Luciusministry

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, April 24, 2025

The third vital purpose for the Lord's offerings (part 2)

The rationale for the Lord’s offering

So what is the spirit, the intent, the rationale for this offering which one has to present to the Father in order to have fellowship with Him?

The rationale for this offering is simply stated this way; “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:5-7).

Please note the word “cleanses” which means something that is currently and at the present time transpiring and not something of the past. So I beg to ask the question, at what time and by what means is the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from a sin?

Because, we have been further instructed saying; “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness: If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 1:8-10).

One therefore has to conclude that, it is by partaking of the wine which represents the blood of Jesus Christ that one is cleansed from all sin in order to have access to the throne of grace and have fellowship with the Father: Because, it is only in Christ Jesus that we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Matthew 26:26-28; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).

It should be carefully noted that, this offering is besides or in addition to observing the Sabbaths (plural) and besides or in addition to all our vows, free will offerings which we offer to the Lord and so it should be conclusive that the main objective for observing the Sabbaths is to offer the Lord the food for His offerings. Meaning that, whatever offering one desires to offer to the Lord whether it be a thanksgiving, peace/ fellowship or a sin offering the food for the offering remains the same.

In addition to that, God has ordained specific times to offer to Him the food for His offerings for thus says the Lord; “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).

The appointed times are;

Mornings and Evenings

Known as the regular offering which is a thanksgiving offering which we are to offer to the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness as illustrated by David in his last words to the priests saying; “Stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evenings.” According to him, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to you name, O Most High, to declare your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night”(1Chronicles 23:30-31; Psalms 92:1-2).

On the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the set feasts

The rationale or the spirit intent is simply the medium by which we have access to the throne of grace and have fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another.

It should be noted that offering the Lord the food for His offerings is besides or in addition to the observance of the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides or in addition to our gifts, it is besides or in addition to all our vows, and besides or in addition to all our free will offerings which we give to the Lord.

Therefore, the rationale for offering to the Lord the food for His offerings at His appointed times is to present the worshiper perfect sinless, blameless and irreproachable in the sight of the Lord.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

The third vital purpose for the Lord's Sabbaths

3. To offer to the Lord the Food for His Offerings

The third reason or main objective and the spirit of having a holy convocation is to offer the Lord the food for His offerings; For thus says the Lord, “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 - besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your free will offerings which you give to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:37-38).

To those who lacks the real meaning and understanding of the reformation, the burnt offering represents Jesus Christ presently officiating as our High Priest; the grain offering is the Unleavened bread, representing the sacrificial body of Jesus Christ; which is our sanctification or setting us apart and the drink offering is the wine representing the blood of Christ; the means for our redemption and cleansing.

This is the practical meaning of what Jesus meant when He said; "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The way to the Father is through the body of Christ represented by the unleavened bread; the truth is Jesus Christ the Word of God and now in His capacity of our High Priest interceding on our behalf and the life is through the blood of Jesus Christ represented by the wine and as the scriptures clearly states; “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (John 14:6; Leviticus 17:11).

The apostle Paul also endorsed this sentiment when he wrote; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus (represented by the wine), by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh (represented by the unleavened bread), and having a High Priest over the house of God (Jesus Christ our High Priest, Mediator and intercessor), let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

The sad thing is that, most people are not taking the word of God literally; to them this is just a metaphor (a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable): but unfortunately, this is our password to the Father in the inner court where one can have fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another.

Again as illustrated by the apostle Paul who wrote; “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 (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” (1 Corinthians 10:14-17).

So apart from knowing that this offering is the password or gate way to the Father it is also very important that we should know the rationale or the spirit intent of this offering because, we are to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Monday, April 21, 2025

The second vital purpose for the Lord's Sabbaths

2 To have a holy convocation

The second rationale of the main reason for having a holy convocation is to have fellowship and rejoice together before Him. For thus says the Lord; “These are My appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” Again; thus says the Lord; “These are the Lords appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:2, 4).

And so, God has ordained specific times for His people to have fellowship with one another and this fellowship is also with the Father and the Son and by so doing one is ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name because every appointed time is a memorial of what the Lord did for humanity on that particular day.

Therefore, appearing before the Lord on a day He has not ordained is an abomination, for thus says the Lord; “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. "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).

We are not under law but under grace: Therefore, no one is under any compulsion to observe or not to observe the Lord’s Sabbaths as clearly illustrated by the apostle Paul who wrote: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it” (Romans 14:5-6).

Nevertheless, the way one shows and expresses reverence and love towards God s by observing His Sabbaths. For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.” And, Jesus stated clearly, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” And according to the apostle Paul: “What then? Shall we sin (transgress the law) because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! (Leviticus 19: 30; 26: 2; John 14:15; Romans 6: 15)

Therefore, the observance of the Lord’s Sabbaths I repeat, is not because of legalism, coercion or compulsion but in reverence, adoration, thanksgiving and commemoration for what the Lord did on that particular day on behalf of humanity and perpetuating them for future generations.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Purpose of the Lords Sabbaths (contd)

The other times that we are to reflect on what the Lord did for humanity and to express our gratitude for what He did on our behalf are:

4, Feast of Pentecost:

Which is fifty days after the feast of first fruits, a day to commemorate and express one’s gratitude for the arrival of the Holy Spirit who is our Helper, Teacher, Guide etc.

As stated clearly in the scriptures; "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).

5. Feast of Trumpets: The rationale for this festival is precisely as the Lord stated; “a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.” A time to sound the alarm and warn the nations of impending danger and also of the upcoming festivals

6. Day of Atonement: This day commemorates Jesus Christ as our faithful and merciful High Priest who makes intercessions and atonement for our sins.

7. The Feast of Tabernacles: This festival commemorates the arrival of the King of kings and Lord of lords, the day the Word became flesh and tabernacle among us and we beheld His glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. This festival also foreshadows the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth.

8. The Eighth Day: This day commemorates the circumcision of our Lord and Savior, the day the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” It also commemorates the circumcision of the Gentiles by which they became joint citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. This day also foreshadows eternity.

The rationale for these festivals is for humanity to reflect on what transpired on these days and show gratitude and thanksgiving to God for Hs abundant mercies and perpetuating these festivals for future generations.

I therefore beg to ask the question, why are these festivals not being celebrated even by those who professed to be believers in Jesus Christ? Are they not worth commemorating and perpetuated like our national holidays, anniversaries etc.? God has overlooked these times of ignorance and now commands all men everywhere to repent.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Purpose for the Lord's Sabbaths

Another aspect of being refreshed is to meditate and refresh the mind as to what truly transpired on that specific day, For example;

The weekly Sabbath

This day is to remind us and reflect on God’s creation and express our gratitude for all the things God created for the benefit of all humanity, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and all the heavenly hosts, the sun, the moon, the stars and expressing gratitude for all these things.

Passover and days of Unleavened Bread

This festival is intend to refresh our minds of what transpired on the day that Jesus Christ died and paid the price of sin for all humanity and to reflect on the words of the Psalmist David who wrote; “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalms 103:1-5).

The Feast of First Fruits

This festival is the Sunday which falls during the days of Unleavened Bread and fifty (50) days after this festival we get the Feast of Pentecost. The rationale for this festival is to refresh our minds and express our gratitude to the Lord for giving us a new birth in the Spirit or for the new creation. This is the day that Jesus Christ presented Himself to the Father after His resurrection from the dead.

Remember, when Jesus Christ died we all (humanity) died with Him as we have been duly instructed saying; “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” And, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (Romans 6:10: 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15).

To be continued

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Saturday, April 12, 2025

The Lord's heart felt prayer how can it be fulfilled (part3)

3. The Cleansing of the Soul [Christ our Redemption]

There is no shadow of doubt that the blood is the one and only source of cleansing: For the life of every creature is in the blood, and God has given it to us to make atonement for ourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22).

The Sabbaths (plural) therefore, which honors Jesus Christ as “The Lord” states; “Observe My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary I am the Lord.” It states again; “Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, Then you will know that I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2; Ezekiel 20:20).

The Sabbaths were ordained to fulfil God’s eternal purpose for the unification of His church through five (5) specific ways (namely):

1. To be refreshed

The rationale and spirit for observing the Sabbaths is to be refreshed as the Lord did from His works for we have been duly instructed saying; “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11).

And we have also been reminded saying; “For there remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s [spiritual] rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their examples of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:9-12).

And how did God rest from His work? By blessing the day, sanctifying it or setting it apart and resting from all His work and so we are to follow the same example: And so we are to come before the Lord with songs of rejoicing as illustrated by the Psalmist David saying; “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens? Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary’ (1 Chronicles 16:23-28; Psalms 96: 1-7).

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, April 10, 2025

The Lord's heartfelt prayer how can it be fulfilled (part 2)

2. The Sanctification of the body of Christ [Christ our Sanctification]

The sanctification, the holiness, or setting apart of the body of Christ is made possible by being obedient to the word of God which says; “You must observe My Sabbaths, this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord who (sanctifies) makes you holy. Observe the Sabbath because it is holy to you…” (Exodus 31:12-14).

It is through partaking of the body of Christ that one becomes holy, for it is written; “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 a stranger shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:33).

In the same token, we also in order to be sanctified and be holy one must eat of those things with which the atonement was made; which is, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, to consecrate and sanctify us. Remember that, we were once alienated from God and were enemies in our minds because of our evil behaviour; but now He has reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Colossians 1:21-22).

Therefore, what makes one holy and set part is by partaking of the body of Christ as alluded by the apostle Paul who wrote: “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” (1Cornthians 10:16-17).

Again, I must emphasize the fact that the main objective for having a holy convocation it is to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings; 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.”

This offering is besides or in addition to the observance of 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).

Because this is what that sanctifies and set us apart and makes us holy in order to have a holy convocation and therefore, no foreigner or unclean person should be part the holy convocation and hence the reason we have been duly instructed saying; “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner --- not even to eat with such a person” (1Cornthians 5:11).

This is something we all need to take into consideration and understand the rationale for this offering.

To be continued