8-24-20

A dear friend of mine sent me a video of a sermon yesterday. I didn’t even know who the pastor was until a few days before. I’m not going to mention names because from what I understand he has somewhat of a cult following. Oh he was smooth talking, exciting, and very convincing. I listened to him speak and the words just jumped out. I was almost 10 minutes into his sermon when I realized that there had not been a single scripture read yet. I paused the video and rewound it to make sure I hadn’t missed it. I hadn’t. I continued listening to him, but this time I tried to focus more on the content of his message instead of his mesmerizing ability to use his words. I began to realize what his sermon was eluding to and it made me have a sick feeling in my stomach. He was painting a picture of our Messiah as a weak individual who succumbed to the flesh. He was telling that Jesus needed His “buddies” to make it through a hard time, and that He went to them before going to the Father. He went on and talked about man being made in the image of God. This in and of itself is Truth according to Genesis 1, but the way he talked was twisted. Yes we are made in the image of God, but that doesn’t make us gods. We are like a mirror, a mere reflection of the Almighty. I kept listening. He continually brought Jesus down to our level, to our flesh. Before you start thinking that I don’t believe that Jesus felt the things that we feel, I believe He felt it all! But, there is a difference between us and Him. He felt it and didn’t falter! He felt the weight, but did not stumble. He warred against the flesh unscathed, unwavering from the Ways of the Father! Jesus was strong and courageous, Rak Chazak Amats!!!

How do I know this? Well for one, every reference to Jesus’ life written in Scripture (in correct context) tells of His strength and steadfastness. Another is this, John 1:14 says that He was the Word made flesh! The Word is not changing, It does not fail, so neither does His Son! The Word of Yah is the Standard! Jesus is the standard mark of how we are to live this life out. He is the only example of perfect obedience and strength! The Almighty sent Him to battle for us because He was worthy of the task!

I want to show you something fantastic about who the Father picks for battle. This will show you the unwavering quality that Christ has to possess to be able to be considered suitable for the job. Please go get your Bible and turn to Deuteronomy 20.

So, to give you a little back story, Moses and the children of Yah are standing at the edge of the Promised Land getting ready to enter. Moses is not going with them, so he is reiterating all of the commands that they need to remember when they go into the land. Chapter 20 is giving instructions how to prepare for the battles to come. Here are what verse 1-4 read…

“’“When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ “

In the next few verses, there are reasons listed as to why a man should not go into battle and instead return home. All of this brings us to verses 8-9. (Oh Father I pray that you all see what I am trying to show you.) Here is what those verses say…

“Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.’ When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people. ‘”

After all the fainthearted left, they were to appoint commanders out of the rest. The only men left were the ones worthy for battle and Christ is no different!! He is the ultimate commander, the Head of the body! He is strong and fearless, with no earthly ties to this flesh to keep Him from the war. He came of sound accord, teaching only of the One who sent Him (John 7:16). Matthew 4 talks about Jesus fasting in the wilderness. He was not left feeble from the lack of food, fasting strengthened His already fierce posture. In Mark 14, Jesus felt the pressure of the coming crucifixion, but He did not cave. He went in power to the Father in prayer to discuss the mission before Him. He overcame! HalleluYah!!

Listen friends, please be leery of who you are letting feed the Word to you! The Father equips each one of us with the ability to nourish ourselves without the help of a man’s fancy words or exciting theatrics. Test everyone with the Word! Beware of men who distort the image of Christ making Him look like a weak, lawless man! If you are feeling a bit tickled in the ears, chances are you are being deceived. Guard yourselves from teachers whose sermons consist more of their words than of the Word Itself. And when I talk about the Word that is being given, flee from any teacher who quotes from The Message Bible. I know that there are all kinds of different translations out there. Educate yourselves on the ones that are as close to the original text as you can get. All other translations like the Message, are just ideas from a man about the Word and are of no value.

I pray that you all do not read anything unsavory into the words that I have said. Please understand they come from a pure heart with love and concern for the body of Christ. There is a falling away going on right before our eyes, and if we are not grounded in the Word ourselves, we will be swept away by the seduction of eloquent talkers. Be on guard while the Bride Groom tarries. Be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9) Rak Chazak Amats!!!