Tikvat Israel Sermons: Recent Episodes
Rabbi David Wein
Sermons on the Parsha, Haftarah, and New Covenant by Rabbi David Wein and other leaders of Tikvat Israel Messianic Synagogue.
Three times in Scripture, people stand face-to-face with someone they should have recognized—but they didn't.
What blinded them? And what might be keeping us from recognizing the Messiah today? Join us as we journey from Isaac to Joseph to the road to Emmaus, discovering three common causes of spiritual blindness—and the gracious way Yeshua opens our eyes to recognize Him through the Scriptures, His presence, and the hope of the resurrection. Check out our lates sermon by Rabbi David " How to Recognize the Messiah".
On Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Comfort following the Fast of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av, we are seeking peace in our homes, a peace that will bring comfort and renewal to our family of families at Tikvat Israel. Marriages can become tumultuous, but peace is worth fighting for. Especially, men are responsible for assuring that there is a successful marriage (to the extent he is able) through love, and women are responsible to respect their husbands.
Why is Bashan?
It's a strange question—but it leads to one of the Bible's most surprising connections.
This week we'll journey from King Og and the giants of Bashan... to Psalm 22... to Yeshua's words on the tree... to the "gates of Sheol" at Caesarea Philippi.
The forces of darkness thought they had won. But they were wrong.
Join us as we discover why the Kingdom of God is on the offensive—and what it means to put on the armor of God today.
Paul wrote, “The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but they are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of the Messiah.”
This describes the tactics, but our strategic objective is to bring the Kingdom of God near through close devotion to and our proximity to Yeshua through his Spirit. When we learn to exercise ourselves to learn warfare, nothing can separate us from the love of Messiah.
What do two goats, two brothers, and two men named Yeshua have in common?
More than you might think.
In this episode, we explore one of the Bible's most fascinating patterns, tracing a thread from Genesis to Matthew that reveals God's plan of redemption—and what it means to trust the path He has chosen for us.
Listen now to "Choose Your Goat Adventure!"
Burial, betrayal, and brokenness. Join us as we listen to Eitan Shishkoff's sermon on Mark 14. May you be blessed and encouraged through the hearing of God's Word as we reflect on Yeshua's faithfulness and His journey to the cross.
May got bless you as you listen to this sermon by Elder Scott Moore on the problem with sin.
What’s in your pockets?
A phone? Wallet? Keys?
What else are you carrying?
Fear? Worry? Unrealized dreams?
This week: open hands, Abraham, and the surprising power of surrender.
What do a bald man, Pepe the Prawn, and childbirth have in common? 🤔
Turns out…a lot more than you might think.
This week, we dive into clean vs. unclean—not as “good vs. bad,” but as a deeper story about life, loss, and how Yeshua moves us from death and decay into cleansing life.
It’s time for everyone’s favorite quiz show: "The Road to Eternal Life!"
First Question: What does it really take to get eternal life?
A) Keep the commandments.
B) Surrender everything.
C) You can’t, humanly, get it at all.
In this week’s message from Gospel of Matthew 19, Rabbi David walks us through a surprising, upside-down answer. Come play along and listen for the final answer.
Breaking News! the “Best Person” award has been announced.
The winner may shock you!
Check it out here in this week’s sermon from Rabbi David based on Matthew 18
What if the greatest barrier to the gospel of the Kingdom isn’t in others’ hearts, but in our own?
We were blessed this week by Pastor Randy Martinez from MAPS Global, who shared a message from Matthew 9 that was both challenging and encouraging—inviting us to seek God’s face and let Him reshape our priorities.
“Try Again, Please (Passover Sermon) ” is a powerful reminder that God is the God of second chances. From the story of Dov Gruner to the biblical pattern of second Passover, we see that failure is never the end of the story. Time and again, God invites His people to start fresh—rewriting the tablets, restoring worship, and calling us back to Him. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, in Messiah we are made new. No matter what you’ve missed or where you’ve fallen, His grace still says: “Try again.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran Pastor, gave up his life to resist the Nazis.
Otto Koning, a missionary in Papua New Guinea, gave up his pineapples.
Yeshua gave up everything.
“What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life?”
Join us as we discover why the surrendered life is the way to live.
Check out our latest sermon from Matthew 16--and more from Rabbi David here:
“So Who Do You Say I Am?”
A bold question that demands a personal answer—beyond opinions, beyond the crowd. In Gospel of Matthew 16:1–20, the Messiah isn’t just revealed… He’s encountered.
Check out this sermon from Lloyd Brown
Healthy cells have something important: a good membrane.
They don’t let everything in.
Maybe that’s a lesson for us, too.
In this week’s message from Matthew 15, we explore how Yeshua held boundaries, showed compassion, and responded to people’s expectations with wisdom.
Because sometimes the most spiritual prayer might be:
“Lord, help me to be selectively permeable.”
Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David: “How to Be a Cell Membrane.”
Check out what Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook from Ohev Yisrael has to share about Listening and Responding to Hashem.
Why would an Arab Israeli grandfather learn Yiddish—the language of European Jews—and teach it to his grandson?
This surprising story comes from this week’s guest speaker, Ruby Bishai, an Arab Israeli Christian. Ruby shared powerful stories from his family, his work in a Messianic Jewish ministry serving Arab and Jewish youth, and his passion to bridge and restore.
To learn more about his inspiring work in the Land of Israel, visit fieldsofwheat.org.
You can also listen to Ruby’s message—based on his testimony and Matthew 15—here:
Sponge, Funnel, Strainer, or Sieve?
Which kitchen tool will help you live?
God is faithful, a patient planter, and loyal
Are you rocky, thorny, or fruitful soil?
In Matthew 13, Yeshua invites us into the classroom of the Kingdom—where learning isn’t passive, and growth takes intention, patience, and discernment.
This week at Tikvat Israel, we’ll explore how parables, kitchen tools, and soil all point to the same question: will we simply notice the lesson, or will we bear fruit thirty, sixty, and even one hundred fold?
Check it out in this week’s sermon from Rabbi David on the New Covenant Parsha (Matthew 13): What Kind of Student, Soil, and Kitchen Tool are You?
What if Shabbat isn’t just “not working”?
What if it’s about healing and wholeness?
Learning to stop striving, because you’re not a solo ox--there’s a stronger ox connected to you!
In Matthew 11–12, Yeshua doesn’t just teach about rest--he is that rest, and challenges how the religious leaders understood it.
“Come to me, all who are weary and broken, and you will find rest for your souls.” Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David along with some glimpses of the real-time survey from our community about Shabbat!
A king sends his humble son to teach the people the heart behind the law — love, forgiveness, restoration, and compassion. Some welcome him. Others think they already understand everything. In Matthew 9, Yeshua calls a tax collector, eats with sinners, and challenges the religious: “Go and learn what this means — I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Messiah comes not to affirm what we know, but to teach us what we’ve missed. He calls the outsiders, confronts the insiders, and invites all of us to follow, to unlearn if necessary, and to become teachable again. Because the kingdom of God isn’t built on experts — it’s built on learners. Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David, “Go and Learn” based on the New Covenant parsha.
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The narrow gate isn’t easy—and it’s not meant to be walked alone.
At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua sets before us two paths. Through the story of Paul and the one man who believed in him—Barnabas—we discover how encouragement and integrity help form lives built on the rock. Join us as we explore “The Narrow Gate of Encouragement,” our most recent sermon from Rabbi David based on Matthew 7:13-29.
“I wouldn’t want to be part of any club that would have me as a member.” — Groucho Marx
What if faith sometimes feels like that too?
This week we talk about belonging, rejection, and how Yeshua teaches us to live with lovingkindness on the margins.
Check it out in our most recent sermon from Rabbi David. Faithful on the Margins: Following Yeshua with Humility, Discernment, and Hesed (Matthew 7:1-12)
When George Müller was ten years old, his father caught him stealing coins from his desk and punished him swiftly and harshly. But instead of learning not to steal, young George learned a different lesson: don’t get caught. By the end of his life, George turned into a man who trusted God for every meal, every step, and thousands of orphaned children. For the rest of the story of George’s remarkable testimony, check out our latest sermon from Matthew 6:19-34: “Where is Your Treasure?” By the way, listening to the podcast is great, but if you want the full experience, join us Saturdays at 10AM for our worship service.
What if the most famous prayer in history wasn’t meant to be memorized—but practiced?
When Yeshua teaches his disciples to pray, he simply says: “Pray like this.”
This past Shabbat, we explored the Lord’s Prayer as a deeply Jewish prayer—conntected to the Siddur, echoed in the Talmud, and alive in the hopes of Israel. From Our Father to Daily Bread, we’ll discover how this prayer connects heaven and earth, invites the nations into the kingdom, shapes our hearts, and teaches us to trust God one day at a time.
If you’ve ever wanted to pray but weren’t sure where to begin, this prayer offers a foothold—a simple, relational way to talk with God and be transformed from the inside out. Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David, “Pray Like This” from Yeshua’s teaching in Matthew 6:1-18.
How do you grow a Torah garden—and keep out those pesky gophers?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua teaches us how to build a fence around the Torah, guard our roots, and protect what’s sacred before it’s trampled by entitlement, lust, greed, and unforgiveness. For faith that bears fruit, check out our most recent sermon from Rabbi David: “How to Grow a Torah Garden” based on our new covenant parsha, Matthew 5:27–48.
Not one yud is wasted.
From hidden menorahs to the words of Yeshua, discover how both the Torah and the Prophets come to fullness—and how God’s faithfulness reaches across generations to make all things right.
Check it out in this past week’s sermon from Rabbi David on the New Covenant portion, Matthew 5:17-26: “Torah from the Mountain: The faithfulness of God across generations.”
Feeling poor in spirit? Mourning? Hungry for God? Yeshua calls you blessed! The Sermon on the Mount is comfort for the weary and hope for the humble—Torah that transforms us and brings heaven to earth. The Torah from the Mountain calls us to be a different kind of people—humble, merciful, peacemakers, pure in heart. Check it out in this past week’s sermon on the New Covenant Portion, Matthew 5:1-16: Torah from the Mountain: Blessed are the Humble.
What exactly is the good news?
This week we follow the reading cycle to the Gospel of Mark, where we explore this very question.
Straightened paths, submitted citizens, belief and action, righteousness grounded in trusting, and the same way of salvation for all.
Check it out in this week’s sermon on the New Covenant parsha from Elder Scott Moore
The Jewish Gospel of Matthew presents Yeshua as a Powerful Servant that came to operate in authority. While others sought titles and positions, Yeshua brought the Kingdom of God with power and simplicity. In the historic scene of expectation for the Messiah, the Jewish people waited for a political liberator, but God sent a spiritual King that would set the human heart free before setting the nation free. Join us as we dive deeper into the three fundamentals of Messiah’s ministry from Mark 1:14-28 with our special speaker - Pastor Ossimar.
Before Yeshua healed a single person, before He preached a single sermon, and before He called a single disciple—He waited. Thirty silent years. And when the heavens finally opened over Him, the very first thing the Spirit did was not send Him into ministry… but into the desert.
Why?
Because the wilderness reveals our hunger and because Yeshua is walking out another story.
In Matthew 4, the Adversary whispers to Yeshua, “Turn these stones into bread.” But Yeshua answers with the lesson Israel forgot, the lesson Adam and Eve rushed past, the lesson Esau traded away, the lesson Saul failed—and the lesson we still struggle with:
“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
We avoid waiting. We fill the silence. We numb the hunger. But in the desert seasons—ankles breaking, plans collapsing, blessings disguised as disasters and vice versa—God does His deepest work.
Gam Zu L’Tovah. This too is for the good.
You may have heard of John the Baptizer, but have you heard of “The Little Dipper”? This week in Matthew 3, John the Baptizer shows up calling Israel to repent — turn around, prepare, get ready for the King.
But then we meet his opposite: the Little Dipper — a made-up “prophet” who says, “Relax… a little sin is fine. The kingdom’s far away.”
John prepares the way.
The Little Dipper prepares excuses.
Join us as we explore real repentance — turning, immersing, confessing — and why John is the coach we need even right now.
The Kingdom of Heaven is upon you!
As a first grader once said, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him tap dance.” The way that Yeshua fulfills the expectations and prophecies in the Hebrew Bible is both expected and unexpected. This whole year we are learning about the Gospel of Matthew. We dove into Matthew Chapter 2 this week; let’s see how this very Jewish story fulfills the Israel story, shows the divinity of Yeshua, and transforms our lives.
Ever had your plans blown up — not by failure, but by Heaven?
This is what happened to Joseph, the adoptive father of Yeshua.
One divine interruption turned scandal into salvation.
“Doubt can’t achieve what the Spirit can conceive.”
Even Moses had his doubts: “What if they don’t believe me?” “Who am I?” “But I have a stutter!” “Isn’t there anyone else you could send to Pharaoh?”
The One who formed the mouth and who led us in the desert is with us. Will you go in faith?
We’ve all got surprising sides — collectors of pottery and hanukkiahs, rock painters, pageant queens, airplane-card archivists, even someone who can blow a shofar with their hands. If we’re full of surprises, Kal Vachomer, how much more does Yeshua have surprising facets? This Shabbat we’ll open the first words of John, Mark, and Matthew’s Gospels and uncover the hidden connections to the Jewish people and to the Creator in the Beginning. “The Word was with God and the Word was God.” In the beginning… there’s more than you think.
We woke up.
We got washed.
We got dressed.
Now it’s time to go outside.
🌿 Invite. Include. Rejoice.
How can you ask God to do anything if you are not tithing? “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” says Adonai Tz’va’ot “The glory of this new house will surpass that of the old,” says Adonai Tz’va’ot, “and in this place I will grant shalom,” says Adonai Tz’va’ot.
Two men went up to pray—one proud of his record, the other pleading for mercy.
Two kinds of fasting—one to be seen, the other to set free.
One counts his good deeds; the other counts on God’s grace.
Yom Kippur asks:
Are we afflicting ourselves… or awakening compassion?
Are we tallying what we’ve done for God… or remembering what He’s done for us?
This year, it’s time to get dressed—
not in sackcloth and ashes,
but in compassion, humility, and love.
The goodness of God draws us to repentance. The crushing of God produces perseverance and faith, so that, “Out of Zion will come forth a Redeemer who will turn ungodliness from Jacob, and He will take away their sins.”
David: God, I want to build Your house!
God: "NO U"
David: Awesome!
IWASGUNNA…
IWASGUNNA…
Ole King David, he never said
“IWASGUNNA” because he was Heaven-led
IWASGUNNA make a house for God to the letter
But His building my house is 10 times better
IWASGUNNA
IWASGUNNA
The 5 maidens said IWASGUNNA get some oil
I had all these plans that were quickly foiled
Cause the groom came back in the middle of the night
IWASGUNNA get some oil later tonight
IWASGUNNA
IWASGUNNA
The Israelite Slaves in Egypt land
Wanted to build something grand
Then that Moses came and did what he did
But IWASGUNNA make this here pyramid!
IWASGUNNA
IWASGUNNA
IWASGUNNA do this, IWASGUNNA do that
IWASGUNNA build my wealth, IWASGUNNA buy a hat
IWASGUNNA build a kingdom, but it all got currupted
IWASGUNNA do it all before the Lord interrupted
IWASGUNNA
IWASGUNNA
IWASGUNNA sleep in, and coast along
But the Lord woke me up with his Shofar Song!
TEKIA!!!!
Choose Life
Have you ever said something that was not heard?
How do we know that we have heard the Lord?
Are we on track with our first love?
This week it was all about listening as we heard from not just one but two special speakers. Rebetzen Jill spoke on the power of the ZIP, and Rabbi Ron Aaronson shared on choosing life.
Why does God call us to garden in thorns? From Adam to Moses to Messiah, the consequence, the curse, and the calling collide.
In this picture of me and my dad, that toddler doesn’t look a lot like him yet. But today, google photos thinks that’s me on the right. We are made in the image of our Father in heaven, but also, it takes time to grow into His image. To learn more…
What would you do if your tribe got no land?
How do you survive with no property and no means to produce any food?
What if your only inheritance was… God Himself?
What does it mean that the Lord is our portion, our cup, our eternal inheritance?
This week we’ll explore how the Levites’ “loss” was actually their greatest gain—an inheritance incorruptible.
What are you building? There is only one foundation on which we build, namely Yeshua the Messiah. Every work will be tested in the Day of Judgment, and every work that endures will produce a reward. As co-laborers with Messiah, we put to death the deeds of our own flesh, walking in the Ruach Elohim, and we build the dwelling place of HaShem with living stones. Keep listening to his voice, as confirmed by all the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation.
Rabbi David’s Pizza is open for business—where the motto is: “Man does not live on bread alone… but also sauce and some cheese.”
From manna in the wilderness to pizza in the promised land, this week’s message reframes the desert: not as the kvetching years, but as the training ground for trust.
Join us as we discover why bread isn’t enough—and how God turns the desert into an oasis of His presence. Listen to “Be a Desert” here….
Four words. One question: Do you love Me?
Tevye asked it to Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. It was asked on a Galilean beach after the resurrection. How will you respond?
This week we had one of the fathers of the messianic Jewish movement, Rabbi Dan Juster, share with us some beautiful encouragements. Tune in for reminders about the reality of the Ruach, the remaining distinction between Jews and Gentiles, and the identity of Yeshua as One with the God of Israel.
This Shabbat, journey with us through Parashat Mattot-Massei as we explore the questions: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? In a portion that at first glance seems like just a list of ancient place names, we uncover something: each stop along Israel’s wilderness journey tells a story—of struggle, lessons learned, deliverance, and divine love. Like the Israelites, our lives are marked not just by locations, but by transformation. We remember our past, recognize our identity as beloved of God, and fix our eyes on the Kingdom of Heaven—the Land of Promise where there is fullness of healing, shalom, and the presence of God.
This week, Pastor Ossimar shares a compassionate and timely word of comfort: there is security in the house of the Father, through Yeshua.
This weeks sermon focuses in our decision making. We can make our own Decisions, reliant on our own wisdom without God and suffer the consequences or as a believer we can carry our heavy burdens for years before yielding our suffering to Yeshua. Whatever you decide, the decision is yours.
What does it mean to go against the current—to stand for truth when lies are popular, to choose humility when culture celebrates pride, and to pass down blessing even when we’ve inherited brokenness?
Listen to Psalm 49—written by the sons of Korach, the very ones who refused to repeat their father’s mistakes. It’s never too late to turn the ship around. Come be encouraged, challenged, and reminded that in Messiah Yeshua, there’s always opportunity for new direction.
This week our elder Eric Friedman shares on faith, family, fellowship, finances, and fun!
It’s time for everyone’s favorite game: How Are You Feeling? The game show where our congregants are our contestants, and Empathy is Our Specialty. Our first subject for our contestants is our old friend, Moses. Let’s see if we can see what he might be feeling in this week’s parsha.
How do we trust our Heavenly Father, even when things go badly? Even if we die, He has a plan to vindicate His own reputation: you must become a disciple of Yeshua, who said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, his mother, his wife, his children, his brothers and his sisters, yes, and his own life besides, he cannot be my talmid (disciple). Whoever does not carry his own execution-stake and come after me cannot be my talmid.”
In Luke 15, some of the Pharisees are criticizing Yeshua for eating with sinners. He responds with a story. If you have 100 sheep, and only 99 are with you, you are not complete as a shepherd. Like a woman would count her coins to make sure she had all ten, so too God counts us. And so we too should look around our table and say, “Who is missing here? Whom do I need to invite to the table of the Lord?” God loves those sheep in his fold, and he loves those not yet in his fold, and it’s not complete until everyone is home. Who is missing that we need to fellowship with and worship with? How can the Lord make my heart more invitational and less judgmental? This week, we remember that everyone counts.
The duty of the remnant of Israel who have embraced Yeshua as the Messianic King is as priestly intercessors on behalf of our people to prepare them and ourselves for Olam Haba, the coming age. Learn more about this by listening to this week message from elder Scott Moore.
Hello, welcome to Whatsa Manna For You? voted most consistent menu by Hebrew Happenings. This week's parsha has no manna, but it does have the omer. This is kind of cool, because the parsha describes the counting of the omer leading up to Shavuot that we are doing right now in this season. Wanna know more about the Manna?! Listen to this week's sermon from Rabbi David.
Real worship is more than just a song, or a dance or any musical instruments, though all these things play a vital role in worship, real worship can best be understood as bringing your offerings, from your heart and from your soul into the presence of the Lord. Learn more about worship in this weeks sermon from Lloyd Brown.
Has this ever happened to you? “Oh no, I got a paper cut! Blood is coming out of my finger. Well, guess I’ll go visit the Holy Tabernacle and/or Temple.” But the priest says, “No way, Moshe!” Tired of not knowing how and when to approach a holy God? Well, have we got a book for you! Try Leviticus!
That’s right, the Bible’s ultimate guide to holiness, purity, and weird bodily fluids. Learn what’s clean, unclean, and how to deal with it all—even baldness (Good news! Lev. 13:40 says you’re still clean!).
Leviticus covers it all: atonement, purification, supernatural healing, and priestly inspections—what fun! So whether it’s skin diseases or sacred rituals, call now!
*Talk to your rabbi to see if Leviticus is right for you. Side…
A dad is driving and two brothers are in the back. And they’re poking and bothering each other. What are his possible words of discipline that he can say? He can say, “Don’t make me turn this car around.” He can say “Don’t make me separate you,” that is if he has access to the new invisible force fields that are available for backseats. Or finally he can say, “Don’t make me come back there.” But what if there’s a fourth option? Check out this week’s sermon to find out…
This week Elder Eric shares his testimony of God's faithfulness in his life with loosing his wife and the hope we have in the Lord.
What do a seder in Senegal, a table in Jerusalem, and a heavenly banquet have in common?
This Shabbat HaGadol, Rabbi David shared a message called The Four Questions and the Four Seders—a journey through Passover meals that call us to remember, to reach out, and to respond to Yeshua’s invitation. Come prepare your heart for the season of redemption.
Question 1: Would you give someone a birthday cake that you took a huge piece out of? Probably not. Rather, you’d give them a cake that was “tamim.” Question 2: What did Noah, Abraham, and Job all have in common? They were all described by the Hebrew word, “Tamim” meaning whole-hearted, complete, or blameless. Question 3: How can we be more “tamim”? To find out, check out this week’s sermon podcast here:
Have you been searching for a bunch of Nissan puns, many different versions of the birthday song, and a brand new Birthday New Year Anniversary celebration all in one sermon? Then listen to this past weeks sermon from Rabbi David.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.
--Frederick Lehman
This week we heard from our visiting speaker, Michael Templeton from MAPS Global. His encouraging message was to be rooted in the deep, unending love of God.
Are you ready? Is that what you’re gonna wear? This week we see how God has clothed His people throughout Scripture. From the garments of skin given to Adam and Eve in Genesis, to the veil Moses wore after encountering God on Mount Sinai, to Esther’s royal robes, each piece of clothing symbolizes a deeper calling and identity in God. So, consider what we are wearing--not just physical clothing but putting on the attributes of Messiah, the righteousness of Messiah, and the power of the Holy Spirit to live out our priestly roles in the world.
The epistle of Y’hudah (Jude) verse 3 exhorts us: “Dear friends, I was busily at work writing to you about the salvation we share, when I found it necessary to write, urging you to keep contending earnestly for the faith which was once and for all passed on to God’s people.” That faith includes the history of the God of Israel and His people as well as those who have been grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel through the death of the Messiah and his resurrection from among the dead. The historical faith and these historical events don’t depend on us, for our inheritance does not decay, spoil, or fade away; it is kept safe for us in heaven. We did nothing to receive this living hope. But having received, it is now our duty and privilege to trust and act faithfully. It’s not something we earned; it’s something we owe.
In the wake of unimaginable personal loss, Haratio Spafford wrote the well known hymn: "It Is Well with My Soul.” Spafford's story, marked by grief and tragedy, invites us to explore how we can find shalom amidst life's deepest sorrows. Drawing on Scripture, including the rabbinic idea of God’s Shekinah (abiding presence), we discover two enduring truths that enable us to say, “It is well with my soul.” First, God is with us, holding our hand through our pain. And second, He is making all things right. To learn more, check out…
Just like a toddler develops a will that we must guide and understand, we too face a process of learning to follow God’s Torah, even when we don’t fully grasp its meaning right away. We say: "Na'aseh, v'nishma" – "We will do, and we will hear, or understand" – as Israel committed to obeying God’s commandments perhaps before fully understanding them. Through this, we are reminded that following God isn’t just about doing things because we’re told, but about trusting in His process, growing in relationship with Him, and gaining understanding through on-the-job training and trust. And remember, "It was processed in a processor that used to process nuts." To hear more about this puzzling quote and other helpful tips, click here.
The Lord is on a mission to answer all our questions, to rescue us, and to wipe every tear from our eyes. God is the one who writes the end of our stories, and the end of our stories is not death, but Resurrection. Now that is good news.
The question is: what day are we on? There were three days between the death of Yeshua and the raising to life of Yeshua. Sometimes we are in that in-between part. Not only that, but sometimes we are on the third day, and we may not even know it.
The rabbis saw all of the "Third Days" in the Scripture, from Hosea, to Jonah, to Esther, to Moses. And they saw resurrection life in the Hebrew Bible. Yeshua is the fullness of all the third days in the Hebrew Bible; That's how we know that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
In this week’s sermon, "The Shopping Spree of the Lord," we explore the profound concept of God’s acquisitions or purchases throughout Scripture, with the Hebrew word "kana" serving as the anchor word. Through the powerful imagery of God's acquiring the people of Israel, the land of Israel, the Torah, and the Temple, we reflect on our own relationship with the Lord as His "acquisition." We are extensions of God’s purpose and our lives, as part of His body, should embody unity and care for one another, thus fulfilling the Torah of Messiah.
This week we had Reverend Louis Williams from Into the Neighborhood, a local ministry seeking to mobilize prepared people to live out God’s mission for their lives and reclaim, restore and rebuild the landscape of their community. This week, Rev. Louis shared with us on how to trust in the Lord and be anxious for nothing, a great reminder for all of us.
This week we heard from Victory Avery from Maps Global on the life and calling of Simon Peter.
In this week's sermon from Parashat Shemot, we are reminded that God intimately knows our pain and struggles. Like the "Undercover Boss" who humbles himself to understand the burdens of his employees, God has lowered Himself to walk with us in our suffering, sharing in our afflictions. He is not distant, but deeply acquainted with our every hurt, offering us strength and comfort in our times of need. The contrasting lessons of Moses and Pharaoh serve as a lesson on what it means to know and to be known by God and others. Let's reflect on our relationship with God, trust that He understands our deepest pains, and draw near to the One who fully knows us, offering healing and hope in His presence.
In this week's sermon, we delve into the profound tradition of the ethical will—an inheritance of wisdom, values, and life lessons passed down through the generations. Through the words of Jacob and King David, we see how both patriarchs, near the end of their lives, share their deepest insights and blessings with their children, laying the foundation for the future. We explore how this act of transmission, rooted in the biblical ethic of "L'Dor Va-Dor" (from generation to generation), is not just a family tradition but a vital part of our spiritual inheritance. Whether it’s Jacob's prophetic blessings to his sons or David’s final charge to Solomon, these moments remind us that we too are called to pass on the faithfulness of God. Join us as we reflect on what we can pass on—a legacy of God's love, guidance, and faithfulness—so that our stories, wisdom, and blessings continue to impact future generations.
The Scriptures describe an ideal Shepherd, a descendant of King David. And as we read through these descriptions, it’s as if a painting begins to take shape, a picture of an ideal shepherd. First, just the edges, and then it fills in as we read from Genesis onward. And the purpose of this broad painting over many different books in the Bible is so that when the person actually walks in the room, we can go, “Hey, it’s the shepherd from the painting, but he’s actually here! It’s really him!” And then He can say to us, “It’s time for the family reunion: One Flock, One Shepherd.”
And why should we look forward to this family reunion? Because we want a world with No Sheep Left Behind.
“This is Heavy, Doc.” In the movie, “Back to the Future,” made in 1985, this is the catchphrase of Marty Mcfly. When Marty says, “This is heavy” he means that something is awesome and beyond understanding. With a movie about time travel, it happens a lot. But I believe I found the word that Marty Mcfly would have used, had he spoke Hebrew: “Kavod.” Kavod means glory, but it’s related to the word for heavy, or weightiness. In short, the “Kavod” is the glorious presence and radiance of God, which should inspire reverence, awe, and honor in us. If Marty travelled back in time to see the Tabernacle, or the Temple, which had the ark of the covenant, I’m pretty sure he would say, “This is heavy, Doc.”
This will be our guide word this morning in our exploring of the Scriptures. And the "Kavod," the heaviness and weightiness of God’s glory, should inspire us to have more reverence and awe for God’s majesty. And why are we looking into this word? Because contempt for the Lord leads to judgment, but honor for the Lord leads to shalom and life.
Looking for a last minute Hanukkah gift? Well, you’re in for a treat, because today we are starting with THE Definitive 2024 Hanukkah Gift Guide! That’s right! We’re going to look at gifts in the Bible and give them an objective rating out of 10 based on a fancy rubric so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the holiday with peace of mind. Now, this first one is actually from this week’s Torah Portion, the story of Joseph. We have: “One Special Colorful Coat that’s only for one of your 12 sons.”
Let's uncover what it means to have a teachable spirit. How can our willingness to learn and grow lead to restored relationships with God and each other? Discover the significance of being doers of the Word, and learn how the ancient narratives of Genesis still speak to us today.
If I were going to meet you for coffee, we’d need to establish two things in order to meet: a time and place. What time and place will the Lord be on the earth so we can meet up with Him?
It was a solemn and meaningful Yom Kippur service at Temple Beth Israel. The rabbi began his sermon with this sobering reminder, “Everyone in this congregation is going to die some day.” From the back there was a short laugh. The rabbi continued, “As I was saying, no one is exempt. The president of the synagogue, the cantor, everyone in this community, including me, is going to die someday.” Another laugh, this time heartier. “Excuse me, but why are you laughing?” the rabbi demanded. “I’m just so relieved,” the reply came. “I’m not part of this community--I’m visiting from out of town!”
In this sermon we take a sober look at our own mortality and at what's important in life.
In this sermon, our elder Eric shares his personal story of growing up Jewish, coming to know Yeshua, and learning to listen to God.
For the new year of 5785 listen to the story of Evan Ezra Grumps, and what he learns about the true meaning of Rosh Hashanah.
This week we learned how to give 10% to our community and what the Lord has given us in this weeks sermon from elder Eric Friedmen.
What goes best with a peanut butter sandwich? Jelly? Honey? Pickles? And what does that have to do with sharing our story and gospeling? Find out by checking out our latest sermon, "What Else Goes on A Peanut Butter Sandwich? Parashat Ki Tavo" by Rabbi David Wein.
Listen to our visiting speaker Reverend Keith Hill discuss the challenges of Psalm 137 and the impact of scriptures through time.
How can we partner with others and be the arms and feet of Yeshua reaching further than we could on our own? Listen to this sermon by our visiting speaker, Rabbi Dr. Michael Shiffman with Chevra USA. Rabbi Michael shares testimonies of the work in Eastern Europe and Israel, and how we can support them. https://mychevra.org
Listen to this encouraging message from our Visiting Speaker Sherrie Moore from MAPS Global. Sherrie was on staff at our synagogue in the 90's, leading city-wide prayer at that time, and has continued to seek the Lord for the darkness in this city to turn to light.
The question is “Eifo Ani?” (“Where am I?”) “Why am I? “And “Why did I fall off my camel?”
Drawn from the matriarch Rebekah’s journey, learn how these questions can be applied to your journey with the God who lives and sees.
Is a hotdog a sandwich? And if so, how can you be a hotdog? And even if a hotdog is a sandwich, does that make everything food? Learn more about these important questions and more
Through trusting in Yeshua the Messiah, we know that God is with us in the desert, that God provides the waters of life that sustain us, and that God is King over all earth. Learn more about these 3 key aspects of the Sukkot Festival in the sermon “Yeshua our Sukkah” by Rabbi David Wein
It was Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat at the same time, so you know what that means! STORYTIME! Today's story is called: Wake Up and Rest: The Story of AJ the Anxious Jew, by Rabbi David Wein
Sermon delivered on 08/12/23 by elder Eric Friedman on prayer and this season of prayer we are entering in as the month of Elul begins.
God calls us to life long learning. Listen to hear a word about why it is good to puruse life long education.
A heart compelling sermon about what it means to remain in step with the Ruach Ha Kodesh.
A sermon that will have you laughing but have you convicted all the same. Take a journey into the life of two individuals who will bring to life what it means to either live by self or by faith.
A sermon about unity and loving one another in Spirit and Truth. Exemplifying the true Love of Yeshua the Messiah.
What does it mean to truly renew our "Joy in Adonoy"? Fill up your tank with joy in the Lord.
A sermon with the outlook of understanding what it means "To Marvel" and be encompassed with the Living Word.
A good reminder to all of us that we need to fix our eyes on the Lord. The Lord has a bigger picture in mind.