Posted July 18, 2022
Are You Listening?
During a recent conversation with some friends, I was reminded of the importance of listening to others in our pluralistic society. Yes, with all the turmoil our nation has experienced over the last several years, listening with a loving attitude instead of attacking is essential. We should take the time to “hear” what someone is saying because we might miss something very important. However, when we listen, we should also be deciphering the message we are receiving. In other words, as we listen for understanding, we should at the same time be aware of when we are being misled or manipulated by erroneous arguments, misinformation, or even lies and deceptions. Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to give His perspective on a conversation or have we turned off our spiritual ears to Him? When we hear something that does not sound right, our response should be, “OK, I hear what you are saying, and respect your opinion, but that just does not line up with the Biblical worldview or what the Spirit is telling me, so I cannot agree with you on certain points.”
In the process of “hearing” someone, we must also protect our minds and our relationship with God. We are not of this world but citizens of another kingdom (John 18: 36; Philippians 3: 20). While we walk this earth, we can, at any given time, encounter an unexpected spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12). Even a simple dialog with a person with an opposing view on something could turn into a spiritual trap. In that situation, we can leave the discussion uncompromised or be swayed to some degree by the thinking of someone who may not know their Creator or the Scriptures very well. Unfortunately, the Church in large part has fallen prey over the years to the world’s thinking. We as a whole have not stood up strong enough and said, “no, we cannot accept this or that.” Many have been duped into thinking that being a good Christian means compromising their beliefs and the Scriptures to get along. We have been told that somehow the Bible is out-of-date, so some change their theologies to fit the times and culture and to fill some of the struggling churches. Yet, even today, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1: 9). Changing the truth now and then, even just a tiny bit, to make it more palatable for someone else, quickly births a lie. The more truth is compromised, the farther we drift from God’s word and His perspective. The Holy Bible is not just words printed on paper, but supernatural communications God breathed into existence for us to live by (2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 1 Corinthians 2: 13: Hebrews 4: 12). It holds life, power, and authority and must be read with reverence and understood from a spiritual standpoint.
When Jesus spoke to crowds of people, He often said, “He who has ears, let Him hear” (Matthew 11: 15; Mark 4: 9). He was, of course, speaking on a spiritual level. If our ears are not in tune with Heaven first, we could be influenced by the one who wants to destroy us (1 Peter 5: 8). So yes, listen in love and respect to what others in our world have to say, but also be wise and discerning (Matthew 10: 16), seeking God’s opinion on what we have “heard,” and standing firm in what we know to be good and true from His holy word.
Blessings and Shalom!
Dr. Deborah Burd
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Posted September 2, 2021
Revival!
It is called the Third Great Awakening. Reports have confirmed that revival has started in various parts of our country, including California and Tennessee. Like many of you, I have prayed for this awakening for years. Prophetic voices have prophesized it, hopefuls have dreamed of it, and now it has begun. Yes, hearts are hungry for the truth of the Gospel. Eyes are opening, and souls, ensnared in years of spiritual bondage, are being set free! A great movement of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2: 28, Acts 2: 17) is advancing the Kingdom of Heaven in extraordinary ways, and no one and nothing in the natural or supernatural can stop it! It is a miraculous work of Almighty God!
Many have said this spiritual revival will be bigger than anything witnessed in our nation’s first two Great Awakenings. Revival will touch people in every walk of life and at every level of society. Change is in the air, and it is for righteousness!
Enough, we say to compromising God’s truth and for shameful immorality! Enough, we declare to deceit, disrespect, division, destruction, and devastation! Do you see the winds of change blowing? Do you hear the sound of the prodigals coming home? The force of their anxious feet reverberates in the ground beneath them. Do you see the millions responding to the Word of God, crying out His name for forgiveness, and being transformed by His overwhelming love? Do you see the creative miracles happening? Jesus (Yeshua) said we would see greater works than He performed during his ministry on earth (John 14: 12-14). Yes, it is all starting and will continue with tremendous strength and boldness across this great nation and around the globe, seeking the lost!
It is promised to be the most bountiful harvest of souls ever witnessed by humankind. The Church is on the rise, responding to such a time as this (Esther 4: 13-14). Though shaken recently by fierce spiritual battles (Ephesians 6: 12), we are still standing and holding fast to what is good and true, emerging refreshed and renewed, united in purpose. Steadied through prayer, we know God is fighting for us (Zechariah 4: 6). Therefore, we are strong and courageous (Joshua 1: 9).
Have your way, Oh Lord, in this country and around the world. We watch with great expectation as evil is exposed and dealt with, fleeing from Your holy presence. The Great I Am is here to restore and bring life and hope again! And we rejoice! Yes, revival has begun! The Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9: 38) is at work, and a new reformation is emerging within the Body of Christ! May it be alive and evident in every nation of the world!
Blessings and Shalom!
Dr. Deborah Burd
*Michael W. Smith’s (2012) YouTube presentation, A New Hallelujah says it very well for this current season of the Church. Very prophetic. Let the Church Arise!
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Posted August 7, 2020
Your Kingdom Come
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6: 9-13, NKJV – Biblegateway.com, 2020)
Amidst the current strife and chaos in our nation, the Scriptures remind us that we as believers are, first and foremost, citizens of the Kingdom of God. Who we are in Christ must influence how we function in any group we belong to here on earth, especially during tumultuous and emotional times. Our speech and actions need to reflect Jesus (Yeshua) in all situations. Jesus (Yeshua) once prayed to the Father, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17: 15-17, NIV). So why then, do we sometimes act like the world?
We must continually ask ourselves, do we speak the truth in love? Are we voices of Godly reason? Peacemakers? Exhibit the fruits of the Spirit? “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5: 22-23). Do we forgive? God has called us to “offer your [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is true worship” (Romans 12:1). Our call is to be different from the world, not adopt its ways. We are, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2: 9).
As God’s representatives, we are required to live by a higher standard. His presence in us has to be unmistakable. For “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 13-16). The world is closely watching the followers of Jesus (Yeshua). What, then, do they see?
With all this in mind, when we are down on our knees in personal or corporate prayer asking Our Father for His Kingdom to come in greater force here on earth, may we always be “Kingdom” focused, walking daily the life we are supposed to lead. And may the world be truly blessed by the example they see lived out in us, both individually and collectively.
Blessings and Shalom!
Dr. Deborah Burd
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Posted March 28, 2020
Coronavirus – Looking to God During a Crisis
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. (Psalm 91: 1-6, NIV)
I’m sure you have been receiving dozens of communications on the Coronavirus in your e-mail box, many focused on how to protect ourselves and others from it. While the virus is unquestionably an unwelcome reality that affects us all, I write to you today, prayerfully, as an encouraging voice during a time of international health emergency. The Bible tells us that whatever befalls us in this life, we can take comfort in knowing that there is a place of shelter and peace under the wings of the Almighty. There we can go to commune with God and find new levels of trust we never thought possible amidst calamity. There too, we leave our fears and look to Him for answers and encouragement. He is always waiting for us to come. The Holy Spirit, the Great Comforter, leads us there. And in that time, when we find ourselves in the Father’s presence, He reminds us to be still and know that He is in control (Psalm 46: 10).
While many have died because of the Coronavirus, we know many have survived the outbreak as well, some with mild symptoms. Thankfully, some will not become sick with COVID-19. Granted, a crisis like this one forces us to consider our mortality, take precautions, and pay more attention to our loved ones. Yet, we must also be mindful of the fact that we are never alone and we as believers have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility at this time to reach out to people in love with the Good News of Jesus the Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach). I can’t help but think of the Apostles of the first century Church. They were unwavering in their mission to tell the world the Messiah had come, moving the Kingdom of God forward despite many challenges. So, instead of allowing ourselves to succumb to fear, let us go to our Creator in that place of rest and ask Him how we, as members of the Body of Christ, can best serve Him (both individually and collectively) during this chapter in history. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1: 7). What unique and creative ways can we do that while still functioning within the current public health guidelines and mandates? How can we effectively utilize our spiritual gifts for the good of others when resources, mobility, and direct contact with people are limited in many places? There are numerous possibilities (i.e., reaching out on social media, praying with someone on the phone). May the Lord grant us great wisdom and discernment in the coming weeks as we walk through this crisis together and seek to faithfully serve the One who gave His life for all humankind, trusting He will always be with us no matter what happens (Matthew 28: 20). And may our efforts help bring peace and hope to many!
Here is the first verse of a hymn I feel beautifully speaks to us during this stressful time. May it lift you up!
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” by William W. Wolford, 1845 (words), and William B. Bradbury, 1861 (music).
“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!”
(Lyrics found on library.timelesstruths.org)
Blessings and Shalom!
Dr. Deborah Burd
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Posted January 15, 2020
Our Shelter (A Personal Note)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91: 1, NIV)
If given a choice, this past year is one I would not want to relive, even though there were undoubtedly many blessings (for which I am grateful) mixed in with the challenging circumstances my husband and I experienced personally. In spite of everything that happened, God often reminded me of a place we can go when the world we know around us suddenly and drastically changes. Yeshua (Jesus) never promised us a perfect life or that we would never suffer. Life happens, and we must be ready for anything that comes our way. Our solace is that Yeshua (Jesus) will always be with us (Matthew 28: 20) and give us His peace (shalom) amidst the fiercest storms we endure.
Our storms, which more accurately began in the fall of 2018, were several family situations that stretched us to our limits, two of them the most difficult. This past spring, my husband unexpectedly had triple bypass heart surgery. Thankfully, the operation went well, and his recovery has been exceptional. While he was in the hospital, though, one of our sons and his family were in a terrible accident while riding home from church. A pickup truck ran a stop sign at a two-way stop and collided with our son’s SUV as it passed through the intersection, sending everyone in both vehicles to the hospital, with two of our family members in critical condition. Our son’s youngest child passed away at the scene. As a result of the accident, we lost three grandchildren, one an unborn baby. Being honest, I never allowed myself to think that such a thing could ever happen to our family, but it did.
Though I could share much more about last year, the most important thing to know is that when some of life’s circumstances shake us to the core or make us feel like the rug has been pulled out from under us, we can always find peace in the arms of the Almighty. He is the one constant on which we can depend. The enemy may strike us hard sometimes with his arsenal, but we still have a place of safety where we can retreat. I love the imagery of verse 4 in Psalm 91, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” It is under those paternal wings that we can always find love, comfort, peace, and healing. It is there where we can commune with God and experience restored hope and the strength to go on.
Blessings!
Dr. Deborah Burd
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Posted on January 15, 2020
Here is a link to a recent Blog one of our staff members, Stephanie Pavlantos, posted on her personal website. “The Aleph and Bet of Christianity”
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Posted August 27, 2018
Forgiveness: A Message of Hope and Restoration
by Dr. Deborah A. Burd, D.Min.
A couple of years ago I was privileged to deliver a sermon/drash on forgiveness to a Messianic congregation. The following is a modified version of that original message.
In a world where hate and vengeance have escalated to terrifying levels, I feel compelled to write on a topic of tremendous spiritual importance. During the month of Elul on the Jewish calendar, it is a critical time to examine oneself, to repent of sins, to receive and extend forgiveness, to make an effort to restore damaged relationships, and to grow spiritually. Many within the Jewish and Messianic communities are preparing for the High Holy days (Ten Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur), coming in September, and are now reciting prayers and poems of repentance, selichot (s’lee-KHOHT). So then, a message on forgiveness is fitting during this period of introspection.
To begin to understand the concept of forgiveness, we should first define it. Forgiveness means “letting go” or “pardoning or remitting an offense. It restores a good relationship with God, others, or the self after sin or alienation” (McKim, 1996, p. 107). Paul (Sha’ul) told the early Church, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4: 31-32, NIV).
We as individuals are not permitted to put ourselves in the position of judge. It is God’s place to discipline or punish. So, “do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12: 19-21).
When we follow these instructions, we can rest knowing that God will see that justice is served.
Now let’s take a closer look at forgiveness.
Forgive God. While God does not need forgiveness, because He is perfect and holy and not capable of sin or transgression, we cannot harbor anger against Him when we feel He has let us down or turned His back on us. In our society, there are many injustices. How God deals with those evils is up to Him because He is all-knowing. We must let go of our anger and trust Him to handle those situations while continuing to serve Him, even when we do not understand His ways.
Forgive Others. R. T. Kendall states, “Totally forgiving someone doesn’t necessarily mean we will want to spend our vacation with them, but it does mean that we release the bitterness in our hearts concerning what they have done” (2007, p. 20). There are indeed those we can no longer trust or have a relationship with, especially if they continue to abuse us or others, but because Jesus (Yeshua) forgave us, we are obligated to forgive them. Then, if necessary, we can move on in peace without those people in our lives or having a close relationship with them. In other words, we love them from a distance. If, of course, their hearts change, then it is possible to have a new relationship with them.
When forgiving others, we have to keep in mind that forgiveness is not always an immediate feeling or emotion. It is a choice, and often a process that takes time, especially for deep wounds. It also takes prayer and meditating on the Scriptures to take root in our hearts. Jesus (Yeshua) said His words “are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6: 63). Therefore, we must allow God’s word to heal and renew us, through the power of the Holy Spirit. And when we forgive, that space where we once harbored ill feelings, will be filled with love.
Allow Others to Experience Forgiveness. When someone has truly repented of wrongdoing and asked God for forgiveness, we are not allowed to hold that sin or offense against them. By doing so, we are playing God, without the right or authority, and are denying that individual the peace of feeling forgiven. That denial is a perversion of the Gospel message. Jesus (Yeshua) told His disciples, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6: 15).
Forgive Self. While none of us are deserving of the kind of forgiveness Jesus (Yeshua) offers, we are expected to accept it. Denying ourselves forgiveness keeps us in bondage to the past, and impairs what God can do in and through us in the present.
Make Restitution. Whenever we have wronged someone, we should make restitution whenever necessary or possible.
Pray For and Bless Those Who Hurt You. While challenging and often painful, we have been told to pray for those who wound us. There is tremendous power in prayer to change hearts. Jesus (Yeshua) said to “bless those who curse you, pray for the ones who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). By doing so, we are helping someone escape from their past and dark spiritual strongholds so that they can draw closer to God.
When We Are Hurt By Another Believer. Even though we as followers of Jesus (Yeshua) have been reconciled with God, we are still human and lack perfection, no matter how hard we try to be like Christ (Mashiach). Being hurt by another believer can be particularly devastating because we expect more from them. Believers in conflict bring disharmony to the Body of Christ (Mashiach), and this grieves the Holy Spirit. However, forgiveness restores relationships and strengthens the Church and what God wants to accomplish through it.
How Often Should We Forgive? Jesus (Yeshua) said, “seventy-seven times seven” (Matthew 18: 21-22). In other words, always.
Jesus Forgives Our Sins/Offenses. When dealing with what might seem to be an insurmountable hurt, we cannot forget that Jesus (Yeshua), God in human flesh, took the weight of the sins of the world upon Himself when He chose Golgotha over freedom. Because He forgave in the midst of agonizing pain and unjust humiliation, we too must accept and extend forgiveness. His costly sacrifice negates any reason we may think we have to hold something against another. And because of that sacrifice, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4: 16).
So, do you need to be forgiven of something? If you are sincere, know that you have forgiveness. God makes all things new through Christ (Mashiach).
Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? Set them free today from whatever you have against them! Don’t play God!
Is there something you are harboring against God? Let it go! He loves you and wants the best for you!
Have you forgiven yourself? Watch the chains of the past fall from you now as you do.
Are you accepting God’s forgiveness? Open your heart and feel His Shalom.
For a believer in Jesus (Yeshua), every day should be a time of introspection, confession, forgiveness, and restoration, not just during the month of Elul. And in the Shalom that comes with forgiving and receiving forgiveness, may we hear more clearly the Father’s incredible love song He is singing to each one of us, ministering and bringing health and wholeness to every part of our being.
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3: 17).
Resources
Bait of Satan: Living Free From the Deadly Trap of Offense by John Bevere (2004). Charisma House.
How to Forgive Ourselves Totally by R. T. Kendall (2007). Charisma House
Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall (2007). Charisma House.
Totally Forgiving God by R.T. Kendall (2012). Charisma House.
Wounded by God’s People by Anne Graham Lotz (2013). Zondervan.
Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms by Donald K. McKim (1996). Westminster John Knox Press.
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Posted 7/28/18
The Body of Christ (Messiah)/The Church
By Dr. Deborah A. Burd, D.Min.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13, New International Version)
When the first-century church began, it was predominately Jewish, but as more Gentiles entered the Kingdom of God, Jewish leadership and influence began to play a lesser role in the Great Commission, placing many more Gentile believers in leadership positions within the Church rather than their Jewish counterparts. This continued on for centuries until much of the Jewish influence and traditions, with some exceptions, had greatly diminished from within the Church as a whole. Today, however, we are witnessing a miraculous turnaround within the Community of Believers. Many Jews are coming to faith in Messiah Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua), and with that growing Messianic movement both here in the US and overseas, Jewish influence is once again impacting the Church in a big way, drawing many back to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. As a result of this incredible movement of the Holy Spirit, those who grew up in a traditional Gentile church are seeing Jewish brothers and sisters assuming more and more leadership roles within the Body of Christ (Messiah). So why is this important? Let’s take a quick look at the book of Exodus.
Around the year 1446 B.C. (NIV commentary), God (Elohim, ´elōhîm) directed the Hebrew nation to meet with Him at Mt. Sinai and made an extraordinary covenant with them. He also commissioned those chosen people to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19: 6). In other words, they were to be the first missionaries and apostles to the world to help bring the nations to faith in the one true God. It was always God’s heart for the world to know and be reconciled to Him and for Jews and Gentiles to worship Him together as one body. Led by Moses, the children of Israel spent forty years in the desert, learning God’s laws and preparing for ministry before they were ready and allowed to enter the Promised Land. That land was given to them not only as a possession and an inheritance, but it was to be a place for them to begin sharing a message of hope of a future Messiah for the entire world. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob wanted to be in a relationship with all of humankind. Old Testament history, though, shows that often instead of winning souls to God, many Jews lost sight of their priestly charge and fell to the seductions of other religions. However, the Old Testament (Tanakh) also tells us that there was always a group or remnant of Jewish people (including many noted Jewish leaders) who remained faithful to God and their mission, and because of their devotion and faithfulness, the Messiah was able to enter the world through the Jewish people.
When the Messiah did come, He spent much of His time and energy reaching out to His Jewish brethren. Some might be puzzled as to why Jesus wanted his Kingdom message to be shared with the Jews first (Matthew 15: 21-28, Matthew 10: 5-8), but if you think about it, that makes sense because the Jews were the ones originally called to be ministers and evangelists to the nations. Their calling, according to Romans 11: 28-29 was still in effect, so Jesus had to reach out to them first in order to get them back on course. However, it needs to be pointed out that even though the Jewish nation was Jesus’ first order of business, He also reached out (Mark 8: 1-13, John 4: 1-26) and responded to the needs of Gentiles (Matthew 8: 5-13, Matthew 15: 21-28) when He was here on earth. They were not overlooked or excluded. Going further, if you review the genealogy of Jesus found in both Matthew and Luke, you will find that Jesus, though Jewish, had some Gentile ancestors (Matthew 1: 5, Luke. 3: 32). I believe that is significant. In addition, when all had been accomplished through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus told his disciples (talmidim) to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28: 19). Matthew 12: 21 also tells us, “In his name the nations will put their hope” (also see Isaiah 42: 1-4). That sounds pretty inclusive to me.
Like the Israelites, Jesus’ disciples had been prepared for ministry and were now being sent out to every part of the globe to bring others into the Kingdom of God, both Jew and Gentile. Yes, Jesus’ kingdom message was delivered first to the Jews, but He died and rose again for everyone. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3: 16). In addition, anyone who accepts Christ receives the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 1-17) and is given spiritual gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12: 1-11). All believers (Jew and Gentile) share the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2: 9) and are ministers of Christ (1 Timothy 4: 6). Gentile believers are grafted into the nation of Israel (Romans 11: 11-24, Ephesians 2: 11-13) as sons and daughters of Abraham by faith (Romans 4: 1-25) in Jesus Christ, and all believers (Jew or Gentile) are members of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13).
In spite of the many terrible and tragic conflicts that have occurred between Jews and Gentiles over the centuries, through Jesus, Jewish and Gentile believers become knitted together as one body and find forgiveness, reconciliation, and perfect shalom. The Apostle Paul referred to this union as the one new man. “ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2: 14-16).
With the current Messianic movement gaining considerable momentum in the world, Jewish believers are not only fulfilling their original calling as priests but find themselves sharing a divinely ordained mission with their Gentile counterparts. In God’s Kingdom, then, Jew and Gentile followers of Jesus bring valuable contributions to the table. Bound in love, they become a beautiful symphony of instruments of God’s will as they work side-by-side in His harvest field to bring the world hope and truth and the message of salvation. Together they are the Community of Believers, the Body of Christ (Messiah), a Royal Priesthood, a Kingdom, a Holy Nation, the Church.
Resources
Brown, M. L. (1992). Our Hands Are Stained With Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers.
Dobson, K. (2014). NIV First Century Study Bible: Explore Scripture In Its Jewish and Early Christian Context. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Juster, D. C. (2007). The Irrevocable Calling: Israel’s Role as a Light to the Nations. Clarksville, MD: Lederer Books/Messianic Jewish Publishers.
Moseley, R. (1996). Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church. Clarksville, MD: Lederer Books/Messianic Jewish Publishers.
Seif, J. L. (2012). To the Ends of the Earth: How the First Jewish Followers of Yeshua Transformed the Ancient World. Clarksville, MD: Lederer Books/Messianic Jewish Publishers.
Spangler, A., & Tverberg, L. (2009). Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Wilson, M. R. (1989). Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. and Dayton, OH: Center for Judaic-Christian Studies.
From Zola Levitt Ministries – A DVD series titled, “Called Together: Jew and Gentile One in Messiah.” It can be viewed via their TV archives on their website or purchased in DVD format from their online ministry store.
Copyright © 2018/2020 Dr. Deborah A. Burd. All rights reserved.