Messiah in Life

What is the Work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of messianic disciples? As we prepare for the fall feasts during the month of Elul, we need to be aware of the working of the Holy Spirit, not just in this season, but in every season until Messiah's return.  References: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Leviticus 23:24; John 14:16-18, 26; John 16:7-14; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18; Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1...

As we approach the Fall Feasts of the Lord, we enter a month of preparation. During the next four podcast episodes we will consider a series called: Come to Me. In this episode we look at Yeshua standing in the midst of the Jewish people at the conclusion of the Feast of Tabernacles.  References: John 7:37-44. 

The Parable of the Maidens, addresses the actions of the wise and foolish maidens. What do we learn from this parable? How does the message of this parable inform our living in faith? Give a listen! References: Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 25:31-46. 

Four kinds of hearers, with four different results. What is the message of the Parable of the Sower, or another way, the Parable of the Hearers? What is the link between hearing, understanding and doing? Give a listen! References: Luke 8:4-15. 

A shrewd steward seemingly applauded by the Messiah? What is Yeshua/Jesus communicating to us through this unusual parable? The Parable of the Shrewd Steward.  References: Luke 16:1-3; 15:1-2. 

Having considered the urgency and the value of the Kingdom of God, Yeshua/Jesus now asks us to consider the costs of following Him. Join me as we consider two parables concerning "the decision."  References: Luke 14:28-33; 25-27. 

The Find: What is the Kingdom of Heaven worth to us? What is the cost of discipleship? We consider these questions and so much more in this episode of Messiah in Life.  References: Matthew 13:44-46; Mark 10:17-27. 

Knowing the name of God, and the specific attributes attached to His name can aid us in prayer. How so? Give a listen.  Reference: Isaiah 50:10; Psalm 23:4; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Philippians 1:6. 

The Lost. Have you ever experienced the joy of finding what had been lost? Maybe your keys, wallet, or even those glasses you were wearing? Then you can relate easily to the parables in this episode: The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin. Yet, the joy is more profound, more real, and has eternal implications. Give a listen.  References: Luke 15:1-10; Ezekiel 34:1-4; 10-16. 

The parable of the Urgent Invitation. With each parable, Messiah is urging us to a response. What is the urgent response needed here? And what does it speak to our heavily scheduled life today?  References: Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24.

The Parable of the Two Debtors. Messiah uses this parable to answer a silent question asked by Simon the Pharisee. What do we learn from this parable, and what does it mean to us today? References: Luke 7:36-50. 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, what is the meaning of this parable? Which son was the prodigal? Who wasted what? What did the original listeners hear that perhaps we have overlooked? ***A technical oversight on my part, as the into and outro music was muted. My apologies.*** References: Luke 15:11-32. 

The Merciful Lord and the Unforgiving Servant Forgiveness is a vital, and central practice of the messianic faith. How great a debt have we been forgiven? What should such forgiveness foster in us? In this episode of Messiah in Life, we consider forgiveness, and the dynamic of it in the human relationship; as well as how unforgiveness impacts our life and the lives of those around us.  References:...

"Then who is my neighbor?" The heart of the question leading to the Parable of the Good Samaritan is: who am I responsible for? Messiah answers in the most profound way, demanding a response on our part. In this episode we consider this well-known parable, and the penetrating twist Messiah Yeshua/Jesus uses to challenge His audience.  Reference: Luke 10:25-37. 

The parable of the talents. What do we learn from this parable? How are we to occupy until His return? What do we do with what has been entrusted to us? Can we find any rabbinic parallels to this parable? Do you fear the Lord to the point of inactivity? He has not called you to that, but to stewardship of what He has blessed you with!  Reference: Matthew 25:14-30. 

In this episode we consider the parable of the Fair Employer. How has Madison Avenue changed our experience in corporate worship, and in the harvest fields? References: Matthew 20:1-16

What do we do when we find ourselves down in the bottomlands, deep down in the valleys of life? Give a listen.  References: Zechariah 1:3. 

In this episode we consider two parables, the contemptible friend and the corrupt judge, and the lesson Messiah is teaching us in these unusual parables. Is God a bad friend? Is He a corrupt judge? We will consider the lessons and meaning of these two parables for application to our lives today.  Reference: Luke 11:5-10; Luke 18:1-8; Luke 5:17-25; Luke 17:12-19; Mark 10:46-52. 

When is a story just a story? How were parables used by Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, and his contemporaries? Are they meant to be mysterious? Or were they doing something else for the listener? We will answer these questions and more in Part 1 of Messiah and the Parable. 

Can we find purpose in the mundane acts of every day life? Certainly! In this episode of Messiah in Life, we look at two verses of Scripture speaking to seemingly minor acts that had big impacts.  References: Leviticus 6:1-6; II Timothy 4:13. 

The Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12. Easy to say in part, but difficult to do in practice. We take a look at the meaning and purpose of the Golden Rule, and its historic setting.  Reference: Matthew 7:7-12; Leviticus 19:18, 34. 

The Passover Seder can seem overwhelming, until you look at the heart of it. We were slaves, now we are free. We were afflicted, but now we are healed. We were separated, now we are together. We are here, next year may we be there. Gratitude.  References: Matthew 26:17-30; Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 

In this final episode on Galatians, we unpack the heart of Paul's theological argument concerning the gospel, the marks of circumcision, and bearing the brand of his Master in his flesh.  Galatians 6:1-18 2 Corinthians 11:22-28

In this episode we unpack the heart of Paul's theological argument concerning the gospel,  walking in the Spirit, and avoiding the legalistic traps of the flesh.  Reference: Galatians 5; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. 

In this episode we unpack the heart of Paul's theological argument concerning the gospel and a call to maturity. .  References: Galatians 4:1-31.