Shalom Dear Friends,
ISRAEL TOUR 2011
Theme: In the Footsteps of the Messiah
Dates: October 30, 2011 to November 13, 2011
Study Tour Leader: Pastor Bob Morris
Tour size: 16 people plus 2 staff
Cost: $4,250.00 per person
Deadline for signup: July 1, 2011
We encourage you to join our study tour, especially if you have never been to the Land where God walked as a man. We often describe our study tours in this manner, “Before you go to Israel, you read your Bible in black and white. After your trip, your Bible will suddenly be in full color and high definition.” Join us if you can.
THE IMPORTANCE OF JEWISH EVANGELISM
The guide for our daily walk of faith is the Bible. From the revelation in the Scriptures we learn about the program of God and the role He commands us to play in the outworking of His plan for mankind. Therefore, the first place we should go to for information about the importance of Jewish evangelism is the Holy Scriptures. (With thanks from Our Duty to Israel, by Robert Murray M’Cheyne)
Because of the clear teaching of Scripture
Let’s begin in the area of doctrine. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission) states:
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
During this age, we are to go to the entire world and make disciples. That means that we are to go to the Jewish people as well as every other people group on the face of the earth. That is the overriding command. However, the command is also accompanied by a procedure to follow. That course of action is found in Romans 1:16.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16 is a simple, straightforward declaration about the dynamic energy of the Gospel during the present time. What was going on then is going on today, and it is going on continually – it has not stopped today – it doesn’t stop tomorrow. This leads us to a couple of affirmations. The gospel is – 1) the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. I think we can all affirm that without hesitation. That is the reason you and I are saved – by the Gospel – by the dynamic power of God operating in our lives today – AD 2011. Now, number two. The gospel is – 2) to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum summarizes the implication of the second clause. He states in his book Hebrew Christianity, “Consistent exegesis would demand that if the gospel is always the power of God, then it is always to the Jew first.”
The procedure to follow as we implement the Great Commission is to go to the Jew first. This doctrine is the first reason why Jewish evangelism is so important. It is a measure of our obedience.
Because judgment will begin with them
Romans 2:9
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek
It is an awful thought, but the Jewish people will be the first to stand at the bar of God’s justice. And why is this? Because we have had more light than any other people. With more light comes more responsibility. God chose us out of the world to be His witnesses. Every prophet was sent first to us. Every evangelist and apostle had a message for us. Messiah came to us. Consequently, our cup of wrath is fuller than that of other men. Our sea of wrath is deeper.
Isn’t this a valid and just reason, then, why the gospel should first be preached to the Jewish people? In a hospital, the compassionate physician runs first to the bed where the sick man lies that is closest to death. And shall we not do the same for Israel?
Because God loves the Jewish people
Moses tells us why God chose the Jewish people.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8
The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
The words of Reverend Robert Murray M’Cheyne give the application, “Strange, sovereign, most peculiar love – He loved them because He loved them. Should we not be like God in this peculiar attachment?”
Because there is unusual access to the Jew
We are spread out all over the face of the earth today. Christians can witness to Jews in any country in the world. The United States, for example contains the largest Jewish population in the world. There are significant Jewish populations in 49 countries of the world.
Because they will give life to the dead world
Romans 11:15
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
If the gift of Eternal life can come to the world because of Jewish disobedience, how much more will come to the world through Jewish obedience?
Because there is a great reward
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.
Because the key to the Second Coming lies in Jewish hands
Matthew 23:37-39
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see me until you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The point of Matthew 23 is the face that Jesus will not return until the Jewish people accept Him as Messiah and call Him back.
Here then are seven reasons why Jewish evangelism is so important. In April, we will finish up this series with the subject, “Why are churches ignoring Jewish evangelism?” See you then.
Thanks for being part of our ministry team