10/18/2002 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Blessed be Yahweh Most High!

Due to some differences in calendar understanding, some brethren observed the feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) a month ago and some will be observing it this week

The feasts are a time for brethren to be gathered together and give honor to the King, Yahweh Almighty

It is also a time when brethren often dwell together and draw closer to one another

In light of this, and what I observed as being a wrong spirit in this chat room in the beginning part of this week, I want to share something that I've shared before but it is the second most important subject in all of scripture

Tonight's study is entitled "Loving and Forgiving our Brother"

There are no shortage of scriptures telling us that we must love our brother. Yahushua commanded it:

John 15:17 - These things I command you, that ye love one another.

But we are not just to love in word...but in deed (as Messiah did)

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35 - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

All men will know that we are Yahushua's disciples - not by how smart we are or how well versed we are in scripture - but if we have love one to another.

That love for one another should be a light and witness to the world that we are like Yahushua, who loved us to the death; who served His Father in so doing.

What kind of deeds will show forth this love?

Romans 12:10 - Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 12:11 - Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving YAHWEH;

And remember Yahushua said that:

Matthew 20:26 - But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Matthew 20:27 - And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Romans 13:8 - Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

What do we do for our brethren?

What works do we show?

Are we really only serving ourselves?

Do we pray for one another daily?

Do we see our brother in need and not ask to help?

1John 3:17 - But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of YAHWEH abide in him?

1John 3:18 - My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

1John 3:19 - And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

We should therefore love our brother, for Yahweh surely does!

And if Yahweh's love is truly in us we will love our brother as He does

Yahushua loves our brother. Yahushua gave His life for our brother. Do we love our brother as He did?

That is His commandment, as we read earlier

Ephesians 4:1 - I, therefore, the prisoner of Yahushua, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

Ephesians 4:2 - with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:3 - endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We may not have pure unity in doctrine, (one day we will) but we can have unity of the Spirit. All of us can have the submissive and humble attitude that brings unity among one another

Yes, our Fathers have inherited lies and we are left to sort it all out. But we can have the unity of the Spirit in the bond of shalom/peace if indeed the same Spirit is in each of us...and it should be!

David noted that it is a beautiful thing when we are in unity:

Psalms 133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalms 133:2 - It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

Psalms 133:3 - As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there YAHWEH commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

1Thessalonians 4:9 - But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of YAHWEH to love one another.

Let's not waste away any time with our brothers stumbling over strife and self seeking.

Don't stumble at disunity, but work toward unity. For many stumble at the discord and separate themselves

It is clear that the end time people of Yahweh are together, speaking often to one another and loving one another. Let us not neglect this!

Malachi 3:16 - Then they that feared YAHWEH spake often one to another: and YAHWEH hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared YAHWEH, and that thought upon his name.

Malachi 3:17 - And they shall be mine, saith YAHWEH of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 3:18 - Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth Elohim and him that serveth him not.

If Yahweh is listening, let's make our conversation a holy offering to Him

Yahushua said:

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

1John 1:1 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--

1John 1:2 - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--

1John 1:3 - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Yahushua the Messiah.

When we have that fellowship, let us be careful how we conduct ourselves. For Yahweh is watching. Yes, Yahushua is in our midst!

1Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

1Peter 3:9 - not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

1John 3:11 - For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

1John 3:23 - And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Yahushua the Messiah and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

1John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of YAHWEH; and everyone who loves is born of YAHWEH and knows YAHWEH.

1John 4:11 - Beloved, if YAHWEH so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1John 4:12 - No one has seen YAHWEH at any time. If we love one another, YAHWEH abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

2John 1:5 - And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.

1Peter 2:17 - Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear YAHWEH. Honor the king.

1Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."

1John 3:18 - My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Who are our brethren? Yahushua said..

Matthew 12:50 - For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Mark 3:35 - For whosoever shall do the will of YAHWEH, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

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.

If one chooses to make that judgment...he must be VERY VERY careful!!!

You are literally judging one's salvational stance when you make that statement! And when we make such a judgment, Yahushua said:

Matthew 7:2 - For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

We don't know the heart of a man like Yahweh does

Ultimately, Yahweh knows who are His:

2Timothy 2:19 - Nevertheless the foundation of YAHWEH standeth sure, having this seal, YAHWEH knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of the Messiah depart from iniquity.

Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

But what if our brother continually sins against us..is he still our brother?

Matthew 18:15 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Luke 17:3 - Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luke 17:4 - And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

If we are the one being rebuked, it is important that we do not confuse a rebuke with a desire to strive or argue.

I think it is wise to consider one another's rebuke even if we disagree totally or view it as an attack.

Psalms 141:5 - Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

Proverbs 9:8 - Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 15:32 - He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of YAHWEH is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 17:10 - A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Proverbs 19:25 - Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

Proverbs 27:5 - Open rebuke is better than secret love.

Now it is true that sometimes rebuke from another isn't correct:

Jeremiah 15:15 - O YAHWEH, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

Revelation 3:19 - "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

What if it is our pride that is blinding our eyes and not our wisdom that is justifying it or disagreeing with it?

We should fear

Lest we are found fighting against Yahweh.

Proverbs 29:1 - He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Matthew 18:21 - Then came Kepha to him, and said, Rabbi, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Matthew 18:22 - Yahushua saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:23 - Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Matthew 18:24 - And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Matthew 18:25 - But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his master commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Matthew 18:26 - The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Master, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Matthew 18:27 - Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18:28 - But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Matthew 18:29 - And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Matthew 18:30 - And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Matthew 18:31 - So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their master all that was done.

Matthew 18:32 - Then his master, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Matthew 18:33 - Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Matthew 18:34 - And his master was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Matthew 18:35 - So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Surely we do not want to be delivered to the tormentors.

Therefore we MUST forgive our brother from the HEART. Whether we forgive a brother or not can literally make the difference of whether we will enter into life or not. Therefore, unforgiveness is VERY dangerous.

Do we really forgive from the heart?

Mark 11:25 - And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:26 - But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

We should consider whether or not we want our own sins to be forgiven.

Let's remember the pit from which we were pulled out of!

Forgiving others should be a normal part of life here on earth. Indeed, it is part of how Yahushua taught us to pray:

Matthew 6:9 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10 - Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:11 - Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:12 - And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:14 - For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Hebrews 12:12 - Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

Hebrews 12:13 - and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be [dislocated], but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see YAHWEH:

Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the favor of YAHWEH; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Hebrews 12:16 - lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

Leviticus 19:16 - Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am YAHWEH.

Exodus 23:1 - Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Psalms 15:1 - YAHWEH, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalms 15:2 - He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalms 15:3 - He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Proverbs 11:13 - A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Proverbs 20:19 - He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Ephesians 4:32 - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as YAHWEH in the Messiah forgave you.

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of YAHWEH, and He will lift you up.

James 4:11 - Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

James 4:12 - There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of YAHWEH, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as the Messiah forgave you, so also do ye.

Galatians 5:13 - For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:14 - For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Galatians 5:15 - But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Galatians 5:16 - I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

We are the soldiers and Yahushua is the head of the army. Tell me, what army would stand --- if they themselves are fighting and devouring one another?

We must beware that we are not sowers of dissension or the source of strife lest we be removed from His army

Scripture says that he who sows discord IS an abomination to Yahweh.

Proverbs 6:16 - These six things doth YAHWEH hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 6:18 - An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Leviticus 19:17 - Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Leviticus 19:18 - Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am YAHWEH.

Matthew 5:22 - But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

In fact, it is impossible to love Yahweh if we hate our brother

Whose child do we desire to be?

1John 3:10 - In this the children of YAHWEH and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of YAHWEH, nor is he who does not love his brother.

1Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

1Peter 3:9 - not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

1Peter 3:10 - For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

1Peter 3:11 - Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

1Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of YAHWEH are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of YAHWEH is against those who do evil."

1Peter 3:13 - And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

1Peter 3:14 - But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

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

Psalms 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalms 103:13 - Like as a father pitieth his children, so YAHWEH pitieth them that fear him.

Psalms 103:14 - For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Psalms 103:15 - As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Psalms 103:16 - For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Psalms 103:17 - But the mercy of YAHWEH is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Proverbs 17:9 - He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

If it is against you, we should do according to Matthew 18. And if he will not hear you..

Matthew 18:16 - But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Matthew 18:17 - And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Matthew 18:18 - Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

But if he does hear you:

James 5:19 - Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,

James 5:20 - let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

1Timothy 5:20 - Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

1Timothy 5:19 - Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

1Timothy 5:20 - Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Therefore we must lay down all pride, and tell him in gentleness, remembering:

Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:4 - Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let's walk in humility, in righteousness. Let us have sincere love for the brothers. Again, if we do not then we are not children of Yahweh..

1John 3:14 - We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1John 3:15 - Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1John 3:16 - By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1John 2:7 - Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

1John 2:8 - Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

1John 2:9 - He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

1John 2:10 - He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1John 2:11 - But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

We say we walk in the light.

If we do, then let us serve one another in TRUTH, with JOY, and (as was shared last week) without grumbling or complaining.

Does Yahweh complain about helping us?

If we truly have Yahweh's Spirit..then we will have the fruits. Not just toward the world, but toward our brothers and our sisters also!

And not just our brothers and sisters in the world, but also our immediate family brothers and sisters!

Our spouses and children.

Can we look at these scriptures with this in mind?

For this is often the real testing ground

In all things, let us walk in the Spirit, in the light!

Not in darkness, where grudges, bitterness and hatred toward one another are.

Have ye a grudge? Cast it from your heart!

Leviticus 19:18 - Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am YAHWEH.

Let's put away the flesh and walk in the Spirit.

Let's purify ourselves for the coming of Yahushua and be without spot or blemish...

Yahushua is coming for a pure bride, let's not risk our spiritual lives by failing to heed these precepts.

Let's put away the flesh and walk in the Spirit.

Let's purify ourselves for the coming of Yahushua and be without spot or blemish...

speaking often to one another...

serving one another...

in honor preferring one another...

considering one another better than ourselves...

being courteous..

being tenderhearted...

outdoing one other in love..

with peace and joy...

in longsuffering..

..and in love for one another!

Blessed are those who are so doing when our Master comes. May Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!