Hello, Friends Have you ever heard the phrase, "I don't want to toot my own horn but..."? This idea is paralleled in the Hebraic culture surrounding the Newer Testament. This message covers this issue while dealing with the subject of tithes and offerings. We pray that you are blessed by this honest, bold, and straight forward message on the subject of giving. It is the first time Pastor Stephens has dedicated an entire service to this subject matter and we believe that you will be blessed by hi...
Jun 10, 2007•1 hr 6 min
Hello, Friends This service was the baby dedication of Lily Slaughter, one of our newest editions! The message focuses on the biblical foundations of marriage and the importance of training children to love the Lord. Genesis declares that Abraham was chosen because he would teach his children, all of the Jewish feasts involve children asking questions, ministry leadership requirements revolve around raising children, and the savior of the world entered it as a child! Raising Godly children is fa...
Jun 03, 2007•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Friends Nearly 3000 years ago a young Jewish shepherd went into battle with nothing but a pocket full of rocks and his triumph has been an encouragement throughout the ages. The ancients tell us that he used 5 smooth stones to over come unimaginable odds. His success and method has been memorialized in preaching every since. Unfortunately, the modern church has an unhealthy tendency towards idolizing methods of success. This message takes a new look at "smooth stones" and encourages the b...
May 27, 2007•59 min
Hello, Friends The Jewish educational system was nothing short of amazing during the second temple period. This message explores the lives of famous Rabbis and their Tamidim or "Disciples". Yeshua was not born into a vacuum; He was born into a vibrant milieu of Hebraic culture with passionate beliefs and emotions about the God of Israel. As you listen your own cultural beliefs will be challenged, more importantly, you will be invited to consider how a twenty first century Christian should relate...
May 20, 2007•1 hr 26 min
Hello, Friends This service took place on Mother's Day. It seemed appropriate to reflect on the heroic faith that Hebrew women displayed in the Scriptures. The lessons that we can glean from humble women who trusted the Lord are nothing short of inspiring. We encourage you to find the strength summoned by a teenage, Jewish, virgin over two thousand years ago when she faced public humiliation and possible death because of her uncompromising love for her God, and yet her heart's cry was "I am the ...
May 13, 2007•1 hr 12 min
Hello, Friends The first war mentioned in the Bible takes place in the valley of Siddim where the Salt Sea would later be located. The Salt Sea has become known as the Dead Sea because no life dwells in it. The Dead Sea is constantly being fed by the Jordan River but it has no outlets. Ironically, it is this principle that produces death. This body of water, like people, needs a study flow outward to be healthy and full of life. The first war in the Bible takes place in an environment that symbo...
May 06, 2007•1 hr 5 min
Hello, Friends In ancient Judaism, the people looked forward every year with great anticipation to the Day of Atonement. The Hebrew Scriptures paint a vivid picture of the Divine touching the earthly. Every detail was meant to convey that the God of the Universe desired to dwell with His people. As you listen to this message, We encourage you to be more than a spectator. Engage the text, place yourself in the cultural setting and then ask your self what the appropriate response to God
Apr 29, 2007•1 hr 4 min
Hello, Friends The most ancient prayer in Judaism is at its heart an affirmation of the One true God and His rule on the earth. Today, ignorance towards Second Temple Judaism has robbed the Christian world of the rich spiritual heritage that Jesus and all of the Apostles shared in. This message combines teachings on the Shema, the Nazarite Vow, and Baptism to encourage believers about the Lordship of Jesus, the necessity of supernatural devotion, and the repudiation of the sinful nature. We pray...
Apr 22, 2007•1 hr 4 min
Hello, Friends On this Resurrection Sunday, it seemed fitting to cover the Hope of our faith. Many listeners may be shocked to find out that the predominant hope being conveyed through churches today is almost entirely unfounded in the Scriptures. How many times have you heard someone speak of longing to go to Heaven? The goal of most Christians is to "go to Heaven", and yet this is not the hope of our faith! This provocative message plunges headlong into the Biblically stated goal of Christiani...
Apr 08, 2007•1 hr 14 min
Hello, Friends Early believers were known as followers of the Way. The scripture is clear that they saw themselves as a part of Judaism following the Way that Yeshua taught. Today, we live in a religious environment that has been Hellenized to the point that many people have no idea that the Scriptures were given to us by Hebrews and written in and through a Hebraic perspective. We invite you to look at the Triumphal Entry in a manner rarely considered by Westerners but entirely consistent with ...
Apr 01, 2007•1 hr 11 min
Hello, Friends In our opinion the Parable of the Sower has been misnamed. We suggest that the name Four Soils better represents the emphasis of Yeshua's teaching. The Sower is the same in every instance and so is the precious seed He sows, but the soils are different and so is what they produce. This message takes an honest and hard hitting look at the four soils as they represent the state of a human being's heart. We pray this convicting and compelling message encourages you to take the steps ...
Mar 25, 2007•1 hr 9 min
Hello, Friends Rephidim is the name of the place where God's people found themselves weary and worn out from grumbling and complaining. It is no coincidence that their enemies the Amalekites chose this place to attack those who were "lagging behind". As people of God we must learn to let the Lord renew our strength and we must not tire in doing good for at the proper time we will reap the harvest. This message examines the rich Biblical imagery found in the ancient events at Rephidim. We pray th...
Mar 18, 2007•1 hr 6 min
Hello, Friends During the Exodus the ancient Hebrew people were deliberately placed between Pharaoh and the sea. God said that He did this to gain glory for Himself! It is a Biblical fact that God will place His people into difficult circumstances in order to display His power through them. Unfortunately, the people of God often fail to recognize this important working of God and they in turn succumb to grumbling and bad attitudes that hinder the witness of the Kingdom. The events at Gethsemane,...
Mar 11, 2007•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Friends We at LCMF are happy to have the opportunity to provide access to this message delivered by Pastor Perot. Although Matthew is usually thought of as being anointed to lead worship, it is clear that he has much to offer the body by way of his preaching. This message largely focuses on the events surrounding Israel
Mar 04, 2007•1 hr 6 min
Hello, Friends The seven annual feasts given to the Hebrew people are as profound as they are beautiful. Much of the Western world has over looked their importance and dismissed their significance as merely something Jewish. In studying these God-given festivals you will see reflections of your own salvation experience, gain insight for daily living, and deepen your understanding of eschatology. You may even begin to wonder why these feasts have not found their way into Christian culture. We pra...
Feb 25, 2007•1 hr 13 min
Hello, Friends In the ancient Near East covenants were not "made". The establishment of a covenant was said in Hebrew as "cutting" a covenant. In patriarchal times cutting a covenant was done according to specific forms that are rich in symbolism and meaning. Learning the rules and roles that covenant participants were expected to abide by will deeply enrich the way you view key scriptures in both the Older and Newer Testaments. As you meditate on this message we pray that you are encouraged by ...
Feb 18, 2007•1 hr 5 min
Hello, Friends Unfortunately some of the loudest voices claiming to represent Christianity portray our faith as flamboyant and prosperity obsessed. In this arena the extraordinary sacrifices that men of God have made throughout the centuries are overlooked in a carnal effort to appeal to greed disguised as piety. This message reflects on Elijah
Feb 11, 2007•1 hr 10 min
Hello, Friends Does it matter that Benjamin Franklin was an American and not Norwegian? Would it change the story if James Bond was from Vietnam? Jesus is Jewish and was born and raised in Israel. His story and his teachings are best understood in the context of the culture and race that He lived in. This message explores the ways that Hebraic teaching methods developed from the book of Deuteronomy are displayed in the teachings of Jesus recorded in the book of Mathew. Understanding Jesus' words...
Feb 04, 2007•1 hr 1 min
Hello, Friends The Jordan River is one of the most conspicuous land marks in Israel. Its banks are rich with vibrant history and undeniable significance to the biblical accounts. In this message you will be enlivened to purposeful Hebraic imagery used in the Scriptures to convey a powerful message to the ancient and present day readers. Crossing the Jordan was a monumental event in Israel
Jan 28, 2007•1 hr 12 min
Hello, Friends In the heart of lost mankind is a drum beat that sets the rhythm of their lives. It is discernable in their actions. The steady beat of the drum plays a song that says, "What about me. What will happen to me…me…me". As followers of the way that Yeshua revealed, we are required to walk to the beat of a different drummer. This drum beat is not brash, loud, or over bearing. In fact, it is only discernable by meditating on the Scriptures. The rhythm of the believer
Jan 16, 2007•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Friends The 1st Century Rabbi, Yeshua, revealed the character of God like no human being before or after his time. This message explores the meaning of terms like: In the beginning was the Word, that life was the light of men, and God the One and Only. The unique events preserved in the ancient writings of a Jew named John illustrate the purpose for Rabbi Yeshua's life and they direct a clear call for all believers to imitate him. We pray that you are blessed by what you hear. Shalom, The...
Jan 07, 2007•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Friends In the time of the Patriarchs, wells were of particular importance. A clean water source often meant the difference between life and death. This message explores the events recorded in Scripture that took place at such a well in Southern Israel. As the last message of 2006, we hope that this message compels believers to see the workings of God in their lives and to resolutely live lives worthy of His call in 2007. Shalom, The LCMF Staff
Dec 31, 2006•1 hr 5 min
Hello, Friends This message was special for a variety of reasons but especially because it fell on the morning of Christmas Eve. In ancient Israel the Romans dedicated a city to the worship of idols. The city was named Caesarea Philippi and it is the location Jesus chose to ask his disciples a very important question. This message examines that question as well as a contemporary question about the role of Santa Claus in the Christmas story. For most people this information will be both new and c...
Dec 24, 2006•48 min
Hello, Friends The ancient Hebrew peopled loved God's Word so much that they developed an educational system unlike any other in the world. Their profound knowledge of the Word allowed them to utilize many teaching techniques that are foreign to us as Gentile believers. One of these techniques is called "Stringing Pearls". After learning this concept your love for the Word and appreciation for the people who brought us our Bible will deepen. We pray that this message enriches your understanding ...
Dec 17, 2006•1 hr 10 min
Hello, Friends The Hebrew people faced unimaginable intimidation in the 7th century B.C. at the hands of an Assyrian named Sennacherib and yet prevailed. The first century followers of the Rabbi Yeshua endured unparalleled persecution under the Roman Emperor Domitian. In both cases the peoples trust in the Lord enabled them to prevail. This message takes a fresh look at the book of Revelation while also strongly emphasizing the present day application of the word. Shalom, The LCMF Staff
Dec 10, 2006•1 hr 18 min
Hello, Friends How is great faith obtained? When Christians read the word "faith" in the Bible its meaning is often complicated with years of religious but unbiblical thought. The word "trust" might be considered a useful synonym for "faith". Trust of any kind is strengthened with time and experience. God in His mercy provides for us the experiences necessary to strengthen our trust in Him over time. It is these experiences with "lions" and "bears" that prepare us to knock down giants in our liv...
Dec 04, 2006•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Friends The Jewish heritage of Christianity was vibrant and action oriented. The Hebraic culture favored deeds over creed and described a person's relationship with God in terms involving action verbs. As Christians we would do well to adopt this original perspective on faith and life. Our churches are dominated by the proclamation of doctrines rather than the doing of deeds. Teddy Roosevelt once spoke of "…poor cold timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat" This message is our att...
Nov 27, 2006•1 hr 17 min
Hello, Friends In November every year people begin thinking of Thanksgiving Day. While this noble holiday is rooted in wholesome principles, the Hebrew Scriptures teach thanks giving as a lifestyle rather than an event. The book of Leviticus compels us to make thank offerings in a way that will be accepted. This message draws heavily upon the customs, culture, and language of first century Judaism to illustrate the Biblical view of thanks giving. As you hear about the Rabbinic system in Jesus' d...
Nov 19, 2006•1 hr 5 min
Hello, Friends. Intellectual assent is not the same as faith and understanding an object is not the same as holding it in your hand. All too often, Christianity is both passive and powerless. Our "sit and soak" mentality is the furthest possible thing from Jesus' teachings. This message is an encouragement to examine what has been invested in you and the purpose for which the deposit was made. This message employs fresh perspectives on the parables and impassioned preaching to stir believers int...
Nov 12, 2006•1 hr 8 min
Hello, Friends Christianity was birthed directly out of Judaism. The first believers considered themselves still within Judaism while following the Way of Jesus. As this perspective changed historically, the Church became increasingly Hellenistic and lost touch with the Hebraic origin of our faith. This departure from the true foundation of Christianity has led to many misunderstandings including the parable traditionally called “The Prodigal Son”. This message attempts to place the parable in i...
Nov 05, 2006•1 hr 16 min
