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Word of Messiah Ministries November 2014 Newsletter - eSchmooze
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| Happy Thanksgiving! |
The Scripture states in Psalm 50:23, “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.” In November, we have designated one day for Thanksgiving; however, I have often encouraged families to take a month for Thanksgiving. Since the Scriptures are permeated with the theme of thanksgiving, our lives are to be permeated with thanksgiving as well. The Hebrew word for thanksgiving is todah. Todah means more than just showing appreciation, it also means praise and confession: “Now therefore, make confession (todah) to the Lord” (Ezra 10:11, see also Psalm 32:5). Here we see giving thanks as a confession of faith in the righteousness and justice of God.
The thanksgiving offering found in Leviticus 7 was simply called todah, or thanks, and was actually part of the peace offerings. “If he offers it [the peace offerings] by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil…of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings” (Lev. 7:12,15). It is only when we have true peace with God that we can offer true thanksgiving to God. If we lack a thankful heart before God, then perhaps, we should see if we have genuine peace with God. How do we have peace with God? “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Messiah Yeshua” (Rom. 5:1). It is only by faith in Messiah Yeshua that we have peace with God. This is because He is our sin offering: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin [offering] on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). In the Hebrew Scriptures, an offering is often referred to by simply using the descriptive word of that particular offering. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul uses this same Hebrew phrase, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin.” Yeshua did not become sinful, but became our sin offering. This is why Yeshua is also our “peace [offering].” Ephesians 2:14, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one.” Both Jew and Gentile are made into one family in God by partaking together in Messiah, our peace [offering]. Indeed, peace with God is the basis for peace with one another.
Thanksgiving Expresses our Reliance on God
The Scriptures mention three occasions where no leftovers were permitted:
1) The Passover lamb for salvation, “And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire” (Ex. 12:10).
2) The manna for their daily bread, “And Moses said to them, ‘Let no man leave any of it until morning’” (Ex. 16:19).
3) The thanksgiving offering, “Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning” (Lev. 7:15). There was a sense of urgency to be thankful as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Our giving of thanks must not be left over until morning.
So often, we want to wait to see how things will turn out before we give thanks to God. But this wait and see attitude reveals a lack of faith. In the midst of problems, faith testifies that “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). This is why the New Covenant teaches, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua” (1 Thes. 5:18). Do not wait to see how things will turn out; instead, give thanks to God now! Thanksgiving is a sacrifice of faith that reflects trust in God’s sovereign will. In fact, those who had left over todah (offering) for a later time committed a sin and were not accepted before God. (see Leviticus 7:18).
Thanksgiving Expresses our Faith in God
Thanksgiving is a result of faith that freely trusts in God. “And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it of your own free will” (Leviticus 22:29). God does not force us to believe; we believe Him because He is trustworthy. Personal faith in God means dependence on who He is. Sometimes our circumstances are so difficult that giving thanks to God is truly a choice-a free will offering of faith. This is exactly the same faith demonstrated by the prophets: “But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving…Salvation is from the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). In Hebrews 13:15 we read “Through Him [Yeshua] then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His Name.” Likewise, we are exhorted to offer the fruit of our lips, the sacrifice of thanksgiving to our God today, this month and forever!
Thanksgiving Expresses Recognition of God's Sacrifice for Us
In light of the peace we have with God through the sacrificial gift of Messiah for our sins, how can we not give thanks to God? “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15). One way we can give thanks to God is by sharing His love with people who do not have His peace. As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for peace in the Middle East, let’s remember that for peace between Israeli and the Palestinians there must first be peace with God through the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Therefore, let us give thanks to God for making us His children and one family in Messiah. “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord...” (1Thes. 1:2,3). We are thankful to you and for you, as together we are reaching out to Jewish people around the world. There is no better time than this Thanksgiving season to express our deepest appreciation to you and say, Todah rabah! Thank you very much. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. .
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There’s always much to give thanks for in Messiah. We have every blessing in the heavenly places in Yeshua (Eph 1:3); and so, praise flows freely for believers in Him. For those who pray for us, I’m thankful that the Lord blesses your prayers and provides the fruit in the lives of so many. I just now returned from our evening Yom Kippur service and outreach. As many of you may know, the Day of Atonement is also a New Covenant observance (see Acts 27:9) which represents the once a year restoration of Israel as God’s servant nation and is the backdrop of our once and for all sacrifice of Messiah (Heb 9-10).
Many Jewish people come to these "High Holiday services" (Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur) who never go to any services at other times during the year (just like so-called Christians who only go to Christmas and Easter services). This evening (and last week at Rosh HaShana) was no exception. Following the wonderful worship portion led by Cantor David Taylor, I taught regarding the true atonement for our sins which is only in the Messiah’s sacrificial death.
In the matter of Yeshua, I mentioned the special Yom Kippur sacrifices of the two goats (Lev 16:8); the Scapegoat was sent carrying the sins of Israel far away into the wilderness, while the other goat was a blood sacrifice to atone and cleanse for sins. Rabbinical tradition states that the priests would tie a scarlet thread to the horns of the Scapegoat. If the sacrifice was accepted by God, the thread would turn white, evidencing God’s acceptance of the sacrifice for atonement in accordance with Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow.” Amazingly, the Talmud also records, “For forty years before the destruction of the Temple the thread of scarlet never turned white but it remained red.” (Rosh HaShana 31b). “Do the math, people,” I said.
Yeshua died in 30 AD! Numbers don’t lie: Yeshua is the perfect sacrifice that God provided, once and for all. No other sacrifice for sins will ever be accepted by God again.”
It seem there are some people who need the hard facts, objective information and empirical evidence to yield their lives to the tender beckoning of the Lord. I say that because that’s just what several people did tonight! PTL! Thank you for praying; let us rejoice together in the grace of God. Pray for them and us as we follow up with these new believers in Messiah.
I rejoiced as I saw some maturing believers in front who had made just that same faith decision at Yom Kippur services over the years. And then Sherry walked up to me and Miriam; we hadn’t seen her for a few years since she lived somewhat far away; she too was led to faith by Miriam, and she brought her 23 year old son. I gently asked her, “Are you still walking closely with Messiah?” “Yes, I am,” she said with a big smile, “and so is my son!” How we rejoiced in God’s goodness in Messiah. These are answers to your prayers as we join together in this ‘to the Jew first’ ministry for the Lord.
I’ve also received ‘thank you’ notes from several folks which makes me thankful for the grace of God:
From Ken: Greetings, Sam! You spoke at Nassau Community College's IVCF group when I was there in 1981, and a Jewish young lady present came to trust in Messiah. Thought you might like to hear that many years later, I ran into her again. She explained that although her family had considered her dead from that point on, she was pressing on in faith. Thank you for your ministry. It is worth it all!”
Now isn’t that the truth, Ken! I remember praying with that young lady, but others there followed up with her. From time to time, I’d wonder about her, wondering if she was following Messiah. What joy to hear that God’s grace is sufficient to secure who He has saved!
Sharon wrote: "You immersed two bodies at the same time 23 years ago... pregnant with my Michael I took the plunge of profession in a pool... you were the plunger and I mean that in a good way. .” Her son Michael is now serving the Lord in Jewish ministry, for which I give humble thanks to our great God.
Steve wrote: "And to think that if your salvation had not happened, there is always the chance that my entire family may not have come to know our Messiah. Praise God for your re-birth and continuing ministry." I still praise God for his Holocaust-surviving parents and his brother, Rob, of whom I was privileged to be the ‘midwife’ as the Lord new-birthed this family in Messiah. Both Steve and Rob are also serving the Lord in Jewish ministry. How our cup runneth over!
Alex wrote: “Sam, let me start by saying thank you. Your words, your teachings are and have been an inspiration to my new life. As a 64 year old baby to the faith ... What brought me to my knees, was knowing I was not in charge anymore that God was in charge and that when I gave myself to Yeshua to be my Master and Teacher, my whole world changed. To say thank you seems so inadequate for all you do but from the bottom of my heart.” I know just how you feel, Alex. Words always fail us when we think of His great love and grace that we will share together forever in Yeshua. These testimonies are ours to rejoice in together: your prayers have been and continue to be instrumentally used by God to make a difference in our lives, mine and Miriam's, and through our lives into the lives of so many others that now give praise to Yeshua as their Lord and Savior.
As we now endeavor to continue to reach out (Yeshua willing!) through congregation planting, evangelistic ministry on streets and campuses through one on one conversations, holiday outreaches, and now additionally, through webinars and conferences, we are thankful for you, our prayer partners, that “stay by the stuff” and will equally share in the blessings that follow the victories. Above all and along with you, we are eternally thankful for Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord. May His name be blessed forever!
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Messianic Foundations (PDF)
by Sam Nadler
Not more than four millennia ago, the Creator of the Universe brought a particular people into existence, and His calling upon this people remains for His Name's sake. Embedded in this calling from the beginning was God's plan to redeem all the Nations as well. Whether Jewish or Gentile, you are called to represent God's character and faithfulness in the world. The biblical foundations necessary to sustain sound movement of God in this generation are presented in this book including: God's Love for Israel and You; Why the Good News is to the Jew First; Why there must be Messianic congregations; The Olive tree; The fullness of the Gentiles; Our unique unity in Messiah; The New Covenant and Messiah's torah and more.
Or
Messianic Foundations (Kindle Edition)
by Sam Nadler
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