Roots of Faith

Shalom to you during this Festival Season of Redemption!

As a reminder, Sunday Shul will be this evening at 7:00 PM Central time. I will take leave of the subject of Messiah for one more week to speak tonight of the story of the Exodus. Next week I will resume the subject of the messiah, focusing on the “Son of David - a King Messiah”.

Tonight’s class will consist of quite a bit of reading. I think that this is an important part of building faith since we learn from Scripture that “Faith Comes by Hearing - hearing the word of God”. In our culture we have grown accustomed to a different style of teaching where the “preacher” quotes a few verses and then comments - often taking things out of context. The ancient practice of reading the Exodus story during Passover is one that we are commanded to perpetuate.We are told to tell this story and that is what I intend to do. I hope that you will be able to join us. If not, I am pasting in below the primary texts that are involved in the telling of this story. I sent this out last night to a smaller group. Feel free to share them with others.

Telling the story

I am certain that within our diverse group there will be multiple “versions” of the Passover. I wanted to send this out tonight for those that have never “kept” this festival before. Here are some basic things that you need to know.

First, if the sky is clear where you are, I want you to go outside and look up. See the moon? This is the way it looked when our ancestors left Egypt! The full moon gave them light on this night that began with a nation of slaves and ended with a people free to “serve” their God. So you too can experience this freedom.

Passover is about experiencing the past and future as well. It is about redemption and freedom. The Prophet Jeremiah says that another Exodus is coming for the people of God…an even greater exodus than the one we read about tonight! (see Jeremiah 16:14-15)

I am writing for you a series of verses that you can use as your very own Passover Haggadah. Haggadah comes from a Hebrew word that means to tell. Exodus 10:12, Exodus 12:24-27 and Deuteronomy 6:20-25 are the basis for “telling the story”. I encourage all of you to participate in this as it is perhaps the oldest religious practice that has been kept from the beginning of the history of Israel. So tell the story tomorrow night to your family! If you are alone, read it to yourself. It is an incredible story and one that God tells us to tell!

Read the following:

The reason we tell the story
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
Exodus 10:12
Exodus 12:24-27

The Prediction and fulfillment of the Slavery and cruelness of Egypt
Genesis 15:13-14
Exodus 1:8-22

The birth of Moses to his flight to Midian
Exodus 2:1-22

A cry to God and the call of Moses
Exodus 2:23-3:22

The son of God / God’s charge to Moses
Exodus 4:21-23

Meeting with Pharaoh
Exodus 5:1-23
Exodus 6:1-13

The beginning of the redemption
Exodus 6:28-7:13

The Plagues and Israel’s Departure from Egypt
Exodus 7:14-12:36

Salvation In the Wilderness
Exodus 12:37-14:31

Other passages related to Passover
Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Leviticus 23:3-8

One should eat unleavened bread from sundown tomorrow for 7 days. This bread is also known as bread of affliction (Deuteronomy 16:3).

Eat some bitter herbs as well (Exodus 12:8).

Only those that are circumcised may eat the meal. Be circumcised of heart (Deuteronomy 10:12-16, 30:1-6, Jeremiah 4:1-4)

I pray that every shackle will be broken from your life so that you are free to serve the Living God.

Shalom and Chag Sameach!

 

 Sunday Shul - Pesach [73:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The command to live in booths for seven days is declared to be so that future generations know that God made the ancient Israelites live in booths when He brought them out of the land of Egypt (Leviticus 23:39-44).

This past week, Roots of Faith hosted its first annual Succoth Conference. We had people from Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia as well as the locals of course. Many of us camped out for a full week under the stars. The weekend was packed with exciting and informative lectures and tours.

I am so pleased and thankful for the wonderful time with all who were able to attend the week’s events.  This is to be an annual event here in the Felicianas.  The speakers were fantastic, the food was very good and the music was stirring! In the coming days I hope to post some reports on my blog about the conference.  If you have something that you would like to share about the conference, please send it to me in an email and I will post it. Just a short note that captures in a few words what the time meant to you will be fine. 

This is my favorite time of year now.  Yesterday, from inside my home I watched the rain pouring down. Give God the glory for this miracle! It literally rained up until the day before we went into the campsite, the heavens held back the rain for seven days and then the rain fell once again the day after we had cleared the campsite! Rain is a significant part of this ancient festival. In fact, in the future, those who do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD during the Feast of Succoth (Tabernacles) will not get rain in their land! (Zechariah 14:16-19)

Start thinking now about joining us next year for the Annual Succoth Conference here in the Felicianas.  We experienced such an incredible level of harmony this weekend - Jew, Christians and Gentile God Fearers together, united around the one thing that we all share - a love for the Bible! We learned a great deal from the conference this year.  Next year we will be even better and you can play a part in that as well.  You can send me comments - constructive feedback on what we can do to make this Conference better. I look forward to your input and promise to consider your points when planning our next gathering.

My good friend Tammy Michael was the camp photographer. She informs me that she took over 500 pictures. Some of these are up on my website:

http://rootsoffaith.org/ROF_Succoth_2007.htm.

The group at the camp site also took turns reading from the Torah (Genesis - Deuteronomy) and completed the entire Torah! This event was based upon a literal interpretation of Deuteronomy 31:10.  I want to do this again and next time I want to be more organized with it so that everyone will be able to participate. It was quite a blessing.

Several members of Roots of Faith put together a CD with original music that was a smash hit! I have been getting compliments and requests about this CD.  You can contact John Carlson for more information about how you can obtain a copy of this excellent CD (carlson_john@bellsouth.net). We also hope to put an entry on the blog about the music and the artists featured on this CD, titled - Hac! V’Shema / Shut Up! and Listen.  There is a story behind the title as well:)

Thanks for all the help in making this Feast of Tabernacles a time of refreshing and revival. Don’t forget to check out the photos on my site:

http://rootsoffaith.org/ROF_Succoth_2007.htm.

Shalom, and may your names be inscribed in the Book of Life - Ross Nichols

Joseph Good, who was a pioneer of the ‘return to Hebrew Roots movement’ in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, explains his current thoughts on the path of return for those who seek to turn to the Torah. Joseph talks from the heart concerning his current thoughts, beliefs and personal life for those who think they are of the lost tribes (or anyone), outlining the mindset and way of the Torah, and whole Bible as it relates to today. What he has found, describes and teaches is not what you usually hear. You will not want to miss his thought provoking talk, straight from the scriptures and current news.
Even if you don’t think you are a “lost tribe member”, but want to turn/return to The Way, this message will explain some things that must be considered on a basic level.

As a side note, as we are able to recover from the technical difficulties we experienced recording the conference, more will be made available, including commentary from Ross Nichols, the faithful leader of RootsOfFaith.org. [staff]

 

 Standard Podcast [100:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yom Teruah - A Day of Shouting!

Shalom!

This first day of the 7th month is known biblically as Yom Teruah, (a day of blasting, shouting), more commonly known as the Feast of Trumpets and traditionally as Rosh HaShana (or New Year’s day).

You are invited to listen to the Yom Teruah Service of the Roots of Faith Congregation. We assembled Thursday evening (September 13th) in the old Temple Sinai Synagogue for some shofar blowing and a discussion of the Biblical significance of Yom Teruah and the blowing of trumpets.

As you hear the voice of the Shofar - the Ram’s horn at this time of year, please begin to prepare yourself.  The Day of Atonement is approaching!

Shalom and please join us at this APPOINTED TIME!

 

 Yom Teruah at Temple Sinai [31:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download