B. Judaism

Brother Chris did an excellent job opening up Devarim or Words, Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22. There is a lot of summarizing and retelling in this book, but one point that should not be missed is the power of our words. When we murmur or complain against God, we do not invoke the blessings. Then when you find yourself in a wilderness of sorts, know that God is with you, and will provide for the meek. And when you come up against an enemy or giant obstacle, remember it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Tristen (age 5) forwarded a praise report of found swimming googles, and we prayed for PTSD struggles, then Rabbi Jonathan taught about Shabbat observance. The message kicked of by discussing the Love Georgetown Event (https://www.lovegeorgetown.org), which just so happens to be on a Saturday. What qualifies as work, and what are we prohibited from doing, on the Seventh Day? Listen and learn. Torah portion slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/21-July-2018-Parsha.pdf and main message slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/21-July-2018-Sermon.pdf.

Whilst Rabbi Jonathan was in Chicago serving veterans as a Chaplain, and meeting people at Evanston Subaru (watch his vlog https://youtu.be/xLnxAquRBXE), Amanda led an amazing Messianic Jewish rendition of Tremble. We believe in one God (Adonai Echad), and as we say His Name, may any darkness in our lives tremble! Our Shabbat School Coordinator, Paula, presented Shlach, Send To You, Numbers 13:1 – 15:41. Moses sent spies into the land flowing with milk and honey, yet most were fearful of taking what God had promised. How quickly we forget what God has done, and the leaders He appointed. We prayed for protection and healing, praised God for a proposal, then listened as Brother Adam delivered a timely sermon on having a Hebrew, Biblical, and non-Western perspective. Make sure to listen intently, and share this amazing teaching with your friends. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/09-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

May His light ever burn within us, as a consuming fire that never gets put out. When we allow God to burn deep inside, overtake our hearts, and fuel our passions once again, we connect with a power that can transform lives. In the Torah, Michael summarizedBeha’alotcha, When You Set Up, Numbers 8:1 – 12:15. As we kindle the candles in the temple, or serve as evangelical lights, the orientation should be outward facing, towards the community. And if you want to be responsible for leading or lighting the menorah, you must first prove you can follow. Finally, we should remember that complaining is more than unbecoming; grumbling against one’s leaders, or God, puts you squarely on the path to destruction. Do not complain; pray for people, and lift them up. Finally, mazel tov to Davina, for being recognized as a daughter of the covenant. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/02-June-2018-Slides.pdf

Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain, or control. I want more of you God. There is no place I would rather be, than here in Your love. In the Torah, Watchman Alexander opened Bamidbar, In The Wilderness, Numbers 1:1 – 4:20. Like the separation we see in royal weddings, between the privileged and commoners, God only allows certain people to get close to Him. And with increased closeness to God and His Power, comes an increased level accountably. Next, we praised God for vehicles and safety, after which we prayed for discernment. Finally, Rabbi Jonathan delivered his Shavuot (Pentecost) Sermon. Fifty days after the exodus, Israel received the Ten Commandments, and when Jewish believers observed Shavuot in the first century, they received the Holy Spirit. We get blessed when we obey. Now with that Gift, make sure you manifest the Fruits. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/19-May-2018-Slides.pdf

With visitors who drove more than five hours to attend, and members that have been in the faith over five decades, Messiah Echad was blessed to enter our fifth year observing God’s Feasts and Festivals. Our order of service began by mentioning the unblemished lamb from Exodus 12:5, which became Yeshua (Jesus) later in the Bible. The second Passover theme is removal of leaven from our homes but also pride, puffiness, or sin from our lives. The third theme is when a non-Jewish visitor or stranger wants observe the Passover, God commands us to permit them. Peradventure, maybe even encourage. Passover is a witness, a testimony to the community, and proof that God answers prayer. Lastly, we observed communion with bread and wine, then anticipated Elijah’s coming. Chag Semach, Happy Passover, and may your Feast of Unleavened Bread be easy.

When the sun comes up, it’s time to sing Your song again. You are rich in love, and Your heart is kind; there are ten thousand reasons to worship God Almighty. After praise and worship, Rabbi Jonathan taught from Va’era, I appeared, Exodus 6:2 – 9:35. Not by the name God Almighty but YHVH, God established a covenant with the descendants of Israel. When enslavement and oppression happens, God always hears the groanings of those in covenant with Him. Yet the most powerful reality is knowing God will redeem us with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgement. Lastly, God did not make Pharaoh hate the Israelites… Pharaoh already despised them. Then after praise reports of bible reading and prayer for chronic illness, Pastor Duane preached about David, a man after God’s own heart. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/13-Jan-2018-Slides.pdf

Chanukah is an excellent time for me to remember this little light of mine, and how I should let it shine. All in my house, and everywhere I go, may His radiance be seen in me. Rabbi Jonathan covered Miketz, At The End, Genesis 41:1 – 44:7. Joseph was 30 when Pharaoh made him second in charge of Egypt, Joseph took Simeon hostage when his brothers visited, and Joseph planted a cup in his brothers’ bag. Yet the brothers did not blame (un)forgiveness or famine on their distress; they blamed themselves. Praise reports included bonus checks, and we prayed for wisdom, after which Hanoch Young, an Orthodox Jew with Kol Yehuda, spoke about Israel, Judah, and Ephraim. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/16-Dec-2017-Slides.pdf . Lastly, thank you Gov. Greg Abbott, Rep. Tony Dale, Rep. Terry Wilson, Jeff Johnson, and Rev. Kurt Hein for enjoying Chanukah with us.

Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah. He’s roaring with power, and fighting our battles. Our God is also the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain, and His blood breaks the chains. Bow before the Lion and the Lamb. In the parsha, Brother Adam covered Vayeshev, He Settled, Genesis 37:1 – 40:23. Both Joseph and Jesus were beloved, hated, sold for silver, and tempted, yet did not sin. Recognizing the Messianic connections in this parsha, and your life, can help take you from prison, to the palace. After praises of being given a non-profit, and prayer for our babysitter, Rabbi Jonathan got us into the holiday spirit. Jesus taught in the Temple during Chanukah, and if He observed it, so will we. Plus Chanukah is much more kosher than Christmas, so see you at our 4^th Annual Lighting. Lastly, Brother Mel’s pre-service Investment Teaching is attached, and so are the slides for the Shabbat Service – https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/09-Dec-2017-Slides.pdf

I have tasted and seen, of the sweetest of loves, where my heart becomes free, and my shame is undone. It is Your presence Lord, and Your Holy Spirit is welcome here. In the Torah Portion, Brother Phillip covered Lech Lecha, Go Forth, Genesis 12:1 – 17:27. With a few connections made to the non-canonized, secondary resource of Jasher (ref. Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18), the focus in this portion was on heeding our leaders, and fleeing strife. Praise reports were powerful, and prayer was strong, after which Rabbi Jonathan spoke on the third part of our mission and vision. If you love Messiah, you will keep His Word… do you love Him enough to follow the commandments? And please, while the darkness of Halloween is being celebrated, remember we need to be lights, and not of this world. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/28-Oct-2017-Slides.pdf.