Messiah Echad

During praise and worship, we sang in Hebrew “Yeshua, precious Lord… Immanuel… we look forward to You taking Your place on the throne of our hearts.” Being Passover Week, we did not have a Torah Portion, but did have James speak on Exodus 12:21-51. Reflecting on elements from our Seder, and the last plague, we realize it is not up to us to save people. We can guard people, and lead them to Him who saves, but we are not people’s salvation. May this truth, set you free. Praise reports included successful open-heart surgeries, and we prayed against Leukemia, before Rabbi gave us part two of his Passover Preparation message. After 430 years of slavery, why did Egypt send the Israelites out quickly? Also, why is Passover commanded to be continued after the Exodus? There is wisdom in fleeing those who defy God, lie, or are emotional unstable. And there is strategy in remembering why you left them. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20-Apr-2019-Slides.pdf

With folks driving over 200 miles to be with us, and others having attended each annual Seder since our first one in 2013, Passover at Messiah Echad is not an event to miss Our Haggadah or Order of Service can be found online https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ME-Haggadah.pdf, and we pray it is both engaging, as well as educational. There are so many connections to Yeshua (Jesus) in the elements and symbols of Passover… He encouraged the removal of leaven-sin from our lives, He wanted non-ethnic Jews to observe with and equal to Israel, and He was the ultimate, blemish free Passover Lamb. Make sure to enjoy your 4-5 glasses of wine in moderation, but liberally partake in Lamb meat, horseradish, and unleavened bread. Cry out to God in your time of need, diligently seek Him, and be attentive when He moves or acts in your life. Passover is about leaving with haste, and remembering.

During praise and worship, we were reminded that our help comes from You God. You are our rest and our rescue. We do not have to see to believe, because we know You are true. John delivered his inaugural Torah Portion at Messiah Echad, Metzora, Leper, Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33. The Children of Israel literally hid idols in the walls of their houses, which brought about a disease of leprosy to their houses… what modern idols do you hide or keep in your home? It would behoove you to remove them. Praise reports included found keys, and we prayed for open heart surgery, before Rabbi Jonathan talked about why he likes cycling with wounded warriors. Then as we near Passover, know that it is not a Jewish or Old Testament thing, rather a special day to the Lord. Rather Passover is a time for Spring Cleaning, removal of sinful or puffed up behaviors, and making sacrifice. Chag Semeach, and the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/13-Apr-2019-Slides.pdf

At the sound of Your Great Name, the lost are saved, the condemned feel no shame, fear finds no place, and the enemy is forced to leave. After praise and worship, Rabbi Jonathan summarized Shemini, Eighth, from Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47. Right after the Children of Israel were convinced of Moses and Aaron being called, Nadab and Abihu made profane fire, and it burned them. Only holy and called men of God, should seek to do God’s work. And the Bible outlines a much simpler kosher diet to follow, than those Rabbinical authorities push. Land animals with split hooves and who chew the cud (ruminants) are clean, as are water animals with scales and fins. As for air animals, God wants you to avoid scavengers and carnivores and insects, but locusts with honey are okay. Praise reports were about sold homes and new jobs, and we prayed for healing, then Watchman Alex taught about faith. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/30-Mar-2019-Slides.pdf

Praise and Worship with Dr. Greg Silverman and Josh Itescu, was especially sweet… the Holy Spirit is so welcome at Messiah Echad. May we be overcome by Your Presence Lord, and Let us become more aware of Your presence God. In the Torah Portion, Rabbi Jonathan covered Tzav, Command, Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36. No matter what your sin is, all transgressions of the Scripture are actually sins against God. And when we sin against God, we should go to men or women of God, to repent. The key take away was about how Rabbis, Pastors, and Ministers are hard core fire keeping clergy who keep things burning all day, and all night. Praise reports included answered prayer, then we lifted up needs in our families, before starting our Purim Service. We booed Haman, (Deut. 25:19), enjoyed libations (Deut.14:26), and cheered Mordecai who was the hero of the story, for convincing Esther to reveal her Jewish identity. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/23-Mar-2019-Slides.pdf

It is always a pleasure to declare that God alone is worthy. To him, we lift our voice, and sing. May the Glory of the Lord continue to fill all places in our lives. Michael delivered his inaugural Torah Portion at Messiah Echad, Vayikra, Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26. Imagine how much better our society would be, if we folowed Torah. And despite how some people say grace did not come till the New Testament, God provided a way to forgive even unintentional sin, which was a form of grace, in the Old Testament. We praised God for sweet fellowship with lovely people, and we prayed for the health of our members, then Rabbi Jonathan taught about the Holy Spirit. Before the fall, mankind talked to God directly, then we lost that connection, and on a very special Shavuot (Pentecost) that level of communication returned. Today, do you talk to God, and manifest the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit? And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/16-Mar-2019-Slides.pdf

If we hunger and thirst for Your righteousness, and want to pass by the crowds of people, to include the priests who sing your praise, so that we see Your face, may our daily lives reflect it. James spoke from his heart about how the Lord visited him during this service, then covered “He Gathered and Counting”, Exodus 35:1 – 40:38. Moses was commanded to build and set apart a holy place for God to dwell, and in the current day, as our bodies are temples, we need to similarly keep it holy. Also, James spoke about how blessed we are to have Rabbi Jonathan. Praise reports included huge financial blessings after a member challenged God through tithing, and another member getting the specialist they needed, then we prayed for unborn babies, and pro-life ideals. Rabbi Jonathan’s very timely teaching was on what it means to judge people and when we are called to judge. Listen to this message! And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/09-Mar-2019-Slides.pdf

Thank you Dawit, for leading us in worship, singing Adonai Adonai, every knee will bow to You Lord Most High. After all, Adonai alone is God, and one day every tongue will cry to Him. Brandon taught on Vayakhel, He Gathered, Exodus 35:1 – 38:20. Why were we focused again in this Torah Portion, on building the Tabernacle, when it was recently covered? The children of Israel had become impatient and prideful when Moses “delayed” from coming down the mountain. So they made an idol. The Tabernacle reiteration was for man, and to make God a place to dwell. Praise reports included no copays, and we prayed for orphans before Rabbi Jonathan spoke about #GC2019. The United Methodist Church held a conference to discuss their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) Members and Clergy. We support the UMC decision to uphold traditional, Biblical values, but we also welcome anyone, to visit. Our slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/02-Mar-2019-Slides.pdf

I’ve seen You move; come move the mountains, and I believe, I’ll see You do it again. You made a way, where there was no way, and I believe, I’ll see You do it again. Andronicus summarized Ki Tisa, When You Take, from Exodus 30:11 – 34:35. Even if our names are blotted out from the books, due to sin, the blood of Yeshua can count us back in. But do you really want to do things that would test this? We skipped praise reports, then prophetically prayed for our Rabbi, before he delivered a powerful message on the Son of God. It does not matter if others claim to be the son of a god, only the Son of our God (YHVH) has unmatched power, and He has been around since the beginning of time. Yet there is a dual nature to the Son of God, on account of Him being born as a human, to Joseph and Mary. Lastly, He was raised under The Law of Moses, and went on to do great miracles, which we can do also… greater even! And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/23-Feb-2019-Slide.pdf

It was energizing to declare “Gadol Elohai, shiru ki gadol Elohai”, which means how great is our God, sing with me how great is our God! If you have forgotten how great God is, try singing these words right now. Gary presented torah portion You Shall Command, Exodus 27:20 – 30:10. The priests were commanded to be set apart before ministering, and anyone who is a minister today, needs to similarly consecrate themselves before serving God’s people. And when you go to make an offering to God, check your heart, as well as motivation. Praise reports included miraculous stories of God fighting for us financially, and medically, then we prayed for emotional struggles. Rabbi Jonathan shared three recent prophecies he received, then he gave us tools to help properly exegete the Scriptures. Read the surrounding verses, study the culture and context, then compare it to the whole Bible’s strategy or message. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/16-Feb-2019-Slides.pdf