Transcript The Vision of Beth Yeshua
The Vision of Beth Yeshua
Messianic Congregation
No Vision = People Perish
“Where there is no
vision
, the people
perish
...
”
Moses Kept the Vision Before the People
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the
land
which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a
land
the that floweth with milk and honey ; as LORD
promised
God thee.
of thy fathers Deuteronomy 27:3 hath
Vision = Promised Land
Land flowing with milk and honey . Deuteronomy 6:3 Land of your ancestors. Deuteronomy 19:8 Land of your possession. Joshua 22:4
Keep the Vision Before the People
As Moses kept the vision before the children of Israel, so we need to keep the vision before the congregation.
Why do we exist as a congregation?
Why do we do what we do?
What is our purpose?
What is our calling?
Where are we headed?
Why do we exist as a congregation?
#1 Reason: Lift up Yeshua!
"And I, if I am
lifted up
from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." John 12:32
Yeshua
Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah!
'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF
JUDAH
, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF
JUDAH
; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.' " Matthew 2:6
Why do we do what we do?
House of Prayer for All Peoples
“For my house shall be called a
house of prayer for all peoples”
Isaiah 56:7
Jew & Non-Jew Together
Provide an environment where Jews and non-Jews can share, as one, the joys and blessings of biblical Jewish traditions in light of the Messiah.
Beth Yeshua – A Messianic Congregation
Operates essentially as a synagogue, as in the First Century model.
Hebraic Orientation
Hebrew (“Jewish”) Orientation
Original “church” operated as synagogues… “…the Christian communities worshipped and operated synagogues for essentially as Jewish more than a generation .
”
Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity
, copyright 1977, Wm.
B.
Eerdman’s Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, page 68
Called a “Synagogue,” not a “Church”
“ 2
For if a man comes into your * assembly …” James 2 * assembly - Greek = synagogue – The word “church” wasn’t even invented back then!
Called an “Ecclesia”
Greek “ecclesia” had an original meaning of "assembly, council", literally "convocation." Hebrew “kehilat” or “adat” is the equivalent of the Greek word “ecclesia.”
Hebraic Orientation
Follow certain Biblical traditions.
Do “Jewish” things.
Public Reading of the Word
“Until I come, give attention to the {
public
} reading {of Scripture,} to exhortation and teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:13
Where it Started
Nehemiah and Ezra (Nehemiah 8) – around 445 B.C.E.
“Now when the seventh month came, the whole people gathered as one man book of the law of Moses in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the which the LORD prescribed for Israel.”
“On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. “Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday , in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
“Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion… Ezra opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose .
Public Reading of the Word Yeshua
“ 16
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath , and stood up to read .
17
And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written…” Luke 4
Davidic Dance
First Century Temple worship included priests who led the people in dancing.
"Pious men and men of affairs danced with torches in their hands, singing songs of joy and of praise, and the Levites made music with lyre and harp and cymbals and trumpets and countless other instruments" Mishnah Sukkot 51a “Praise Him with timbrel and
dancing
; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.” Psalm 150:4 “Let them praise His name with
dancing
; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.” Psalm 149:3
What is our purpose (calling)?
Support the biblical role of the people and nation of Israel in God's plan, praying for the peace of Jerusalem and the return of the lost sheep of Israel to Messiah . (Genesis 12:3, Psalm 122:6, Jeremiah 30:3, Matthew 15:24).
To reach out to the Jewish people first with the Gospel (Good News) of Messiah Yeshua.
“…to the Jew First...”
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first
, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
Proclamation of the Gospel
“…you shall be My witnesses both (Greek: “not only”) in Jerusalem , and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8
Pattern that Shaul (Paul) Followed
Pisidian Antioch synagogue: Acts 13:13-51 Iconium synagogue: Acts 14:1-22 Thessalonica synagogue: Acts 17:1-4 Berean synagogue: Acts 17:10-12 Corinth synagogue: Acts 18:1-6
Shaul’s Heart for his People
1
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
2
that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
3
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
temple
4
separated
blessed forever. Amen. from Christ for the who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the service and the promises,
5
whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God Romans 9
To the Jew First…
“{There will be} tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the
Jew first
and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the
Jew first
Greek.” Romans 2:9, 10 and also to the
Notice the
Result
Shaul’s Ministry
As he ministered to the Jews,
multitudes
of non-Jews came to faith in Yeshua !
“…the Christian communities worshipped Not
outside
of the Jewish frame of and operated reference, but synagogues
within
for essentially it!
as Jewish more than a generation .
”
Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity
, copyright 1977, Wm.
B.
Eerdman’s Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, page 68
Jews received the Torah First
G-d gives them the first opportunity to hear the Good News of Messiah Yeshua. When they reject it, it then goes to the Gentiles.
Church today has the Emphasis on the Opposite Foot
The church’s emphasis is on spreading the Gospel to the world ; not focused on the Jewish people.
“…and you shall be My witnesses… both in Jerusalem , and in all Judea and Samaria , and even to the remotest part of the earth .“ Acts 1:8
“…both in
Jerusalem
, and in all
Judea
and
Samaria
…” Churches have often spiritualized Jerusalem to mean their local area:
Jerusalem
Knoxville is our primary
Jerusalem
. It is the very area in which most of us live, work, go to school, and play.
First Baptist Concord combines words of conviction with works of compassion in order to be an asset to the Knoxville community . We minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the whole person. We also partner with local organizations that combine Good News with good deeds. Click on the links at the bottom to view the individual websites of some of the ministries we Your missions dollars support and endorse. through our Faith Commitment Offering for Missions support the following local ministries . Click the links to learn more! helps
Are any of these Missions dollars actually going toward Jewish outreach?
Are they actually going to “Jerusalem?” Are they even reaching to the Jewish people in their own communities?
Has the Church Forgotten Israel?
Historically, in the Church at large , witness to the Jewish people (Israel) has been negative, limited, or non-existent. Focused on outreach to the world.
Church has done a GREAT job of outreach to the world’s non Jewish people!
That’s GOOD! ALL people need salvation!
If there is no salvation outside of faith in Yeshua, then Jewish people need salvation, too!
Church’s Mixed Feelings
Some denominations are beginning to see the need to evangelize the Jewish people.
Two Different Statements on “Jewish Evangelism”
In June of 1996 the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution affirming the Convention's commitment to evangelization of the Jewish people. In response, New York bishops of the Lutheran, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic Churches issued a statement affirming the commitment of their communions to Jewish Christian Dialogue.
Even with the Southern Baptist Convention’s desire to evangelize Jewish people, their efforts will be largely ineffective.
??? Why ???
Why isn’t the Outreach that the Church Uses in Reaching the World Effective in Reaching the Jews?
Problem lies in culture and orientation.
Problem lies in lack of application of Missions 101 principles.
Application of Missions 101 Principles
Jewish Outreach: Accepting the Call to the Mission Field – to the Jews in Our “Jerusalem”
11
For the Scripture says, " WHOEVER DISAPPOINTED."
12
BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek ; for the same
Lord
is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
13
for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
14
will How then will they they call on Him in whom believe in Him whom they they have not heard?
have not believed? How
Romans 10
Why Did Shaul Go to the Synagogues…
…Unless Jewish people needed to hear the Good News (Gospel) of their Messiah and be saved, too?
In each generation Jewish people need to hear the message and be given the choice to accept or reject Him!
Who’s Going to Preach to Them?
“And how will they hear without a preache r ?
15
How will they preach unless they are
sent
? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
16
However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
17
So faith
comes
from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
” Romans 10
But we are Sent !
19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all “…and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
20
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you Acts 1:8 always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28
Reaching Jewish People with the “Good News” (Gospel) of Messiah Yeshua
Missions 101 - The Mission Field
When churches send missionaries out to the world, they: Teach them the language of the people they are witnessing to.
Some missions send their missionaries to language school!
When churches send missionaries out to the world, they:
Teach them to avoid offensive words, phrases, behaviors, etc.
(Not really an effective outreach to people if the language - or behavior - you are using is equivalent to swear words in their culture…)
Avoiding Offensive Words, Behaviors, Symbols
Words have Power!
“Death and
life
are in the power of the
tongue
, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
“…But Words Can Never Hurt Me?”
Old adage: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?”
Is that TRUE?
Ask that to Joseph Goebbels
Nazi propagandist who through the persuasion of words caused the death of millions!
He knew the power of words! Words can kill!
Words that Kill…
Words contain cultural meanings: To one culture, they may bring life or thoughts of endearment, to another, they may “kill” or bring thoughts of fear.
"
The Jews are a nervous people. Nineteen centuries of Christian love have taken a toll.
" Benjamin Disraeli British politician; British prime minister 1868, 1874-1880
Semantic Minefields Caused by Our “Ancestors” in the “Faith”
We are the recipients of the last 1900 years of “Christian” witness to the Jewish people.
We didn’t cause it , but we need to be able to deal with it in our outreach to the Jewish people! We need to be sensitive as to the words we use.
“Jesus” or “Christ”
To true Christians who love the Lord, the Name “Jesus” brings good thoughts: Thoughts of love and peace and joy. Not so to the Jewish people who have been persecuted even to death by those who have followed that Name!
Crusaders: 1099 AD
Entered Jerusalem, rounded up the Jews into the synagogue, burnt down the great synagogue with them in it, singing, “Christ we do all adore thee!”
The Cross
With the Crusader operating under the sign of the “cross” you can imagine the warm feelings generated by the Jewish people toward that symbol.
“Convert”
Over the centuries, Jewish people were forced to “convert” to Christianity under duress.
As Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire, large numbers of Jews were forcibly baptized. The earliest detailed account is on the island of Minorca in 418.
King Manuel of Portugal embarked on a systematic campaign of forced conversion initially directed against the children, who were seized and dragged from their parents’ arms in the hope that the adults would follow suit, and later against the entire population. This explains both why by the end of 1497 not a single professing Jew remained in Portugal.
“Baptize”
Waves of forced baptisms include one which swept through the kingdom of Naples in the last decades of the 13th century, and one in Spain from 1391, which started with the riots led by the archdeacon Ferrant Martinez. Hundreds of Jews were massacred and entire communities forcibly converted.
“Church”
To true Christians, the word holds endearment, a place of sanctuary.
To Jews, a place of listening to forced sermons aimed at converting them.
The sermon became a regular way of abusing Jewish community life. Jews were compelled to send a regular quota of people to churches to listen to the friars, and hear sermons while beadles armed with rods saw to it that they paid attention, and examined their ears to see that they were not plugged.
Change of Terminology
If we’re going to be effective in Jewish outreach of the Good News of our Lord, we are going to have to learn to change our terminology (way of saying things)!
Instead of:
Jesus Christ Christian Baptize Convert Cross Church New Testament Old Testament
Say:
Yeshua Messiah Believer Mikvah Come to faith Tree Congregation/Body of Messiah Brit Hadasha TANAKH
What Value is It?
Why should I have to change my terminology?
Missionaries learn quickly that they learn the terminology of the people they are witnessing to in order to bring them to the Lord! Not the opposite way around!
Be as Shaul
20
To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews the Law;
21
partaker of it.
; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. became weak, that I might win the weak; become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
23 22
To the weak I I have I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow 1 Corinthians 9
Not a Spiritual “Chameleon”
Just related to people where they were at so that they could come to faith in Yeshua.
At Mars Hill in Athens: Acts 17:16-34
Culture and Orientation
When churches send missionaries out to the world, they: Teach them about the culture of the people they are going to witness to.
Teach them to avoid the cultural “turn-offs.”
Church not “Jewish”
As far as Jewish people are concerned, unlike the First Century, the Church doesn’t look “Jewish,” act “Jewish,” or relate to Judaism.
The “culture” doesn’t relate to Jewish people!
Hard for non-Jewish believers to relate to the Jewish people!
Though Christianity has the same God, and the same “Older” Testament in our Bibles, we don’t share the same culture.
The Key to an Effective Jewish Evangelism
Is not simply reciting Messianic prophecies in the Scripture to Jewish people.
BUT!
The Apostle Paul gives us a hint of what it is in Romans 11: a provocation to “jealousy”
Provocation to Jealousy
“But by their transgression salvation
has come
to the Gentiles, to make them jealous .” Romans 11:11 “…if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.” Romans 11:14
The Christian Church, as it is today, does
NOT
provoke the Jewish people to jealousy !
It doesn’t speak “Jewish,” it doesn’t look “Jewish,” it doesn’t act “Jewish,” it is NOT “Jewish”!
Jealousy
You can only be jealous when someone has something you
want
!
Jealousy is an emotion experienced by one who perceives that another person is giving something that s/he wants (typically attention, love, or affection) to a third party. For example, a child will likely become jealous when her parent gives sweets to a sibling but not to her.
The Church doesn’t have something that the Jewish people
perceive
that they want!
“Jesus, the Christ,” is a Gentile god, redeeming Gentiles who believe in him.
Jesus causes the Gentile church in His name to persecute and kill Jews.
Jesus forces Jews to “convert” to Christianity and become Gentiles!
Church forced Jews to “Convert”
Jews for centuries were told they must give up their Hebrew heritage when they became believers in Jesus.
Were told to give up 7 th day Sabbath, moedim, dietary laws, etc.
Church “provoked” Jews, but not to jealousy.
Messianic Non-Jews: Provocateurs of Jealousy
When Messianic non-Jews worship and live life in the Hebrew frame of reference (Biblically), keeping the commandments, observing Biblical holy days (Shabbat & other Moedim), wearing tallits, making challah, etc., and are living Torah submissively, Jewish people ask: “Why?” This gives non-Jewish believers an opportunity to share Messiah Yeshua with a non-believing Jewish person.
Conclusion: Importance of Jewish Outreach
Jewish People need salvation through Messiah Yeshua, too!
Is it worth us (being the only congregation in the area equipped to reach out to the Jewish people) having to change our terminology at Beth Yeshua in order to win Jewish people to the Lord?
WIFM?
Corporate world looks at things from a “ Cost/Benefit ” perspective.
Believers shouldn’t look at things that way…but we often do…So we’ll talk about that for a minute…
What was the Cost/Benefit for Shaul to Reach All People with the Gospel?
“…in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.
24
Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine
lashes.
25
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26
I have been
27
exposure. on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
I have been
nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and
28
in labor and hardship, through many sleepless Apart from
such my
countrymen, dangers external things, there is the daily pressure on me
of
concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11
Well, That’s the Cost…
…What’s the Benefit???
Let’s see what Shaul has to say about it…
A SPIRIT OF STUPOR
7
What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;
8
just as it is written, " GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR , EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY."
Salvation to the Gentiles
11
I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation
has come
to the Gentiles ... Romans 11
Value of Our Salvation
Most non-Jewish believers in (Jesus) Yeshua would say their faith resulting in salvation is the most valuable thing in their lives.
Before that: Not a part of the Saved People of G-d!
11
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision,"
which is
flesh by human hands- performed in the
12
remember
that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2
But now…
13
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ...
19
you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household… So then Ephesians 2
Now, A Part of the Commonwealth of Israel and partakers of the Covenants of Promise!
12
“…
remember
that you
were
separate from Christ,
excluded
at that time from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers
the covenants of promise…” Ephesians 2 to
The Non-Jewish Believers are now a Part of Israel!
Partakers of All the Covenants of Israel: Moses AND the B’rit Chadasha!
21
"For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath." Acts 15 Implication? Non-Jewish people hear Moses every Shabbat!
Torah Obedience
As non-Jewish believers in Yeshua grasp hold of this: that the promises and covenants apply to them, too – more and more of them find themselves more and more obedient to the Moses (Torah).
Provocation to Jealousy Dynamic As more and more non-Jewish believers become more and more Torah obedient, the dynamic of the “provocation to jealousy” (Romans 11:11, 14) occurs.
Non-Jews are doing the things that the Jewish people should be doing!
Salvation to the Gentiles!
Well, logically, if the Jewish People’s rejection of Yeshua be salvation for the Gentiles, then we should
not
bring Jewish people to acceptance in Him so that
more
Gentiles will be saved!
??? Right ???
Wrong!
God has not Rejected His People!
1
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be!
For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2
God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.
Romans 11
Fulfillment = Greater Riches for the Gentiles!
12
Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles , how much more will their fulfillment be ! Romans 11
We “Ain’t seen Nuthin’ Yet”!
15
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will
their
acceptance be but life from the dead ? Romans 11
Finally: Where are we headed?
Besides Heaven???
Missions 101 -
The Mission Field
When churches send missionaries out to the world, they: Teach them how to teach the people they are witnessing to how to live Biblically.
Not trying to Make non-Jews into Jews
However, when believers in Yeshua walk like Yeshua, they act more Biblically (“Jewish”) because that’s how He walked!
(Which correlates with the provocation to jealousy!)
Walking like Yeshua
Desire of all believers should be to “walk as Yeshua walked (1 John 2).”
1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for
those of
the whole world.
3
By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments .
4
The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5
but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
6
the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
1 John 2
Reminder…
“…the Christian communities worshipped and operated essentially as Jewish synagogues generation .” for more than a
Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity
, copyright 1977, Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, page 68
19
"Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles ,
20
but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from strangled fornication and from what is and from blood .
21
"For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath." Acts 15
Doers, Not Simply Hearers
for {it is} not the
hearers
of the Law {who} are just before God, but the
doers
of the Law will be justified. Romans 2:13 But prove yourselves
doers
of the word, and not merely
hearers
who delude themselves. James 1:22
Conclusion
Messianic Judaism brings the best of both Judaism and Christianity
Ministers to BOTH Groups
Messianic Judaism ministers to BOTH Messianic believers (Jew
and
non-Jew)
AND
non-believing Jews.
Both
Groups Need to Come to a Common Point of Reference
Judaism needs to recognize and accept Yeshua as the Messiah .
Christianity Torah needs to recognize and accept as a standard of holy behavior .
Messianic Judaism
Has BOTH Reference Points: 1) Yeshua as the Messiah AND 2) Torah as a Standard of holy behavior.
The Messianic Congregation – A Mission to the Jewish People
Learn the language - Hebrew Learn the cultural “turn-offs” words, actions : symbology, Learn how to live Biblically (culture) : Torah
Bridge to BOTH Communities
Able to reach out to the Jewish community that doesn’t yet believe in Yeshua.
Able to reach out to the Christian community that doesn’t yet believe in the application of Torah to the life of a believer in Jesus.