06/06/2008 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

John 16:32 - Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Words of peace...

In Him and His words we do have peace

While the world chases its own things that do not bring peace...

We who know Yahushua are the only ones able to experience it

The world will seek to entangle us within its turmoil...

But in Yahushua and His words we have... Shalom

"Shalom" is the Hebrew word most commonly translated "Peace"

According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, "Shalom" means:

"The general meaning behind the root of 'Shalom' is of completion and fulfilment--of entering into a state of wholeness and unity, a restored relationship"

So "Shalom" means more than just peace

It is a state of wholeness, unity and a restored relationship.

Many do seek shalom in their lives

The world seeks it diligently, but in all the wrong places.

They often marvel at those who do possess it.

In truth, shalom is something that only a believer in Yahweh can possess. There is no shalom unless we first have shalom with Yahweh.

He is the source of shalom and order. Unless we are in submission to Him in our hearts, we will not have shalom.

In the Torah (Law) we read that one of the things that is reaped from sin is:

Deuteronomy 28:66 - And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:

Deuteronomy 28:67 - In the morning thou shalt say, Would Elohim it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would Elohim it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

This is one of the curses for disobedience listed in the Torah/law.

Clearly this is a picture of a person without shalom/peace in their life.

But we are told to seek shalom:

Psalms 34:13 - Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Psalms 34:14 - Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalms 34:15 - The eyes of YAHWEH are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalms 34:16 - The face of YAHWEH is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Psalms 34:17 - The righteous cry, and YAHWEH heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 34:18 - YAHWEH is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalms 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but YAHWEH delivereth him out of them all.

And again:

2Timothy 2:22 - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on YAHWEH out of a pure heart.

These things can be sought with others ..with those that call on Yahweh out of a pure heart.

So let's seek Yahweh's shalom together.

Yahweh promises to give us peace:

Psalms 29:11 - YAHWEH will give strength unto his people; YAHWEH will bless his people with peace.

Peace is a great blessing

How can one have this peace?

Peace is promised to those who keep their heart, soul and mind upon Yahweh:

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:4 - Trust ye in YAHWEH for ever: for in YAH YAHWEH is everlasting strength:

Indeed, peace is given to those who trust in Yahweh:

Psalms 4:5 - Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in YAHWEH.

Psalms 4:6 - There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? YAHWEH, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Psalms 4:7 - Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

Psalms 4:8 - I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, YAHWEH, only makest me dwell in safety.

When we trust, we have no inner turmoil or fear.

For we know that Yahweh is control of our lives. We have submitted ourselves to His care.

To those who love His Torah/law He gives peace:

Psalms 119:165 - Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

and again:

Psalms 3:13 -

Proverbs 3:13 - Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:14 - For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Proverbs 3:15 - She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Proverbs 3:16 - Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

Proverbs 3:17 - Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

All her paths are indeed peace..and pleasantness

Proverbs 3:18 - She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

As we shared recently, Yahweh says the Torah is our wisdom.

Deuteronomy 4:6 - Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Isaiah 18:17 -

Isaiah 48:17 - Thus saith YAHWEH, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am YAHWEH thy Elohim which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Isaiah 48:18 - O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

It's when one strays from His wisdom, His word, and walk in fear/doubt that shalom is lost.

But one need not continue going that way.

We have a way of reconciliation.

In the same way that knowledge of righteousness from His teaching, His commandments, His law brings us peace...Yahushua the Messiah (who is the living word) brings us peace.

If we consider all the turmoil and strife that the world glorifies, indeed this is good news!

Isaiah 52:7 - How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy Elohim reigneth!

John the Baptist prepared the way, guiding the feet of his followers into the way of peace:

For his father prophesied of him:

Luke 1:76 - And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of YAHWEH to prepare his ways;

Luke 1:77 - To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

Luke 1:78 - Through the tender mercy of our Elohim; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Luke 1:79 - To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And of Yahushua it was said:

Luke 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is the Messiah the Sovereign.

Luke 2:12 - And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:13 - And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising YAHWEH, and saying,

Luke 2:14 - Glory to YAHWEH in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

With Yahushua, we can believe that His mercy is ever upon us through our repentance--bringing peace between us and Yahweh.

Some think they may have gone too far from His paths, having fallen out of favor with Yahweh--perhaps committing the unpardonable

They lack shalom within, and their life hangs in doubt before them.

But if such a one will only turn back to Yahweh again, and start walking in righteousness... seeking Yahweh's cleansing and strength again...

And seek to serve Yahweh faithfully from that day forward...

Then they can look back at that dark time as only a mere bump in the road.

But unless they choose to start walking the right path again, the things which they have said may indeed be true

We can't let a lack of faith in Yahweh's mercy hold us back, brethren

Psalms 103:11 - For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Never underestimate Yahweh's mercy

He expects us to forgive one another many many times 70 X 7

Do we believe that He wants our mercy to ever exceed His?

There is power in the blood of the Lamb, and He can cleanse us so clean, it will be as though we had never sinned.

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.

But we must have that faith

We must believe these glad tidings

When we finally, truly, from the heart believe in the good news...

And we truly turn away from sin

Committing our hearts to not turn to the right or to the left

And trusting in the good news of His mercy through Yahushua our Master

...then the Shalom will come

The Shalom will come, by faith

Yahushua said that the peacemakers are blessed:

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of YAHWEH.

When we bring Yahushua to the nations, to our families and to all we know...we are peacemakers!

We are bringing peace between Yahweh and others.. and thus between others and us

Sin causes the division between us and Yahweh.. and between man and man

Were it not for sin, all would be at peace with one another, and with Yahweh

Yahushua brings peace to all who receive Him.

But to those who reject Him, there is no peace

In another sense, Yahushua also brings division and not peace

When we are in Yahushua, peace will not truly exist between us and the world

Rather, division

But we still possess peace from Yahweh that passes all knowledge. We just need to let the peace come in, trusting in Almighty Yahweh:

Colossians 3:14 - And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of Elohim rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

We need to continually let Yahweh's peace rule in our hearts, and be thankful for all He is done.

Sometimes our fears and trials test our faith and get in the way of us keeping His peace.

But if we have faith in Yahweh and we walk in His ways, we can know His peace

To truly have His peace in our heart, we need to set our hearts and minds on spiritual things, not on the things of this world.

Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

If we focus on the things of this world, we will lose His peace and can become depressed

And if we are focused on sin, we will be carnally minded and lose the peace of Yahweh

The world wants us to focus on sin, for sin is the world's focus.

The "News" is often just story after story of how sinners sin, and why we should fear

But the good news of Yahushua is a story of why we should not fear those who kill the body

For the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The wisdom we receive brings life and peace.

The wisdom of Yahweh is found in His word, and we know that Yahushua is the living Word.

Thus He can bring peace

Life and peace are much better

Let's take hold and put on the new man!

Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:7 - Because the carnal mind is enmity against YAHWEH: for it is not subject to the law of YAHWEH, neither indeed can be.

The old man who does not seek to be subject to the Torah (Law) was put to death when we received Yahushua the Messiah, for He lives in us

Yahushua Himself was subject to the Law of Yahweh, therefore He will do those works in us that He did while on the earth

Having a spiritual mind, subject to the Torah, will bring LIFE and PEACE

Colossians 3:1 - If ye then be risen with the Messiah, seek those things which are above, where the Messiah sitteth on the right hand of YAHWEH.

Colossians 3:2 - Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

In the things which are above, righteousness dwells:

2Peter 3:13 - Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2Peter 3:14 - Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

Righteousness and peace go hand in hand. Unrighteousness/sin and disorder/division are also companions with one another.

Therefore His Spirit which dwells in us brings about the fruit of obedience and purity of heart:

Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Galatians 5:23 - gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

No Torah against those things, for the keeping of the Torah/Law brings about those things

Thus, peace can only come through righteousness.

The peace will come when we walk in the path of righteousness. And the peace will comewhen, through faith, we believe that Yahweh places His righteousness upon us through Yahushua the Messiah.

Blessed be Yahweh for His awesome works!

The world brings confusion, but Yahweh is the author of peace.

1Corinthians 14:33 - For Elohim is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all assemblies of the saints.

Yahweh wants to set His holy order and peace in our lives.

Do we have it?

When we are reconciled to Yahweh, we receive His peace. If there is sin in your life that has gone unconfessed.. confess it and forsake it

For when we are reconciled to Yahweh, we receive His peace. Yahweh is the Elohim of Peace!

2Thessalonians 3:16 - Now the Elohim of peace himself give you peace always by all means. YAHWEH be with you all.

But unto the wicked and the unforgiven:

Isaiah 57:20 - But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

Isaiah 57:21 - There is no peace, saith my Elohim, to the wicked.

Indeed, since the wicked do not choose to be righteous through Yahushua the Messiah, and they do not choose to turn away from their sin.. there is no peace.

Yahushua left His peace with His disciples:

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

And He brought it again

John 20:19 - Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Yahushua and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Peace be unto you... In Hebrew, "Shalom Alechem"

And I have found it so very true that Yahushua does not give peace like the world gives, but He gives us the peace that is beyond all understanding:

Philippians 4:6 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim;

Philippians 4:7 - and the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Yahushua.

We have no need to be anxious.. our requests are known to Yahweh!

And He is in ultimate control.

Not man, not satan

Yahweh is in ultimate control.

But let our prayers be given with thankfulness for all that Yahweh has already done

Beware of the alternatives

Going our own way will not bring peace, though it may appear so on the surface at first.

For the world thinks it will have peace but:

Romans 3:16 - Destruction and misery are in their ways:

Romans 3:17 - And the way of peace have they not known:

And when they finally declare that they have peace, this is when we should really beware:

1Thessalonians 5:3 - For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

They do not realize that we are created with a need, a void within, that only Yahweh can fill

Only His peace is true peace.

One can try to fill it with money, drugs, drinking, fleshly pleasures or even a home, a husband, a wife or a congregation.

These things might bring a temporary peace, but they are only temporary things

And the peace that they give is a counterfeit. Only Yahweh can fill the need and bring eternal peace.

A righteous peace.. a true peace that lasts through all eternity.

For He IS Eternal!

Whereas this life ... it is all temporary.

James 4:14 - whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

If we seek eternity, we must be seek to be filled through the Prince of Peace:

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty El, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Prince of Peace is Yahushua the Messiah, through whom we can have righteousness and salvation by the Mercy of Yahweh

The Prince of Peace is Yahushua, through whom we can have righteousness and salvation by the Mercy of Yahweh

Psalms 85:7 - Shew us thy mercy, O YAHWEH, and grant us thy salvation.

Psalms 85:8 - I will hear what El YAHWEH will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Psalms 85:9 - Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Psalms 85:10 - Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Let's not turn again to folly. Let's seek to always remain on the road of righteousness.

For righteousness not only goes hand in hand with peace.. but when we have salvation through Yahushua.. righteousness a peace have kissed each other. What a beautiful picture!

We read in scripture that Yahushua is the brightness of the glory of Yahweh:

Hebrews 1:3 - who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

When Yahweh's righteousness is in us through Yahushua, the brightness of Yahweh's glory shines in our hearts

Psalms 80:3 - Turn us again, O Elohim, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

2Corinthians 4:6 - For YAHWEH, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of YAHWEH in the face of Yahushua the Messiah.

Therefore this Sabbath, may this blessing be upon us and all of our children:

Numbers 6:24 - YAHWEH bless thee, and keep thee:

Numbers 6:25 - YAHWEH make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Yahushua is in this blessing, for a revelation would understand it as "May Yahweh bless you and keep you by the brightness of His glory (Yahshua the Messiah) shining upon you, giving you mercy and grace."

When His face shines upon us.. we are under grace.

Numbers 6:26 - YAHWEH lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Thus, we receive His peace. The plan of salvation is in this blessing, my brethren

Numbers 6:27 - And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

In this, the name of Yahweh is upon us, written in our foreheads, and then truly have the shalom/peace that passes all understanding.. and thus we are truly blessed.

Therefore, let's seek this blessing!

Let's seek the peace of Yahweh

Let's walk in the peace of Yahweh

And lets share the peace of Yahweh.

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