G-d’s Counterpoise

Rabbi Ken Alpren Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. 11/24/12 Ya’akov (Jacob) had an experience that would forever alter his relationship to G-d and with G-d. Ya’akov was on a mission. He was blessed by his father and he was sent. Genesis 28:10-12, ‘Ya'akov went out from Be'er-Sheva and traveled toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed the night there, because the sun had set. He took a stone from the place, put it under his head and lay down there to sleep. 12 He dreamt that there before him was a ladder resting on the ground with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of ADONAI were going up and down on it.’ When ADONAI spoke to him in the dream, he referred to himself as the G-d of his grandfather Abraham and father Yitz’chak (Isaac). He was not yet truly Ya’akov’s G-d. As recorded later in the chapter, indeed, Ya’akov’s relationship with G-d did become personal and he referred to him as his own. Genesis 28:13-15, ‘Then suddenly ADONAI was standing there next to him; and he said, "I am ADONAI, the God of Avraham your [grand]father and the God of Yitz'chak. The land on which you are lying I will give to you and to your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the grains of dust on the earth. You will expand to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. By you and your descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ G-d told him three things. The land would be his and his decedents, that his seed would number the grains of dust of the earth and all the families of the earth would be blessed through him! What a promise! 1 Thessalonians 5:24, ‘The one calling you is faithful, and he will do it.’ G-d blessing us is not an end to itself, but G-d blesses us to be a blessing to the world and to others. Isaiah 49:6, ‘he has said, "It is not enough that you are merely my servant to raise up the tribes of Ya'akov and restore the offspring of Isra'el. I will also make you a light to the nations, so my salvation can spread to the ends of the earth."’ Further is verse 15, G-d assures Ya’akov of three things. He would be with him, that he would keep him wherever he goes and that he would bring him back never abandoning him until what he had promised was accomplished. Genesis 28:15, ‘“Look, I am with you. I will guard you wherever you go, and I will bring you back into this land, because I won't leave you until I have done what I have promised you."’ Philippians 1:6, ‘And I am sure of this: that the One who began a good work among you will keep it growing until it is completed on the Day of the Messiah Yeshua.’ Isaiah 14:24, ‘ADONAI-Tzva'ot has sworn, "Just as I thought it, it will occur; just as I planned it, so it will be.’ G-d doesn’t quit on us! He completes what he starts! We can take that as a promise from him. When Ya’akov awoke, he was astounded at what he had experienced in his dream and made a proclamation. This was none other than the House of G-d and the Gate of Heaven! Genesis 28:16-17, ‘Ya'akov awoke from his sleep and said, "Truly, ADONAI is in this place - and I didn't know it!" 17 Then he became afraid and said, "This place is fearsome! This has to be the house of God! This is the gate of heaven!"’ G-d had revealed himself to Ya’akov! G-d was there all along and he didn’t realize it. Where does G-d reveal himself? The House of G-d should be a place of prophetic revelation. A place where G-d reveals himself; where we meet G-d and he unveils himself and affirms to us his promises. Heaven is a place of constant revelation. Heaven is a revelation of who he is and the veracity of his word! We will constantly be amazed; growing and learning, not static. G-d is outside time and space and interacts with us within time and space; in what may be described as a fifth dimension. We experience this fifth dimension when we meet with him. Once meeting with him, our perception should be forever altered. He dwells in Heaven, but interacts with us in our four dimensional world. Isaiah 57:15, ‘For thus says the High, Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy place but also with the broken and humble, in order to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the hearts of the broken ones.”’ Ya’akov travels further and goes to be with his uncle, falls in love with Rachel but gets tricked to marry Leah. He had deceived his father and then he was deceived by his uncle. Galatians 6:7, ‘Don't delude yourselves: no one makes a fool of God! A person reaps what he sows.’ Genesis 29:30-31, ‘So not only did Ya'akov go in and sleep with Rachel, but he also loved Rachel more than Le'ah. Then he served Lavan another seven years. 31 ADONAI saw that Le'ah was unloved, so he made her fertile, while Rachel remained childless.’ Leah was loved less and left out because Ya’akov loved Rachel more. So what did the L-rd do? He opened her womb. G-d compensates for things. G-d’s counterpoise! Does he do that with us? Does he see how we are passed over or left out? Look at how he marries Isra’el in Ezekiel 16 after he sees her abandoned and he says, “Live!” We are beautiful to him as his people. He counterpoises. He makes up for what we may not receive in the world. Notice how Yeshua reveals himself to Miryam as recorded in John 20. The disciples leave, but Miryam stayed and the L-rd visits her. He signaled her out. Maybe she was overlooked by the disciples. He counterpoises with her! John 20:11-16, ‘but Miryam stood outside crying. As she cried, she bent down, peered into the tomb, 12 and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Yeshua had been, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 "Why are you crying?" they asked her. "They took my Lord," she said to them, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14 As she said this, she turned around and saw Yeshua standing there, but she didn't know it was he. 15 Yeshua said to her, "Lady, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you're the one who carried him away, just tell me where you put him; and I'll go and get him myself." 16 Yeshua said to her, "Miryam!" Turning, she cried out to him in Hebrew, "Rabbani!" (that is, "Teacher!")’ There were three there. This reminds us of the visit to Abraham in Genesis! Two angels and the L-rd Yeshua. She didn’t know Yeshua at first, but she realized it was him when he called her name! Hearing his voice; we want to recognize him! 1 Corinthians 12:24, ‘while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it,’ The plan and grace of G-d counterpoises through his purpose and grace. He reveals himself in ways we can’t imagine.

Four Crowns

Rabbi Ken Alpren Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. September 21, 2012 How do we prepare for the Day of Judgement? Moshe knew his time on earth was coming to a close as recorded in Deuteronomy 31. Deuteronomy 31:2,,’"I am 120 years old today. I can't get around any longer; moreover, ADONAI has said to me, 'You will not cross this Yarden.'’ Refer also to his words regarding the length of days in Psalm 90. As recorded in Daniel 7, there is a Day of Judgement and books will be opened. What books? There are two books from G-d, the Tanakh and the Brit Chadasha and there are two books G-d has for us; the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15) and the Book of Remembrance (Malachi 3:16). When the Day of Judgement occurs, there will be consequences for what we have done while in our earthly bodies. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, ‘So we are always confident - we know that so long as we are at home in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord; 7 for we live by trust, not by what we see. 8 We are confident, then, and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and come to our home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether at home or away from home, we try our utmost to please him; 10 for we must all appear before the Messiah's court of judgment, where everyone will receive the good or bad consequences of what he did while he was in the body.’ Good consequences for those things we did that originated ‘in G-d’ and bad consequences for things we did that originated ‘outside of G-d’. What am I doing now that will affect eternity? What foundation am I building upon? 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, ‘Using the grace God gave me, I laid a foundation, like a skilled master-builder; and another man is building on it. But let each one be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah. 12 Some will use gold, silver or precious stones in building on this foundation; while others will use wood, grass or straw. 13 But each one's work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire - the fire will test the quality of each one's work. 14 If the work someone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward; 15 if it is burned up, he will have to bear the loss: he will still escape with his life, but it will be like escaping through a fire.’ Only what we do through the Messiah Yeshua will last! We may even be surprised on the Day of Judgement because people behind the scenes who quietly went about serving the L-rd will get more rewards than people we knew or heard about. Whomever is unknown to us are very well known by G-d. Do we realize that at the Day of Judgement, our entire lives will be made manifest? G-d knows whose are His! 2 Timothy 2:19, ‘Nevertheless, God's firm foundation stands, stamped with these words: "The Lord knows his own," and, "Let everyone who claims he belongs to the Lord stand apart from wrongdoing."’ What will our rewards look like? Firstly, G-d Himself is our reward! Genesis 15:1, ‘After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." NKJV Secondly, we will radiate as described in Philippians 2:15, Matthew 13:43 and Daniel 12:3 and we will rule as described in 1 Corinthians 6:2 and Matthew 19:28. Our rewards will be based upon our motivation! Did we serve our L-rd in love as described in 1 Corinthians 13? Did we serve Him in love? Did our service originate in His Strength? When Yeshua described rewards on the Day of Judgement, He says that we won’t even remember how we served; so much so that our service was out of His Love and working in His Strength! Matthew 25:34-41, ‘"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you made me your guest, 36 I needed clothes and you provided them, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the people who have done what God wants will reply, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and make you our guest, or needing clothes and provide them? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' 40 The King will say to them, `Yes! I tell you that whenever you did these things for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did them for me!'’ We will be rewarded but what we accomplish in Him! And we do that by abiding in Him. In Him is how G-d sees us. 1 John 2:28, ‘And now, children, remain united with him; so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame at his coming.’ 1 John 4:17, ‘Here is how love has been brought to maturity with us: as the Messiah is, so are we in the world. This gives us confidence for the Day of Judgment.’ There are four crowns described in Scripture we are given as rewards! They are the Crown of Life, the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Glory and the Crown of Rejoicing! The Crown of Life is given for those who have remained true through trials and tests. James 1:12, How blessed is the man who perseveres through temptation! For after he has passed the test, he will receive as his crown the Life which God has promised to those who love him.’ The Crown of Righteousness is given to those who finish the race. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, ‘For as for me, I am already being poured out on the altar; yes, the time for my departure has arrived. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 All that awaits me now is the crown of righteousness which the Lord, "the Righteous Judge," will award to me on that Day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for him to appear.’ The Crown of Glory given to those who serve. 1 Peter 5:1-4, ‘Therefore, I urge the congregation leaders among you, as a fellow-leader and witness to the Messiah's sufferings, as well as a sharer in the glory to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is in your care, exercising oversight not out of constraint, but willingly, as God wants; and not out of a desire for dishonest gain, but with enthusiasm; 3 also not as machers domineering over those in your care, but as people who become examples to the flock. 4 Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive glory as your unfading crown.’ The Crown of Rejoicing will be given to those who have pointed to and lead people to the Messiah. 1 Thessalonians 2:19, ‘For when our Lord Yeshua returns, what will be our hope, our joy, our crown to boast about? Won't it be you? 20 Yes, you are our glory and our joy!’ Let us keep focused on Him in Whose Strength we live so as to hear Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

The Best

Sermon by Rabbi Ken Alpren Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. July 21, 2012 Numbers 32:1-2, ‘The descendants of Re'uven and the descendants of Gad had vast quantities of livestock. When they saw that the land of Ya'zer and the land of Gil'ad were good for livestock, 2 the descendants of Gad and of Re'uven came and spoke to Moshe, El'azar the cohen and the community leaders.’ They were influenced by beauty of the land and the fertility of the soil. They made the decision based upon the apparent image of how the land would serve them verses what the L-rd had for them. This is a case of choosing by sight rather than having faith. This same tendency was first demonstrated in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6, ‘When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it had a pleasing appearance and that the tree was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her; and he ate.’ Their focus was on their livestock even before their own families. Numbers 32:4-5, ‘The country that ADONAI conquered before the community of Isra'el, is livestock country; and your servants have livestock. 5 If you regard us favorably," they went on, "let this land be given to your servants as their possession; and don't have us cross the Yarden."’ They requested to stay on the east side of the Yarden which angered Moshe. He compares their behavior to their ancestors who discouraged the Israelites from taking the Promised Land initially. Numbers 32:7-9, ‘Besides, why are you trying to discourage the people of Isra'el from crossing into the land ADONAI gave them? 8 This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up to the Eshkol Valley and saw the land, they disheartened the people of Isra'el, so that they wouldn't enter the land ADONAI had given them.’ They persisted in their argument with Moshe and rationalized away G-d’s will. Numbers 32:16-19, ‘But they came up to him and said, "Here we will build enclosures for our livestock and cities for our little ones, 17 but we ourselves will be armed and ready for action to march at the head of the people of Isra'el, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones will stay in the fortified cities here because of the people now living in the land. 18 However, we will not return to our own homes until every man in Isra'el has taken possession of his land for inheritance. 19 We will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Yarden, westward; because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Yarden, eastward."’ West of the Yarden was supposed to be jointly inherited by all twelve tribes, but they did not want to wait for that inheritance, they wanted their inheritance now. Moshe cautiously accepts their appeal but with a warning emphasizing they will ‘reap what they sow.’ Numbers 32:23, ‘But if you will not do this, then you have sinned against ADONAI, and you must understand that your sin will find you out.’ Is there a permissive will versus a perfect will of G-d? Romans 12:1-2, ‘I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical "Temple worship" for you. 2 In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the 'olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.’ Is there a ‘plan A’ which is G-d’s best, ‘plan B’ which is adequate or ‘plan C’ which is the worst? Do we let G-d choose for us or do we choose for G-d? Do I prematurely insist on my own will or am I willing to let G-d and trust in His timing? Psalms 47:4, ‘He chooses our heritage for us, the pride of Ya'akov, whom he loves.’ The pastures were greener east of the Yarden. Their choice based upon appearance symbolizes the choosing of material versus spiritual and riches over relationships and human performance over divine preeminence. When the decision was made to approach Moshe to take possession of the land east of the Yarden, whose interest were they looking out for? Were they not concerned with their own welfare versus the welfare of the community. Moshe conceded. Does G-d acquiesce to our plans? If we insist, will He compromise or even comply? Psalms 37:23-24, ‘ADONAI directs a person's steps, and he delights in his way. 24 He may stumble, but he won't fall headlong, for ADONAI holds him by the hand.’ Notice that even as ADONAI directs our steps, we may stumble! Although Moshe conceded, it was not what G-d really wanted for them and sometimes He acts upon our persistence similarly and allows us to have something we desire outside His perfect will even though it is not what He really wants for us. Consequently, the tribes of Re’uven, Gad and the half-tribe of M’nasheh were the first to be taken into captivity; they were influenced by the nations into idolatry. 1 Chronicles 5:26, ‘So the God of Isra'el stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Ashur and the spirit of Tilgat-Piln'eser king of Ashur; and he carried them away as captives - the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M'nasheh - and brought them to Halach, Havor, Hara and to the Gozan River, where they are to this day.’ Galatians 6:7-8, ‘Don't delude yourselves: no one makes a fool of God! A person reaps what he sows. 8 Those who keep sowing in the field of their old nature, in order to meet its demands, will eventually reap ruin; but those who keep sowing in the field of the Spirit will reap from the Spirit everlasting life.’ Be careful about insisting on my own way with G-d! We don’t want to miss G-d’s best! Even so, He can turn our past for good and if we have blown it, He can turn it around. But we then must trust Him and wait for Him! Psalms 37:34, ‘Put your hope in ADONAI, keep to his way, and he will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.’ We want His best for us so let us put our hand in His and allow His heart to be poured in us! Further Reading: Philippians 2:4-5, 1 John 2:15-17, Isaiah 42:16, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 3:11, Judges 5:16-17

First Love

Sermon by Rabbi Ken Alpren Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. July 14, 2012 Numbers 25:10-13, ‘ADONAI said to Moshe, 11 "Pinchas the son of El'azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, has deflected my anger from the people of Isra'el by being as zealous as I am, so that I didn't destroy them in my own zeal. 12 Therefore say, 'I am giving him my covenant of shalom, 13 making a covenant with him and his descendants after him that the office of cohen will be theirs forever.'This is because he was zealous on behalf of his God and made atonement for the people of Isra'el."’ Pinchas was a champion! He acted on behalf of the L-rd and was an example not to be passive but to be active! We see in events and circumstances of Pinchas’ intervention, how the enemy was unable to defeat the Israelites from without, so the plan was to defeat them from within! The Israelites were intermarrying, committing apostasy and partaking in idolatry. This same seduction occurs with believers when we depart from G-d. We are rendered weak and harmless by Satan. We have no power in prayer and we don’t see miracles. What did Pinchas do? Numbers 25:5-9, ‘Moshe said to the judges of Isra'el, "Each of you is to put to death those in his tribe who have joined themselves to Ba'al-P'or." 6 Just then, in the sight of Moshe and the whole community of Isra'el, as they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting, a man from Isra'el came by, bringing to his family a woman from Midyan. 7 When Pinchas the son of El'azar, the son of Aharon the cohen, saw it, he got up from the middle of the crowd, took a spear in his hand, 8 and pursued the man from Isra'el right into the inner part of the tent, where he thrust his spear through both of them -the man from Isra'el and the woman through her stomach. Thus was the plague among the people of Isra'el stopped; 9 nevertheless, 24,000 died in the plague.’ Pinchas impaled the couple and the plague stopped! Pinchas made atonement for the children of Israel. Numbers 25:12-13, ‘Therefore say, 'I am giving him my covenant of shalom, 13 making a covenant with him and his descendants after him that the office of cohen will be theirs forever.'This is because he was zealous on behalf of his God and made atonement for the people of Isra'el."’ G-d made a b’rit shalom and an everlasting priesthood through Pinchas. G-d fulfilled His promise until the tyranny of Herod. The Hebrew word for zealous in this passage is ‘kana’ which means jealousy, zeal, envy, strong emotion, fervor, excited, and passion. G-d is zealous for us. Are we zealous for Him? 2 Corinthians 11:2, ‘For I am jealous for you with God's kind of jealousy; since I promised to present you as a pure virgin in marriage to your one husband, the Messiah.’ 1 Corinthians 6:17, ‘but the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.’ Song of Songs 7:10, ‘I belong to my darling, and his desire is for me.’ We are married to the L-rd and He is zealous for us! When we are unfaithful, we are ripping apart ourselves from the L-rd. Israel had joined herself to idols as recorded in Numbers. What am I intimate with? What is the fruit of my idolatry? Don’t allow the enemy to render us weak and harmless in the L-rd? How do I spend my time? Do I turn on the television or read the Bible? Do I gossip about others or reach out to them in G-d’s love? Do I talk or do I take action? Do I worry or do I pray and praise in my circumstances? Do I put G-d second or first? Do I give Him my first fruits? Where is the love for Him that I had at first? Revelation 2:4, ‘But I have this against you: you have lost the love you had at first.’ What do I want to be doing INSTEAD of being with the L-rd? 1 John 2:15-17, ‘Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; 16 because all the things of the world - the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life - are not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God's will remains forever.’ Am I cynical or sarcastic? Could be a sign of sickness and my need for restoration in the L-rd. Jeremiah 2:2-3, ‘"Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim that this is what ADONAI says: 'I remember your devotion when you were young; how, as a bride, you loved me; how you followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. 3 "'Isra'el is set aside for ADONAI, the first fruits of his harvest; all who devour him will incur guilt; evil will befall them," says ADONAI.’ Am I attached to an idol? Get rid of it and return to the L-rd! G-d wants intimacy with us and He loves us and wants us to be close to Him. Am I zealous for G-d? Yeshua was furious when He found animals being sold and money exchanged in the Temple. John 2:15-17, ‘He made a whip from cords and drove them all out of the Temple grounds, the sheep and cattle as well. He knocked over the money-changers' tables, scattering their coins; 16 and to the pigeon-sellers he said, "Get these things out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market?" 17 (His talmidim later recalled that the Tanakh says, "Zeal for your house will devour me." )’ Yeshua had zeal! He is our example. 1 Peter 2:21, ‘Indeed, this is what you were called to; because the Messiah too suffered, on your behalf, leaving an example so that you should follow in his steps.’ With zeal and obedience His pleased the Father. John 4:34, ‘Yeshua said to them, "My food is to do what the one who sent me wants and to bring his work to completion.’ Do we have zeal for the L-rd like Ruth? Ruth 1:16-17, ‘But Rut said, "Don't press me to leave you and stop following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. 17 Where you die, I will die; and there I will be buried. May ADONAI bring terrible curses on me, and worse ones as well, if anything but death separates you and me."’ What about the zeal David had? Psalm 27:4, ‘Just one thing have I asked of ADONAI; only this will I seek: to live in the house of ADONAI all the days of my life, to see the beauty of ADONAI and visit in his temple.’ Remember our First Love!!! That is where our zeal should be placed. 1 John 4:10, ‘Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins.’ Further Reading: Psalm 106:28-31, James 4:5, Song of Songs 8:6-7, 4:7, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Philippians 3:10, 2:5, John 1:14, Isaiah 9:6, 7:14, Acts 17:11, Psalm 73:25

Too Much for You!

Sermon Notes Rabbi Ken Alpren by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. Korach was a cousin of Moshe; both descended form Levi. Aviram and Datan were descended from Re’uven, the eldest of the twelve. They were jealous of Moshe regarding the position the L-rd had given him and felt they had been passed over for the prominent position. They accused Moshe and Aharon. Numbers 16:1-3, ‘Now Korach the son of Yitz'har, the son of K'hat, the son of Levi, along with Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av, and On, the son of Pelet, descendants of Re'uven, took men and 2 rebelled against Moshe. Siding with them were 250 men of Isra'el, leaders of the community, key members of the council, men of reputation. 3 They assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon and said to them, "You take too much on yourselves! After all, the entire community is holy, every one of them, and ADONAI is among them. So why do you lift yourselves up above ADONAI's assembly?"’ Moshe didn’t lift himself up, but notice his response was that he fell on his face! Numbers 12:3, ‘Now this man Moshe was very humble, more so than anyone on earth.’ Moshe was G-d’s Servant as is Yeshua. The purpose of godly leadership is not status but function. We are to serve G-d and then people through G-d. As His servants we are vehicles of His life and His word; not source of them. Korach and his followers were jealous of something that wasn’t even attainable for them! Yeshua’s spoke to this principle. Mark 10:44-45, ‘“and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone's slave! 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve -- and to give his life as a ransom for many."’ When Korach accused Moshe and Aharon that it was too much for them, Moshe responded with G-d direction by turning the accusation back toward Korach and saying no, that it was too much for him! Numbers 16:7, ‘’The one whom ADONAI chooses will be the one who is holy! It is you, you sons of Levi, who are taking too much on yourselves!"’ How do we respond to false accusations or arrogant confrontations? What did Moshe do? By falling on his face, he demonstrated that he went to G-d first; he didn’t overreact, but kept quiet at first. As well, we can apply this principle ourselves by shutting our mouths, keeping quiet and going to G-d asking Him to help us not to react with emotion as our first response. G-d is trustworthy to defend or vindicate us if we are falsely accused. Proverbs 26:4-5, ‘Don't answer a fool in terms of his folly, or you will be descending to his level; 5 but answer a fool as his folly deserves, so that he won't think he is wise.’ Go to G-d first and then we are able to deal with people. Be lead by the Spirit rather than the flesh and we can deal with ‘fools’ and foolish accusations wisely. Do we wrongfully accuse people of what we are really guilty of ourselves? Korach and his followers were projecting onto Moshe and Aharon what they were guilty of themselves. Numbers 16:8-9, ‘Then Moshe said to Korach, "Listen here, you sons of Levi! 9 Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of ADONAI and stand before the community serving them?’ Are we not grateful for what G-d has already has done or do we want more like Korach? With what are we dissatisfied? When is it enough? Am I satisfied with what He has given me? Korach wanted the priesthood as well and was ungrateful for what G-d had given him! Isn’t this the same sin of Lucifer as described in Isaiah 14? He wasn’t satisfied with being a beautiful angel but wanted to be like the Most High! 1 Timothy 6:6, ‘Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have.’ Psalm 73:25, ‘Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth.’ Numbers 16:11, ‘“That's why you and your group have gathered together against ADONAI! After all, what is Aharon that you complain against him?"’ Aharon was a servant. 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, ‘After all, what is Apollos? What is Sha'ul? Only servants through whom you came to trust. Indeed, it was the Lord who brought you to trust through one of us or through another. 6 I planted the seed, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 So neither the planter nor the waterer is anything, only God who makes things grow.’ We serve and G-d makes things grow. Further in the passage recorded in Numbers 16, verses 12-14, Korach and his followers demonstrated their skewed perceptions and rebelliousness. And Moshe became angry, rightfully. When G-d wanted to bring judgement upon all the people, Moshe intervened out of concern for the people as well as G-d’s reputation and testimony. So the L-rd brought judgement upon Korach, Avarim and Datan specifically. Numbers 16:20-24, ‘ADONAI said to Moshe and Aharon, 21 "Separate yourselves from this assembly; I'm going to destroy them right now!" 22 They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?" 23 ADONAI answered Moshe, 24 "Tell the assembly to move away from the homes of Korach, Datan and Aviram."’ There are times we need discernment to separate ourselves from those starting discord and unhealthy influence. Romans 16:17, ‘I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put snares alongside the teaching in which you have been trained - keep away from them.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:6, ‘Now, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we command you, brothers, to stay away from any brother who is leading a life of idleness, a life not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.’ Numbers 16:26, ‘There he said to the assembly, "Leave the tents of these wicked men! Don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you may be swept away in all their sins."” We need to disassociate from those who are poor influences and especially among those who claim to be believers. 2 Corinthians 6:14, ‘Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness?’ 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, ‘In my earlier letter I wrote you not to associate with people who engage in sexual immorality. 10 I didn't mean the sexually immoral people outside your community, or the greedy, or the thieves or the idol-worshippers - for then you would have to leave the world altogether! 11 No, what I wrote you was not to associate with anyone who is supposedly a brother but who also engages in sexual immorality, is greedy, worships idols, is abusive, gets drunk or steals. With such a person you shouldn't even eat!’ Numbers 16:28-30, ‘Moshe said, "Here is how you will know that ADONAI has sent me to do all these things and that I haven't done them out of my own ambition: 29 if these men die a natural death like other people, only sharing the fate common to all humanity, then ADONAI has not sent me. 30 But if ADONAI does something new - if the ground opens up and swallows them with everything they own, and they go down alive to Sh'ol - then you will understand that these men have had contempt for ADONAI."’ The earth opened up and the guilty as well as their families went down alive! Fire consumed the 250 who had offered the incense and 14,700 were victims of the plague! Moshe posed the question as to how one would know that indeed the L-rd had sent him or if his leadership was on account of his own will. G-d revealed the answer to everyone that Moshe’s commission was G-d ordained! Likewise, how will people know today that Yeshua is the Messiah? What signs reveal the truth? John 6:38, ‘For I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of the One who sent me.’ John 7:16-17, ‘So Yeshua gave them an answer: "My teaching is not my own, it comes from the One who sent me. 17 If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether my teaching is from God or I speak on my own.’ Do we want to know the truth? He knows our hearts and He will reveal Himself to those seeking wholeheartedly. Jeremiah 29:13, ‘When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly.’ 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, ‘For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; 16 to the latter, we are the smell of death leading only to more death; but to the former, we are the sweet smell of life leading to more life.’ G-d reveals Himself through us! He reveals Himself through His Spirit, His power and His word. How will we know? John 17:23, ‘I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.’ Oneness in humanity is not natural. When believers from all ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and former beliefs are united in love for the L-rd, the world will know. Further Reading: Isaiah 14:12-15, 1 Corinthians 3:3-9, 4:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 3 John 9, Luke 10:19, Revelation 12, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Timothy 6:5, John 5:19, 5:30, 8:28,14:10, Romans 15:19, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Psalm 119

G-d Chooses and Uses Who He Wills

Rabbi Ken Alpren Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. 6/9/12 Numbers 11:11-15, ‘Moshe asked ADONAI, "Why are you treating your servant so badly? Why haven't I found favor in your sight, so that you put the burden of this entire people on me? 12 Did I conceive this people? Was I their father, so that you tell me, 'Carry them in your arms, like a nurse carrying a baby, to the land you swore to their ancestors?' 13 Where am I going to get meat to give to this entire people? - because they keep bothering me with their crying and saying, 'Give us meat to eat!' 14 I can't carry this entire people by myself alone - it's too much for me! 15 If you are going to treat me this way, then just kill me outright! - please, if you have any mercy toward me! -and don't let me go on being this miserable!" The Israelites were bored with G-d’s menu! They wanted something different and were complaining about was provided for them and reminiscing about Egypt. They thought the former days were better, but were they? We need to be careful to continue being grateful regardless of our circumstances because with ungratefulness comes darkened hearts. Romans 1:21, ‘because, although they know who God is, they do not glorify him as God or thank him. On the contrary, they have become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened.’ G-d can do work in us through the mundane! This includes our every day lives, our jobs and our marriages. He tells us to be content through the mundane. Moshe wants to quit because he is fed up. Maybe he thought he was supposed to do it all himself. He was wrong because G-d responded by giving him help. Numbers 16:16-17, ‘ADONAI said to Moshe, "Bring me seventy of the leaders of Isra'el, people you recognize as leaders of the people and officers of theirs. Bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit which rests on you and put it on them. Then they will carry the burden of the people along with you, so that you won't carry it yourself alone.’ The objective of leadership is not to make people dependent upon you, but to develop more leaders by giving them guidance and help. The L-rd instructs Moshe to choose seventy elders and that G-d will take some of the Spirit from Moshe and place it upon them. Regarding the Spirit or ‘Ruach’, the L-rd puts ‘'seem’, gives it ‘natan’ to the seventy and it rests ‘nuwach’ on them and then what happens? Numbers 11:25-26, ‘ADONAI came down in the cloud, spoke to him, took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy leaders. When the Spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied -then but not afterwards. 26 There were two men who stayed in the camp, one named Eldad and the other Medad, and the Spirit came to rest on them. They were among those listed to go out to the tent, but they hadn't done so, and they prophesied in the camp.’ The Hebrew word for prophesied is ‘nava'’. The meaning is authorized communication from G-d, pouring forth words, divine revelation, authorized spokesperson and power to communicate from G-d. It’s application can include speaking and managing people by communicating G-d’s words to them as well as speaking praise which would then counter the atmosphere of complaining. Two people of the seventy did not come to the tabernacle but remained in the camp and they still received the impartation of the Spirit as well as the manifestation of prophesying. Numbers 11:27-29, ‘A young man ran and told Moshe, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!" 28 Y'hoshua, the son of Nun, who from his youth up had been Moshe's assistant, answered, "My lord, Moshe, stop them!" 29 But Moshe replied, "Are you so zealous to protect me? I wish all of ADONAI's people were prophets! I wish ADONAI would put his Spirit on all of them!"’ Moshe rebuked Y’hoshua. Y’hoshua was exhibiting a spirit of exclusivity. A similar instance is recorded in Luke. Luke 9:49-50, ‘Yochanan responded, "Rabbi, we saw someone expelling demons in your name; and we stopped him because he doesn't follow you along with us.” Yochanan responded, "Rabbi, we saw someone expelling demons in your name; and we stopped him because he doesn't follow you along with us." 50 Yeshua said to him, "Don't stop such people, because whoever isn't against you is for you."’ G-d chooses and uses who He wills and it may be someone else and not you! Philippians 1:15-18, ‘True, some are proclaiming the Messiah out of jealousy and rivalry, but others are doing it in goodwill. 16 The latter act from love, aware that I am put where I am for defending the Good News; 17 while the former announce the Messiah out of selfish ambition, with impure motives, supposing they can stir up trouble for me in prison. 18 But so what? All that matters is that in every way, whether honestly or in pretense, the Messiah is being proclaimed; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.’ Trust G-d and let Him use who he wills and it really isn’t our business. Whatever our frustration we should give Him praise. We don’t need to try to control or limit G-d. He raises up and uses who He wills. Who are we to stand in the way of G-d? When those chosen to lead with Moshe received the Ruach and began to prophesy, they helped him bring people into the will of G-d. 1 Corinthians 14:3, ‘But someone prophesying is speaking to people, edifying, encouraging and comforting them.’ Others were raised up to assist Moshe. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. As G-d leads we are to delegate, empower, guide and educate others letting go so people can grow. Further Reading: Ephesians 4:12, Romans 12:4-8, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Romans 14:19, Isaiah 49:5-6

Me First!

Rabbi Ken Alpren Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D. 5/19/12 Leviticus 25:1-4, ‘ADONAI spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai; he said, 2 "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'When you enter the land I am giving you, the land itself is to observe a Shabbat rest for ADONAI. 3 Six years you will sow your field; six years you will prune your grapevines and gather their produce. 4 But in the seventh year is to be a Shabbat of complete rest for the land, a Shabbat for ADONAI; you will neither sow your field nor prune your grapevines.’ G-d cares about the land and how we steward it. He has specific instructions for it’s care. Caring for the land prescribed in this way required self restraint. Although it was harvested for six years, the L-rd commanded it not be harvested or even worked in the seventh year. This was a cause for concern to the people because they were concerned about how they would survive during the seventh year. How would they make it if they obeyed? Leviticus 25:19-21, ‘The land will yield its produce, you will eat until you have enough, and you will live there securely. 20 "'If you ask, "If we aren't allowed to sow seed or harvest what our land produces, what are we going to eat the seventh year?" 21 then I will order my blessing on you during the sixth year, so that the land brings forth enough produce for all three years.’ Wow! No need to worry about obedience! G-d promised them that if they obeyed, He would command a blessing! He would take care of their needs and provide a triple blessing thus giving them enough for the sixth, seventh and even into the eighth year! Isaiah 55:9, ‘"As high as the sky is above the earth are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ G-d ways are not always our ways. He knows better. The Hebrew word used is this passage for higher is ‘gava’ which means exalted and wiser. His ways are not always sensible to us, convenient or understandable. His ways are perfect! Psalm 19:7-10, ‘The Torah of ADONAI is perfect, restoring the inner person. The instruction of ADONAI is sure, making wise the thoughtless. 8 The precepts of ADONAI are right, rejoicing the heart. The mitzvah of ADONAI is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of ADONAI is clean, enduring forever. The rulings of ADONAI are true, they are righteous altogether, 10 more desirable than gold, than much fine gold, also sweeter than honey or drippings from the honeycomb.’ So in all things whether sensible, convenient or understandable, we are instructed to trust Him! Proverbs 3:5-6, ‘Trust in ADONAI with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.’ This verse tells us to trust towards Him with all of our hearts, to put our face toward Him and go in His direction because if we lean on our own understanding it will collapse! The Sabbath year reminds us that the Earth belongs to the L-rd. The Yovel or Jubilee year occurs every fifty years and reminds us we are but sojourners here. Some of the functions of the Yovel are that it corrects inequality by forgiving debt and giving land back to original owners. It can also alleviate poverty and correct market errors. If one’s lifetime is seventy years and one’s working life spans fifty years, then it is likely that we will experience only one Yovel year per lifetime. G-d is the landlord and we are the tenants; He is the owner and we are the stewards. G-d wants us to live a supernatural life! He gives us instructions and commands which when obeyed will bring about blessings and when disobeyed will bring about curses. Obedience is up to us. Which do we choose? Isaiah 1:19-20, ‘If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you will be eaten by the sword"; for the mouth of ADONAI has spoken.’ If we disobey by refusing and rebelling we are to be eaten by the sword! He is making it clear that our choice should be clear and that we should follow His ways! Haggai 1:5, ‘Therefore here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot says: 'Think about your life!’ The portion of this scripture ‘Think about your life!’ actually means ‘Put your heart on your ways’. If we put ourselves first and G-d last, then G-d isn’t happy and we arent’ happy. However, if we put G-d first and ourselves last, then G-d is happy and so are we! Malachi 3:10, ‘Bring the whole tenth into the storehouse, so that there will be food in my house, and put me to the test," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "See if I won't open for you the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing far beyond your needs.’ Put Him first! As we walk in the Spirit we are blessed and able to trust. Galatians 5:25, ‘Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day.’ We shouldn’t worry as we trust Him because He is faithful to take care of us just like He did for the widow as recorded in 1 Kings 17. Although she was despairing, G-d sent Eliyahu to comfort her and assure her that she would be provided for and that she wasn’t forgotten. Put Him first! Matthew 6:31-33, ‘"So don't be anxious, asking, `What will we eat?,' `What will we drink?' or `How will we be clothed?' 32 For it is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. 33 But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’” As we put Him first let us keep our hearts set on Him and remember there will be a final Yovel yet to come when atonement will be completed. Romans 8:21, Acts 3:21.