At Home, In Jerusalem

Dear Tabernacle Family,

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17 NKJV

This is a provoking verse. It has serious implications on the way Christianity should conduct itself. This statement by Jesus has been studied, discussed, critiqued, applied, reinterpreted, reimagined in a different context, misunderstood and misapplied, judged, condemned, and even rejected. I could go in many directions with this verse today. The direction I would like to go is home, to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem-based Christianity: is it a controversial, revolutionary, reconstructionist, evangelical-zionist, revisionist, heretical, unorthodox alignment of our spirituality and faith? Or is it the fulfillment of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in the continuation of thousands of years of God’s Law and Prophets? In my humble opinion, and I am neither a sage nor a theologically-trained expert, these words of Jesus affirm, not deny, Jerusalem-based Christianity as the clearest revelation of God’s enduring covenant to His people.

  Jesus, as the head of Church, stated he was the fulfillment and continuation of what God was doing; not the replacement or rejection of it. Since God established Jerusalem as His capital before Jesus’ time on earth, it was fulfilled in His life, death, and resurrection. The question I ask of each of us today is, “Do we still hold this to be true?” Have we, through schism, split, realignment, rejection, or even independence, left Jerusalem? Has Constantinople, Rome, Washington DC, New York City, or the corner of five roads in Orchard Park, New York become our home, our root system, from where our faith and spirituality is nurtured, tended to, and grown? If so, have we done what the Apostle Paul warned about in Romans 11? Are we, as branches grafted into the tree, boasting against the root system that supports us?

I believe that Bishop Robert’s leadership of The Tabernacle puts us firmly in Jerusalem. His life’s work of creating, promoting, and exemplifying dialogue with our Jewish brothers and sisters shows us that we are not exclusive in this faith from our Father, but interdependent. I would encourage you, if you have not yet, to listen and engage with Bishop Robert's new work, The Bishop and The Rabbi. I, personally, have been dramatically transformed in my thinking and understanding of the Word of God. Each week, a new Rabbi shows us the multifaceted and multi-generational living and active faith of the Jewish people. Their faith is deeply rooted in thousands of years of study, development, and growth that makes our sometimes decades-old doctrine, theology, or revelation seem shallow and lacking. As the current culture within the church and from outside continues to divide and isolate us on numerous and nuanced distinctions, I think it’s more important than ever before to position ourselves exactly where we should be, at home, in Jerusalem.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 ESV Zion is calling,  Pastor Joshua Ogle

God's Love in Uncertain Times

Dear Tabernacle Family,

“And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” John 12:47

When I was younger, I looked at life very differently than I do now. I’m really not that old, but I am certainly weathered by life and circumstances. I saw my life in a very wide open, aerial view of rainbows and butterflies. I mean, what could go wrong? I was fortunate enough to have a loving family who supported me in my endeavors, pushed me to rise up, and challenged me to build my character. Life was an endless sea of possibilities. I was ready to conquer the world.

What happens when the opposite happens and the world tries to conquer you? Hmph. An idea that never entered my mind. I miss the carefree, fun-loving, and even at times ignorant way of looking at life. It all seemed so simple. I was kept safe in my invisible bubble.

Uncertainty is the worst. It is. Living with a lack of conviction, confidence, hesitancy, doubt, and indecision has the power to spiral you down further and further away from your identity in Christ, causing a great divide. What is there to hold on to if you have no certainty in who you are and what you were created to be? Our identities are constantly being challenged. What is it that you hold on to? Where is your truth? Do you have one? Have you found it? Will you search for it?

I’m learning now how complex we truly are. How every decision impacts your life. How every moment matters. How interconnected we truly are even in all of our differences. We ALL want to feel love, compassion, joy; and of course safe, protected, and cared for. Who am I to deny these things to others when Christ so freely has given them to me?

Life comes in seasons in moments. It can be harsh, brutal, unbearable, and unpredictable; while at the same time beauty is being birthed inside of you. A paradox I will never fully understand but one that I have and will continue to embrace and experience. My hope is that you will too.

Where I am today, at this moment, I never thought I’d see. For you too, I’m sure. ALL of our worlds have been turned upside down. Can we take a moment and recognize that we are all surrounded by uncertainty? How do you feel right now? Take that and build compassion for those around you. Open your heart and your mind to those who may not agree with you. Recognize that they are living in uncertainty too. Have true compassion for one another. Take the time to listen. To seek to understand one another. This is all hard work that takes great intentionality and internal checks and balances to be sure that we are positioned in a place to learn, and not be offended.

Uncertain seasons are usually the most powerful God moments we experience. They often put God on display more than other seasons, demonstrating that God exists and rewards those who seek him. “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

I am certain of one thing. You are loved. I am loved. We are ALL loved. We are loved by our Heavenly Father, our Redeemer, our Savior - Jesus Christ.

Cheri Leight

Media Director

Seeing the Real King

Dear Tabernacle Family,

We are living in a culture enamored with its great accomplishments; placing a premium on pleasure and comfort. This pursuit ignores the Lord in our lives, as we often try to violate principles and sound practices. With things proceeding in a favorable manner, mankind acts as the god of their lives and worships the work of our own hands. However, when comfort and confidence is disturbed and it is apparent that we don’t have the remedy, it is then we “seek” God, even if it is only to restore our world.

Isaiah, a prophet living in Jerusalem who appears to have been highly ranked - probably the head and chief of the prophetic order - gives an account of how it was when King Uzziah died.

“In the year King Uzziah died, I [Isaiah] saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. . .” (Isaiah 6:1).

Judah was enjoying a marvelous time of peace and prosperity under the leadership of King Uzziah. There was a sense of confidence and security that was attributed to their king. He was held in high esteem by his people, and respected and feared by surrounding nations.

Uzziah began serving his nation following the assassination of his father. He “did what was right in the sight of the Lord.” He lived with the prophetic voice of Zechariah instructing him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

His approval ratings were out of sight. A shoe-in for another term if running for office.

He led his army in successful military expeditions against the Edomites and tore down the walls of major Philistine cities, while reclaiming territory previously taken from Judah.

· Successful military expeditions against the Edomites, tore down the walls of major Philistine cities, while reclaiming territory previously taken from Judah;

· His homeland security was in high gear as the walls of Jerusalem were strengthened;

he was a great patron of agriculture;

· Prosperity was at a level not seen since the days of Solomon;

Judah had become a strong and influential state in the area.

Change and transition is always a dangerous and troublesome time for a nation, business, or even a family. As the nation mourned his death, they wondered how their life would be impacted.

Isaiah discovered who was in control when he encountered the real King. He was probably a respected member of the Jewish community, but in the presence of the Holy God, he realized his own incompleteness and need. God responded to Isaiah’s confession. A seraphim purged Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the altar, his guilt was removed, and his sin forgiven.

Do you have an “Uzziah” in your life that prevents you from seeing the Lord? It may be an individual, your religion, education, possessions, position, or anything that has a premier place in your life that prevents you from seeing the Lord in His rightful place.

Our world is filled with great confusion and many voices speaking. How do we know what we should believe? The answer is found when we set our distractions aside and allow God to reveal Himself to us.

"We worship at the level of our revelation of God" - Oswald Chambers

“If we commit ourselves to remain in God’s presence, He will change us, move us, guide us, and make a way so that we can fulfill our divine destiny”-- Bill Wilson, (“Christianity in the Cross Hairs.”)

Pastor Allen Baun