Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 1

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1 Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other. And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching. Leviticus 23:1-3 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Tell the people of Isra'el: 'The designated times of ADONAI which you are to proclaim as holy convocations are my designated times. "'Work is to be done on six days; but the seventh day is a Shabbat of complete rest, a holy convocation; Colossians 2:7 Remain deeply rooted in him; continue being built up in him and confirmed in your trust, the way you were taught, so that you overflow in thanksgiving. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 1

2 Ephesians 4:11-12 He gave some people as emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers. Their task is to equip God's people for the work of service that builds the body of the Messiah Vance Havner Every Christian is commissioned, for every Christian is a missionary. It has been said that the Gospel is not merely something to come to Church to hear, but something to go from Church to tell-and we are all appointed to tell it. It has also been said, Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses; it has become a professional pulpitism, financed by lay spectators! Nowadays we hire a church staff to do full-time Christian work, and we sit in Church on Sunday to watch them do it. Every Christian is meant to be in full-time Christian service... There is indeed a special ministry of pastors, teachers and evangelists but for what?...for the perfecting of the saints for their ministry. -- Why Not Just be Christians p.63 Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35: 11:27-30 All those trusting in Yeshua stayed together and had everything in common; in fact, they sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to all who were in need. No one among them was poor, since those who owned lands or houses sold them and turned over the proceeds to the emissaries to distribute to each according to his need. During this time, some prophets came down from Yerushalayim to Antioch; and one of them named Agav stood up and through the Spirit predicted that there was going to be a severe famine throughout the Roman Empire. (It took place while Claudius was Emperor.) So the talmidim decided to provide relief to the brothers living in Y'hudah, each according to his means; and they did it, sending their contribution to the elders in the care of Bar-Nabba and Sha'ul. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 2

3 F.W. Grant Among those who believed was manifested a unity of heart and interest, in which the natural selfishness of the fallen condition was swallowed up in the fullness of a love which the sense of the divine love had begotten. They were together in such sort that all they had was held in common; not by any law or outward constraint, which would have spoiled it all, but in the consciousness of what they were all to Messiah, and what Messiah was to each all to them. Enriched by Him with a blessing which nothing could diminish, but the more they ministered it, the more they had it, they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, as anyone had need. Acts The Numerical Bible Acts 2:46 Continuing faithfully and with singleness of purpose to meet in the Temple courts daily, and breaking bread in their several homes, they shared their food in joy and simplicity of heart Acts 12:12; 18:7; 21:8; Realizing what had happened, he went to the house of Miryam the mother of Yochanan (surnamed Mark), where many people had gathered to pray. So he left them and went into the home of a "God-fearer" named Titius Justus, whose house was right next door to the synagogue. The following day, we left and came to Caesarea, where we went to the home of Philip the proclaimer of the Good News, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. So at the end of our stay, we packed and went up to Yerushalayim; and with us went some of the talmidim from Caesarea. They brought us to the home of the man with whom we were to stay, Mnason from Cyprus, who had been a talmid since the early days. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 3

4 1 Timothy 3:14-15 I hope to visit you soon; but I am writing these things so that if I am delayed, you may know how one should behave in the household of God, which is the Messianic Community of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. Household Oy-kos Any dwelling place. The place where one has fixed his residence. The persons forming one family. Messianic Community/Church Ek-klay-see-ah A gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place. The whole body of believers scattered throughout the world. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 4

5 Living God Dzah-o To live, to breathe. To pass life. To be active and powerful! To manifest His presence. Pillar Stoo-los A column. Not so much to support a structure, but in the first century, a pillar was set up in a public marketplace and notices were posted on it. Support Hed-rah-yo-mah To prop. To stay. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 5

6 Truth Al-ay-thi-a The truth as taught in the Bible. Truth as personal excellence. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 6

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12 Matthew 5:14-16 (CJB) "You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don't cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 12

13 Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG) "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Shabbat Who and What is the Church? Part 3 Rabbi Greg Hershberg 13