Saturday, January 31, 2015

Word of Messiah Ministries for February 2015 Newsletter - eShmooze

Word of Messiah Ministries for February 2015 Newsletter - eShmooze
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Report from Messianic Leadership Conference in Tampa
Change. We all encounter this overwhelming reality daily. God's Word has much to say on this subject, as it points us to trust in the One who will never change. Looking to Him, it's possible to remain stable, and to oversee effective Messianic ministry in the midge of change.
From January 8th - 11th, Sam and Miriam travelled to Tampa, FL, where a group of 23 Messianic leaders from several congregations in the Tampa area came together to the Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue for a day of intense ministry training. The theme for this leadership conference was: "Ch-ch-ch-Changes: Victoriously Handling Paradigm Shifts."
Read more... 
Change. We all encounter this overwhelming reality daily. God's Word has much to say on this subject, as it points us to trust in the One who will never change. Looking to Him, it's possible to remain stable, and to oversee effective Messianic ministry in the midge of change.
From January 8th - 11th, Sam and Miriam travelled to Tampa, FL, where a group of 23 Messianic leaders from several congregations in the Tampa area came together to the Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue for a day of intense ministry training. The theme for this leadership conference was: "Ch-ch-ch-Changes: Victoriously Handling Paradigm Shifts."
On Friday morning, Sam met with several Messianic leaders, to encourage them in their ministry, and discuss with them how to plan in the midst of change as they lead their growing congregations. Later, over lunch, Sam had the opportunity to mentor a young, dynamic Jewish believer in matters of faith.
​​
Saturday brought new opportunities for ministry as members of the conference host congregation, Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue, came together for their Shabbat worship service. Sam taught on Psalm 133:1-3.
At the end of the message, three people: a young person, and two adults, responded to the invitation to accept Yeshua as their Messiah! Pray that they will grow in their new relationship with God as they're discipled through their congregation.
Sunday was the day of the conference. Some of the Messianic leaders who attended are involved in new congregation plants, and others find themselves in the midst of unexpected changes. Sam addressed their questions on what to do in the midst of change by pointing them to God's Word. In Genesis 1:26, before God created, He spoke: "Then God said…" Communication precedes creation. Leaders need to be in continual communication with those in their stewardship about the changes that are taking place, and then to assure them of the things that will never change. Changes in life are always a test of communication and love. They reveal a person's true priorities: when there is enough time to accomplish everything, there's no problem, but in a time crunch, true priorities are then revealed.
Sam covered three main priorities that leaders need to ensure will never change in order for the congregation to function in a healthy manner:
The functioning of the congregation: The 3 basic responsibilities of a healthy congregation - prayer, the Word, and oversight - are seen throughout Scripture. The ministry of the Word is evidenced outside the congregation as evangelism, and inside as edification.
The 3 essential responsibilities of congregational leadership: The work of leading the flock, making disciples, and the sharing of Messiah needs to remain constant in season and out.
Strategic planning: Plans to address changes that come about to maintain growth and health.
Break-out sessions for men and women were held in the afternoon. Miriam led a session where the women spoke about the need to have effective discipleship and classes for women, as well as children of all ages in their congregations. "As women, we need to be leading in the teaching and discipling of other women even through changes."
Sam led a session on discipling men in the congregation to be leaders in their homes, as a congregation is no stronger than the families represented in it. "From the beginning, God called men to be leaders, to initiate leaving and cleaving in order to maintain unity in their homes. This type of leading, however, is rare to find even in believing households today, as sin brought about a role reversal in the home." The congregational leaders were exhorted in ways to intentionally disciple and strengthen men to take their role as leaders according to God's Word, not giving in to cultural pressure and expectations of this "present evil age" (Gal. 1:3).
The day ended with many expressions of appreciation from both the men and the women for the teaching they received. They agreed that the instruction and discussions addressed different issues they are encountering in their congregations. The Lord answered prayers as these leaders left with practical tools and renewed perspective, to continue to persevere through the testing brought about by change.
Rabbi Steve Weiler, head of Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue, shared his feedback on the conference: "Your conference on congregational planning was excellent. It got me thinking about how I administrate everything. The other leaders who were there have expressed similar thoughts and believe we received much information in order to become healthier congregations."
Ron Leef, elder at Shoresh David also said, "Given the different leadership roles and congregational dynamics of our group, you did an excellent job objectively presenting material that was relevant to us all, for present and future, individual and congregational development! You masterfully addressed leadership issues, in an unassuming and inoffensive way, which was unique and sensitive to different individuals and congregations."​
In the midst of change, it's all too easy to lose vision as a leader. This leads to stunted growth in personal and congregational life. The leaders attending this conference were challenged to look to Yeshua in order to gain perspective beyond their changing circumstances, and to continue the process of leading others in being conformed to Messiah's image, adjusting to changes as they come.
Please continue to pray as Word of Messiah continues to advance the unchanging Good News in the midst an ever changing world. ​
Historical Issues for Jewish Unbelief in Yeshua
(Part 2 of 3)
Atoning sacrifice is one of the most basic tenets of biblical Judaism. Yet today Jewish people by and large have disavowed it. Why? In last month's article, "A Fence Around the Law," it was shown that misguided reverence for the Oral Law was developed by the rabbinical leadership between 516 BC- AD 70. This view of Scripture interpreted through Oral Law ultimately contributed to Jewish rejection of Yeshua as Messiah. This month we consider the second period in Jewish history, AD 70 - 135-from the fall of Jerusalem to the 'Gentilization' of the Church. What happened during this time inhibits my people even today from seeing Yeshua as their atoning sacrifice. Read more...
II. The destruction of the 2nd Temple (and the dispersion), AD 70 - 135 
Atoning sacrifice is one of the most basic tenets of biblical Judaism. Yet today Jewish people by and large have disavowed it. Why? In last month’s article, “A Fence Around the Law” it was shown that misguided reverence for the Oral Law was developed by the rabbinical leadership between  516 BC- AD 70. This view of Scripture interpreted through Oral Law ultimately contributed to Jewish rejection of Yeshua as Messiah. This month we consider the second period in Jewish history, AD 70 - 135--from the fall of Jerusalem to the ‘Gentilization’ of the Church. What happened during this time inhibits my people even today from seeing Yeshua as their atoning sacrifice.
Temple Sacrifices
The faith of Israel through its history was based on the sacrificial system centered in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. One could only approach God by first offering a sacrifice. With that in mind, the question arises: “Why do Jewish people today consider sacrificial atonement irrelevant to Judaism?”  With the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, the Jewish religious leaders faced an enormous problem: how were they to maintain a people of faith without the prescribed sacrifices at the altar and the Temple? Incredibly, the way the religious leaders reinterpreted the meaning of sacrifices 2,000 years ago affects Jewish thought and theology to this day.
Symbolic Sacrifices​​
Even before the Temple was destroyed, sacrifices were seen as symbolic.  Philo (20 BC - AD 40), a Jewish philosopher from Alexandria, Egypt, taught that Temple offerings were mainly symbolic in nature, and wrote that “the offering of domesticated animals [sheep, goats, bullocks] and gentle birds symbolized the submissive offerer.” Since these non-aggressive creatures were viewed as the ‘persecuted’ in the animal world, the rabbis went on to interpret that the offering spoke of the idea that “the one pursued is accepted by God...” (Leviticus Rabbah 27:5).
Secondary Sacrifices
Prayer
The importance of sacrifices was viewed as secondary.   Since repentance or contrition was necessary along with the sacrifice (Lev. 23:27), the removal of the sacrifice merely enhanced repentance as the essential element for atonement. “Prayer,” therefore, was considered even “more efficacious than sacrifices” (Talmud Ber. 32b).
Religious Rites
Along with prayer, other religious practices came to be seen as equivalent substitutes for sacrifices. Even studying the verses of Scripture on sacrifice is regarded as one having offered the sacrifice: “whoever occupies himself with the study of Torah needs neither burnt​​ offering, nor meal offering, nor sin offering nor guilt offering” (Talmud Men. 110a).  The reciting of the Shema (“Hear O Israel…” Deut. 6:4) and the wearing of phylacteries are “as if he had built an altar and offered a sacrifice upon it” (Tal. Ber. 15a).
Fasting
Fasting as well, became the equivalent of sacrifice, as seen in the prayer of Rabbi Sheshet recited on the evening after a fast day: “Lord of the World, when the Temple was standing, one offered a sacrifice of which only the fat and blood were taken, and thereby his sins were forgiven.  I have fasted today and through this fasting my blood and my fat have been decreased. Deign to look upon the pint of my blood and my fat which I have lost through my fasting as if I had offered it to Thee upon the altar, do Thou favor me” (Tal. Ber. 17a).  Later on, certain medieval rabbis taught that the sacrifices were substitutes for judgment on the offerer (Jacob ben Ascher). This was especially meaningful to Kabbalists (Jewish mystics) and Eastern Europeans, who used a chicken in ritual sacrifice (Jewish Encyclopedia., Kapparah, pp 435-436). 
Wounds & Death
A noted Jewish scholar from the 19th century, Solomon Schechter, went so far as to teach that our own wounds atone for our sins, and that certainly the death of a sinner would atone for his own sins. He even suggested that an innocent child dying would atone for his generation (Aspects of Rabbinic Judaism, pp. 308-310). The rabbis and writers of the Talmud made much of certain Scriptures: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Ps. 51:17), and “take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, ‘Take away our iniquity, and receive us graciously that we might present the fruit of our lips’” (Hosea 14:2).  What these scholars and rabbis overlooked is that in the Scriptures, the Lord gave these truths regarding repentance and contrition in light of the need for blood sacrifice, and never apart from the offerings. Maimonides (12th century rabbi, Moses ben Maimon) went so far as to declare that sacrifice was archaic religion from which God had weaned Israel. Thus modern Jewish writers such as Trude Weiss-Rosmarin, look upon faith in Yeshua and the doctrine of vicarious atonement as unreasonable: “The idea of ‘vicarious atonement,’ that is to say, the payment of the penalty not by the sinner but by a substitute, is irreconcilable with Jewish ethics” (Judaism & Christianity: The Differences, p. 52 ).
Saul's Sacrifice
What is patently ignored is that God considers ​sacrificial, substitutionary atonement to be of utmost importance, even when it isn’t convenient. For instance, in the Hebrew Scriptures we read that God condemned certain kings (Saul and Uzziah) for assuming the right to perform sacrifice apart from the way He had prescribed. In I Samuel 13, King Saul grew impatient while waiting for Samuel to arrive and make sacrifices before he could proceed with the battle. In a fit of pragmatism Saul offered the sacrifices himself (v.10), and when Samuel arrived, Saul gave a ‘reasonable explanation’ that he had to get on with his attack. Samuel then rebuked Saul by saying that this act was foolishness, that Saul had “not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you... But now your kingdom shall not endure.  The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you”  (I Sam. 13:13-14).
Scriptural Sacrifice
Why is God such a stickler about sacrifices? Because the Word of God and God’s priorities cannot be overlooked. God has told us how He wants to be approached. It is not up to man to determine these things. For instance, if someone broke your $400 window, but offered you only $25 to replace it, that would be sheer arrogance on their part. Rather than offering you what they thought the window was worth, it would be up to you to determine its value. The doctrine of atonement (see Isaiah 53) has been lost to my people. Thus in the eyes of many Jewish people, believers make too much of sin, and Yeshua’s death seems to be an unnecessary sacrifice. Yet even a perusal of Scripture informs us that no one approaches God without a sacrifice: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you ​​​on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.​" (Lev. 17:11)
As It is Written 
Surprisingly, even the disciples had a hard time understanding the need for Messiah’s atoning death and the promise of His resurrection: “These are My Words... that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day...” (Luke 24:44-46). As Yeshua taught those disciples then, the Jewish people need to be taught today: it is what the Bible says that matters, not the traditions of men. Please pray that my people will come to understand not only the condemnation for sin, but their need for atonement, and that God allowed the Temple to be destroyed because the ultimate and final atoning sacrifice has been made in Messiah’s death! 
It's His Love
Sam says: We want to welcome our newest WMM office staff member, Laurel James. Though WMM is sharing Messiah in so many ways with so many people, I thought her recent witnessing opportunity would be a great way to introduce her to our prayer partners. In her own words...
Can God use a Gentile believer to bring His Good News to Jewish people?
As I've been studying what God's Word says about this through Word of Messiah's teaching, I see that the answer is absolutely yes! This is my calling from God as a Gentile believer (Rom. 11:11); yes, I'm a Messianic Gentile!
Read more... 
Sam says: We want to welcome our newest WMM office staff member, Laurel James. Though WMM is sharing Messiah in so many ways with so many people, I thought her recent witnessing opportunity would be a great way to introduce her to our prayer partners. In her own words…
Can God use a Gentile believer to bring His Good News to Jewish people?
As I’ve been studying what God’s Word says about this through Word of Messiah’s teaching, I see that the answer is absolutely yes! This is my calling from God as a Gentile believer (Rom. 11:11); yes, I’m a Messianic Gentile! From the beginning of time, God has had a plan to bring His people back to Himself through the love and mercy He has shown to those of us who aren’t Jewish. (Rom. 11:31) And today, most Jewish believers are coming to faith through the witness of believers who aren’t Jewish.
I praise God that He’s not limited by my limitations, and that as I continue to surrender to Him, He’s given me more of His love for His people, love that truly casts out fear. He’s patiently teaching me that I don’t need to know exactly what to say ahead of time, but to trust Him and simply love the people He brings into my path.
My husband, Tim, and I have recently been praying for God to bring more unbelieving Jewish people into our lives. It’s been exciting to see the ways God is answering this prayer; suddenly we’re running into Jewish people everywhere!
When my fears come back, God is so good to remind me over and over that He’s in control, and can use anything as a vehicle for Good News, even… a ‘Hanukkah house’.
An incredible way to identify with and share Messiah with Jewish people is through the feasts and holidays of Israel. This past December, we were excited to learn more about and celebrate Hanukkah (a.k.a. The Feast of Dedication — John 10:22). A friend invited us to a ‘Hanukkah house’ building party (picture a gingerbread house, but substitute the red and green for blue and white, the wreaths for Stars of David, and you have — a Hanukkah house!) You don’t see these everyday, but I heard that a local supermarket carried them.
I went and searched the store, but didn’t see them. I was standing there staring at the shelves when Susan*, a friendly store employee came up and asked me, “Can I help you find anything? I don’t want to be a ‘nudge’, but let me know if you need any help.” I guess I looked confused, because she quickly explained that she was Jewish and forgets that most people haven’t grown up with Yiddish words as part of their vocabulary. I was so excited. “Thank you, God!” I silently prayed, “Please fill me with your Spirit so I can share your love with this lady.”
“Actually, there is something you can help me with,” I said. I’m looking for a Hanukkah house building kit,” then quickly explained what it was. “They make those?” she said. “What a great idea! I’d love to see one!” Then she asked, “How did you hear about them? Are you Jewish?” I silently thanked God as He brought to mind the response that I’ve loved since hearing it from Sam in his Share Messiah seminar**: “No I’m not, but I love Jewish people because of what the Jewish Messiah has done for me.”
Well, she didn’t ask then and there how she could be saved, but she was curious to meet a Gentile who loved her people so much. And then she took me around the store asking other employees if they knew about Hanukkah houses, why the store didn’t carry them, and that they really should.
As I left, I prayed for her, and I believe God brought an idea to mind. The next day I found a different supermarket that carried Hanukkah houses and bought two. I went back to the store where Susan works, found her and gave it to her. “Look what I found! I just couldn’t resist getting one for you too; Happy Hanukkah!” She was so touched, she started to cry. I invited Susan to our Hanukkah Celebration (an outreach to the community), and gave her my contact info. Susan hasn’t yet accepted Yeshua, but I’m praying that God will continue to use me and others to water these seeds in her life, and that He’ll open her eyes to her Messiah!
I’m learning that my goal as a believer is not only to lead people to the Lord (since only God can do that!) but to plant seeds of the Good News, to pray, and ask God to grow them. I wanted to share this small testimony of seed planting to encourage you as you share with Jewish people around you, because God can truly use anyone who is yielded to Him!
*name changed to protect the privacy of the individual
**To listen to the Share Messiah seminar, go to: wordofmessiah.org and look for videos under "Messianic Resources"
Other resources from Word of Messiah:
“Even you Can Share the Jewish Messiah”
“The Messianic Answer Book”
Sam will be speaking:
February 1, 6:30 pm - Praise Assembly of God, Glen Alpine, NC
February 3 - 13 - Israel Ministry Trip
February 15, 9:30 am - Oakdale Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC
February 21, 5:00 pm - Rivers of Living Water, Charlotte, NC
February 22, 11:00 am - Bethesda Romanian Church, Maiden, NC
To schedule a speaker click here or call 704.544.1948
Joseph: From Dreams, to Prison, to Palace
by Sam Nadler
In the book of Genesis, more is written on the life of Joseph than on any of the other Patriarchs. Discover the dramatic and fascinating life of the favored son of Jacob, and how his life would illustrate Messiah's relationship with Israel. See how God works in your own life as well, keeping His promises, working through adversity, and ultimately bringing victory out of apparent defeat.
for $8 
 
 
Passover Special:
3 MP3 Messages from Sam
Buy 2 get 1 Free!
"The Lamb through Scripture"
"Messiah in the Passover"
"Alive Again!"
for $10
Word of Messiah Ministries
Word of Messiah Ministries
PO Box 79238
Charlotte, North Carolina 28271 United States
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