June & July 2019 Ministry Update
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Shalom Shalom (Perfect Peace),
Karaite encounter…Do you really believe the Bible?
I had the opportunity to visit the oldest synagogue in the Old City which also happens to be a Karaite Jewish assembly. Karaite Judaism or Karaism is a Jewish religious group known by the recognition of the written Torah alone as its supreme authority in halakha (practice) and theology (doctrine). Separating them from all other Jewish communities, except the Messianic Jews, because they reject the Talmud or Oral Law as being equal in authority to the Bible. While they agree with Messianic Jews in rejecting the Talmud, they unfortunately disagree with Messianic Jews due to their rejection of Yeshua as Messiah. The fact they believe in the authority of God’s Word alone does give us common ground to discuss when presenting the Messiah in the Tanach.
Once inside the Karaite Synagogue we saw they too had many oral traditions which were not in the Bible just like the Rabbinical Jews. Even a group known as being strict to adhering only to the Bible had also adapted many traditions that trumped the truth of the Scriptures.
For example, they believe salvation comes by works rather than faith. We had the chance to talk to the leader of the Synagogue named Avi about what we believe and why he rejects the Messiah. The reasons he gave me were similar to the ones I often hear from Rabbinical Jews. The difference though is they do practice what they preach in seeing the authority of the Bible by their willingness to actually open the Scriptures to verify that what is being taught is true. Much like the Bereans did with Paul, Avi was willing to search the Scriptures to verify what I said was true.
I first asked Avi if he believed in the whole of the Tanach to which he said yes. I then asked why he didn’t continue to practice blood sacrifices anymore since Leviticus 17:11 says
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul
.
He then attempted to avoid the necessity of believing in the need of a blood sacrifice by trying to prove the Bible says we no longer do blood sacrifices to atone for sins but rather we do good works to be justified instead (which is the same argument the Rabbinical Jews use as well). He pointed me to verses like Isaiah chapter 1, 1 Sam 15:22, and Micah 6:8 which all speak about the heart of faith as a prerequisite to sacrifice NOT a replacement for obedience in coming to God our Father WITH a blood sacrifice.
He thought these verses replaced the need to obey God in bringing a blood sacrifice which he, like so many others, thought gave him “a pass” to the obedience required in believing in Yeshua for his blood sacrifice in making atonement for sins. Since he, unlike most, saw the Scriptures as authoritative, I was able to continue to take him back to the Word of God. I showed him the example of king David where he said in Psalm 51:16-17 “
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise
.”
I then proceeded to showed him in verse 19, that after saying this, David concluded that he still needed to be obedient and bring a blood sacrifice but with now with a circumcised, broken, and contrite heart of faith “
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar
”
I continued to show him, that as a New Covenant Jewish believer, I still believe in a daily sacrifice that pleases our Father: Rom 12:1 “
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service
.
” As well as, I believe in a final blood sacrifice that was made once for all who would believe in the Lamb of God: Romans 3:25-27
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith
.
At the end of our conversation Avi ran out of verses and excuses but was still not willing to ask the all-important question of “what must I do to be saved”. I don’t know if Avi will ever come to faith, but I do know I had the opportunity to be faithful to sow the seed. I can now trust God to bring the increase of faith should He open Avi’s heart. Pray for Avi, and many like him, that have heard the truth but still remain in their sins due to unbelief.
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Abigail showing her new dog
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Meeting Casey, Anne, & Lana at the Airport
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Enjoyed our visit with Brother Lew Rea
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Outreach
These past couple of months have been very busy with many Gospel encounters as we minister and live in the Land. We have spoken to Israeli Jews (secular and orthodox), Arabs (secular & Muslims), Catholics and other High-Church “Christians”. Many from abroad in Europe, America, Africa and all over the world. There is not enough room in this letter to list all of the unique discussions or ways we have had the joy of presenting the gospel. Below is one unique way we have started in bringing the good news of the Scripture to Israelis.
Trying to be effective with our Gospel outreach efforts is one of the most important tasks we have as Messengers to the Jewish people here in Israel. Most Israelis, especially Jewish Israelis, are culturally conditioned not to take Bibles or materials from people, particularly those they have been taught to avoid – believers in Jesus the Messiah. That said, there is an increase in curiosity among the Jewish people as they see the lack of sincerity in the Rabbinical system and the lostness in the secular world. They are searching for something authentic to believe in and trust but are afraid to be seen by the majority talking to a Christian to find the answers. Many false cults like the Mormons and Jehovah’s witnesses peddle their so-called “gospel” and have never been faithful to give the whole Gospel which only hampers our honest evangelical efforts.
God has provided us with the idea of setting up a Bible table. Each of the Bibles have a pamphlet of verses showing the Messiah as well as the “Jerusalem Road” of salvation which is also quoted in Romans and known as the “Roman’s Road”. Most of the Bibles on the table are in Hebrew or English but we also have many other languages available should there be a need. We also have a box full of individual Scriptures for those who may just want to see a single Scripture verse.
We make sure to stand a little distance away so as to give room for many to come unhindered with the hope they will be led to take the Word of God. We have signs on the table in Hebrew and English indicating what it is and that it is free should they choose to take one. We try and set up in busy areas but not so busy that we spend all of our time defending why we are able to be there with the Rabbinical Jewish “Anti-Missionary” group Yad Lachim. We have been approached by some saying it is illegal to give the Bibles out, but we gently explain to them it is not because we are not forcing anyone to take a Bible in exchange for a favor which is indeed illegal. We believe it is critical to get the Word of God in as many hands as possible. If we get a chance to answer questions or objections that is a divine given bonus.
That said, we still have many direct encounters with ability to verbalize the Gospel at the table and throughout the Land as we go about our daily lives; but the fact that some will take the Bible without talking to us is okay too because we know God’s word says in Isaiah 55:11“
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it
.”
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Life in the Land and Friedman Family Happenings
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David graduated from advanced tank training last month. For the next 4 months he will be on foot patrol in Bethlehem until his next tank training session in the Golan beginning in November. It has not been an easy road for him, but he continues to serve with joy and is bold in giving the gospel to his fellow soldiers. We are very proud of the work the Lord is doing through David.
Abigail completed her IDF service in April, but she continues to remain very busy. She is assisting us with the church ministry in music and practical areas with the Ministry House. She also has a small house cleaning business and will be starting a job in the fall as a teacher’s assistant at a Christian Montessori School for Messianic Jews and Arab Christians.
We had a great visit with our son Casey, his wife Anne, and our granddaughter Lana. This was their first time to visit us in Israel and we were greatly blessed to have them join us in our ministry even if it was for only a short time.
Ministry Update
As we come upon three full years of living in Israel, we are revisiting our long-term vision and mission statements along with ministry and family goal setting. We are currently working on websites for the ministry and our local congregation. We will also be planning on setting up our furlough to visit supporters sometime in 2020. Please pray for clarity, wisdom, and time to complete these very important tasks.
Congregational update
We have been blessed to see new local people come and be part of our congregation. During the summer months many of our local members are traveling but we have seen visitors from abroad, some of which are with us for a few months at a time as part-time ministers, which are a great blessing to the congregation. We feel the core group of the congregation is growing and serving in the church and the community well.
Ministry House Update
The ministry house continues to be busy with students, visiting supporting churches and pastors, and others who come to visit the Land and be a part of our ministry while they are here. The house continues to provide a venue for our congregational meetings, Shabbat meals, and other special occasions. The one special area of need in the ministry is for a large van to accommodate the groups that come to the house and for the work in the congregation and outreach. Please pray that the Lord would provide for this need.
Again, we would like to give a special thank you to each one of you who continue to support and pray for us and our ministry. We are very grateful!
Love and Blessings in the Messiah,
Scott, Beth, Abigail, David, Mark, Levi
לוי ,מארק ,דוד ,אביגיל ,ג'יין ,סקוט
“
Do the best you can until you know. Then when you know better do better.
"
Maya Angelou
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To make a donation to our ministry please press here:
IBJM On-Line Giving Link
or call IBJM at (423) 876-8150 or mail to IBJM PO Box 1386 Hixson,TN 37343 and mark support for Scott & Beth Friedman
***Please do not post any information on the internet***
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Prayer Requests
Continue to pray for Beth's sister Dawn as the doctors have recently found the cancer has returned with tumors in her liver. Dawn will be going to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for further evaluation. This is big setback but she is in good spirits as we all continue to rest and trust in the Lord for His will to be done.
The salvation of those who God has appointed for us to meet. We especially want to be able to see the fruit of our labors in new believers coming to faith.
Our congregation to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially for new believers.
Those coming to our Shabbat Meal time to hear the gospel.
Our adult children back in America that they would continue strong in the faith.
Our son Casey and his family as they recently moved to Florida. Casey started a new job and they are adjusting to many changes.
David as he serves in the IDF and works to be a great witness and light of the gospel; for Mark and Levi as they play with the neighbor children.
Abigail as she begins her new teaching job in the fall.
More Israelis to come to our new Hebrew Bible study.
That I will represent our Messiah properly in the teaching of the Word and the preaching of the gospel as we gather together with our congregation, as I walk the streets, and spend time at the Western Wall.
Pray that the Lord will continue to keep us healthy and provide for our monthly financial needs.
As always, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, especially now with all that is going on with the surrounding nations, the elections, and the upcoming Trump "peace plan"...
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Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalim Psalm 122:6
Matthew 4:4(Deut. 8:3)
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
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Copyright Scott Friedman | The Road to Emmaus | P | 808-280-1407 | Email | scott@rtemmaus.com
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