There is a TBN special Pastor just hosted. We will get to hear about it when they announce.
Tired after shooting at diff locations in Israel. Started tour with the other pastors later on who went on ahead first.
Other pastors went to Temple Institute and the guide told them about a certain mystery hidden for ages. Passed down by oral history. 72 letters in the bible that will lead to the true name of God.
Rabbis share both men and oral traditions. Oral traditions come from as long as Sinai.
Touring and found themselves in Samaria.
During Jesus time, Samaritans believed they worshipped God on the right mountain (where Jacob’s well was).
There will come a day, He revealed to the woman at the well, it won’t be about which mountain anymore. It will be about worshipping in spirit and in truth.
They bumped into a Priest who gave them a tour at the Samaritan museum.
Masoretic text- God breathed. Jewish text. Some words or letters are purposely left out. This Samaritan Priest started talking about Mt Gerazim is the true mountain and didn’t believe in Jesus although he knows of Him. Showed his family tree – which was from Aaron.
Which priest was it when Jesus was here? The priest said 49th priest and the name is Jonathan or THE GIFT OF GOD.
Jesus said, “If you knew the gift of God…” to the woman at the well.
The Samaritan priest they met said he knows everything and he is knowledgeable. He dunno, he would pray and go to sleep & wake up knowing. Pastor Mark used Singlish and the man was confused. Lol.
The 72 letters mystery- the Samaritan Priest said he knew. He opened the Aramaic ancient script. Hebrew is the orig and God breathed but the Aramaic is the oldest copy. So the priest opened it and he said in the Hebrew bible, there are only 69 letters but the Aramaic has 72. 3 missing. Pastor knows if a letter is missing, missing for a reason.
The three missing letters are Vavs (conjunction eg. AND said…) Hebrew- every alphabet is a letter and number. Vav is a nail. YHVH (hand of grace nailed in grace).
The three missing Vavs- unless u see them u cannot see the true name of God.
Unless the Jewish people could see the three nails, will never see the true name of God. Jesus was nailed by his hands and feet = 3 nails!
This year some doors were shut to the pastoral team although last year they were. Last year was the year of the opened door and the gate to Capernum was opened.
Pastor and his pastors found Jairus’ house then. Shared w a Scholarly man who said it was prob Jairus’ house (largest one and nearest to synagogue).
This year, the gate and doors were all closed though.
There are people who feel that when I preach about Jesus and His beauty, it isn’t practical. Think you should preach on marriages and child rearing. Pastor differs. He preaches Christ centred messages that then touch on these topics of parenting and marriages. Takes anointing and skill. Don’ts and Dos are easy to preach. Preaching about His beauty takes anointing.
When we are lacking and look to Jesus, we are transformed by the Spirit of the LORD- transformed from darkness to light.
Song of Songs-
Kadosh Kadoshin- holy of Holies.
Jesus is the king of kings.
Song of Songs is about His love for us.
Pop songs are about BGRs but Song of Songs is about His love for us.
Shulamite is the female form of Solomon
Daughters of Jerusalem- unsaved.
See SOS 5:9-23,6:2
My Beloved is dazzling white (deity) and ruddy (fully man)- 100% God. 100% Man.
Chief- leading with the banner
Eyes like dove- His eyes fastened on Peter when he betrayed Him & still channeled His love to him.
6:1- when eyes fastened on Jesus, you are the fairest of women. Cause people to be thirsty for Him. We are the Salt of the world- make the world thirst for Jesus. Don’t lose your saltiness.
The lost ask where have your Beloved gone- inspire others to seek Him.
Matthew 17:1-8 (Acc of Mt of Transfiguration)
Peter tried to put Jesus on same level had Moses and Elijah.
Mt of Transfig is after the time when Jesus asked his disciples,
“Who do they say I am?” & “Who do you say I am?”
Mt of Transfig is after the final rejection of Jesus in Matt16. After final rejection told disciples from now on, don’t tell them He is the messiah.
Matt17, even if the world refuses to receive Him, Heaven will receive Him.
Peter remembered this particular occasion later
2 Peter 1:15-18
– not fables, we saw His majesty. Make known His power and coming (2nd coming)
We live in a world where democracy, free speech and technology has failed. Men being men, no change.
God believes in Kingship but all kings fail but one- Jesus. Perfection rules- that is the kingdom we are looking forward to.
He fights for the poor. Leads those who are downcast. Prospers those afflicted and needy. Rules with meekness of heart.
The kingdom is going to manifest and we will be there.
Moses died. God buried Moses. Till today, no one has found Moses. But He raised Moses to stand beside Jesus.
Moses failed God towards end of his life and couldn’t enter promised land. But in Matthew, was risen in promised land with Jesus. Represents believers who died and are now able to sit beside Jesus in the promised land. First ones to go up.
Elijah represents saints still alive when Jesus comes. M
We will hear Jesus preach in Heaven in a body that cannot die. Will be a palpable, tangible kingdom.
Moses- law giver.
Elijah- law restorer.
Don’t put Jesus on same level as law and the prophets. God rebuked Peter.
The voice of grace is heard today. The law is antiquated.
Law- You tying to reach God
Grace- God loving, saving u, reaching out to u.
There are two occasions God opened the heavens and declared love for Jesus.
Baptism-
Took place at Dead Sea (lowest spot on earth and Israel).
Mt Hermon-
Highest place of Israel- 10,000 feet.
Ustd when our kids do well, we praise them. But in their lowest times also must tell them we love them and are proud of them.
2 Pe 1:17
Honour and glory- what we were clothed in before fall of Adam.
How do we give our kids honour and glory so they can be over comers? We affirm them.
Three tabernacles – feast of tabernacles or sukot. Booth. Commemorate 40y of wandering.
Bright cloud (dependent on Jesus) vs Dark cloud (Sinai- curse, judgment; dependent on men)
All of Christ not us- grace
Romans 3:20,21
– by the law is the knowledge of sin. The more u try to obey the law, more u know sin. Live under grace for an overcoming life.
Today we have the gift of righteousness to receive by His performance at the Cross.
Apart from the law. Romans 3:21
Jesus- The now of grace has come!
Law is what u ought to be for God
Grace is what God is to us. Saviour. Saves us every single day of our life.
Where Jesus goes, blessing followed. Born to a poor family, and wise men brought gold,incense and myrrh. Let gold come after u, not go after gold.
Matt 17:7
Luke 9:31
The death Jesus was about to accomplish. Not that was gonna overtake him. Shows Jesus’ power over death.
Subject of heaven is always about death of Jesus.
Arise-‘passive voice – allow yourself to be lifted
Arise and don’t be afraid. U can stand before the Father
Under law, Moses had to remove his shoes.
Prodigal Son- Father asked them to put shoes on the son’s feet.
Allow yourself to be lifted by His hand of love and grace. Arise out of your disease and habits and bondage and darkness.
Matt 17:8- may this be the theme of our lives. To see Jesus only.
God illustrated when Jesus comes again, the coming of the second kingdom.
Comes on white horse and we become joint heirs w him.
David anointed as King but didn’t become king right away. Saul pursued David to kill him. David’s mighty men came to him. Identified with his rejection. When David became King after Saul’s death, they were given positions.
Reigning is for those serve him and suffer his rejection.
Don’t be ashamed U are fully clothed on a nudist beach. Dare to be different.
Why are diamonds precious? Stones are dime a dozen. Diamonds are rare. Don’t run w the momentum of the world. World doesn’t want us to be diff and wants to pull us down. Stand tall for Jesus!
People aren’t afraid to use profanity. Don’t be afraid to use His name.
Kids being mocked for being virgins. “For me to be like u, any night will do. For u to be like me, never again.”
Dare to be a Joshua, a Ruth.
If u are sick, believe for healing. Not what we are asked to suffer. But we suffer the persecution of being a Christian.
Jesus has to go down from the Mt of Transfig to go Golgotha. Before the crown, was suffering. Before the Shekainah glory was darkness for three hours when the Son of God became sin on behalf of us.
Mt Hermon- God declared His SONship and love for Jesus. Golgotha- God denied Him and rejected Him so we won’t be denied.
Mt Hermon- Face was transfigured. Golgotha – disfigured.
Mt Hermon- dazzling white robes
Golgotha- robes gambled by soldiers
Peter James John
Stones supplanted by Grace
Glory of Moses face said U have sin and will die. People ran from him.
Glory of Jesus face said U have sin but my perfect work has redeemed u. People ran to Him.
Temple Tax- not tithe. Tithe is to show Jesus’ greatness. Temple Tax- rich or poor must give half shekel.
Matt 17:24-27
Jesus answer–> the sons are free = us
Jesus is greater than the temple but Peter lowered Jesus again. Wanted to glorify Jesus but lowered Him instead.
Jesus was patient. V27
Jesus didn’t ask Peter to break piggy bank. Showed Peter how He commands the resources of the sea. Greater than the Temple.
He could have taken from their money but wanted to demonstrate His power.
Jesus had to pay taxes because of Peter’s big mouth but paid for it in style for Him and Peter.
Your mistakes shows His patience. He doesn’t just stop providing because u upset Him. Jesus is long suffering. Love is patient- first quality of love that we recall.
Jesus humbled Himself to pay the tax. Knows how to be glorified and how to be humbled, to be abound and abased.
Lk 9:51-56
James and John were also at the Mt of Transfiguration
And in v54- example given? Elijah. Peter gave example of Moses (law says pay temple tax)
Before the chapt was over, none of the three learned their lesson.
Peter, James and John had intentions to glorify Jesus but they unknowingly lowered Him.
Jesus rebuked James and John, not the Samaritans.
There are those who promote law to promote holiness. Intention right but promotion is wrong.
Not just about glorifying Jesus but doing it within the framework of the gospel of grace.
Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus about His exodus/ departure.
How did Moses fail? Impatience. Was supposed to speak to the Rock. But hit the rock twice and spoke in an angry way to the people.
Jesus was patient.
James and John wanted Elijah to be their example. How did Elijah end his ministry? Discouraged and thought Jezebel was mightier than the LORD.
BUT both of them prophets made it because of Jesus
Isaiah 42:1-4
See v4- will not fail like Moses not be discouraged like Elijah
Even the best of men will fail. Not even your pastor or anyone else. Follow the one who can never fail or be discouraged. His name is Jesus. He is altogether lovely.
God looked at us and said nothing but the best can save u- sent Jesus. As long as He is perfect, we are perfectly saved. As sure as He is fail proof, our salvation is also fail proofed.
Our salvation is based on Jesus. Not us.