Wednesday, June 27, 2012
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
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
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
Friday, June 1, 2012
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.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Whose to Blame!
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
4/14/12
Whose to blame for the Holocaust? We may ask this question as we remember the Holocaust this time of year on the Day of Remembrance or Yom HaShoah. Were the German people to blame? Was G-d to blame? What about the Red Cross? In 1997 they gave a statement that they knew about the atrocities of the Holocaust and did not report it. What about us, as Jewish people? Do we blame ourselves because we allowed ourselves to become assimilated and weren’t prepared?
Doesn’t the Holocaust attest to Scripture that people act wickedly when they are detached from G-d and His Word?
Amos 3:1-2, “"Listen to this word which ADONAI has spoken against you, people of Isra'el, against the entire family that I brought up from the land of Egypt: 2 "Of all the families on earth, only you have I intimately known. This is why I will punish you for all your crimes."’
The truth is we are all guilty by our actions and by our inactions. The question should not be whose at fault, but how do we find G-d in this?
Romans 3:4, ‘Heaven forbid! God would be true even if everyone were a liar! - as the Tanakh says, "so that you, God, may be proved right in your words and win the verdict when you are put on trial."’
It is easy to affix blame when we generalize and don’t have all the information.
During the time of the Holocaust, Germany was focused on the glorification of man; of themselves.
2 Timothy 4:1-3, ‘I solemnly charge you before God and the Messiah Yeshua, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and establishes his Kingdom: 2 proclaim the Word! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. Convict, censure and exhort with unfailing patience and with teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear.’
‘Shoah’ in Hebrew means catastrophe. ‘Olah’ means consumed by fire as in a burnt sacrifice. Yeshua was our Sacrifice or ‘olah’ too and He is identified with Israel’s suffering and our suffering too.
David lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan equally even though Saul tried to kill David and Saul may well have been demon possessed. David wrote three times, as recorded in 1Samuel 1:17-25, that ‘the heroes have fallen’. He honored Saul in spite of how he was treated.
G-d loves us in spite of our sin and He will use us in spite of our sin if we will allow Him!
Mature believers do not engage in battles over whose right and whose wrong, but we are called to mollify not exacerbate wounds.
1 Peter 4:8, ‘More than anything, keep loving each other actively; because love covers many sins.’
Ephesians 5:2, ‘and live a life of love, just as also the Messiah loved us, indeed, on our behalf gave himself up as an offering, as a slaughtered sacrifice to God with a pleasing fragrance.’
We are called to not judge by appearances, but to see clearly we should evaluate through the lens of the Spirit. All will err in life, people get hurt, we fail, we sin and disappoint.
1 Corinthians 2:15, ‘But the person who has the Spirit can evaluate everything, while no one is in a position to evaluate him. For who has known the mind of ADONAI? Who will counsel him? But we have the mind of the Messiah!’
How should be respond when we are failed and disappointed or even when we have failed or disappointed ourselves and others?
Do you want to become bitter or more tender?
Romans 8:35-39, ‘Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? 36 As the Tanakh puts it, "For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we are considered sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.’
Notice the wording. That it is in all these things; that is, trouble, hardship, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, war, that we are super-conquerors! Not outside of these things or because of these things, but in these things!
Immediately following this portion of Scripture, Paul writes this next passage:
Romans 9:1-5, ‘I am speaking the truth - as one who belongs to the Messiah, I do not lie; and also bearing witness is my conscience, governed by the Ruach HaKodesh: 2 my grief is so great, the pain in my heart so constant, 3 that I could wish myself actually under God's curse and separated from the Messiah, if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4 the people of Isra'el! They were made God's children, the Sh'khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises; 5 the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be ADONAI for ever! Amen.’
Take victory and compassion to those who hurt us!
“If we allow the memory of the Nazis to keep us from Messiah, we give Hitler the power to reach beyond the grave and destroy us in an awful way that even his evil mind could not imagine.” - Vera Schlamm, Survivor
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 28:67, Judges 6:13, Esther 3:13, Ezekiel 37:1-4, 6, Hosea 6:1-3, Romans 1:20, Galatians 4:6, Proverbs 10:12, 15:1, John 7:24, Isaiah 11:3
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
4/14/12
Whose to blame for the Holocaust? We may ask this question as we remember the Holocaust this time of year on the Day of Remembrance or Yom HaShoah. Were the German people to blame? Was G-d to blame? What about the Red Cross? In 1997 they gave a statement that they knew about the atrocities of the Holocaust and did not report it. What about us, as Jewish people? Do we blame ourselves because we allowed ourselves to become assimilated and weren’t prepared?
Doesn’t the Holocaust attest to Scripture that people act wickedly when they are detached from G-d and His Word?
Amos 3:1-2, “"Listen to this word which ADONAI has spoken against you, people of Isra'el, against the entire family that I brought up from the land of Egypt: 2 "Of all the families on earth, only you have I intimately known. This is why I will punish you for all your crimes."’
The truth is we are all guilty by our actions and by our inactions. The question should not be whose at fault, but how do we find G-d in this?
Romans 3:4, ‘Heaven forbid! God would be true even if everyone were a liar! - as the Tanakh says, "so that you, God, may be proved right in your words and win the verdict when you are put on trial."’
It is easy to affix blame when we generalize and don’t have all the information.
During the time of the Holocaust, Germany was focused on the glorification of man; of themselves.
2 Timothy 4:1-3, ‘I solemnly charge you before God and the Messiah Yeshua, who will judge the living and the dead when he appears and establishes his Kingdom: 2 proclaim the Word! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. Convict, censure and exhort with unfailing patience and with teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear.’
‘Shoah’ in Hebrew means catastrophe. ‘Olah’ means consumed by fire as in a burnt sacrifice. Yeshua was our Sacrifice or ‘olah’ too and He is identified with Israel’s suffering and our suffering too.
David lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan equally even though Saul tried to kill David and Saul may well have been demon possessed. David wrote three times, as recorded in 1Samuel 1:17-25, that ‘the heroes have fallen’. He honored Saul in spite of how he was treated.
G-d loves us in spite of our sin and He will use us in spite of our sin if we will allow Him!
Mature believers do not engage in battles over whose right and whose wrong, but we are called to mollify not exacerbate wounds.
1 Peter 4:8, ‘More than anything, keep loving each other actively; because love covers many sins.’
Ephesians 5:2, ‘and live a life of love, just as also the Messiah loved us, indeed, on our behalf gave himself up as an offering, as a slaughtered sacrifice to God with a pleasing fragrance.’
We are called to not judge by appearances, but to see clearly we should evaluate through the lens of the Spirit. All will err in life, people get hurt, we fail, we sin and disappoint.
1 Corinthians 2:15, ‘But the person who has the Spirit can evaluate everything, while no one is in a position to evaluate him. For who has known the mind of ADONAI? Who will counsel him? But we have the mind of the Messiah!’
How should be respond when we are failed and disappointed or even when we have failed or disappointed ourselves and others?
Do you want to become bitter or more tender?
Romans 8:35-39, ‘Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? 36 As the Tanakh puts it, "For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we are considered sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.’
Notice the wording. That it is in all these things; that is, trouble, hardship, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, war, that we are super-conquerors! Not outside of these things or because of these things, but in these things!
Immediately following this portion of Scripture, Paul writes this next passage:
Romans 9:1-5, ‘I am speaking the truth - as one who belongs to the Messiah, I do not lie; and also bearing witness is my conscience, governed by the Ruach HaKodesh: 2 my grief is so great, the pain in my heart so constant, 3 that I could wish myself actually under God's curse and separated from the Messiah, if it would help my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4 the people of Isra'el! They were made God's children, the Sh'khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises; 5 the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be ADONAI for ever! Amen.’
Take victory and compassion to those who hurt us!
“If we allow the memory of the Nazis to keep us from Messiah, we give Hitler the power to reach beyond the grave and destroy us in an awful way that even his evil mind could not imagine.” - Vera Schlamm, Survivor
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 28:67, Judges 6:13, Esther 3:13, Ezekiel 37:1-4, 6, Hosea 6:1-3, Romans 1:20, Galatians 4:6, Proverbs 10:12, 15:1, John 7:24, Isaiah 11:3
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Whenever, Whatever, Wherever
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
3/31/12
Leviticus 8:22-24, ‘Then the other ram was presented, the ram of consecration; Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 After it had been slaughtered, Moshe took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aharon's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 24 Next Aharon's sons were brought, and Moshe put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet; then Moshe splashed the blood on all sides of the altar.’
Notice it is the ram’s blood that was utilized here for consecration. Remember the substitute of the ram in the thicket described in Genesis 22 and Whom was the Substitute!
Hebrews 9:22, ‘In fact, according to the Torah, almost everything is purified with blood; indeed, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.’
What does the blood mean?
The blood signifies we are purified and set apart, sanctified in Hebrew, ‘kadosh’. G-d is other than everything else! He is the infinite personal G-d and creator. We are sanctified or set apart by the blood.
We are set apart from the culture of this age where the superficial Christian culture is only ‘ankle deep’ rather than immersed in the Word of G-d.
We are set apart from the sterile culture that compromises the Word of G-d by following the Word selectively to suit convenience.
We are set apart from a world that chooses political correctness over the truth of G-d’s Word without compromise; rather we walk in His Word.
We are set apart from the academic culture where the number of books written becomes more important than the number of lives impacted.
We are set apart from the materialistic world where stuff is greater than substance, prestige greater than service and what is passing away is greater than the eternal.
Let’s concern ourselves with serving G-d in ways that impact eternity and honor Him!
Hebrews 9:14, ‘then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!’
It is interesting what parts of the body G-d directed Moses to place the blood of the ram upon Aharon and his sons. He directed him to place it on the right ear, right thumb and right big toe.
Placing the blood of the ram upon the right ear can signify that whenever He speaks to us, we listen!
Our ears can perceive the softest sounds. But what about our inner ear that hears the voice of the L-rd? We should be so quick to listen!
James 1:19, ‘Therefore, my dear brothers, let every person be quick to listen but slow to speak, slow to get angry.’
Placing the blood of the ram upon the right thumb can signify that whatever He tells us to do, we will do!
Our thumbs are our most important finger providing forty percent of the function of our hands including the ability to grasp and hold allowing us to do many things.
We can do whatever He asks us to do because He empowers us to do it!
Deuteronomy 30:14, ‘On the contrary, the word is very close to you - in your mouth, even in your heart; therefore, you can do it!’
Whatever He empowers us to do has eternal consequences.
1John 2:17, ‘And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God's will remains forever.’
And whatever He asks us to do, we keep pushing forward so as to attain the goal.
Philippians 3:12, ‘It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal - no, I keep pursuing it in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yeshua took hold of me.’
Placing the blood of the ram upon the right big toe can signify that wherever He leads us to go, we will go!
Our big toes are necessary for balance and stability as well as for propelling us forward so as to walk and run.
Wherever He is, is where we want to be!
John 12:26, ‘If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.’
Look at how Phillip went wherever the L-rd lead him. He was in the midst of a fruitful revival when and angel of ADONAI spoke to him.
Acts 8:26, ‘An angel of ADONAI said to Philip, "Get up, and go southward on the road that goes down from Yerushalayim to 'Azah, the desert road."’
As Phillip obeyed the Spirit’s leading, he met the Ethiopian and was instrumental in bringing him to the knowledge of the L-rd and salvation as he was reading the scroll of Isaiah in chapter 53. Imagine had Phillip not gone!
Praise the L-rd that Phillip obeyed and went!
John 5:24, ‘“Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever hears what I am saying and trusts the One who sent me has eternal life -- that is, he will not come up for judgment but has already crossed over from death to life!”’
Similarly, as described in Acts 16, Sha’ul was given a vision and obeyed, which eventually opened up the Gospel to Europe.
Acts 16:6-10, ‘They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Ruach HaKodesh from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the frontier of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Yeshua would not let them. 8 So, after passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 There a vision appeared to Sha'ul at night. A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, we lost no time getting ready to leave for Macedonia; for we concluded that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.’
We want to be like Yeshua, who prayed and listened to G-d the Father. He heard from the Him every morning.
Isaiah 50:4, ‘Adonai ELOHIM has given me the ability to speak as a man well taught, so that I, with my words, know how to sustain the weary. Each morning he awakens my ear to hear like those who are taught.’
We too can listen and hear whenever He speaks!
Psalm 40:6, ‘Sacrifices and grain offerings you don't want; burnt offerings and sin offerings you don't demand. Instead, you have given me open ears.’
We can do whatever He says!
John 8:29, ‘Also, the One who sent me is still with me; he did not leave me to myself, because I always do what pleases him.’
We can go wherever He sends us!
Psalm 40:8-9, ‘Doing your will, my God, is my joy; your Torah is in my inmost being. 9 I have proclaimed what is right in the great assembly; I did not restrain my lips, ADONAI, as you know.’
Further Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8, John 6:38-40, Hebrews 10:10, 14, 13:12, Deuteronomy 6:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2, 9:10, Jeremiah 15:16, Luke 15:10, Proverbs 11:30, Colossians 1:13, 1Kings 17:3-7, 1Corinthians 9:24, Revelation 14:4
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
3/31/12
Leviticus 8:22-24, ‘Then the other ram was presented, the ram of consecration; Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 After it had been slaughtered, Moshe took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aharon's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 24 Next Aharon's sons were brought, and Moshe put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet; then Moshe splashed the blood on all sides of the altar.’
Notice it is the ram’s blood that was utilized here for consecration. Remember the substitute of the ram in the thicket described in Genesis 22 and Whom was the Substitute!
Hebrews 9:22, ‘In fact, according to the Torah, almost everything is purified with blood; indeed, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.’
What does the blood mean?
The blood signifies we are purified and set apart, sanctified in Hebrew, ‘kadosh’. G-d is other than everything else! He is the infinite personal G-d and creator. We are sanctified or set apart by the blood.
We are set apart from the culture of this age where the superficial Christian culture is only ‘ankle deep’ rather than immersed in the Word of G-d.
We are set apart from the sterile culture that compromises the Word of G-d by following the Word selectively to suit convenience.
We are set apart from a world that chooses political correctness over the truth of G-d’s Word without compromise; rather we walk in His Word.
We are set apart from the academic culture where the number of books written becomes more important than the number of lives impacted.
We are set apart from the materialistic world where stuff is greater than substance, prestige greater than service and what is passing away is greater than the eternal.
Let’s concern ourselves with serving G-d in ways that impact eternity and honor Him!
Hebrews 9:14, ‘then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!’
It is interesting what parts of the body G-d directed Moses to place the blood of the ram upon Aharon and his sons. He directed him to place it on the right ear, right thumb and right big toe.
Placing the blood of the ram upon the right ear can signify that whenever He speaks to us, we listen!
Our ears can perceive the softest sounds. But what about our inner ear that hears the voice of the L-rd? We should be so quick to listen!
James 1:19, ‘Therefore, my dear brothers, let every person be quick to listen but slow to speak, slow to get angry.’
Placing the blood of the ram upon the right thumb can signify that whatever He tells us to do, we will do!
Our thumbs are our most important finger providing forty percent of the function of our hands including the ability to grasp and hold allowing us to do many things.
We can do whatever He asks us to do because He empowers us to do it!
Deuteronomy 30:14, ‘On the contrary, the word is very close to you - in your mouth, even in your heart; therefore, you can do it!’
Whatever He empowers us to do has eternal consequences.
1John 2:17, ‘And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God's will remains forever.’
And whatever He asks us to do, we keep pushing forward so as to attain the goal.
Philippians 3:12, ‘It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal - no, I keep pursuing it in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yeshua took hold of me.’
Placing the blood of the ram upon the right big toe can signify that wherever He leads us to go, we will go!
Our big toes are necessary for balance and stability as well as for propelling us forward so as to walk and run.
Wherever He is, is where we want to be!
John 12:26, ‘If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.’
Look at how Phillip went wherever the L-rd lead him. He was in the midst of a fruitful revival when and angel of ADONAI spoke to him.
Acts 8:26, ‘An angel of ADONAI said to Philip, "Get up, and go southward on the road that goes down from Yerushalayim to 'Azah, the desert road."’
As Phillip obeyed the Spirit’s leading, he met the Ethiopian and was instrumental in bringing him to the knowledge of the L-rd and salvation as he was reading the scroll of Isaiah in chapter 53. Imagine had Phillip not gone!
Praise the L-rd that Phillip obeyed and went!
John 5:24, ‘“Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever hears what I am saying and trusts the One who sent me has eternal life -- that is, he will not come up for judgment but has already crossed over from death to life!”’
Similarly, as described in Acts 16, Sha’ul was given a vision and obeyed, which eventually opened up the Gospel to Europe.
Acts 16:6-10, ‘They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Ruach HaKodesh from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the frontier of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Yeshua would not let them. 8 So, after passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 There a vision appeared to Sha'ul at night. A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, we lost no time getting ready to leave for Macedonia; for we concluded that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.’
We want to be like Yeshua, who prayed and listened to G-d the Father. He heard from the Him every morning.
Isaiah 50:4, ‘Adonai ELOHIM has given me the ability to speak as a man well taught, so that I, with my words, know how to sustain the weary. Each morning he awakens my ear to hear like those who are taught.’
We too can listen and hear whenever He speaks!
Psalm 40:6, ‘Sacrifices and grain offerings you don't want; burnt offerings and sin offerings you don't demand. Instead, you have given me open ears.’
We can do whatever He says!
John 8:29, ‘Also, the One who sent me is still with me; he did not leave me to myself, because I always do what pleases him.’
We can go wherever He sends us!
Psalm 40:8-9, ‘Doing your will, my God, is my joy; your Torah is in my inmost being. 9 I have proclaimed what is right in the great assembly; I did not restrain my lips, ADONAI, as you know.’
Further Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8, John 6:38-40, Hebrews 10:10, 14, 13:12, Deuteronomy 6:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2, 9:10, Jeremiah 15:16, Luke 15:10, Proverbs 11:30, Colossians 1:13, 1Kings 17:3-7, 1Corinthians 9:24, Revelation 14:4
Monday, March 26, 2012
Salvation and Sanctification
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
3/24/12
In our modern society we have become unfamiliar with what is necessary for the provision of meat; namely, slaughter. That may sound graphic and it is. In the Temple sacrifices, slaughter was a daily occurrence and involved the very graphic display of animal death and processing.
Leviticus 17:11, ‘For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.’
After the destruction of the Temple, Judaism has been redefined to replace animal and other sacrifices with prayer, repentance and good deeds as a means for atonement.
Leviticus chapters one through five delineate five types of sacrifices acceptable to the L-RD, including the voluntary offerings burnt (olah), grain (mincha) and peace (shlamin) as well as the obligatory offerings of sin (chetat) and guilt (asham).
The Cohen was the mediator between G-d and men for the sacrifices. Today our mediator is Yeshua the Messiah!
1 Timothy 2:5, ‘For God is one;a and there is but one Mediator between God and humanity, Yeshua the Messiah, himself human.’
The sin and guilt offerings can be viewed as a parallel to our salvation. At the point of our salvation we know that we are forgiven, brought near to G-d and our debt is paid and ‘it is finished’.
Hebrews 10:18, ‘Now where there is forgiveness for these, an offering for sins is no longer needed.’
The burnt, grain and peace offerings can be viewed as a parallel to our sanctification. As we progress in our sanctification we know that we are growing in our faith, staying close to the L-rd and not only is our debt paid but we are ‘being finished’ in him.
What evidence can we have regarding our salvation?
Ezekiel 36:25-27, ‘Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your uncleanness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you; I will take the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put my Spirit inside you and cause you to live by my laws, respect my rulings and obey them.’
2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation - the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!’
Evidence of salvation is clearly defined through the two Scriptures here. We have been cleansed of sin, we receive a new heart and also receive the Ruach HaKodesh which enables us to obey G-d. As well, all things are made new; we are a new creation in Messiah!
What evidence accompanies our sanctification?
The first evidence is a hunger for the Word of G-d.
1Peter 2:2, ‘and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance.’
Isaiah 66:2, ‘Didn't I myself make all these things? This is how they all came to be," says ADONAI. "The kind of person on whom I look with favor is one with a poor and humble spirit, who trembles at my word.’
Secondly, evidence of sanctification includes conviction regarding sin. We aren’t happy doing something displeasing to G-d.
Thirdly, we desire to please G-d. We aren’t perfect, but we desire to please Him by obeying Him; we have a real desire to please Him.
1John 2:3, ‘The way we can be sure we know him is if we are obeying his commands.’
James 1:22, ‘Don't deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it!’
Additionally, one being sanctified has a desire for fellowship and has love for fellow believers.
1John 3:14, ‘We, for our part, know that we have passed from death to life because we keep loving the brothers. The person who fails to keep on loving is still under the power of death.’
Further, one being sanctified has the witness of the Ruach HaKodesh that we are a Child of G-d.
Romans 8:15-16, ‘For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, "Abba!" (that is, "Dear Father!"). 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God.’
Also, those being sanctified believe in Yeshua as Divine and Messiah.
1John 4:2, ‘Here is how you recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges that Yeshua the Messiah came as a human being is from God.’
Micah 5:2, ‘But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y'hudah, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra'el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times.’
Isaiah 9:6, ‘For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; dominion will rest on his shoulders, and he will be given the name Pele-Yo'etz El Gibbor Avi-'Ad Sar-Shalom [Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace].’
Sanctification also brings a love for all people!
1John 4:7-9. ‘Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God. 8 Those who do not love, do not know God; because God is love. 9 Here is how God showed his love among us: God sent his only Son into the world, so that through him we might have life.’
Our salvation and sanctification are similar to the sacrifices in the Temple in that the process creates a sweet fragrance and sweet aroma pleasing to the L-rd. We press on yielding and growing in Him.
Philippians 1:9-11, ‘And this is my prayer: that your love may more and more overflow in fullness of knowledge and depth of discernment, 10 so that you will be able to determine what is best and thus be pure and without blame for the Day of the Messiah, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah - to the glory and praise of God.’
Further Reading: Ezra 6:9-10, Isaiah 53:10-11, Ezekiel 20:40-42, 2Corinthians 2:15-16, 5:9, 5:21, Ephesians 5:1-2, 4:29-30, Hebrews 6:9, Psalm 27:4, 119:11, James 1:21, 1Peter 1:22, 3:18, 1John 4:20, 4:2, 5:21, 3:20, 2Timothy 2:19, Genesis 3:15, Hosea 6:3, Amos 5:4-6a, John 8:31-32, Colossians 1:6, Ecclesiastes 7:10,
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
3/24/12
In our modern society we have become unfamiliar with what is necessary for the provision of meat; namely, slaughter. That may sound graphic and it is. In the Temple sacrifices, slaughter was a daily occurrence and involved the very graphic display of animal death and processing.
Leviticus 17:11, ‘For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.’
After the destruction of the Temple, Judaism has been redefined to replace animal and other sacrifices with prayer, repentance and good deeds as a means for atonement.
Leviticus chapters one through five delineate five types of sacrifices acceptable to the L-RD, including the voluntary offerings burnt (olah), grain (mincha) and peace (shlamin) as well as the obligatory offerings of sin (chetat) and guilt (asham).
The Cohen was the mediator between G-d and men for the sacrifices. Today our mediator is Yeshua the Messiah!
1 Timothy 2:5, ‘For God is one;a and there is but one Mediator between God and humanity, Yeshua the Messiah, himself human.’
The sin and guilt offerings can be viewed as a parallel to our salvation. At the point of our salvation we know that we are forgiven, brought near to G-d and our debt is paid and ‘it is finished’.
Hebrews 10:18, ‘Now where there is forgiveness for these, an offering for sins is no longer needed.’
The burnt, grain and peace offerings can be viewed as a parallel to our sanctification. As we progress in our sanctification we know that we are growing in our faith, staying close to the L-rd and not only is our debt paid but we are ‘being finished’ in him.
What evidence can we have regarding our salvation?
Ezekiel 36:25-27, ‘Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your uncleanness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you; I will take the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put my Spirit inside you and cause you to live by my laws, respect my rulings and obey them.’
2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation - the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!’
Evidence of salvation is clearly defined through the two Scriptures here. We have been cleansed of sin, we receive a new heart and also receive the Ruach HaKodesh which enables us to obey G-d. As well, all things are made new; we are a new creation in Messiah!
What evidence accompanies our sanctification?
The first evidence is a hunger for the Word of G-d.
1Peter 2:2, ‘and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance.’
Isaiah 66:2, ‘Didn't I myself make all these things? This is how they all came to be," says ADONAI. "The kind of person on whom I look with favor is one with a poor and humble spirit, who trembles at my word.’
Secondly, evidence of sanctification includes conviction regarding sin. We aren’t happy doing something displeasing to G-d.
Thirdly, we desire to please G-d. We aren’t perfect, but we desire to please Him by obeying Him; we have a real desire to please Him.
1John 2:3, ‘The way we can be sure we know him is if we are obeying his commands.’
James 1:22, ‘Don't deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it!’
Additionally, one being sanctified has a desire for fellowship and has love for fellow believers.
1John 3:14, ‘We, for our part, know that we have passed from death to life because we keep loving the brothers. The person who fails to keep on loving is still under the power of death.’
Further, one being sanctified has the witness of the Ruach HaKodesh that we are a Child of G-d.
Romans 8:15-16, ‘For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, "Abba!" (that is, "Dear Father!"). 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God.’
Also, those being sanctified believe in Yeshua as Divine and Messiah.
1John 4:2, ‘Here is how you recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges that Yeshua the Messiah came as a human being is from God.’
Micah 5:2, ‘But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y'hudah, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra'el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times.’
Isaiah 9:6, ‘For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; dominion will rest on his shoulders, and he will be given the name Pele-Yo'etz El Gibbor Avi-'Ad Sar-Shalom [Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace].’
Sanctification also brings a love for all people!
1John 4:7-9. ‘Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God. 8 Those who do not love, do not know God; because God is love. 9 Here is how God showed his love among us: God sent his only Son into the world, so that through him we might have life.’
Our salvation and sanctification are similar to the sacrifices in the Temple in that the process creates a sweet fragrance and sweet aroma pleasing to the L-rd. We press on yielding and growing in Him.
Philippians 1:9-11, ‘And this is my prayer: that your love may more and more overflow in fullness of knowledge and depth of discernment, 10 so that you will be able to determine what is best and thus be pure and without blame for the Day of the Messiah, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah - to the glory and praise of God.’
Further Reading: Ezra 6:9-10, Isaiah 53:10-11, Ezekiel 20:40-42, 2Corinthians 2:15-16, 5:9, 5:21, Ephesians 5:1-2, 4:29-30, Hebrews 6:9, Psalm 27:4, 119:11, James 1:21, 1Peter 1:22, 3:18, 1John 4:20, 4:2, 5:21, 3:20, 2Timothy 2:19, Genesis 3:15, Hosea 6:3, Amos 5:4-6a, John 8:31-32, Colossians 1:6, Ecclesiastes 7:10,
Monday, March 19, 2012
What is Your Gift?
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
3/17/12
Caution is recommended when evaluating the gifts the L-rd has given us so that we may not be swayed to focus on weighing value more toward spiritual gifts as compared to physical gifts. Physical gifts can be equally valuable.
Exodus 35:29-35, ‘Thus every man and woman of the people of Isra'el whose heart impelled him to contribute to any of the work ADONAI had ordered through Moshe brought it to ADONAI as a voluntary offering. 30 Moshe said to the people of Isra'el, "See, ADONAI has singled out B'tzal'el the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Y'hudah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of God -with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning every kind of artisanry. 32 He is a master of design in gold, silver, bronze, 33 cutting precious stones to be set, woodcarving and every other craft. 34 [ADONAI] has also given him and Oholi'av the son of Achisamakh, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with the skill needed for every kind of work, whether done by an artisan, a designer, an embroiderer using blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, or a weaver - they have the skill for every kind of work and design.’
It is interesting that in this chapter of Scripture, thirteen times it is mentioned how the people’s hearts were stirred. Seven of the mentions were ‘wise heart’ or ‘chacham lev’ which can be translated as ‘divine intelligence’, three mentions were ‘nasa lev’ or ‘uplifted heart’ which can be translated as ‘divine enthusiasm’ and three additional mentions were ‘nadav lev’ or ‘willing heart’ which can be translated ‘availability to G-d’.
What constitutes a wise heart?
Proverbs 11:30, ‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.’
Do we have a wise heart? Are we leading people to the L-rd?
G-d uses people and He wants to use you! We are all in a ministry of some sort and are called to serve Him.
1 Peter 4:10, ‘As each one has received some spiritual gift, he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God's many-sided grace.’
As expressed in Hebrews 5, we can lead if we are willing to b taught. We should also be disciplining others in some capacity because we all have been given different gifts.
If we are willing, He will enable us to do what He has for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10, ‘For we are of God's making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.’
What is your gift?
Your gift is not from you but from G-d. Your gift is not for you but for G-d’s glory through Yeshua and for His Body to edify and build each other up. As we give ourselves to G-d, He reveals the gifts He has given us.
Nehemiah gave himself to G-d’s work and he enlisted help.
Nehemiah 2:17,18, ‘Afterwards, I said to them, "You see what a sad state we are in, how Yerushalayim lies in ruins, with it gates burned up. Come, let's rebuild the wall of Yerushalayim, so that we won't continue in disgrace." 18 I also told them of the gracious hand of my God that had been on me, also what the king had said to me. They said, "Let's start building at once," and energetically set out to do this good work.’
In the very next chapter of Nehemiah, it is recorded the men who worked together to build the wall around Jerusalem. Twelve times the Hebrew word, ‘al yad’ was used to describe how the men were aligned next to one another building the wall. ‘Al yad’ means ‘upon his hand’. They were united and joined together for the purposed G-d had placed in their hearts to build the wall together. Additionally, sixteen times the word ‘achar’ was used which means ‘behind, defer’. They were behind each other; building each other up as they built the wall.
Thirty times the word ‘chazak’ was used which means ‘repair, strengthen’. Their work was strong; but their strength was derived from the L-rd!
We are called to strengthen each other too!
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.’
Man is not the issue, but rather the agent by which G-d works His will and way.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15, ‘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.’
The quality of our work will be revealed through the test of fire! What kind of work am I building and what am I putting into it? Am I giving my best to G-d or am I giving Him the leftovers?
If what we are doing it through Him and in Him, it will last and be eternal. How can we know? By giving ourselves to Him, He will show us!
Further Reading: 1 Timothy 4:8, Philippians 2:3, Ephesians 4:15,29, Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 4:15, 2 Corinthians 6:1, 8:6, Romans 14:12, Matthew 25:23
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
3/17/12
Caution is recommended when evaluating the gifts the L-rd has given us so that we may not be swayed to focus on weighing value more toward spiritual gifts as compared to physical gifts. Physical gifts can be equally valuable.
Exodus 35:29-35, ‘Thus every man and woman of the people of Isra'el whose heart impelled him to contribute to any of the work ADONAI had ordered through Moshe brought it to ADONAI as a voluntary offering. 30 Moshe said to the people of Isra'el, "See, ADONAI has singled out B'tzal'el the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Y'hudah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of God -with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning every kind of artisanry. 32 He is a master of design in gold, silver, bronze, 33 cutting precious stones to be set, woodcarving and every other craft. 34 [ADONAI] has also given him and Oholi'av the son of Achisamakh, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with the skill needed for every kind of work, whether done by an artisan, a designer, an embroiderer using blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, or a weaver - they have the skill for every kind of work and design.’
It is interesting that in this chapter of Scripture, thirteen times it is mentioned how the people’s hearts were stirred. Seven of the mentions were ‘wise heart’ or ‘chacham lev’ which can be translated as ‘divine intelligence’, three mentions were ‘nasa lev’ or ‘uplifted heart’ which can be translated as ‘divine enthusiasm’ and three additional mentions were ‘nadav lev’ or ‘willing heart’ which can be translated ‘availability to G-d’.
What constitutes a wise heart?
Proverbs 11:30, ‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.’
Do we have a wise heart? Are we leading people to the L-rd?
G-d uses people and He wants to use you! We are all in a ministry of some sort and are called to serve Him.
1 Peter 4:10, ‘As each one has received some spiritual gift, he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God's many-sided grace.’
As expressed in Hebrews 5, we can lead if we are willing to b taught. We should also be disciplining others in some capacity because we all have been given different gifts.
If we are willing, He will enable us to do what He has for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10, ‘For we are of God's making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.’
What is your gift?
Your gift is not from you but from G-d. Your gift is not for you but for G-d’s glory through Yeshua and for His Body to edify and build each other up. As we give ourselves to G-d, He reveals the gifts He has given us.
Nehemiah gave himself to G-d’s work and he enlisted help.
Nehemiah 2:17,18, ‘Afterwards, I said to them, "You see what a sad state we are in, how Yerushalayim lies in ruins, with it gates burned up. Come, let's rebuild the wall of Yerushalayim, so that we won't continue in disgrace." 18 I also told them of the gracious hand of my God that had been on me, also what the king had said to me. They said, "Let's start building at once," and energetically set out to do this good work.’
In the very next chapter of Nehemiah, it is recorded the men who worked together to build the wall around Jerusalem. Twelve times the Hebrew word, ‘al yad’ was used to describe how the men were aligned next to one another building the wall. ‘Al yad’ means ‘upon his hand’. They were united and joined together for the purposed G-d had placed in their hearts to build the wall together. Additionally, sixteen times the word ‘achar’ was used which means ‘behind, defer’. They were behind each other; building each other up as they built the wall.
Thirty times the word ‘chazak’ was used which means ‘repair, strengthen’. Their work was strong; but their strength was derived from the L-rd!
We are called to strengthen each other too!
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.’
Man is not the issue, but rather the agent by which G-d works His will and way.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15, ‘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.’
The quality of our work will be revealed through the test of fire! What kind of work am I building and what am I putting into it? Am I giving my best to G-d or am I giving Him the leftovers?
If what we are doing it through Him and in Him, it will last and be eternal. How can we know? By giving ourselves to Him, He will show us!
Further Reading: 1 Timothy 4:8, Philippians 2:3, Ephesians 4:15,29, Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 4:15, 2 Corinthians 6:1, 8:6, Romans 14:12, Matthew 25:23
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