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In the
letter written to the Colossians, Rabbi Paul writes
to a community of Believers that was doing well,
but was also being challenged by non-Biblical
ideas, erroneous ideologies and false religious
thinking that were trying to work their way into
the faith of the Church.
Human
beings come up with all kinds of ideas and systems
of ideas that they think are true. They may seem
to make sense, and be coherent, and explain the
world, and give us the best ways of living, but
they are not completely wise and true, but are
a mixture of truth and error. And, just as when
you mix that which is holy and that which is unholy
and you get unholiness - so when you mix truth
and error, you get error. These ideas and religions
may seem right, wise and true to human beings,
but they lead to death, and must be rejected.
A pure faith that is centered on the Messiah is
vitally important. He is sufficient for all the
challenges in the First Century, and in our day.
Secular
Humanism/Naturalism/Atheism: There is no God.
There are no miracles. Reality is what we can
see, taste, touch, feel and smell. No force outside
the universe created the universe. Forces within
the universe are sufficient to explain reality.
Man, humanity is what is important - not God.
We face
the challenge of Secular Humanism/Naturalism/Atheism
by pointing people to the sufficiency of Messiah.
Yeshua is real. Yeshua is the visible image of
the invisible God. He is Immanuel - God with us.
He is a great King, but His kingdom is not of
this world. It is real, but not of this world.
But, His world and our world are related. At time,
they intersect each other in more obvious ways.
Messiah created the universe and everything in
it. Messiah came from His kingdom into this world,
and left this world to return to His kingdom in
Heaven. He came from Heaven to Earth in time.
He has tremendously impacted history. He did miracles.
There are reliable eyewitnesses who have testified
to this, and their testimony is written down in
a book that has been accurately preserved over
the centuries. Messiah will come again to take
over the kingdoms of this world and will establish
His Kingdom on Earth for 1,000 years.
Man is
important, but man can only be properly understood
in relationship to God. The life of man only works
properly in connection to God. Mankind doesn’t
function properly apart from a connection to God,
and Yeshua, who is fully man and fully God, is
the only One who connects us to God so that human
life make sense. The coming of the Messiah as
a man is the greatest honor for man. Believe in
Yeshua and look to Him as the role model for humanity.
Evolution:
God and creation are not the explanation for life.
The universe created itself, and its complexity
and wondrous beauty and elegance and design comes
from an explosion billions of years ago. Then,
out of that explosion came matter and energy and
all the elegant laws of the universe. Out of that
explosion, matter and energy organized themselves
and steadily advanced from simple molecules into
incredibly complex life that we are not even close
to fully understanding.
We face
the challenge of Evolution by pointing people
to the sufficiency of Messiah. He is the Word
of God, and the Son of God, who actually did the
work of creating. He was in the beginning with
God. All things came into being through Him. He
created everything - physical things that can
be seen - the universe with its billions of starry
galaxies and everything in them; along with invisible
things that can’t be seen, like the millions of
angelic beings. Almost all of the miracles that
Yeshua did happened quickly, fully, completely
and elegantly. So did His work of creation. Yeshua
believed in the account of Creation found in Genesis,
and taught it, and so should we.
International
Secular Socialism/Communism: God is irrelevant.
Jesus is irrelevant. Humanity is what is important,
and the Secular Socialist/Communist State determines
what is best for humanity. What is good is serving
the interests of the State. Man’s primary problem
is not spiritual but economic - the unequal distribution
of wealth. The way to utopia is the enforced redistribution
of wealth - by coercion and force if necessary.
All governments must come together into a united
international secular socialist brotherhood. We
face the challenge of International Secular Socialism/Communism
by pointing people to the sufficiency of Messiah.
Our main problem isn’t economic but spiritual
- sin and death. We are alienated from the Creator,
who is the Source of Life, Goodness and Blessing.
Messiah came to die to atone for sin and overcome
death and bring everlasting life. Yeshua did not
come to lead an economic revolution. He did teach
us to be generous, and share, and give to the
poor, but it should be done willingly - not by
the force of the State. Yeshua, whose name means
salvation, is the source of our salvation. Believe
in Him, love humanity and be generous with your
resources to those in need.
Hedonism:
The best thing to do with your life is to enjoy
yourself as much as possible. Seek pleasure and
avoid pain. We are here to have fun. Have as much
fun as you possibly can.
We face
the challenge of Hedonism by pointing people to
the sufficiency of Messiah. Life is not about
pursuing pleasure. Yeshua didn’t leave the pleasures
of Heaven and come to Earth to have fun. He purposely
chose to be part of a conquered people, a people
who were ruled by cruel Romans oppressors. He
chose to live in a poor family, among an impoverished
people. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief. He willingly suffered rejection and
scorn, torture and death for a higher goal - serving
God, loving humanity, accomplishing salvation.
He gives us the example that we are to follow.
Nihilism:
Values are meaningless. A true nihilist believes
in nothing, has no loyalties and no purpose other
than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy. Symptoms
of nihilism: adulation of serial killers, interest
in horror movies, involvement with extremely violent
video games, random violence.
We face
the challenge of Nihilism by pointing people to
the sufficiency of Messiah. We can agree with
Nihilism - life is meaningless apart from God.
Nothing makes sense, and won’t last. The wicked
are life chaff - insubstantial and light-weight,
and they are blown away. But, Messiah makes life
meaningful. He came to give us abundant and unending
life.
God has
a wonderful plan for the universe and His good
plan is centered around the Messiah. This present
universe will be destroyed by fire - something
a nihilist might enjoy seeing, but then Messiah
will create a new and better universe, and bring
in everlasting righteousness. He will rule over
redeemed humanity forever, making our lives eternally
rich, supremely meaningful and joyous.
Eastern
Religion/New Age: there is no personal God.
The universe is god. You are part of god. Your
problem is that you just don’t know it. By various
beliefs and practices, including some dangerous
occult practices, you can realize that you are
part of god and achieve enlightenment, and merge
with the impersonal universe.
We face
the challenge of Eastern Religion/New Age by pointing
people to the sufficiency of Messiah. The Son
of God perfectly reflects who God is, and He is
a person with mind, emotion and will. God is not
impersonal, but personal. Messiah died, and came
back to life as the same Person. He did not lose
His personality and blend into some greater impersonal
cosmic soul. If you believe in Messiah, you will
be raised from the dead, and given a new body
that is equipped to live forever. If you are joined
to the Messiah, the resurrected you will be the
same you, the same person, but enhanced with greater
wisdom and understanding, and a nature that can’t
sin.
Moral
Relativism/Multiculturalism: there are no
absolutes, nothing that is always right or always
wrong. There are no “You shall nots” or “You shall.”
The values of one culture are not superior to
the values of another.
We face
the challenge of Moral Relativism/Multiculturalism
by pointing people to the sufficiency of Messiah.
He is the Truth with a capital “T.”
He is pure truth. He is the Word of God. He is
ultimate wisdom. He is pure goodness. He is perfectly
right. The rules that He makes are set according
to the standard of who He is. He is the King of
king and the Lord of lords. He has the right to
make rules, and command us to live according to
them. He has the right to tell us what to do,
how to live, and what to believe.
He lived
according to moral and spiritual absolutes, and
made statements of moral and spiritual absolutes.
He said that He was the way, the truth and the
life, and that no one comes to God except through
Him. He said that unless we believe in Him, we
will die in our sins. He commanded us to live
a pure and holy life, according to the teachings
of the Word of God. While all cultures are imperfect,
and are a mixture of good and bad, the values
of some cultures are better than the values found
in other cultures, and can be determined by how
closely they reflect the truth of the Messiah.
Objectivism:
expressed by Ayn Rand who was a non-religious
Jew. If you strive to be your best, and you look
out for yourself first, humanity will function
in the best way. You don’t sacrifice yourself
for others.
We face
the challenge of Objectivism by pointing people
to the sufficiency of Messiah. Messiah lowered
Himself and thus became even greater! He came
not to be served but to serve, and give His life
as a ransom for many. True love sacrifices itself
for others. The greatest kind of love is expressed
in laying down your life for others. Messiah sacrificed
his life for us - not while we were His friends,
but His enemies. He gives us the example of how
to live. Yes, strive to be your best, but your
best includes looking out for the best of others.
Islam:
Mohammed is the ultimate prophet, and the Koran
is authoritative, and we must submit to Mohammed’s
religion.
We face
the challenge of Islam by pointing people to the
sufficiency of Messiah. Yeshua is the ultimate
prophet. He preceded Mohammed. He is the divine
Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity,
who literally died on the cross, and came back
to life in order to atone for our sins. His resurrection
from the dead proves that He is the Messiah and
the ultimate prophet. Messiah did many miracles
which also demonstrate who He is. Mohammed did
none. Mohammed’s teachings do not agree
with who Yeshua is, and so must be rejected.
Catholicism:
A complicated system of Bible teachings combined
with the teachings of men that has corrupted the
pure faith.
We face
the challenge of Catholicism by pointing people
to the sufficiency of Messiah. Messiah rejected
man-made traditions and corrupt religious bureaucrats.
He appointed godly Jewish men who knew the truth
to be the leaders of His New Covenant Community.
They had a simplicity and a purity of devotion
to the person of Messiah. They had a pure faith.
They did not go through other men, or Mary, or
create a New Testament priesthood, or invent man-made
sacraments to find salvation. They proclaimed
a simple message of salvation about the Messiah.
Messiah is salvation. We only need Him. That is
the Good News, and only it needs to be embraced
for salvation to occur - not a distorted message
about the Apocrypha being part of the Scriptures,
the pope as the infallible head of the church,
the sacrifice of the mass, transubstantiation,
prayers and masses for the dead, indulgences,
the worship of Mary, prayers to the saints, adoring
a piece of bread, the use of icons in worship,
holy water, rosary beads and scapulars, a Roman
Catholic priesthood, the demand of celibacy from
these priests and nuns, and confession to priests
to obtain absolution.
Non-Messianic
Judaisms: God made covenants with Abraham
and with the Jewish people at Sinai. The Jews
are the Chosen People. The various forms of Non-Messianic
Judaism are the right way to believe and live.
We face
the challenge of Non-Messianic Judaisms by pointing
people to the sufficiency of Messiah. He really
is the One promised to us by the God of Israel,
the One who fulfills the prophecies.
In fulfillment
of the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, David,
Messiah was God born into humanity. In fulfillment
of the prophecy of Daniel, Messiah came before
70 A.D. In fulfillment of the prophecy of Micah,
He was born in Bethlehem and yet originated from
the days of eternity.
In fulfillment
of the prophecy of Zechariah He entered Jerusalem
triumphantly, yet humbly on a donkey, and yet
was pierced. In fulfillment of the prophecy of
Isaiah, He was rejected by the majority of Israel,
especially the leaders. He was silent before His
accusers. He was tried and condemned even though
He was innocent.
In fulfillment
of the prophecies of Micah and Isaiah, was beaten
and spit upon. In fulfillment of the prophecies
of the Psalms, He was mocked and taunted, lots
were cast for His garments, and He died by crucifixion.
In fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah and
David, Messiah rose from the dead.
In fulfillment
of the prophecy of Jeremiah, He brought in a New
Covenant, unlike the one made at Sinai which we
broke and is in ruins.
He is
Israel’s Messiah, the Anointed Ruler that
God sent to save us, who fulfills the three offices
of prophet, priest and king.
He is
the greatest Prophet, who most clearly heard from
God, and told us the truth. His teachings are
supreme. He is our chief rabbi, our Teacher who
guides us into all truth, our Wonderful Counselor
who gives miraculous advice, unfailing in the
depths of its wisdom, to everyone who asks Him
for it. He is the fulfillment of the Torah. He
is the true Torah, the Living embodiment of the
Word of God.
He is
our High Priest. He the one and only Mediator
between God and Man. He is Jacob’s Ladder
that connects Earth and Heaven. He is our High
Priest who offers sacrifice for us, who atones
for us, who reconciles us to God, who continues
to intercede for us, who even now prays for us,
and forever saves us because of His eternal life.
Not only
is He our High Priest, but He is also the Final
Sacrifice, enabling us to be reconciled to the
Creator from whom the whole world is estranged.
He is our sin offering that atones for us, our
burnt offering that enables us to be dedicated
to God, the peace offering that brings us wholeness,
completeness, well-being and peace with God.
He is
the Son of Abraham, and the Lion of Judah, and
final King from David’s royal line who will
save Israel, gather Israel, protect Israel, rule
over Israel, restore true worship to Israel, bringing
peace and righteousness and salvation and the
knowledge of God to Israel and the other nations
of the world. He will bring the fullness of the
New and Eternal Covenant that will bless Israel
and all the families of the Earth.
Not only
does He fulfill the prophecies, He fulfills the
types, symbols, people and prophecies. He is the
true Israel, who succeeded where Israel failed.
He our Sabbath who brings true rest to the weary
soul. He is our Passover Lamb, enabling God to
pass-over our sins, saving us from our Egypts
of sin and death. He is our Matzah - the Unleavened
Bread, the Sinless One, who was victorious over
sin and who can break the cycle of sin transmitted
from generation to generation. He is the Firstfruits,
the First One to be raised from the dead, thereby
giving hope that all who believe in Him will likewise
be raised from the dead. His Second Coming is
connected to Yom Truah - the day we blow the shofar.
He is the Yom Kippur Azazel Scape-Goat who brings
perfect and final atonement. He is our Sukkah,
who enables the harvest of humanity to dwell with
God.
He is
the true Temple in which God dwells. He is the
Holy Ark in which the Word of God dwelt, over
which the presence of God hovered. He is our Bronze
Altar which atones for us, our Washbasin which
cleanses us so we can serve God, our Golden Menorah
which sheds the true light of God on us, the Bread
of the Presence which feeds us, the Golden Altar
that enables our prayers and praises to ascend
and be accepted by God.
He is
the seed of the woman who will destroy all the
works of the Devil. He is the Rock that was smitten,
providing us with the living water of everlasting
life, so that our thirst for God, and for life,
and for meaning, is quenched. He is the Bread
of Life that came down out of Heaven, that gives
life to the world, infinitely better than the
manna that our fathers ate in the wilderness,
since they died. He the Star that arises from
Jacob. He is the Sun of Righteousness, and the
Light of the World, shining the light of Heaven
to those living in darkness. He is the Branch
that brings forth the fruit of everlasting life,
so that believing in Him is like eating from the
Tree of Life.
He is
the Stone that the builders rejected, but the
Stone that God set firmly in place to be the foundation
of all that God is building; the cornerstone which
will support our lives eternally.
Don’t
be taken in by the empty deception of man-made
philosophies, persuasive arguments and the traditions
of men. Don’t be deluded by some man-made
philosophical system or false religious system
that seems persuasive, even if it quotes the Bible
and has religious ideas. Keep a pure faith in
Messiah, who is sufficient to meet all of the
challenges of our day or any day.
Shalom,
Rabbi Loren
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