The Prince Of Peace

Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince Of Peace." This prophetic verse can be overlooked because we tend to read about the story of the birth of Jesus in the books of Matthew and Luke. However, this verse is very important because it describes who the Baby Jesus would become as an adult. For our last message of 2020 we will concentrate on Jesus as our Prince Of Peace.

After all that we have experienced in 2020, knowing Jesus as our Prince Of Peace will be a sign of hope and encouragement as we enter 2021. Everyone was affected by the challenging events of 2020 since the Pandemic touched every country. Currently, some countries are going into second or third lockdowns. We Live In A Turbulent World!

Let us now look at the Good News! Jesus Christ is our Prince Of Peace! How can we experience this Joy And Comfort? Hebrews 4:14-16 says, "Seeing that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son Of God, let us hold fast our confessions. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need."

Jesus is our High Priest who desires for everyone to have an intimate relationship with Him. Verse 16 says that we should "Come boldly to the Throne Of Grace." Jesus desires for us to spend quality time with Him in worship and thanksgiving as we present our needs to Him. As we come before His Throne Of Grace daily, we will experience Jesus as our Prince Of Peace! Bless His Holy Name!

Another reminder of how we can daily experience Jesus as our Prince Of Peace as we enter into 2021 is that we should "Put On The Armor Of God." Ephesians 6:10,11 says, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the Whole Armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Verses 12 to 17 describe how we can daily put on this protection from our enemy, the devil. Many prophetic scholars believe spiritual warfare and Anti-Semitism are more active now than any time in history. As we put on the Whole Armor Of God we will daily experience Jesus as our Prince Of Peace!

As we enter 2021:

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You

May The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You

And Be Gracious To You

May The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon You

And Grant You His Peace

Many Blessings In 2021,

Frank    

Salvation For The Jew First

Traditionally, during this week of Christmas, the For Zion's Sake Ministry brings forth a Christmas Themed Message. This year's message is a little different but still revolves around the birth of Jesus and its lasting effect. Remember from last week's message that Luke 2:11 says, "For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ The Lord." Jesus came to earth to be the Savior of the world and the Word Of God validates that Jesus came to save the Jewish people first!

The story of the first Pentecost shows without a doubt that the first believers in Jesus as their Savior were Jews. Shortly before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He was meeting with His Apostles. Acts 1:5 shows Jesus saying to His Apostles, "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with The Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Acts 2:1-4 says, "Now when the Day Of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with The Holy Spirit." 

The first people saved were Jesus' Apostles - All Jews!

Shortly thereafter, Peter addresses the crowd of all Jewish people in Acts 2:36,38 saying, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ . . . Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of The Holy Spirit.'" 

This large assembly of 3,000 Jewish people were all saved and became the first church of Jesus Christ.

As mentioned in last week's message, only a small percentage of Jews in the world today know Jesus as their Savior. Why is today so different from the time of the first Pentecost? Romans 10:3 shows the Apostle Paul speaking about his own people, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own righteousness have not submitted to the righteousness of God."

The spirit of the Christmas Season is about giving. May we ask you during this season, while giving gifts to your family and friends, to also give of your time in praying for the many Jewish people worldwide to receive Jesus as their Savior and Messiah. As you participate in this important act you will be obeying God AND will be blessed!

Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Frank    

 

Remember God Keeps His Promises - Part Three

We are continuing our mini-series about Jehovah God keeping all of His promises. This time of the year it is appropriate to study the most important promise God made and the continuing results of this promise.

This most important promise from God is that "He Gave." What did He give? John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life," Additionally, Luke 2:11 says, "For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ The Lord." 

Jehovah God  Gave His Son Jesus Christ Sending His Son To Earth With This Promise - Whoever Believes In Jesus' Death And Resurrection And Confesses With Their Mouth Jesus Is Lord Is Saved. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 49:5,6 Further illustrates why God sent Jesus to earth, "And now The Lord says, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered to Him. Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant. To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Isaiah 49 is called "The Messiah's Mission." Verse 6 says Jesus was sent to earth to be God's Salvation to the Gentiles. This confirms God's promises of John 3:16 and Luke 2:11.

What about God's Covenant People - The Jews? In Isaiah 49 this most important promise of God is for them also. Notice in verse 5 God sent Jesus to earth "To bring Jacob back to Him" and verse 6 says, "To restore the preserved ones of Israel." God's promise of Salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles! In fact, the day is coming when all the Jewish People living will be saved. {Romans 11:26} It is believed this will happen when Jesus returns physically to earth. {Zechariah 12:10}

Jehovah God keeps all His Promises! The birth of Jesus and the reason God sent Him to earth is the most important of God's Promises! Bless His Holy Name! 

For Zion's Sake Ministry Wishes You A Most Merry Christmas And A Blessed New Year,

Frank     

 

Remember, God Keeps His Promises - Part Two

Our messages for a number of weeks has centered on looking at the Book of Psalms as a way of worshipping Jehovah God in song and prayers. Currently, we are in the middle of a mini-series about Psalm 105 looking at how God makes promises to His people and keeps all of them. Hallelujah!

Psalm 105:11 shows God saying to Abraham and his descendants, "To you I will give the land of Canaan." The primary example of God fulfilling this promise is Genesis 15:18 where God says to Abraham, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." Jehovah God gave almost the entire Middle East land to his Covenant People. This settled the question of who owns Judea and Samaria! God Keeps His Promises!

In studying the story of the Israelites in Egypt, we find God keeping numerous promises all revolving around Genesis 12:2. God says in this verse, "I will make you into a Great Nation." Here are examples from Psalm 105 of God protecting His People in Egypt in order for them to become a Great Nation:

God Sent Joseph Who Protected Them From The Famine - Verses 17,21

God Increased His People Greatly - Verse 24

God Sent Moses And Aaron - Verse 26

God Brought Them Out With Silver And Gold - Verse 37

There Was None Feeble Among God's People - Verse 37

God Keeps His Promises!

Remember also that Jehovah God Promised in Genesis 12:3, "I will curse those who curse you." Here are examples of this promise being kept by God:

God Told Kings To Not Touch His Anointed - Verses 14,15

God Sent Plagues Among The Egyptians - Verses 28-36

Fear Of The Israelites Fell Among The Egyptians - Verse 38

God Keeps His Promises!

We are devoting a number of messages about God keeping His promises as a word of encouragement during these challenging times. The Word of God shows Him continually making promises . . . AND KEEPING THEM! 

May The Lord Bless You And Encourage You This Day,

Frank 

   

Remember, God Keeps His Promises

Psalm 105:1,2,5 says, "Oh, Give Thanks To The Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples, sing to Him, sing Psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works . . . remember His marvelous works which He has done." Notice three times in these verses we are encouraged to tell others about how God keeps His promises.

Psalm 105:6-10 says, "O seed of Abraham His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is The Lord our God; His judgements are in all the earth. He has remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and conformed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel for an everlasting covenant."

The Jewish people are called "A Seed Of Abraham." What does this mean? Jehovah God established His Covenant with Abraham and all His descendants, The Jewish People. Genesis 17:7 shows God saying to Abraham, "I will establish My Covenant between Me and you and your descendants." Also, Genesis 17:10 says, "This is My Covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you."

Frequently, we hear people refer to God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What does this mean? Genesis 17:19 shows God continuing to speak to Abraham about establishing His Covenant, "Then God said: 'No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My Covenant with him for an everlasting Covenant.'" The Abrahamic Covenant continued through Isaac.

Isaac had a son named Jacob and just before Isaac died he spoke to Jacob saying, "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may be an assembly of peoples; and give you the blessing of Abraham." {Genesis 28:3-4} The Abrahamic Covenant continues through Isaac, Jacob and their descendants through 2,500 years to the present day.

Next week's message will exam how Jehovah God keeps the Abrahamic Covenant by completing all His promises for the Israelites. Following, we will study how God keeps His promises in the birth of His Son, Jesus. 

Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank