Sabbath 12/5/26/120 (Part B)
Brethren in the Faith and to all those who benefit from studying the meat of
the Covenant which we have remade with our Father from our Baptism. All of the
Church of God are spending 12 weeks reviewing the elementary features of the
covenant, meaning Law and grace. We are doing this because It appears that we
need the foundations strengthened and this is to our shame (Heb. 5:11- 6:6).
Our responsibility is to fulfill the Commission by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mat. 24:14). We resist false prophet’s (v11) who teach the lawlessness (v12). This means our job is to point out false worship regarding whom, when and how we worship to all of the people on the planet. We leave the judgment to Christ and work to correct all error and ignorance in the House of God and make appropriate judgments amongst us according to the evident sin.
We are the saints who love our Father and therefore we keep His commandments (Rev. 14:12), all of them. We keep them, not simply according to the letter of the Law but according to the spiritual intent, which govern their application. The commandments which were kept according to the letter are not too difficult (Deut 30:11) and keeping them in the spirit is much more encompassing. We all keep at least the letter of the Law but God desires us to keep it in the Spirit with the intent of the letter magnified. The natural mind hates God and is exposed by ignoring or resisting the Law (Rom. 8:7) and so brings an individual a death sentence and a curse on the earth (1Jn. 3:4; Rom. Ch. 7).
The Body of Christ keeps God’s Law (Rom. 2:12; Ps.119:1; Eze. 20:16-24). Christ said to keep them and although we occasionally may fall short of the spiritual application, we follow his instruction and testimony (Mat. 19:17; Rom. 6:15). Commandment keeping is a prerequisite to the retention of the Holy Spirit (1Jn. 3:24; Acts 5:32), which causes us to observe all of the required ordinances (Eze. 36:27). We do not continually put Christ to renewed crucifixion by continuing to sin but we delight in the keeping the Law (Rom. 7:22) of liberty (Jas. 1:25; 2:12).
Brethren, it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one comma or apostrophe from the letter of the Law to fail to be current (Mat. 5:18; Lk. 16:17) and to which we are subject (Rom. 8). We would not prepare and launch a ship on a Sabbath on a long journey but once out to sea on the following Sabbath a minimal crew would be designated to keep the course. At the following Sabbath others would take a watch so the ship doesn’t founder but this spiritual application of the letter of the Law is not permission to do unnecessary work. This principle will hold for hospitals or fire departments and certain critical functions in the millennium and presently we apply the spirit to the letter. We would help a neighbour whose home was on fire on a Sabbath but we do not declare therefore that we somehow have permission to profane the Sabbaths by working at our usual employment. Most of us took years to become clear on what is an ox in the ditch situation and what is an obvious breach and sin for the Body of Christ (1Cor. 2:13). Keeping the Law ‘in your heart’ means you keep it! It does not mean that you can change it at your convenience, and spiritualize the Law away, so be careful of that kind of thinking (Mat. 7:20-23) because the penalties are in place. When we combine Spiritual thinking with Spiritual speaking it often offends the sinful and so it should.
The unconverted find us amusing because of our spiritual discernment of the Law and plan of God. An Israelite man was executed for collecting wood on the Sabbath and we should understand that presumptuous sin will be tolerated for only so long amongst us (Num. 15:30-36).
Idolatrous Protestant thinking declares that if it isn’t in the New Testament it isn’t Law. This usually centres on the Sabbaths and tithing but this expands as required. The letters comprising the New Testament are clarifying points of confusion in the plan of God to the physical thinking Jews of the day. Why would they need to address Sabbath keeping? Why would they describe tithing legislation?
They would not because there was no debate regarding either point. Hebrews was written to describe a change in the Priesthood, reverting from Levi back to the Order of Melchizedek This covers chapters 4 to 10 because to the first century thinking having non Levites as ministers was not understood and having uncircumcised Gentiles as priests was offensive. This needed to be spiritually discerned and the inclusion of Gentiles into Israel was what was not understood, and not Sabbath keeping and tithing, which were and are basic to the faith.
However, Hebrews 4:9 declares that the Sabbath remains for the people of God.
The word used is
<4520> sabbatismo,j (sabbatismos) meaning: a sabbath rest; which is a
different word than a general rest,
<2663> kata,pausij (katapausis) meaning: rest; used elsewhere in these
related verses.
We are all spending twelve weeks of study on these basics because some of the Churches of God do not understand the faith and allegedly “spiritually” apply the concepts. It is impossible to have personal growth or an increased number attending with closet anti-law Protestants among us as we are to turn sinners from their error (Jas. 5:20).
Our job is to teach the distinction between the holy and the profane (Lev. 10:10; Eze. 44:23-24). This often centres over the Sabbaths, Feasts and New Moons (Col. 2:16), which we all are tested on (Ex. 31:14; Neh. 13:17-18; Isa. 56:2-6) and over tithing on which we may test God (Mal. 3:10). Islam is being corrected on their fast periods and the start of the day and calendar (see the papers The Start of the Month and the Day (No.203); and Hebrew and Islamic Calendar Reconciled (No. 53)).
We will fast on Atonement from dark to dark on the day set apart by the natural astronomical cycle without Rabbinical postponements. Most of the Church of God are, or have been, guilty of profaning Atonement, a Sabbatised Sabbath, by making a financial offering, keeping the wrong day using the Hillel Calendar and by eating after sundown and not waiting for dark. If Atonement is not correctly observed we will be removed from the people of God (Lev. 23:29-30). We in CCG have repented of former error and keep the day of fasting holy, as we keep all Sabbaths holy and we will not go shopping until dark nor will we eat at restaurants.
Christ’s sacrifice enables God’s grace/favour to be maintained with our sincere repentance but we must prepare. Spending time in preparation for the Sabbaths is worship so please prepare every Sabbath so the breaches are minimised and for the upcoming Day of Atonement and keep it in the spirit.
God punishes the people by scattering for failing to honour Him and keep His
Laws.
Ezekiel 20:21-24 21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked
not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do,
he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would
pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22 Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it
should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought
them forth. 23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that
I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes,
and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
(KJV)
The Sabbaths are inseparable from the first commandment as idolatry and the consequent penalties will result. The nation is punished for failing to keep all of the aspects of the Laws of God (Zech. 14:16-19).
The Sabbath is a sign of our faithfulness and of our redemption into the rest of God. To abandon the Sabbath is to abandon the hope of God. This is the reason that we are presently persecuted for keeping the Sabbaths of the Lord. Anyone who defiles the Sabbath shall be put to death (Ex. 31:14; Num. 15:36) as it is a sign between God and the children of Israel forever (Ex. 31:17).
Blessings will accrue to those who keep the Sabbatical system. Concerning those
who preach the profaning of the Law of our creator God, we read:
Jeremiah 10:21 21 For the shepherds are stupid, and do not inquire of the LORD;
therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
Shepherds of spiritual Israel who do not inquire by diligent study and obedience to the word will be judged and their flocks will be scattered! This judgement can mean death to individual shepherds who preach the profaning of the Law (Isa. 66:16-24).
In the New Testament the word translated grace is:
<5485> ca,rij (charis) Meaning: grace, kindness
Usage: blessing(m)(1), concession(m)(1), credit(3), favor(11), gift(1), grace(122),
gracious(m)(2), gracious work(3),
The New Oxford Dictionary defines the noun grace as: the free and unmerited favour of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
The American Heritage Dictionary provides; 7 b. the state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.
Both of these definitions are covered in the first and second Testament Scriptural definitions.
We are in the process of pointing out all idolatry and sin. This we do by restoring all things, meaning restoring proper worship through the renewed covenant as representatives of our Father and future bride of Christ. We are priests of the Order of Melchizedek as Ministers of the renewed covenant and we will keep knowledge, and seek the Law so none are caused to stumble <fall away> at the Law (all of Malachi 2). Ministers who preach that the Law may be profaned, profane our Father (Eze. 22:26) and are deemed reckless and treacherous (Zeph. 3:4).
If we teach spirit filled but weak in the faith brethren to sin we deserve manure rubbed in our faces and a curse upon us. Because our Father is longsuffering and we are seldom harshly treated don’t take that as affirming you are correct (Mal. 2:1-7). Joseph Tkach Sr. died exactly 40 weeks to the hour from the time that his words told the Sardis era Church of God in Georgia that they could profane the Law. We hope our words will be placed in a book of remembrance before God (Mal. 3:16) as they are what we are judged by (Mat. 12:36-37; Lk. 19:22).
We are judged by the Spirit of the Law (Jas. 2:12; Rom. 2:27; 2Cor. 3:6) in Christ who is the objective and our role model. The spiritual application of the Law of the covenant is understood through God’s Spirit (1Cor. 2:10-13), which the unconverted do not accept (v14-15). However Proverbs 28:9 explains that anyone who does not hear and apply the Law, their prayers shall be an abomination to God while the Spirit filled Body of Christ have their prayers heard because they keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight (1Jn. 3:22-24). The intent has always been to spiritually apply the letter of the Law enabled by our correct focus (Gal. 5:18) which reveals to us many points which the Host desire to understand (1Pet. 1:12).
We are now to keep the letter of the Law (Heb. 8:10) as the penalty for our former Law breaking is forgiven (v12) and the first covenant penalties are obsolete upon repentance. Forty Jubilees will pass grafting gentiles into Israel in preparation for millennial administration with Christ whose sacrifice sanctifies all of the lawless who respond to the grace of God that this offers. The Law has jurisdiction over us as long as we live, as you well know brethren, for I am speaking to those who know the Law (Rom. 7:1). Sin shall not master us (Rom. 6:1&14) because we are no longer under the death sentence but God’s grace. This will never be so (v15) and we will not insult the Spirit of Grace by continuing in sin (Heb. 10:26-29).
Heb 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? NAS (see Eze. ch 5)
Brethren, God’s grace does not give us permission to sin. Read all of Romans chapters 5 to 8 if it is not clear that being under God’s grace or favour does not permit us to breach the Covenant, that is sin.
This means that when the Sabbath arrives at dark, we don’t just stop working, we try to get personal business matters out of our conversations and thinking as the spiritual application includes even or especially, our thoughts and motivation. Protestants often use a statement regarding the spirit of the Law to mean you somehow keep it ‘in your heart’ therefore you do not actually have to keep it ‘in the letter’. This is false and presumptuous thinking by idolaters. It really means a greater application of all the related principles contained in all of the commandments, which are more and not less applied. We do not conduct business or go shopping on the Sabbaths and we try to remove business thoughts from our mind and think on the plan of God.
It is not to God’s glory that we go to a restaurant on a Sabbath or go shopping at sunset especially as a simple convenience or because we refuse to prepare. Prepare because God is first in your life! This is difficult but if you monitor your thoughts, with time you should see improper thinking diminish and disappear (2Cor.10: 3-5).
We seem to suffer lapses with our individual weaknesses and being under God’s grace our repentance is accepted, thankfully. Most unconverted people I am aware of are more impressed that the Sabbath was honoured then the fact that we might have accommodated them by taking them out to a meal.
There are two commandments that test the faithful and expose and identify false believers. They are: 1. Sabbath keeping; and, 2. Tithe-paying. It is stated by idolaters that commands which are not reiterated in the New Testament are not still active. The New Testament was compiled to clarify misunderstood points of the Covenant. Sabbath keeping and tithe paying did not require exposition as they were the uncontested basis of the faith. They are both mentioned, the Sabbath in Hebrews 4:9, as well as tithing in Hebrews 7:1-6. Abraham is used as a record of tithing to the Order of Melchizedek and although there is only one OT record of him tithing, he is declared to have kept God’s charge, commandments, statutes and Laws (Gen. 26:5). Abraham’s example is used as clarification that the first tithe should be directed to the new priesthood to fulfil the commission.
If a change had been made to the Holy Days or to the financial obligations of tithing it would have required a massive exposition like is found in Hebrews regarding the change of the priesthood. The priesthood changed (Heb. Ch 7, 8 & 9), not the Holy Days (Col. 2:17) or the financial requirements (1Cor. 9:1-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6:6-10) to administer the restitution of all of the Law to all nations (Mk. 13:10) with the renewed covenant. The change in the Law removed Levitical entitlements and directed them to the new priesthood and they removed physical sacrifices as Christ had died once for all. These added (Jer. 7:22-23) and now obsolete portions (Heb 7:12, 8:13) of the first covenant are under second testament review because they were and are resisted by unconverted physical thinking. A whole chapter (Heb. Ch. 7) is dedicated to tithing to a new priesthood using the Genesis 14:18-20 example that is recorded for the Church of God (1Cor. 10:11). Just as the levitical priesthood first in the Tabernacle and then in the Temple were supported by the tithes, those who labor in the ministry of the gospel of the Kingdom of God in a living temple with living sacrifices are commanded by the Lord to be so supported.
A question has been presented. If you only had nine sheep born what is the tithe due? As expressed, the implication of the physical, letter of the Law, inquiry was that perhaps that no tithe was due because a tenth lamb did not pass the rod. The spiritual application of the principle is that 10% of the value of the nine animals was payable. If the sheep are worth 100.00 each then 10% of 900.00 dollars minus overhead costs is what is due.
People can keep their financial books in a manner that will show that they don’t owe God a tithe and perhaps He owes them! Everything in all of creation is our Fathers and 90% is given for our use and 10% can only be used as He directs (Lev. 27:30; Num. 28:20-26; 2Chron. 31:4; Neh. 10:35-38 ). We must also provide the first fruits of the fruit, grain, oil and wine harvests which is understood as about 2% of the annual harvest (Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Lev. 2:14; Neh. 10:35-37,) the first born to the female of the livestock harvest and this could be between 20-30% of annual production (Ex. 13:2; Num. 3:13, 10:36, 18:15-17); Plus the fruit of the fourth year growth of trees (Lev. 19:24). God’s tithe is now to be used for preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mat. 10: 5-10; Lk. 9:1-6) and those who do not support it are worse than the sodomites (Mat.10:9-15) and increase the curse on the earth (Mal. 3:9)
The food that is to be provided for the Feast, New Moon and Sabbath meals is about 2% and should be grouped with the second tithe as we will eat from it (Eze. 45:11-17).
It is suggested that the first 10% is not due because God wants not 10% but our ‘all’. In every case I am aware of people who make this declaration do not send more than the 10% due but significantly less and eventually nothing. God wants you to enjoy your life with plenty and by putting Him first. He requires your first 10% and the first fruits, first born and fourth year growth. You are free to administer your remaining resources but be careful (Acts 5:1-11). Brethren, this is the Law.
Once again this year some of us did not remain out of our homes until morning
of Passover.
I know that some believed that because they did not return home until after
midnight when the new Roman day, or morning, commences on the erroneous Roman
Ecclesiastical time frame they fulfilled the ‘spirit’ of the command.
Deut 16: 4 "For seven days no leaven shall be seen with you in all your
territory, and none of the flesh which you sacrifice on the evening of the first
day shall remain overnight until morning. 5 "You are not allowed to sacrifice
the Passover in any of your towns which the LORD your God is giving you; 6 but
at the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name, you shall
sacrifice the Passover in the evening at sunset, at the time that you came out
of Egypt. 7 "And you shall cook and eat it in the place which the LORD
your God chooses. And in the morning <SHD 1242> you are to return to your
tents. NAS
<01242> rq,Bo (boqer) (133c) Meaning: morn- ing
Usage: dawn*(2), dawn(1), day(1), daybreak(1), every morning(5), morning(195),
The word means daybreak or first light and not 12:00 am and this is a command
from our Father. To disobey is between yourself and God. However, to instruct
others to follow in your sin is presumptuous in the extreme. People who disobey
God and who conduct themselves in this fashion will find that they do not understand
why it is necessary. It is your sin and rebelliousness that causes your confusion.
If you follow the Law your understanding will improve and not when you demand
to know but when God weighs how you apply the spiritual intent to the letter
of the Law.
KJV Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Many people acknowledge, in their heart, the day of the New Moon but also conduct business, which is forbidden (Amos 8:5). Those who do this can expect to have difficulty understanding the calendar issues. Sabbath breakers can be expected to not understand the spiritual application of God’s Law, which is in place for our benefit and people who do not pay the first tithe steal from our God and Father not man (Mal. 3:8).
Unconverted people object to the Law of God, the letter and the spirit (Rom. 8:7). If anyone declares that God’s grace grants us permission to break the Law, he or she will have the effect of bringing sin into the living Temple and will undermine the faith of some people. People who do this will be called the ‘least’ in the Kingdom of God (Mat. 5:19) as Christ said the Law stands (v17). In our weak state we will sin without our brethren’s help and we all require correction on occasion. The point is that God’s grace grants us the gift of Christ’s sacrifice paying our penalty. It does not mean we may sin because we think some part of the Law seems silly. This principle is basic to the faith and may anyone who holds this sinful view repent. No one should wish to stand before the Father at the resurrection and explain their conduct in undermining the faithful.
2Cor 9:12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
God’s grace redeemed us from the penalty of lawlessness and sanctified us as
His people who love Him and therefore obey Him (1Jn. 5:2-3; Tit. 2:11-15). It
may not be turned into licentiousness (Jude 1:4).
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and
observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments;
and His commandments are not burdensome.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. NAS
Our deeds are usually as important, or even more important than our words of sound doctrine as they will be the evidence of our keeping the spirit of the Law.
We are justified and are heirs to the promise of life because of God’s merciful grace with repentance, baptism and gift of His Spirit. All of Titus is a good summary.
Brethren, please study this message and read the included scriptures and add
your own to the points being made. Keep the faith for God’s grace will bring
about obedience to the commandments (Rom. 1:5; 16:25-26).
Rom 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and
the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which
has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the
Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God,
has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.
James Dailley
Deputy Coordinator General
© Copyright 2003 Christian Churches of God, All Rights Reserved
