Jesus Our Ebenezer

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." 1Sam:7:12.

Many people Raised Memorials.  It was a common practice  in the ancient world to erect stones or alters as a way of recalling great events in the lives of the people or nations. This was often done by the followers of the Great God to be a reminder of the great acts of salvation which occurred in the lives of those who worshiped God.

We can see many of the Old Testament personalities doing this very thing. From Noah building his post flood alter and Abram(Abraham) marking the establishment of covenants and receiving God's promises to he and his prodigy. Jacob awoke from sleep after his dream of the ladder from Heaven on which the angelic host  descended and ascended to and from Earth to Heaven carrying out the will of God, Jacob set up a stone and anointed it calling Bethel.  Joshua had an alter of stone placed in the midst of the River Jordan to commemorate Israel's crossing into the Promised Land. These are just some of the examples found in the Sacred Word of God.

These alters and erected stones were there to serve as a reminder of God's acts of salvation in  lives of his people.


The Lord God helped the people of Israel to win a great victory over the Philistines who had been for many years a source of many problems and oppression against the people of Israel.

"The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us. So the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel".…1Sam:7:11-13


The Stone of Reminder 

That stone which the Prophet Samuel erected was an ongoing memorial and reminder of the victory which the Lord God gave to Israel. This Victory  was a great one which may, at some point,  seemed beyond hope and out of reach, yet now thru the workings of the Great God the people of Israel were the recipients of a great blessing of victory.

The Prophet Samuel wanted to ensure that the people of Israel never forgot that this great victory over their oppressors ,which they now had been given,  was not secured by any power of their own but thru the intervention of the great God who had helped Israel.

To ensure that the people of Israel would not forget that this victory  was their thru the power of God Samuel took a  stone and erected it and anointed it with oil and set it in place of prominence so that many would see it and that it be an ongoing reminder of their God's help in the life of Israel.

 "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen." 1Sam:7:12a


Ebenezer

This anointed stone which Samuel erected as a reminder  and memorial was named  Ebenezer , which means:  "thus far the Lord has helped us".

"He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." 1Sam:7:12b.

 The Prophet Samuel wanted all the people of Israel to remember this truth , that it was God who helped and delivered them and, that , they should never let this slip from their memories, individually nor collectively, being a stone made it stand as an ongoing unchanging  reminder of God's saving acts on Israel's behalf.

Jesus Our Ebenezer

Our God has raised up for each and all of us an Ebenezer which stands for all time and eternity as a monument to God's great acts of salvation and deliverance in all of our lives. That eternal monument is his very Son Jesus Christ, who is there eternally as an eternal Ebenezer to show us all that our Salvation and deliverance is accomplished for each and all and any who will but freely receive it by grace alone.

Just as the Children of Israel suffered under the harsh oppression of the Philistines until the Lord God helped them in the day of battle at Mizpah  and gave them a great victory,  which allowed Israel to be free and delivered from oppression, so our God has helped us and brought us a victory over sin, death, and fear that we need not ever be oppressed again and he has done this all thru Jesus.


"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Rm:8:2

In and thru Jesus we are even now victorious and share in Jesus' own victory even over the grave and death.

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ".1Crth:15:57

Our God, in and thru Jesus,  has helped us, thus far in life giving us assurance that we are victorious in his very self that we can face anything knowing that our Lord will help us with his divine assistance.

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Heb:13:6

 The Apostolic Church Witnessed and testified to the truth  that Jesus has come again that is raised up
 and now stands as evidence  of God help for all, they had seen Jesus and knew that he lives, they had looked upon the Jesus as the erected Ebenezer  as a monument to God saving act for all humanity and  were thru the Gospel message telling others of this very truth, that God has helped us.


"God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it."Acts:2:32

  In the very old Hymn,"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" written by Robert Robinson speaks of the truth of the divine assistance of God toward us all . The Divine assistance is  sung about, drawing upon the Scriptural image of the Prophet Samuel erecting the Ebenezer stone  who wanted the people of Israel to be ever mindful of God's gracious help in the lives of the nation of Israel. Robinson wrote centuries ago. 

"Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home." 

Jesus is there to stand as that eternal monument of  the help and the victory over all which would oppress  us from which our God has afford deliverance to us all .

 Jesus is our eternal Ebenezer to which we might look and be reminded of the help that God has given to each and  all.This we should be ever mindful of as we look to Jesus as our Ebenezer.

Benediction: May we each and all be ever mindful of the help and divine assistance which our Lord has extend unto each and all thru Jesus who is there as our Ebenezer today, tomorrow and forevermore.Amen.


Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
The Fountain of life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion 2101 Old National Pike,  Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301     www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

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"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

The Annunciations – Our Family respond

If it’s not about Jesus, it’s not about anything

Motto of the Fountain of Life Church

SPS:  This message is more of an exposition rather than a sermon or a homily.  The purpose is to reintroduce to you some members of our family and to acquaint us with their life and times and their unique response to God.  The specific purpose of the message is to show that we can take great inspiration from our elder family members.  And perhaps to see instances of God’s sense of humor.

Today’s Scripture:  Luke Chapter One.  Here Luke describes Zacharias as a righteous man and Mary as an espoused virgin.  Then Gabriel appears and says to each “Fear not.”  and we see the reaction of our two ancient relatives are different.  

Zacharias, the righteous man of God, was troubled and fear fell upon him, Luke 1:12.

Mary, the virgin, was troubled and wondered about the strange greeting, Luke 1:29.

Zacharias was troubled.  The meaning taken from from Strongs Exhaustive Concordance word #5015 is the Greek word tarasso [tarasso]:  to stir or agitate (roil water):  trouble

Mary was troubled.  From Strongs word #1298 is diatarasso [diatarasso]:  to disturb wholly. i.e. agitate (with alarm): - trouble

Zacharias felt fear.  Strong’s word # 5401:  phobos [phobos] – (to be put in fear); alarm or fright; be afraid exceedingly; fear, terror

Mary wondered (NIV) or as the King James Version says, “cast in her mind”.  From Strongs word #1260 -  dialogizomai dialogizomai:  to recon thoroughly; to deliberate by reflection or discussion) cast in mind, consider, dispute, muse, reason think. 

Gabriel comforts them both and says to both, “Fear not.”

To Zacharias - Luke 1:13: Fear not:  Strong’s #5399:  phobeo phobeo–  to frighten, to be alarmed, to be in awe of, i.e. revere:  - be (+sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly) reverence.

Mary - Luke 1:30; Fear not:  also word #5399.

WORD STUDY OF NAMES:

Gabriel = from the Hebrew Strong’s #1403 - man of God.  A very apt name for one who serves God.

Elizabeth = from the Hebrew Strong’s #472 - God of the oath.  His oath

Elizabeth:  a child was evidence of God fulfilling his promise to Zacharias.  A child was the evidence of God’s favor and cause for wild celebration.  A child causes Elizabeth to rejoice in vs 25 and say “God takes away my reproach.”

Zacharias is from the Hebrew Strong’s #2148 - God remembers

Zacharias was praying for a son, but even in prayer did not believe.  When Gabriel said his prayer was heard, Zacharias still had doubts. 

Instead of Zacharias remembering, Zacharias forgot Genesis 18:11, “And Abraham and Sarah were old and will stricken in age, and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.”  How did Zacharias respond” 

Luke 1:18 –" I am and old man and my wife is well stricken in years.  How can I know this?"  [In other words, give me a sign.] 

Gabriel gave a sign.  Zacharias shall be stricken dumb – because you did not believe my words.

Joseph is from the Hebrew as Strong’s #3130 - “let him add, increase.”  Mary is from the Hebrew Strong’s #4813 – “rebelliously, rebellion.”  Mary was a girl, perhaps 16 years old, or in her time and culture perhaps younger. Despite her youth she knew full well what Gabriel was saying.  In her time and nation and culture an unmarried woman with child was evidence of adultery and cause of great reproach.  It was grounds for divorce.  It was valid grounds for death by stoning.  A child for Mary, then and there, as Gabriel proposed, was dangerous to the point of death.  Mary’s name meant rebellion.  How did Mary respond?  Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, ‘behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.’”

Mary went to visit Elizabeth and Zacharias when Elizabeth was six months pregnant.  Upon her arrival Elizabeth said WITH A LOUD VOICE, Luke 1:42-44 -  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.  And why am I favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me.  For as soon as I heard your voice, the babe in my womb jumped for joy.  Yes, she said this with a loud voice.  Zacharias surely heard her too.  Mary stayed three months.

Mary Luke 1:46-55: “And Mary said, ‘My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:  for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree.  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.  He hath helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy.  As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.” 

Beloved, please remember this is from a girl, perhaps 14 or 16 years old, unequipped, with no special gifts or talents, certainly not formally trained in theology. 

Mary’s calling:  This girl gave birth to Jesus.  Gave birth.  Beloved, please remember that.

And what about the man who did not believe?  Would the Holy Spirit return to use a flawed man who did not believe?  Sometimes are we like Zacharias and don’t believe.  Do we think God is done with us?  Do we think God can’t still use us?   Let us rather remember, as Zachariah remembered Gen 18:14, “The angel spoke to Sarah and said, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Zachariah’s Calling:  to proclaim the Messiah to the world.  Zachariah gave birth to the world the public knowledge of the Messiah.

When Elizabeth delivered John Luke records in 1:67-69 – “And Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, ‘Blessed be the Lord god of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.  And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.’”   

Yes, God raised up a horn of salvation from the house of David.  That horn is Jesus.  Yes, Zacharias heard Elizabeth and he too LOUDLY spoke his prophecy of the horn of salvation.  We know this because all those around heard him.

Conclusion:  Our Calling

Rev. Todd Crouch spoke about the Annunciation.  He said that Gabriel delivers to Mary the calling and commission upon her life to be that special life thru which the Messiah would be birthed into the world; that she would be what Theologians call the "Theotokos" meaning "God-bearer."

Sometimes, we see ourselves as being not very important; coming from nowhere; going to no place; unequipped and with no special gifts or talents to fulfill some great commission and call upon us. We can't see how our Gods call us to be a "Theotokos",that is, to birth some great thing of God into the world.

It is God's intent that we Christians, each and all of us to be what Mary was a "Theotokos;" to be a bearer of God's saving purposes into the world that others might come to believe in Jesus the Messiah of all to be participants in the world of salvation upon the Earth.

The Good news is that through grace, the life of Jesus may be lived out in us.

Beloved, may the grace and peace of God our Father and of our Savior Jesus be with you all.

Rev. George Relic – Assistant Pastor (724-583-9217)

The Fountain of Life Church

2101 Old National Pike

Washington, PA  15301

A congregation of Grace Communion International

FOL Broadcast on RKP Radio – recorded on 5/5/16 in the FOL Studios.  

RETALIATE WITH LOVE

If it’s not about Jesus, it’s not about anything.

Motto of the Fountain of Life Church

SPS: This message will explore the Sermon on the Mount and see the New Testament transition from the eye for an eye judgement to the Kingdom of God’s love your enemies.

The Sermon on the Mount, often called the Beatitudes, in Matthew 5 contain the life of the spirit; the life of the kingdom.  Peter said in Acts 15:10 that we cannot perfectly keep the law.  Through grace we begin to keep the beatitudes, but as Peter intimated, as with the law neither can we perfectly keep the beatitudes. 

But the Good News is that Jesus, the first of many brethren, shows us that one day, when we see him as he is (1 John 3:2) we shall keep the law perfectly, because when we see him as he is we will be like him.  

Today on earth it is through grace that the desire to keep the beatitudes enters into our mind.  Tomorrow in the coming Kingdom, when we are like Him, grace completes its work and the beatitudes migrate into our hearts.    

TEACHING ABOUT RETALIATION

Today we live between the Old Testament of yesterday and the coming Kingdom of tomorrow.  This interim period in which we live is the New Testament.   The beatitudes moved us out of the Old Testament law of an eye for an eye.  In fact, Exodus 21:24, the Hebrew concept of an eye for an eye was an improvement over common desert practices that an offense to any one member of the tribe justified destruction of the entire tribe of the offender, without a court or judge to mediate the offense.  These verses in Exodus describe conflicts between people which are brought before the judge for resolution.  Bringing them to the judge makes them legal and makes the punishment equal to the offense.  Jesus begins in vs. 38:   You have heard it said “an eye for an eye.”   Matthew 5: 38 – 48 contains teaching contrasting retaliation toward enemies and love toward enemies.  

“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. 25:  Burning for burning, wound for wound, strip for stripe.”   The Romans and Greeks had the same law concept.  The offender must suffer the same injury.  The punishment must meet the crime.  Our own constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. 

  

The Old Testament commandment was meant to moderate vengeance; the punishment should not exceed the injury done.  Jesus changes retaliation in law which is legal and proportionate to the injury into retaliation of love which is free and spiritual.        

Jesus’s life and passion turned Exodus 21 upside down.

Ex 21:23:  Then thou shalt give life for life.  They took His life.

John 19:30:  When Jesus received the vinegar he said, “It is finished.” 

When Jesus gave up the ghost he fulfilled the prophesy of Ciaiphas: “It is expedient that one man should die rather than the nation be destroyed.  John 11: 50-51. 

Ex 21:25:  wound for wound, stripe for stripe:   They wounded Him.

Mathew 27:26:  And he sent Jesus to be scourged. 

Ex 21:24:  hand for hand, foot for foot;

Matt 27:35 And they crucified Him.  His hands and feet were affixed to a cross.

Matt 5:38:  whoever smites thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other.

Matt 26:67:  Then they spat in his face and beat him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands.

John 18:22:  And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by him said, “Do you answer the high priest like that?” struck Jesus with the palm of his had saying

Matt 5:40:  If any man sue thee at law let him have thy cloak also.

Matt 27:35:  And over his cloak they cast lots.  Psalm 22:18.

Matt 5:41:  Who compels you to go one mile, go the extra mile.

Matt 27:33:  He willingly went to a place named Golgotha.

LOVE OF ENEMIES

The beatitudes radically overturn the law concept that the punishment must meet the crime.  Again Jesus takes the common acceptable attitude and turns it on its ear.

Matt 5:43:  You have heard it said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.”

Actually, there is no command in the Old Testament to hate your enemy.  Jesus knew that.  But men inferred a command to hate God’s enemies which god never commanded.  Hate your enemy was based upon interpretation of scriptures such as Psalm 139:21-22: “Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate you?  And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?  I hate them with a perfect hatred:  I count them as my enemies.”   Neighbor was understood in Judea as countrymen.  The Good Samaritan showed that even the concept of neighbor extended far beyond the confines of Judea.   Jesus is turning upside down all of the respected accepted modes of behavior.     

WHAT IS LOVE?

Jesus’ moral appeal in the Beatitudes is grounded upon nothing less than then nature of God the Father in heaven.  "God is love"1 John 4:8. That is His nature – LOVE.  Forget thinking about an ethereal otherworldly spiritual substance or essence which is invisible and passes through walls.  That is not the stuff of God.  The stuff of God is love.  The love which Jesus demonstrates is more than a strong emotion.  Love is not an emotion or a feeling or an attitude.  Love is an action.

I Corinthians 13 is the love chapter.  In it, none of the words for love are nouns.  They are verbs.  What does Matthew say here?  Love your enemies; Bless them who curse you; do good to them that hate you; pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.  Love is what love does.  God is what God does.  God loves.

Love them, bless them, pray for them…Who can do this?  No one!  No one except them with the mind of Jesus.  But even then, it is not we who love, but it is god loving thru us because we are one with Him through His vicarious humanity.   

Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it Matt.  5:17-18.  Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of the law.  He is the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament.  The entire Old Testament pointed to a messiah.  The purpose of the Jewish race was to prepare for the coming messiah.   Likewise; the Beatitudes are the fulfillment of the 10 commandments. 

We cannot keep the 10 commandments.  But, the good news is that Jesus kept them perfectly for us.  The good news is that with the Holy Spirit’s help we begin to live them internally, not observe them externally.   

We cannot keep the Beatitudes.  But the good news is that Jesus kept them perfectly for us.  The good news is that with the Holy Spirit’s help we begin to live them internally, not observe them externally. 

Beloved, may the grace and peace of God our Father and that of our Lord Jesus, overflow into and from you.

Asst. Pastor Rev. George Relic (724-583-9217)

The Fountain of Life Church

2101 Old National Pike

Washington, PA 15301

A congregation of Grace Communion International

FOL Broadcast on RKP Radio – recorded 5/5/16 in FOL studios.