Zophar dogmatically asserts that God punishes the wicked and that Job's condition proves that he is unrighteous. Job counters with examples of the wicked prospering.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
Our lives are full of clutter and distraction which prevent us from focusing on eternal things. Simplifying can become a spiritual exercise that allows us to connect with God.
After putting down the rebellion of his son, David had the task of restoring and reuniting the kingdom. In this process he acted with his usual political skill. He refrained from acting in anger and taking vengeance upon those who sided with Absalom.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
It is God's intention to restore the creation to what He originally intended it to be. His servants are to be agents in that restoration. In his parables Y'shua gives instructions as to what His servants are to be doing in while He is away. To do this the servants need access to the Master's power and authority. He has given that to us in the Torah and the Holy Spirit.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The relationship between Torah (law) and grace goes clear back to the apostolic age. Denominations have been born and died over this question. In truth, there is no conflict at all. Both are attributes of God.
In his second speech, Bildad describes what the wise believe is in store for the wicked. Since those very things are happening to Job, his accusation is that, despite what everyone had believed about him, Job is a wicked man.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
The world is a giant attention trap; we are constantly bombarded with noise. When we add our tendency to babble, it is very difficult to hear the still small voice of God.
Bathsheba's grandfather, Ahithophel, advised Absalom to pursue David immediately. When that advice was not followed, the rebellion was essentially lost. Although David prevailed, the death of his son was devastating. Especially since he knew that the whole thing was his own fault.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
A king who brings a sin offering is to be desired.
In much of the contemporary church the Gospel is primarily seen as the way to get to heaven. That is not how those listening to the Apostles heard it; nor is it how God meant it to be understood. By spiritualizing the Gospel, the church has been robbed of the power it was intended to have.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
There is an old country song about misplaced trust. A driver takes foolish risks believing that the plastic Jesus on his dashboard will keep him safe. Everything needed to form an accurate understanding of the character and promises of God is in the Bible - the whole Bible, not just our favorite parts. Neglecting the difficult parts of Scripture can cause one to set up a 'plastic Jesus' and behave foolishly, trusting promises that He never made.
Eliphaz rebukes Job for insisting on his own wisdom. He says that Job's stiff neck is what is hindering God from showing him mercy.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
Truth is one of the world's most elusive qualities; yet the Bible holds it in the highest regard. How then do we navigate human interactions while holding fast to the truth?
After his adultery with Bathsheba, God cursed David saying that evil would come upon him from his own family. David's son Absalom would be the vehicle for the outworking of that curse.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Offerings made to God are not for His benefit.
In Genesis we read that "God said...and it was so.' Speech both defines everything and provides a window into a persons character. Kind, encouraging words reveal a kind person. The converse is also true. Words can build up or tear down a community which is why Scripture repeatedly tells us to watch what we say.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
People, in order to be healthy, need orientation. They need a context for their existence, they need relationships and they need to know their place within their society. God, having made us, understands these needs and has given us the means to fulfill them in the first three chapters of Genesis.
Zophar, the third of Job's friends to speak, opines that Job is getting far less punishment than he deserves. In this Zophar is presuming to understand both the mind of God and the heart of Job. The first is logically impossible and the second is presumptuous.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
The world is difficult and untrustworthy, yet we earnestly desire something in which we can safely invest our confidence.
David's firstborn son, Amnon, raped his half sister Tamar. Tamar's brother Absalom secretly planned vengeance. As prophesied by Nathan, this began a string of tragedies within David's family.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Life's trials are not always from God or from Satan.
In Scripture God defines justice. He speaks of it repeatedly and when Israel corrupts its justice system, He sends them into exile. Both English Common Law and American law are based upon the Biblical standards. As America has become a post-biblical nation, our sense of justice has been thoroughly corrupted. God's indictment of Israel in Isaiah 56 could equally apply to us today.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The Talmudic story of Yavneh and the broken oven helps us to understand Y'shua's giving us the keys of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 16. In the oven story, the rabbis reject supernatural interference in discussing whether a broken oven can confer uncleanness. In Matthew, Y'shua tells his disciples that their decisions about what is or is not permitted on earth will be binding. This is simply a restoration of the authority given to mankind at the creation; authority that we tried to give up when we ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Life on earth is designed to be difficult and we often find ourselves in unpleasant circumstances. The character trait of tranquility is the ability to see purpose in each situation and adjust our emotions accordingly.
Bildad's first accusation: God does not do any injustice, therefore Job's problems are of his own making. Job's reply is that he is innocent, but there is no court to which he can go for justice when God is the accuser.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
There is more to the story of David and Bathsheba than you were probably taught in Sunday school. This is a complex story of court politics which will have ramifications for the remainder of David's reign.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Believers are fond of saying, 'God's sovereign, He can do whatever He wants.' Unfortunately that doesn't mean what they think it means.
In Parsha Kedoshim we are instructed to be holy as God is holy and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are also instructed not to sow our fields with different grains and not wear mixed linen and wool. How do these seemingly unrelated ideas tie together?
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Moses in his final instructions to Israel before they enter the land, warns them about the perils inherent in material blessing. The heart's temptation is to forget God and get puffed up with the pride of wealth. Looking at the US today, we can see the pathologies of wealth everywhere.
Eliphaz, the first of Job's friends to speak, rebukes Job for claiming that he is righteous and does not deserve the woe that has befallen him. Job answers that his friend's comfort is no comfort at all and the he is indeed righteous.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
The character trait of order has been likened to the clasp on a pearl necklace - not valuable in itself, but without which the valuable pearls would be useless.
Having gotten Israel united, David proceeded to subdue the surrounding nations. At his height David's realm extended from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River. With the exceptions of the Philistine enclave on the southern coast and Phoenicians in Tyre and Sidon Israel held sway over the entire extent of God's promise to Abraham.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
The events of Exodus 19 and 20 constitute a betrothal and marriage between God and Israel. Unfortunately something went wrong in the consummation.
God spoke His words to a nomadic people. Scripture recounts that as His people became prosperous and settled into cities they were pulled by the world and quickly drifted away from God. The church has undergone the same process. What was born in enthusiastic revival has gradually drifted back to the world. As an example a professor at a Christian college was recently fired for a tweet that simply spoke Biblical truth.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The mechanics of idol worship have changed, the impulse has not. A covetous heart still seeks external justification to satisfy its desires. Whatever it finds, or invents, that provides that justification, the heart will worship.
In this introduction, God challenges Satan with Job's righteousness. Satan's response, that Job is fundamentally physical and not spiritual, sets up the rest of the book.Satan takes everything away from Job in the belief that he will eventually lose his faith and curse God.
This recording is a part of the series: "Job 2016"You may also listen on iTunes
When God has something for you to do, doing it quickly is almost as important as is obedience.
After the assassination of Ishbosheth David was able to unite all Israel under his reign and move his throne to Jerusalem. When he tried to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, he did not follow God's instructions as given in the Torah. This error cost Uzzah his life.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Why is the Bible not written more clearly? What can you trust?
There are many theories as to why Nadav and Abihu died when they brought strange fire into the Tabernacle. Most of those theories have to do with their attitude. In reality their attitude or heart condition had nothing to do with why God responded as He did. The reason is far more fundamental and important.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
From the early books of the Bible to the later ones, the concept of idolatry changes. Early, it involves graven images and statues. later idolatry becomes more subtle but is still clearly identified by Y'shua in the Gospels. What does that mean for us today? How do we recognize idolatry in our society and how do we avoid it?
Having dealt with the doctrinal errors that had been reported to him, Paul switches to reinforcing the basic principles of life in the Kingdom of God. These include authority and order within the family and the community as well as general principles of human relationships. The letter concludes with personal greetings.
This recording is a part of the series: "Colossians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
Chesed or loving kindness is a major attribute of God, being mentioned over 200 times in the Tanak. When we exercise chesed, we sustain other people and allow God's light to shine through.
With Saul's death, David was free to begin the process of becoming king. He made a number of deft political moves that first got him installed as king over Judah ruling from Hebron. In the north, Abner had installed Ish-botheth as king to replace his father Saul. Ish-bosheth, however, was not nearly so astute as was David. He alienated Abner, and so began David's moves to consolidate the nation under his reign.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
We tend to give more weight and attention to people than we do to God. Not so with Moshe
When John first encounters Y'shua, he says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Consulting only the Torah, it is possible to explain why that statement was true, what it means to be "the Lamb of God" and why His sacrifice is able to redeem us.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Weeds are used in Scripture as a metaphor for sin. While pulling the weeds out of a garden gives a sense of satisfaction, there is no permanent victory. A new crop of weeds will appear within a week and the process must be done all over again. So it is with sin. Matthew Behrens is the speaker.
Paul warns the church not to be taken captive by vain philosophy and man made religion. He also says that because of Christ, the record of our offenses against God have been nailed to the cross. Many take that to mean that the Torah has been nailed to the cross and voided. This is not correct.
This recording is a part of the series: "Colossians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
Biblical generosity is giving from the heart. It is not the commanded giving of tithes. Being in the image of God, we should have open, giving hearts.
Before his final battle with the Philistines, Saul had lost all contact with God. In desperation, he consulted a necromancer who channeled the ghost of Samuel who predicted Saul's defeat and death. David meanwhile was rejected when he tried to join the Philistine army fighting against Israel. This was quite providential because he would have had a very difficult time uniting Israel under his reign had he sided with their enemies.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Philip was engaged in a very productive ministry when God diverted him to something else.
In the first six chapters of Leviticus, all of the sin or guilt sacrifices are voluntary. In other words, the sinner realizes his wrong, does his best to make it right and only then will the sacrifice be accepted. In this we have a model for what it takes to truly repent and then come before God and ask for forgiveness. In the entire Bible, repentance precedes forgiveness, not the reverse.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Hebrews 4 says that the generation that perished in the wilderness heard the same Gospel as was given to believers by the Apostles. Since the sin of the spies in the wilderness was over a thousand years prior to the Crucifixion, just what is that Gospel? What should that understanding mean to the church today?
Paul's letter appears to be a theological corrective for something going on within the church in Colossae. The exact nature of the problem is not made clear, but it has to do with the person of Christ and with competing philosophies. In this first chapter he makes it very clear who the Messiah is and what He has done and is doing.
This recording is a part of the series: "Colossians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
Honoring one's fellow, who is created in the image of God, is the first step toward loving your neighbor as yourself. Discussion of the previous exercise on patience and introduction to honor.
While evading Saul, David and his men lived by raiding. In this he spared Israelites and even offered them protection from rival tribes. This forms the background for his marriage to Abigail. When her husband, the fool, refused to let David and his men share in a feast, David vowed to kill him and his men to avenge the insult. Abigail's quick action forestalled that event and when Nabal died, David married her. After David again spared Saul, he had had enough dodging and moved his operations out of Judah and into Philistia.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Philip was engaged in a very productive ministry when God diverted him to something else.
Leviticus begins with a table of sacrifice. Most Christians skip over this part as being repetitive, out of date and boring. This is a mistake. Leviticus is arguably the most important book in the Torah in that it teaches us how we are to approach and relate to God. The many prophetic passages where God reacts angrily to Israel's sacrifices might lead one to think that they are forever done away with. This is not so. The prophets look to a future time when the sacrifices will resume, both for Israel and the nations. At that time, they will be pleasing to God.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
On Shavuot, God gave his people instructions on how to live. At Sinai, it was a book, the Torah. At Pentecost it was a person, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit and the Scriptures are intended to work together yet large numbers of God's people neglect one or the other. The Jews neglect the Spirit and the Sunday Church neglects the Torah. This causes God's people to be less effective than they could be.
At the end of the letter, James returns to the theme that great wealth is dangerous. Here he speaks against the one who has accumulated wealth by oppression, withholding the wages of those who labor in his fields. The letter concludes with a call to prayer and helping one another stay on the path.
This recording is a part of the series: "James 2021"You may also listen on iTunes
Patience is a virtue that you don't need until you're ready to lose it. The alternative is generally anger which doesn't make things better at all.
Saul's paranoia was so severe that his own people could see it. He accused the priests of conspiring with David against him and ordered them killed. The Israelites would not do it, so it fell to an Edomite. David had to constantly stay on the move in southern Judah to avoid being trapped and killed by Saul. Yet for all that, when presented with the opportunity to kill Saul as he was relieving himself in a cave, David did not raise his hand against the Lord's anointed. If he could stay alive, that decision would pay dividends when David united the nation after Saul's death.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Hebrews 9 discusses the death of someone who has made a will as being necessary to obtain the inheritance. This is a poor translation as it does not fit with Hebrew culture.
The world lately has become a very unstable place. This past week 3 major banks have failed; government and major institutions are no longer able to recognize the difference between men and women; there are 'wars and rumors of wars' throughout the world. In the face of this shaking, God represents Himself as a rock; the ultimate earthly symbol of stability, He wrote His commandments in stone. He is our strong fortress. In Him we can stand fast even on quivering ground.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Messianic believers are often suspected of being Judaizers or legalists by their Sunday Church brethren. This comes from a misunderstanding of the NT passages where Y'shua calls out the Pharisees for their strict observance of parts of the Torah while neglecting others. It is more useful to describe legalism as twisting the words of Scripture to justify following the evil desires of the heart.
The tongue reveals the contents of the heart. In Scripture, God does not have a high opinion of man's heart. Accordingly James counsels keeping the tongue under control to avoid being consumed by the fires it can start.
This recording is a part of the series: "James 2021"You may also listen on iTunes
Gratitude requires seeing the good in every situation. Because we are unable to see the future, this is not always obvious, but it is usually there.
In the earlier books of the Bible the divide between the spiritual world and the physical seems to have been much less rigid than it is now. There are quite a few stories where two people meet and it is only later that one realizes that the other is an angel. Indeed, some of these angelic beings appear to be either God or Messiah.
This recording is a part of the series: "Topical"You may also listen on Stitcher
Without a Temple or Tabernacle, is tithing still required by God?
In the wilderness, the sin of the golden calf was spawned by a crisis of confidence. Moses had been gone for 40 days and the people began to worry that they were stranded in the desert without a guide and without a connection to God. This only one of several such crises and it provides lessons for us today.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Genesis the Bible uses contrasting pairs to make a number of subtle points about humanity. Beginning with Adam and Eve and ending with Jacob and Esau, each vignette tells us something different about the spirit, the flesh and responsibility. In the Leviticus 16 Yom Kippur instructions the two goats represent the summation of those lessons and provide insight into today's victim culture. Inspired by Rabbi Sacks
https://www.aish.com/tp/i/sacks/149807985.html
Some have trouble reconciling James with Paul's emphasis on grace. There is really no conflict. James is emphasizing that a faith which does not translate into action is of no use. In other words, it would not meet Paul's definition of faith.
This recording is a part of the series: "James 2021"You may also listen on iTunes
Humility is the first subject because one's self esteem forms the filter through which all of the other personality traits is viewed.
As David continued to succeed in all that he did, Saul became increasingly paranoid and unstable. What began as throwing a spear at David on impulse changed into an official condemnation and edict that David be murdered. In this, Saul's own children sided with David and helped him escape. Thus began David's time in exile and the wilderness.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Why is the Covenant at Mt Sinai inferior to the New Covenant?
The movie, The Jesus Revolution, is about the hippie revival between 1967 and 1973. This revival which bore long lasting fruit was sparked by the Vietnam war. Lots of comfortable, middle class young adults were jolted out of their pleasant prosperity and sent looking for truth, love, enlightenment, etc. Conditions in today's America are analogous in many ways. Physically, we are prosperous, but the massive social disruptions are setting many young people adrift. Some of them will choose God if given the chance.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The movie 'Unplanned' tells the story of how a Planed Parenthood clinic director became pro-life. In so doing, the movie opens a window into contemporary American Christianity. The view through that window is quite disturbing and provides insight into why Planned Parenthood and other such organizations enjoy so much success.
James' letter is specifically addressed to the 12 Tribes in the dispersion. Thus we (and he) may assume that the recipients are familiar with the TANAK. The letter has been called the proverbs of the New Testament, since the things it says can generally be found in slightly different form in Proverbs. Because Proverbs was written over 1000 years earlier than James, it is useful to regard James as a cultural and linguistic update.
This recording is a part of the series: "James 2021"You may also listen on iTunes
Mussar is a systematic program to help you adjust your character so that it is more in line with God's desire. This first video describes the problem mussar was developed to solve. It explores why we fall short of our expectations as well as short of the potential that God has given us.
The story of David's victory over the giant Goliath is well known to every Sunday school student. What is not so widely known is that, in addition to his spiritual advantage, David also had the tactical advantage.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the Garden, God does not say to Adam, 'If you eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, I will kill you.' Rather, He says something very different.
After the sin of the Golden Calf, God informed Moses that, for Israel's safety and survival, He would not accompany them to the Promised Land. Moses protested and the Mishkan was God's solution that He could both be with them and safely separated. In this we see the Father's desire to be with His family tempered by His sense of justice. As with raising human children, both love and justice are necessary for the child's good. The Mishkan represents the balance between them.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the Sermon on the Mount Y'shua defines doing the right things for the right reasons as entering by the narrow gate. In Romans 8 Paul calls it walking in the spirit. The point of both Scriptures is that the world presents us with choices that are superficially attractive but ultimately lead to destruction. In God's economy 'almost right' is not good enough.
Mordecai's plan to deliver the Jews from the planned destruction.
This recording is a part of the series: "Esther"You may also listen on iTunes
Faith is the faculty that allows us to deal with the future and with the unknown. It is intrinsic to our makeup as humans and is placed into us by God. How do we develop that characteristic so that it becomes a mainstay for our lives?
When Saul was sent by God to exterminate the Amalekites. While he defeated them in battle, he took their king as prisoner and the best of their livestock and goods as plunder. He further raised a monument to himself at Carmel. When confronted by Samuel, he deflected the blame to his troops. This disobedience and lack of character caused God to reject Saul as king and choose David as his replacement.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Both the prophets and Y'shua speak to Israel in parables which are designed to tell the truth in such a way that most people will not understand.
For the past several weeks, we have been talking about God's provision for freeing Israel and eventually all of humanity. In this week's Torah portion we get are told how to manage our slaves. How does this square with God's emphasis on liberty? How does this match with the freedom we have in Christ?
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Socialism is surging in the US, with politicians promising that this time they'll do it right. Sadly, socialism always works exactly as designed leading to poverty, misery and death. That is because it is a demonic counterfeit of God's instructions for a thriving society.
The entire plan to depose Haman depends upon his very obvious sense of self importance and pride. Having baited the trap with an invitation for him to have a private dinner with herself and the king, Esther then springs the trap.
This recording is a part of the series: "Esther"You may also listen on iTunes
We are all responsible for our actions. As important, we are also responsible for our brother. Each of these areas of responsibility has different ramifications.
This section begins with Jonathan destroying a Philistine garrison in the Saddle of Benjamin. That action caused the Philistines to send a large punitive expedition into central Israel. All Israel was clearly intimidated. In a second move Jonathan again destroyed a Philistine garrison which sowed confusion among the Philistines. Saul took advantage of that confusion to attack. In his zeal, he ordered that none of his army should eat until the battle was over. This was both rash and foolish because his men became exhausted and were unable to fully exploit their victory.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
The Torah is not done away with, just obsolete. Just what does that mean to us?
Laws, almost by definition, represent curbs on someone's freedom of action. Laws may be negative, "You shall not do this," or positive, "You shall do that.' Laws are also designed to bring about someone's vision of a better world. In that spirit, look at the laws given by God through Moses at Sinai. God only needed 613 laws, the majority of which are negative. It turns out that they are designed to maximize both human freedom and wellbeing.
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Before the Beginning, all that was was God. When He made the world as a place for people, He had to provide a space that was not Himself. When He decided to dwell with Israel, they made the Tabernacle as a place that was not 'human space.' The Cherubim in the Mishkan show how this was done.
Mordecai's reaction to the elevation of Haman and the formulation of Esther's plan.
This recording is a part of the series: "Esther"You may also listen on iTunes
Our lives are full of clutter and distraction which prevent us from focusing on eternal things. Simplifying can become a spiritual exercise that allows us to connect with God.
Although neither God nor Samuel was pleased with Israel's request for a king, in choosing Saul God gave the project its best chance of success. Saul was from the buffer tribe of Benjamin; he was tall, handsome and brave; he was modest in that he didn't want the job.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
During the plagues, Pharaoh seems to have been remarkably thick in realizing what was going on. Perhaps he had good reasons.
After crossing the Red Sea, God took Israel deep into the wilderness. Taking them away from any outside source of sustenance gave Israel no choice but to depend on God for water, food and victory in battle. In this, He showed them in practical ways that He could be trusted. That establishment of trust was a part of their integration into the family of God as His firstborn.
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The world is intent on marginalizing and silencing believers using every technique from intimidation to legal action. Simply put, those who are perishing do not want to be told that there is a better way. Knowing who you are and who you serve allows you to face the world with confidence and do the things you are called to do.
Discussion of Haman and and his relationship to the king.
This recording is a part of the series: "Esther"You may also listen on iTunes
The world is a giant attention trap; we are constantly bombarded with noise. When we add our tendency to babble, it is very difficult to hear the still small voice of God.
When Samuel became old and it was obvious that his sons were not suitable to follow him, Israel asked that he get them a king so that they could be like all the other nations. God was displeased but told Samuel to do what they wanted. The system of judges, while subject to corruption just like every other human institution, structurally provided the greatest potential human liberty. A monarchy was a step away from that liberty and a distancing from God.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Bitterness destroys the one who carries it.
At the exit from Egypt the Hebrews were slaves both physically and mentally. Removing them from Egypt solved the physical part, but was just the start of God's process of making them free people. Understanding that process provides important insights about what is happening in our society today
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Classical idol worship, falling down in front of a graven image, is out of fashion today, but the underlying impulse has not gone away. How does the basic human impulse to get things God does not want you to have show up today?
Introduction and exploration of Aẖashverosh (or Xerxes 1) personality and manner of governing. Explanation of the king's search for a bride and how Ester became the favorite.
This recording is a part of the series: "Esther"You may also listen on iTunes
Truth is one of the world's most elusive qualities; yet the Bible holds it in the highest regard. How then do we navigate human interactions while holding fast to the truth?
The Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines at the battle of Aphek and the priests Hophni and Phinehas are killed. The Ark proves to be quite capable of taking care of itself and the Philistines hasten to send it back to Israel.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Contrary to much Christian belief, the Law of Moses is the only source of liberty.
In Exodus there is a perennial question of whether God violated Pharaoh's free will. This brings up the question of whether free will even exists. Secularists say 'no', Calvinists say 'somewhat' and everyone else says 'yes'. Part of the idea for this talk came from an article by Rabbi Sacks of the same title.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The concept of forgiveness is not universal among cultures. It was 'invented' in the Torah at the end of Genesis during the reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers. Popular culture today is rapidly losing the concept; having replaced forgiveness with public shaming. This is not healthy.
Yeshua's (Jesus') discourse on prayer from Luke. In this session, the Lord's prayer and the parable of the Friend at Midnight.
This recording is a part of the series: "Prayer"You may also listen on iTunes
The world is difficult and untrustworthy, yet we earnestly desire something in which we can safely invest our confidence.
The birth of Samuel. Samuel's mother, Hannah, was barren and bitter about it. Her prayer and promise to God flows from that anguish of soul. After the birth of a son, she makes a song of praise. Mary's prayer, although shorter, is essentially the same. The background on the Priest Eli and his corrupt sons sets the scene for the entire book - the importance of fathers and the consequences of their failure.
This recording is a part of the series: "Samuel 2023"You may also listen on Stitcher
Prophets serve an unique function in God's administration of Israel. They provide a check on human government's abuse of power.
At the beginning of Exodus, Moses has his first recorded encounter with God. The exchange revolves around two questions; 'Who am I?' and 'Who are You?" At this point in his life, Moses is 80 years old and has really never lived as a Hebrew and has had no direct experience with God. So a great deal of his reluctance to accept the task of freeing Israel revolves around the answers to these questions.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Over the past couple of centuries in western thought, reason has ascended at the expense of contemplation and revelation. This has resulted in a gradual abandonment of God in favor of humanism. John Locke posited that reason, human equality and choice as the basis for obligation were the best way to organize society. This project has run its course and is starting to collapse. How should we respond?
This series on prayer uses the Jewish Siddur and the New Testament Book of Luke to discuss what prayer is and is not. The introduction discusses the outline in the preface to the Siddur.
This recording is a part of the series: "Prayer"You may also listen on iTunes
Life on earth is designed to be difficult and we often find ourselves in unpleasant circumstances. The character trait of tranquility is the ability to see purpose in each situation and adjust our emotions accordingly.
Malachi, written after the Babylonian exile, addresses a jaded and cynical priesthood. They are just going through the motions to satisfy the crowd and maintain their places in society. In this they are very similar to much of the modern church.
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The Spirit is passed from one to another through touch.
In Joseph's dealings with his family at the end of Genesis he weeps seven times. In spite of having all of the might of Egypt available to him, he is unable to use that power to resolve the conflicts with and within his family. In the Gospels, Y'shua also weeps for much the same reasons. Even having all of the power of the Holy Spirit He is unable to get Israel to accept Him or to spare Mary and Martha the pain of losing their brother.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Romans 4 Paul presents a logical argument that, since Abram was justified by faith before he was circumcised, that path of justification is available to everyone today. Implicit in that discourse is the idea that our God is consistent, logical and can be trusted. This was a major departure from the spirituality of the pagan world where gods are capricious and to be feared rather than trusted.
In this final session Y'shua frees a woman whom Satan had bound for 18 years and heals a man of dropsy - both on the Sabbath. He then explains that the Kingdom social order will not be the same as the earthly order. Prominent people in Israel should not assume that they will also be honored in the kingdom.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
The character trait of order has been likened to the clasp on a pearl necklace - not valuable in itself, but without which the valuable pearls would be useless.
There's more to the story of David and Bathsheba than you were probably told in Sunday school. The lady was quite the power player in Biblical Israel.
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The four great men of exile in the Bible, Joseph, Moses, Daniel and Mordecai all handled themselves differently. Those temperamental differences trace back to the sons of Jacob.
The question often arises, "What parts of the Law are gentiles responsible for?" The question bespeaks an attitude that laws are somehow negative and to be avoided where possible. This misses the point of Torah, God's instructions for leading a successful life. The Torah was given as a blessing to the people God chose for His own.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
To a believer the world seems to be going quite mad. In fact, it is quite understandable and logical. The citizens of the secular world are taking the words of the Serpent quite literally and are behaving like gods, believing they can create their own reality.
In Luke 15, Y'shua tells three parables about the determination of one who has lost something valuable to find it. The parables intensify from one sheep in a hundred to one coin in ten and finally to one son. The point of the parables is that just as people will work hard to recover what is lost, so too will the Father sacrifice greatly to recover what He has lost.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
When God has something for you to do, doing it quickly is almost as important as is obedience.
Having dealt with the doctrinal errors that had been reported to him, Paul switches to reinforcing the basic principles of life in the Kingdom of God. These include authority and order within the family and the community as well as general principles of human relationships. The letter concludes with personal greetings.
This recording is a part of the series: "Colossians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
When Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God divides soul, spirit, joints and marrow, what does that mean?
Chanukah is the celebration of the rebellion against an oppressive government with the help of God. The story mirrors that of the Exodus and has echoes of the American Revolution. In all three stories the catylist is excessive taxation. In Exodus, God does the fighting, but in the other two God's presence is indicated by giving victory to overmatched rebel forces.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Although moderns often resist it, people are designed to respond to authority. With the exception of God's ultimate authority, authority is often situation dependent rather than absolute. Thus, it is important to recognize who either has or is trying to gain authority over oneself. Speaker is Matthew Behrens.
In Luke 13 and 14 Y'shua tells parables about God's reaching out, first to Israel and then to the nations. In the parable of the banquet those who were invited refuse to show up, telling transparent lies as excuses. This causes the master to send his servants first to the poor and then to the nations to fill his hall with guests.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Chesed or loving kindness is a major attribute of God, being mentioned over 200 times in the Tanak. When we exercise chesed, we sustain other people and allow God's light to shine through.
Paul warns the church not to be taken captive by vain philosophy and man made religion. He also says that because of Christ, the record of our offenses against God have been nailed to the cross. Many take that to mean that the Torah has been nailed to the cross and voided. This is not correct.
This recording is a part of the series: "Colossians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Lots of Messianics refer to the Apostolic Scriptures - the New Testament - as the New Covenant or the Renewed Covenant. Is this correct?
Humility is considered a mark of spiritual maturity. The US emphasis on self esteem has resulted in a society whose spiritual growth has been short circuited. We are seeing the fruits in things like the various pride movements which wash over us from month to month, each with its own flag and logo. We are seeing the fruits in the push to change one's gender - by violent surgery if necessary. Stupidity is not a good national survival strategy - God will eventually intervene if we do not change direction ourselves.
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People are divided between those who try to give in much the same spirit that God does and those who's drive is to take as much as they can. This understanding from a mussar rabbi sheds light on one of the difficult sayings of Y'shua.
In Luke 16, the conflict between Y'shua and the Pharisees over money continues. His perspective is that one cannot serve both mammon and God simultaneously. Their perspective is that they are exemplars of service to God and that they should be wealthy. His ensuing comments on divorce and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man demonstrate that they are not nearly so righteous as they assume.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Biblical generosity is giving from the heart. It is not the commanded giving of tithes. Being in the image of God, we should have open, giving hearts.
Paul's letter appears to be a theological corrective for something going on within the church in Colossae. The exact nature of the problem is not made clear, but it has to do with the person of Christ and with competing philosophies. In this first chapter he makes it very clear who the Messiah is and what He has done and is doing.
This recording is a part of the series: "Colossians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
What is going through Pharaoh's mind when he delays relief from the plague of frogs for an extra day? (Expansion on a comment by Rabbi David Fohrman)
In the spiritual realm, just like in the physical world, when something is set into motion it keeps going until it is stopped. In Jacob's life he set deceit into motion when he stole the blessing from Esau. We see that it is a major theme in his life. Laban deceives him about his bride. His sons deceive Shechem about Dinah, and his sons deceive him when the sell Joseph into slavery. The reason this was set into motion and what it took to stop it has application for our lives today.
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Scripture exhorts us to become more like Messiah. How does that work? How do we go about correcting the character flaws that draw us away from God and cause such trouble in our lives? The Jews have been studying this for over a thousand years and have developed some solid, practical techniques to address the problem.
The parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16 is difficult because Y'shua praises the behavior of a man who cheats his employer so that he will look good in the community and not have to do menial labor once he is fired. The key seems to be that the manager is a shrewd judge of the master's character and commits himself to that understanding without reservation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Honoring one's fellow, who is created in the image of God, is the first step toward loving your neighbor as yourself. Discussion of the previous exercise on patience and introduction to honor.
If one believes in God and Angels, he must also believe in demons, since all three are integral to the Bible's narrative. This is a discussion of what demons are, how they behave, how to recognize their influence and how to defend against them.
This recording is a part of the series: "Topical"You may also listen on Stitcher
As Messianics, we often get asked why we're doing all this 'Jewish stuff.' This video discusses why the feasts of God are applicable to us today.
The Bible has a number of stories about servants left to manage the estate while the master is away. In order to manage the estate, the steward must be entrusted with access to the master's goods. Sometimes the absence is short sometimes extensive, but the master always expects an accounting of the servant's stewardship. So too with our Master who has been away for some 2000 years so far. He has left us the Holy Spirit as the key to His goods on this earth. He will expect an accounting of how we used that key when He returns.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the Western world, people are resistant to the traditional Gospel message of repentance, forgiveness and salvation. They have no awareness of sin and don't see resurrection as desirable. For them, the Gospel answers questions they are not asking. How then can we reach these people in an effective way?
In Luke 12 there are two parables about an absent master. In the first, he is at a wedding feast and is coming home late and presumably happy. In the second he is away for a much longer period and has set a manager over his household. In both cases finding his house in order and his servants alert results in blessing. In the second parable if he finds the manager has misbehaved, things get much darker.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Patience is a virtue that you don't need until you're ready to lose it. The alternative is generally anger which doesn't make things better at all.
Jerusalem, the city of gold, is no more. Everything appears hopeless. The final plea of the book is that God restore His people to Himself.
This recording is a part of the series: "Lamentations 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
The structure of reality favors moral behavior.
God says that He preferred Jacob over Esau. While all of His reasons are not clear, one character trait of Esau's that stands out is his lack of gratitude. His behavior closely mirrors what Moses warns about in Dt 8. He seems to believe that it is his own skill and effort that have given him success and has not given thanks to God for his talents. In this we can see the prevalent attitude in the United States today.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Biblically there are two sorts of water, natural water and living water. Natural water represents chaos out of which God brings order. He also uses natural water to destroy things. Living water represents the Spirit and order. It is significant that Y'shua twice tested his disciples on a sea of natural water.
In Luke 12 there are two themes running through the commentary. The first is 'inside and outside.' There the contrast is between how things seem on the surface and how they are in reality. The second theme is 'possessions.' There the rebuke is that the Pharisees' focus is on wealth, status and possessions where it should be on the Kingdom.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Just in time for Thanksgiving: Gratitude requires seeing the good in every situation. Because we are unable to see the future, this is not always obvious, but it is usually there.
This central chapter of the book provides a ray of hope in the sea of trouble. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and He will not cast off Israel forever.
This recording is a part of the series: "Lamentations 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
What was the purpose of the miracles performed by the Apostles after the Crucifixion?
Making good decisions can lead to life and blessing; bad ones to calamity or death. What does the Bible have to say about how to make decisions and how to inquire of God in difficult circumstances?
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Being raised from death is not unique to Y'shua; there are at least nine other resurrections in Scripture. Why then do we worship Him but not Lazarus or the Shunamite's son? What makes that resurrection different?
In Luke 11, Y'shua is invited to dine at a Pharisee's house. The series of conversations that follow are about the contrast between what is visible and what is hidden. On the surface everything is righteous and correct; underneath there is greed and corruption.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Humility is the first subject because one's self esteem forms the filter through which all of the other personality traits are viewed.
Jerusalem lies in ruins and the joyful throngs who went up for the feasts are no more. God has driven Judah into exile for her transgressions of the Covenant.
This recording is a part of the series: "Lamentations 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In God's economy, generosity is the only policy that makes sense.
In Genesis 18 Abraham negotiates with God over the destruction of Sodom. His argument is that it would be unjust for God to destroy the city if there were as many as ten righteous in the place. God agreed. It turns out that there is a deep connection between that negotiation and Sarah's unbelieving laugh when God announces she will have a son. Inspired by Rabbi Fohrman at AlephBeta.org
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The people of God and the Adversary are in a constant spiritual and physical contest. When one retreats, the other advances to fill the vacated space. In the West today the church is in retreat and darkness is advancing. How can we prevail in these times?
Teaching His disciples about His future return, Y'shua warns that there will be many false messiahs. He tells them not to be fooled. His actual return will not be subtle and everyone on earth will learn of it directly from Heaven.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Mussar is a systematic program to help you adjust your character so that it is more in line with God's desire. This first video describes the problem mussar was developed to solve. It explores why we fall short of our expectations as well as God's plan for our lives.
Continuing from chapter 51 the prophet declares God's vengeance on Babylon. This because she used her economic power to lead the nations away from God. Since much of this chapter is echoed in Revelation 18, it is not always clear when Jeremiah is speaking of the conquest by the Medes or of the eventual destruction at the end.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Romans Paul discusses the potter's authority over the clay. Some take this to mean that some people are created solely to be objects of God's wrath. That is not so. Everyone has base instincts. Those are built in; what we do about those instincts is a matter of choice.
In Genesis 15 God makes promises to Abram. Abram believes those promises which is counted to him for righteousness. In Romans 1-4 Paul builds an argument for human responsibility on that passage. He also demonstrates that God's law is a gift of grace and was never intended to save. Only faith will do that.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Life in this world is difficult and often painful. It is tempting to feel alone and afraid. In the Passover, God shows that He understands the trials we suffer and that He is with us in affliction. That compassion is there whether we suffer under Egyptian slavery, a Roman cross or anything else. This is the message we must pass on to our children. The idea of compassion suggested by Rabbi David Fohrman at AlephBeta.org
This is an extremely Jewish prayer reflecting a difference in focus between the synagogue and the church. The focus of both the synagogue and the early church was bringing Heaven down to earth or repairing the creation. About 300 years ago the church shifted focus to getting people into heaven and began neglecting earthly governance.
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In Matthew 21 Y'shua gives a parable about wicked tenants who conspire to steal a vineyard. When correlated with other parts of Scripture, it apparent that Satan leads the tenants and that the vineyard is the whole of Earth.
Beginning a two chapter prophecy about the end of Babylon, Jeremiah lays the blame for Israel's exile on her shepherds. Those leaders who were supposed to keep the nation on course but instead exploited the flock. The prophecies extend to the end times and are repeated in Revelation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Scripture there are three distinct voices: the priest, the prophet and the king. Throughout history each voice has many individuals and sometimes a single individual uses two of them. Knowing which voice is speaking is a great aid in understanding Scripture.
The United States today is awash in emotion. Every bad idea or nefarious cause comes packaged with a strong emotional appeal. The Bible describes the untrained heart, the seat of emotion, as 'desperately wicked' and unreliable as a guide to life. Recognizing our tendencies, the Bible also provides a program of training the heart so that we are not manipulated by the wicked.
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In earlier parts of the Bible, God is seeking people and He initiates the conversation. Later in the Bible, this reverses with many passages showing men crying out to God. In many cases the petitioner feels alone and helpless in the face of heavenly silence. How do we interpret this in today's spiritual regime and how does the Holy Spirit react to our seeking?
Being accused of casting out demons by Beelzebul was a watershed in Y'shua's ministry. Before that He spoke plainly; afterwards in parables. He used the occasion to teach on the divided nature of Satan's kingdom and on the dangers of division within the Kingdom of God.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on itunes
A tent is a temporary dwelling. The Tabernacle in the Wilderness allowed God to travel with His people until a permanent dwelling could be made. We also are to regard our bodies as temporary dwellings as we travel through this world on our way to the next.
Beginning with Egypt the prophet describes what God will do to the surrounding nations. In the case of Egypt, part of the problem is the flight of the remnant after the assassination of Gedeliah. In the case of the other nations it is because of their treatment of Israel when God was chastising her.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
When Jacob's daughter, Dinah was abducted and raped by the son of the local king, his sons, Simeon and Levi slaughtered the men of the city. It is important that both Dinah and her brothers were children of Leah, the unloved wife. Thus, this story sets up the next story - the sale of Joseph into Egypt.
In the first four chapters of Genesis we are told of our purpose, our nature and God's nature. We learn that we can have a relationship with our creator. We also learn that He gives us free will and does not interfere with its exercise. We learn that choices have consequences. We learn that the related sins of covetousness and envy lead to death. Finally we learn that God allows us to choose between life and death and that He desires that we choose life.
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When praying, there are two, possibly three parties involved: God, yourself and anyone else who is listening. Knowing who is involved and what you want to accomplish are the two basics of effective prayer. In this talk, we explore how prayer has changed over time and how to tailor your prayers so they achieve your purpose.
Continuing the theme of prayer, Y'shua tells of a corrupt judge who is persuaded to give a widow justice because of her chutzpah. The points are that God is not unjust but that He appreciates boldness in prayer.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on itunes
The beginning of Joshua marks the end of the Wilderness. Israel entered the Wilderness through a bloody door and through water. It left the Wilderness crossing water on dry ground and Rahab reenacted the Passover with a crimson thread.
Gedaliah was left as governor of Judah by the Babylonians. He was murdered by Ishmael at the instigation of the Ammonites. This caused the rest of Judah to panic and flee to Egypt against the wishes of God. In Egypt Jeremiah called them to cease making offerings to the Queen of Heaven. This advice was angrily rejected.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
One of the purposes of creation is to develop character in human beings.
God's appointed times throughout the year help to keep us mindful that He has a plan and that we have a part to play in that plan. Succot reminds us that this world is not our ultimate home and that we look for another while we sojourn here. Looking around, it appears that history is at an inflection point similar to that which spawned the Reformation. The established order has lost control of the social narrative and competing voices are gaining traction.
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Joseph finally had the power to avenge himself on the brothers who had sold him into Egyptian slavery; yet he was able freely to forgive them. How did he maintain this sanity and mental stability during 13 years of slavery? What can we learn from his story to help us thrive in an increasingly insane world?
In this first parable about prayer, a man goes to a neighbor in the middle of the night to borrow bread to entertain an unexpected guest. The point of the parable is that, just as a friend would not refuse such a request, God would also bestir Himself to help those who need it.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
In John, Y'shua says that those who believe in Him will have rivers of living water flow from their bellies. This image completes the promise implied at Jacob's well both in Genesis and earlier in John.
Jeremiah warns the king and other government officials that Jerusalem is about to be destroyed and gets thrown into a muddy cistern for his efforts. His prophecy is fulfilled and the Babylonians take the city completely eliminating the leadership of Judah and giving the cities and fields to the poor. The Babylonians have been given instructions to treat Jeremiah well in all of this. (Note that my reading of the Chaldean names at the beginning of chapter 39 was more confused than my editrix could repair. Please refer to the biblical text there.)
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
The Torah prescribes hundreds of laws, yet it is the premier source of human liberty. Why is this so, and what does that have to do with climate change?
Moses' final instruction to his people is a song which tells of Israel's history past and future. It is intended to provide them with hope and a way back after the long series of calamity and exiles that they would suffer if they forgot God. What does that song tell us today? How is it relevant to our current situation?
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The Lord's Prayer, or as some call it, the model prayer sets up the parables of the friend at midnight and the unjust judge. In this, it is a straight-forward compilation of the content of prayer. The prayer also highlights a difference between Hebrew thought and contemporary Christian thought on the purpose of prayer.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
In John 6 Y'shua describes Himself as the bread of life. In this, He loses most of the disciples who had been following Him. Relying solely on the Torah, why should they have understood Him?
Within Christianity there is often confusion about who is who within God's economy. This leads to such things as dispensationalism, replacement theology, etc. This talk explores the Biblical covenants and discusses which ones apply to whom and what the conditions are for each.
Devarim follows the form of an ancient suzerainty treaty. It is unique in that God is the suzerain and the people of Israel are the vassals.
During the time between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur it is good to focus on your purpose and on where you have fallen short during the past year. It is also a time for repairing damaged relationships if possible. There is a process for doing this.
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While every generation is tested in its faith, the tests are different depending on time and circumstance. The Bible records that even the generations to whom God spoke directly and audibly lost confidence in critical situations. How then are we to act with confidence in today's world?
Continuing the answer to the question, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Y'shua speaks with a young man of substantial means. His answer begins with instruction to follow Moses. When the young man says that he already does that, Y'shua sees through to the real impediment; the young man is too bound up with wealth and the world.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
Jeremiah gave a very dire prophecy about Jehoiakim and had it written down on a scroll. When the king's ministers heard it, they had it read before the king. As each page was read, the king cut it from the scroll and threw it into the fire. This attempt to 'destroy the prophecy' did not work.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
During his ministry, Y'shua spoke both plainly and in parables. What caused Him to change His delivery?
Secular science is being dragged to the realization that everything was created by God. While that is not news to believers, it does have some very interesting ramifications which have bearing on the Holy Days coming up. A creator outside of the universe means that He has a purpose in view and we have meaning within that purpose. Further it means that standards of conduct are given by Him and not invented ad hoc. Finally, since we are made in His image, we have the ability to control our various appetites just as He set limits on the creation. These realizations have bearing on preparation for the Holy Days.
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A child starts out as the uncorrupted image of God. The world tries over a lifetime to move him away from that image. How are people of faith to maintain their initial simplicity over their lives?
In the travel narrative, Y'shua is twice asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" In both cases the answer begins with, "Follow Moses." In this case, there is a follow on question, "Who is my neighbor?" In setting up the parable, Y'shua sets up the robbery victim as a generic human being. He is unconscious and so has no accent. He is naked and is not wearing distinctive clothing. In setting up the hero of the story as a Samaritan, He makes the parable applicable to all people, not just the Jews.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
No one is quite sure why God denied Moses and Aaron entry into the Land. Perhaps he struck the rock while grieving the death of his sister. Perhaps a change in leadership was needed because the people had changed. Perhaps a different theological model was needed.
In another bit of 'performance prophecy' Jeremiah is instructed to purchase a field in Anathoth because he is the redeemer. Since Judah and Jerusalem are about to be destroyed, Jeremiah himself will not possess the field. The act then is a statement by God that He will restore Israel and Judah and that the original property rights will also be restored. In this continuation of His description of the New Covenant, God assures Jeremiah that He will neither forget His people nor the land he promised to them.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
There are only two cases of zealotry in the Tanakh: Elijah and Pinchas. In both cases God makes it very clear that their zealotry is a one time event, not a lifestyle.
Deuteronomy is Moses' final set of instructions to the people he has led for 40 years. In Ki Tavo he winds up the list of curses by saying that they will come about because of a lack of joy in their relationship with God. In John 14-17 Y'shua prepares his disciples for his crucifixion. There also the overwhelming message is one of joy. What is this joy and how does it differ from mere happiness?
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In John 8 Y'shua declares that His disciples will obtain freedom through knowing the truth. What are the consequences of believing a lie either nationally or individually? How does one discern that he has bought a lie? What should he do about it?
As Y'shua traveled to Jerusalem for the last time, He told a series of parables which lay out his mission and what will happen at the end of the age. The parables form a chiasm. This file is a general introduction and the first part of the chiasm, whch is "Follow Me". The outline is taken from the book, "Poet and Peasant" by Kenneth Bailey.
This recording is a part of the series: "Luke Travel Narrative Parables"You may also listen on iTunes
In the Book of Numbers, Moab was terrified that Israel will defeat him - he needn't have been. Like Bugs Bunny, Israel is never the aggressor outside of their land.
As Jerusalem is about to be destroyed by Babylon, God sends a message of hope to the people who are about to go into exile. He promises a future restoration and a new covenant with a reunited Israel. The only difference between the New Covenant and the old one is the medium upon which it is written. Moses wrote on tablets of stone symbolizing Israel's hard heart. God will write the same words but upon hearts of flesh. The terms of the covenant will be internal rather than imposed from the outside.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
The law of the red heifer is difficult to understand. It does bear on the events of Messiah's first miracle.
In capturing a city, it might be that a warrior finds a beautiful woman among the captives and desires her. Dt 21:10 explains the process of turning such a captive into a wife. This may seem archaic and a bit barbaric today, but it has profound meaning in God's plan of redemption. It also is important to us as we prepare for the High Holy Days.
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For something to be good news, it must meet some need or expectation of the hearer. The Jews were looking for something very different than were the pagans. As such, Y'shua gave each what he was looking for. Today many Jews do not accept the Gospel because they have come to believe that it simply tacks pagan myth onto the Tanak. This is not true.
Torah portion Acharei Mot (Lev 16-18) emphasizes that there is only one standard for the native born and for gentiles who join themselves to Israel. So when the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 tells gentiles to avoid idols, abstain from sexual immorality, things strangled and blood, they are simply quoting the Torah's requirements that apply to both Jew and gentile. When they say that gentiles need not be circumcised, they are quoting the law of the Passover from Exodus. In their ruling, the council was simply applying Torah correctly to the gentiles. They were not changing the standards.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
The Declaration of Independence is designed on Biblical principles and makes reference to God three times. As such it contains the outline of Constitution which defines the structure of our government.
False prophets were saying that the Babylonian captivity was going to end quickly and that everything would be restored to normal. Jeremiah put on a yoke symbolizing the Babylonian occupation. He spoke both locally and by letter to the exiles in Babylon saying that they should settle down and prepare for a seventy year stay. In being good citizens and seeking to benefit Babylon they would find peace and prosperity for themselves.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Your effectiveness in the Kingdom of God depends both on your obedience and your understanding of what you are authorized to do.
At the Last Supper Y'shua gave a final briefing to His Disciples telling them what was to come. While they did not fully comprehend, He was preparing them for His Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit. In this briefing He describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
At the beginning of Elul, we are 40 days out from Yom Kippur. This should be a time of reconciliation, repentance and preparation if we are to get the most out of the fall feasts. Deciding what is possible and how to go about it requires a prayerful plan. Happily, there are tools to help with that.
Echoing Matthew 13 and Revelation 2, Paul explains that mixing in works as a vehicle for justification is like adding a small amount of leaven to dough - it eventually corrupts everything. Doing good works as a response to the grace of God is admirable. Doing them as a way of obligating God is an error.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
Psalm 94 perfectly describes the current relationship between the government and the people. It should be on every believer's lips.
Among the people who matter in Judah, Jeremiah has been marginalized as a kook. People don't change their ways he gets considerable abuse. In chapter 24 his prophecy from chapter 21 is realized. Those who surrendered to the Babylonians were carried away but they were to live and prosper in exile. Those who listened to the false prophets and remained in Judah died.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Parsha Re'eh Moses says to stone anyone who tries to entice you to worship other gods. He explicitly says that even those closest to are not to be excepted. In Luke 15 Y'shua says the world will hate His followers even to the point of murder. Where then is the 'virtue' of tolerance in all this? Are we not also commanded not to oppress the stranger? Today we are flooded with those who are strange. How should we navigate this?
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Shalom Y'all. The site is having tech problems in that I cannot upload podcast files. Hence this past Shabbat's sermon is only available on Stitcher Podcast
I'm working with tech support to get things resolved and will resume posting as soon as able.
On Yom Kippur, the emphasis in most people's minds is on atonement, the covering of sins. While that does happen, from a Scriptural perspective, it does not seem to be the central idea. Rather, the day represents a recreation of the events at Sinai when Israel was in the presence of God.
Paul uses two metaphors to describe the effect of the Torah: that of an heir under a guardian and that of the son of Hagar, Sarah's slave. These examples are often cited as evidence that the Torah is done away with. This is a misunderstanding. Just as the two sets of tablets given to Moses were identical, the conditions of the New Covenant are the same as the Old. The difference is where God's law is written: on tablets of stone or on the human heart. Once the Torah is written on the heart one does its precepts because he wants to, not because he is told to.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
It is not possible to use the power of God if you don't realize that you have it.
After Jeremiah was let out of the stocks, the king sent to him asking if the Lord would deliver the city from Nebuchadnezzar. God said that He would not and proceeded to lay the blame for the evil that was to befall the city on the dereliction of Israel's shepherds. They had enriched themselves through injustice and had not taught the people to follow the word of the Lord.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Symbolically, the firstborn represents a link between one generation and the next. In Exodus, that intergenerational link is broken by the tenth plague. Thus the Egyptian system is cut of and God's firstborn carries His Word and ways to the rest of the world.
Biblical Hebrew has no precise word meaning 'obey'. Instead God uses variations on the verb 'shema' which is to listen. Moses emphasizes that Israel has not seen God, they have only heard His voice. This has profound implications for understanding the Torah and the rest of Scripture. Briefly, God wants us to listen to Him, internalize His words and then act as if He were speaking with us in every situation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The month of Elul is a time of spiritual preparation for the Fall Feasts. It is a time to reflect over the past year, plan for the next and repair broken relationships. The time is short, the King is coming.
In making the case that salvation is by faith and not by works of the law, Paul refers to the call of Abraham. When he believed God it was accounted to him as righteousness. Since the covenant between God and Abraham was prior to the giving of the Torah, it is not possible that the law would change the terms or the conditions for salvation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
Old Testament prophets had two modes: a call to repentance and speaking obscurely and in parables. This exactly follows the pattern of Y'shua's ministry.
The corruption of Jerusalem has become so great that even God expressed His surprise. They were burning their children for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. Therefore God was going to turn the entire city into a place for burying the bodies of the people of Judah. In doing this He would defile the place entirely.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Moses' reaction to the sin of the Golden Calf strongly resembles the procedure for dealing with a woman suspected of adultery in Numbers 5.
In the Genesis 2 creation account, God breathed into the clay and it became a living being. Another translation is that man became a 'speaking spirit.' In this God gave His creation a voice. A voice both for relationship and for command. To make relationship with God and men, command to have dominion over the earth.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Hearing and remembering are dominant themes in Deuteronomy. These two form the basis for faith, obedience and gratitude - all characteristics which will allow Israel to thrive in the Land.
The letter to the Galatians correlates with the Kingdom Parable of the woman and the leaven and with the Revelation letter to the church at Thyatira. All are concerned with sin coming into the church through strange doctrine. Paul begins the letter by establishing his credentials.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on iTunes
Zechariah writes, 'On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.' What might that mean?
The heart, being preoccupied with the things of the world loses focus on the things of God. This loss of focus cascades until Judah is so deep in sin that she must be sent into exile. Even then, God offers hope that if they just kept Shabbat things might turn around.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Pharaoh's time, magic was advanced technology. The idea that court magicians could manipulate the gods gave them a sense of power and contempt for the common folk. That attitude is prevalent today.
In Devarim Moses relates the sin of the spies which caused Israel to delay entering the land for 40 years. The spies were faced with the same problem we all deal with. God and His promises are of heaven but the world is in your face. When faced with immediate problems our hearts will try to keep our focus there instead of on the eternal things of God. That is what Jeremiah means when he says the heart is deceitful. Learning to discern between the immediate and the important is one of the great lessons of this life.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The world today is a fairy-land of wishful thinking, illusion and deception. Figuring out what is actually true is difficult. Both Y'shua and Jeremiah give practical, Biblical advice on how to find the truth in the midst of all the lies.
The lure of idols lies in the human desire for works salvation. We think that the busier we become, the holier we get. False gods pander to that desire.
This recording is a part of the series: "Hosea 2014"You may also listen on iTunes
Despite what you may have learned in Sunday school, Bathsheba was not naive and innocent. In fact, she was a power player in the Israelite royal court.
Judah has made one of her formulaic expressions of regret and repentance, but God does not believe their sincerity. He says that He is weary of relenting from exercising the negative side of His covenant. The nation is to be conquered and sent into exile.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Metaphorically Pharaoh's contest with God is like a man wrestling with a bear. The man has a choice whether to engage in the match but the bear decides when it is over.
The Bible is an intensely practical political manual. It covers all aspects of how people are to organize and behave so that they will thrive. The American church has been cut out of politics by the tax authorities and so has neglected its heritage of political activism and become irrelevant in many areas of public life. Context is Luke 11:37-52
The parables in Luke form a structured whole. Each has both an homiletic and an eschatological application. The Good Samaritan is told in the context of eternal life and describes Messiah's care for the wounded as well as his promise to repay kindness upon his return.
Using the metaphor of agriculture, the prophet explains that the more physically fruitful Israel was, the more spiritually barren they became.
This recording is a part of the series: "Hosea 2014"You may also listen on iTunes
By the end of Genesis, Israel is no longer free to leave Egypt. They aren't yet slaves, but neither are they free. This echoes the experience of Jacob with his uncle Laben.
Faced with calamity on all sides caused by their turning away from the ways of God, Judah cried out for God to remember His covenant and send them relief. God does not believe their sincerity and tells Jeremiah that there will be no relief and that the nation is going into exile.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
The New Testament is the evidence that God has kept the promises and prophecies that He made in the Tanak. Hence, the idea that the New Testament introduces some new theology is unsound.
Some people develop the notion that by being really good and obeying the Torah they will somehow merit God's blessing. Just as the law cannot cancel out mortality and give eternal life, it cannot automatically generate blessings. The law presents God's vision of a good and just society. As such all sorts of benefits flow to a people who walk in it. Obeying the law is enlightened self interest. Blessing, on the other hand, comes from a relationship with God. It is He who is able to save, to grant mercy and to bless. All of these are prerogatives of the Sovereign.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Seeing all of the cultural chaos around us, it would be easy to despair. Such an attitude is neither Biblical nor is it warranted. That we are actually winning is obvious from the behavior of our enemies.
In their fear, the leadership of Israel cries out to God. God does not listen to their prayers
This recording is a part of the series: "Hosea 2014"You may also listen on iTunes
When Joseph is called from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams he goes beyond his brief and offers advice. The fact that Joseph has been building a resume for years may be what inclined Pharaoh to listen to the young Hebrew's advice.
The clergymen of Anathoth, a Levite city, are speaking religious bromides which give evil Judah false comfort. Jeremiah, by speaking the truth, has brought embarrassment to the men in his home town. Thus they plot to silence and perhaps kill him.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In this passage from Ecclesiastes, God's universe favors morality.
Our culture has fallen into several grave errors with respect to sex, gender and class. In addition to the obvious absurdity that one's gender is a matter of choice, we have lost the fundamental definitions of masculine and feminine. This distinction is woven into the creation itself and is not subject to manipulation by mere people. Similarly we have tried to assign virtue and shame based on class and gender rather than on character. Both of these errors are not so much wrong as they are evil.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The fifty days from First Fruits to Shavuot represent the spiritual progression from slavery to freedom. Comparing this time with Yovel (Jubilee) yields some very important insights into God's plan for how we should progress as His children. This is a continuation of the sermon on the Age of Endarkenment.Â
A continuation of God's indictment of Israel's leadership. The government is preying on the people.
This recording is a part of the series: "Hosea 2014"You may also listen on iTunes
God is one being who reveals Himself to us in three persons. All three persons appear throughout the Bible, but one seems to dominate in each of the three sections of the Book.
In explaining how Judah has fallen so far, God says that they followed the way of the nations which lead them to fear other gods - which are no gods at all. He mocks the stupidity of those who make idols from wood and stone and then fall down to worship the work of their own hands.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Solomon says that sometimes the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper. In this, he encapsulates the book of Job which gives a glimpse into the workings of Heaven.
In parsha Chukat we get the law of the Red Heifer to deal with the defilement of death. This is one of countless examples of the grace of God. He did not leave us to face our mortality with no hope. Instead He assures us that this part of our lives has importance and that there is much more to come when we are gathered to our people.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
We are living through an age when the dominant ethos is perpetual adolescence. This has roots going back several hundred years but has really accelerated since WWII. The upshot of this is the accelerating destruction of history and tradition. It has gotten to the point where people don't even know what bathroom to use. What is an adult to do during such evil times?
God's complaint against the leadership of Israel, the priests and the king.
This recording is a part of the series: "Hosea 2014"You may also listen on iTunes
A piano in the hands of someone who doesn't know the laws of music will only make noise. It is the rules that allow a player to make music. So too with life.
Judah had fallen into idolatry and wickedness but still maintained some of the form of the worship of God. Their prophets and priests were encouraging the people with religious platitudes. Whereas those platitudes had been true when the nation walked with God, the same words were now false and misleading because God was not in them. This trust in what had become false kept the nation from seeing its need to repent.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
A young, inexperienced ruler (or an old and senile one) becomes a problem when the aristocracy takes advantage of his naivety to enrich themselves by looting the land.
Argument can be either positive or destructive. Argument for the sake of heaven seeks to find the truth about something important by debate. Argument for the sake of power tries to defeat the other in order to gain power or status. Korach, when he instigated rebellion against Moses was arguing for the sake of power. Moses and Aaron had leadership of the nation and the priesthood. Korach and his companions wanted that. So too in our relationships. Simply being correct about something is not sufficient reason to argue.
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This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Throughout history, God has always been with His people. In the wilderness, He was in the Tabernacle. During the time of the Gospels, He was here in the person of His Son. Now His Spirit is with us. The Spirit's ministry and mission are laid out clearly in the Book of John.
Hosea prophesying as Israel's northern kingdom was about to go into exile. His message is that Ephraim had broken God's heart by lapsing into idolatry, injustice and violence.
This recording is a part of the series: "Hosea 2014"You may also listen on iTunes
The Bible makes it very clear that the Torah is not a vehicle for salvation. It is a gift from God for people He has already saved.
God sends Jeremiah to Jerusalem looking for even one who does justice and seeks truth. None is to be found either among the poor or the great. As Y'shua says, the only way to the Father is through Himself who is the Way the Truth and the Life. Since Jerusalem has abandoned the truth and gone after worthless idols, God's words will be to them a consuming fire.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the New Heaven and the New Earth, it appears that the New Jerusalem will be analogous to the Tabernacle in the wilderness.
When Moses sent the spies into the Land they came back with a bad report that panicked the nation. What might have been their motivation? Perhaps it was fear that the invasion would succeed and they would have to give up the intimate presence of God and exchange it to become just an ordinary nation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6, Y'shua comforts the poor and excoriates the rich. Wealth is a training and testing vehicle for the poor and the rich alike. God's heart is open and flowing with love and sustenance for us. Since we are creatures in the image of God, it should be our goal to train our hearts to be open and generous. How does one do that?
This final session in the Elijah-Elisha series comes full circle when Elisha completes a task originally given to Elijah at Mt. Sinai. This indicates that God, in a sense, does not regard the person of the prophet important so much as the word spoken through him.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
Biblically, a hard heart makes it impossible for a person to see God's miracles for what they are.
Here God talks of the spiritual adultery of Israel and declares that her sister Judah is worse. At the time of the prophecy Israel had been in exile for over a century and Judah had not yet been exiled to Babylon. Even though God declares all of the reasons for His sorrow, He also promises a return and a reunification of the two houses.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Secularists have no good explanation of why we have a sense of the eternal. In Ecclesiastes the phrase, 'under the Sun' refers to the created order. Why did God put a sense of eternity into us?
In Numbers 12 Moses is described as the most humble man on earth. Since Moses had no problem killing an Egyptian slave master, confronting Pharaoh and arguing with God, humility must involve something other that shy self effacement. In what sense does humility apply to this greatest of all the prophets?
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Speech is our most powerful faculty, either for good or evil, thus it is important that one study the laws of proper speech. This talk discusses evil speech, hurtful speech and courageous speech. Evil speech - lashon hara - is speech that damages a third party. Hurtful Speech - ona'as devarim - is speech that damages the one spoken to. Courageous speech expresses joy and hope in the face of a society that encourages cynicism and negativity.
Being a prophet of God was tough duty. Very often powerful people did not appreciate what you had to say and would have you to be slapped around or worse. The Syrian siege of Samaria.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
Most people, when they do something rotten, can come up with reasons why their circumstances justify their behavior. God seldom agrees.
The calling of Jeremiah. The first of his visions depicts God being faithful to His own word and the second, a northward facing boiling pot, prefigures the Babylonian invasion that would sweep Judah and Jerusalem away into exile.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Ezekiel, God speaks against witchcraft and witches.
In a world full of death, despair and ugliness it is easy to lose heart and forget the God delights in people. The beauty that God creates and inspires overwhelms the ugly that Satan makes and inspires. He further assures us in His word that He loves us and enjoys all of the good things that we do. In this He teaches us what Joy is and how to achieve it.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Christian churches in the United States and Europe have lost their effectiveness in shaping the culture. Why is this so, and what should believers do about it?
As a prophet, Elisha wields the power of God with a confidence and accuracy that seems more like sight than faith. He cures Naaman the Syrian of leprosy in so casual a manner that Naaman does not initially have any faith that the cure will work.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
The Torah instructs us to stay out of the occult. There's a difference of opinion as to why.
Paul warns Timothy that bad times will come and that false teachers will arise. He further warns that people, when faced with a choice of teachers will gravitate toward those who tell them what they want to hear. This is instead of teachers who will lead them to repentance, righteousness and holiness.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Ezekiel had two slightly different visions of the throne of God. The difference gives a clue why Israel made a golden calf in the wilderness.
In John 9 Y'shua, the Light of the World, opens the eyes of a blind man. What follows is one of the more humorous incidents in Scripture. The Pharisees refuse to believe such a thing is possible. First they inquire diligently whether the man was actually born blind then they berate him for sticking to his testimony. Finally, rather than face reality they 'cancel' him, throwing him out of the synagogue. In a reprise of Isaiah 6, Y'shua finally explains what is going on.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Siticher
God chose to tell us about Himself using the vehicle of a book. If people understood what the book is trying to do and how it should be read, there would be a lot less junk theology. Torah means teaching, not law, so the Bible should be read as a guide book. As an example, this talk covers the two creation stories in Genesis - why there are two and what we are to learn from that.
The beginning of Elisha's office as successor to Elijah. This session contains the Moabite rebellion and the raising of the Shunamite woman's son.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
The New Covenant has a number of features that are not yet in place. The Holy Spirit is the believer's guarantee that he is included.
This last letter from Paul to his protege is full of encouragement. The main theme of the first half is that Timothy should focus on sound teaching and order within the church. He should not get distracted by frivolous arguments. Rather he should seek out sound men who are able to teach and insure that they have been taught properly so that they can reproduce themselves.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
There will be animal sacrifice in the Millennial Temple. This prospect will disturb some.
In John 8, Y'shua says that His disciples will know the truth and they will be free. Instead of asking for the truth the Jews protest that they are not slaves. What is this truth that He promises and how does it make us free? The answer is important in a world awash in lies.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Forgiveness is a genuinely difficult subject. Dr Stephen Marmer has broken forgiveness into three more manageable chunks - exoneration, forbearance and release. Each concept applies to different situations and calls for different actions on your part. This can bring Y'shua's (Jesus') command to forgive much closer to where we live.
Jezebel conspires to steal a vineyard by murdering its owner. Idol worship eventually leads to murder and Jezebel is not above murder to obtain what she wants. Elijah passes on his mantle to Elisha.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
God has always wanted to live among His people. The problem is that we cannot long survive such proximity. The Bible can be read as the story of the process whereby God changes us so that He can achieve His goal.
Paul's practical instruction about human relations; how to treat older people, widows and would-be teachers. In all cases it is Timothy's responsibility as the pastor to keep things orderly and protect from malign situations and influences. He is not to allow his relative youth deter him from insisting on sound doctrine and good order.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
A hard heart is unable to understand the miracles of God. This happens both to believers and unbelievers.
So called 'social justice' in today's world is nothing but warmed over collectivism - which always leads to misery and death. In Lev 25 God provides a system of insuring that the clever and ruthless among us do not wind up at the top of the pyramid in perpetuity. The Torah of the sabbatical year and the jubilee serve to do a soft reset and allow for social and economic mobility.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The Parable of the Sower, Paul's letter to the Ephesians and Yeshua's (Jesus') letter to the same church in Revelation 2 all deal with the same subject - handling the Word of God. As time progressed, the church at Ephesus was faithful in preserving and using the Word. However by the end of the first century they had lost their first love. How do we avoid the same situation and still handle God's Word properly?
Jezebel, having co-opted her husband, the king, imported prophets of her own god, Baal. Elijah set up a confrontation with those prophets at Mount Carmel.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
In addition to being forbidden, idol worship has some rather practical consequences.
After listing the qualifications for church leadership Paul warns that some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and their teaching. Given the list of symptoms Paul is probably referring to Gnosticism which appeals to intelligent people who are not able to fully understand the grace of God.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the wilderness, Moses brought water from the rock on two occasions. The second time, he did not exactly do as he was told which resulted in his being denied entry into the promised land.
The Biblical standard, 'an eye for an eye' has been ridiculed by those who should know better. In Judaism and early Christianity it was understood that the metaphor was not to be used literally. Rather that retribution was to be proportional to the damage done. For justice to be satisfactory to the injured party the perpetrator should incur an equivalent punishment or cost. If this does not happen people quickly lose faith in the justice system and begin taking care of things on their own.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
After His resurrection, Y'shua commanded His disciples to carry the Gospel to all the creation. What exactly is this Gospel?
Elijah, distressed by the behavior of Israel, turns off the rain. The resulting drought sets up the remainder of his ministry.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
Conceptually, there are several ways to divide up the Ten Commandments. Three, three, three and one mirrors the days of creation and the ten plagues of Egypt. Looking at the Commandments in that way gives a different insight.
Paul instructs Timothy to root out false teachers in the church at Ephesus. One of the subjects he mentions is 'endless genealogies.' To understand what he means it is useful to compare this letter with the letter to Titus and with the letter to the Ephesians.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Biblically, Israel periodically fell away from God and lapsed into evil. God uses exile to correct those flaws that lead to such bad behavior.
Contrary to popular belief the Leviticus 19 commandment to 'love your neighbor as yourself' does not place unrealistic demands upon us. Rather the passage in context gives a procedure for minimizing the number of enemies one acquires and for keeping the community peaceful. In Matthew 18 Y'shua expands on the Leviticus procedure and gives instructions for those cases where it does not work.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
The outbreak of literal insanity we are seeing today has its intellectual roots in the Reformation. The Reformation broke free from the authority of the Church and enshrined reason instead. We are seeing the end of the pendulum swing away from external authority toward self authority.
When this creation has served its purpose, there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. There peace will flow to Jerusalem like a river.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
God has always cared about what we eat. He gave us the dietary laws out of love.
Echoing Matthew 13 and Revelation 2, Paul explains that adding works as a vehicle for justification is like adding a small amount of leaven to dough - it eventually corrupts everything.. Doing good works as a response to the grace of God is admirable. Doing them as a way of obligating God is an error.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
There are two heart circumcision passages in Deuteronomy. Their differences go to the heart of our problems living in this world.
Torah portion Acharei Mot (Lev 16-18) emphasizes that there is only one standard for the native born and for gentiles who join themselves to Israel. So when the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 tells gentiles to avoid idols, abstain from sexual immorality, things strangled and blood, they are simply quoting the Torah's requirements that apply to both Jew and gentile. When they say that gentiles need not be circumcised, they are quoting the law of the Passover from Exodus. In their ruling, the council was simply applying Torah correctly to the gentiles. They were not changing the standards.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher