Did He ignore Yahweh's feast days and create his own holi-days with their roots in idolatry?

Did He ever break any commandment found in Yahweh's law?

The absolute undeniable truth is "NO."

If He did, He could not be righteous! But we KNOW He was and is.

To those who ARE doing these things, I ask:

If Yahushua is "IN YOU", if HIS Righteousness is "IN YOU" and His Word is "IN YOU", and His SPIRIT is "IN YOU"...causing you to "walk in His statutes" (to quote Ezekiel), then tell me... why are YOU doing these things?

You want to walk as Yahushua walked (WWYD)? Do you not?

I hope so.

So if Yahushua is "IN YOU", if HIS Righteousness is "IN YOU" and His Word is "IN YOU", and His SPIRIT is "IN YOU"...causing you to "walk in His statutes" to quote Ezekiel, then it is is necessary that WE ALL do these things, just as He did while on earth

We must "Walk as He walked" if we truly want His righteousness, His word, His Spirit dwelling in us.

Let's abide in Him!

Let's seek His example in every aspect of our lives!

It is time..

It is time to seek Yahweh's righteousness!

Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of YAHWEH, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Psalms 119:126 - It is time for thee, YAHWEH, to work: for they have made void thy law.

When we seek righteousness by faith, we will receive it abundantly.

We seek Yahweh's righteousness by seeking to have His righteousness placed in us through Yahushua the Messiah, and we seek Yahweh's righteousness by seeking His strength to help us walk out that righteousness with Yahushua in us.

It is time to let His life and His word feed us all the days of our lives. It's time that men stop listening to deceived preachers and let Yahushua Himself demonstrate what true righteousness is.

He was meek, humble, He laid down His life for us, He did all things in the Torah, weightier and less weighty .

So let's abide in the vine...

Let's allow Yahushua's light to shine through us, by His life being lived again through us.

Let's remain humble through it all... remembering the pit from which we were dug out of.

And remembering the blessed grace we have been given in spite of ourselves.

Thank You Father, for saving each of us.. .and for revealing to us the true good news. O Yahweh continue to reveal Your awesome ways to us...

And may Yahweh bless you and have mercy on us all!