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The Netzarim Cause
Introduction: Since generally all of us in the Netzarim or Nazarene movement have strong Christian backgrounds it is significant to consider what our divine purpose is. We have come to understand a greater depth to the faith with a passion to return to our early roots devoid of the trappings of our former Roman/ Greco heritage. This is by no means an easy journey since we are sure to be criticised as being too Jewish or legalistic or not in conformity with the thinking of the Christian Church with its Doctrines. We have even been called a cult by many so it is vital for us to understand our purpose in the World we live. On the other hand from a Rabbinical prospective we are also alienated since we believe in Yahshua of Netzareth & therefore are not accepted in Synagogues so we need to be sure of our Mission.
Surely the journey of refinement that we are on relates to Yahshua, his death & resurrection and how he relates to the Torah as well as our responsibilities to both Yahshua and the Torah (Law). The Cause that we have been drawn to therefore is that we display Yahshua (Jesus) in us combined with our desire for faithfulness to Yahweh’s Torah both of which will make us his true light to the Nations.
We therefore all have a unique call on our life and to see that call fulfilled should be the greatest desire of our life. It could be said that we stand between Orthodox Judaism who reject Yahshua (Yeshua) and Christianity who see Jesus or Yahshua as fulfilling the requirement of the Law for us. This has caused Christianity to neglect Torah apart from the fundamental moral commands presuming a false understanding of the Brit Chadashah or New Testament as they call it not understanding that Yahshua came rather to Renew the Covenant that was broken & therefore to re-establish it and not to replace it. Therefore our Mission as I see it is to bring these two together and by so doing we fulfil also the call to the lost sheep of the House of Yisrael.
You may say that being an Emissary or Missionary is not my skillset but is for the Hudson Taylors, Billy Grahams or the Navy seals of the Movement and that we are just normal everyday people & all we can do is to endure life with all its challenges and just try to hold onto our faith. Is that however the limitation to the requirement that the Master wants from us or does he expect more diligence and passion.
The Mission of Yisrael and believers however has always been to bring the knowledge of YAHWEH and his Salvation to a Lost World. We see that Yisrael were called to reveal Yahweh’s righteous requirements to the world but we know they often failed in their calling since they were called to be a Kodosh (Holy) Nation that would clearly reveal Elohim and be Priests before Yahweh for the World.
The role of the early believers was therefore to reveal what had been hidden and was now revealed through Yahshua that repentance unto life has been given to the Goyim (Nations) as well since we read how the Yahudim believers respond after Kepha (Peter) returns from the house of Cornelius where the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) fell on all those present who had come to hear Kepha (Peter) though they had not even entered the Covenant of Yisrael:
Acts 11:17-18 “So if Elohim gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Master Yahshua the Messiah, how was I able to withstand Elohim?” 18 And having heard this, they were silent and praised Elohim, saying, “Then Elohim has indeed also given to the Goyim (gentiles) repentance to life.”
It must be noted that before this incident even the Sh’liychiym (Apostles) had believed that their message was only for the Yahudim but this incident began to change things.
It is noteworthy however that the verses following say that those who were scattered through the persecution only brought their message to the Yahudim (Jews) as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. This suggests it was only brought to those who knew the writings of the Tanakh (the Old Testament) who had long awaited the coming King of Yisrael to bring Salvation to his people.
Therefore like the Sh’liychiym (Apostles) we need to understand that we have not been called to be a separatist group but to be in the World but not of the World. Not to isolate ourselves from the World but to reach out to the World.
Before we even begin it is important that we understand that Elohim from the very beginning had a plan to reach the World he created. This is aptly revealed through the Words of Yahweh spoke directly to Abraham in:
Bereshith (Genesis) 12: 3 And in you all the families of the Earth shall be blessed.
The Prophet Isaiah also says it this way:
YeshiYahu (Isaiah) 11:9b For the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea.
This is a promise from the Almighty that the earth will be filled with his knowledge and we have been given the great privilege of partnering with him to see the wonderful knowledge of his Salvation through Yahshua Ha Moshiach (the Messiah) fill the Earth. Could there be anything better than to be called to bring the True message to the World because by doing it surely we bring joy to the heart of our Heavenly Father & by being faithful, Yahshua will one day say “well done you good & faithful servant.”
Keys to Fulfilling the Cause:
- We need to be Transformed and not conformed
If we look to the world we will discover that the cause the World would have you strive for is to obtain happiness through a “Cause” built on greed, self-centeredness and pride. The thinking of the world is “if only I would succeed in business or become a Celebrity with much wealth then I will obtain happiness but this type of cause does not produce a love for Elohim or his Cause since we read what he says about a love built on the thinking of the World
1 John 2: 15- 16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
This however does not mean we cannot have the things that are in the world but that our priorities must be Different. Since the ways of Elohim are contrary to the ways of man we need to observe how the early believers’ responded not only to the Message but also to the subsequent persecution that followed.
One of the most powerful examples of the power of the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) in the lives of the early believers is that of TsephanYah (Stephen) a Hellenistic Yahudim (Jew) chosen with others to oversee the Hellenistic widows. His testimony therefore filled the scattering believers with a wonderful picture of strength through the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) in the face of persecution or even death.
The question for us is the same question Yahshua put to Kepha on the shore of Lake Galilee.
This is the same call that is on the lives of all believers but the Master gives us the choice to take up his “Cause” so he says to us as well:
“Do you love me more than the things of this World.”
When the Cause of Yahshua becomes central to our lives above the comfort of a good life and our pride satisfied, then we will find ourselves sharing the full truth to those around us, and further we will develop a heart for the Assembly and for Missions something often not thought of as leading to supporting it or even to go places where we can make a difference to people’s lives. In fact when the fire of the RUACH (Holy Spirit) fills us we will not be able to remain silent so we need to be a people that constantly keeps fuelling that fire or we will quench the RUACH Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) in us.
The Disciples also needed to believe that Yahweh would guide and provide for them as we do too:
Mission to South Korea: In 2012 Silver felt that YHWH desired us to go to South Korea. We then even visited a Korean Congregation who told us clearly not to go as many Koreans could not speak English. Unperturbed by this we booked a guest house and though we visited local Congregations the advice appeared correct. We however prayed and meditated and my wife felt a clear direction to go two streets and turn left. We found a Korean Church and entered & though the Pastor spoke poor English she introduced us to a young man who had good English who was a Mission Pastor from a Mission in an Industrial Area and we were invited there. This turned out to be such a blessing as they had a Congregation of Filipinos who spoke English, a Vietnamese Congregation and my Wife speaks Vietnamese and finally we met a Cambodian Congregation and since Silver speaks Cambodian we discovered that YHWH had a grand purpose for us coming to South Korea which we would never have experienced if we had not stepped out in faith.
- The Need for Oneness of Mind & Heart:
Since we as Netzarim (Nazarenes) have been given a unique call to bring the full message to the world we have great responsibility. The early believers clearly showed their true faith especially after persecution began when Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) had been arrested stood trail were beaten and then were reunited with the Assembly resulting in them all raising their voices with one accord and crying to the one who alone is Elohim:
Acts 4:24- 26 “YHWH, You are Elohim, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them 25 who by the mouth of Your servant Daviḏ have said, ‘Why did the gentiles rage and the people plot ruin? 26 ‘The sovereigns of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against YHWH and against His anointed one.
These believers were so filled with purpose & oneness that this attempt to stop the Good News of Yahshua Ha Moshiach (the Messiah) was met by them with cries for boldness and complete unity for the Cause which resulted in a powerful move of the Ruach Ha Kodesh (The Holy Spirit) not unlike what happened at Shavuot (Pentecost):
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they came together was shaken.
And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and they spoke the Word of Elohim with boldness.
If we as Netzarim can catch this same fire then surely the Ruach Ha Kodesh will infuse us with the same Boldness and Passion. This will empower us to bring the beauty of his message to a world that has not seen the fullness of the truth.
Mission in the Philippines that changes lives including our own: Batayan Island.
On our last trip to the Philippines we had the joy of ministering to many people. One Island however was supremely a blessing and that was our visit to Batayan Island just above Cebu where we hired Vans to collect mainly young adults from five Congregations. To see the joy & hunger that these poor people had to worship and receive the Word and prayer truly astounded us. We saw them crying under the power of the Ruach and the atmosphere was so charged that it brought such joy to us that we know both them and us experienced that day a greater presence of Yahweh that we all need if we are to grow to be a people of Elohim or Ha Tzadik the righteous filled with the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit).
- The Promise of Power:
From the Days of Shavuot (Pentecost) we see a new dimension of the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) in operation. Firstly we see through the name of the Master supernatural Miracles being done by the Sh’liychiym (Apostles)causing many to believe but more than that we see this dimension of power extending to those outside the circle of the directly chosen as we read with regards TsephanYah (Stephen) and then Philip:
Acts 8:4-8 Then those who had been scattered went everywhere preaching the Word! 5 And going down to the city of Shomeron (Samaria) Philip proclaimed Messiah to them.
6 And the crowds with one mind heeded what Philip said, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice and many who were paralysed and lame were healed. 8 And there came to be great joy in that city.
What I want us to observe is that throughout the spreading of the Good News of Yahshua the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) was doing mighty signs and wonders through his servants but though we do not read much about the believers who also spread the Besorah or the Good News I am sure these believers also saw great signs which appear to always be associated with bringing the Good News. In these verses there is also a clear indication that when Kepha (Peter) came to see the believers he imparted the Ruach Ha Kodesh the Set Apart Spirit upon them with a clearly visible manifestation.
This too is something clearly lacking among us today and I believe it is a promise that we should pray for and desire. When we believe for this promise with all our heart I believe that YHWH will fulfil his word to us as he did to them according to what Kepha said:
Acts 2:38- 40 Then Kepha (Peter) said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be immersed in the name of Yahshua Ha Moshiach (the Messiah) for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit). 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as Yahweh our Elohim will call.”
This tells us that we all can be filled with the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) and we can all believe that he can use us to touch lives and even do the same works as the believers did from Shavuot (Pentecost) since Elohim will work through anyone who has been redeemed by the blood of Yahshua. This is further promised by these Words that if we can believe we will experience:
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Set-Apart Spirit (Holy Spirit) has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
That should be a cause for rejoicing. One thing we must note however is that the RUACH (Holy Spirit) only began to work when the disciples left the security of their upper room and stood in the Temple and preached, a very dangerous act but one that the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) so powerfully used since many of the people were cut to the heart and came to the faith. When we desire this and leave the comfort of our “Upper Room” our comfortable gatherings places or Synagogues then we too surely will experience his Supernatural Power seeing YHWH confirm his word through Signs and Wonders. The challenge is ours if we will take it. When we begin to believe in the power of Elohim like the Sent ones did we will experience great things? What then are we waiting for?
Cebu- healing of Man with bowel Cancer/ Young Man on Crutches
After our message at the Filipino Church we ministered to a Young man who was on crutches after an operation to both knees. Silver with her great confidence in the anointing of YHWH after we prayed for him pressed him to exercise his faith by walking unaided. He commented that he no longer felt pain so Silver continued to press him to walk faster. Finally I noticed that even when Silver was not around he was walking rather briskly around the Sanctuary and getting some amazed looks. Faith is an amazing thing and combined with the promises of YHWH nothing is impossible if we can believe according to the Words of the Master.
1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of Elohim is not in word but in power.
- We need Faith to believe He is with us:
Now that we can see that Yahshua has promised to empower us to fulfil his purpose in the world we need to make the decision to put our trust in Him and allow our faith to be stretched. If we truly love the Master then our heart should be captivated by His Mission to reach the World with the complete message of truth without compromise. This can only begin with us doing our best to represent his truth worked out in our life that we might be the Light of the World as he has called us. This is always the best representation or his Truth much greater than any knowledge we may profess to have. No other purpose in our life should supersede that.
The Purpose for which we gather therefore is so we would be equipped to fulfil the special cause we have been given:
A most powerful rendering of this truth is given in the Hidden Truth Scrolls of:
Yochanan (John) 1:17 For the Torah (Law) was given by Mosheh prophesying of the favour and truth that would come to fulfilment through Yahshua the Messiah.
We have now been given the great honour of bringing that complete truth that Messiah came to fulfil and not to destroy and our message to the world is what it means to truly love our Master which he clearly told us in:
Yochanan (John) 14:15 If you truly love me guard and do my commandments.
It is for us to teach that, but more than that we must be the example of those who are faithful to him and that is best shown by the way we also love each other, honour his Shabbat, keep his feasts and love his Name:
Just like the early believers when our heart is totally captivated by the joy of the Master our Adonai and his love for all mankind we will not be able to pass by an opportunity to share his love for those who need his touch. We need to be infused once again with this sort of Fire which comes from intimacy firstly with him and then with his people or we will simply quench the Ruach Ha Kodesh within us.
When you walk through a crowd do you feel sad when you think of the many that do not know the love of YAHWEH through his son Yahshua? If you do, then that Mission heart is beginning to burn in you and I guarantee that the Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) will undoubtedly give you divine opportunities for sharing his Good News.
Applying Ourselves to His Promises:
The entire book od Acts is a great tale of people believing in the promises of Elohim for guidance, provision, power and faithfulness right to the end as we see in the lives of the Apostles, Stephen, Philip, Paul and I am sure in the lives of countless faithful believers not mentioned but we know it was not primarily the Leaders that brought the Good News far and near but the ordinary born again believers.
The Questions for us therefore are:
- Do we desire Transformation to his Cause?
- Will we do something today to see the Ruach Ha Kodesh move in our life?
- Does Adonai (the Lord) desire me to go or do something greater than I am currently doing?
“When we are ready the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) will do the rest” Amein.