Messiah Echad

It was such a pleasure to sing “barchu et Adonai hamvorach l’olam vaed” which means “blessed is the Lord who is blessed forever and ever.” The question is if you want your life to similarly be blessed and if so, will your lifestyle show it. In the Torah, Watchman Alex provided insights into Balak, Numbers 22:2 – 25:9. Instead of diplomacy, Balak reacted in anti-Semitic fashion to the children of Israel, and commissioned Balaam to curse Israel. But God uses our enemies to bless us, because God is not compelled by what we do, rather our motives. We praised God for successful surgeries, and new jobs, after which we prayed for safety. Then Rabbi Jonathan spoke about our sixth statement of faith at Messiah Echad. As God is one (Echad) so should be His Children, both Jew and Christian, who are valued and loved equally. We seek to reach all people at Messiah Echad, to worship in loving unity. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/30-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

Lead me to the cross, where Your love poured out. Bring me to my knees; Lord I lay me down. Rid me of myself because I belong to You. Lead me God; I humbly submit to Your empowering will. In the Torah portion, Brother Brandon covered Chukat, Statute, Numbers 19:1 – 22:1. There were many parallels here with Yeshua being a red heifer, and we also see Moses lose his cool. Yet Aaron was punished for Moses’ sin, because Aaron did not speak against it. And may we never complain like Israel did, incessantly. Praise reports included blessings for attending Messiah Echad, then we prayed for our work load, after which Rabbi Jonathan delivered a passionate message connecting the “Prove God Story” from 1 Kings 18:20-39, to a “Does God Answer Prayer” debate in 2018 https://youtu.be/QcsxU5hYhgk. Which person are you from the story? Will you be the one who speaks out against sin and stands up for God? The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/23-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

Thank you Gynell for assembling a worship team, and leading the congregation in worship. The Spirit burned and moved this weekend; it is an hnor to bear His name, and be His vessels. Brother Christopher covered Korach, Numbers 16:1 – 18:32. There was a showdown in the wilderness; Korah, Abiram, and Dathan challenged Moses’ leadership. An earthquake killed Korah and his followers. Do not be like Korah, and rebel or speak against your leaders. Praise reports were for answered prayers, and we lifted up healing needs. Then instead of a Father’s Day Message, Rabbi Jonathan spoke directly, passionately, about the attack on men and masculinity. The lack of respect for fathers, bosses, leaders, and God needs to be addressed. Take responsibility for your life. Realize things in this life are fragile. Assign blame to the root cause(s). Finally, the video of Rabbi Jonathan debating “Does God Answer Prayer”, has been uploaded https://youtu.be/QcsxU5hYhgk, as well as the slides https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/16-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

Whilst Rabbi Jonathan was in Chicago serving veterans as a Chaplain, and meeting people at Evanston Subaru (watch his vlog https://youtu.be/xLnxAquRBXE), Amanda led an amazing Messianic Jewish rendition of Tremble. We believe in one God (Adonai Echad), and as we say His Name, may any darkness in our lives tremble! Our Shabbat School Coordinator, Paula, presented Shlach, Send To You, Numbers 13:1 – 15:41. Moses sent spies into the land flowing with milk and honey, yet most were fearful of taking what God had promised. How quickly we forget what God has done, and the leaders He appointed. We prayed for protection and healing, praised God for a proposal, then listened as Brother Adam delivered a timely sermon on having a Hebrew, Biblical, and non-Western perspective. Make sure to listen intently, and share this amazing teaching with your friends. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/09-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

May His light ever burn within us, as a consuming fire that never gets put out. When we allow God to burn deep inside, overtake our hearts, and fuel our passions once again, we connect with a power that can transform lives. In the Torah, Michael summarizedBeha’alotcha, When You Set Up, Numbers 8:1 – 12:15. As we kindle the candles in the temple, or serve as evangelical lights, the orientation should be outward facing, towards the community. And if you want to be responsible for leading or lighting the menorah, you must first prove you can follow. Finally, we should remember that complaining is more than unbecoming; grumbling against one’s leaders, or God, puts you squarely on the path to destruction. Do not complain; pray for people, and lift them up. Finally, mazel tov to Davina, for being recognized as a daughter of the covenant. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/02-June-2018-Slides.pdf

In the great unknown, where feet may fail, I will call upon Your Name. Your Grace abounds in the deepest of waters, and Your Hands are my guide. Davina did an amazing job in worship, after which Brandon summarized one of the longest portions of Torah. Nasso, Take Up, from Numbers 4:21 – 7:89, was about gossip, and what results from it. If you have an accusation, test it, then follow Mathew 18:15 if there is a problem, or drop it if there is not. Do not talk about it with others; that is gossip. Praise reports included mountains being removed and people finding our fellowship, which we should not take for granted. We prayed for healing and peace, then Rabbi Jonathan spoke on our fifth statement of faith; being born again through Yeshua (Salvation), and manifesting that new life by following His Commandments (Sanctification). Listen to find out which commands, and why we should follow them. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/26-May-2018-Slides.pdf

Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain, or control. I want more of you God. There is no place I would rather be, than here in Your love. In the Torah, Watchman Alexander opened Bamidbar, In The Wilderness, Numbers 1:1 – 4:20. Like the separation we see in royal weddings, between the privileged and commoners, God only allows certain people to get close to Him. And with increased closeness to God and His Power, comes an increased level accountably. Next, we praised God for vehicles and safety, after which we prayed for discernment. Finally, Rabbi Jonathan delivered his Shavuot (Pentecost) Sermon. Fifty days after the exodus, Israel received the Ten Commandments, and when Jewish believers observed Shavuot in the first century, they received the Holy Spirit. We get blessed when we obey. Now with that Gift, make sure you manifest the Fruits. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/19-May-2018-Slides.pdf

It was so refreshing to declare that my help comes from You. God is right here pulling me through, carrying me on His shoulders. Brandon brought forth Behar and Bechukotai, On The Mountain and In My Statues, from Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34. A connection was made to the kindness and severity of God, from Romans 11:22, which proves that the blessings and curses of Leviticus 26:3-14 never ended. We need to continue studying the Word, listening to the precepts, and following them (i.e. tithing) lest God walk contrary to us. Praise report were free wine dinners, and we prayed for healing, after with Rabbi Jonathan delivered a passionate Mother’s Day sermon. Despite feminism asserting women can rule men, let us embrace the viewpoint of our creator, while honoring mothers, motherhood, maternal influence, and mother’s influences in society, biblically. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/12-May-2018-Slides.pdf

On Cinco De Mayo, our Shabbat Service was especially fun and celebratory, but not because the Mexican Army defeated France in 1862. Watchman Alexander summarized Emor, Say, Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23, which spoke about what it means to be holy. Next, we covered the Appointed Times or Feasts of the Lord, and we encouraged all generations to observe them. Praise reports included favor at work, and we prayed for our online audience, before Rabbi Jonathan asked if we are fallen, walking, running, or soaring. The bible says even young men will grow weary and fall, so it is important to be honest about how we are doing. If you are fallen, don’t turn to others to save you; that’s God’s job. If you are walking, be content. If you are running, run your heart out and if you are soaring, don’t look down on people. Help people. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/05-May-2018-Slides.pdf

As Rabbi Jonathan cycled with veterans in the Northeast, and a few technical difficulties arose during services, this recording came out a bit faint, but the insights will speak loudly into your life. Pastor Harry covered Emor, Say, Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23. Despite our desire as ministers to be relatable and relevant, we must remain Holy, because God is Holy. Also, and especially in this modern world, do we spend the same energy on secular holidays, as we do God’s Holy Days? Hmm. After praise reports of vehicles, and prayers for surgeries, we were blessed to hear from our guest, Reverend Kurt Hein. The exegesis was from John 15:1-8, where we read about the Vine and the branches. Right before being betrayed, Yeshua invited us to abide with Him, and be fruitful. God wants to give life; do not run from Him. Abide, and pray.