December 2022 CMNZ/PFI Newsletter

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Touching Jewish Lives Through the Ministry of Hospitality

By Nicki Smith

Have you thought about hosting Israelis in your home? Do you have questions or concerns? I have some tips and considerations as you start your journey into the ministry of hospitality.

God is all about RELATIONSHIPS, and it is primarily through relationships that He is drawing people to Himself. Your relationship with God and your open home to Israel will speak loudly to them. In Romans 11, Paul says that the Gentiles’ faith in Jesus will provoke Jewish people to jealousy. Jewish people fully expect Gentile believers to talk about Jesus; some are waiting for you to share your faith. Or, are you a Jewish believer in Jesus? They need to hear from you, too. Show them what it means to be Jewish and a follower of the Messiah.

As a host, share your testimony with your Israeli guests. Israeli culture is passionate and bold. They will appreciate your genuine heart and love for the Lord. And your relationship with God will be a catalyst for questions and seeking!

Before you start hosting, take some time to plan and prepare for their stay. Decide how you want to set up the guest room or sleep-out space. Think about how many people you can comfortably accommodate. Then add your own personal touches to the room such as towels, Bible verses, books, or flowers.

Keep in mind that most of the Israelis you host are secular and live worldly lives. You will have unmarried couples asking to share a room. Some backpackers may identify as gay or transgender. Pray and consider beforehand how you want to handle these arrangements and how to best show God’s love. As always, allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide in these decisions and conversations.

When backpackers arrive, you can give them a tour of your home and show them where they’ll be staying. This is a good time to lay out any house rules you may have such as no smoking, drugs or drunkenness. Show them the Wi-Fi password, where to make a cup of tea, where to put their bags and just generally help them to feel welcomed.

Remember that these travellers are missing home and family! If you’re comfortable with it, include them in your daily life. Share meals together, play games, take them on your favourite walks in the area. Some religious Israelis eat kosher, which means following certain food laws such as no shellfish and no dairy mixed with meat. They will most likely travel with their own kosher pots & pans. You can still share mealtimes together and fellowship even if you’re eating different foods.

Let’s talk about how to engage your guests. Each Israeli backpacker is on a journey. Meet them where they are and then nudge them a step closer to God. You can ask questions about their family, the army and about Israel. Discussions about Israel easily lead into prophecies about Israel. For example, you might ask, “Did you know that things happening in Israel today were foretold in the Jewish Bible thousands of years ago?” You can then share about the re-establishment of the state of Israel, prophesied in Isaiah 11 & Jeremiah 16. If you have a Hebrew and English Bible in the home, this is a great resource for sharing scripture together.

Asking your guest if they are kosher or if they observe the Jewish feasts, such as Passover or Yom Kippur, are natural ways to start talking about faith. Ask, “Why do you keep kosher?”, or “Does your family fast on Yom Kippur and why?” These are all good, engaging questions to turn the conversation deeper. Most importantly though, relax and don’t push. Building a relationship with them is key. When they see that you are a safe person to talk with, the conversations will happen.

Your actions may also speak louder than your words. They will be blessed and touched by the big and small ways you serve them. When they experience the tangible love of God as they travel around the world, their walls will start to come down. After staying with many hosts, you might hear guests say “I’ve noticed that Christians like Israel. Why is that?” And just like that, you have an open door to share your faith in Jesus, the Messiah.

Always look for opportunities to pray for your guests! Israelis, whether secular or religious, are used to standard, scripted prayers. A personal, spirit-led prayer touches their heart. Pray for their specific needs along their travels and they will be amazed as God shows up in very real and personal ways.

And finally, remember that you are part of a chain of spiritual events in each Israeli backpacker’s life. The greatest impact you make may be through simple, loving, sincere service.

If you would like to know more about hosting Israelis, please contact admin@celebratemessiah. co.nz.

The Gospel According to Hannukkah

By Scott Brown

“Why don’t the Jews believe in Jesus?” I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked that question! And the answer might surprise you: Jewish people don’t reject Jesus or the claims of Christianity on the basis of theology, but on the basis of culture. If, forty years ago, you were to have asked me why I don’t believe in Jesus I would have told you the same thing most Jewish people will still tell you today: “I don’t believe in Jesus because I’m Jewish and Jewish people don’t believe in Jesus!” — And in case you missed it, that’s a cultural statement!

Oh, how I wish someone would have told me that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, celebrated one of the Jewish world’s most beloved holidays: Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights! In fact, the only time Hanukkah is specifically mentioned in the Bible is in the New Testament. Hanukkah is a post-Old Testament holiday that developed during the centuries immediately prior to Jesus’ birth. One of the greatest statements Jesus ever made about Himself was during the festival of Hanukkah. It was winter time and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. People gathered around Him and pleaded with Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (Jn. 10:22-29).

What an amazing statement! But Yeshua did not stop there; He continued to infuse new meaning to the traditional Festival of Lights and redemption by revealing His oneness with the Father: “I and the Father are one” (Jn. 10:30). By their reaction, you can be sure that Yeshua’s audience knew exactly what He was saying, as they “…picked up stones again to stone Him” (Jn. 10:31).

The idea that a man would claim to be God is understandably offensive to the Jewish people who are taught that God cannot take on human form. Having been raised in a Jewish home I, too, was utterly offended by such a notion. But then I came to understand that this was no ordinary man! He is “God with us,” the Son whose name would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”(Isaiah 7:14; 9:6).

Dear friend, this is the Gospel according to Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights! The Apostle John writes of Jesus, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men… That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:4,9).

Ironically, this Festival of Lights arrives at the darkest time of year in Israel, a sad reminder that “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5). It is true that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16) – Jesus has come! But sadly, “He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Please pray for the many thousands of Israelis who heard the Gospel in New Zealand. As they light the Hanukkah candles, may the Holy Spirit visit them with revelation of the Light of the world, Yeshua!

Finally, in this season of gift-giving, be reminded that God sent His only Son as the greatest gift you and I could ever receive! “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15). Through our Messiah we have received the light of life, a light that will never go out!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! May the Lord fill your home and your hearts with His light and joy.

Messiah’s Ascension to the Throne (Psalm 47)

By Nigel Christensen

Recently we had the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, followed by all the official proceedings involved with King Charles III’s ascension to the throne. Psalm 47 gives us a prophetic snapshot of the future ascension of Messiah to His throne following His second coming.

Something that is amazing to consider is that, as believers in Yeshua as the Messiah, we will be eyewitnesses to this event.

Make Some Noise!

“Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah” (Psalm 47:1-4 ESV).

The setting of this Psalm is prophetic and pictures the nations after the tribulation, and leading into the Messianic Kingdom. Keeping in mind that following the national salvation of Israel in the last days of the tribulation (Hosea 6:1-2) and the sheep and goat judgment of the Gentiles (Matthew 25:31-46), only believers will enter the Kingdom. This explains why this instruction is given to all the peoples, because all peoples will be worshippers of the Most High God.

The Psalmist then outlines changes in authority that will occur following Messiah’s second coming. He will put the nations under Israel’s feet, as this is a promised blessing that results from their obedience to Him (Deut 28:13,44). Israel’s position over the nations also stems from the LORD’s love for her. (Deut 10:15). The author places the word Selah (which means to pause and consider this) in a way that draws attention to the fact that the covenantal relationship between God and His chosen people Israel is one based on God’s love.

Prepare to Praise!

“God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:5-8 ESV).

The Psalmist now switches focus from the people praising, to the one being praised, the LORD. “God has gone up with a shout!” The context of this Psalm shows that this is referring to the fact that he is ascending to His holy throne. The response to this is a shout and the sounding of a trumpet, followed by the singing of praises with a psalm to our King, the God of all the earth. He will now reign over the nations from His holy throne. In the context of the Messianic Kingdom, this will be a fulfilment of the Davidic covenant whereby David was promised an eternal descendant who will rule and reign from the throne of David over Israel and the world.

This was what the angel referred to when he said to Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33 ESV).

In addition to fulfilling the promises of the Davidic covenant, this will also fulfil prophecies made even earlier in biblical history. For example, in Genesis 49:10 Jacob prophesied, “The sceptre will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him” (Genesis 49:10 CSB). Also, in his oracles, Balaam prophesied that Israel’s future Messianic King would rule during a time of great prosperity for Israel and be exalted above every other king (Num 24:5-7). This prophetic oracle climaxes with a vision of the Messianic King to come: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel; it

shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth” (Num 24:17 ESV). Messiah’s return will result in the complete defeat of the enemies of God and Israel. Jesus connects himself to this prophecy concerning this star of Jacob, the future Messianic King: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Rev 22:16 ESV).

As impressive as all the pageantry of the British monarchy is, one day we will witness something far more glorious: The ascension of the King of Glory, our LORD, Saviour and Messiah Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who will be highly exalted! I look forward to seeing you there! 

Selah.

Two Worlds Collide

By Chris Nel

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, but we don’t always understand the background to these words of Jesus. It was in the dark of night that a Pharisee named Nikodemus came to Jesus to try and shed some light on the confusion that was mulling in his mind and spirit.

Shortly before this conversation it was the Feast of Passover and it was here – the first of four Passovers of Jesus’ ministry – that He publicly, clearly proclaimed Himself to be the Messiah. This was the first time He overturned the money changers’ tables and chased out the animals being sold (John 2:15,16). Many believed that He was the Messiah by the ‘signs He did’ (John 2:23), and as we see by the reaction of the religious leaders and the crowds – everything they observed regarding what Jesus did and taught – it was clear to them that these strongly pointed to this Jesus being the prophesied Messiah, the One they were waiting for.

For the religious leaders, however, this Jesus – the authority He exerted, His teachings, the miracles He performed – was deeply problematic. On the one hand they saw by all the signs that He performed, that He could very well be the One. On the other hand, He ticked none of their “theological boxes.”

By the first century, religious Judaism had devolved from a faith-based relationship with God to a religious system dictated by the Sanhedrin (the religious council), often referred to as the “Traditions of the Elders.” It is from this world that Nikodemus came to Jesus, probably not wanting to be seen by anyone. He realised that no one could do these signs unless God was with him (John 3:2), but Jesus, knowing the true issue, told him that no one could see the Kingdom of God unless he was born again. To a Pharisee that didn’t make sense, for in their theology there were many ways to be “born again.” In fact, Nikodemus himself had been ‘born again’ many times according to Jewish traditions.

Jesus then explained to him that the only rebirth that saves is a Spiritual rebirth (verse 5). In John 3:14-18 Jesus explained to Nikodemus that He would die for the sins of the world and that whoever puts their faith in Him would be saved. This, Jesus declared, was the ONLY way to salvation.

To this day, nothing has changed. This world is coming up with many ways to be “born again.” Doing good and being kind is but one of many secular solutions. Even within Christendom we see leaders proclaiming that there are many ways to salvation.

Dear ones, let us not be swept away by the confusing proclamations all around us. Why would God send His Son to die on a cross for our sins if there were alternative ways to be saved? “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18)

Faith in Jesus, freely given by the grace of God, is the ONLY way of eternal life with our Lord.

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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