Messianic Audio Teachings

Are you ready for Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays? A teaching on the basic observances of the festival of Rosh Hashanah. This practical how-to teaching covers all the essentials with a few quick explanations regarding the major themes of the holiday.

Here are links to additional teachings referenced in the audio:

Rosh Hashanah Menu includes an audio about the significance of the ritual foods and a pdf of the handout.

Are Two Heads Better than One explains why we celebrate Rosh HaShanah for two days, even in the Diaspora.

In Romans 11, Paul speaks of the Gentile disciples as branches from a wild olive tree, grafted in to a cultivated tree, but the symbolism leaves room for ambiguity. Who is who in the metaphor, and where does the rest of Israel fit in to the picture? Who are the broken branches, who are the roots, and how do they all fit together? This teaching examines the famous "grafted-in" passage in the context of the broader discussion of Romans 9-11 and by comparing it with a similar Talmudic teaching.

Has God rejected his people? Did Israel stumble and fall? Romans 10-11 offers us a crash course on Paul's theology regarding the election of Israel, the Messianic Jewish remnant, the inclusion of the Gentiles, and the final redemption. This Bible study fills in the missing pieces in Paul's arguments to make sense out of these difficult passages:

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." (Isaiah 52:7)

Life is full of good intentions: "One of these days, I'm going to start exercising and eating healthy." "One of these days, I'm going to get my life back on track." Have you ever noticed that "one of these days" never comes? This teaching about the Sabbath and God's Holy Days demonstrates how HaShem's appointed times are designed to interrupt our routine and provide opportunities for self-improvement, increasing godliness, and drawing nearer to God. We call this the "cycle of sanctification." We learn about how, just as Israel was commanded to sacrifice only at the place God chose to put his name, likewise, God's holy days function as "sanctuaries in time," chosen by God for all his people's participation. The forty days of repentence before the high holy days are an ideal time to get life back on track with renewed focus on repentance, prayer, and charity.

This teaching was originally presented to the community of Beth Immanuel on Rosh Chodesh Elul, Shabbat Re'eh, August 15, 2015 / Av 30, 5775, at the beginning of the forty days of repentance.

What about the Jewish people who rejected the Messiah? Did God "harden" their hearts? Why did they stumble over Yeshua, and what were the implications? Did the Messianic promises fail? Romans 9 is a pivotal passage for understanding Paul's theology regarding Messiah and Israel. This teaching takes the most difficult chapter of the Epistle to the Romans head on from a Messianic Jewish perspective.  

So then he has mercy on whomever he wils, and he hardens whomever he wills. (Romans 9:18)

If Gentile believers receive the a share in the kingdom and the world to come and also enjoy the blessings promised to Abraham, what advantage does a Jewish believer have? What's the point of being a Jew at all? Does the inclusion of the Gentiles negate Jewish identity and priority? These are the questions that the Apostle Paul takes up in the much-misunderstood and often-misinterpreted ninth chapter of the book of Romans. 

What advantage has the Jew? What is the value of circumcsion? Much in every way. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Torah, the worship, and the promises. (Romans 3:1; 9:4)

Download the PDF file below to read the original lesson handout.

The case for religious Zionism and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy in the formation of the modern state of Israel. This teaching offers a sweeping overview of the story of Israel up until May of 1948 and the War for Independence. Includes a first-hand, on-the-ground teaching by Messianic Jewish pioneer and luminary Abram Poljak and a teaching on the synagogue's "Prayer for the State of Israel."

Does God predestine some people for salvation and others for torment? Where does that leave free choice? In this teaching on Romans 8, we look beyond the weary argument about predestination and free will to try to understand the words of the Apostle Paul from within the context of the argument he is making. Take a closer look at the meaning of resurrection and the hope in which we were saved.

Download the original class notes as a pdf in the link below.

Follow the river that flows from one end of the Bible to the other, from the Garden of Eden to the World to Come. This final teaching from the book of Revelation brings us back to the island of Patmos at the end of the book and the end of the Apocalypse of John series.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." (Revelation 1:3,  22:7)