Luciusministry

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Friday, June 23, 2023

The third distinctive mark of the true church

The church is appointed to be the Body of Christ

As the body of Christ, the church is subject to Jesus Christ Who is the head of the body, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. It is stated that; “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body --- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free --- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit: For in fact the body is not one member but many” (1Corinthians 12:12-14).

In order for the church to experience growth and development as the body of Christ, it is imperative that she speaks the truth in love, so as to grow up in all things into Jesus Christ who is the head, and from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

God has placed each member of His body in the position He wants them to be and so we have been admonished by the apostle Paul saying; “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:3-8).

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body --- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free --- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body” (1Corinthians 12:12-20).

But what binds and holds the body together as one, is the communion, sharing, or fellowship of the body of Christ. For it is written; “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for your-selves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion (sharing) of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1Corinthians 10:14-17).

And it is by us drawing near to the Father with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, holding fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And considering one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

We should therefore all be speaking the same thing and there should be no divisions among us, but that we be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment for God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, June 22, 2023

The second distinctive mark of the true church

The church is appointed to be God's spiritual temple

Not only is the church appointed to be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and a holy nation but it is also appointed to be the spiritual temple of God and has received the instructions to; “Come to Him (Jesus Christ) as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1Peter 2:4-5).

The church is the household of God and so we have been duly admonished saying; “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

The foundation on which our spiritual temple is being built is on the four corner stone of our salvation as we have been duly admonished saying; “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God --- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption ---that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD" (1 Corinthians 1:25-31).

So the four corner stone of our salvation are:

• Jesus Christ

In taking on the nature of man, Jesus Christ became the wisdom and power of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

• Jesus Christ our Righteousness

Through the death of Jesus Christ He made all things right with the Father and He is presently seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf.

• Jesus Christ our Sanctification

Through the death of His body Jesus Christ sanctifies us and set us apart and He gave us His flesh to eat in the form of the Unleavened Bread.

• Jesus Christ our redemption

We receive redemption through His blood the forgiveness for our sins

As the Lord's spiritual temple, it is the church's responsibility to keep her pure from sexual immorality. For we have been admonished saying; “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's” (1Corinthians 6:18-20).

The church has also been duly instructed saying; “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).

We are told that, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water (flesh) by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Therefore, the main objective of the church is to attain what was ordained for it even before the foundation of the world which is, to be holy, for it is written; “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:3-4).

To be holy simply means to be free from sin and defilement of the human body and believe it or not, the Lord has made all the provisions necessary to present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Seven distinctive marks of the true church

The true church, the body of Christ is distinguished and manifested in seven distinctive ways which are as follows;

The church is appointed to be a royal priesthood

Members of the church are the chosen people of the Chosen Stone, of whom it is written; “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

The main responsibility of the church as a royal priesthood, “is to be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire (zeal), and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.” And the way the church becomes holy is synonymous to how Aaron the high priest and his sons were made holy which is stated as follows; “Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting: They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Leviticus 21:6; Exodus 29:32-33).

The same way it was the responsibility of Aaron and his sons to eat of those things with which the atonement was made to consecrate and sanctify them, so must the church eat of those things with which the atonement was made, which is the body and blood of Jesus Christ in order for them to be consecrated and sanctified but an outsider shall not partake of it because it is holy. And so the admonition is; “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

Unfortunately, this is the downfall of many so called religious institutions, even labelling the church as a sanctuary for sinners, what a delusion? This is the stone which the builders rejected and has become the chief cornerstone," and” a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense:" They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed” (1Peter 2:7-8).

The church is appointed as a nation of priests in order to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings at their appointed time. And so we have been duly instructed saying; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time.” There is one specific offering for every offering one offers to the Lord, and there are specific times for specific offerings; for example, there is an appointed time to offer the Lord the regular or thanks giving offering, which is morning and evening, and also at the appointed time to have a holy convocation to offer the peace or fellowship offering (Numbers 28:2; Leviticus 23:37).

God's covenant with Levi (the priesthood) is continuous, for thus He said; "My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, and I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me and was reverent before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity.

“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have departed from the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi," Says the Lord of hosts. Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base before all the people, because you have not kept My ways but have shown partiality in the law" (Malachi 2:5-9).

The covenant of the Lord with regards to the priesthood is so permanent that He said to the prophet Jeremiah "For thus says the Lord: 'David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually.'

And the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, "Thus says the Lord: 'If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me " (Jeremiah 33:17-22).

And so the reason why the majority of us stumble, it is because we are disobedient to the word to which also we were appointed, which is to be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, June 15, 2023

The food for the Lord's offerings (part two)

Having examined the profound meaning of the command to be careful to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings, let us now examine the appointed times which one is required to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings whether they are current or obsolete.

1. Daily offerings

The command Moses was given to give to the children of Israel was;” This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to the LORD: two male lambs in their first year without blemish, day by day, as a regular burnt offering. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening” (Numbers 28:3-4).

As one can clearly see, the rationale for this regular burnt offering which was ordained at Mount Sinai it was for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. The term sweet smelling aroma is an acceptable sacrifice that is well pleasing to God and made by fire denotes “with zeal.” In our New Testament dispensation this sweet smelling aroma that is well pleasing to God is Jesus Christ as we have been duly instructed saying; “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).

Now according to King David‘s last words the Levites (priests) were to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening; and the rationale is; “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night” (1 Chronicles 23:30; Psalms 92 2).

But the pertinent question is, the status of this command is it current or obsolete in our New Testament dispensation?

Well according to biblical record of the early church we read the following, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).

Now with reference to the breaking of bread the apostle Paul admonished us by saying; “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for your-selves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:14-17).

One can conclude therefore that, the regular or daily breaking of bread by the church is not obsolete and it is relevant to us today as it was in the early church.

2. Sabbath offerings

The food for the Lord’s offerings is for every Sabbath and it is besides or in addition to that of the regular daily offering, for we have been duly instructed saying; “this is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering” (Numbers 28:10).

Furthermore, offering the Lord the food for His offerings is the main reason for having a holy convocation, for we have been duly instructed saying; “These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day ---

Offering the Lord the food for His offerings is besides or in addition to observing the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:37-38).

Here again we come to the pertinent question, is this practice relevant or has it been made obsolete? Let us again allow the apostle Paul to clarify this matter and this is the admonition he gave; “For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.’

“Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you” (1Corinthians 11:18-22).

But after chastising and rebuking the church for their improper use of the Lord’s supper the apostle Paul reiterated the terms of the New Covenant and said to them; “Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come” (1Corinthians 11:33-34).

Here again one can conclude that the practice of partaking of the Lord’s supper when we come together as a church was a practice of the early new testament church and therefore, is still relevant and is not obsolete and this is applicable not only to the weekly Sabbath but to the annual Sabbaths as well thus ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name by commemorating what the Lord did for humanity on that particular day.

3. Monthly offerings

'The biblical admonition for this monthly offering is; “At the beginnings of your months you shall present a burnt offering to the LORD:; this is the burnt offering for each month throughout the months of the year” (Numbers 28:11,14).

This monthly offering is every New Moon and the rationale for this offering is to commemorate the beginning of a new month. And so, the relevant question is, is this practice relevant or is it obsolete? The logical answer to this question is simply this, The Lord God; who instructed Moses is the same Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever and this is what He says regarding the future.

He says; “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:22-23).

And so, the logical question is, since this was a requirement in the past and will be a requirement in the future why should it not be relevant and a requirement for today?

Truly these times of ignorance God has overlooked but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

The food for the Lord's offerings is it current or obsolete?

Food for the Lord’s offerings is it current or obsolete?

It is truly amazing to see how the majority of us who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ have not been able to grasp the profound meaning and significance of the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.

Since the intent of that mystery is for the church, (the body of Christ) to make known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him (see Ephesians 3:9-12).

It is absolutely clear that the main objective for the manifold wisdom of God which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord is how we can have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Jesus Christ.

Why has this eluded the minds of most professing believers I do not know, some people are actually ridiculing the process by which God’s foreordained plan is fulfilled. Just recently, I was invited to a church meeting and during the question and answer session I asked the question why isn’t the church complying to Numbers 28:2,

I did not receive a positive answer to the question but rather an insult stating, “a piece of bread? Furthermore, I do not eat bread.”

I therefore beg to ask the question, the food for the Lord’s offerings is it current or is it obsolete?

To Moses the Lord said; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time' (Numbers 28:2).

Let us first expound this passage of scripture before finding out whether this command is current or obsolete.

· Command

The word command denotes an order given by one in authority and the One in authority is the Lord Himself Who is the first and the last, the same yesterday, today and forever.

· My offering

Signifying that this is a specific offering to the Lord

· My food for My offerings

Signifying that, whatever offering one wishes to offer to the Lord this is the acceptable offering because, there are more than one offering for example, there is a thanks-giving offering; a peace or fellowship offering, a monthly offering and a sin offering.

· Made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me

The term made by fire is tantamount to zeal and a sweet smelling aroma is an acceptable sacrifice that is well pleasing to God (Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 4:18).

· You shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time'

To be careful is used to tell someone to think about what they are doing and how they are doing it so that something bad does not happen. It also means to be certain and assuring that it is done and there is an ordained or appointed time for this offering.

I therefore beg to ask the question again, the food for the Lord’s offerings is it current or is it obsolete?

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

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Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Stewards of the manifold grace of God

It is stated quite explicitly that, to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's , gift. Therefore, whatever gift/s we have received, we are required to be faithful stewards of such gift/s, and be accountable to God for them. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

The rationale for receiving God's spiritual gift/s is to serve Him acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. And so we have been exhorted saying; Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness・(Romans 12:6-8).

Our gift/s is not for our own selfish gains, but was given to us for the profit of all. For we have been instructed saying; “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:'

“For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12: 3-11).

Having perceived therefore that I have received the gift of the word of knowledge, and that of teaching, I have no other choice but to share whatever I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, for freely I have received, and freely must I give. For according to the apostle Paul; if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel・(1 Corinthians 9:16-18).

My earnest desire is to reach out to as many people as possible with the gospel, taking into consideration those of different languages, and those who are unable to read and write. But this can only be achieved through the help and assistance of others, who are willing to contribute according to the measure of Christ's gift. As we have been admonished saying; "When He (Christ) ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended" --- what does it means but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head --- Christ --- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4: 7-16).

It is through the effective working by which every part does its share, that causes growth of the body, therefore, it is God’s ordained duty and responsibility of everyone to prove all things, and hold fast to what is good, and be like the Bereans whom we are told; “were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so”(Acts 17:11).

If after searching the scriptures we find that it is so, it is our God-given responsibility to first apply it to ourselves, and assist in the furtherance of the gospel according to the measure of Christ's gift. For we have been instructed saying; “as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.'

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Peter 4:10-11).

If we perceive or have seen the manifestation that someone has received a gift from God, it is our God given responsibility to help and assist the individual in the execution of this gift. For we have been admonished saying; “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

Those gifted with the gift of teaching must teach in accordance to the oracles of God, and not according to the customs and traditions of men and let us learn not to think beyond what is written that none of us may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes us differ from another? And what do we have that we did not receive? Now if we did indeed receive it, why do we boast as if we had not received it?

Remember that, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. Therefore, I am making an earnest plea to all who have subscribed to this website, to let us utilize our God-given talents and abilities as stewards of the manifold grace of God, to enhance, promulgate, support, and share this website, according to our God-given talents and abilities.

For, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10: 14-15).

Remember it requires, the whole body, to be joined and knit together by what every joint supply, according to the effective working by which every part does its share that causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

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Monday, June 5, 2023

The horrendous sin of irreverence (part four)

Now let us confirm and establish the appointed times that we are to present ourselves before the Father, the prerequisite and the rationale for these specific times.

Daily/Regularly offering

First and foremost I perceived that most professing believers have not fathomed and come to the understanding and realization that there is a prerequisite by which one can draw near to the Father and the appointed times which the Lord has ordained to appear before Him this prerequisite is paramount.

The first of these appointed times are daily. Morning and evening a thanksgiving and the rationale for this offering it is to express one’s gratitude to God for His goodness in the morning and His faithfulness in the evening as illustrated by King David who in his last words, instructed the priests saying; “Stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evenings.” According to King David, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, O Most High, to declare your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night” (Exodus.29:38-46; Numbers 28:3-8; 1Chronicles .23:30-31; Psalms 92:1-2).

On the Weekly Sabbath Day (Saturday)

This is a fellowship/peace offering which unites the body of Christ, the church in fellowship with one another, and with the Father and the Son as we have been duly instructed by the apostle Paul saying: “The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion (fellowship) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break is it not the communion (fellowship) of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (Leviticus 23:3; Numbers 28:9-10; 1Corinthians 10:16-17).

Now the rationale for the weekly offering on the seventh day Sabbath it is in commemoration and remembrance of God’s creation as we have been duly instructed saying: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).

Monthly

This is a thanksgiving offering commemorating the beginning of a new month which is depicted by the New Moon. For we have been duly instructed saying; “At the beginnings of your months you shall present a burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year, without blemish” (Numbers 28:11).

We should all know by now that, the body and blood of Jesus Christ have replaced all burnt offerings and it is now the sweet smelling aroma that satisfies the will of the Father.

It is also very important to note that this monthly offering will be required to be offered in the future, for thus says the Lord; “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, " So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:22-23).

A close examination reveals that, every offering is besides or in addition to the regular/ daily burnt offering.

Passover/Days of Unleavened Bread including the Feast of First Fruits

Passover

This is a fellowship/peace offering commemorating the death of Jesus Christ Who died to pay the penalty of sin in man’s stead. Therefore, observing it reflects one’s appreciation and gratitude and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ for redeeming us from the death penalty of sin because the wages of sin is death.

Days of Unleavened Bread

Days of Unleavened Bread commemorates Christ’s perfect, sinless life in the flesh and a reminder that we to avoid and keep away from sin all the days of our physical life

Feast of First Fruits

This is the Sunday which falls during the seven days of Unleavened Bread and the rationale for this festival is to commemorate the day the Lord presented Himself to the Father after His resurrection and gave humanity a new life in the spirit and through Him; both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit to the Father.

And so, we have received the consolation saying; “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Leviticus 23:4-14; Numbers 28:16-25; 1Corinthians 5:7-8; Ephesians 2:4-7).

Feast of Weeks/Pentecost

This is a fellowship/peace offering and the rationale or objective for appearing before the Lord and offering the Lord His offering on this day it is to commemorate the arrival of the Holy Spirit who is given to us as our Teacher, Helper, Guide, Comforter, and Provider as promised by Jesus Christ saying; “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

We have received the consolation saying; “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” And, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28: 26-31; Acts 2: 1-4; John 14:26; 1John 2:20; 27).

Feast of Trumpets

This is a fellowship/peace offering commemorating the beginning of the seventh month and our victory and deliverance from this evil world when the Lord will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6; Matthew 24:31; 1Thessalonians 4:16).

Day of Atonement

This is a fellowship/peace offering and a day which commemorates and honors Jesus Christ as our Sin Bearer, and our High Priest who makes intercession to the Father on behalf of our sins.

The Feast of Tabernacles

This is a fellowship/peace offering commemorating the day on which the Word became 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. The day in which we received our permanent dwelling, and the arrival of the King of kings and Lord of lords, and so, this festival honors and glorifies Jesus Christ as the King of Kings, and Lord of lords (Leviticus 23:39; Numbers 29:12-34; Zechariah 14:16-21).

The Eighth Day

It is a fellowship/peace offering, commemorating the circumcision of Jesus Christ, by which Gentiles have now become fellow citizens of the commonwealth of Israel and are no more strangers and foreigners of the covenant of promise and the rationale for this Day is to give honor and glory to Jesus Christ as the Eternal One. (Leviticus 23:39; Numbers 29:35-39; Ephesians 2:11-13; Colossians 2:11-14).

Therefore, coming before the Lord on days which He has not ordained is useless and vain for this is what the Lord says; “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense (prayer) is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.”

“Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1: 12-15).

Some may consider this as slavery, but this is what the word of the Lord says; “Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” This is the only act of righteousness that can produce the fruit of holiness and at the end everlasting life: This is the only act of righteousness that when practiced the doer is made righteous even as Christ is righteous (1John.3:7; Romans 6:18, 22).

The food for the Lord's offerings is the prerequisite or the pass word to the throne of grace without which no one is worthy to present him/herself to the Father. This is practically what Jesus meant when He said; " "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."