These studies cover the writings by the closest shelakhim (apostles) of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Commonly called the “New Testament,” this standard canon includes the four Gospels, the letters and the Apocalypse (Revelation).
The friends of God are those who trust the promises and testimony of God and want to communicate with God face to face, despite knowing how disastrous that could be for one’s casual observance of God. We can know God as one speaks to a friend, but once God calls you to be His friend, you life will never be the same.
If a branch is not productive, the vineyard owner sends out workers to prune away any branches that are sickly or unproductive. When one prunes a branch, it is removed. It can no longer get nutrients, water, etc. When it no longer abides in the vine, it dies. To live, the branch must remain attached to its source. Part of remaining in the vine is wanting to be connected to the vine, wanting to be connected to God and being in His presence. That is our great hope: to know God and be known by Him.
One of the main jobs of a friend or a BFF is to give comfort. Comfort is consolation, interceding, being an advocate. We have a limited understanding of this, in the concept of the best friend. When Yeshua was preparing for Golgatha, He repeatedly encouraged and admonished His disciples to comfort each other. Yeshua said we are no longer servants, but friends. A master cares little about his servant’s groanings but a friend deeply cares about our sufferings and comes along side and shares them. He also promised to send the Holy Spirit, as the ultimate Comforter. The Holy Spirit’s job isn’t just there to give us a hug but to advocate for us, to speak up for us to the Father. He is also there to help us comfort and support each other.
The “Law of liberty” mentioned by the Apostle Ya’akob (James 1:25; 2:12) is connected to entering into God’s “rest” (Hebrews 3-4) and “walking in liberty” (Psa. 119:45). And the symbols of Pesakh (Passover) show how God planned for this to work originally, at the time of Yeshua Mashiakh (Jesus Christ), today and at the future Day of the LORD.
Here is part 2 of the Be a Berean video study series by Sean Hilton. In this episode, Sean explores dozens of New Testament verses that seem to say be contradictory on whether the Law (aka the Torah) is what believers in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) should be keeping or is “nailed to the cross.” Sean asks those interested in knowing God better whether the Bible is double-minded on grace and the Law.
This video starts a study series by Sean Hilton. It will take a page from the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) who checked what apostle Paul was teaching them from the words of God about Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised Messiah. This series will explore what seem to be contradictory Bible verses on whether “the Law” in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy was abolished or downgraded with Yeshua’s death and resurrection then how a deeper understanding of the language, culture and biblical context can greatly enrich Bible study — Berean-style.
The questions answered here are the questions “Where is Yeshua going?” and “Where are we going?” We are living in the time of “now and the not yet.” The “now and not yet” of Moses day was the Exodus. The first generation experienced the “not yet” while the second generation experienced the “now.” Their rest is the same as it is today. We need to know where our Provider is. He is with us but He is taking us somewhere else, too.