Living Waters Wednesday Teaching C. Holoman-#16 The commonwealth Feast of the Dedication January

Encouragement to attend Sunday School, 9:30 AM weekly. Encourage diligence in you Read the Bible Through in a Year tract.

Exploring the concept of ‘the commonwealth’ of the people of God.

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 3:4 When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Romans 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the richness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 You will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

The commonwealth of the people of God has content, just as biblical faith has content. If the content isn’t biblical, the faith isn’t biblical.

John 10:22 It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. Jesus was participating in the commonwealth of the people of God.

The origin of the Feast of the Dedication is found within the scriptures written before the New Testament books, 1 Maccabees 1-4 and 2 Maccabees 10

Tell the story of this commonwealth feast.

Expound the menorah as symbol. The Tree of Life The burning bush The Temple lamps The Feast of the Dedication Pentecostal fire in Acts 2 Symbol of the church Revelation 1

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees In the cold and dark of winter, it is the season to be reminded of the oil we have and fire it up!

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees One bottle of oil = the irreducible minimum, with God’s help, lasted 8 days and dedicated the whole temple.

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees Never too late for new and fruitful beginnings. Abraham, Moses, Zechariah, the father of Judas the Maccabbees.

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees You cannot chase away the darkness with a stick- you have to turn on the light.

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees Recognize the darkness and transcend it. To sow to the light in time of darkness.

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees No matter how desecrated the temple, it can be made clean. No amount of defilement is beyond cleansing.

Commonwealth Lessons from Maccabbees Jesus kept the Feast of the Dedication

If we are made in the image of God, then we get to be light too.

Encouragement to attend Sunday School, 9:30 AM weekly.

Planned End Jan