Messianic Teachings From Nachamu Ami Messianic Synagogue

The first two messages in this series we were descending into the depths by taking responsibility for and admitting our shortcomings. We also came to the conclusion that we are in control of our destiny and have the power to initiate change. Now, we begin the ascent towards our future by bringing correction in key areas of our life that will set us on a path of blessing and success. The first step we must take on this path is changing how we view others. Do we have a double-standard of giving ourselves the benefit of the doubt while holding others to the wire? How is gratitude the key to unlocking and overcoming this difficult challenge? Join Rabbi Damian as he takes us from our descent of failure to an ascension toward victory.

Sometimes failure is lurking where we least expect it, and when confronted our natural response is to blame shift rather than accept our own shortcomings. But in order to grow and mature, we have to take the mask off, be honest with ourselves (and with others), and deal with the root issues that have kept us groveling in the dirt for far too long. Do we really have the power to change? It's not an instant process, nor an easy one, but if you choose to endure it you will become the vessel for the purpose you were created.

What do we do with failure? We have all made mistakes and had failure in our lives. Too many times we let those failures define who we are. Now that we are in the Hebrew month of Elul, we have an opportunity to use our failures to become the person Hashem created us to be. He wants us to know that He can turn our past failures into the fuel that can change our future. Join Rabbi Damian in part one of this soul-searching series, Every Descent.

What hope does the author of Hebrews offer to his audience? Is it what traditional Christian interpretation has told us or is there something different? Why have so many Christian leaders (especially in recent days) lost their faith? If Yeshua declared "it is finished" on the cross why is there still suffering and injustice in the world today? In the exciting conclusion of our series, A Better Covenant, Rabbi Damian pulls everything together to help us understand the overarching message of the book of Hebrews as well as the hope we have in Yeshua.

If Yeshua wasn't a sacrifice in the literal sense, like we discussed in our last message, then what value was there in his suffering and death? Why did he have to suffer such a horrible death on our behalf? How is Yeshua's death efficacious on our behalf to remove sin and bring us into the World to Come and how does the Jewish concept of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure) help us understand this? Join Rabbi Damian in this explosive journey into the concept of the death of the righteous and how we are recipients of Yeshua's unjust suffering.

Was Yeshua really a sacrifice? Where in the Scriptures do we find that a human qualifies as a sacrifice. Where does it say that human blood is required to satisfy the wrath of a blood-thirsty God? These are difficult and legitimate questions that are often raised by anti-missionaries and skeptics. How does Christianity answer this? Does Messianic Judaism have an answer? Join Rabbi Damian in this honest look at these questions and more to give us a clear picture of Yeshua as the sacrificial lamb of God.

The author of Hebrews uses specific terminology to capture the attention of his audience and make his points clear. There are two Greek words that his arguments hinge on: protos (first) and deuteros (second). Unfortunately, this fact is lost in our English translations, generally due to translation bias. However, they are central to the arguments being presented and we must understand this to understand this book. Also, major English Bible versions do not agree on verb tenses in their translations. Some translations say that the way into the holy place "HAS not yet been disclosed" (Hebrews 9:8) and other translations say it "HAD not yet been disclosed." Some say "as long as the first Tabernacle WAS still functioning" and others say "IS still functioning." Which is it and why do these translations disagree with one another? Join Rabbi Damian as he untangles our English translations to help us understand the true message in Hebrews 9:1–10, and the amazing work of Yeshua.

In our previous installment we began talking about the better promises of the New Covenant. But we left out on critical component. What does this have to do with the Gentiles? How are non-Jewish followers of Yeshua affected and what is so incredible about the promises of this New Covenant for the nations? In this teaching, Rabbi Damian spells out these ramifications, discussing the decision of the Jerusalem Council and Paul's single rule for all of his communities. Join us as we explore how these decisions have impacted the world today and even been twisted into saying that Gentiles have no part and no obligation to the Torah's instructions.

We are excited to present this special message from Dr. Ervin Briones, one of our own from the NAMS Tribe. He pulls no punches in this heart-piercing message of one man's inner transformation into a passionate disciple of Yeshua. Drawing from his own spiritual journey from Catholicism and the Seventh Day Adventist Church to Messianic Judaism, Dr. Briones shows that, if we are honest with ourselves, we all may have a little bit of Balaam hiding within us. We all want to justify our actions and beliefs, even though we know deep down inside what is right. Join Dr. Briones in this message from the heart to possibly discover a little about your own heart.

The author of Hebrews claims that Yeshua "has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). What was wrong with the first covenant that required better a new covenant with better promises? What are these better promises? Have these promised been realized or are we still waiting on their fulfillment? And last, how does knowing the promises of the New Covenant help refute the claims of Replacement Theology? Join Rabbi Damian on this exciting look at the promises of God to His people and how those promises have already come about or will come about in the future.

What does it mean to occupy your space and are we currently doing so? Are we taking up more space than we should? Are we filling the space that we've been given? How does this concept help us understand the dynamics of what was going on behind the scenes in the rebellion of Korah against Moses? Join Lance Slater as he delves into these concepts and more in this contemplative understanding of Korah and our responsibility to occupy our proper space in all areas of life.

According to both the traditional translation and interpretation of Hebrews 8:13, the Torah is "obsolete." But did the author of Hebrews really say this or is this a bias by translators? Is this passage referring to the Mosaic covenant, the Torah, or something else? How can the New Covenant be in effect if the Torah has been made obsolete? Isn't is supposed to be written on our hearts, according to Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, and Isaiah 30? Did Yeshua make an allusion to the fulfillment of the New Covenant in the Sermon on the Mount? Tune-in as Rabbi Damian brings clarity to this pivotal and greatly misunderstood passage to help us understand the promise, the purpose, and the power of the New Covenant.

What is the New Covenant? Is it the New Testament? Are Messianics correct in calling the New Testament the "Brit Hadashah," which means New Covenant? Or is it the Renewed Covenant as others call it? Are disciples of Yeshua today living under the New Covenant? In order to properly understand the book of Hebrews we have to correctly understand these terms. Most people consider the Old Testament to be the Old Covenant and the New Testament to be the New Covenant. But there are problems with this understanding that keeps us from understanding the powerful message of the book of Hebrews that has been locked away for nearly 2000 years. Join Rabbi Damian as he explains what the Old Covenant is, what the New Covenant is, and what is so good about it. It's a course-correcting message you won't want to miss.

In our previous teaching, Rabbi Damian addressed some potential areas of concern regarding Yeshua’s priesthood. If Yeshua wasn't permitted to be a priest according to the regulations of the Torah, then how can he be a priest on our behalf at all? What is this “more excellent ministry” that Yeshua arbitrates and what does the author of Hebrews mean when he says that Yeshua is a priest “the order of Melchitzedek”? Unfortunately, this concept is completely misunderstood and misrepresented in Christian theology. If you’re a learner who wants to understand Hebrews better, you don’t want to miss this exciting and clarifying teaching on Yeshua and his priesthood in the order of Melchitzedek.

Messianic Judaism is spreading across the world. The Torah is being rediscovered and Messiah Yeshua is being uplifted. But there is a lot of confusion in the journey to an authentic Messianic Judaism that holds to both the commandments and the testimony of Yeshua (Revelation 12:17). Australia is one of these places that is experiencing this "Messianic Revival" and the birth pains that come with it. Join Rabbi Damian as he shares his recent experience teaching and meeting with spiritual leaders "Down Under," who are encountering Yeshua in an exciting new way.

What can a Renaissance artist teach us about the Giving of the Torah at Shavuot? How can Shavuot this year have more impact on us than the previous years? Join Darren Huckey as he connects these two seemingly unrelated topics to weave together a message of encouragement, challenge, and anticipation.

In our last teaching we looked at how Yeshua serves in a better Temple. This week we will begin looking at how he is the kohen (priest) of a better priesthood. How does this affect the Aaronic priesthood? Are they now obsolete? Why does the author of Hebrews begin by saying Yeshua's ministry is better than that of the angelic host? Why is his priesthood compared to that of Melchizedek? If you've enjoyed this series up to this point, you will truly appreciate the insights Rabbi Damian brings to the table in this message as he begins discussing Yeshua as a better High Priest.

In our series, A Better Covenant, we are working to understand why Yeshua's ministry on our behalf is considered better to the earthly (Aaronic) ministry in a number of ways. The author of Hebrew says that through Yeshua we have a better ministry, a better Temple, better sacrifices, a better hope, and a better covenant. How are all of these things better, and how does this affect the Temple on earth? Has it been replaced by a spiritual Temple that Yeshua now ministers in? How does the author of Hebrews know this? When, how, why did these things happen? Join Rabbi Damian as he cuts through the confusion as we make a turn toward the inspiring conclusion of this series.

King David had a run in with a man named Nabal, a "worthless fellow" according to his wife's description of him. According to the Torah and our Apostles, we are called to live a holy life. Our words can be like flaming arrows. The Baal Shem Tov's disciples learned a valuable lesson from a humble beggar. How do these seemingly random concepts connect to teach us an important lesson about the Spirit of the Law? Join Darren Huckey as he takes us on a journey from Nabal to Nachmanides, and from the Torah to the Apostles."Beyond the Letter of the Law" is a lesson in love and humility that we should not quickly forget.

Was the book of Hebrews written to show the superiority of Christianity over Judaism? Was it written to help Jewish Christians completely give up their attachment to Judaism and make a full transition to Christianity? In order to deal with these questions we need to find some keys that will help us unlock the answers we seek, and they seem to be located in strange places. The first one is found in the death of James, the brother of Yeshua. The other is found in Nero's persecutions of the early followers of Yeshua. Did you catch all of that? Strengthen your faith by joining Rabbi Damian in this exciting history lesson to understand the backdrop behind the purpose of the book of Hebrews.