Have you ever been in a race, whether it's a relay, track meet, or just racing with the intent of winning -- coming out the victor?
Well, here in Hebrews 12, Pastor Jenkins is reiterating and clarifying what it takes according to Apostle Saul (Paul) to win our race. Every believer has the same race to overcome in order to receive the well sought after prize! Remember, the race is not given to the swift but to those who endure until the end. This is a lifelong journey requiring us to put all the effort we have in it because we have an Adversary (Satan), who is just as determined to see our downfall. But we have a great cloud of witnesses standing on the sideline cheering us on with every step. When hardship almost get the best of us, we can dig deep into the well of faith and come through--we may have some scars but guess what, you'll never be in a fight and come out without one scratch.
Yahshua is with us and gives us the stamina to go forth reading and living the word of Yahweh. He already knows we will come through victoriously, so He's always there encouraging us to keep going, don't give up and don't quit.
So, take a big bite of the word of Yahweh which is your energy bar (source), and dig in for the long haul knowing if you hold on to your faith day in and day out, you will surely win your race. As we keep our minds on Yahshua, we will be victorious, and the prize we receive in the end is ETERNAL LIFE.
Therefore, let us run this race with purpose.
Pastor Jenkins speaks from Genesis 15 in which we see Yahweh having to encourage Abram to walk by faith and believe His promise over his (Abram's) life.
At this time, Abram was 75 years old and Sarai was barren. So, to believe Yahweh, it would take a lot of faith on Abram's part but guess what Abram's name was changed to Abraham which means "father of many nations." During his time of coming into the faith it took, he endured many hardships. But every time his wife Sarai, whose name was changed to Sarah, addressed him as Abraham--she reminded him of Yahweh's promise of him being the "father of many nations". And so it was, his descendants today are the Nation of Israel.
But more importantly, Yahshua the Son of Yahweh came to the whole world. Anyone who would hear the word of Yahweh and choose eternal life through Yahshua the Messiah would have salvation. He was sent so that the whole world could make a choice to receive eternal life through His death and resurrection.
With that being said, let's listen in to see what it takes to have faith in Yahweh. We all want eternal life (forgiveness of sin) but sometimes we don't know what to do or how to do it. This message should give us more insight into what it takes to receive eternal life.
Pastor Jenkins opens this message by sharing information about the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles, which comes in October 6th at Sunset. This Feast is one of three feasts Yahweh commanded us to keep. (See Exodus 23: 14-16 for more information.) This Feast is tied to our blessings! Who don't need a blessing? I know I surely do, what about you?
Also contained in today's message is how we have been saved by grace.
Grace is when we receive forgiveness for sins we've committed even when we don't deserve it. But through Yahshua our Savior, He set in place the beautiful act of grace when He shed His blood and died on the cross for the whole world. He didn't have to do it, BUT He did because He loves every one of us. There are things in our lives we've done that doesn't seem like (the sin) should be forgiven. But those are thoughts from our soulish realm not our spiritual realm.
To show how merciful Yahshua is, let's look at the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees (ruling class) brought this woman to Yahshua in an attempt to trick him. But Yahshua being all-knowing knew what they were planning, and He addressed the issue. It was true that the woman was caught in adultery but why wasn't the man also brought before him? In showing mercy to the woman, He showed the Pharisees their error. What and how did Yahshua do? Let's listen in to see how brilliant Yahshua was in
His discernment of the situation. No one can do us like Yahshua, He's our Savior, Comforter, Healer and so much more.
The question is: is He your Savior? only you can answer that question. But if He's not, He can be--He came to die for the whole world and no sin we've done can keep us from His love.
Pastor Jenkins in 2nd Kings 4 helps us to see just how much Father Yahweh cares for us when we honor Him.
This chapter talks about a certain widow woman whose husband had died and owed a debt. They had two sons that would be sold into slavery unless the wife paid off the debt. But she had no money to pay the debt. So, what was she going to do? Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something but just didn't know what to do? If she made the wrong choice, there would be consequences that impacted her sons.
The woman had no money, so what was she to do--let her sons be sold? Well, let's see what this certain woman did while in this situation. Then, think about how you would have handled the situation had you been the widow woman.
Let's join Pastor Jenkins to see what she did and the outcome. You may be surprised when you are put to the test.
Pastor Jenkins is very excited to be back live online speaking forth the word of Yahweh. After one year since his last online sermon, he, with such heartfelt love, is overjoyed and hope this forthcoming message will shine as bright in your heart as it does in his.
The message, 'Yahweh is love" which comes from 1st Corinthians 13 is so appropriate to deliver as our first sermon. Yahweh is our everlasting hope because He keeps doing great things for each of us! Having both the love of the Father and His Son is all we need to stand and hold on through all the attacks of the Enemy. We may get knocked down but through Yahshua we get back up and press on.
As Apostle Saul explains, love is the most essential part of our armor--because if we don't love, we have nothing. Love is patient, love is kind, love suffers long, love envies not, does not vault itself; and is not puffed up. So, the question is: are we on the same page as Apostle Saul or do we need to take a minute and go into prayer asking our Father Yahweh through Yahshua to help us to rid ourselves of thoughts and actions that are not of Them?
Remember, Father Yahweh and Yahshua are love, and if we be in them and they in us, the love in our hearts should be manifested in the way we treat others.