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...

THE SHOFAR
Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun No. 313 / January 14, 2012

 

 

Schedule of Gatherings

 

01/15/12           Lunar Sabbath Celebration                          3:00 pm

01/20/12           Hebrew Class                                                6:30 pm

01/21/12           Traditional Sat. Sabbath Services                 1:30 pm

01/22/12           Lunar Sabbath Celebration                          3:00 pm

01/24/12           New Moon Feast Day Celebration               1:00 pm

01/27/12           Hebrew Class                                                6:30 pm
01/28/12            Traditional Sat. Sabbath Services                 1:30 pm

01/31/12           Lunar Sabbath Celebration                          1:00 pm

02/06/12           Hebrew Class                                                6:30 pm

02/07/12           Traditional Sat. Sabbath Services                 1:30 pm

02/08/12           Lunar Sabbath Celebration                          3:00 pm

02/13/12           Hebrew Class                                                6:30 pm
02/14/12            Traditional Sat. Sabbath Services                 1:30 pm

 

Scripture Readings for the next 14 Days

Etz Chayeem Hoo (He Is a Tree of Life)

 

       Genesis 44:18-50:26

       1 Kings 2:1-12

       Ezekiel 37:15–28

       Luke 6:9-16

       Colossians 1:1-29

       Hebrews 11:21-22

       1 Peter 1:3-9

       Matthew 10:6; 15:24 on Yahshuah regathering lost Israel

       Acts 15:17 on the restoration of the twelve tribes

       Romans 9:1–29 on Israel coming to salvation

       Ephesians 2:11–22 on the Gentiles becoming a part of Israel

 

From Pastor ObadiYah about Yeshurun

 

Israel is called Yeshurun three times in Deuteronomy (32:15; 33:5; 33:26). This name also appears in the Book of Isaiah. Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus says YHVH who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you. Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and you, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For, I will pour water upon him who is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour my spirit upon your seed and my blessing upon your offspring. And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. (Isaiah 44:1-4)

But what is the Hebrew meaning of yeshurun (H3484)?  Its root word is yawshar (H3474), which means righteous, upright. On a physical plane, yawshar literally means level, for example, to go in a straight line, or to be on level ground.

Let’s consider a location called Sherone (H8289) as in the “Rose of Sherone”. That name is derived from the root word yawshar. This area was located in the plains of Israel, i.e., the flat lands, or level ground. In this location, an Israelite could walk in an upright posture, a picture of righteousness, which is what Yeshurun means.

This word doesn’t speak of those Israelites, who follow the land into valleys, that is to say, let their flesh lead them into the depths of sin. Nor does it speak to those who sporadically climb up The Way to higher land only to soon after become abased.  Rather, it speaks of a mature Israelite who walks consistently upright, who has learned to be sure-footed and wise, and who does not to let the land dictate The Way in which they travel. Instead, they depend on YAH’S Word, i.e. Yahshuah to lead them!   When YAH calls His people Yeshurun, He’s speaking to the mature personage of Israel, that is, those with long term potential.

With that being said, the nature of a thing is in its name. So let’s consider our assembly’s name Bet Yeshurun (BYA). Within this name is entailed our aspiration, which is to become mature believers who wrestle with the way of man and The Way of YAH but will prevail over both by holding on to our Elohim, that is, YAHUAH and HIS Son. Yahshuah HaMessiach of Nazareth our King as we await our blessing of eternal life.

The Kingdom of Elohim is still at hand, and its temple is still being made without hands. I was called and chosen of YAH to build HIS House…  I now understand that BYA is that House, which HE’S using me to build; the foundation has been laid in accordance to HIS Word and has been affirmed to me via revelation.

I am to teach and to preach concerning HIS Kingdom and its appointed King. That is, I am to teach The Way that leads to eternal life, as taught and exemplified by King Yahshuah. I am also to extend an invitation on His behalf to whosoever would like to reside in The Kingdom of Elohim. 

Therefore, it is with pleasure that I invite all who’d like to make BYA their official church (“ecclesia”) home, to do so by becoming an official ‘member’ by consecutively attending eight complete services i.e. from the opening prayer to the closing prayer. 

And He said to them, “You are they who justify yourselves before men; but Elohim knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of Elohim. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of Elohim is preached, and every man presses into it. (Luke 16:15-16) Peace and Blessings!

 

Resolving to Read Scripture

 

When another Gregorian calendar year begins, people like to make “New Year Resolutions”. With two weeks already passed, many have likely forgotten or elected to drop their resolutions. I heard a good resolution that might be of interest to others in Bet Yeshurun Assembly, “Read the entire Bible in 2012.”

Very few have read the Bible from cover to cover. You are in a small and very elect group of Yahshuah’s disciples if you have read Elohim’s Word in its entirety from beginning to end (Genesis to Revelation). To do that during 2012, you’ll need to dedicate 15 or 20 minutes each day and read at least four chapters.

If you have not read the Bible in its entirety, 2012 is a great year to accomplish that goal. If you already read the entire Bible, consider reading it again. Try the suggested four daily chapters, or design your own reading plan, or search the internet for an approach that fits your spiritual mood. Ask a prayer partner to join you in your quest then call each other daily about that day’s reading. Motivate and encourage each other to stay on Yah’s path.

May you be blessed abundantly in seeking YHVH’s face through His Holy Word!

 

Announcements

 

Assembly Gatherings The schedule of gatherings atBet Yeshurun Assembly (BYA) appears on the back page of each Shofar. We gather for each Shabbat, New Moon and Moedim (Yah’s appointed times). At the times, we worship King Yahshuah in the spirit and truth to praise, glorify and honor Elohim. We gather for traditional Sabbath services each Sat. We also meet every Lunar Sabbath according to the days set by YHVH’s heavenly calendar (the moon). We also meet on the New Moon Feast Days and the annual Moedim Festivals. Messianic calendars can be a point of contention, but BYA displays its faith prominently, proudly and without fear of the enemy. Scripture doesn't teach that everyone has to believe uniformly to walk together in YAH/LOVE...  Hence it says that "Ye shall know them by their fruits" not by their doctrine!

 

Hebrew Language Class A 90-minute class from the Holy Language Institute is presented each Fri evening for beginning Hebrew language students. There is no charge to attend and no prior knowledge of the Hebrew language is necessary. All are invited to attend.

 

Garden Tips Winter is a great time to plan your garden. To help, free seed catalogs are available from: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, (877) 564-6697; Thompson & Morgan, (800) 274-7333 and Seeds from Italy, (785)748-0959. For Website catalogs, try:  

www.richters.com,  www.reneesgarden.com; www.groworganic.com, www.superseeds.com. 

 

Thoughts for Meditation

 

“Courage is the commitment to start without any guarantee of success.” Johann Wolfgang Goethe

 

"Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest   It is about those who came and never left your side."

 

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" Martin Luther King

 

The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only one you have.” Anna Quindlen

 

“Spirituality doesn’t look like sitting down and meditating. Spirituality looks like folding towels in a kind way.”  Sylvia Boorstein

 

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" M. L. King

 

 

 

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