MSS - Ezekiel 4-5

Several theories abound to explain what the 390/40 year prophecy of Ezekiel 4 is about.  I can't help you with that - I have no idea, so we're going to put a pin in it and see what get revealed as we go forward.  However, the lesson of these chapters is picture clear - the Wrath of God is a terrible thing, and we should strive to avoid it at all costs.  God is right, we are wrong - this isn't just mere lip service, but something that must come from the heart.

MSS - Ezekiel 1-3

Our daily study moves into the book of Ezekiel.  We spend some time discussing Ezekiel's audience, and who today resembles the rebellious house of Israel who won't listen to Ezekiel nor God.

MSS-Malachi 3-4

We know that John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah; today's passage begins and ends with the prophecies of Elijah's coming.  In between we see the continuing theme of the messengers of God - the Levites, the Priests, who stand between God and the people - and how they have fallen short but will be restored, along with the whole nation of Israel.  A powerful parallel can be drawn with Eli's sons - how do they relate to Malachi?  Take a listen and find out!

MSS - Malachi 1-2

"Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
Many know Paul writes this in his letter to the Romans, some know it comes from Malachi.  Fewer take the time to take a closer look at Malachi to see the context of this line.  Is there no path to redemption for the hated Esau?  We discuss this question, how it relates to us personally, and even have a short discussion on translation issues as we begin a short two-day trip through Malachi.

MSS - Matthew 28

We finish up the Gospel of Matthew with the Resurrection and the Great Commission, and then have a short discussion with the kids over the general themes of Matthew.  Rather quick today, and we look forward to the next book of study!

MSS - Matthew 27

That Messiah was to suffer and pay for our sins is a theme that can be found throughout the Tanakh, yet it was a theme the generation of Yeshua was unaware of, even during its direct fulfillment.  Their blindness is shocking - Yeshua even quotes Psalm 22 as he is dying and the onlookers were still completely unaware of it!  As we study Chapter 27 today we will also consider that Psalm Yeshua quotes.

MSS Matthew 26b

"Holy is Your Name."  How important is the Name of God?  The trial of Yeshua before Caiaphas hinges on this very question.  We discuss this and the rest of the arrest and trial of Yeshua from Matthew 26.

*Some technical difficulties required two videos, as the first video ends abruptly at a key moment and the second video picks up at the same spot.*

A More Noble Character

This is my most recent message, where I give a direct and hopefully convicting challenge.

MSS - Matthew 26a

Good Morning!

Ari noticed today as she followed along with our reading that I say "Yeshua" when the English text says "Jesus," and asked why I do that.  I was happy to explain.  We also talked about betrayal by those closest to you, bearing the illness of others, blood covenant, and the Hallel, among other things as we looked at the first half of Matthew 26.

MSS - Matthew 25

Too often Yeshua's words are treated as something revolutionary, astounding, paradigm shifting.  I say "too often" because of the mistaken belief that Yeshua was giving something new, unheard of.  Yet, time and time again, a little study reveals that Yeshua is restoring, not replacing, all things.  Many passages from Scripture could highlight Yeshua's parables of the ten virgins and the talents in Matthew 25; today we merely highlighted two, in Isaiah and Ezekiel. 

MSS - Matthew 24:29-51

Joel 2:12
“Yet even now,” declares YHWH,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
And rend your heart and not your garments.”
Now return to YHWH your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness
And relenting of evil.

Joel here is speaking of the worst of the Tribulation, the worst of how things are going to be for this earth.  And yet even then, God keeps open the door to forgiveness and salvation.

And then Yeshua returns, and the door is closed.

Don't wait till the last moment.  You don't know when your last moment is going to be.  Repent now, rend your heart now, turn to YHWH now!  In this way you can be the faithful servant, dutifully fulfilling the will of your king, and will be richly awarded when he returns and sees your faithfulness!

Some Videos to Share

I'm just feeling like sharing these today.  Enjoy!

I also gotta share this one.  Funny, awesome - and if you think about it, terrible.  As much as I enjoyed seeing this video, this technology is going to be used against us in terrible ways.

MSS - Matthew 24:1-28

The abomination that causes desolation.  Daniel gave a prophecy about it.  Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled that prophecy.  Yeshua affirms Daniel's prophecy as something that hasn't happened yet.  What gives?  We discuss this, false teachers, false christs, and seeking God with all our hearts as we begin our study of Matthew 24.

MSS - Matthew 23 - Woe to you Pharisees, hypocrites!

Too often we see the Pharisees as the ultimate bad guys - and completely miss that they represented the righteous ones in Judea during the 1st century.  Yet, despite their "righteousness", they fell short of the kingdom of heaven.  Why?  Yeshua spells it out rather succinctly in this 23rd chpater of Matthew.  

MSS - Matthew 22b

A couple days ago we read in Matthew 21 how the chief priests and elders demanded of Yeshua where he got his authority to throw out the money changers from.  Several parables and few disingenuous Scripture questions later, Yeshua points to David giving the answer to their question.  Psalm 110 - YHWH said to my Lord (the Son of David), "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet."  God is a living God, not wood and stone, not some concept for despots to use for their advantage - and YHWH is His Name, forever, a memorial to all generations.  (Exodus 3:13-15)  We discuss these things and more today as we wrap up Matthew 22.

MSS - Matthew 21b - 22a

It's Passion Week, Yeshua has thrown out the money changers, and, enraged, the chief priests and elders - on whose authority the money changers were present - want to know by what authority Yeshua operates.  In the parables that follow, Yeshua demonstrates clearly that these authorities have … well, listen in and find out!

MSS - Matthew 21 Part 1

Matthew 21 proves to need more than a half hour plus to cover, so we'll just do a part one today.  It's an action packed part one though, as we talk about Yeshua entering Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, throwing out money changers, Gentiles keeping the Sabbath, and so much more.

MSS - Matthew 20

Chapter 20 begins with the Parable of the Vineyard, but we start with a short review of the 2nd half of Chapter 19 as the concepts tie directly together with today's study.  We also point out how some of our daily routines are anti-biblical - will we change them?  Or will we just go with the flow, stay with the crowd, choose the way of the present age over the Way of God's Word?  Never forget to consider how every passage of Scripture applies to your everyday lives.

The Chronology of Passion Week

There was all kinds of technical and human difficulties this morning, so our Morning Scripture Study will take a day off.  Matthew Chapter 20 is where we are at in our study and this is where the Passion Week begins.  I did a message on this topic a few months ago and posted it here for all to follow.  As we go forward we will focus more on the events and teaching within that week but having the context of it's chronology can be very good.  I hope you enjoy.

MSS - Matthew 19

How committed are you in your relationships?  Certain relationships require complete dedication, a point Yeshua drives home in Matthew 19.  And the most important of these is our relationship with YHWH and with His Son, Yeshua, our king, our Messiah.  Whatever we may lose in turning to God, it pales in comparison to what we gain in the world to come - a shadow of which is presented for us in the portion of Scripture we end with today. 

MSS Matthew 18

This morning's study focused a great deal on forgiveness and bringing back the one who stumbles and is lost.  Also, judging rightly, suffer the little children, and what is the Kingdom of Heaven?

MSS Matthew 17

"This is My Son, in whom I am well pleased! Listen to him!"  With these words, God establishes that not only is Yeshua His Son, but also is the Prophet promised through Moses in Deuteronomy 18.  We discuss how that is so and continue with John the Baptist coming in the spirit of Elijah and paying temple taxes.  There's more here than you think!  Enjoy!

MSS - Matthew 16

Once again the Pharisees and Sadducees ask for a sign, and once again Yeshua gives them the sign of Jonah.  You know, there is more to that sign than three days and three nights!

We also discuss the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Peter first acknowledging Yeshua as Messiah and then rebuking him, and what it means to take up your cross.  We pray you are edified today!

MSS - Matthew 15

"They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me,
teaching as doctrine the precepts of men."

The theme of Yeshua's ministry as presented in Matthew continues here in the 15th chapter - that is, the heart produces the actions of a person, and if that heart is wicked, adulterous, and arrogant, then the action produced is vain honor from lying lips, perverse usage of God's Commandments, and elevation of man-made tradition.  But if one mourns their sin, acknowledges their guilt before God, humbles themselves in their heart, then their blindness is healed, their hearing is restored, and their mourning is comforted.  A ritual from an unclean heart is worthless.