“The Light is shining into the church, but the church doesn’t like the Light and refuses to repent— the lack of repentance prevents the Light from shining out of the church— when the church’s Light doesn’t shine darkness takes over the Nation!
“This is a prophetic indictment— and a Kingdom warning:
“The Light has come!”
–Excerpt
This got me to thinking, as we say in the Texas Hill Country!
Pastors are literally shepherds, aren’t they? They have a tough job! But we recently came across a Bible teacher who we followed years ago and then, somehow, lost track of him. It was nice to find him again. His name is Scott Hillman. He runs a ministry in Tennessee called, Apalachian Center for Torah Studies – Biblical Training Center, in case you want to look him up. I think he is somehow connected to The Vineyard JC Fellowship and Matthew Miller, pastor at The Vineyard.
But here is what I found that was so interesting. I found this “About Us” page on the website of The Vineyard right after I read the above excerpt.
About Us
Our ministry operates under the leadership of Yeshua the Messiah. He is our Rabbi and Shepherd. We strive to allow HIM to lead our ministry and worship services. We are a Gospel-Centered, Spirit-led, Torah pursuant, Family Fellowship, focused on intimacy with our Father through Worship AND the teaching of His Word. We are both natural branches (Jewish people) and wild branches (from the nations) that believe Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah and savior of the world. We believe the Holy Spirit is in the process of bringing these two groups together into One New Man.
We worship in Spirit and Truth on the Sabbath and Feast Days of the Lord. Through policies and oversight, we maintain financial responsibility for the integrity of our ministry. We are not structured as an Incorporated 501c3 business. We are a “Free Church” chartered only by God and operating under The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution.
https://vineyardjc.com/im-new/
That is pretty succinct and to the point, don’t you think? Gospel-Centered, Spirit-led, Torah pursuant….
What?
Torah pursuant?
Well, now… since, according to the excerpt above, there is a lack of repentance, perhaps it is because there is no understanding of what needs to be repented of? There needs to be true repentance of sin, right? But, does everyone understand that sin is the transgression of the law (Torah)? [1 John 3:4] If we’re not “Torah pursuant,” how can we know we are transgressing Torah?
Hmmm….that’s where the shepherds come in!
There are blessings and curses promised regarding the keeping of Torah. [Deuteronomy 11:26-26]. They were given to all the tribes of Israel right there at Mt. Sinai, in Arabia! And, we (you and me) and all believers in the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) are grafted in to Israel! So that Covenant Promise is ours, too!
The Torah is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path! [Psalms 119:105]
If you’re interested in going a bit further into this perspective, there is a great article on The Vineyard’s website by Christine Egbert, Satan’s Greatest Lie to the Church. Check it out!
Until next time…
LaVada
