MNC Fellowship

After writing about a common confession (everyone in the assembly agrees upon) Paul reminds Timothy not to fret about those leaving the assembly; the Spirit of Yahweh promised this would happen. We must learn to guard our heart and mind from deceitful spirits.

Here I answer the fourth reason on the CSBible website as to why they discontinued any use of the name Yahweh in their updated translation. Manuscript detail, Older Testament primacy, prophecy, and Yeshua's ministry are all covered in this lesson.

I've used the HCSB from 2004 to early 2026, but I've recently made a change in my primary Bible to the Legacy Standard Bible. Why? I begin to look at the CSBible website, answering their reasons for abandoning their 656 uses of the name Yahweh in the Old Testament.

Brother Stephen brings things to a head as he finishes his own defense of the holy place, Moses, and the Torah. In the end, he turns the accusation against him back on whom it belongs, the Jewish leaders. They were following in the footsteps of many Israelites of old, rejecting the prophet who was sent to them. 

I first look at different Bible translation methodologies (across the spectrum) and then turn my attention to the 2004 HCSB and its use of the name Yahweh in key passages.

There is a HUGE difference between someone who disobeys because they are new and learning, and someone who knows and turns their face away from what Yahweh says. 

The Prophets always called the people of Israel back to Moses, because it was Moses that was given the Living Oracles from Yahweh on the Mountain.

In the same way Israel of old had rejected Moses, Israel in the first century rejected Yeshua, and Stephen called them out on it. 

The finale to the mini-sermon-series on the creedal hymn. I center in on Yeshua's resurrection, how he obtained it, where he is at in heaven, some of what he is doing, and a few other things throughout. I do talk about his sonship, and throw a little bit of biblical cosmology in the mix. Hope it blesses you. 

Before Yeshua ever died and resurrected to eternal life, people were believing upon him from various nations. This sermon focuses on some key texts in the Gospel of John that explain what exactly Paul meant when he said Yeshua was “believed on in the world.”

Yeshua was a preacher, and he did not just preach to Israelites (lost or found). Listen to learn about some important concepts in the gospel of Matthew, surrounding the “Sermon on the Mount.” 

This was the sermon Yahweh laid upon my heart to give for the first day of Unleavened Bread (2026). It was prompted by someone recently telling me how heavy a yoke it must be for me to think I have to keep all the commandments. I hope and pray this message is a blessing to you.

Continuing on in this creedal hymn I look at the phrase “seen by angels,” considering the chronology as well as a parallel text from Apostle Peter. Yeshua not only conquered sin and death, he conquered the Devil, fallen angels, and demonic spirits.

Stephen continues to show that Moses was rejected by Israel of old, as a depiction of Yeshua being rejected by the then, current Israel. Stephen begins to bring up angels, which is interesting seeing the Sadducees (of which sect the High Priest belonged) didn't believe in angels.

I give an overview of my “Passover Conversations” for the last several years, and then I answer two questions or concerns I most often receive from those who remain inquisitive.

Yeshua of Nazareth was proven to be upright (perfectly) upon his resurrection to immortality. The future resurrection that us followers of Yeshua will partake in is our blessed hope beyond compare. I talk about Yeshua's ability to fly in this lesson. You read that correctly.

While this sermon centers in on a key, Christological point (in this early Creed/Hymn), it begins by focusing on textual variation, criticism, and New Testament attestation.

Some theology may be disagreed upon by true brothers, but some theology is absolutely essential to the brotherhood and thus salvation. The mystery of holiness is one such essential element to the faith/truth.

Stephen continues to defend himself by reminding the Jewish leaders that their brother Israelites rejected Moses right from the start. There is a tie-in here, if you read carefully, coupling Yeshua with Moses.

Stephen moves to Joseph in his defense of Yeshua, showing that Israelite history had the very blood brothers of the favored Joseph reject him and even wanted him dead. It wasn't until a later, second visit to Egypt that Joseph revealed himself to them after much time had passed.

Stephen begins his defense of the Law, Moses, Holy City, and Temple, by going back to the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 12, 15, and 17. There is much to be gleaned here and some rather technical issues, so slow down and take some time to go over each text carefully.

The Jewish leaders make some accusations against Stephen at the end of Acts 6. Oftentimes, Stephen's words in Acts 7 are seen as simply a historical recounting of the nation of Israel, but what if his words are designed to respond directly to the accusations?

A refresher sermon on the importance of Holy Scripture. This is a forward to my soon series through Paul's first epistle to young Timothy.

The closing sermon for our Sukkot gathering (2025). I talk some about prophecy and eschatology, and then I briefly do some exegesis in Colossians 2. I end with talking about where I'm at on understanding what the Feast of Booths foreshadows.

I cover: Scriptural months are lunar based, why both seven days and the eighth day are mentioned in the instructions for the Feast of Booths, the various fire offerings related to this Feast, and the importance of the Miqra Kodesh (Sacred Assembly).

I look at who exactly (what people groups) were delivered out of the land of Egypt, as well as the Hebrew word for “booths.” Some time is then taken to trek through Nehemiah's account of Ezra and company finding this Feast in the Book of the Law.

We begin to study into the last of the major, annual Festivals to Yahweh by looking at the two names it is given as well as how it relates to the heavenly light calendar in Genesis 1:14-19.

I begin to delve into the last major, annual Festival to Yahweh, but take the time to consider why only the males are commanded to appear before Yahweh in both Exodus and Deuteronomy. This sermon takes a few minutes to look at the recent tragedy, the assassination of a good, Christian brother - Charlie Kirk.

Some in the Sacred Name Community use Exodus 23:13 as a launching pad for claiming the name Jesus has pagan origins. This lesson seeks to simplify the matter by looking at from where the name Jesus stems with the process of transliteration.

I delve into a topic here that many never think about, and some poke fun of those who even bring it up. What is the best way to translate the Hebrew words el and elohim into the English language? What is the origin of the English word god? These questions and more are covered. 

I go over some specifics in regards to the actual, literal speaking of common words that may stem from pagan origin, and then move into tracking the various Hebrew words behind the word lord in the English Bible. Some points about the name YHWH are covered as well. 

This section begins to detail a dispute that Stephen (a disciple of the Apostles) had with some in his hometown synagogue. Stephen's wisdom, and face, showed forth that he was truly sent by Yeshua.

I begin exegeting the second part of Exodus 23:13, looking at the meaning of the Hebrew word zakar, and then asking the question of how far we go in obedience to this command.

There are commandments and there are traditions of men. We are to be strict in one, and loose in the other. I cover the Hebrew word “shamar,” and the English word “circumspect” in this sermon.

A sermon calling us to imitate the Master in his desire to see people enter a relationship with him and his Father.

Taking a look at the speciality of prophet Moshe, as well as the Torah (Law, Instructions) Yahweh gave through him. 

Yahweh has blessed you by putting someone (and probably a few someone's) in your life that is a good person. Never take that for granted. 

What the apostles of Yeshua decided to do was based off of what prophet Moses did back in his day. The leaders in a community should always carry righteous qualities and characteristics, in order to set a good example for everyone following. 

To close out this series on Pentecost I take time to answer the three most common objections I hear against the view I take. Pay attention closely because there are some key points in how to do proper Bible study in this lesson.

I take a look at some key Scriptures about the harvest timing of both wheat and grapes, showing the connection between an ancient prophecy and the Apostle Peter's preaching.

What if the numbering of the fifty days doesn't take place until after the seventh Sabbath? This lesson walks through the narrative in the book of Exodus surrounding Mount Sinai, going through several points that lead me in this direction.

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.