Well hello friends and scattered family in Messiah! This is an interesting topic when it comes to churches and house churches in particular. Because again, western culture, has influenced people greatly in how they perceive or understand what a body of believers should look like. Our western cultural norms have often been confused when compared to Biblical truth and the 2 are not 1 in the same. (verses for ref: Acts 2:2, Acts2:42, Acts 2:46, Acts 20:20, 1 Cor 16:19, Rom 16:5, MT 18:20, Col 4:15) Definitions: "Ekklesia" a people group: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both:—assembly, church. Pastor/Overseer: G1985 STRONGS (episkopos)
No scripture is to be found for: theological degrees, fancy buildings or any of that. While there is nothing innately wrong with attaining higher education. Biblically speaking it is not a prerequisite for overseeing an assembly of believers. Let's look again at the Apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all simple fisherman (MT 4:18-22) Even the Apostle Paul, after his conversion, continued to work his trade as a tentmaker to continue supporting himself. (Acts 18:1-3) Trustworthy is the saying: “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.” An overseer, then, must be beyond criticism—the husband of one wife, clear-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money, managing his own household well, keeping his children under control with all respectfulness. (But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s community?) He must not be a new believer, or he may become puffed up and fall into the same judgment as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with those outside, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap. 1 Tim 3:1-7 TLV
The reason I left you in Crete was so that you would set in order the things that remain and appoint elders in every city as I directed you if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children of faith with no charge of wild living or rebellion. For the overseer must be blameless as God’s administrator—not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, devout, disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message in keeping with the teaching, so he can both encourage by instruction that is sound and convict those who speak against it. Titus 1:5-9 TLV Putting the two lists together, we get the following BIBLICAL qualifications for a pastor/overseer:
ABOVE ALL: let the assembly of believers be straight Bible/Word led. > For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst < MT 18:20 TLV AMEN HalleluYAH! Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13
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Hello friends and scattered family in Messiah. Whatever you do, work at it from the soul, as for the Lord and not for people. For you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is to the Lord Messiah you are giving service. Colossians 3:23-24 TLV This is a scripture my husband and I have discussed many times. Whether it is regarding: his work, me homeschooling, ministry etc. Expounding on this....I am expounding on it for where we are growing at this time. Others may minimize or belittle your: ministry, service etc. That's ok. Its not FOR them, although, by default function, people will be blessed by serving. Know Whom you serve. Keep on, keeping on. Keeping His ways: the Feasts, Shabbat and continuing in Bible Ways/ His Ways. >He's got us< The work is as UNTO ADONAI. Our ministry is not the typical western ministry. It is also not "for the approval of men." People have set up their own ideas that: overseers, pastors, leaders of assemblies/churches need a theological degree or to appear a certain way, that churches need to "look" a certain way etc...... Western cultural influences creeping in again. The church or "Ekklesia" is by definition a people group: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both:—assembly, church. No scripture to be found for theological degrees, fancy buildings or any of that. While there is nothing innately wrong with attaining higher education. Biblically speaking it is not a prerequisite for overseeing an assembly of believers. Let's look again at the Apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all simple fisherman (MT 4:18-22) Even the Apostle Paul, after his conversion, continued to work his trade as a tentmaker to continue supporting himself. (Acts 18:1-3) Trustworthy is the saying: “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.” An overseer, then, must be beyond criticism—the husband of one wife, clear-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money, managing his own household well, keeping his children under control with all respectfulness. (But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s community?) He must not be a new believer, or he may become puffed up and fall into the same judgment as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with those outside, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap. 1 Tim 3:1-7 TLV Those who, by default, are blessed, halleluYah! Even, Yeshua Messiah, had Judas so we know in advance and because He warned us as well there will be strife and issues.... not everyone will value: you, your efforts, work, or ministry. People often have a similar attitude towards homeschooling. How can you homeschool without an educational degree? Yet, the home-educated typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. - www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/ Regardless of all else the husband and I have decided to continue, "focusing on Yeshua, the initiator and perfecter of faith,"- Heb 12:2 Likewise, until next time I hope you join us in continuing to: "press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua." Phil 4:13 #allegiancetoOne #Ambassadors Hello friends and scattered family in Messiah. It has been frequently said in memes and cute little post cards: "God never gives you more than you can handle...." To the contrary, He does. It is not more than you can handle WITH HIM....but on your own....yes your strength will fail. He allows it, “to make us rely not on ourselves but on Yah who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). If you’re facing some overwhelming adversary or adversity and you wonder how Yah could possibly deliver and work it for your good (Romans 8:28), then take heart. As the psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Ps. 46:1–3). When our strength is failing under crushing burdens, the answer is not within. God gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak (Isa. 40:29). The power comes from Him to those who wait on Him. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17). You might not consider overwhelming sufferings to be “light” and “momentary,” but think of your trials in terms of eternity from now. In the middle of affliction, sometimes the most difficult thing to hold onto is an eternal vision. Paul isn’t trying to minimize your affliction; he’s trying to ** maximize your perspective.** Suffering doesn’t get the last line in the script. In this life, Abba Yah may allow more than you can handle, but the coming weight of glory will be greater than you can imagine. He cannot be our deliverer if we have nothing to be delivered from.... He cannot be our Redeemer with nothing to Redeem us from....He cannot be our Strength if we can do it all in our own strength....He cannot be our Peace if we are never troubled in this life.... -> John 16:33 "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." Amen, all glory be to Yah! "I am Adonai--there is no other. Besides me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known Me, so they may know, from the rising to the setting of the sun, that there is no one besides Me. I am Adonai--there is no other." ISA 45:5-6 TLV Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13 Good afternoon friends and scattered family in Messiah! Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah — indeed, sin is violation of Torah. (1 Jo) 3:4 CJB What is Torah? The law/instructions/Way that was given by God . Genesis-Duet. When Yeshua quoted scripture to teach He taught from the Torah. The church in the book of Acts didn't have a written (2nd [New] Testament) yet. They continued in Torah. Yeshua is the High Priest of Torah, "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 TLV AMEN! Did Yeshua/Jesus teach the ten commandments? Yes. “Why are you asking me about good? There is One who is good! But if you want to obtain eternal life, observe the mitzvot/commandments .” The man asked him, “Which ones?” and Yeshua said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony honor father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself.”(Mat) 19:17-19 CJB Yeshua said to them, “Yes. I tell you that in the regenerated world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Isra’el. Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times more, and he will obtain eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Mat) 19:28-30 CJB “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. *Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.* Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV
Yeshua plainly said He did not come to “destroy” the law. The Greek word translated destroy (Greek, katalyo) can also be translated “dissolve,” “demolish,” “abrogate” or “deprive of force.” Instead of abolishing the law, He came to fulfill (pleroo) it—which means to “make full,” “fill up” or “accomplish He fulfilled/accomplished the law in that He never broke it. He is SINLESS, (sin=lawlessness) thus taking the curse of the Torah/law that we, who believe, would not be under the curse any longer. - - -Rom7: 22 For in my inner self I COMPLETELY agree with God's Torah/law (and as you read you can see the battle Paul speaks of between the 'law of sin' this is our natural state of being, in sin, in lawlessness. You can see this working within him against the Law of God/Torah.) In conclusion : Who will rescue me from this body bound for death? Thanks be to God [He will]! — through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord! To sum up: with my mind, I am a slave of God’s Torah ; but with my old nature, I am a slave of sin’s “ Torah .” Romans (Rom) 7:24-25 CJB------ Through Yeshua we are rescued from the curse/condemnation of the Torah/ law "The Messiah redeemed us FROM THE CURSE pronounced in the Torah by becoming cursed on our behalf... ”Galatians (Gal) 3:13 CJB And in our new nature “ ‘This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days,’ says Adonai : ‘I will put my Torah on their hearts, and write it on their minds . . . ” (Heb) 10:16 CJB One of the major problems with the Pharisees’ traditions was that they often led to the abuse and mistreatment of other people. For example, in Matthew 23 Yeshua strongly rebuked them for putting unnecessary burdens on people (verse 4), abusing widows (verse 14), neglecting justice and mercy (verse 23) and even being complicit in the murder of righteous men (verse 34-35). In another place, He scolded them for inventing a loophole that allowed them to avoid caring for their elderly parents (Mark 7:11-13). The main flaw was neglecting to show love to their fellow man.} “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Do not murder,’ and that anyone who commits murder will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who nurses anger against his brother will be subject to judgment; that whoever calls his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing!’ will be brought before the Sanhedrin ; that whoever says, ‘Fool!’ incurs the penalty of burning in the fire of Gei-Hinnom (hell) ! So if you are offering your gift at the Temple altar and you remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift where it is by the altar, and go, make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift. If someone sues you, come to terms with him quickly, while you and he are on the way to court; or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer of the court, and you may be thrown in jail! Yes indeed! I tell you, you will certainly not get out until you have paid the last penny. “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that a man who even looks at a woman with the purpose of lusting after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mat) 5:21-28 CJB He showed the expectation makes it a heart matter. For God knows the intentions of the heart. If you lust after a woman you have already committed adultery in your heart (and broken the law/sinned) where we fail to fulfill the law by sin (lawlessness) ->Yeshua stood in our place. We are not under the law.." What does that mean? It means we do not stand condemned by the Torah/Law bc Yeshua paid the sacrifice since ALL have fallen short and been lawless/sinful. (see Rom 3:23) What is sin? Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah — indeed, sin is violation of Torah .⁹ (1 JN) 3:4 CJB or in NKJV "Whoever commits sin, commits lawlessness for sin is lawlessness" What is the law? Torah.
Bottom line: Yeshua says, "If you love Me, obey Me" the expectation of obedience is there. When we fail and commit lawlessness the fulfillment of the law in Yeshua redeems His own from the curse. If we repent upon recognition of sin, are born again, and belong to Him. Western churches by and large teach "another gospel" they do not teach what Yeshua taught. "But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should announce any "good news" to you other than what we have proclaimed to you, let that person be cursed!- Gal 1: 8TLV Be of a "Berean mindset," - "searching the Scriptures each day to see whether these things were true." Acts 17: 11 TLV Blessings and Shabbat Shalom! Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13 Hello friends, readers, and scattered family in Messiah! The below comment was brought directly to my attention, and I would like to address it: What is Biblically incorrect here? "When you die. God isn't going to ask you about someone else. He won’t ask you about the two men down the street who got married. He won’t ask you about the girl who had an abortion. He won’t ask you about the atheist that lives on the corner. He won’t ask you about the woman who feels more comfortable as a man. He WILL ask you how you loved those people as he called you to do. And some of you didn’t." And the, oh so common, "Love is love"
Commandment #1, Love Yah, and the 2nd is like it- loving your neighbor. <-
Love cannot be defined properly by a world/culture devoid of the knowledge of the One WHO IS LOVE.
Love, includes obeying YHWH by: sharing the Gospel- sharing the truth loving your neighbor both spiritually and with physical provisions. But, have you ever thought about what God’s love language is? God IS love, (< 1JN 4:8) the Bible tells us. So He is the One Who gets to define it, and He certainly gets to tell us how to love Him. How does God tell us we can show our love for Him?
OBEDIENCE. by Christiana Kuhlow #kingdomculture #AmbassadorofMessiah YOU CAN NOW CONNECT WITH US ON OUR FACEBOOK HERE! Pursuing the upward call | Facebook This is a public "personal blog" pg via Facebook to make it easier for readers to connect and share. Stop in for a visit, invite a friend. Hope to see you all there! Until next time: May Adonai bless and keep you as you: press on pursuing the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. Phil 4:13 |
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