Messianic Worship

How does the Messianic form of religious faith differ from mainstream Christian belief? In a true sense, it is a return to a "whole Bible" basis for belief and worship. The New Testament, comprised of just 27 books, was never to be considered as a "replacement" for the Tenach, or Old Testament, nor are the New Testament writings the sole basis of our faith. The New Testament apostles refer to the Old Testament hundreds of times in explaining the basis of belief and doctrine. Nor has the Old Covenant been completely "abolished" in the New Covenant. It is instructive that the word "New" in Biblical Greek means a refreshed, revised, or "better" covenant. (Heb. 7:19, 22; 8:6; 12:24) Just as a butterfly does not represent an abolishing of his former self (the caterpiller), but a transformation, so too the New Covenant represents a transformed and improved form of the Old, firmly based and built upon the same original Biblical principles. (Heb. 7:12) We have more Messianic teaching available...

What is the Messianic view on Biblical Torah (Old Testament law)? We uphold New Testament teaching and "establish the law" (Rom. 3:31), believing that "not one jot or tittle" is removed for the believer (Matt. 5:17-19). However, under the New Covenant there is a transformation of law (Heb. 7:12). Yah's commands represent principles and precepts for us under the New Covenant, which has been called a "preceptive" view of Torah. Read more about God's law and the New Covenant...

                                                            

Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun                         No.124 / November 21, 2009


Calendar of Events

                                                               

Nov. 17  Day One of the Ninth Moon (Month)                Started 5:08 pm

Nov. 20 1st Century Church Governance Study              Started 8:00 pm

Nov. 21  Praise & Worship, Teaching & Fellowship          Starts 1:00 pm

Nov. 27 1st Century Church Governance Study                Starts 8:00 pm

Nov. 28  Praise & Worship, Teaching & Fellowship          Starts 1:00 pm

Dec. 4    1st Century Church Governance Study                Starts 8:00 pm

Dec. 5    Praise & Worship, Teaching & Fellowship          Starts 1:00 pm

Dec. 11 1st Century Church Governance Study                Starts 8:00 pm

Dec. 12  Praise & Worship, Teaching & Fellowship          Starts 1:00 pm

Dec. 17  Day One of the Tenth Moon (Month)                 Starts 5:01 pm

Dec. 18 Torah Study Session – Prov. 13                           Starts 8:00 pm

Dec. 19  Praise & Worship, Teaching & Fellowship          Starts 1:00 pm

Dec. 25  Torah Study Session – Prov. 14                           Starts 8:00 pm
Dec. 26  Praise & Worship, Teaching & Fellowship        Starts 1:00 pm

 

Suggested Scripture Readings

 

Genesis 23, 1 to 28, 9

1 Kings 1, 1 – 31

Malachi 1, 1 to 2, 7

Matthew 1, 1 – 17

Matthew Chapters 8 through 12

Luke 17, 26 - 37

Romans 4, 13 – 25; 9, 1 – 13

1 Corinthians 15, 50 - 57

2 Timothy 2, 15

Paul on Isaac: Romans 9, 6 – 11
Paul on Isaac versus Ishmael: Galatians 4, 21 – 31
On YHVH making promises to Abraham: Hebrews 6, 13 – 20

On Sarah’s & Abraham’s Faith: Hebrews 11, 11 – 19; James 2, 14 – 24

On the ungodiness of Sodom : 2 Peter 2, 4 – 11

 

Cleansing Your Temple

 

“Behold, I will send my messenger. He shall prepare the way before me. The Lord, who you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, who you delight in. Behold, He shall come, says YHVH of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when He appears? For, He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. He shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver that they may offer unto YHVH an offering in righteousness.” (Malachi 3, 1 - 3)

 

Scripture describes Yahshua’s display of authority upon entering Jerusalem ’s temple area (Luke 19, 45 - 46). He claimed it as a house for prayer and as a place for His teaching ministry. Was He angry with the religious leaders for abusing the purpose of the temple? Or, was He cleansing the Temple of distractions? What about things that have entered and reside in our temple? What prevents us from hearing and learning Yahshua’s message? Have we tossed out our distractions?

Yah knows we fall short of the ideals we profess and that we aren’t perfect. His righteous judgment in the Temple seemed to be directed at the people who thought they already were holy and no longer needed spiritual growth, or the humility that it required. It’s sad to hear people say they’re saved (past tense) as though becoming righteous is a one-time event and not an ongoing challenge of life.

Yahshua taught every day (Luke 19, 47). He will teach us every day if we cleanse our temple and become an attentive student. His textbook, the Bible, has lessons on hundreds of topics. His teaching style is warm with many parables and Hebrew stories. Yahshua invites us daily to learn through His Word. Thank Yah for sending others to pass along His messages. Thank those teachers, too.

 

“Yahshua, my teacher, I am humbled and blessed from the wisdom you give to those who seek the truth.”

 

Adapted from an article by James McKarns

 

Ask Your Questions

 

“Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, who deny that there is any Resurrection; and they asked him…” (Luke 20, 27)

 

The question about Resurrection was based upon the Scriptural law of Levirate Marriage (Deut. 25, 5–10). The question was posed in a manner that ridiculed the idea of Resurrection. Yahshua answered the question, which was designed to entrap Him, with patience and grace. While He rejected the Sadducees’ naïve understanding of Resurrection, He proved it based upon written Torah the Sadducees accepted (Luke 20, 37–39).  

 

It is a mistake to think that asking questions of YHVH opposes faith. He doesn’t want true Believers to just accept every thing from religious traditions and doctrines to the events that occur in our life as being according to Yah’s will for us. Good questions cn lead to deeper faith.

 

A necessary step to greater trust might be to ask, “Why me YHVH?”  Other good questions include, “What are you asking of me Yah?” “I’m entangled in a mess. Yahshua where are you in all this?”

 

“Heavenly Father, can my questions really deepen my faith and bring me closer to you?”

                        

 

An Example of Tolerance

 

In the story of the cleansing of ten lepers (Luke 17, 11 – 19), Yahshua teaches us how to treat strangers. He wasn’t concerned about their personal history when they asked Him to heal their disease. He satisfies their request, tells them to go to the priest, and sends them off.

 

He does care about the stranger who returns to give thanks for his cure. Yahshua commends him for his faith.

 

We don’t know what stirs in the heart of a person covered with sickness, or a homeless, foul smelling vagrant on a street corner. We do know that too much bias, false judgment, prejudice and intolerance exists in our world.

 

Are we truly open to people who are different from us? Can we receive them without judging like Yahshua accepted the ten lepers? He was a loving presence to them. We are called to do the same.


Announcements

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Thomas Jefferson

 Our Website Please visit Bet Yeshurun’s website at (www.messianics.us). It was recently updated to include several suggestions from members of our Assembly. Please see our webmaster if you have any pictures or articles to post, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the website.

 

Our Newsletter Talk with Brother Curt to share thoughts, articles, poetry, meditative quotes, humor, reflections and announcements in The Shofar.

 

Reflect, Renew, Respond and Rejoice It is time to reflect upon your special gifts. Being a good steward means using your talents to help others. Please see Brother Curt to confirm your interest in serving on a Ministry Team.

 

Bet Yeshurun Ministry Teams_

Administrative                             Prayer   

Assembly Council                      Prison   

Evangelism                                 Shofar &Website

Fellowship / Teaching              

Home & Welcoming

Praise & Youth   

 

Suggested Scripture Readings The Suggested Scripture Readings on the back page come from an annual Torah reading cycle that divides the Books of Genesis through Deuteronomy into bi-weekly portions. The list includes other Scripture verses related to the Torah theme being read. As members read the Word at the same time, inspiring nuggets of truth may be revealed to edify the Assembly. You are encouraged to share your insights on these passages with others who might appreciate hearing your thoughts about the readings.

 

Thoughts for Meditation

“I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident. They came by work.” - Thomas A. Edison

“Death is not the final step. It is the final awakening.” Sir Walter Scott

“Evil talk kills three people: the speaker, the listener, and the one who is spoken of.” Israelite Sages

 “The first duty of love is to listen.”  Paul Tillich

“Intercessory prayer is defined as loving our neighbor on our knees.” C. Brent

 

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