According to His Word - Faith and Culture

It was an interesting weekend for me. I finally visited the Messianic Church I had been talking about. The service lasted 3 1/2 hours! It really was nice though, as the people there have such an enthusiasm for God and love Jesus so much! It was also a culture shock. They are more Jewish than I had realized. The services are a blend of Ancient Hebraic traditions and contemporary Messianic faith. When they sang for worship, or did certain readings of Scripture, they sang or read first in Hebrew, then in English. They did traditional Jewish dances during worship, shook tambourines, waved banners and blew a shofar (a rams horn) - all traditional forms of worship found in the old testament. Anyway, it was interesting! I might go back again sometime. We will see. In the end, though, I realize that God calls people from every nation and race, and we don't all have the same styles and traditions. The main thing is that we have a good foundation in the Scripture and a true love for Jesus. Cultures vary, and that is okay.It really made me realize and appreciate what kind of culture Jesus grew up in. He was, after all, Jewish. But that doesn't mean we all need to become Jewish. It does, however, remind me that it is us, the Gentiles, that are grafted into the vine (Jesus' family), and not the other way around...lol. So many times I think we translate the scriptures according to our Western way of thinking. I felt that the Jewish people had a greater understanding of the Scripture, since that is their heritage and culture. But even the Rabbi agrees...God looks on the heart. God is still our Father too. We may or may not have all of our doctrine or theology straight all time, but God honors a heart of love and faith in Him. Of course, if we love Him, Jesus said, we will keep His commandments, His Word. We will seek Him, and find Him - in the Scriptures. We will want to do the things that please Him. There is no other way to come to know who God is, and who Jesus is, except through the Scriptures.

Psalm 119:1,2,9,-11,15,16 says:

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies and seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways.

How shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed according to His Word. With my whole heart I have sought Thee: Let me not wander from Your commandments. Your Word have I hid in my heart - so that I might not sin against You. I will meditate in Your precepts, and have respect unto Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes: I will not forget Your Word."

How were services at your Church this weekend?