Ministry Growth, part 2

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matt 10:6 (KJV)



As time went by TRTGM changed it's focus.  For financial reasons the local tract distribution slowed to once a month, up to then we passed out tracts every week.  It was very important that the TRTGM worked by always evangelizing to the Jew first.  


 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16 (KJV)



This was and is an essential spiritual goal for many Messianic Jews, just as it was for me.  As I became more proficient in Scriptural analysis I discovered one of the two great flaws of the Messianic Jewish movement.  As Romans 1:16 states true Christians should witness to Jews first and then the Gentiles as EQUALS.  The same amount of time should be spent on reaching Lost Gentiles with a same amount of effort.  In Adonai's eyes we are all one in Messiah,


 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:25-28 (KJV)


This passage is one that clearly tells us that the names in (v. 26-27) is an analogy.  Just as one cannot stop being male or female; we cannot stop being Jewish.   I often say to others that "Jewish does not equal Judaism".  Unfortunately, Rabbinic Jews of today can just as easily say it backwards, stating that Judaism is Jewish.  No way.  

As for me, one of those ideals was to always be ready to give a good and strong simply of Yeshua.  Too never be ashamed of the Gospel.  These views that I held were telling me that I no longer should be worshiping in the Messianic congregation; that my Jewish and Gentile household should be be praising God as one body.    Yet, those false doctrines were still there; that Messianic Jews and Gentile Christians should have separate houses of worship.  Every one seemed to accept the view that all Messianic Jews should worship as one body.  Yet, no one seemed to grasp the simple fact that this is not mentioned in Scripture, not once.  The Book of Acts shows us what His plan is for planting new chueches.  


Yet, I hold the firm belief that I cannot stop being Jewish, we are as we are.  As a Christian I was a fanatical and proud of Messianic Judaism.  But too many false views of the denomination began to emerge, one after the other.  


The second error I found was based upon a simple examination of the Messianic liturgy.  That Rabbinical worship had to evolve by it's   critical dependence and belief in the Oral Traditions.  The traditions where penned over the past 2,500 years.  Some of these Oral Traditions became Midrash, Mishnah and the Talmud.  Jewish Christians often believe that these traditions are false.  For many who practiced Rabbinical Judaism the Talmud became a new holy book sent from God.  My problem is that when you practice a firm belief that the Oral Traditions are false; that they are just the writings of learned men who banded together during the Babylonian Exile.  The goal was to find a way they can worship God properly without being at the Temple in Jerusalem.  Some even believe we are to follow the Talmud as it will prove to the Lost Jews that they are still Jewish.  As I have already stated "Jewish does no equate to Judaism."  

The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem

TRTGM then moved to it's current home at First General Baptist Church of Waterford, Michigan.  I found myself becoming more and more involved in the leadership of the church.  Just as it is for many Americans today, there has always a strong level of religious illiteracy.  No one knows the basics of our religion.  Many Jews cannot answer the simple question of naming the five books in TORAH (Pentateuch) or tell us what the Shema prayer is..  And because of these false doctrines and traditions the Judaic faith has gained a form of  "salvation hierarchy," a view that one Christian is in better standing with God then another person.   Most people knew that God knows our own hearts, and that not every Jewish Believer Yeshua is a Messianic Jew.  I often say  that, "Jewish does not equate to Judaism."

It was then another of those huge life-changing events that hits us all found it's special way of finding the ministry and I.  That God-given test of patience taught me so much about myself, the world and my spiritual connection with Yeshua.   Through that lesson of patience I came to realize how prideful I was.  I saw that I was trying to fit God into my plans for TRTGM.  Events like the Oakland County 4-H Fair, where we set-up a Gospel tents to reach the masses.  It was there, in speaking and praying with some young adolescents, that I discovered what it is I am to do with the Ministry, to evangelize to everyone we meet, Jew or Gentile.  


In hopes of witnessing to others TRTGM has organized and worked at many parades, street and county fairs, and at special secular events..  The tract distribution was to be expanded and most of all, we would revamp the Ministry website every day.  Website hits have grown exponentially from 2010 to 2011.  We went from 65,00 hits in 2010 to over 580,000 in 2011.


The Ministry is now an internet Missionary Ministry that believes in literal translations of Scripture.  We are always looking to our Members and Partners for ideas, for growth in our Spiritual lives.  Many things are planned over the next year and I hope you will join us in heart and soul


Blessings,


Steven