July 2016"June 2016 eShmooze Letter" Word of Messiah in Charotte, North Carolina, United States for Thursday, 30 June 2016
About WMM | Bookstore | Contact Us | GiveSingular Commitment in a Political World
We can easily get distracted from our vital calling, especially during a presidential election cycle...
Read More →
Singular Commitment in a Political World by Sam Nadler
Though the Lord’s priority was “to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10); though He told us, “as the Father has sent Me, so send I you” (John 20:21); and though, as many of our readers know, the Good News is “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16), we can easily get distracted from our vital calling, especially during a presidential election cycle.
As believers, we’re taught to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). This is defined by Paul as “keeping the faith with a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). The idea of “keeping the faith” refers to holding forth the faith in Messiah to a lost and desperate world. Indeed, the battle we’re engaged in is as Messiah’s soldiers in spiritual warfare (2 Timothy 2:3).
Though we’re clearly warned that “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life” (2 Timothy 2:4), still we can get confused between 2 important responsibilities: (1) Our service to Messiah, our wonderful Redeemer, and (2) Our stewardship as citizens of our wonderful nation. Those not properly grounded in the Word will substitute the vital and primary matter of service to Yeshua for the important but still secondary matter of national politics. God’s Word is clear that we are to use our secondary stewardship as citizens to live out our primary allegiance to Yeshua, our true and eternal Commander in Chief. The Good of News of Yeshua is the only testimony that the Holy Spirit has for the world (Revelation 19:10).
Even so, many believers are confused on this matter. I recently had to intervene in a dispute between two Messianic believers. One had foolishly declared to the other that if he voted for a certain candidate, the brother would be “walking in darkness!” Can you imagine such spiritual confusion that comes from being “entangled in the affairs of everyday life”?
We are called to be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37), but how do we live out this victorious life in such an entangling world? We can be ‘everyday victors’ in Messiah by holding a singular commitment to His Lordship.
Our singular commitment means suffering with Yeshua
“Suffer hardship with me (Paul), as a good soldier of Yeshua the Messiah” – 2 Timothy 2:3
To “soldier” is to struggle in battle (tsavah in Hebrew: See Job 7:1, 10:17; Numbers 8:24), even as Messiah is Adonai Tsva’ot, the Lord of Armies or Lord of Hosts (Isaiah 29:6). Led by Adonai Tsva’ot, all warfare for His people was and is spiritual warfare. When Yeshua leads His troops, we follow “the Lion of Judah that has overcome the world” (Revelation 5:5). But, when we follow Messiah, we may draw the enemy’s fire even from within our own community or political affiliations! However, we are told that “in all our afflictions, He was afflicted” (Isaiah 63:9). Remember God’s promise to all those with this singular commitment to His Lordship: “and if children (of God), heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
Our singular commitment means submitting to Yeshua
“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life” – 2 Timothy 2:4
We are taught that we are to “Submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee” (Jacob 4:7). However, the unsubmitted heart cannot resist the devil. Instead, those areas of our lives that are unsubmitted to God are in league with the enemy! Impossible, you presume? Consider these questions:
- Different convictions: Are you submitted to diverse authority? Does your daily life compete with Yeshua for your commitment? “The double-minded person is unstable in all his ways”(Jacob 1:8). Are there areas of your life, such as the area of politics, that you have not committed to the Lord and His priorities for you? Maturity is consistency, and consistency is the key to victory. Have the same values wherever you are and whomever you are with.
- Divided commitment: Are you submitted to dual authority? “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Whom do you serve? Do you have a divided heart? We’re to divide and conquer, not be divided and conquered!
- Devoted consecration: Are you submitted to divine authority? God wants you to serve Him with whole-hearted devotion. For Yeshua said, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16). We’re chosen to serve Him and thereby bear fruit to His exaltation, for other believers’ edification, and for world evangelization. Yeshua says to us, “Follow Me!” and as His followers, we obey. For those enlisted in the army, the term of service is limited; however for believers, our term of service has no expiration date. We’re lifers, but eternal lifers in Yeshua!
Israel & the Good News
The topic of Israel is one that frequently tends to spark very interesting conversations...
Read More →Israel & the Good News by Lew Wayburn
In the early stages of Messianic congregation planting (and from there on out), outreach into the surrounding community is absolutely vital. Here, Lew Wayburn, a Messianic congregation planter whom Word of Messiah is assisting in Columbia, SC shares about a recent outreach opportunity:
“The topic of Israel is one that frequently tends to spark some very interesting conversations…
Each spring, some of us from Hope of Israel Columbia have a unique opportunity to testify of Yeshua as we represent Israel through a booth at the annual International Festival here in Columbia. The Israel booth always draws a lot of interest and this year we were able to talk with many different people as they stopped to check out the pictures and information. Most of the conversations we had were about secular Israel, some were about religious Israel, and a few were about spiritual matters. Out of these, one conversation in particular stands out.
My conversation with Joel* began like most conversations did that day, with talking about Israel. Joel was an interesting fellow, very open and engaging. As we talked, Joel’s girlfriend, Rachel* stood in the background and mostly just listened. I learned that the couple was visiting from upstate NY and would be leaving to return home the next morning.
Our conversation meandered from Israel to politics as Joel brought up some of his viewpoints. I kept my side vague as I listened and asked questions that soon led to a discussion on spiritual matters. Through our conversation, I found out that both Joel and Rachel are Jewish, and shared with them that I am as well. Joel then mentioned that they had attended services that Friday at the local Reformed Jewish Temple, the community in which I was brought up.
As we talked, I shared with them that I had come to trust in Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, and was now a Messianic Jewish follower of Him. When Rachel heard this, she just about blew up, said “Then you’re not Jewish!” and stormed off, mumbling tersely under her breath. Joel made an apology for her, and we continued on in our conversation. He was more liberal in his viewpoints and had no problem with me being Messianic, so our talk continued on as I asked questions to learn more about where he was coming from.
After a little while, Rachel started swooping back in. She stood listening from a distance, then would say something curt and storm off again. At one point, she stated pointedly, “And I don’t believe that whole ‘virgin birth’ thing; that is just impossible!” I was surprised to hear this as this subject hadn’t been a part of our discussion at all.
In response, I asked Rachel if she believed in God. “Absolutely!” she exclaimed. I then asked if she believed that the Bible was accurate. “Well the part that you call the ‘Old Testament’ is, of course!” On this point, I reminded her that not every Jewish person felt this way as even her boyfriend wasn’t so sure. Did she believe that God created the heavens and earth? “Yes, He created everything!” Even humans? “Absolutely!” I then posed the question, “So you believe that there is a God powerful enough to create stars, planets, animals, and even humans, but not powerful enough to find a way to make a virgin pregnant?
There was a very, very long pause, and Rachel’s face fell. Finally she said, “Well, maybe it is possible, but I don’t believe that’s the way it happened.” “Well,” I said, “that is a different matter altogether: possible, vs. what actually happened.” I then asked if she was aware that almost all of the ancient rabbis of Yeshua’s time were expecting Messiah to arrive via a virgin birth. She asked how I knew this, and I told her about the references in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) and the ancient rabbinical writings/commentaries. She was very pensive about this, and soon our conversation started to wind down.
Although Rachel and Joel have not yet chosen to accept Yeshua, a seed of the Good News was planted. I followed up with them by sending Sam’s article/ tract: “Isn’t a Virgin Birth Inconceivable?” for Joel to read and share with Rachel, should he choose to do so. Soon after, I heard back from him that he had received it and would pass it on to Rachel.
Please pray for this couple, as well as the many other Jewish and non-Jewish people with whom we spoke at the Festival, that the seeds planted will grow and that God will open their eyes to the truth of Messiah’s birth, death, resurrection, and offer of salvation to all who will believe!”
*Names changed to protect the privacy of the individuals
Sam Nadler
Upcoming Speaking Events:July 3, 9:45, 11:00 am: Park Ridge Baptist, Rock Hill, SC
July 17,11:00 am: Macedonia Baptist, Lincolnton, NC
July 23,10:00 am: Hope of Israel Fellowship, Roanoke, VA
July 24, 10:30 am: Harvest Ministries, Roanoke, VA
July 30 - Aug 1: Developing Healthy Messianic Congregations Conference, Richmond, VA
Schedule a Speaker →
Messianic Discipleship
Following Yeshua, Growing in Messiah
Whether you are Jewish or Gentile, if you have put your trust in Yeshua (Jesus), you are called to be His disciple. Discipleship is the process by which you grow in God’s life and love. This book presents a complete introduction to talmidut, or discipleship, from a Biblically Jewish frame of reference.
Visit our Bookstore →
Word of Messiah Ministries
P.O Box 79238
Charlotte, North Carolina 28271, United States
www.wordofmessiah.org
---------------------
www.wordofmessiah.org
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment