Mishkahn David Messianic Synagogue

Parshat Va'era: Pilate asked Yeshua the poignant question, "What is Truth?" Many people have their own truths, and there are truths we experience in our lives. But is there a Truth higher than our personal truths?

Just as Yeshua was wounded and rejected, so will we be. When we are hurt by those we love, it is painful. The Bible teaches us how to react to hurts in Godly ways.

Parshat Vayigash: In the middle of the story of Joseph is the story of a man named "Praise", Judah. Judah descends into sin, but God uses his fallen state to effect deliverance for Israel and activate his calling to be the forebearer of the Lion of Judah.

Parshat Vayishlach: Jacob contrived multiple plans to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. But when he encountered Esau, something happened that he didn't expect. Esau had a heart change, and hugged and kissed him. We have our plans, and we devise ways out of our difficult circumstances. But God is the God of Surprises, and He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can hope for.

Parshat Vayetze: Leah had weak eyes. Rachel was attractive. These are examples of labels that people put on us, which we can spend our lives trying to tear off. Yeshua wants to remove the labels of limitation that were placed on us and stick them to the cross of Messiah, where they belong.

Parshat Chayei Sarah: God never wants us to forget that death is not permanent in His Kingdom. This is why "sleeping" is used to describe death throughout the Bible. And when we're sleeping, we can be awakened.

Yeshua said that if we don't receive the Kingdom as children, we will not enter in. We encourage our natural children to eventually leave father and mother, and find their own way. With our Father in heaven, we should never lose our child-like dependence on Him.

Not a sermon, an assignment. When we repeat patterns that are not in line with God's truth, speak life and truth to counteract the lie. Do this for three weeks. Three weeks to change the pattern.

Rabbi Brian speaks of revelations received on their vacation to Europe and how they relate to our preparation for Rosh Hashanah and the Day Of The Lord.

We didn't choose Yeshua. He chose us. And He gave us His Holy Spirit, so now, with His help, we can make good choices.

Sometimes when we are going through tough times, we need to remind ourselves that God just may be saving the best for last.

On Tisha B'Av, we remember that the Rabbis attribute the destruction of the second Temple to "Baseless Hatred." When are our feelings "baseless?" They are baseless when they are not fully based on fact, but based on our internal biases.

In Parshat Masei, we learn about the cities of refuge, where a manslayer can be safe from the avenger of blood. But in reality, both parties are in their own prisons. This parshah teaches us the tools to be set free.

Judaism commemorates the three weeks between the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. What can this concept mean for us personally, with the understanding that we are now the temple of God?

We know what it means to be "myopic" (nearsighted). The body of Messiah needs a dose of "hyperopia" (farsightedness) so we can see our circumstances from God's heavenly perspective.

Yeshua was a friend of sinners. He never celebrated or validated their sin. But He never avoided them either. This is the holy narrow road we are called to walk on.

Not the Motown band... but the red flags within us that warn us that sin is knocking at the door. If we acknowledge the temptations but do not sin, we are victorious.

The road to the Promised Land is always paved with giants. Do not fear. If God called you to it, He'll bring you through it.

When God blesses our lives, we are grateful... until we get used to it and it becomes common. Then we complain that we are not blessed. This angers God. Let's not block our blessing with our "kvetching!"

In this sermon, we learn about the "Shmitta", the yearly Sabbath for the land, and how it teaches us to glean blessings in our times of lack.