MNC Fellowship

I continue teaching on Pentecost here, specifically looking at what is counted as commanded in both Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I also go into some points concerning lunar vs. Saturday sabbath.

In Acts 6 we turn a new leaf. Peter has been doing a lot of preaching, but we now get into an aspect of how some important matters were handled in the early, Messianic community. Listen to learn of how the Apostles actually took their cue here from the Torah.

I focus in on the various positions throughout history among groups that have been committed to counting for Pentecost. Towards the end I talk about the position our assembly takes and why.

This sermon encourages us to not let go of the commandments that are directly from a person to Yahweh, and then goes over the four different names given to the second of the three major annual festivals in Yahweh's honor. 

The Apostles are in trouble again for spreading the message about the death and resurrection of Yeshua of Nazareth, and they almost get the death sentence, but a wise man stand up for them in their time of trouble. Listen to learn how we should be honored to be persecuted for faith in the Messiah.

In this lesson I close out the three part mini-series covering the timetable of Yeshua's death and resurrection by looking at the popular text in which he says he'll spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth. How does that fit in with a preparation day death and first day resurrection? Listen to learn about proper interpretation of Scripture, idioms in the Bible, and how we should not be throwing people into Gehenna for disagreeing on most doctrines.

The Apostles go on trial for preaching about Yeshua, specifically about indicting the Jewish leaders with his murder. They've disobeyed the ruling of the Sanhedrin, which is punishable by death according to Torah. How in the world then are they innocent in Yahweh's eyes?

I give a brief quotation from Emperor Constantine's letter to the churches after the council of Nicaea, contrasting it with Holy Scripture, and then move into understanding more about the timeline of Yeshua's death and resurrection.

As I begin to teach on the “Feast of Harvest” (Weeks, Pentecost) I talk about matters relating to the beginning of the count to this Feast. Why was Easter celebrated this year about eight days after Passover? Listen to learn how the Feast sequence pointed to the resurrection of Yeshua.

We are commanded to not have empty hands when Yahweh's Feasts roll around. What exactly does this mean? Listen to learn about both the abuse and proper use of tithes and offerings.

The Sanhedrin assembles to put Yeshua's Apostles on trial… but when they go to get them from a jail cell, they are nowhere to be found.

The Apostles, though faced with persecution, continue to teach the people about their life in Yeshua. Sometimes miracles happen in the life of the follower. Sometimes they come in the form of a heavenly messenger. 

A summarized view of how to calculate the month of Abib. The Hebrew words abib, chodesh, yerach, yareach, mēn, neumēnia, tequpha, shanah, and more are covered.

I go over one key aspect of the first, commanded, annual Festival on Yahweh's calendar. I also look at how sin creeps into our lives, sometimes unknowingly, so we should always be on guard (protect mode).

I give a brief overview of the three major, annual Festivals in honor of Yahweh, and then I look at an objection and question I've heard for a long time now. Are we allowed to keep the Feasts outside the promised land?

Many signs and wonders were being performed by the Apostles, and they were praised highly, but at the same time many of the Jews didn't want to join them. Why? This lesson takes a look at why people were context to only get into the shadow of the Apostle Peter in hopes of receiving a healing.

This is a text I was made to memorize in Christian school, but I believe it's a text that most Christians don't truly understand. Any-time is a good time to meditate (speak of, think on, memorize, etc.) Yahweh's teachings, instructions, and guidance.

I consider both the standard, Christian interpretation of this text as well as the common “Hebrew Roots” interpretation, and then walk through and give an alternate understanding. Hosea 6:6 is paramount here. It must be understood that in the realm of keeping the commandments, sometimes two commands collide and doing one is more important than doing the other.

I've had so many discussions about this over the last 27+ years, but I've never taught one cohesive sermon on it. That changes with this lesson. I give my reasons for my practice while respecting those who genuinely disagree due to their own studies. I pray my contribution here is beneficial to the on-going discussion among those practicing Torah.

I take a look at and give a Scriptural answer to this question I often receive. What does Scripture say about cooking on the Sabbath? Yes, I deal with the verse about kindling a fire.

In contrast to Barnabus' devotion to the Apostolic community, Ananias and Sapphira try to be deceptive and end up in a bad place. We should always be honest with what Yahweh has entrusted us with. Our vows should be upheld in fear and reverence.

What was the purpose behind the communal living of the early Messianic sect? When a person is fully dedicated to following Yeshua they realize that so much in this world ultimately just does not matter that much.

A general overview of keeping (guarding, protecting) the Sabbath. Towards the end I talk about exceptions to the rule and then answer the question I get asked most often when people are beginning to consider obeying this commandment. 

One of the ways a person can find out real quick how much of a blessing Yahweh's law is, is to start genuinely keeping the Sabbath. I talk a little bit about my journey to keeping Sabbath, and I also go into a little bit about being a disciple of someone.

I go over a few more details concerning the Sabbatical year (and cycle) and then I get into some practicality for followers of Yahweh today. Never try to talk yourself out of keeping a commandment. Always reason towards Yahweh's Torah, not away from it.

The apostles had been threatened by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, so what did they do? They didn't complain. They didn't give up. They prayed, and they prayed for strength and boldness. This lesson also goes over a key midrash from Psalm 2 in Acts 4.

The apostles of Yeshua are faced with a decision to listen to the instruction from the Sanhedrin or continue to preach and teach about Yeshua. When we are faced with similar decisions in our life, it is always right to listen to and obey Yahweh rather than man.

Part of Sabbath-keeping is making sure the land gets to rest along with us, but this is a bit longer of a process. Towards the end of the sermon I talk about just how serious it was to respect the land.

We are called to judge, accuse, and love, but we are called to do those things in accordance with Yahweh's instructions. For example, there is an unrighteous judgment as well as a righteous judgment. How do we know which is which? Towards the end I give an admonishment on making sure to love Yahweh and not just your neighbor.

The Torah (OT) actually teaches us to love (do good) to our enemies. I cover what exactly this means and end with a parable of sorts of how we ought to be like Yahweh is each and every day.

We must use our speech for truth rather than slander and falsehood, even when the majority of people are speaking that which is a lie. No matter how big the crowd is that is going the wrong direction, it's never right.

An introductory sermon to Exodus 23. The generality of life's ups and downs are taught, but through it all we must stay the course. Do your best to not get tired of doing good. Yeshua is waiting for you at the finish line!

The Apostles of Yeshua stand before the Sanhedrin and are ordered against speaking in the name of Yeshua. Why? Listen to learn how we should be bold for Messiah, even in the face of persecution.

A closer look at strangled meat, how animals are slaughtered today (in general), and the natural and spiritual aspect of “the dogs” in both Exodus 22 and Matthew 7. I end our study of Exodus 22 with a reminder that we want the control of Yahweh over our lives and true freedom is found in being devoted to Him.

Taking a look at how Exodus 22:31 ties into the proper slaughtering of a clean animal. I go over some pertinent parts of Acts 15 and the decision made by the elders at the Jerusalem Council.

We are not called to try and be different just for the sake of being different. Making up your own rules doesn't mean a hill of beans to the Almighty. Humbly following what He said, and not adding to or taking away from His written commands is where it's at. 

An overview of the abortion issue from a Biblical perspective, and a call to recognize its weightiness on a governmental scale.

A look at Apostle Peter's statement about what salvation in the name of Yeshua meant in its first-century, apostolic context.

I cover two more points about redeeming a firstborn son and then I give seven points of review concerning what we've covered on these commandments.

A detailed look at Numbers 18's laws about first-fruits and firstborns as we ask the question of what to do today when it comes to obeying these commandments.

The Apostle Peter tells the Jewish leaders that Yeshua of Nazareth is the stone set aside by the builders, but where did he get that from? Listen to learn about how David, Yeshua's ancestor, plays a part in this statement by Peter.

There will always be scoffers, but don't scoff back - just counter it with gentleness and respect.

The apostles have been placed in prison and are now brought before a court and put on trial, all for healing a lame man at the Temple. How does Peter handle himself before the Jewish leaders?

This lesson looks intently at the groups mentioned in Acts 4:1, taking the deepest look at the Sadducees. If we do not understand the “who” in Scripture, we will not be able to determine the proper meaning of a text.

If the Israelites were required to give their firstborn animals to Yahweh, was it the firstborn from the father or mother? I cover a good bit of detail in answering this question as well as talking about taking your time in Bible study and not being so harsh with people when witnessing to them about the truth.

I begin looking at bringing first-fruits and firstborns to the Almighty. What's the principle behind this? How was this done with an unclean animal? Were the Israelites ever required to sacrifice their first-born sons? Listen to learn of the blessing that comes by obeying the Creator.

Blasphemy can be committed by either disrespecting the Almighty or disrespecting the men He has placed in charge of His people on the earth. Authority can be abused though, so leaders ought to lead in the manner prescribed in Holy Scripture.

An introduction to Acts 4 that delves into persecution and suffering in the early, Messianic assembly. How does this relate to us in the modern age?

After the last lesson, considering all the people in the Bible who were called righteous because of their deeds, what does the prophet Isaiah mean when he says our righteousnesses are as filthy rags? I also look at the famous Romans 3 passage and consider why the text says no one is righteous.

There's a pretty common understanding in Christianity that all of our good deeds are filthy rags. This lesson looks at several Scriptures showing that when we do good works from a genuine heart Yahweh considers us as righteous before Him.

With the practice of loaning money and not charging interest comes the practice of collateral. There are certain items that are allowed to be taken as a pledge, and certain items disallowed. The main point is that even when a person is poor or fallen on hard times, their dignity should remain in tact, and those of us with more at that time are responsible to help with that.