Episodes

  • 60 – The Sent Ones: Acts of the Jewish Apostles

    60 – The Sent Ones: Acts of the Jewish Apostles
    Sep 10 2024
    Why did the church break away from Judaism? Why did a small group of followers of a first-century rabbi start a new religion that was different from his? This fall, as a new biblical year begins, First Fruits of Zion’s Torah Club small-group Bible study program embarks on a new journey. It’s called The Sent Ones: Acts of the Jewish Apostles. The Sent Ones will take students through the book of Acts and beyond, exploring and explaining the great divorce between Judaism and Christianity. Our guest for this episode, First Fruits of Zion’s Director of Education, Daniel Thomas Lancaster, will explain what this Bible study is about and why this knowledge is so critical for us today. – Episode Highlights – 00:00 Welcome Daniel Thomas Lancaster to Messiah Podcast. 02:31 What is Torah Club and what is the next Torah Club study theme? 04:33 What is the biblical definition of an apostle? 06:42 Why is Paul regarded as an apostle? 11:09 The book of Acts seems like Paul becomes the preeminent apostle. 12:43 Detective work to discover the stories of the apostles. 18:35 Judaism and Catholicism are rich with stories of their respective heroes of old. 24:28 A Jewish perspective of Acts provides important context for theology and religious practice. 31:23 Why did ancient Christianity jettison so quickly from Judaism? 32:58 How studying Acts can help us be better disciples in the twenty-first century. 39:44 Opportunity lost: The Sent Ones will study Jewish and church history until the mid-second century. 46:37 Learning Geography: Best to study the Bible with a map. 47:54 What will a student of The Sent Ones gain? – Episode Resources – Torah Club: http://torahclub.org/ Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    53 mins
  • 59 – Camp Tzadi: Inspiring a Righteous Generation

    59 – Camp Tzadi: Inspiring a Righteous Generation
    Aug 27 2024
    Messiah Podcast goes on location to scenic southern Michigan, where First Fruits of Zion now holds our premiere summer camp known as Camp Tzadi. Camp Tzadi provides a fun and meaningful summer experience for Messianic Jewish and Gentile teens, providing a space for rich spiritual encouragement and needed social connections with others of like mind. With microphone in hand, Jacob Fronczak roamed the grounds of an action-packed day at camp to talk with First Fruits of Zion’s Founder and Director, Boaz Michael, camp counselors, support staff, our primary camp teacher, Aaron Eby, and finally, some of the campers themselves, all on location in scenic southern Michigan. It has been only seven years since the first Camp Tzadi, but it has become a legendary experience and a real lifeline for the kids in our community. – Episode Highlights – 00:00 Jacob Fronczak goes on location. 03:04 Camp Tzadi is making Messianic teens into disciples. 06:07 Camp creates strong leaders, families, and community. 09:55 Camper-turned-counselor wants others to have the same life-enriching experience. 12:32 Camp Tzadi is a community for isolated Messianic teens. 15:11 Moving through the ranks from camper to division leader. 16:11 What fun things go on at camp? 17:31 Building life-long relationships at camp. 20:46 Messianic Jewish prayer life at camp. 24:00 Spiritual growth through camp teachings from 2 Peter 1. 38:30 What the campers have to say. 46:01 What kind of campers would benefit from attending camp? – Episode Resources – Camp Tzadi: http://camptzadi.org Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    54 mins
  • 58 – Will There Be An End-Times Temple? | Joseph Good

    58 – Will There Be An End-Times Temple? | Joseph Good
    Aug 13 2024
    Every year, on the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, the Jewish people mourn the loss of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, along with a host of other tragedies that occurred on that same day throughout its history. Why would getting one step closer to its rebuilding instigate a war between Hamas and Israel? What is so important about this ancient building that would prompt a Gentile Christian from Texas to devote his life’s work to researching and teaching the world about the Temple? Joseph Good is a pioneer in the modern Messianic movement and one of the world’s leading experts on the Holy Temple. If you have ever wondered why the Torah would devote such extensive space to describing the building of the Tabernacle and what prompted David and Solomon to build a Temple and the Babylonian exiles to rebuild it, this episode is for you. – Episode Topics – 0:00 Introducing Joseph Good, leading expert on the Temple. 1:58 A debut on Christian Television. 5:34 Passover Seder research sparked a lifetime of study. 14:43 How a 1967 paratrooper started the Temple Institute. 17:52 A Gentile’s contributions to Jerusalem Temple research. 20:15 Current status of rebuilding the Temple. 24:58 Why is the location of the Temple important? 35:15 Why would a red bovine prompt Hamas to attack Israel? 38:16 What are we missing by the absence of a Temple? 42:17 Why would a Christian want to see the Temple rebuilt? 47:02 The key to understanding end-times prophecy – Episode Resources – Sacrifices from a Messianic Jewish Perspective https://ffoz.store/products/what-about-the-sacrifices Jerusalem Temple Study https://jerusalemtemplestudy.com/ Second Temple App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/second-temple/id1489392068 Hatikva Ministries https://www.facebook.com/HatikvaMinistries/ Joseph Good on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@hatikvaministries6566 Rosh HaShanah and the Messianic Kingdom to Come https://www.amazon.com/Rosh-HaShanah-Messianic-Kingdom-Come/dp/1976181461 Measure the Pattern https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Pattern-structures-surrounding-Courtyard/dp/1073761096 Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    57 mins
  • 57 – What I Saw In Heaven | Heidi Barr

    57 – What I Saw In Heaven | Heidi Barr
    Jul 18 2024
    What happens after we die? Thousands of people have reported near-death experiences—brushes with death in which they encounter God, Jesus, angels, and departed family members—and have come back to tell us what awaits us on the other side. After Heidi Barr’s own near-death experience (NDE) she became a hospice nurse. She joins us today to share what it’s like to pass on and stories of her encounters with the afterlife. – Episode Highlights – 00:00 A Near Death Experience (NDE). 12:11 Jewish Heritage and upbringing 14:35 Midwifing people into the next life. 18:39 Becoming a Jew who believes in Jesus. 24:13 Jewish rituals surrounding death. 26:51 Interactions with the other side before death. 29:58 Is an NDE just neuron’s firing? 32:18 More real than real. 35:48 Near Death Experiences that are traumatic. 39:48 The mercies of God in the last moments of life. 42:54 A productive mindset around death. 48:04 Terminal Lucidity. 52:25 Human suffering and free will. – Episode Resources – What I Saw in Heaven: The Incredible True Story of the Day I Died, Met Jesus, and Returned to Life a New Person https://www.amazon.com/What-Saw-Heaven-Incredible-Returned/dp/1540904121 Torah Club: https://torahclub.org Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    57 mins
  • 56 – Hebrew Roots Is Not Messianic Judaism | Daniel Thomas Lancaster & Jeremiah Michael

    56 – Hebrew Roots Is Not Messianic Judaism | Daniel Thomas Lancaster & Jeremiah Michael
    Jul 2 2024
    Messianic Judaism is a prophetic movement of the Holy Spirit. Jews and Gentiles are recovering a Jewish reading of the New Testament and a body of Messiah that has room for both Jews and Gentiles to live out their respective roles and callings. The Hebrew Roots movement is something different. On this episode of Messiah Podcast, Daniel Thomas Lancaster (Education Director for First Fruits of Zion) and Jeremiah Michael (Education Director of the Bram Center for Messianic Jewish Learning in Jerusalem) join us to help us sort through the differences between these two streams of thought and how to steer clear of the many dangers that litter this ancient path. – Episode Timeline – 00:00 Introductions 02:23 What is Messianic Judaism and what are some traits of Hebrew Roots? 09:52 Messianic Judaism does not pronounce the Sacred Name of God aloud. 16:22 Jesus’ Hebrew name is not “Yahshua.” 19:35 How should the biblical calendar be calculated? 25:58 Are Davidic dancing, circle dances, and banners part of Messianic Judaism? 30:24 One Law: Can Gentiles wear tzitzit in Messianic Judaism? 35:00 Gentiles and Sabbath observance. 39:40 Hebrew Roots regards many elements of Christianity to be idolatry rooted in paganism. 46:16 Who are the ten lost tribes? Two House and British Israelites theories. 55:12 When should the shofar be blown? 1:00:19 A word of encouragement for a brighter future. – Episode Resources – HaYesod: The Foundation: The Land, the People, and the Scriptures of Israel https://ffoz.org/hayesod Why Christians Misunderstand Hebrews, Messiah Podcast Episode 51 https://ffoz.org/messiah/podcast/why-christians-misunderstand-hebrews The Sabbath Breaker, by Daniel Thomas Lancaster https://ffoz.store/products/the-sabbath-breaker From Sabbath to Sabbath, by Daniel Thomas Lancaster https://ffoz.store/products/from-sabbath-to-sabbath-book Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 55 – Zionism And The Black Church | Dumisani Washington

    55 – Zionism And The Black Church | Dumisani Washington
    Jun 18 2024
    Civil rights leaders in the black community have long been divided on their stance toward the existence of Israel. Some see the black struggle for civil rights as analogous to the Palestinian cause, while others, including Dr. King, were staunch allies of Israel, seeing the plight and eventual victory of the Jewish people as a model for the black community. Our guest today is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, Pastor Dumisani Washington. In his book, Zionism and the Black Church, he explains why Israel is a defining issue for Christians of color. – Episode Timeline – 00:00 Introduction to Dumisani Washington. 02:20 Overview of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel. 04:44 How Dumisani’s connection to Israel began as a young child. 08:24 Black American spirituals flourish in the stories of Israel’s history. 13:54 Zionism vs. Black Hebrew Israelites. 20:24 Working for Christians United for Israel. 24:27 Reasons for authoring Zionism and the Black Church. 27:49 Misuse of the term “apartheid” in reference to Israel. 32:49 What is Zionism as it relates to the Black church? 39:35 Forms of Zionism and the impact on civil rights. 47:08 How the Black relationship with the Jewish People was hijacked. 53:10 The Durban conference that launched the modern BDS movement. 59:13 What can be done by the Black church to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism? – Episode Resources – Zionism and the Black Church https://ibsi.org/store/p/zionism-and-the-black-church-2nd-edition Institute for Black Solidarity With Israel https://ibsi.org/ Christians United for Israel https://cufi.org Tent of David By Boaz Michael https://ffoz.store/products/tent-of-david-book "Soon and Very Soon" - Andrae Crouch "Go Down, Moses" - Fats Waller "Down By the Riverside" - Mahalia Jackson Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • 54 – A New History Of Redemption | Dr. Gerald R. McDermott

    54 – A New History Of Redemption | Dr. Gerald R. McDermott
    Jun 4 2024
    From before the beginning of time, God planned to call out a people from among the nations and to bring a redeemer from among them. For centuries, the followers of Yeshua forgot that the unfolding of this history of redemption centers on the people of Israel. Our guest today, Dr. Gerald McDermott, has written A New History of Redemption, a book that puts Israel back at the center of God’s plan to save the world from sin and death. – Episode Timeline – 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Gerald R. McDermott. 01:44 The root of the irrational support for Hamas from university campuses. 05:44 How does the history of redemption reveal the nature and beauty of God? 09:01 Jonathan Edwards’ impact on American Christian theological development. 10:43 Jonathan Edwards as a Christian Zionist. 14:21 Ancient Israelites might better be known as “The Jewish Church.” 16:21 Jewish Election: God has never abandoned his people. 23:37 Allegiance to the Messiah is a central component of faith, even in the Old Testament. 27:20 Understanding prophetic “types.” 37:16 Theophanies and reconciling the verse that states that “No one has ever seen God.” 45:00 Marcion and the gnostics vs Judaism. Body vs Spirit. 49:59 How do we know that the State of Israel is important in God’s plan of redemption? 56:16 What comes next in redemptive history, and how can we prepare for that? – Episode Resources – A New History of Redemption https://bakeracademic.com/p/A-New-History-of-Redemption-Gerald-R-McDermott/542788 Other Books By Dr. Gerald R. McDermott https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/133468.Gerald_R_McDermott Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 53 – Israel, Iran, and The Last Battle | Dr. Jeffrey Seif

    53 – Israel, Iran, and The Last Battle | Dr. Jeffrey Seif
    May 21 2024
    The reestablishment of Jewish sovereignty in Israel was a significant milestone in the unfolding of God’s end-times prophetic plan—a sign that the end is near. The recurring conflict in the Middle East is a harbinger of an apocalyptic battle yet to come—the war of Gog and Magog. Our guest today, Doctor Jeffrey Seif, has written a timely book about the role of Iran in this coming war and how this role was foretold thousands of years ago by the prophets of Israel. – Episode Timecode – 0:00 Introducing Dr. Jeffrey Seif on Messiah Podcast. 01:53 The journey from Jewish hippie to Messianic scholar. 08:32 PhD research at Cambridge in criminology. 13:00 What is the UMJC, Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations? 15:10 Characterizing the spectrum of Messianic Jewish congregations. 18:00 Filling the legendary shoes of TV personality Zola Levitt. 20:29 A historical and modern menace east of the Euphrates. 26:13 Iran’s relationship with Jews crumbled with Zionism. 27:46 When Muslims and Christians are at peace with Jews, their societies prosper. 30:53 Israel is geo-politically positioned at the crossroads of the world. 32:37 What is the value of learning from extra-biblical literature? 39:25 The historical impact of Parthea on both Israel and Rome. 43:08 The power of the Islamic religious ideology to motivate extreme action. 44:21 How should we respond to a world that appears to be falling into war and chaos? 46:44 We are called to love, not hate. – Episode Resources – The Iranian Menace in Jewish History and Prophecy, Dr. Jeffrey Seif https://www.amazon.com/Iranian-Menace-Jewish-History-Prophecy/dp/1930749600 Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations https://www.umjc.org Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (https://ffoz.org) in conjunction with Messiah Magazine. This publication is designed to provide rich substance, meaningful Jewish contexts, cultural understanding of the teaching of Jesus, and the background of modern faith from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music (http://JoshuaAaron.tv). “Cover the Sea” Copyright WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.
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    53 mins