August 2023 CMNZ/PFI Newsletter

Reunion with Israeli Travellers

By Sophie Smithies 

 

What a joy it was to be back in the land of Israel! There were six of us from New Zealand who went over to Israel for our global staff conference through Chosen People Ministries. This was a really valuable time for us to build connections with other like-minded believers and to hear so many encouraging stories about what God is doing all over the world.

For instance, one of our guests who came to stay back at the end of March was from Germany (in the off season we take non-Israeli guests) and he was very open to hearing about Jesus. He even asked to come visit my home Church and was amazed by the family feel of it compared to the traditional structure found in Germany. I gave him one of my bibles when he left, but I knew he was going back to a very secular environment. So I was thrilled to meet a fellow staff worker based in Germany near where O lived. (Name hidden for privacy.) I have now connected the two up and Gerhard is excited to be following up with O. I love how God brings people together like this!

While in Israel, we also had a Kiwi Reunion for all the Israelis we had hosted here in New Zealand over the summer. This was held at the Messianic Centre in Tel Aviv. We ate food together, challenged each other to Tim Tam slams, played a game about everyone’s experience in New Zealand, and shared many fun stories and photos together

I shared the story of how we celebrated Valentine’s Day at Punakaiki. I said how we made origami hearts with encouraging messages and scripture for the guests. I shared how it’s important to feel loved but ultimately God loves us the most by sending Yeshua.

Y opened up more to me this evening than ever before (even though he’s stayed numerous times in Punakaiki), about how he isn’t religious, but he values a belief in God and would want to raise his kids religious one day.

Cat and Nicki hosted L in Kaikoura back in 2017. She came to the reunion to catch up with us and she enjoyed the chance to remember her trip to New Zealand. She also met Robynne and Victoria, Israeli staff in Tel Aviv. She really connected with both of them and already made plans to get a coffee with Robynne. L also told Robynne that she wants to come to the events at the centre. She had never been there before, but she can feel that this place is different! She kept thanking Cat and Nicki for introducing her to this place. I think God has created a special bridge/connection here.

The Israelis really loved the reunion and we felt like family very quickly, it was such a special time together. Praise the Lord. What an amazing opportunity to connect the Israelis in with the local believers in Israel.

 

Our new Hosting Network is here

By Pierre Swart

…We are proud to announce that our Planet Zula hosting application is now up and running and we invite everyone who is interested in hosting Israelis to sign up. We will give instructions below on how to apply and how you can receive a starter pack to help you in hosting. There are limited numbers for the starter packs, so sign up soon. Some of you might ask: “What is Planet Zula?”  So, here is some background information. 

As you know, CMNZ’s mission is “bringing the message of Messiah to the original messengers and equipping the Church to do likewise”. Therefore, hosting is in the crosshairs of our purpose.  We not only reach out to Israelis, but we also focus on equipping our constituents – whether individuals or churches – to do likewise.  Which means we want to help them reach Israeli travellers.  Many believers in NZ with a heart for the Jewish people, are already providing free accommodation to Israeli travellers.  If you would like to see the impact of this ministry, click here to watch a 3 minute video. 

Over the last year Celebrate Messiah New Zealand, in cooperation with Chosen People Global Ministries, developed Planet Zula (for Israelis) and HostIsraelis.com (for Hosts).  One of the key motivations was to be more involved in vetting, training, and developing a support network for hosts.  We wanted to create a simple, easy to use, global network of like-minded friends to connect and share information. Our Chosen People Global Ministries (CPGM) partners are now preparing to launch these networks in their countries, and the platform is currently being rolled out in New Zealand, Australia, United States and Finland. As more countries come on board, it will be very easy to roll out across all twenty-two CPGM countries.

We designed Planet Zula to be very easy to use, and it allows complete flexibility in managing the availability of the hosts. By clicking a button, you can either add or remove your availability. Planet Zula is simply an easy way for travellers and hosts to find each other and make contact. It is entirely cost free to travellers and hosts. Our Israeli travel season is not far away, and they will start looking at travel destinations soon. Initially, we will advertise on the Israeli traveller boards to limit travellers until we have sufficient hosts vetted, trained and ready to host.  Once fully launched we will begin to advertise more aggressively to encourage more Israelis to join the network and come to visit us in New Zealand. Seeing how many NZ homes are available on Planet Zula for them to stay, might be just the motivation they need to book their life-changing Kiwi holiday. 

We still support and partner with the other hosting platforms in NZ, so you are welcome to continue with them as well as taking advantage of Planet Zula’s features.

You can now go to the www.hostisraelis.com/nz/ website or click here to take you straight to the signup sheet. We have 100 starter packs available to send out to the hosts who sign up first. Please join us now. I am here to help. If you have any questions or need help to sign up, please email me at [email protected] 

You might notice my name is new to Celebrate Messiah New Zealand. The position of Hosting Coordinator is a new role and is dedicated to helping and supporting the hosts, as well as managing the Planet Zula application. You can read more about me on the CMNZ website by clicking here. Please include me, this role, and this new project in your prayers. If you feel God’s leading to support this mission, please click the link here or donate to 06-0941-0205702-04 with a description “Planet Zula”.

Messiah: Prophet Priest & King [Part 3 The Great High Priest]

By Nigel Christensen


For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Hebrews 5:1 ESV)

In part 2, we saw how Jesus during his ministry years operated in the anointed office of the Prophet. But now in heaven he is operating as a Royal High Priest. Following his 2nd coming he will operate in the anointed office of the King (which we will discuss in part 4). In this article we will focus on Jesus operating as the Great High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Whereas the prophet represents God to people, the priest is one who represents people to God. Also, just as the prophet’s office had two facets, foretelling and forthtelling, so to the priest’s office had two facets. Firstly, having qualified and prepared themselves, to offer appropriate sacrifices and secondly to intercede or mediate between God and Man (I Tim 2:5).

OT Prophecy and NT Fulfilment:  The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4 ESV)

Being from the tribe of Judah, Jesus does not qualify to be a priest under Mosaic law. However, having instituted the new covenant during his final Passover and now ascended into heaven. Messiah now operates as a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Having been appointed to this office by the LORD. Unlike earthly priests who die and are then succeeded; Messiah, following his resurrection, has been raised to an immortal life and will be the High Priest of this order forever. Ps 110:1-2 makes it clear that in there is an integration of Kingship and Priesthood in this order (c.f. Zech 6:12-13), which is confined by Gen 14 where Melchizedek was both a King and Priest. Being of this same order Jesus is a Royal High Priest. That Messiah is seen to fulfil this prophecy is clearly stated in the book of Hebrews. So also, Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:5-6 ESV). What Hebrews also points out is that Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, and that the lesser gives to the greater. So as Levi and Aaron were descendants of Abraham, this means that the priesthood of Melchizedek is actually superior and of a higher order than that of the Levitical order (Heb 7). Thus, Jesus alone is called the Great High Priest (Heb 4:14). Because Messiah would not only be both the one to offer the sacrifice, but also would himself be that sacrifice. We see this prophesied in Isa. 53. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isa 53:10 ESV)

Blessings of the Role:  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

There are so many blessings made available to believers because Messiah Jesus is our high priest (Eph 1:3). In this passage we see a couple of key examples. Firstly, that the High Priest who represents us, faced the temptation of sin, and so can be sympathetic to us. But secondly, he was and is without sin, conquering sin and death, and so can be victorious for us (1 Cor 15:57). Because of that believers can now have the confidence to approach God’s throne, not to receive Judgement for our sins, because Jesus paid the price, but to receive mercy and find grace in our times of need.

Messianic Jewish Art Calendar 2023-2024

In honour of Israel’s 75 Years, we are thrilled to present our new Messianic Jewish Art Calendar for 2023-2024, featuring “Prayers for Israel.”  This year’s calendar is created by Chosen People Ministries in the USA and has prayer topics for each month to pray specifically for Israel. 

As always, our new edition combines the Jewish (biblical) calendar with the Gregorian calendar and identifies Jewish holidays/memorials along with dates that are significant to New Zealand.  Our 13-month Messianic Jewish Art Calendar starts 1 September 2023 – 30 September 2024.

Please order on-line www.celebratemessiah.co.nz OR email [email protected] OR phone 027 273 4446. 

Please note that we have a limited supply of calendars available. 

Simcha 2023 - 18 and 19 November

Celebrate Messiah NZ invites you to our annual SIMCHA (Joy) conference, 2023. Come and be encouraged and equipped as we pray and work together for revival amongst Jewish people worldwide. It will be a transformative day of worship and teaching suitable for the whole family.

This year’s theme is “Behold My Servant” with special international guest speaker Dr. Tim Sigler of Ariel Ministries. The Prophet Isaiah predicts the coming of a Suffering Servant of the Lord who does God’s will and brings redemption for Israel and the Nations. We will survey these prophecies in the Book of Isaiah and explore how these promises are fulfilled through the mission and ministry of Yeshua the Messiah in the New Covenant Scriptures. As followers of Yeshua, we too are called to be His servants, reaching out in His Name, to the world around us.

This year we have two locations 

  • Gateways Christian Fellowship, 174 Church St, Palmerston North – Saturday, 18 November 10 am-4.30 pm
  • Beckenham Baptist Church, 146 Colombo Street, Christchurch – Sunday, 19 November 2 pm-7.30 pm 

We will have a shared meal. If you are able, please bring a plate of finger food to share. 

As always, SIMCHA is free to you, so no excuses!  Come join us for great teaching as we learn how to impact Israel with the Gospel of their Messiah. 

PFI Prayer Focus

Prayer group

By Michael Thomas, PFI Director

Pray for the salvation for the people of Israel

  • Pray for openness to the Gospel and for situations that lead to that openness

Pray for Israel-related ministries

  • Pray for boldness, provision, and fruit for ministries that aim to bless Israel

Pray for issues in the land of Israel

  • Pray for the concerns of Israel’s government, the people in the land, and among the Jewish people worldwide.

Pray for pastors and churches in New Zealand

  • Pray that NZ pastors and churches would obtain a clear understanding of Israel's role in God's redemptive purposes, and be bold in standing for Israel in these days of increased anti-Semitism.

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