Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Reflections from the Tikkun Institute

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On Sunday I was able to attend the Tikkun Mid-Atlantic Institute with the leaders of our sister congregations from the Washington DC area. The leaders of each area or region choose their own subject. These folks wanted training on developing leaders within Messianic congregations. Todd Westphal (El Shaddai, Frederick, MD) hosted the meeting in his building. Michael Rudolph (Ohev Yisrael, Springfield, VA) began the day and Ralph Finley (Ahavat Yeshua, Washington DC) finished the morning session. Dan Juster (our apostle for Tikkun America) delivered the afternoon session.

They all made excellent presentations. Dan spoke in part on Romans 8 (which you know I loved). There is one thing from Dan's teaching on Romans 8 that I want to bring to your attention. Watch the last phrase ... Romans 8:3 "For what was impossible for the Torah - since it was weakened on account of the flesh—God has done. Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh"

How many times I have heard it and read it, yet this was the first time I heard it like this. That's right; through Yeshua's once-for-all-time sacrifice, God "condemned sin in the flesh." Your sins and my sins have been sent to hell (condemned). This is confirmed by Yeshua's own words. John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!"

Yeshua spoke to the woman in John 8:11b "Yeshua said. 'Go, and sin no more.'"

It's a simple instruction spoken to each one of us, "Go, and sin no more." Our sin has been condemned. By grace we have been declared innocent. Amazing grace!

Dan came to rest on these words of Scripture ... Philippians 3:10 "My aim is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death"

Dan's comment was how we all remember the promised blessing of the first part of the verse. We all want the "power of His resurrection" in our lives. But, there is an "AND" too.

"And the sharing of His sufferings ..." You might ask, when did I sign up for that? What, that wasn't part of the altar call you answered? Likely not! You should have read the fine print. You know what? All things considered (as I've written to you before), Ayn Li Brerra (I don't have a choice).

2 Timothy 2:12a "if we endure, we will also reign with Him ..."

Now let's put that in context. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 "Trustworthy is the saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

And one last word ... 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, 'Things no eye has seen and no ear has heard, that have not entered the heart of mankind - these things God has prepared for those who love Him.'"