Messiah Echad

I will praise You forever Lord, for You are Adonai. You alone Yeshua, are the joy of my life. And we pray for that day when Israel declares You as Lord, and their joy (Mathew 23:39). Brother Alex covered Torah Portion Vayetze, he went out, from Genesis 28:10 – 32:2. The conjecture this year was G-d reaching out to us when we reach rock bottom. But do we reach back towards G-d, in these perilous moments, or stay at rock bottom? Praise reports included things like being on a path to full recovery from stroke, and prayer requests keep the blessings coming. Then Pastor Greg Stone from Gateway Church preached on Chanukah being Spiritual Warfare, and we need teamwork, to defeat the enemy. And if you liked this sermon, also check out To The Jew First, and Your Family. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/10-Dec-2016-Slides.pdf

O come to the altar. The Father’s arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Praise and Worship at Messiah Echad was awesome, as always. Pastor Duane covered Torah Portion Family History, Toldot, Genesis 25:19 – 28:9. Esau the red haired hunter, and Jacob the conniving mommy’s boy, fought in the womb, and continued to do so through their life. Yet the focus this year, was seeking God first, to receive the blessings God promised. Then after praise reports and prayer requests, Rabbi Jonathan taught Part Three of Planting A Church. Even after you have the items necessary to succeed, and the culture is established, you need to capture people’s hearts. Amen. Lastly, as a bonus, we had a vow renewal, which we pray you enjoy. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/03-Dec-2016-Slides.pdf

For all your goodness, I will keep on singing; ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. Bless the Lord, oh my soul. We will worship Your Holy Name, at Messiah Echad! Torah Portion Chayei Sarah, Life of Sarah, from Genesis 23:1 – 25:18, was presented by our Shabbat School Coordinator (Paula). The focus was on Rebekah readying herself for her bridegroom, as should we for Yeshua. Then after praise reports and prayer requests, may we all continue with intercession for the health of every member, visitor, and guest of our congregation. Finally, Rabbi Jonathan taught Part Two of Planting A Church; establishing and shaping the culture. It has taken us three years to form our flavor, but thankfully, our culture is biblical, and aligned with the planter’s vision. Come join it. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/26-Nov-2016-Slides.pdf

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders… wherever You would call me, take me deeper… and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior. The words from Oceans were so powerful during praise and worship, and it connected perfectly with Vayera, He Appeared, Genesis 18:1 – 22:4. God wants us to guard torah, and protect our faith. Brother Mitch reminded us that we cannot do it all, but we should do what we can, lest the progression of evil continue, and God cease to refresh our heart. Then after a little praise reports and prayer requests, Rabbi Jonathan took a walk down memory lane. The best part about the three-year history of Messiah Echad is that it is just the beginning of what we are about to do. All we need now is 50-100 people ready to help us explode. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/19-Nov-2016-Slides.pdf

Praise and worship was powerful as always, but today we really felt a powerful move of the Ruach (Spirit). Ki Gadol Elohai, How Great is our God, for sending us His Spirit. May we constantly remember how great He is, able to defeat any attack of the enemy. In the parsha, Brother Phillip covered Lech-Lecha, Go forth, yourself, Genesis 12:1 – 17:27. The main point is God wants all of us to receive His blessings. Even the dirtiest of sinners, is wanted by God, to repent and turn to Him. Then after praise reports and prayer, we were pleased to welcome Reverend Ron Swain from First United Methodist Church. Rev. Swain is also the President of the Georgetown Ministerial Alliance and through the Courageous Conversations, he truly shows his belief that we are All, beloved Children of God. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/12-Nov-2016-Slides.pdf

In Messiah (Christ), we have the freedom to clap, sing, spin, and shout for the Lord. And we do this because we are freed from the shackles of sin, enabling us to lift our hands, love, worship, and scream louder than before. After worship, Pastor Joseph covered Noach, Genesis 6:9 – 11:32. Noah was righteous and walked with God, while the world around him grew corrupt. God brought an end to all flesh, save Noah’s Family, and it is prophesied the same will happen again. So let us flee from corruption! Next were praise reports and prayer requests, after which Rabbi Jonathan taught on prayer. Messiah prayed often and privately, in a way that transformed Him, and kept Him from temptation. Further, Messiah said prayer is a petition, which we should not cease, lest we give up our watch, over this dark world. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/05-Nov-2016-Slides.pdf .

So although these are the days of Elijah, wherein we declare the name of the Lord, these are also the days of great famine, darkness, and sword. So as Halloween nears, pray that people beg for Yeshua (Jesus) to come into their life, thereby enabling His light to dispel the darkness. In the torah portion, Brother Mitch opened up Bereshit, On the Beginning, from Genesis 1:1 – 6:8. The focus was on an intelligent design creation, our subsequent fall, and God’s plan to restore His House. You can check out Mitch’s Torah: The 3 U’s Version, on Amazon. Then in the main message, Rabbi Jonathan kicked Halloween and Paganism in the butt! Boom. The truth has not changed, we should not repurpose dark things, and we can love people without participating in darkness. Listen at your own risk and as always, the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/29-Oct-2016-Slides.pdf .

Coming back from joyous fellowship under the Sukkah, many of us are on such a spiritual high; do not let HaSatan bring you down! Focus on the manner of love that Messiah has for you, which through His blood, can make you blameless. Alleluia, Praise Yah and Praise God, for everything He has done in our lives life, and will continue to do, as we lift things up in prayer. So there was not torah portion during Sukkot week, but Pastor Duane did cover the third part of our Mission and Vision; showing people how to love Messiah, as per John 14:15. Remember to not make the commandments burdensome, or your first love, as that should be God. And if the example of a host offering you an unkosher meal hurt your brain, this Shabbat, Rabbi Jonathan will discuss how to make Halloween “kosher”. Scary. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/22-Oct-2016-Slides.pdf

Although the High Holy Days are over, may we continue to declare that I am not alone, because You will go before me, and never leave me. We carry His atoning blood, with us, everywhere we go. Amen! Brother Chris closed out our Torah Portions, Simchat Torah style, with Ha’azinu and V’Zot HaBerachah, from Deuteronomy 32:1 – 34:12. Heaven and earth witness our life, so it is wise to remain faithful to God, lest we get dealt with. True. Then in the main message, Rabbi Jonathan covered the 5 W’s (Who, What, Where, When, Why) for Sukkot, and then connected it with the effect of being humbled. Romans 12:16 echoes the importance to not set our minds on high things, nor extravagance, so let us not think we are better than anyone, and enjoy some sweet fellowship during Sukkot. The slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/15-Oct-2016-Slides.pdf

On this most Holy of Holy Days, where many believe God completes His yearly review of man, before writing names in the book of life, do you think you stand worthy to say you surrendered your will, to His? If not, we encourage you to re-invite Yeshua (Jesus) into your heart, and re-commit to obey His word. It is never too late to T’Shuva or Return, to His ways. In our service, we discussed the wholly inspired aspect of the bible, so if we accept what Paul says is good for us to do in Corinthians, how much more should we value The Lord’s Feasts of Leviticus 23? After a little responsive reading, we went into the Al Chet confessions, to put aside our transgressions and mistakes. Then from that feeling of being renewed, many of us took the broken body and shed blood, as we begin a new year. Amen. And the slides are http://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/11-Oct-2016-Slides.pdf .