Angelology, Anthropology & Sin
Dr. Scott Horrell
Dallas Theological Seminary
Fall 2005
Under His Feet
A Biblical Theology of Authority
by
Maud G. Lew
4th Rev. & Exp. ed. 2006
Outline
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The Lord of the Universe
Angels, the Devil & Powers
Man, Dominion, and Family
The Perversion of Authority
Conscience & Accountability
Authority, Freedom & the Will
Flesh, Spirit & Self-Control
World & God, the Great King
Law, Justice & Holiness Code
Shepherding the  of Youth
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Obedience & Character Dynamics
Humility, Honor & Stewardship
Restoring Covenant relationships
Speaking the Word with Authority
King Messiah & the Triune God
Missions & Spiritual Warfare
Theocracy & the Kingdom
The Messianic Community Prevails
Order in the House of God
Israel, the Nations and the Church
The Lord of the Universe
The whole Creation is filled with His glory, and He alone is worthy of worship!
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He is sovereign (Authority from the beginning)
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He
He
He
He
rules over all His Creation – Job 42:2
has no equal in power – Is 40:25
alone judges righteously – Ps 58 & 82; Is 40:22-24; Ecc 3:17
is the final judge of all – Jer 17:10; Ps 9:8; Prov 29:14; Is 11:2-5
He overcomes all opposition (Authority in the end)
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Death with Life – 1 Cor 15:26
Darkness with Light – John 12:46
Lies with Truth – John 8:32
Evil with Good – Jer 29: 11; Heb 1:8-12
“Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun.
They need to think again.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Angels & the Devil
Powers and Principalities
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Angels & the Devil
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Angels worship & serve God; Like man have free will – Heb 1:14 ; Rev 19:10
1/3 have rebelled and become adversaries (Satan, demons) – Rev 12-13
The devil can masquerade as an angel of light – 2 Cor 11:14; 2 Th 2:9
 Ministers or Tormentors? - 2 Cor 12:7
Angels will be judged by men (sons of God) – 1 Cor 6:3
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Heavenly Powers
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Subordinate, not equal to God – Heb 1:6-7; Eph 6:12
The media present an imbalanced view of the spiritual world
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Even the devil must get permission to act – Job 1:12; Job 2:6
Principalities: behind earthly rulers and idolatrous ideologies
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Islam = Forced subjugation to Allah’s will
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Eastern religions & New Age
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Pagan notion of submission – Matt 20:25
“As you think so you become” … Become God? – Is 14
Rulers, Princes & Political ideologies
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2 extremes: Tyranny… Anarchy (there is no true democracy)
They fail to exercise justice & mercy – Micah 6:8; Amos 5:15; John 7:24; Acts
4:19; Jn 5:19;Ps 9:7-9; Is 2:3-4; Is 11:3-4; Is 42:3-4; Acts 17:31
Dominion and the Family of Man
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Man was given dominion over the earth
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Gender “submission” = alignment for “echad” unity
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Over all living creatures - Gen 1:26-28
Dominion = Stewardship of Planet Earth, not ownership.
Worship Creator, not creation since nature only reflects dimly God’s glory.
Male and female, co-workers & co-heirs – Gen 1:27; 1 Pet 3:7
“He shall rule over you” – Gen 3:16; Col 3:18; Eph 5:22-24; 1 Pet 3:1-6
“Love her as you love yourself” – Eph 5:25-33; Col 3:19
Parental authority in the family = Mutual respect + Sacrificial love
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Marriage covenant is for godly offspring - Mal 2:15
Parents are accountable to God – Dt 6:6-7; Luke 17:1-2
Children are accountable to parents – Dt 5:16; Eph 6:1-3; Col 3:20
Evil & the Fall
The Perversion of Authority
A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him – 2 Pet 2:19
The sin of rebellion – Jas 1:14-15
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FALL
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Disregarding divine warning
Disobeying God’s command
Who Hardens the Heart?
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God? Sinner? Both?
- Jeremiah 17:9; James 1: 14-15
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Failure to exercise self-control
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Moral failure
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Ensnared by the flesh, the
world and the devil
Slavery to sin
Serving evil
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How does God respond to a hardened ?
Evil crouches at the door
You must master it
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Hardened hearts, seared
conscience
Idolatry, lawlessness,
wickedness
Am I my brother’s keeper?
Each and All are Accountable
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But because of your
stubbornness and your
unrepentant heart, you are
storing up wrath against
yourself for the day of God's
wrath, when his righteous
judgment will be revealed.
God "will give to each
person according to what he
has done”
– Rom 2:5-6; Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12
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All who sin apart from the
law will also perish apart
from the law, and all who
sin under the law will be
judged by the law. For it is
not those who hear the law
who are righteous in God's
sight, but it is those who
obey the law who will be
declared righteous.
– Rom 2:12-13
My final destiny depends on the state of my 
God’s wrath gives sinners over to the desires of their  – Rom 1: 18-32
Exercise of conscience is proof law is written on the  – Rom 2:14-16
“Thy Will Be Done”
Submission & Dependence or Rebellion & Autonomy?
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Only 2 kinds of people
Those who say to God
“Thy will be done”
God enables them to overcome temptation
 Those to whom God says
“Thy will be done”
God releases them into their own cycle of
self-deception & self-destruction
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Only the Master of All can set a
slave free from his taskmasters
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From Lies with Truth
Out of Darkness into the Light
Turning Evil into Good
Conquering Death with Life
A man cannot serve 2 masters
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“Thy will be
done”
The question is who do we trust more to
help: God or self?
With 100% dependence on God
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Anyone can be set free from the most
powerful temptation – 1 Cor 10:13
“Thy will be
done”
The Power of A Lie
Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no evil
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What’s good for one is evil for another?
No absolutes standards of good and evil?
“Defining evil” leads to conflict & suffering?
Judging anyone is unreasonable?
Personal accountability is a choice?
Authority & Freedom
Can Getting Rid Of A Repressive Conscience Eliminate Evil?
Assumptions
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“Notions of good and evil are a
form of social repression…
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by a collective conscience
whose capricious standards
change over time and
between cultures”
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primitive utopias of cultural
anthropologists, nudist
colonies, liberal agenda
“Authority restrains freedom”
Everybody does it, so it’s OK?
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“We can return to primitive
innocence by doing away with
repressive moral notions”
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Reality
A perverted conscience
cannot return to primitive
innocence
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Power + Pleasure =
Dangerous Licence
It projects its perversion into
“primitive” contexts
You can’t buy innocence: the
truth alone sets free
“Authority empowers good by
constraining evil”
Conscience & Accountability
First to God (our “ self ” before God)
God knows us better than we know ourselves
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God is our closest and truest friend
True friends correct, rebuke & discipline to
bring forth good fruit in us
– Prov 28:23; Prov 27:6,17; Prov 18:1
Conscience helps us weigh our own motives
& examine the fruit in our life
To parents, who help us reach maturity
Wise parents model & teach covenant bonds of love
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Family learns to honor, hear and obey God
alone and together
Parents teach principles of right & wrong
as covenant boundaries
Wise parents mentor, train & discipline
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The conviction of conscience is personal
In correction, the sinner’s honor is
preserved; the sinful thought, word or act
is recognized as shameful.
Fruit of repentance leads to reconciled
personal relations
Wise parents know how to let go: Roots & Wings
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Freedom is earned through wise choices
Expectations are matched to age, ability &
maturity level
To the people we serve
Covenantal relationships are stronger …
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… than contractual ones (2 parties)
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3rd party is God’s witness
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Family→ church → job → world
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Peer accountability
Spiritual Fruit vs. gifts of Spirit
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Gifts submitted to God = True
charisma → produces character
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True character is evidenced by fruit
of Spirit
This is a Test!
Can you hear me now? Does it work? How long does the warranty last?
Can you trust this brand? What name is it? Do I know you?
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The righteous will live by faith – Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Heb 11:1-3,6
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“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” – Job 23:10
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD – Lam 3:40
I have refined you … I have tested you in the furnace of affliction
– Is 48:10; Jer 9:7; Zec 13:8-9
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Test for faith: Ask Me, Test Me in this, says the Lord – Is 7:11-13; Mal 3:10
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind – Ps 26:2
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Why do you put the Lord to the test? – Ex 17:2; Ps 78:18-22; Mt 4:6-7
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“God has come to test you so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Ex 20:20; Dt 4:33-35; Dt 8:2,16; Dt 13:3; 1 Chr 29:17a; 2 Chr 32:31
Abraham: A heart tested, tried and true – Gen 22:1-12
Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing – Luke 8:13
The LORD tests the  – Pr 17:3
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You who judge righteously and test the heart & mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to
you I have committed my cause – Jer 11:20
“I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!” – Mt 7:21-23
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.
The one who trusts will never be dismayed.” – Is 28:16
Flesh & Spirit Struggle
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Outcome is Self-Control, i.e. Taking Responsibility for Who you are
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Satan is an intruder and a usurper, the Spirit is an invited guest
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“I don’t need God” = “I have the power” → failure – John 15:4-6
Bring struggles & addictions to God who can provide a way of escape
When the old captain is replaced by a new one, the crew needs time to adjust
The new captain must counter every order from the old captain with a new one
Confrontation uses Divine Weapons: helmet, shield, sword, belt, shoes
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Spirit is the Gardener: Weeds take over, good plants must be tended – John 15:1-3
A stronghold is the seat from where Satan is allowed to rule the heart
Children’s lives are full of failed attempts to succeed: How do we respond?
Satan: “You’ll always be defeated over this” – Spirit: encourages through failure
The Spirit of God = Power of God = overcomes all temptation
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We are tempted (enticed) by our own nature –James 1:13-15
We battle not with the flesh, but spiritual forces – 2 Cor 10:3-6
Before engaging, ask yourself: “Is this the hill you want to die on?”
Avoiding confrontation is like going behind enemy lines & surrendering the field
Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah - “God’s will be done”
Demolish every argument / pretension, idea that usurps the place only God can fill
Appealing from the right position → Victory over Darkness
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On the Rock: Disarm Satan by wielding the Sword of Truth against yourself first
By doing so, all will see the Word of God means something to you.
The Flesh
Parable of the Sharks
My true shark experience
 The Captain’s Rules
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Explaining the parable
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Hang on to the rope
Don’t kick your feet
Trust me & see: The sharks
won’t hurt you
Waters = Trials of life
Captain = God
Snorkeler = Human soul / spirit
Rope = Faith in Jesus
Sharks = Desires of flesh
Why I was safe
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The captain fed the sharks
I hung on to the rope
I didn’t kick my feet
Lessons of the Spirit
Prov 20:27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord searching all the inner depths of his heart
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He will provide for the needs, not the lust of the flesh
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Hang on to your faith in Messiah when your soul/spirit is distressed
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Don’t fret: His Spirit will overflow to give you peace – Php 4:6- 7; Rom 8:6; Rom 15:13
By pleasing God thus, He can make your enemies at peace with you – Proverbs 16:7
Make sure your faith anchors your soul to God through His Spirit …
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Hunger, thirst, sleep, sex ≠ gluttony, drunkenness, sloth, lust
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh – Gal 5:16-17
The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of
the world - 1 John 2:16
The true circumcision worships in the Spirit of God, glories in Messiah Yeshua and puts no
confidence in the flesh - Philippians 3:3
As strangers & pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, that war against the soul - 1Pet 2:11
The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust who walk
after the flesh for the day of judgment – 2 Pet 2:9-11
Not to a counterfeit, lest your rope be cut and you find yourself alone in deeper waters
Abiding in Him means real anointing – 1 John 2:27
He desires to pour His Spirit upon you as His beloved
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Even, upon your flesh to sanctify it and make you a filled vessel for his glory
Vessels of honor vs. vessels of dishonor – 2 Tim 2:19-21
The World
Civil Authority & the Nations
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Civil authority is God's instrument to govern the world of men
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He fashions the shapes & destinies of nations giving them warning first
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He set one nation above the others to be their God & King – Dt 26:19
David calls all Israel & nations to praise the LORD – Ps 67:2-4; 108:3
Eternal kingship promised to a descendant of David – 1 Chr 17:11-14
He exercises perfect justice and mercy, fulfills all hope – John 5:19
In Zion, He is enthroned as the Great King forever – Dt 12:5; Ps 9:11; 1 Chr 22; 2 Chr
2:5; 2 Chr 5:13-2 Chr 6; Is 18:7; 2 Chr 20:5; 2 Kings 19:15
God has stripped all rulers of their final authority, except His Son
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Like a potter – Jer 18:7-10; Prov 21:1; 1 Sam 20:9
He allows wicked rulers – Jer 27:6; 1 Kgs 12:15; John 19:10
He plants the seed of theocracy in Zion
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He allows, sets & removes rulers to exercise justice - Rom 13:1-7; Dan 2:21
World peace comes through God’s Law & nations embracing His Messiah – Is 2
We submit for the Lord’s sake until His Kingdom comes – 1 Pet 2:13-14
“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry” – Psalm 2; Is 11:3-5; Is 14:5-11; Is 42:3-4;
Every knee shall bow before the King of Kings– Rev 19:11-16; Rev 21:23-27
He will shake all the nations & bring them in for judgment
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In the valley of Jehoshaphat – Is 2:4; Hag 2:6-7; Joel 3:2,12; Heb 12:26-29
Remnants of all nations will worship King Messiah, enthroned in Zion – Zec 14
God, The Great King
Royal Priesthood
of believers
Emissaries of
the Gospel
Mediation
Enforce Law
Message
Kings
Make Law
Execute justice?
Prophets
Priests
Represent men
before God
People
Represent God
before men
Three Offices: Priest-King-Prophet
(Three branches: Judiciary-Executive-Legislative)
Law, Justice & The Law of Messiah
Wisdom counsels law
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Human laws vs. Infallible Divine Law
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Human corruption perverts justice
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As long as man is judge, the sin of partiality impairs the execution of justice
Focus on “human rights” diminishes “human responsibility” & nullifies divine standard – Gal 5:14
Men become artful dodgers of human law: We make laws an unmerciful burden for others, but
manipulate it to put a “respectable face” on our own corruption
The entire Law
is
summed
up in
a who
single
command:
Law
cannot save
man
needs
mercy
have –loved
you, so you must
All miss the mark of“As
God’sI holiness
Rom 3:23
Mosaic Law as tutor cannot save except by perfect obedience – Gal 3:10,19,21,24; Jas
loveHisone
What man can’t do, God did through
Wordanother”
made flesh (justice) atoning for our sins (mercy)
Justice effected by“Love
God’s ownyour
arm through
sacrifice of as
His own
Son provides mercy – Rom 8:2
neighbor
yourself”
Self-justified or justified by God (in Messiah)?
Galman
5:14
Self-righteousness is worse than sin in that
deceives himself
Our blind spot = We are our own worst
enemy13:34
– Mt 6:22-23; Phil 3:8-9
John
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Law is subject to wisdom whose goal is to shun evil and preserve life – Job 28:20-28
The order of creation reflects Divine Law led by perfect wisdom – Pr 8: 22-31, 12-17, 35-36
Human laws guided by human wisdom must be subordinate to divine law – Psalm 19:7-10
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God freely provided a way of righteousness through faith
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The righteousness of man is rags; the righteousness of God is holiness – Is 64:6; Heb 4:15
Messiah’s sacrifice fulfills the Divine code of holiness “Be Holy as I am holy” – Rom 5:17-18
Where holiness is, law is no longer needed – Rom 6:14; 13:10; Gal 5:14, 18, 22-24
The Law of Messiah rules, the words of men condemn them
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The righteousness of Messiah extends to those who believe & remain in Him – Jn 15:4-5
“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Messiah” – Gal 6:2
The Holiness Code
Sacrifices, Old and New, have power to Justify & Sanctify – Rom 8:1-4, 29-30
Type of
offering
Hebrew
Name
Levitical
Significance
Lev 19:2
Levitical
Priesthood
Royal Priesthood
1 Pet 1:15-16; 2:5
Rom 15:16
New Covenant
Significance
2 Cor 3:6
Burnt
Ola
Sweet
Consecration
Lev 1:1-17
Rom 12:1-2
Daily worship
Grain
Drink
Incense
Minha
Nesek
Levona
Sweet
Gifts at Table
of Presence
Lev 2:1-16
Lev 3:13,18,23
Lev 24:7
1 Cor 11:26-27
1 Cor 10:16-17
2 Cor 5:18-20
Col 4:2; Jas 5:15-16
Communion
Unity
Reconciliation
Prayer
Peace
Shlamim
Sweet
Fellowship
Lev 3:1-17
Php 4:6-7
1 Pet 2:9; Eph 1:11-12
Heb 2:11-12; 13:15
Rom 15:5-7; Jas 3:9-10
Jas 5:13; Php 3:10
Thanksgiving
Praise
Witness
Martyrdom
Sin
Hatta
Forgiveness
Lev 4:1-5:13
John 8:22
John 13:33
Once for all
Atonement
Guilt
Asham
Amendment
Lev 5:14-6:7
Heb 10:1-2
Heb 13:10-11
Yeshua
Our Passover
Sacrifice
“Holiness” - Humility = Hypocrisy – Luke 18:10-15
Just War?
Pacifism
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Militarism
International Law: Just War Theory (JWT)
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Just cause
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There must be substantial aggression (violation of human rights)
Non-belligerent correctives are either hopeless or too costly
Belligerent correctives are neither hopeless nor too costly
Just Means
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JWT
No intent to harm innocents as an end or as a means
Harm done must be proportionate to defensive objective
Why JWT cannot be “Just” War
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Only God can bring lasting peace and reconciliation
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JWT assumes human rational control of means and ends under stress
JWT falsely equates intent and foresight → History repeats itself
Only God can foresee long-term & short term consequences
JWT does not take into account spiritual warfare
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The war is against enemies in the flesh, ignores spiritual enemies
No absolute standard of Good & Evil: All do what’s right in their own eyes
International Law & The God-Promised Land
Israel is the only nation not allowed on the UN security Council because it “occupies” land won in
defensive wars & tries to maintain defensible borders against enemies that seek to obliterate its existence
Nations resist God’s promise
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The nation that will not acknowledge the place of Israel will perish
Gen 17:7-8; Is 60:10-12
Those nations used by God to judge Israel are severely judged if
wicked and inhumane – Is 10:12-13; Is 47:6-9; Ez 36:1-7
All nations seeking to divide the land will incur judgment
– Joel 3:2; Zeph 2:8-10; Zec 1:13-17
International Law rejects God’s promise
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Status quo of post-WWII, pre-1967 borders is a recent doctrine
U.N. rule against national expansion through war, even in self-defense
is selectively applied (i.e., only valid against Israel)
Dar al Islam doctrine = Islam considers that land once under the rule
of Muslims must never be ruled again by “infidels”
United Nations appease Islam rather than recognize that defensible
borders are the rightful gain of the nation that resists aggression
Facts
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Arabs never accepted UN 1948 partition: it then becomes moot
There has never been in history a Palestinian state
Jews & Christians have prior claims in the land before Islam’s violent
conquest, especially areas never settled by Arabs
God’s law supercedes all other law
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The World Today: A Culture of Death
Loss of
Meaning
Secular humanism
“Self”
The New God
Power +
Pleasure
God
is
Dead
Legacy
Youth “Death” Culture
“Man’s final conquest has proved to be the abolition of man.”
- C.S. Lewis
Shepherding the Heart of Youth
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Parents modeling
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“A student is not above his teacher” – Luke 6:40
Moral influence starts at home → Keeping good company
Prevention training = Teach prudence + Model wisdom
Safeguards (fence around youth)
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Loving Presence: Absentee parents cannot discipline
“Whole” Family = Unity + Honor ≠ Divorce + Abuse
See their heart = Open + flexible communication
Good company = friends + media (Monitor influence on faith)
Let go = Love strong enough to release youth to consequences
Character Education
The How of “Shepherding”
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P
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SELF
RIGHTEOUSNESS
SIN
C
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We are hard-wired from birth
to worship, so it’s not ‘if’ but
‘What’? ‘WHO’?
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On the journey of life, the parent toes a
thin line to admonish his following child
against both sin and self-righteousness.
He must model the hatred of evil and
resistance to temptation, not just warn
against the deception of sin.
He must acknowledge human failings,
model repentance and learn from his
own mistakes so as not to fall into selfrighteousness.
Falling on either side puts self on a
pedestal = idolatry.
Teach through action by example, but
when using words, remember to include
not just the features (what?) but also
the benefits (why?).
Ex: “You shall have no other gods
before me,” so that you may encounter
the True God and delight in Him.
We do not want blind obedience, but
one that appropriates virtue as its own
reward.
Obedience & Character
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Obedience of face?
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Obedience of lips?
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To obey God = To DO what is right whatever the cost, not for reward.
Unselfish motives serve others, yet benefit us in the end
Choose life and blessedness – Dt 30:19; Mt 19:17; Lk 11:28
If you love me, you will obey what I command – John 14:15, 21,24
If role models are hypocritical, do not do as they do – Mt 23:3; Mt 5:12:1
Obedience of faith = right attitude
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No lip service: Parable of the 2 sons – Matt 21:28-31
Obedience of heart = right motive
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Character is how you behave when no one is looking …
God wins, I win: Commitment to trust God rather than my own strength
Commitment to entrust all I have & to use all my gifts for God’s purposes
“Faithful men” – Prov 20:6; Lk 18:7-8; Lk 19:17; Mt 25:23; 2 Tim 2:2
… become servants – Is 50:10; Zeph 3:2; Heb 11:8, Rom 1:5; Rom 16:26
Character Ed 101:
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They shall all be taught – Is 54:13
Untaught, we are most vulnerable
Taught, we can become unshakable
Do not fear: Only if you are fully known can you be fully loved…
Character Dynamics in Proverbs
Medium
Level of
of control Control
Eyes,
ears
Lips,
tongue
Hands,
feet
Thought
Moral
Ground
Ungodly
death
Godly
life
Seed
Simple
Prudent
Fool
Wise
Wicked
Upright
(Intent)
Talk
Foothold
(Speech)
Walk
Stronghold
(Conduct)
My Son, Give Me Your 
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State of our  = Sum of our ways = Our character
God tests the way of our  – Jer 17:3; Job 23:10
His scale weighs conduct & motives justly – Prov 16:2
The Lord repays in kind according to our ways – Prov 14:14
“Observe [delight in] My Ways” – Prov 23:26; Mal 4:5-6
Discipline Wisdom
Instruction
Simple
Warn
Instruct
Guide
Fear the Lord
Know the Lord
Hear what is right
Discretion
Discernment
Hate evil
Prudent
Fool
Rebuke
Correct
Repent before Lord
Speak what is right
Humility
Restraint
Wise
Wicked
Shame
Honor the Lord
Do what is right
Faith
Diligence
Upright
Before Honor comes Humility
Prov 15:33

Give honor where it is due
– Rom 13:7
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God & His Torah (Word)
Parents, elders
Teachers
Employers
Judges & Civil servants
Neighbors & friends
Poor, helpless & needy
Enemies
All life
Your Word (honesty)
Tradition
Traffic signs! (Law)

How to give honor
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Show proper regard / priority
– Prov 20:29; 2 Cor 8:21
Respect personal boundaries
Do not provoke intentionally
– Prov 20:23
Yield & obey – 2 Tim 2:21
Spirit of rule above letter
Apply golden rule – Mt 7:12
“Honor Covenant”
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Please God: Avoid flattering lips
- 1 Kgs 3:13; 2 Cor 10:18
Esteem others above self
Rom 12:10; 1 Cor 12:23-26
Show no partiality – Jas 2:1-13
All good things come from above … All credit & all glory belongs to the Lord!
Lessons in Authority & Stewardship
“Where in all of Egypt could I find a wiser man than you!
Surely the Spirit of God is with you!
I will
put you in charge over my house and all the land of Egypt.”
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We all have dreams & ambitions
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Grow in discernment & wisdom
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The Lord can empower for public service & influence in
ways that exceed one’s education
We need the Spirit of God
Humble yourself: the way up is always down
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“A dream together with its interpretation is only a
prediction, a potential, but not yet an actual event. Its
realization depends in part on the action of the dreamer”
God humbles those he intends to exalt – Mt 23:11-12
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble
– Prov 3:34
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time – 1 Pet 5:6
Nothing serves us better in high position than our lessons
learned in low position
Work ethics: Give it all you’ve got (your best)
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Never mistake the harvest years for the leisure years
“Enlarge my borders” (Prayer of Jabez) – But am I serving
in the borders He has given me?
Those faithful in a few small things will be put in charge of
much more - Mt 25:21
It is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit – Jn 15:8
Turning the  of a Rebel

Esau & His Parents

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Saul & Jonathan

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“Fathers, do not embitter your
children, or they will become
discouraged” – Col 3:20-21
Absalom: An Embittered Rebel

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Fear of Man v. Fear of God
David: A Father’s Troubled 

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Sibling rivalry & jealousy
“He will turn the  of the
fathers to their children, and
the  of the children to their
fathers; or else I will come and
strike the land with a curse”
– Mal 4:6
A parent like a shepherd who
seeks a lost sheep seeks to
regain the heart of his lost child
Marc Chagall. David & Absalom. c1956.
When Your Authority Fails…
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Is someone always “the problem”?
Is forgiveness enabling sabotage?
Non-Negotiables
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Trust
Respect
Safety
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Connecting habits
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Listening
Caring
Encouraging
Negotiating
Modeling
Taking responsibility
Holy Spirit convicts
of sin through 7
means of restraint
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Family
Conscience
Word of God
Believing Community
Law enforcement
Divine intervention
A donkey, maybe?
Pray & seek help

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Let the Holy Spirit
work
Have a support
network
Avoid wrong focus – Be firm in love – Self-control is their choice
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment!
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Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by
the law that gives freedom, because judgment without
mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been
merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! – James 2:13
The law that gives freedom (mercifulness)
benefits both the lawbreaker and the law-keeper
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The Parable of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Forgiveness in Childrearing

Generational Sins & the Sailboat Analogy
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness
of sins – Mt 26:28
Restoring Covenant Relationships

Rules – Relationship = Rebellion
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Mentoring Disciples = Grooming Friendship for Trustworthiness
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Accept rebuke = swallow pride to discern good intent. Forgive = choice of love over resentment
Only the one sinned against can forgive, but knowing the full forgiveness from God enables release
Proof of  Repentance is in Efforts at Restitution
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First confront in private face to face in order to preserve honor – Matt 18:15-17
Taking responsibility overcomes blame-shifting (1% = 100% my fault) – Jas 2:10
Don’t let focus on technicality divert from basic issue:  attitude, motive – Is 6:10; Jas 3:13-17
Reconciliation Rests on the Ability to Ask, Extend & Receive Forgiveness

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Changes take time – 1 Th 5:14 ; Luke 13: 8-9; Prov 25:15
Changes begin with self – Mat 7:1-5; 1 Cor 11:31; 2 Cor 13:5
Slow to anger – Prov 19:11; Pr 11:13; 17:9; Prov 16:32
Let God avenge – Dt 32:35-36; Rom 12:19; 1 Th 4:6; Heb 10:30; Mt 5:41-42
Gentle Confrontation Aims for Heartfelt Confession

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Speak to their  with words of wisdom & correction, then allow them freedom within limitations to
make choices – Lk 19:17; Mt 25:23
Consistency breeds trust & protects the rest of the flock: Discipline without delay – Ecc 8:11
Patience Persuades … Discretion Overlooks Offenses
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Covenant relations: Intimacy with Father regardless of earthly parenting – Ps 27:10; Heb 7:3
Trust & Love: Can a father entrust himself to the children he loves? – John 2:24-25; Mt 7:6
Restoration requires tact – Lev 19:17-18; 1 Cor 13:4; Pr 21:22; Matt 5:23-24
When making amends is not possible, express full  repentance and don’t repeat offense
Leave Ultimate Resolution to God
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‘Let God judge between you and me’ – Gen 16:5; 31:43-50; 1 Sam 20:23,42; 1 Sam 24: 12-15
God’s promise: All who turn their  to Him will be perfected in faith, sanctified & vindicated
Yeshua, A Rebel?
Against Whose Authority?
For religious motives, Pharisees handed
Yeshua over to the Romans, who then
crucified Him for political reasons.
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As a popular public figure, He was regarded
as one who could incite a popular revolt
He preached the exclusive worship of the
One God of the Jews, not the state gods of
Rome
He broke with the radical legalism and
tradition of religious leaders
He claimed to be the divine Messiah, King
of the Jews, thus upstaging Caesar &
angering the Jewish leaders
He preached a kingdom here and now,
though not of this earth – Jn 18:36-37
Though unlike Zealots, who preached
violence, He was seen as a Zealot associate
Cleansing & threatening to destroy the
temple symbolically was considered a Zealot
political action by Romans, blasphemy by
Jewish religious authorities
Man
or
God’s?
John 19:10-11
But Yeshua suffered & died willingly on
the Cross …
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… to make atonement for the sins of the
world, submitting to the judgment by
the Father in Heaven – Jn 3:16
As fulfillment of the promise to
Abraham: “I will provide for Myself a
Lamb” – Gen 22:8, 14; Is 53:7
With authority to lay down and take up
his life again – Jn 10:17-18; Jn 13:2-5
“You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above”
Speaking With Authority
Hypocrites Speak with False Authority

“Do as I say”: Using titles to dictate → Dysfunction
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Incarnation of the Logos (Word of God)
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They manipulate the truth for own ends – Mk 11:30:34
They do not practice what they teach – Mt 23:1-12
Hypocrites have their reward – Mt 6:2,5,16; Mt 23:13ff
Judge not, lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged… – Mt 7:1-2
Yeshua speaks with authority – Mt 7:29; 9:6-8; 22:15-17; John 3:19-31
His praise is not from men – John 5:44; 8:14-19, 27-29
He claims authority from God, His Father – John 5:19-22
He taught God’s commands, not men’s traditions – Mt 15:1-11; Is 29:13
Anointed by the Holy Spirit – John 3:5-6,31-36; John 6:63; John 7:24; John 8:47
Tempted, he did not sin, was obedient unto death – Heb 4:15 ; Luke 4:1-13; Php 2:8
To Nicodemus: What you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) – John 3:18-21
The Living & Active Word of God, written on the heart
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Never returns void, never fails – Is 55:11; Mk 13:31
Judges the thoughts & attitudes of the  – Heb 4:12; Rom 2:16
Fulfills, does not abolish Law, by writing it on the  – Mt 5:18-20; Jer 31:31-33
Came to save not to condemn – Is 42:2-3; John 3:17; John 8:7-11
Speaks the truth that sets free – John 8:31-32
He is the Truth, the Way and the Life – John 14:6; 1 John 1:1-3; John 5:24; John 6:63, 68-69
He is the proven Way of Righteousness by Faith according to Promise – Rom 9:5-11; Is 28:16
Authority & Power in His Name extends to disciples – Mt 10:1; John 14:10-14
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” – John 6:68
The Authority of Messiah
“The last enemy to be destroyed is death” – 1 Corinthians 15:26

Jesus, the only just ruler will judge
the living and the dead
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Jesus is Lord, King forever

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Over all kings & rulers of all nations –
Is 11: 1-10; Is 49:15; Ps 2
Over all powers and principalities
– Mark 1:27; 1 Cor 15:24-25
Head of Church

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“He will … not fail … ‘til He has
established justice in the earth; and
the coastlands shall wait for His law”
– Is 42:3-4; John 5:27; 8:15-16; Acts
10:42; Rom 2:16
Name above all names – Eph 1:17-29
“All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me therefore…

Make disciples of all nations …
teaching them to obey all I
commanded you.” - Matt 28:18-20
Jesus overcame the Prince of
this world
“Now the ruler of this world
is cast out and I, if I be
lifted up from the earth, will
draw all men unto Me.”
- John 12:31-33
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die,
yet shall he live – John 11:25-26
Authority & the Triune God
Father to Son
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“Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” – Ps 110
None can come to the Son unless it is granted by the Father – John 6:65
holy, holy, holy
Son to Father
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None can come to the Father except
through the Son – John 14:6
He will hand kingdom to Father who
is All in All – Php 2:6; 1 Cor 15:2428
Holy Spirit to Father & Son

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They both share the Spirit of Glory
– Jn 8:50, 54; Jn 13:31-32; Jn 17:1-5
Spirit glorifies both Father & Son
– 1 Cor 12:3; John 4:23-24; Jn 15:26
New Covenant Law & Spirit
Authority in Messianic Parables, Prayer & Praise

Power to teach, encourage, exhort, warn, convict

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Who is my neighbor? – Luke 10:30-37; Luke 14:12
Who is the faithful steward? – Luke 12:35-44
Can we serve 2 masters? – Mt 6:23-25 = Lk 16:10-14
Who is my brother? He who does the will of my Father – Mt 12:50; Mt 6:10; Mt 7:21
Who is the greatest? – Mt 18:1ff
Who shall be first? – Mt 20:8-16; 19:30; Mark 9:35; Mark 10:29-31; Luke 13:29-30
Sheep or goats? To the least of these … as unto Me – Mt 25:31-46
Power of Prayer: Ask My Father in My Name
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– Mt 7:24
Ask and you shall receive – Mt 7:8; Mk 11:24; Lk 11:10; Jn 16:23-24
“Thy Kingdom Come” means we decrease, so He may increase (Not My will, but His)
Intercede on behalf of others, especially leaders, the suffering, Israel, the nations…
Power of Praise: The Battle belongs to the LORD
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God is enthroned on the praises of His people – 1 Pet 2:9; Mt 21:16
Warfare Praise = Thanksgiving for promised victory – Ps 27:6; Rev 15:2-4
Examples: Jericho, Jehoshaphat, Philippi – Josh 6; 2 Chr 9:21-24; Acts 16:25
“Not by Might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD” – Zec 4:6
Spiritual Warfare
Delegated authority = “By My Spirit”
The Lord rebuke you – Jude 9-11
The Battle is the Lord’s – 1Sam 17:47
Badge: Seal of Holy Spirit – Eph 1:13
Overcomers have no more identity crisis

Oppressed, not demon-possessed

Perplexed, not despairing – 2 Cor 4:7-9

Abide in Christ = you may be pruned – Jn 15:2

Greater is He that is in you than He who is in the world – 1 Jn 4:4
Overcomers give no confidence in the flesh & have no fear

Submit to God, resist the enemy – Jas 4:7

Build on firm foundation: the Rock – Ps 127

Stand with full armor, walk in truth – Eph 6:13-18; 2 Cor 6:14

Wrestle not with flesh, but with spiritual forces – 2 Cor 10:3-5; Eph 6:12
Overcomers glory in the Lord’s goodness & seek His face always

Overcome evil with good – Rom 12:21

Royal priests mighty in praise– 1 Pet 2:9
Missionaries
Ambassadors of the King
Missionary credibility

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– Jn 17:21-23
Love one another in unity – Jn 13:34-35
No other Gospel: Missionaries must come
from a community of believers united in
a common confession of faith on all
fundamentals of the Gospel – Gal 1:8-10
Mandate: Disciple all nations

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From Jerusalem → ends of the earth
To be a faithful witness to the Risen One
to all apart from denominational
affiliation
Accomodation, Not Syncretism

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Paul’s principle – 1 Cor 9:21-23
Ecclesial polity & Unity – 1 Cor 10:28-30
Teamwork – Luke 10:1

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Covenant alliance – Eccl 4:9-12
Prayer – Matt 18:19-20
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a
testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Mt 24:14
Scraps From The King’s Table

“Cyrus, my servant”

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King earns people’s goodwill as master tames dog by sharing gifts from
his own table  Cyrus’ lavish giving ensured loyalty of subjects – Prov
14:28, 35
Ensured people’s loyalty to worthy servants & discouraged nepotism

David & Mephibosheth

→ they became friends
Currying favor from the Rich & Powerful? – Luke 16:21
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Showed forgiveness & favor to enemies
Roman “benefaction” system curried favor from above – Lk 14:10-12
But true benevolence seeks no reward – Mt 5:46-6:4 (6:1)
“He whom the Lord commends is approved” – 2 Cor 10:18
Jesus & the Faith of the Gentiles (nations included)
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– 2 Sam 9:1-11; 16:1-4; 19:24-30
Syrophoenician woman: “Dog metaphor”– Mark 7:25-31
Centurion: “For I also am a man under authority” - Matt 8:5-12
Judgment begins at the House of God (chosen remnants)
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Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with the Lord – Micah 6:8
If we would judge ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged – 1 Cor 11:31-32
Order of judgment: “first to the Jew, then to Gentile” – Rom 2:6-11
Nations also accountable as to how they treated Israel – Joel 3:2
Theocracy & the Messianic Kingdom…When?
God’s patience & mercy … until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

Why was the Kingdom postponed?
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The kings of the nations knew neither God
nor justice nor mercy.
Israel knew God, but wanted a king like all
other nations.
Israel waited for the promised Messiah
(God-Anointed King) to deliver Israel from
the nations only.
Kingdom of heaven is not of this world, its
citizens live as strangers in this world
The Kingdom does not belong to a carnal
Israel, nor to a carnal Church
The Kingdom is here, but not yet
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Has the Church conquered the world or the
world conquered the “church”?
Messiah builds His own Church, not us.
Enemy is not surrounding nations, but sin in
the heart that seeks its own will.
Messiah overcame sin & death, the rest of
the powers are doomed to follow.
God’s final victory, all enemies under His
feet = time for our Final Judgment and we
are not ready.
“Upon This Rock, I Will Build My Church”
A Spiritless church cannot confess Messiah, reflect Messiah or do the mission of Messiah
The Confession that built the Church
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (
the Rock) – Mt 16:16; Gen 49:24; Dt 32:4
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“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my Church, and the powers
of death shall not prevail against it. I will give
you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven” – Mt 16:18-19
Jesus builds the Church on the Rock, Himself,
and on us as long as we embody the mystery
of “Messiah in us” before the world.
The church is who God uses: You are either a
product of His mission or stand outside of His
mission – hindering rather than helping.
Keys of the kingdom = stewardship of
authority within the church on earth
Authority & the Church: How the mystery of Messiah is displayed in
a church depends on how the church uses the keys of the kingdom
The Messianic Community
“Kehilat HaMashiach” – “Ecclesia Christi” – Eph 1:20-22

What “In Christ” Means:

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Historical Tensions: Wolves Attack the flock

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Led by His Spirit or Subject to other spirits?
Titles used with humility or playing God?
Purity
False
of
Doctrine
Faith
Purity
Carnal
of
Christianity
Body
In
Messiah
Building His Body into the Fullness of Him
who is All in All (A Bride Made Ready)

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Heresy, sects, cults, schisms, denominations
Abusive Churches & their Authority Systems
False Ecumenic unity, Syncretism
Messiah Appointed Head of the Church


One Foundation (One Faith)
In His likeness (One Spirit- Messiah))
Unity of Jews & Gentiles (the Mystery)
Building or standing on the building instead?
Sheep are Spirit fed & equipped... or carnal?
One Reconciled Household of Faith


Continued Enmity or Reconciliation?
Ethnic/Gender identity abolished in Messiah?
Unity
False
of
Unity
Body
Order in the House of God
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…

Citizens of Heaven follow the Rule of the Kingdom

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Ingredients for Proper Stewardship of Authority (Discipline)

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– Php 3:20-21
Rule of the Kingdom evidenced by spiritual fruit, not gifts – Gal 5:6b,18,22; Rom 13:8
Where the [fruit of the] Spirit is, there is no law – Gal 5:13-24; Rom 13:8; 1 Cor 4:4-5
Law of Freedom & Ecclesial Polity – Rom 13:3; 1 Cor 8:9; 9:19; 10:29; 2 Cor 3:17
Impartiality & truth in love – Eph 4:15; Jas 2:1-12
We examine self – 1 Cor 11:27-32; 2 Cor 13:5; Mt 5:23-24; John 13:34; 1 Jn4:20
We judge not persons (though we test spirits) – Is 11:2-5; Mt 7:1-2; Lk 6:36-38; Jn
5:22,30; 7:24; 8:15-16; 12:47-48; 1 Cor 4:5; 5:12-13; 10:28-31; Rom 3:7; 14:3-13
We prefer (submit to) one another – Rom 10:12; Eph 5:21; 1 Cor 11:29
We accept correction – 1 Tim 1:8-9; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 4:2
Biblical justice inside the Body upholds covenant integrity &
boundaries for the Household of God (flock)

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Confronting & Forgiving – Mt 7:2; Mt 18:15-18; Lk 6:37; Mk 9:50
Disfellowshipping: Fellowship with unbelievers outside church is allowed, but not inside
– Titus 3:10-11; 1 Cor 5:5-13; 2 Cor 2:6-8
Disputes: A believer is a better judge than an expert judge who is an unbeliever!
– Matt 5:25; Luke 12:58; 1 Cor 6:1-11
Koinonia = “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” – Rom 13:8
“Feed My Sheep”

Shepherds give an account to the Lord &
His Chief Shepherd

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Yeshua calls them to minister to the Body
and to live & die worthy of their calling
– Acts 20:24
The Spirit gives them true vision and
direction for the Body of Messiah
So they may evangelize, disciple and raise
more servants of the kingdom

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Among the Royal Priesthood of believers
– Jn 13:13-14; Mt 20:25-28; Php 2:5-9
Elders (z’kenim), Overseers (episkopoi) &
Deacons (shamashim)
Connected to the least in the Body, they
consider themselves as of no account
They do not seek title honors like Rabbi, or
Father – Mt 23:5-12; Luke 22:24-27
Exercise oversight willingly, not for gain, not
“lording” it, in God’s will – 1 Pet 5:1-4
Functional titles depend on fruit, not on
charisma – Eph 4:2,11-13

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Apostles (shlichim) co-suffer in humility
Prophets (n’viim) walk in gentleness
Evangelists (m’vaserim) display patience
Pastors (roim) show forbearance in love
Teachers (morim) are diligent to preserve
unity of Spirit and bonds of peace
Shepherds feed those they serve & equip
them to minister – Jn 21:16-17
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They are relational Servant Leaders
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Model the Messianic likeness of Yeshua, and
avoid the sin of partiality – Mt 16:24
Resist the pagan lure of overlordship or its
extreme, anarchy – 1 Pet 5:2-4
Aim to raise mature believers dependent on
the Lord, not them
Correct, rebuke, exhort, teach and train the
flock with the Word of God … to directly
hear the Word of God
Make & mentor disciples (talmidim) & enlist
all believers to do the same
Encourage a network of spiritual fathering &
mothering so none are lost from the Body
Shun blind loyalty rather than seek mere
“yes” sheep
Foster unity rather than ignore strife
They heed the warnings of the Chief
Shepherd & first Apostles
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Preach Yeshua as Chief Cornerstone
– 1 Cor 3:10-11; 2 Co 11:3-4
Guard the sheep, rebuke, exhort with
patience – Acts 20:28-29; 2 Tim 3; 4:2
Strengthen the weak, heal the sick
Seek the lost, the backsliding & those led
astray by wolves
Are ready to give their lives for His Flock
Accountability & the Sheep
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Equipped sheep (2 Tim 2:15)
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Know the voice of the Good Shepherd
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Follow the Good shepherd
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Obey those over them that watch over their souls – Heb 13:17; 1 Cor 16:16
Do not wander after false shepherds – Ezekiel 34:2-4; 1 Pet 5:2
… or false prophets – Mt 7:15-20; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Cor 6:14-15
Eat what the Good shepherd (and His overseers) feed them
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Hear His Word & exercise spiritual discernment
= Weigh motives, watch the fruit, test spirits – Jn 10:1-10; 1 Jn 4:1
Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing – Mt 10:16; Lk 10:3; 1 Pet 5:8
The bread of life, reconciliation & peace – Jn 6:33-35, 53-58
Knowing & understanding the Word of God – 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 4:3-4
Bearing good fruit (love, unity, peace) not bad fruit (slander, gossip,
division)
Keep with the flock & allow shepherd to shear and chastise them
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Fellowship with, serve & edify one another as One Body, so wolves won’t
get them
Spread the Gospel & persevere, i.e. build faith & endurance under trials &
persecution
The Accountability Process
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Mutual Submission & Lines of accountability
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Above: Plurality of elders, fellowship of pastors, national councils
– 1 Pet 5:1
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Below: Authority to set up & remove from position
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All matters established with 2 or 3 witnesses – 2 Cor 13:1
Approving or commissioning process (call to ministry)
Demoting or disfellowshipping elders – 1 Tim 5:19
Mission team “sending” – Luke 10:1
Discipline process with 2 or 3 witnesses – Mt 18:15-17
Prophecy confirmation in the Spirit – 1 Cor 14-27-29, 1 Th 5:21
Standard for confirmation: The Scriptures
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Only teaching His Word can limit a person to follow what’s right and
make it his or her guiding conscience.
Whatever is contrary to the Scriptures is not the Word of the Spirit.
Church authorities should never go beyond strictly spiritual means of persuasion
Ruling States vs. Guiding Churches
Early church leaders were established as overseers, not as ruling hierarchy - 1 Pet 5:1-4
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Submission to Government & Civil Disobedience
When to submit: Jesus, Caesar & Pilate – Mt 22:21; John 19:11
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When to resist: Peter & Luther’s Two Kingdom Doctrine – Rom 13:1-7
Submission to Yeshua = Our Only Source of Separation– Lk 12:49-51
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Peter & co-elder apostles resist unbelieving “religious” authorities – Acts 4:19
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Heresies compromising the foundation Yeshua laid cause schisms in the church
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If Yeshua is not the True foundation on which His church is built, He becomes a rock of
stumbling for that church that claims His Name, but does not do His deeds
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How Messiah deals with tares: “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be
pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.” – Mt 15:13-14
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To the churches: Repent … lest your lamp be removed – Rev 2-4; Jude 9-10
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The Way of Cain (jealousy, rage, murder among brethren as in “religious wars,” Inquisition…)
Balaam’s Error (compromise for profits, deception, idolatry, sexual immorality)
Tolerating Jezebel (false prophecy, occultism, idolatry, sexual immorality)
Sin of Partiality (neglecting poor & weak, favoring rich & powerful  lukewarmth, worldliness,
apostasy, fruitlessness, death)
Synagogue of Satan (legalism, false identity of believer derived primarily from Abraham
physical descendence, rather than from being born again spiritually in Messiah Yeshua)
Korah’s Rebellion (supplanting true royal priesthood of believers with an unspiritual priesthood
endowed with power over believers)
Teachings of Nicolaitans (Pseudo-Gnostic sect that interpreted “the flesh must be abused” in
antinomianism terms to justify reckless licentiousness  ascetic extreme: enforced celibacy,
"pecking order" of fleshly leadership based on monastic vows, hierarchy of clergy over laity)
Yeshua hates hypocrites who see themselves as lords over God’s heritage and whose lust of
religious power leads to spiritual abuse
Symptoms of Spiritual Abuse
“Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof” – 2 Tim 3: 5
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Misplaced Loyalty
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Elitist mentality (us-them)
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Not to Messiah but to an organization, church, or leader
Arrogant claims of exclusive salvation through a church or brand of doctrine
Church and/or its doctrinal agenda or traditions take the place of God
Discourages questioning or dissent: “Can’t talk” or loyalty is questioned
Image-conscious need for secrecy since “they” won’t understand
Power Posturing & Paranoia
Authority system uses fear to control, manipulate or dominate (ex: Inquisition)
 Leader replaces Messiah or God over one’s conscience (ex: papal infallibility)
 “Touch not the Lord’s Anointed” (Ps 105) misused & reversed (ex: Antisemitism)
Performance Preoccupation & Lack of Spiritual Balance → Form of Godliness
 Legalism, extra-biblical rules & standards or Grace abuse (antinomianism, licence)
 Truth based on feelings rather than God’s Word (extreme subjectivism)
 Doctrinal realism becomes pragmatic spirituality (extreme objectivism)
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Complex Hierarchy System Making Accountability Difficult
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Separation of clergy & laicity
Clergy mediation needed for salvation
Spirit Anointing of the sheep not validated – 2 Cor 1:20-22; 1 John 2:26-27
Ungodly Practices Based on False Doctrine (Perversion of the Faith)
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Sale of indulgences, pogroms, religious wars, imposed celibacy, pronouncing
anathemas on dissenters, opposing or distorting Bible translations, encouraging
superstition, promoting idolatry, false ecumenism, persecution of believers …
Church Systems & Organizational Structure
One Head of the Church
Clergy
There are 2 organizational models
1.
2.
An ecclesiastical authority system cannot
be separated from its systemic worldview
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Laity
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Royal
Priesthood
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Servant Elders of the Congregation
Top down Hierarchy
Co-Eldership as a joint Body in which no
one man can 'lord it' over the others and
all are members of one another
Ex: Roman Catholic Church: Immense
pyramid under Pope with two tier-theology
Theocratic infallibility of Pope & papal
decrees
‘ecclesia semper eadem’ = church cannot
change
Oral Tradition and Magisterium as sources
of authority
Split laity and clergy, clergy above laity
Protestant Evangelical churches:
Democratic structure varies with denomination
No forced celibacy or monastic rule:
Catholic bishops (episkopoi) replaced by
presbyters (presbyteroi) & deacons
(diakonoi) accountable to Messiah in
oversight of the ever-growing Body, i.e.
the Royal Priesthood of all believers
Elected board of directors, plurality of
elders, constitution, statement of faith or
values, vote by consensus…
Postmodern Pilgrims
The Institutional Church vs. The House Church Movement
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From Rational to Experiential (Faith–seeking)
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From Representative to Participatory (Networking)
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No more controlling 'professional clergy' & pew-sitting laity
Interactive, immersive, 'in your face' unlimited participation
From standing committees (authority) to moving teams (relational structures)
From Word-based to Image-driven (Alive)
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No interest in a 'secondhand' God defined by someone else
Each one of us is a Jacob become Israel: a wrestler with God
From excellent performance (observation) to realness & authenticity (revelation)
Less emphasis on words & propositional truth
More power given to images & metaphor
From illustration to animation, pyramid to web, program to manifestation
From Individual to Communal (Healthy)
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Pursuit of individualism + transiency of culture  hunger for connection
Small early century style community building and hospitality (small group nurturing)
From “here I stand” (maintenance) to “there we go” churchianity (mission)
“The church's leaders have Alzheimer's disease. We still love them… But
they're totally clueless… The problem is that they are captaining the ship.”
From: First Century Passion for the 21st Century World by Leonard Sweet
Church Apostasy & One Global Religion
Identity Crisis in Israel led to exile – Identity Crisis in the Church leads to Apostasy
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Problems with the Postmodern method of interpreting Scripture
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False Ecumenism does not address divisive issues
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Denial of the objectivity of knowledge  Absolute relativism: knowledge IS
uncertain  Denial of all-inclusive systems of explanation  hunger for “revelation”
Cultural determinism: everything is culturally determined  sinless man in sinless
society (evil exists, but can’t really blame anyone for it)
Anti-Messiah is preparing a powerful deception passing as “enlightened revelation”
Fueled by historical guilt, burdened by complexity of religious pluralism
Tolerance imperative  Diluted notion of an all inclusive God - pantheism, New Age
“Networking” emphasis on easier causes to agree on (secular & liberal agenda)
Anti-Messiah is preparing a libertarian, charismatic, anti-Messianic political agenda
False Peace does not stop the endless cycle of violence
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Appeasement of terrorists, blaming victims of violence  Survival? Reconciliation?
Radical life in Messiah does not mediate the process of forgiveness, repentance and
solidarity for new life in communities fractured by radical evil
Partisanship prevents healing: symbiotic relations between “perpetrators, victims &
survivors” means there is no healing of one group without the others
Anti-Messiah is preparing His “final peace solution” and it does not bode well for all
who seek & follow the true Messiah (Jews & Christians)
Rabbinic Authority
There is one Rabbi, Yeshua Rabbeinu
There is One law, the Law of Meshiach
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There is one Torah = Torah written on the  (not Written law + Oral Law)
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Sanhedrin, the Beit Din & the Execution of Justice (Spirit must drive legal process)
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Priests, Scribes & Pharisees were imperfect stewards of the Law – Mt 23:2-10
Zeal not from God seeks to establish its own righteousness – Rom 10:2-4; Rom 9:31-32
Yeshua’s rulings offended Zealot Pharisees & Sadducees – Mt 15:2-3; Mk 7:3-13
Yeshua’s justice was based on God’s words & deeds, not on a legal system – Jn 8:28; 10:25; 12:49
Spirit of Messiah writes the Law on the human  (not on organizations)
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Moses & the prophets wrote down the instruction they received from God (Torah)
Judgments (mishpatim), statutes (hukkot) were case by case applications of the law (halachah)
Talmudic stories & legends (aggadah) = Torah commentaries by rabbis written after Messiah
By fulfilling Torah, Messiah’s Law proves Torah cannot contradict itself & becomes final authority
Messiah’s words are Spirit & truth, i.e. with power to convict and transform the  of man
Rabbinic rulings are mere words if written Torah is “abolished” for the sake of oral tradition
Keys of the kingdom given to Apostles: Apostolic Testimony, not oral tradition is binding (OT+NT)
Judging rightly is impossible without the Spirit of Messiah Yeshua
The Knesset & Beit-Knesset (synagogue) = Is theocracy possible?
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The “Rabbi” is not the “head” of the Messianic synagogue: only Messiah is.
Elders (Z’kenim) like the apostles (schlichim) are the “feet” of the Messianic synagogue.
If the feet are clean, the whole body is clean – John 13:9-10
Civil powers & spiritual powers cannot be blended organizationally until King Messiah reigns.
M
E
S
S
I
A
N
I
C
R
E
M
N
A
N
T
S
New Tenants for the Lord’s Vineyard?
Mark 12:1-12
Luke 20:9-19
Replacement Theology
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Parable = Allegory for Gentile
Church replacing Israel (Synagogue)
Landowner = God (YHWH)
Vineyard = God’s Kingdom
Wicked tenants = Jews (they forever
reject Christ)
Servants = Prophets
Son = Jesus Christ
New tenants = Gentiles (Jews
assimilated or expelled out of the
church)
Judgment = “Kingdom of God given
to a nation producing its fruit” (that
nation or people is Gentile)
To the Jews: God has rejected Israel
“Church is the new Israel”
No more future for Israel
Matthew 21:33-46
Inclusive Theology
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Parable = Warning to both Israel
Leaders & Church leaders
Landowner = God (YHWH)
Vineyard = Israel, God’s People
Wicked tenants = Priests & elders
(Zadokim, Perushim)
Servants = Prophets
Son = Messiah Yeshua
New tenants = Keys of the kingdom
given to Jewish apostles, Spirit
descends on Messianic Jews and
Gentiles who follow Yeshua
Judgment = Temple and Levitical
system destroyed, glory departed
To the Gentiles: if God did not spare
the natural branches, He will not
spare you either. He will remove the
veil & cause Israel to return to Him.
God’s Kingdom is His presence with His people, the Assembly (ekklesia)
of “overcomers” (Israelites) from remnants of all nations!!!
Israel Remnant & Gentile Churches
The Spirit of Anti-Christ hates Israel & those who joined the Community of the Messiah of Israel
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Israel called to bless the nations
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God has promised to restore Israel
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Order in Mission & in Judgment – Romans
Why? God’s zeal for Zion – “Out of Zion”
Time of Gentiles: Zion (Jews’ ) trampled
First or Last, Israel is still a blessing
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In the land – Valley of Dry Bones
In the Spirit – Regrafted in Olive Tree
Contempt/Jew-hatred saves few Jews
Condemning & disinheriting is ungodly
Restored Jewish calling is no threat!
Churches & Messianic Congregations
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Yeshua reveals Himself to Jewish brethren
In every generation … a remnant
He restores their true Jewish identity
But some Gentile churches revile it?
How to provoke to Godly jealousy
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Not arrogantly supplant / replace her
Jacob not renamed Esau, but Israel
Jewish Remnant re-enters church
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For the sake of His Name & the Remnant
Israel preserved in spite of Antisemitism
Budding fig tree  Return of Messiah
True identity confused not lost in unbelief
Restoration of Israel has begun
Nations called to bless Israel
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Messiah of Israel  Messiah of nations
Gentiles join as co-heirs of salvation
By grace through faith, not merit or works
Equal status in Messianic Kingdom
First to the Jew, then to the Gentile
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Calling is irrevocable, identity is gift of God
= Seniority, not superiority of election
Apostolic Remnant Opens Door
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Royal priests hold Keys of the Kingdom
GO! … Door is open, harvest is ripe…
No perfect structure/authority system
But shadows of the Promised Kingdom
Until Messiah’s return as King of all nations
Messianic Community: One New Man
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Separate from world & Reconcilied within
= Bride making herself ready for Messiah
The Overcomers
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Who are you fighting? Flesh and blood? The devil? Or God
Himself?
From Jacob
to Israel
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Jacob the “deceiver” tried to “help” God
The usurper in us = face we show the world
But face to face alone with God…
= Honest Appraisal
No more tricks & games = Honest Fight
His Word was first … He has the last word.
We win only when He wins
Don’t quit without asking for blessing
Expect a test of truth
The lie in the past: Jacob was not Esau!
Honest Name → Honest Blessing
New Name: Israel the “overcomer”
Jacob overcame his old ways, not God
Face we try to hide = Face God wants to lift up
God covers our face with truth, not flattery
Persistence with God = no compromise
It earns protection and power with God & men
Struggle with God, not against God
If He is for us, Who can be against us?
In Messiah Yeshua
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Fight the clean fight of faith  Reward
= A New Name only between You & God
In this world you will have trouble… But take heart! I have overcome the world.
“My Portion is in My People”
Election means “adoption”as sons of God, not becoming God
“ECHAD”
The Essence Of
Unity in God
Recognizes
Ethnic
Engendered
Identity
Yet, we are
‘sons of God’
by spiritual
descendence
Destiny
Is
Identity
Fulfilled
in History
“ECHAD”
in the
Body =
We Are
Members
Of One
Another
The Righteous will receive a new Name, reflecting their eternal God-given Destiny
Supplementary Bibliography
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ARNOLD, Clinton E. 3 Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare. Grand Rapids, MI. : Baker Books, 1997.
DAVIS, S. M. How To Win The Heart Of A Rebel. VHS, 64 min.
------------. My Son, Give Me Thine Heart. VHS, 104 min.
------------. God’s Seven Purposes for Authority. VHS, 72 min.
------------. The Mistakes Rebels Make. VHS, 63 min.
DEAN, Kenda Creasy & Ron FOSTER. The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry.
Nashville : Upper Room Books, 1998.
HORROBIN, Peter. The Most Powerful Prayer on Earth. Regal Books, 2004.
INTRATER, Keith. Covenant Relationships, A More Excellent Way: A Handbook for Integrity and Loyalty in the
Body of Christ. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 1989.
JOHNSON, David & Jeff VanVONDEREN. The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse. Bethany House, 1991.
JUSTER, Daniel C. Due Process: A Plea for Biblical Justice In the Church. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image,
1992.
------------. Relational Leadership: A Manual Of Leadership For Congregational Leaders And Members. Dallas:
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, 1996.
KRAFT, Charles H. Confronting Powerless Christianity: Evangelicals and the Missing Dimension. Grand
Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, 2002.
LEMAN, Derek. Proverbial Wisdom & Common Sense: A Messianic Jewish Approach To Today’s Issues From
The Proverbs. Baltimore, MD: Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1999.
LEW, Maud G. The Testing of Character: Character Profiles And Dynamics In Proverbs. Dallas: Unpubl. 2004.
LUTZER, Erwin W. The Serpent of Paradise: The Incredible Story Of How Satan's Rebellion Serves God's
Purposes. Moody Publications, 1996.
MOREAU, A. Scott, ed. Deliver Us From Evil: An Uneasy Frontier in Christian Mission. Monrovia, CA: World
Vision International, 2002.
PIPER. John. & Wayne GRUDEM. Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Wheaton, Ill. : Crossway
Books, 1991.
POWLISON, David. Power Encounters: Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare. Grand Rapids, MI : Baker Books, 1995.
RITCHIE, Mark A. Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamö Shaman's Story. Chicago : Island Lake Press, 2000.
ROSENBERG, Dale. Who Are You To Say? Establishing Pastoral Authority in Matters of Faith. Grand Rapids,
MI: Brazos Press, 2005.
SEEL, David J. Parenting Without Perfection: Being A Kingdom Influence in a Toxic World . NavPress, 2000.
SELLS, Scott P. Parenting Your Out-of-Control Teenager: 7 Steps to Reestablish Authority and Reclaim Love.
St. Martin's Press, 2001.
SMALLEY, Gary. Bound By Honor: Fostering A Great Relationship With Your Teen. Tyndale House, 2000.
STANTON, Glenn T. Why Marriage Matters. Colorado Springs: Pinon Press, 1997
SWEET, Leonard. Postmodern Pilgrims: First Century Passion for the 21st Century World. Broadman &
Holman Pub., 2000.
TRIPP, Ted. Shepherding A Child’s Heart. Wapwallopen, PA : Shepherd Press, 1995.
Web Links

Gender roles
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Spiritual Abuse
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http://www.revive-israel.org/sitepages/resources/articles/2005/destiny_nations.htm
Authority of the Believer: Five Priestly Prayers
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http://www.topical-bible-studies.org/18-0005.htm
The Destiny of the Nations
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http://www.efg-hohenstaufenstr.de/downloads/texte/padua-erklaerung.pdf
Nature or Nurture?
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http://www.geocities.com/hotsprings/3658/question.html
http://www.spiritualabuse.org/mywritings/authority.html
Ecumenism: Padua Declaration
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http://www.cbmw.org/rbmw/rbmw.pdf
http://www.revive-israel.org/sitepages/resources/articles/2004/priestlyprayers.htm
Stewardship: The Influence of the Righteous
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http://www.revive-israel.org/sitepages/resources/articles/2004/takingoverthekingdoms.htm