More about Sabbath

Should I light a Hanukiah? What about Shabbat candles? Discover the connection between kindling the Sabbath lamps and the Chanukah lamps? Find out how the lighting of the Chanukah light brings holiness into this world and teaches us an important lesson about the value of the Sabbath. This teaching from Chanukah 2015 on Parashat Vayeshev includes reference to the San Bernadino terrorist attack.

Mind over Mitzvot

Romans 14 leads some people to believe that the Sabbath and kosher laws may be willed away, since "each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." But can the reality of Torah be shaped and molded by our thoughts? Find out what Paul's statement "nothing is unclean" teaches us about differences of opinion within the Jewish community and the fellowship of Messiah's followers.

Let No One Judge You

Colossians 2 is often cited to prove that the Torah’s commands—especially dietary laws and calendar observances—are not incumbent upon a follower of Yeshua, whether Jew or Gentile. But abolishing the Torah would have a devastating effect on the Jewish people. Learn the true context of this apostolic teaching and find out how the Sabbath, Rosh Chodesh, and holidays foreshadow the coming Messianic Kingdom.

The Prophet's Reward

The hospitality of Abraham and Sarah provides the basis for a teaching of Yeshua in Matthew 10. Find out what it means to receive a prophet's reward and a righteous person's reward. Showing hospitality to guests is a mitzvah for which a person receives a reward in this world but the principle remains intact for the world to come.

Abraham and the Sabbath

Abraham did not keep the Sabbath because he believed in God; he believed in God because he kept the Sabbath. That's the premise of this teaching about the Sabbath in Parashat Lech Lecha (Genesis 12-17). Find out how the Sabbath testifies, even today, that God is exists and God is One. Discover how Abraham's relationship with the Sabbath encourages the Sabbath-keeping Messianic Gentile today. Great inspiration for the Sabbath Fellowship House vision.

Noach Noach

Did Noah keep the Sabbath? This simple question opens a discourse on the Sabbath in parashat Noach which explores the idea of Sabbatarianism before the flood and before Mount Sinai. The teachings covers a broad range of ideas related to the Sabbath including the concept of Shabbat Menuchah (Sabbath Rest), the Sabbath as a covenant sign, and discussion on the seven laws of Noah and the Sabbath day.

Oneg Shabbat

On Shabbat Bereishit, we read about how God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh.In this teaching from from Shabbat Bereishit, Pastor Lancaster introduces the new Oneg Shabbat campaign, a new initiative to focus attention on better observing the LORD's holy day and propogating awareness of the Sabbath.

Shadow and a Copy

Is the Temple on earth irrelevant since it is merely a shadow of the true heavenly reality?
This teaching on Hebrews 8:1-5 explains the Temple as a Shadow and a Copy of the supernal Temple above with references to Colossians 2:16-17 which describes the festivals and holy days as shadows of things that are to come--the substance of Messiah.

Enter My Rest

Three possible interpretations of Psalm 95:11 prepare us for understanding the discussion in Hebrews 3:7ff regarding the generation in the wilderness that did not enter into God's rest. An important preface to the Sabbath discussion of Hebrews 4.

Psalm 95:11 says, "Therefore I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'" The Book of Hebrews quotes this verse and interprets it in three possible directions:

A Sabbath Rest Remains

The Sabbath represents the Messianic Era and the menuchah of the world to come. In Hebrews 3:7-4:11, the writer of the holy Epistle to the Hebrews compares this present world to the work week of preparation, and he warns us to prepare ourselves now for the Kingdom and the World to Come. This important message demonstrates that Hebrews 4 should not be used to justify a spiritual interpretation of the Sabbath that makes actual Sabbath observance obsolete.