Tuesday Oct 29, 2019

Chapter 1 of a New Beginning - The Torah Series

This Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship, delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the theme of new beginnings and continuous growth in a believer's life, drawing insights from the cyclical reading of the Torah. The message encourages listeners to view their faith journey not as a static state but as a dynamic process of learning, maturing, and deepening their commitment to God and His kingdom.

The teaching begins by highlighting the annual cycle of Torah portions, a journey that revisits key moments in biblical history, from the Garden of Eden to the edge of the Promised Land. This cyclical reading serves as a reminder of God's constant mercy and grace, offering opportunities for new beginnings. While new beginnings are often associated with overcoming sin or negative patterns, the speaker emphasizes that they also encompass times of growth, becoming bolder in faith and character, and stepping into God's calling.

The passage in Colossians 1:9-10 is referenced, where Paul prays for believers to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, leading to a life worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit, and growing in the knowledge of God. This growth is described not merely as intellectual understanding or Bible memorization, but as a growth in lifestyle, discipline, commitment, and allegiance to the kingdom of God. Settling for a comfortable, stationary position in one's walk with God is presented as potentially detrimental.

The speaker stresses the importance of self-reflection in recognizing where one is in their journey and where they need to move forward. New beginnings can involve a conscious decision to improve in various aspects of life, such as being a better parent or spouse, or holding oneself and others to higher standards. It can also mean stepping out in faith to pursue God's calling, likened to the faith of Abraham. The teaching underscores that the Christian life is meant to be an evolution and progress, not a constant return to the starting point.

To illustrate the concept of seizing opportunities for spiritual growth, the speaker examines the incident in Numbers 9 concerning the Passover. Certain men were unclean due to touching a dead body and were therefore unable to partake in the Passover at its appointed time. Instead of simply accepting this, they approached Moses with their predicament. God's response was to institute a second Passover (Pesach Sheni) a month later, demonstrating His grace and providing another chance for those who were unable to participate initially. The key takeaway is that these men were not obligated by a commandment to seek this second chance; their desire stemmed from a personal zeal to participate in the legacy and mission of their people. Their boldness in seeking a way to observe the Passover highlights an obedience that goes beyond mere checklist fulfillment.

Another example of bold faith and a desire to be part of a bigger picture is found in Numbers 27, the story of the daughters of Zelophehad. These women, whose father had died without sons, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the community to request an inheritance so that their father's name would not be lost. In a cultural context where inheritance typically passed through male heirs, their action was extraordinary. God affirmed their request, establishing a new rule of inheritance. This story is presented not primarily as being about land rights or gender equality in that era, but as an example of boldness and a commitment to a legacy and a bigger purpose. The daughters' willingness to step forward led to their father's name, and their own, being remembered forever in the Torah.

The life of Abraham is also discussed as an example of a journey marked by both struggles and growth. Despite his mistakes, Abraham's belief in God's promise of an heir was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Abraham's willingness to obey God, even when commanded to sacrifice Isaac, demonstrated a deepening of his faith and allegiance. Genesis 26:4-5 is cited, suggesting that Abraham obeyed God's voice, commands, statutes, and laws (Torah), even before they were formally given at Mount Sinai, highlighting his fundamental loyalty and belief in a bigger picture.

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Application for Everyday Life:

Regular Self-Examination: Take time to honestly assess your spiritual growth and identify areas where you might be stagnant or need to mature.
Embrace Discomfort: Recognize that growth often occurs when facing uncomfortable situations. Don't shy away from challenges that can strengthen your faith and character.
Cultivate Deeper Allegiance: Focus on your loyalty and commitment to Jesus (Yeshua) and the kingdom of God as the foundation for your actions and obedience.
Seek Opportunities for Growth: Be proactive in seeking ways to deepen your relationship with God and participate in His mission, even if it requires stepping out in faith.
Learn from Biblical Examples: Study the lives of figures like the men in Numbers 9 and the daughters of Zelophehad, who demonstrated boldness and a desire to be part of God's bigger picture.
Engage with the Torah Cycle: Recognize the value of the cyclical reading of the Torah as a reminder of God's character and continuous opportunities for new beginnings and learning.
Strive for Heart Transformation: Understand that true obedience stems from a heart that is aligned with God's will, as emphasized in the concept of the New Covenant.
Live as Ambassadors: Recognize your role in representing the kingdom of God on earth through your actions, words, and devotion.
Persevere Through Failures: Like Abraham, acknowledge that mistakes happen but focus on learning and growing through them, maintaining belief in God's overarching plan.
Take Your Vocation Seriously: Embrace the idea of being a "soldier of Christ" by actively participating in God's kingdom work and striving to grow in your role.

Chapter 1 of a New Beginning - The Torah Series

Chapter 1 of a New Beginning - The Torah Series

Application for Everyday Life:

References:

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