Transcript of Sabbath Meeting - 07/02/99

Tonite I would like to talk about the importance of Joy and rejoicing in the life of a believer.

As most of us know, and as we have shared in previous meetings.. joy is a fruit of the Spirit:

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.

Deuteronomy 28:47 - Because thou servedst not YAHWEH thy Elohim with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

Deuteronomy 28:48 - Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which YAHWEH shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

Rather than being blessed, they were cursed. We need to remember to always count our blessings. Especially on Yahweh's sabbath days

Grief on a holy day of Yahweh is not pleasing to Him

Nehemiah 8:1 - And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which YAHWEH had commanded to Israel.

Nehemiah 8:2 - And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Nehemiah 8:3 - And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:4 - And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Nehemiah 8:5 - And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Nehemiah 8:6 - And Ezra blessed YAHWEH, the great Elohim. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped YAHWEH with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:7 - Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

Nehemiah 8:8 - So they read in the book in the law of Elohim distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Nehemiah 8:9 - And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto YAHWEH your Elohim; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Sovereign: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of YAHWEH is your strength.

The people were so grieved that they had not kept Yahweh's law.

So they were grieving and mourning over the fact that they had failed Yahweh.

Have you ever felt like that?

One might think that this is a good reason to lack joy at that present moment.

One might even condemn another for not mourning over their disobedience. But Nehemiah informed them that they needed to be joyful!

Their sins were forgiven!! Yahshua informs us that the angels in heaven rejoice when sinners repent:

Luke 15:8 - Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

Luke 15:9 - And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Luke 15:10 - Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of YAHWEH over one sinner that repenteth.

Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Sovereign: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of YAHWEH is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:11 - So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

Nehemiah 8:12 - And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

This joy of Yahweh that was their strength also sustained Yahshua as He endured his affliction on the tree:

Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:2 - looking unto Yahushua, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of YAHWEH.

1Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice evermore.

1Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.

James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

James 1:3 - knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1:4 - But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

We can still say, "Thank You Father!! "

1Peter 4:12 - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

1Peter 4:13 - but rejoice to the extent that you partake of the Messiah's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

and He endured 'for the joy that was set before Him'

David, after his sin with Bathsheba asked Yahweh

Psalms 51:8 - Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Psalms 51:9 - Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Like those in Nehemiah's day, this is often what prevents us from having that joy

But Yahweh is merciful. How merciful is Yahweh?

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

For surely Yahweh dwells in the high and holy place

But also with those who have a contrite heart and humble spirit!!

And here is what Yahweh promises to do:

Isaiah 57:15 - For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Is this not what He did with those in Nehemiah's days?

Is this not what He did to David?

Is this not what He did with the disciples who forsook Yahshua and fled??

John 16:21 - A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

John 16:22 - And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Oh how I would rejoice if in that final day Yahshua says to me and all of us here tonite:

Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

2Peter 1:10 - Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

2Peter 1:11 - for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Master and Savior Yahushua the Messiah.

Isaiah 51:1 - Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek YAHWEH: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

Isaiah 51:2 - Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

Isaiah 51:3 - For YAHWEH shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of YAHWEH; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Isaiah 51:4 - Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

Isaiah 51:5 - My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

Isaiah 51:6 - Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Does the world see gloom and sadness in us?

I pray not, for the message of Yahshua is good news with great joy!

Luke 2:10 - And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

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

Isaiah 52:6 - Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

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!

Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Master YAHWEH is upon me; because YAHWEH hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isaiah 61:2 - To proclaim the acceptable year of YAHWEH, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim; to comfort all that mourn;

Isaiah 61:3 - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of YAHWEH, that he might be glorified.

And in the presence of Yahweh, there is joy forever more:

Psalms 16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Isaiah 12:2 - Behold, El is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for YAH YAHWEH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:3 - Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3 - Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:4 - And in that day shall ye say, Praise YAHWEH, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:5 - Sing unto YAHWEH; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

Isaiah 12:6 - Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Consider that the One who made the heavens..

with all its might and splendor

And the One who made the earth and all that in them is..

From the tallest tree to the smallest atom..

Is willing to not only look upon us (Yes little old us!) with mercy and favor

But to accomplish this is willing to send His only Son into the world to show us how to live and give that life for us!

And what's more...

Not only did He die for us

He gave us hope on that awesome day... when

Matthew 28:2 - And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of YAHWEH descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Matthew 28:3 - His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Matthew 28:4 - And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

Matthew 28:5 - And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Yahushua , which was crucified.

Matthew 28:6 - He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where Yahushua lay.

Matthew 28:7 - And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Matthew 28:8 - And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

He has risen again, so we too can have this hope..that we will be raised and we will see His face

Remember, in His presence there is joy forevermore!

Psalms 16:10 - For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Psalms 16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Isaiah 35:10 - And the ransomed of YAHWEH shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalms 22:3 - But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Isaiah 25:8 - He will swallow up death in victory; and the Master YAHWEH will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for YAHWEH hath spoken it.

Isaiah 60:20 - Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for YAHWEH shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

Revelations 7:12 - saying: " Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our Elohim forever and ever."

Revelations 7:13 - Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

Revelations 7:14 - And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelations 7:15 - "Therefore they are before the throne of YAHWEH, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

Revelations 7:16 - "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;

Revelations 7:17 - "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And YAHWEH will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelations 21:1 - Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

Revelations 21:2 - Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from YAHWEH, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelations 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of YAHWEH is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. YAHWEH Himself will be with them and be their Elohim.

Revelations 21:4 - "And YAHWEH will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

YermeYah (Jeremiah) the prophet said

Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O YAHWEH Elohim of hosts.

John 15:8 - Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:9 - As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:10 - If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:11 - These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

No matter what trials await you..May the Spirit who is in you bear that fruit!

So let us remember His words tonite and let the joy of Yahweh be our strength as we endure the daily trials that come upon us.

Great are the things that Yahweh has promised us!

If we really compare our lives to the things that Yahshua endured, our troubles pale in comparison. Surely, for all that Yahweh as done we can truly say "Praise Yahweh!!"

And with that, I will close..May Yahweh be praised and may He bless you all!