SHABBATH

Should we still observe the Sabbath and What exactly is the Sabbath?

(Isa 58:13-14)  If you turn your foot because of the Sabbath, from doing what you please on My holy days, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of Jehovah, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,then you shall delight yourself in Jehovah; and I will cause you to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed yourself with the inheritance of Jacob your father. For the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.

“Sabbath” is one of those terms we may think we understand when we do not. Let's take a closer look at what the Sabbath is, and what it is not.

There are some marvelous insights that begin to come to our heart when we take terms that we have worn out, some that we have presumed to understand and didn’t, and begin to re-assess them and see the breadth and practicality of their meaning and most of all the release that is wrapped up in them.

Sabbath is one of those terms.

Sabbath is resting from your own labors so that the Lord can work in you the work that He wants to work.

What the Sabbath is Not:

Isaiah 58:13–14: God is not saying:

1. I don’t want you to be happy—Cease “your own pleasure”—vs. 13

2. I don’t want you to say anything—Cease “your own words”—vs. 13

3. I don’t want you to do anything—Cease “seeking your own ways”—vs. 13

He does want us to get into the place where we can discern the difference between what He is doing in us, and not our own striving.

         Introduction of the Idea of Sabbath

         Genesis 2:1—3 says:

1. God ended His work

2. God rested from His work

3. God blessed the day

4. God sanctified the day

God’s Recommendation to Man

1. God did not need to rest.

2. God chose to rest.

3. Thus, the Sabbath is unrelated to physical weariness, although rest is a benefit.

4. God’s observance of a Sabbath is His unspoken recommendation to man.

Definition of Sabbath means to stop, to cease, to rest. It carries the idea of intermission or interruption. A refreshing, to catch your breath. (Ex. 31:17)

The Sabbath is/was:

1. Commanded—Ex. 20:8–11: God’s commands are not grievous. These things will keep you from destroying yourself.

2. Enforced—Num. 15:32—36: The Sabbath is part of relating correctly to the created order of things. It is also a way to honor the Lord.

3. Directed in a Sabbath of years. One out of seven years was to be a whole year of Sabbath. Then, after forty-nine years (or seven-sevens) an additional year, the year of jubilee.

New Testament Development of the Idea of Sabbath

Jesus’ word about the Sabbath.

1. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath—Mt. 12:1–8

2. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath—Mk. 2:27

The idea of the Sabbath can be summed up in this:

    Ceasing from the idea that we ever get anything accomplished solely by the works of our own hands.

                 How Do We Observe a Sabbath Today?

    God does not have a favorite day to observe the Sabbath. Rom. 14:5, 6; Acts 15:28, 29

1. The Sabbath really has nothing to do with:

a.  Religious observance or

b. Days of worship

2. The Sabbath has everything to do with:

a) An attitude in our hearts where we recognize that the works of our hands will never get it done.

b) Our need to learn to move in to the Lord’s rest.

Move into the Lord’s Rest—Col. 2:16, 17; Heb. 4:1—11

1. Ask the Lord, “What am I to be doing?”

2. Ask Him how to observe Sabbath in your personal life.

3.      Remember that there is an element of fun and joy in Sabbath

ASPECTS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION

(Matt. 16:19)  And I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to you. And whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven.

Salvation Commission

(Mar 16:15-18)  Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Salvation Mandate

Preach ( announce good news of the kingdom)

Goal converts, saved, healed, delivered, baptized in Holy Spirit

(Serve people)

Reproduce sheep

Power and authority

Wholeness to the person

Family

Rights

Church growth

Saves people

Shapes minds

Heals people

Restores the individual

Eternal Life

Entrance to heaven

Benefits of salvation, prosperity

Speak the Word, confession

Gifts, power

Power of the kingdom

Hands laid on

Focus on the individual 

Short term

Milk of the Word

Discipleship Commission

(Mat 28:19-20)  Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. 5 FOLD MANDATE: (Eph 4:12-16)  for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the dishonesty of men, in cunning craftiness, to the wiles of deceit. But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

Disciple Mandate

Make Disciples, trained, taught, equipped, released

Change thinking

(Serving Him)

Hear from God Themselves

Truth ,Deep Revelation

Wholeness to the Nation/Society

Citizenship in the Kingdom

Responsibility, Integrity

Saves Society

Marketplace Ministry

Heals Nation/Destiny of a Nation

Teaches how to live life

Speak the Word, decree and declare

Establishes the kingdom

Function/ Assignment in ministry

Dominion Mandate

Government and laws, precepts& principles

Long term

Team Ministry

A Global Interactive Covenant Kingdom Community of Purposes & Destinies that is changing {Influencing} the World through HIS DOMINION! A people Infused, Imbued, and Endowed in the glory of HIS Kingdom, a people saturated &lified; synergized with global kingdom frequencies of the Spirit  that is bringing Heaven to Earth ( quote from Tim Early)

GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE FOR MANKIND!

FATHER'S LOVE LETTER

Father’s Love Letter…

My Child, You may not know me or even know me fully but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15

When these words of Mine touch your heart, then you realize that it is Me who is comforting you, then you know that I am growing You… to become My Son!

John 1:12,13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of Elohim, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of Elohim. The parable in Luke 15 quoted hereafter, is really YOUR path, YOUR life.

You do not choose Me, nor is it your will to follow Me. Therefore I am not waiting for you. I am your Father and that is why you ARE My child. In your ‘humanity’ you ‘think’ that you are independent, that you have a free will, but it is Me who wills for you and always has done. You do not know that, because I veil Myself and your flesh cannot see Me, your mind cannot understand Me. I talk to you and your flesh thinks that I am outside of you while I am really YOU. This is, and always has been, the purpose of our plan to make first You and then the rest of creation subject to MY Glory…

Do you remember?

The pathway, the only pathway, is that you My Child come to see for what you are: ’My Child’. Your flesh never had a will and now your flesh experiences this. Your flesh mind says ‘I’ believe in the sovereignty of Him. Be aware though that, for as long as you say these lovely words, I have not finished My work, in making you My full Son. Your flesh is then not fully made subject to me, because of the two words you use: I and Him.

Your perception of ‘I’ is an illusion caused by My separation, the blindness I have put over you. There are no two’s, there is no other, I am the ONE.

WHO ARE YOU?

Here are some verses that tell of my position in Christ:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

"…we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 5:20

"In Whom [Christ] we have redemption through His blood…." Ephesians 1:7

"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the beloved [Christ]." Ephesians 1:6

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…." Ephesians 2:10

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…." Romans 8:1

Ultimately, we shall all discover that our TRUE IDENTITY is CHRIST and although we may have been brought up as Davis, Bryant, Stewart, Clifton, Murray, Jones, Brown or Smith,etc. our real name--our identity and our potentiality--is CHRIST, the spiritual offspring of God. In the moment that this truth is revealed to us, all that has been imposed upon us by human belief, will drop away, and as soon as we begin to perceive our true nature and identity, it will not take long to become accustomed to the ATMOSPHERE OF SPIRIT...which is our Original Abiding Place.

When Jesus said I am he proved his identity. As a matter of fact, when he declared this, it was impossible for those you heard to stand.

(John 18:3-6)  Then Judas, having received a band and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.  Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went out and said to them, Whom do you seek? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I AM! And Judas who betrayed Him also stood with them. Then as soon as He had said to them, I AM, they went backward and fell to the ground.

The first 11 chapters of John  define the Lord’s ministry through John’s selective use of 7 miracles, 7 “I AM” declarations, and 7 discourses. 

Now let’s look at the seven “I am” statements:

I AM

1. The Bread Of Life

2. The Light Of The World

3. The Gate

4. The Good Shepherd

5. The Resurrection And The Life

6. The Way, The Truth, And The Life

7. The Vine

WHO YOU ARE: 

I am the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:1,5)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:1)
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit (John 15:16)
I am a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Romans 8:14,15; Galatians 3:26; 4:6)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am a temple, a dwelling place, of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:30)
I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18,19)
I am a son of God and one in Christ (Galatians 3:26,28)
I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Galatians 4:6,7)
I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2)
I am God's workmanship, His handiwork, born anew in Christ to do His work (Ephesians 2:10)
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family (Ephesians 2:1)
I am a prisoner of Christ (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1)
I am righteous and holy through Christ (Ephesians 4:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:6)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Colossians 3:4)
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12; Thessalonians 1:4)
I am a son of light and not of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)
I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Hebrews 3:14)
I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5)
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (1 Peter 2:9,10)
I am an alien, stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Peter 2:11)
I am an enemy of the devil (1 Peter 5:8)
I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3:1,2)
I am born of God, and the evil one, cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

Boldly declare I AM and you will see the manifestation of what you said take place! If I am feeling sad...if I am feeling hurt...if I am feeling rejected or even 

confused...it is really not who I AM. I AM  is the knowing not the condition 

that is known. Let us be strengthened. I AM!!

This is not an exhaustive list, do a study on who you are. You will be surprised!