Sunday Re Cap (20th Jan 2013)

THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH, The People of the Book

Text: John 6:60-68

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I. THE ROOTS OF OUR FAITH

A. Roots (Eph 3:5-6)

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

·         Who are your (spiritual) parents? CONNECTION to ROOTS?

·         Do you know your spiritual heritage?

B. Our Spiritual Heritage (Gal 3:26-29)

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

C. Ingrafted Branches (Rom 11:11-24)

Salvation as well came through the Jewish people

Natural branches - The Jewish believers in Messiah Yeshua

Ingrafted - The Gentile believers in Messiah Yeshua

II. THE PEOPLE

Deut 7:6

A. Abram, the Hebrew (Gen 14:13)

Hebrew (ayber) the one who crossed over (Sanctified)

·         Abram crossed over to the other side of idolatry (foreigner to idolatry)

B.  The Jews (from Judah), God’s Chosen People (Deut 7:6)

·         It is not about a supreme race but a supreme God. ONE RACE ONLY!

·         It is not about supreme blood but the blood of the lamb

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

Ps 103:7

                A. The Torah, God’s Instructions (Lev 10:10-11)

You must distinguish between the holy and the common (profane), between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach (Torah) the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses.” (Leviticus 10:10-11)

·         Torah: (Law is poor translation). Instruction, to teach, to guide, His Ways

·         Hebrew Nation was the Chosen People by God for Divine Revelation

·         Managers/Stewards of His Word/Revelation

The Bible confronts us, convicts us, and comforts us all at the same time.

Do you live by the book? The followers of God’s Instructions are known as People of the Book

Without vision a people perish. Where there is no Divine revelation people cast of restraint and perish. (Prov 29:18) Disregard for God’s Ways

i. Of the Book (Rom 10:8-14) “I am born of the book!”

                          ii. In the Book (2 Tim 2:15)

“If I am of the Book I need to be in the Book!”

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Ti 2:15 KJV).

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Ti 2:15 NIV)

PRDS,  Pardes (PaRaDiSe) The Four Levels of Study in Hebrew Culture

The Study of God’s Instruction is like the Garden of Paradise

The world is searching for paradise and overlook its person!

1. P’shat: Literal, The basic meaning of the text (surface level)

2. Remez: The Hint, wherein a word, phrase or other element in the text hints at a truth not conveyed by the p˒shat.

3. D’rash: The Moral of the Story

The ethical message, the inspiration for more refined behavior

4. Sod: The Secret (Mystery)

The pursuit of the deepest spiritual ideas and most sublime revelation.

*We are designed for uncovering the Mysterious  (To reveal the hidden)

                        iii. By the Book  (Matt 4:4)

“If I am of the Book and in the Book, I will live by the Book!”

Matt 4:4

               

Piers Morgan, “The Bible was well-intentioned, but it is basically inherently flawed,” Morgan said.  “Hence the need to amend it.”

“My point to you about gay rights, for example, it's time for an amendment to the Bible,” he said.

·         The Bible does not contradict itself but only the reader

B. The Ten Utterances of God (Exodus 20)

The Living Ten Words/Commandments, Decalogue

i. His Ways Observed & Obeyed (Deut 6:1-9) Moses said,

·         Observed (to preserve, keep from spoiling)

·         The Jewish nation was entrusted with God’s Word…to be stewards of God’s Expression to the world!!

C. His Ways are made known through Messiah (John 14:6)

·         God made covenant with Abraham, the First Testament. He made the everlasting covenant with us through His Son.

·         Jesus was greater than Moses. The culmination of the divine revelation came through Messiah, The Word.

 (John 14:5-7)

Our Response:  AS SPIRITUAL HEBREWS (Cross Over)

Part 1: “To Know Him & To Make Him Known”

Part 2: “To Know His Ways & To Make His Ways Known”

        (Ps 67:1-3)