Chapter 1: Introduction to division

All right. Well, again, good morning everybody. Shabbat shalom. Excited to see everybody here. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is David Baronson. You can see me on the bottom left with my beautiful wife Christine who’s also joining us here. And then on the right hand side is uh Glenn Springfield uh aka Glenn number two uh for those of you who don’t know his uh last name. Anyway, we’re excited to be sharing with you today uh about a very important and interesting topic titled division, right? And what we have uh you know to be completely honest this is a topic that I really haven’t studied in depth until Ed had uh requested for us to share about this and realized that there was a Lot uh to this as uh and as you will see some uh thoughts that I had about the topic then later on come to find out that they’re a little bit uh different than what God expects from us. So this is going to be a great

lesson and hopefully there will be some new things that you all will learn from it. All right. The topic is uh this morning is division. And when we think about division, I think that I used to think that uh division was a bad thing was something that was contrary to what God expected from his family of believers. Uh and we will come to find out uh today that that’s not necessarily the case. There are situations where uh obviously there should no should not be any division but there are some cases where it is appropriate for there to be division. So I’ll kick us off talking a little bit about the concept of division and I’ll start with what should not divide us and then Glenn will uh continue from there about really God’s thoughts regarding division and whether there should be division about us and among us and if there are situations where division is appropriate.

Chapter 2: What should not divide

So to kick us off just to understand division and and how we’re talk in the context that we’re talking about it today, division is not always the enemy. As I said a minute ago, sometimes God allows it to reveal truth to refine his people and expose hearts. However, much of the division that we see among believers today is not godly. It springs from pride, selfish ambition or lack of understanding. I think that this is also going to be a topic that’s close to uh many of us here specifically in this fellowship as you may have experienced personally situations of division. You may have experienced or still experiencing situations of division within your family and among a fellowship or community that you used to be a part of. So there are other you know there are situations where we are experiencing division today and we’ll talk about the fact that not all division is bad but the flip side of that also is that not all unity is good right I used to think that God

strives for unity we should all be unified right and we’re going to get into the Scriptures and see exactly what God says about division and specifically also about unity unity and error leads to destruction right if we are all unified But we are unified on an incorrect concept or thought or belief then that ultimately would lead not only one but the entire body towards destruction. On the other hand, division for truth’s sake leads for holiness. Right? If we are divided because of a an understanding or a conviction to follow God’s commands that ultimately leads to holiness. So God desires unity and truth but not unity at the expense of truth. Division schisma in in Greek means a tear, split or separation. And it can describe both a necessary distinction, truth versus error, and a destructive break in fellowship caused by pride or jealousy. God calls his people to unity, but that unity must be grounded in agreement with his word and his character. And that’s a very important statement to keep in mind as we

discuss this topic. So as I said, I’m going to be focusing primarily on the elements or the topic of what should not divide God’s people and we go through uh several of these with various Scriptures talking about them. As I said, uh, we all may have experienced these kind of situations and I’m sure that many of you or many of us can relate to it either from a perspective of us experiencing it from others or to be completely honest and transparent, we may have imposed this on others as well based on a lack of understanding of, you know, what God really desires. So, we’re starting with personal preferences or opinions. Romans 14 1-4 receive one who is weak in the faith but not to disputes over doubtful things for one believes he may eat all things but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats for God has received him. Who are you

to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand for God is able to make him stand. We should not divide over matters of conscious or personal conviction that Scripture does not clearly command or forbid. Right? In this particular case, this is a Scripture that is commonly used by many people as a a proof text that you can eat whatever you want and that everything is okay to eat. And some of and this would be considered maybe a disputable matter, right? But that is not what the Scripture says. Those things are taken out of context in this particular uh situation. We’re talking about meat versus vegetables, which from God’s perspective, both of them are food, right? And so when we talk about division, we have to make sure that we don’t judge other people who have decided to be vegetarian or vegan. That is a very common thing that’s today. And that is not something that is mandated in Scripture to be vegetarian. Right? Vegetables are

food as well as meat is food. So we have to make sure that we don’t divide on matters of personal conviction. Worship styles, church traditions. Feast day observances are not ground for division. Let me just comment here about feast day observances. Uh what we mean here, what I’m trying to say here is not a matter of whether we honor God’s feasts, right? uh those I believe that all of those that are here uh those of them those of you who have been watching the channel for a while know what we believe God is is commanding us with respect to the feasts of the Lord as expressed in the Bible specifically in Leviticus 23. So it’s not a matter of whether we observe them or not, but regarding to how we observe them, right? That’s maybe that’s not a ground for division. The mature believer extends grace knowing that unity is greater than uniformity. And that’s a topic that sometimes people get confused about. They think that unity also means uniformity, right? That everybody should behave

exactly the same. And we will find here that that’s not necessarily always the case. I think that we all in our our journey in Yeshua to strive to be more holy and righteous. Uh we also have come to the recognition and understanding that people are in different steps or phases of their journey. We are in different steps and phases of our journey. And it’s very important for us to understand and not to expect from everybody to follow the Scriptures exactly the way that we see them. We’ll talk a little bit about that uh further. Uh so disagreements on minor issues should never destroy fellowship among those that are united in Yeshua. Another reason that should not divide God’s people is social, ethnic, and cultural differences. Galatians 3:28.

Chapter 3: Avoiding worldly division

There’s neither Jew nor Greek. There’s neither slave nor free. There’s neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Numbers 15 and 16. One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you. An ordinance forever throughout your generations. As you are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord. One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you. From the Torah to the New Covenant throughout the entire Bible, God’s design has always been for one standard for all who belong to him. Right? Whether you are native Jew or you are one that have been grafted in uh you’re a stranger or sojourer, there is only one standard and that is God’s standard. On the other hand, there is no room for any racial superiority, nationalism or classes in God’s kingdom. Uh the body of Christ is a spiritual family. It’s not a cultural club. And our unity in him transcends skin color, language, and background. Pride, jealousy, and

selfish ambition should not divide God’s people. 1 Corinthians 3:es 3 and 4. For you are all still carnal. For where are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are you not carnal? And in Genesis 13 8-9, so Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take to the left, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” So pride and comparison can divide church. When believers compete for position or recognition titles, then the spirit of unity is quenched. Abraham modeled humility and peace, valuing relationships over rights. So when disagreement arises, we need to ask ourselves, you know, am I seeking God glory or my own? And that that is something that

truly is at the crux at the foundation of any sort of division in many situations is us elevating our own thoughts, our own selfish ambition above the word of God and above that of others around us. So the key here is that unity really requires a level of humility considering others above ourselves as expressed in Philippians 2. Let’s continue. Differences in gifts and callings can also be a reason not to divide God’s people. 1 Corinthians 12, we’re are familiar with this uh Scripture about the members of the body. We won’t go through the entire chapter, I guess, or or big part of the chapter that discusses this, but a few uh specific verses here 4-7 and 12-14 specifically. There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. There are differences of ministry, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. For as the body is one

and as and has many members, but all the members of that body being many are one body also is Christ. For by one spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one spirit. God designed his body with diversity. And that’s the beauty of God’s design, right? Different people with different roles and functions and gifts. And there is no situation where one gift or one role or one function is above the other. Right? And yet when we compare gifts, when we compare titles and callings, we divide the body that is meant to function as one. Right? Every part of the body has a very important function and contributes to the well-being of the whole body. So in these situations, we should actually celebrate the variety of callings and gifts in the kingdoms. We should be grateful that we are part of a body that meets the needs of everyone through the different roles and the different gifts that God has

bestowed upon the members of the body. Every me member has a purpose and no one is expendable. Differences in spiritual maturity or understanding that is that is a big one. Romans 15:1 and2 we then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 1 Corinthians 8:es 9 and 11. But beware, lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died. And this is the point that I was making earlier. Believers grow at different paces. We all come from different starting points, from different backgrounds. We all have experienced different things in our walk. We experience different things uh based on the world that we live in and the interactions that we have with different people, our circumstances. And as a result of that, our journeys are different, right? And we move at different paces. Uh and

that is something that’s very critical for us to understand and not to judge one another that they are not at the same place or spot that you are. That they do not have that same level of understanding or conviction about the word because they are still going through their journey. They’re still processing things. They’re still praying about it. They’re still studying it out. Right? That should be the expectation that we should continue to grow in our understanding and our knowledge of God and in our spiritual maturity. We should constantly be seeking to understand. And those who are quote unquote mature that have been maybe have had more experiences in this area, have had different revelations that have God has revealed things to them. Those people should support and not separate from those that are still growing in understanding. Differences in ministry style and leadership approach. Philippians 1. Some indeed preach Christ, even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ

is preached, and this I and in this I rejoice. Mark 9 says,”Now John answered him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak evil of me. For he who is not against us is on our side.” Not every bundistry is going to look the same. As long as Yeshua is glorified, we should rejoice rather than compete with one another. Whether uh we should not impose our necessary style of how we like to practice things, how we like to speak about them, the terminology and the words that we use. Those are are things that should not divide us and we should be able to look beyond that. Disagreements over non-essential doctrines. Right? 2 Timothy 2:23-2 it says, “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel,

but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient in humility, correcting those who are in opposition.” Titus 3:9 it says, “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.” Right? Endless debates about minor doctrines, timelines, methods, secondary interpretations do not advance God’s kingdom and they harden hearts and fracture relationships. Right? I used to someone used to say, you know, don’t major in the minors. Don’t don’t focus everything around specific things that are you know in other Scriptures they say there are disputable manners right there can be misunderstandings or or different interpretations of something but then again that is nothing that should divide us as long as it’s not contrary to the foundational uh you know nature of God which we’ll talk a little bit later personal offenses or unforgiveness this is a critical one Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to him and said,”Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?” Up to seven times, Jesus said to him, “I do not say

to you up to seven times, but up to 77 times or or 7* 70.” Colossians 3:13-14, “Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Personal hurts and unforgiveness are among the most common causes of divisions in families and churches. Forgiveness restores unity and reflects Christ’s heart. Differences in worship practices. We talked a little bit about that as well. Uh some worship with instruments, some without, some dance, others kneel. The question is not how we worship, but what’s critical is whom we worship and whether we do it in spirit and truth. Socioeconomic status or background in James 2. My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you

pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes, have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and have become and become judges with evil thoughts? Favoritism, partiality, class division have no place among those who are following Yeshua. God measures hearts, not income or appearance. differences in calling or seasons of life. For as we know, many members in in one body, this is in Romans 12, similar to 1 Corinthians 12. But all members do not have the same function. So we being many are one body in Christ, having them gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Let us use them. Some are called to serve quietly, others publicly, some are in season of rest, others in labor. Comparison breeds division, but gratitude for each calling brings unity. Similar to what we discussed earlier. And finally, political or worldly allegiances, right? John 18:36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servant would fight. But now my kingdom is not from here.” Philippians 3:20 says,

“For our king, our citizenship is in heaven, for which we also eagerly wait for the savior, the lord Jesus Christ.” The church transcends earthly politics and nationalism. Our allegiance to the kingdom of God is to the kingdom of God and not the kingdoms of men. This is something that uh many times especially here for those of us who are in the United States on on uh years where uh there is a a presidential election then things can get a little contentious uh specifically when it comes to political allegiances and and God is very clear that we are not of this world and our allegiance should be to him only. All right. So that is uh our our portion that talks about what should not divide God people. What God’s people Let me pass this on to our brother Glenn. Well,

Chapter 4: Does God hate division?

first of all, I just want to say good morning to everybody. I had trouble logging in this morning. We had a big storm last night and I had to reboot my router and play with support on passwords. Had all kind of challenges. So, somebody didn’t want this lesson to go smoothly. When I just like David, when I started looking at this, I was surprised at some of the things I found in [snorts] the uh fellowships that I’ve been involved in mostly with the churches of God. Uh this saying that God hates division was touted all the time, you know, and it was pointed at people that had a difference of opinion or a difference of interpretation about Scripture. And and what it did is it it stopped discussion because if whatever you were talking about or whatever idea, whatever interpretation you had didn’t completely agree with what was being taught, then you were causing division. You were spreading heresy. And so that’s kind of where it came from. And uh Ed had gone through a

Lot of Lot of challenges with this too as he was discovering different elements of Torah and adding them to his life and then being excited about it and sharing it with other people. Then you know he was he was getting shut down and people weren’t open to discuss it. Now it’s interesting that Ed and I met and we started discussing. Both of us know the Bible fairly well and and so we had a Lot to talk about all the time and you know we we were quoting Scripture and discussing concepts and and there was never any contention or discomfort or I’m right and you’re wrong. It was just sharing points of view. And you know, some of our points of view are speculative because when it comes into prophecy and things like that, it can be kind of fuzzy and it can be you can look at it different ways depending on your paradigm. And so talking about things that are speculative, it’s not divisive. So that’s kind of how this discussion what kicked this

thing off. Now, does God hate division? Well, what does Yehovah says? He hates well he says he hates six things. Uh yes seven or an abomination to him a proud look a lying tongue. Hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that devises wicked plans. Feet that are swift to running evil. A false witness who speaks lies and one who sws discord among brethren. So this passage is the most direct thing that that God’s put in Scripture about what he hates. The phrase one who sows discord among brethren refers to someone who causes division, strife, conflict among God’s people. So in in Romans 6 17 and 18, the question I want you to consider is is why does Paul give us this warning? What was he dealing with? But it says, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them, for those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech

deceive the hearts of the simple.” What’s Paul dealing with? You know, in some of the uh congregations I’ve been a part of, we jokingly referred to coffee pot wars and things where where people were just contentious towards each other. Those who cause division and offenses uh contrary to the doctrine. Well, there’s there’s a Lot of disputes about what’s right and what’s what’s wrong. But the division comes when people have the wrong attitude and they’re not expressing themselves in humility. That’s something that David mentioned earlier. Paul warns believers to stay away from divisive people, those who go against sound teaching or cause splits within the church. You know, some people, it’s unfortunate, but some people just like contention. They’re more comfortable arguing about something than they are getting along. And so, whenever you see those people, they’re they’re not the people you want to buddy up to. John 17 20 says uh and this is from Jesus’s prayer before his crucifixion. He pleads for unity among the believers that they all may be one as you

father in me and I in you and they also may be one in us that the world may believe that you sent me. So division directly contradicts Christ’s prayer and his example of oneness with the father. So the wrong kind of division as David said is is based on pride or strife. This one passage and many many many others show that selfish, prideful or contentious division is condemned. 1 Corinthians 3 3-4. For where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal in behaving like mere men? So Paul rebukes division based on loyalty to leaders. I am of Paul. I am of Apollos. Such such division reveals immaturity and a lack of spiritual growth. Division that God commands is separation from sin and error. That are times when separation is obedience, not

Chapter 5: Righteous division

sin. This is when unity with evil or falsehood would violate God’s truth. 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yolked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness, and what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Balah? Or what part has a believer in an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said. I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. So God calls his people to separate from unbelief from sin. So unity must never come at the cost of purity or obedience. Romans 16 verse 17 division that God commands. Now I urge you brethren note those who call division and

offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but with their own belly and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Ironically, Paul commands separation from the divisive people, those who twist doctrine or cause strife. Second John 9, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him. Don’t let him into your house nor greet him. So this is clear. Don’t join with false teachers just for the sake of getting along. Maintaining doctrinal integrity sometimes requires a clean break. Now again, that doesn’t mean that people can’t have different ideas and be humble and say, “Well, I see it this way and you see it that way.” That that’s not what it’s talking about. But, uh, some of the specific things that there was contention over, a Lot of contention over was was the resurrection, belief

in the resurrection. Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once in darkness, and brethren, we were all once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Unity with darkness, brethren, is not unity in Christ. The goal, unity in truth, not compromise. Ephesians 4:3, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit of the bond of peace. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. True unity in the spirit is not man-made agreement. Unity without truth is counterfeit. And brethren, we see counterfeit Christianity all around us. Truth without love is harsh. God hates division born from pride and selfish ambition. But he commands separation from sin and falsehood. Think about God’s prophets. Think about Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jesus even. They divided truth from falsehood, light from darkness, faithfulness from hypocrisy. You know, you think about Jeremiah was a

prophet from I think the 14th year of Josiah all the way through the end of Zedekiah. But he was really preaching against the status quo. There was at least twice in the book of Jeremiah where they wanted to put him to death because of what he was preaching. So he was causing division. But what division was he dividing people from? He was taking people from error to truth. Uh Jeremiah 28 verse 28. A prophet who has a dream, now this is the false prophets, let him tell a dream. And he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. Is not my word like a fire, says the Lord. God’s word breaks, it separates and exposes. True prophets divide people because truth always confronts lies. Isaiah 8:13, “The Lord of Hosts, him you shall hollow. Let him be in your fear, and let him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” The same God who comforts the faithful, that very same God

offends the rebellious. Truth does not accommodate falsehood. Truth exposes falsehood. Ezekiel 3:18, “When I say to the wicked, you shall surely die, and you give him no warning. His blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you warn the wicked, you have delivered your soul.” So God commands e Ezekiel to speak truth even when it divides because silence would mean complicity. And brethren, you know, Ezekiel was a prophet to the house of Israel, but Israel had been in captivity for over 120 years before Ezekiel was called. So the the Ezekiel warning message, it it’s up to us to put that message out. You can’t go along with traditional Christianity and blast out the Ezekiel message because it contradicts. It causes division. But that’s the kind of division that’s good.

Chapter 6: Christ’s divisive message

Christ himself declared he came to bring division. Now, this shocks many people, but it’s straight from his mouth. Luke 12:51. Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on, five in one house will be divided, three against two, and two against three. Christ’s message divides because truth demands a choice. Light and darkness cannot coexist. John 3:19. So Christ did not love division for its own sake, but his truth revealed hearts and that revelation caused division. John 7:43. So there was a division among the people because of him. John 9:16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said this man is not from God and there was a division among them. John 10:19 Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. So every time Christ revealed truth people split. Those who love truth drew nearer and those who didn’t they recoiled. So the difference lies in the source and the motive. So if the source is human pride,

jealousy, gossip and self-will, the motive is to elevate self, gain followers, or stir strife. And we see that in several examples in in the Bible. And here’s some examples of uh 1 Corinthians 3:3 and Proverbs 6:19. But prophetic division, the source is the spirit of truth to expose sin, reveal God’s will, and call to repentance. And it’s commanded by God. All the major prophets, if if you look at Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah, they were blasting truth in to an unpopular audience that wasn’t eagerly lapping it up. They were against the prophets. So God’s prophets and Christ himself divided people. Not not because they sought conflict, but because truth inherently separates those who obey from those who will not obey. Hebrews 4:12, for the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts. Division is the inevitable result of truth landing in the middle of error. A sword divides. Truth cuts to reveal what’s inside. When people are confronted

with truth, there’s only two options. They can repent in humility or they can resist. And I I’ve got to admit, I’ I’ve got human nature. Uh sometimes somebody will have an idea and they’ll tell me what it is and immediately my mind goes to counter it and starting pulling out all these Scriptures that would counter that. It it’s just a natural thing to you know to resist instead of listen and consider and wonder and discuss. The right response produces unity. The wrong response produces division. Unity is never at the expense of truth. The false prophets of Jeremiah’s day promise peace and unity. Jeremiah 6:14, “They have also healed the hurt of my people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. And Jeremiah lived through the fall of Jerusalem. And right up to the very end, the the princes and the prophets that countered him were saying that everything’s going to be okay. One guy predicted that within two years all the exiles would be returned along with all the goods out of the

temple. [snorts] Well, you know, that didn’t happen. That was just a false prophet. And that pro false prophet lost his life over that. In contrast, Jeremiah’s divisive message was the only one that could actually save people. Likewise, Christ’s unity is built upon truth and righteousness. It’s not built on compromise. Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, and in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. but speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things unto him who is the head Christ from whom the whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies according to the effective working by which every part does its share causes growth of the body and for the edifying of itself in love. So a

a whole body is used as as a metaphor. Elsewhere a building is used at a metaphor, a building fitly framed together. Notice though, unity comes through knowledge of the truth, not by avoiding it and certainly not by compromise.

Chapter 7: Judging division’s fruit

So far we’ve seen that God condemns division that arise arises from pride, self-will or rebellion. the kind that tears down and tears apart his people from the truth and from each other. But he ordains division that arises from truth, holiness, obedience, the kind that purifies his people. Or simply put, false division separates brethren from each other. True division separates brethren from sin. So how do we know how to balance this out? How do we distinguish between division as faithfulness and division as sin? Well, we’ve covered the major contrast, motive, source, outcome. But there are several deeper layers worth adding. These touch on spiritual posture, relational fruit, and timing, which Scripture consistently uses to judge whether division is righteous or fleshly. Division is not always caused. Sometimes division is revealed. When truth or light enters a corrupt environment, it doesn’t create division. It just exposes it. First John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us, but they went

out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” 1 John 2:26. These things I’ve written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. John doesn’t say the apostles caused division. Rather, the division exposed what was already there. Division’s not always a bad thing. It can be what turns on the light. Truth often acts like a refiner’s fire, purifying the chosen. Malachi 3:2. But who can endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver that they may offer to Yehovah an offering in righteousness. So when Jeremiah or Christ spoke and the people split, the division was already in their hearts. The truth simply surfaced it. Truth divides only to purify and heal. True godly division is always surgical, not destructive. God divides to restore integrity, not to tear apart for

its own sake. Matthew 10:34. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. The sword of Christ does not wound arbitrarily, but it cuts away infection. It leads to life. When the prophets rebuked Israel, their goal wasn’t to fracture the nation. They wanted to save the nation. They wanted to heal the nation through repentance. They wanted to extend their existence in the land. Division is the inevitable result of truth. Hosea 6:1. Come and let us return to Yehovah. For he has torn, but he will heal us. He has stricken, but he will bind us up. So the test is this. Does the division aim to restore righteousness and purity? or does it serve pride, control, or personal agenda? Hebrews 4:12, for the word of God is living and powerful

and sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. A sword divides. Truth cuts to reveal what’s inside. When people are confronted with truth, there are only two options. Repent or resist. And that response is what produces division. The difference between bold confrontation and a divisive spirit. I know you guys have met people with a divisive spirit that just like to argue about everything. Biblical boldness and divisiveness, they’re not the same thing. The prophets, the apostles, and Christ himself were bold, but their boldness was born of love, obedience, and grief over sin. A divisive person, by contrast, may speak truth, but without love or without the spirit behind it. Second Timothy 2:24, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient in humility, correcting those who are in opposition.” Now, Timothy was a very young pastor, and this is his his mentor Paul giving him advice on how to deal with all the problems that he dealt with

in his church. And I’m sure there was a Lot of divisions and maybe not coffee pot wars, but something similar to that. But notice, uh, same correction, different spirit. The manner matters. God looks at how and why truth is delivered, not merely what is said. It’s the heart. Unity of the spirit is not uniformity of opinion. Ephesians 4 and verse three, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Paul says, “Unity of spirit, not the unity of complete agreement about any subject.” There can be legitimate diversity within God’s people, different callings, methods, even convictions or on non-essential issues as long as there’s harmony of spirit, humility, and shared allegiance to Christ. Some division is really just a failure to distinguish between core truths and secondary or speculative differences. Romans 14 calls us to maturity in this. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. Why do you judge your brother? So unnecessary division often arises when pride elevates preferences to the level of principles. Unity of the spirit is

not unifority. Uniformity of opinion. What’s Paul talking about here? Romans 14 verse 6. He who observes the day observes it to the Lord. And he who does not observe the day to the Lord, he does not observe it. He who eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. And he who does not eat to the Lord, he does not eat and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. And if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lords. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Now, what’s Paul talking about here? He talks about one who observes a day. Well, brethren, this is not

talking about the Sabbath or the holy days or any of the commandments or God. This is talking about the Judaizers who kept additional days, different fast days, and they had rules that, you know, the rabbitical rules, phariseaical rules. And so, he’s talking about that if they want to do that, fine. Do that to the Lord. If you don’t do it, then don’t do it to the Lord. But don’t judge each other. Your opinion doesn’t matter really whether you want to do it or whether you don’t want to do it. It’s it’s between you and God. But don’t judge your brother because that will cause division.

Chapter 8: Justified separation

When is division justified? When fellowship compromises truth. There is a subtle but critical difference between breaking fellowship out of offense and breaking fellowship to preserve holiness. Scripture upholds the latter. Can two walk together unless they are agreed. 2 Thessalonians 3:6, “Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” God sometimes requires separation to protect the flock from corruption. In such cases, maintaining fellowship would be disobedience. What we’re talking about here is kind of a herd mentality. Whenever you have a whole Lot of people that believe one thing, especially if if we’re not studying oursel and if we don’t have a direct relationship with Yehovah where he’s opening our mind and we have the faith and the confidence in Yehovah to open our minds and so that we can believe him. And if we don’t have that relationship and all all of our education or spiritual growth, spiritual development comes from listening to other people in a group of people that may be 500 or a thousand

large, then that’s herd mentality. You know, it’s you’re you’re really only listening and you don’t want to break from the herd. So you you hear something that doesn’t sound quite right, but you really don’t have the confidence or the just see what the book says and believe Yehovah and have the confidence that God’s spirit in you will lead you to all truth. That’s [snorts] a promise from him. So we don’t want to get caught up in the herd. But at the same time, we don’t want to cause division because we have an idea, baby, that we think is more right than anybody else. God measures division by its fruit. Christ test is unmistakable. He says you’ll know them by their fruits. And so we ask, does the division lead to greater purity? Does it lead to greater truth? Does it lead to greater love for God? Or does it lead to bitterness? self-justification, destruction of the body of Christ. Righteous division produces repentance. It reproduces clarity and restoration, even if it’s painful at first. Unrighteous

division breeds resentment, suspicion, and self-righteousness. Even necessary division, brethren, should grieve us. When Paul had to rebuke or separate, he did it with tears. Philippians 3:18, “For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.” That did not make Paul happy. A godly heart mourns when separation is required. Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem. First Corinthians gives an example of a fellow that was dysfellowshipped over having [snorts] an affair with a relative. And yet second Corinthians offers the correction of you know since that person has repented you need to welcome him back. You need to go after him so that he’s not lost. It’s that outgoing concern and care for other people. The pattern of God’s own division. From Genesis onward, God divides for creation and order. He divides light from darkness, waters above from waters

below. Israel from the nations separated. Every divine division brings clarity and structure, not chaos. The enemy by contrast divides to confuse and destroy. So the question is not is there division but whose pattern does it follow? Is it God’s pattern or man’s? Final thought Paul writes to Timothy mentoring him. 2 Timothy 2:14. Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord, not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idol babblings for they will increase to more ungodliness and their message will spread like cancer. Himanius and Felitus are of this sort who have strayed concerning the truth saying that the resurrection is already passed and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands having this seal. The Lord knows who are his. And let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Can’t wait to

hear what you guys have to say and hear all your stories.

Chapter 9: Community discussion

All right. Thank you, Glenn. Just wanted to open this up for discussions. A time in our our fellowship or a time in our gathering that we open it up for discussion. Um, Luke, go ahead. Shabbat shalom, David. Shalom. Um, fantastic, guys. You, you nailed it. I mean, I am I’m floored and you know, uh, even the whole presentation, even with the technical difficulties, you guys, I would love to do this again. I would I think you’re an excellent teacher, David, and you, Glenn. Thank you. Um, I just recently left my church. Um, I was attending Church of God Seventh Day and my pastor and I were getting into the this this this texting back and forth about, “Are we still in covenant? Are we not in covenant? He doesn’t believe we’re in covenant. He believes it.” Anyway, and I said to him, I said, “What do you consider yourself?” I said, “Do you consider yourself a gentile believer?” which in my opinion is an oxymoron, or do you consider yourself of the house [clears throat]

of Israel? And he said, I am a follower of God. And I went, okay, all right. He’s just there’s there’s some like he he he believes the Mosaic law is no longer valid. And uh but you know, they keep the Sabbath, Seventh Day Church of God. They keep the food laws. And the dispute is covenants are building block. They build upon each other. You know, just because we have God gave a new covenant doesn’t mean the old one doesn’t exist anymore. They’re they’re building blocks. They do this thing uh pre-w worship and his sermon at 9:30 every morning. because I attend this Zoom, I haven’t been able to go to what they call Sabbath school [snorts] and where everybody they have these booklets that they hand out. We read some some literature and then we have a big discussion. And I’ve been there for about two and a half years trying to show people how, you know, the law still stands, quoting Scripture after Scripture. And it just I I have a handful of people

at that church that I fellowship with outside of church. Like we all just went to Sakote. We we went camping for eight days. Um, there’s about nine of us and I am so grateful for them. But I I can’t continue to go there and listen to these sermons that they’re just hollow and fruitless and it [clears throat] I miss them. I miss them desperately. So many of them. They’re such beautiful people. I mean, genuinely, they love God. They love Yeshua. And I just I I couldn’t continue to to go there knowing that. I don’t know. I don’t know. Anyway, that’s enough of it. I feel your pain, brother. Amen. Y similar situations. Go ahead, Clint. Yeah. I I was part of the churches of God, the Living Church of God, the United Church of God, and and and I I missed all those guys. Uh but they are some of the ones that don’t want quote unquote division. If you don’t agree with with everything, if you’re on a different calendar or you know God’s

name, then and and you talk about that and you use it, then you’re not welcome. And it hurts. I’m with you, Luke. It hurts. [snorts] It hurts us. And And I believe that it also hurts God, right? That’s not God’s intention. I think we talked a Lot about this in this uh lesson here. I I I’m grateful that I mean, I came to the foot of the cross 5 years ago and like within the first six months, I was like, why aren’t we keeping the Sabbath? and just, you know, I spent probably a good four hours a night just devouring my Bible. And I read my Bible twice through in a year. And I was lucky enough to find the Sabbath and then came the feasts which separated me from my my first pastor because he was like, “No, we’re going to celebrate the Sabbath and we’re going to keep the food laws, but that’s it.” And I was like, “Okay.” So then I went to the Church of God Seventh Day and they did

the same thing and he became a Seventh Day Adventist. It’s it’s painful, you know, and I still talk to them. I I’m uh my first pastor was still on friendly terms. We still speak, you know, occasionally, but we just can’t discuss doctrine. And that’s the one thing I want to talk about, you know, that’s my favorite topic. And I just, you know, anyway, yeah, he just he just shuts down. Everybody just shuts down when I start, you know, trying to point, you know, to Yeah. It just I can feel them pulling away when I start bringing up Scripture. just, you know. Anyway, thank you. Thank you, Luke. Thanks for sharing, brother Samuel. Shabbat shalom. [clears throat] Shabbat shalom. Let me commend you, David, and and Glenn number two, Mr. Springfield, brother Springfield, um, for an exceptional lesson. Technical difficulties notwithstanding. Um, I think, um, Brother Ed makes this thing look a Lot easier than it really is. [laughter] So, I was even using his log on and still didn’t work. So there you go. So

So both of you to be applauded. you you guys did a magnificent presentation and I would love to have the the slides for this um because I had a um I engage in a in in constant back and forth with with another brother in another fellowship or another assembly where there are differences in understanding of Torah or the principles of Torah and how it applies in relation to uh the bread and in the dispersion to my The the only difference in terms of where fracturing is necessary in the event of a division is with respect to what is the foundation. If the foundation is Torah, the testimony in the prophets, and Yeshua Hamashiach, here in the flesh, showing us the way, crucified, being resurrected, and ascended to to the father, and given all power and authority, we can walk together. You may be on Hel 2. You may be Abib, you may be Zadok, which I follow currently, but I’m not going to divide from you based on that. What’s beautiful about the walk and

the fact that this is a marathon and not a race and that each of us are to 1 hour, 7 seconds walk this out in fear and trembling before Yehovah Elohim. The main thing is once we have the foundation in place, we 1 hour, 16 seconds are to edify each other. We ought to correct. We ought to edify where there are errors in doctrinal understanding and we share that understanding. 1 hour, 27 seconds But again, it has to be in the agape of Yeshua Hamashiach. Amen. 1 hour, 33 seconds Not about showing off. It’s not I know more than you. I’ve been in the walk longer than you, so you need to listen to me. How you know it’s a real issue is 1 hour, 40 seconds when a person cannot let go. How they can’t say peace, blessings to you, keep your understanding, be at peace in your 1 hour, 49 seconds understanding and walk away. If someone is insisting that you have to walk in a way that they have to walk, that

lets you know you have a problem. Wow. 1 hour, 56 seconds Because then it’s not an issue of really sharing out of love. It’s an issue of pride and just having to be right. And that’s where I used to be in this walk. What I love about this fellowship and what I love about fellowshipping with other brothers and sisters in this walk is the understanding that I get. One of the most beautiful understandings of the so of the seed of the parable of the seed um or the parable of the sword that I heard came out of David’s mouth because it never occurred to me that that can apply to a person going through three different seasons of their life. It was a whole different experience in enlightenment hearing that getting a a firm understanding of uh of the Abib calendar listening to to brother Glenn Glenn too and having him share his wisdom with respect to that. So I know if I ever fellowship or or have the opportunity to be with Glenn too

on one of the feast days if it’s at his place in his home is going to be according to a beeb. And I don’t have a problem with that because it’s all to the glory of the father. Amen. Testimony of of our Messiah. So, you know, with with that, you know, you you share your understanding to the extent that that you are given understanding and as long as someone isn’t talking about, well, you know, you got to achieve Christ consciousness and you know, for the 12 years that that Messiah was missing, he was in India. As long as you’re not talking that, you know, I don’t care, you know, where you are with respect to whether or not you think that Michael Heiser was on to something with his understanding of divine counsel or if you think that Psalms 82 has a actual different meaning. As long as we walk together in the fundamentals, you know, we’re not allowing those other things to divide us within the body, but it divide us from people who

are outside of the body and the fundamentals and the understanding of the Torah and the testimonies of our Messiah. So, thank you for allowing me to share. Shabbat shalom. Shabbat. Amen. Thank you, brother Samuel Christine. It was a great message. I really appreciated it. I can’t help but feel like, well, I I read the Scripture in Hosea 4:6 that says, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” And that makes me think of the Berean heart. And I don’t I mean division likely wouldn’t even happen if we had more of a Berean heart. And in studying out the Bereans, you know, you you realize that their readiness to learn. Um they didn’t divide over, you know, new information and new teachings. Um they had a commitment to truth, over tradition, over what they had originally been taught. They were their allegiance was to truth instead of a perceived truth. And their discernment is what guided them through Scripture, not emotion or fear. And I just in even examining my own self, you know, early

on in my walk with God, I was, you know, very very protective of what I thought I was being of, you know, the church and God’s message and likely, you know, thwarted the growth of many people by telling them, you know, that’s just not what we believe. And you know, now that I’m on the other side of that, you know, I realize that that we think, that we component, um, was really a demonstration of an allegiance more to the church than it was to the word of God. And so the Scripture that I cling to this morning just listening to this to this message is that if we have knowledge, if we do the work as Bereans and we take whatever we hear and we compare it and go back to the Scriptures, well then there’s there’s likely not [clears throat] going to be any division and it just seems like it, you know, it it it eliminates any opportunity to become easily offended. did to to show, you know, favoritism, to lose friendships like

one brother just shared. And we definitely can um identify with that sentiment. You know, we’ve been part of our community for over three decades and deeply deeply rooted in it. Raised all three of our children in this community and uh it was brutal, you know, not being a part of it anymore. But it it’s we pray for those that they will become Brienne so that their knowledge will increase and division can cease. Amen. Thank you Tim. Um great job David and um Glenn. Uh appreciate the comprehensive Bible verses. Um obviously the um the conversation of division is the framework is within the body of Christ. um not not to the lost people but to within the body. I I I loved you know that um it obviously it it felt like it was is naturally flowing into I think the royal law or how to how to love one another. Um how to fulfill the second greatest commandment. Um, I am reminded of a couple couple passages and a couple things that I’m learning and

I’m a little bit over a year into my awakening. Personally, I was also a part of the church that I believe Christine and David, who I look forward to getting to know today, by the way, um were and and you know, a part of um I’m actually a worship leader in that church and am preaching the word to them and I’m about to wait for on God to tell me to leave. At least I’m I’m just going to do that. But before that, I’m going to, you know, continue what I believe God wants me to do relationally. Um, but I’m ready to go. I don’t have any entanglements about it. So, um, pretty pretty resolved. But I am reminded that we’re supposed to, you know, we’re commanded to have divisions. Actually, um, the word is heresies. The good part, not the factions part in Galatians 5:19, but the good part in 1 Corinthians 11 verse u uh 19 says you there must be divisions among you. But it but obviously it says to show which

which of you has God’s approval. So I think it’s it’s more in the how. And what I’m learning personally, um, is to is to do it, um, to practice the royal law, I think, with a a restorative mindset, like not saying, “Hey, I’m right and you’re wrong or but” but but to take that le, you know, James 2 says, you know, if you practice it, you’re you’re you’re going to be good. You’re you’re you really do well, I should say. It’s what it says. and it’s talking about the Leviticus Leviticus 19:17 passage, but um I’m reminded that you know Jesus or Yeshua says you know to do it privately in Matthew 18 you know to and try to have the attitude of restore you know to restore one a person. I’m also reminded of uh to do it in humility like 2 Timothy 2:25 in humility correct people you know with gentleness um to be compassionate like I believe that um James 2:13 says mercy triumphs over judgment um and then fairness John 7:24 to

to to to do it fairly so for me I’m convicted and inspired at the same time as far as my motus operandi as far as how I’m wanting to do not just divisions but but to practice the royal law. So that’s just what I want to say. Thanks a Lot for the comprehensive Scriptures. Appreciate both of you guys, man. Thank you. Thank you, Tim. Looking forward to connecting with you. Absolutely. Uh Ariana, hello. I’m I’m new to this group, so thank you so much for having me. I’m from California. I woke up a little late, so that’s why I don’t have my camera on. I’m sorry. [laughter] Um, so I just wanted to say I’m really grateful for the what I would say is the full council of God presented in in this lesson. Um, I I come from a place where unity was a Lot of times used to maintain control of people, right? So to oh for the sake of unity, don’t speak up, don’t ask too many questions. Oh, we have to

love each other to the point of blindness. Um, and so in coming to Torah, that was like one of the first things that the Lord really worked on me was you’re not called to unify with unrighteousness or with falsehoods. You’re actually supposed to speak up uncomfortably about it. And a Scripture that I would meditate on was to be in one accord according to Christ Jesus. So I can’t be in one accord outside of whatever Christ Jesus dictates. I have to first be in one accord to him and then if anybody else is there then that’s who I’m in unity with. Um and so yeah I was just really really grateful for for you know the full council that was presented. Uh my question is I started typing it on the chat. um like are we supposed to distance ourselves just as much from mainstream Christianity as from like let’s say Messianic congregations that incorporate the Talmud? And I know there’s like a whole um spectrum with that. But just as an example, my personal experience

is um I found a Messianic congregation out here once the Lord opened my eyes. Um but then after a few months I was feeling kind of spiritually dead. I I didn’t understand what what was going on. Yeah. I I would you know the Scripture that comes to mind is that the sons of God are led by his spirit and you’ll know. Now Paul says uh you can’t completely come out of the world. How can you be a witness to somebody if you’re not, you know, in their proximity? How can you discuss the truth if you have nobody to discuss it with? So, it it’s not like you’re going to catch a disease, you know, by by being around folks. Uh, and often times, you know, that proximity is the opportunity to discuss something if they’re open-minded. But it it’s not like they’re lepers either. Just but it’s not something that you want to immerse yourself in and join with them in. You know, you you can be separate from the world but still in the

world. Amen. Amen. Yeah. And a thought for me for that and we’ve visited also Messianic congregations sometimes um in their desire to return back to you know Judeaic traditions etc. they like you had mentioned they go to an extreme with respect to uh the Talmud and and Jewish traditions and and in essence start behaving just like the Pharisees were in in Jesus’s day, right? That they elevate these traditions above the word of God. And that’s what needs to be the the raise the flag for you to say, “Oh, okay. There there’s yes Torah observant, Old Testament, Sabbath, that’s all great, but the word of God is supreme, right? Not traditions uh of and rules made by men should never be elevated above the word of God. So that should be kind of like your test. As we were saying here, the foundation needs to be the word of God. If there’s an openness uh a willingness, a humility to discuss these kind of topics, not to judge you because of a different understanding of those

things. Amen. And if there isn’t, then maybe there’s another fellowship that you should consider. Amen. We’re going a little long, but uh due to technical difficulties, so we’ll give a couple of more thoughts here. Cordon and thank you Ariana. Welcome to the fellowship. Welcome to the shalom everyone. and I’m still very grateful to be part of this fellowship and for all that goes on. I just had a random question as far as um showing division and such. Um, I had a uh nephew of mine that um he pretty much I tried to educate him as far as the teaching goes of the Torah and other things like that, but he said, [clears throat] “Oh, you’re trying to jud Judaize me and other things, but he wants me to do a Lot more things like open air street preach.” And I know that open air street preach can show a Lot of division and other things of that nature because you’re usually going about it in a way in which to um shout sometimes even scream

at people usually sometimes at you know the certain festivals and other things like that that the worldly festivals and such. Uh I’m not going to go into subject matter but we kind of get that. Uh I just wanted to kind of get your take if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Uh, you know, I know that it’s good for us to actually go ahead and, you know, spread the message of Jesus Christ, but sometimes I feel like there’s better ways to make disciples. Like I studied the Bible with um a stranger a couple months ago, taught about repentance, thought even about the law, other things like that. He made a decision to make Yeshua Lord of his life. But I also feel like like should I go ahead and go out like him like Street Preach? I just wanted to get your opinion on that matter and just wanted to get your thoughts. Thank you. I I I can give my opinion [laughter] and and I can’t wait to hear hear what David

says followup. But um Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, they did a whole Lot of street preaching, brother. But they were called by Yehovah and they were told exactly what to say, exactly where to go. And so it it was under, you know, God’s direction. Uh I haven’t I haven’t had that conversation. God has not called me to go, you know, stand in the streets and and [snorts] warn people. And and with that, you you can create a Lot of animosity. You can you can take you can make the truth of God seem wacky, seem unacceptable. You you know seem offensive. You know, you you can actually chase people away from God’s word with with you know with that approach. Um so that’s my two cents. No, thank you Glenn. No, I have a similar thought about that. I think that a Lot of it has to do with well, first of all, I I personally think that uh personal witness, if you will, personal sharing on a one-on-one environment or in a small group environment or even

a large group like this is more effective than street preaching, right? It allows for dialogue. It allows for interaction. Sure. Um, I think also what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced with a Lot of street preaching is very condemning and judgmental, which again creates barriers with people and does not invite people to have an open dialogue. It just shuts people down. Uh, where when we share the truth, what we should be doing is we should be planting seeds. We should be watering seeds that have already been planted. When we communicate God’s truths, as truth as they may be, we are not we’re doing the opposite, right? We’re we’re we’re drying it up, we are we are strangling it as opposed to uh uh cooperating with the spirit who is going to allow these these ideas to continue to grow until eventually they they uh they bloom into an a better understanding of of God. So that’s again I also share those are my I share similar uh sentiments with brother Glenn. All right. Um sister

I believe was it June or or Juniper? It’s currently it’s Yes, Sister June. June. Yes. Shabbat shalom, sister. Go ahead. Shabbat shalom. Um your messages were very informative. And may Allah we continue to bless you and Glenn that as you continue walking in this pathway that you will share his word to strengthen others. And you did an amazing job. Thank you sister. Um in Luke 12 52 and 53 when Yeshua mentioned that five will be in a house two against three and three against two father against son and son against father. When I read that um those two Scriptures, I was like, “Wow, the same Yeshua that came to bring peace that surpasses all understanding is saying that he didn’t come to bring peace, but to bring division.” And many people will read that and may go with a different conception. But that concept is very challenging. It shows that there will be family rejection because I experienced that when I started to follow Torah and I have a particular sister. She had a Lot

of negative remarks about me. Oh, I was brought up in a Christian home and I’m following this religion that um I wasn’t taught. And reading that particular Scripture, it shows that prioritizing Yeshua means we have to face rejection from our own family. They’re going to be conflicts. um family may not understand the path that Yahweh has chosen you to walk in because he has not chosen them as yet. And my siblings, they had a Lot of negative response towards me. But I just kept on walking because I wasn’t doing it for them. I was doing it for Yeshua. He’s the one that called me. So when I read that Scripture, I was like, “Wow, I experienced this. I experienced rejection. I experienced division.” And the word of Yahweh is so powerful, so true. Truth will always reveal dark thoughts, dark ways, the alleys that lead them to pathway that you can’t understand yourself, but only him alone. So I must say God is good and again thank you for the words that you have shared.

Amen. Thank you. Thank you sister. Yep. I mean even Jesus himself had experienced that within his own family. Um but we’re aware of that I think. All right brother Tim. Yeah. I just wanted to respond wanted to respond to Glenn’s comment and yours comment regarding Cordon’s uh opinion. Um I appreciate and respect both your guys’ opinion. I do slightly differ with that opinion. Um I don’t believe that it’s our position to um care if we’re jud we’re not we’re going to come off judgmental because the word of God’s going to cut. And yes, there’s a there’s a way that we share if I feel if you know, who am I to say if if Cordon is um moved or anyone to to speak out? Um I’m not sure that we have to, you know, we have to listen to the spirit’s calling personally. And so, you know, I I would say it’s it’s it’s that and I think Glenn probably intimated that as well as well as you did. I am reminded of the Scripture

that you know Christ said to he said to the disciples go out um two first off two by two is what he said and then go house to house and look for a man or woman of peace and then stay there when you find somebody um I.e. find commonality. And it reminded me of um a video I just um pasted in the chat about I don’t know if you guys have seen sheep among wolves. It’s the fastest growing church in the U in the world, the Iranian church, but it talks about they will not even make a disciple of you until you go out sharing, but they have a specific way of doing it. Um I invite I encourage people to watch it. I just think that whatever whatever we need to I I do see one of my points of contention potentially is seeing people that just who are maybe messianic or other thing. I’m not trying to make a statement here but if they follow but they don’t share and I I I

I personally don’t share that conviction and I think we do need to share if the spirit is prompting us and and really to be obedient and to find the the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Oh, I just feel like it’s so such an excuse. I’m I’m literally here by myself. I have no one not in my household and all my friends have left me, but I I’m I’m yeah, I’m responsible to to obey the Scriptures and and to follow I made, you know, Yeshua my Lord. And so, anyway, just a personal conviction there. Just wanted to to share all I’m done. Thank you so much, Kim. I would I would give you an amen. If you feel God’s spirit is telling you to do something, uh you you’ve got to yield to the spirit. Amen. And if if you start on that path and then you feel you see that you’re creating more resistance than good, maybe you re-evaluate that. But anything that we can do to bring people to the knowledge of

the truth, man, we ought to be doing it. Whatever that is. But we don’t want to uh you know, a magnet can attract and a magnet can repel. We don’t want to be uh the thing that repels the truth or repels people from the truth. Amen. Amen. I said we were wrapping up, but Michael truly last comment. Go [laughter] ahead. really and truly shalom. Wonderful uh presentation this morning. I’m so thankful for everybody’s comments, too. I I um I find in my wrestling match of my mind being about separated from my church there where I went, they were going to make me a visitation pastor in probation, so to say, for two years. And uh I’d been communicating with the pastors uh probably for the last well for the whole 15 years I was there. You know what I feel about the one new man as I as I call it. I refer to Ephesians 2 and three. I’ve been communicating but I never really got a response. And um so eventually after October 7th

that kind of just shifted everything I think in the world. And I, you know, I’ve been so blessed with fellowship like this um to to uh come in the way of the Torah and the prophets, the commandments wholeheartedly and not compromise. Like I always did Shabbat since I had lived in Israel, but um I thought I could add Sunday just because that’s the congregation, you know, in my midst. But now I don’t compromise that anymore. So what I find is I’m really alone a Lot and um so but I do uh ask God for confirmation constantly and it seems he is confirming me like with fellowship times like this. So but uh in asking the question about division which was a great teaching this morning division biblical division versus you know non-biblical division that goes on in my mind a Lot like I miss people. I believe the church has like 80% of the message, you know, it’s about the king and they just stay out of court centered, if I could use that terminology,

like the cross and you know, got to be a witness to the laws. So, I keep all that, hold on to the good. But for me to go in the proximity under that roof where that dominion of spirit is, if I could use that term loosely, nothing’s going to change. So, I’m not going there again, you know, and I’m not even looking back. I’m kind of in touch, you know, by text. And for me, it’s even easy to say that as a single guy. I don’t have children that are there or, you know, a wife that’s there. You know, there’s a whole Lot of other aspects to the whole situation. I’m just I’m just me. So, but the thing is I do um also not want to um be idle or have uh my talents buried. So, I got to know a a street outreach, I’ll call it that, street outreach ministry that uh that uh I’m I’ve joined since about three months. And that’s not like speaking loudly out in the street, which I

have a Lot of respect for like the comment before sheep among wolves. That I’m not there yet, you know, but I I I want to go there, you know, the Lord enables me. But the the ministry that I’m doing kind of like with this group is we’re presenting at the market square, you know, a walking stick, like a shepherd’s staff. And we’re just, you know, that’s all we say. walking stick. Who who would like a free walking stick, you know? And and then if someone comes, then we have a one-on-one with them and presenting the gospel message about sin, forgiveness, and blah blah blah blah. So, I’m I’m not in a place to start talking about the law unless it’s maybe Jewish people, you know, and you know, and and I’m learning wisdom about, you know, what to say and where. So, I’m holding on to the good and God’s I just have to trust that God’s got it with the church at large. And I’m, you know, I’m not I’m not bashing any direction,

Jew or Gentile or church or, you know, anything. I’m keep yourself in the love of God, you know, but uh it’s a it’s a a place in the wilderness. Yeah. one-on-one with the Lord where what’s really inside of me like midbel you know midbel so in the wilderness is where there’s speaking happening God’s going to speak and I’m going to speak you know with I mean from the depths of me because I’m you know I don’t there’s not much sunshine and uh and uh food around here in the wilderness you know not you know it’s very alone one-on-one with the Lord. So, but I’m learning God is faithful. And again, the book or the message that came forth from brother Ed Doss about uh wrestling in the Jabok, you know, the alone time there that is right on, you know, with this place of wrestling that we’re in. And I have to trust God is going to use me, you know. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, brother Michael. Thank you all so much for

staying uh staying a little longer. Thank you uh for your input and feedback. Um want to wish all of you to enjoy the rest of your Shabbat and uh we will see you guys again next weekend. Have a great Shabbat. Shabbat. Shabbat. Great job everybody. Thank you guys. Great message.