INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SHABBAT SERVICE AND
UPON THIS ROCK INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES
SHABBAT
"A Gift from God for You"
“And he said unto them, the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”
(Mark 2:27)
“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and
rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
(Exodus 20:11)
Shabbat is a time to focus inward,
A time set aside for our soul,
A time set aside for family and friends,
A time to acknowledge the God of the universe.
(Ezekiel 20:19-20)
OBSERVING SHABBAT
Gentiles and Jews alike observed Shabbat in the early Church
(Acts 13:14; Acts 13:42-44; Acts 16:13; Acts 17:2; Acts 18:4; Acts 20:7;
Acts 24:14; Acts 25:8; Acts 28:17; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10; Matt. 24:20.)
A BIT OF WISDOM
We live in a Western world and we serve a Jewish Messiah. Can we really change everyone around us and cause them to understand the depths of what we have learned in one lifetime? Can we really change an entire senior culture within the church? Obviously not! So, do not make that your goal. Your goal is to honor God to the best of your ability with the revelation He has given you. Your goal is to become an example as you keep His ways.
It is our job to become an example that people are drawn to. It will be different for each family. In a Western culture, I cannot tell you how to do it - and you cannot tell me how to do it. If a person is in sin, you speak up for their own good and you do not condone the sin. However, if a person is serving God in their own culture the way they know how, let God do what He desires with and through them. Are we ignorant enough to think that God will not hear them? He hears anyone that calls on His Name. He hears them as He hears one that observes Shabbat. Do not impose what is not understood. Take care of the mote in your own eye and trust Him. Learn to enter into His rest!
SHABBAT IS BEAUTIFUL
AWARENESS
On Shabbat we remember through our effort that
all things are in the power of His hand and that the
world is His, not ours. All our creative work comes to a
halt as we acknowledge Him as the Creator of it all.
FULFILLMENT AND SUCCESS
I have heard it said best like this over the years. On
Shabbat God brings all your previous weeks work to
fulfillment. All your hard work hits its mark. He gives
you purpose and meaning in all you set your hand to.
A SET ASIDE TIME FOR HEALTH
Let the aging process stop. Let all your organs
receive a touch in a spirit of rest. Let time stop
for them so that they can be renewed. Your mind
is renewed - your emotions are renewed - a zest
for living is renewed. Shalom/Wholeness is yours!
A TASTE OF HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AND HOW IT WILL BE
Although it can be difficult for us, all worries,
striving, rapid thoughts of survival methods
are to stop on Shabbat. You hallow Shabbat,
enter His rest, and He will do the rest.
UPON THIS ROCK INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES
SATURDAY MORNING SHABBAT SERVICES
The vision calls for serving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and might. Those that are drawn are drawn - and they know that they know that God has brought them to this place.
Our services are not traditional Messianic services. We attempt to incorporate the ways of Y'shua as we grow. These services are for whosoever - the Messianic Jew and the Gentile that is wanting to learn more about their Jewish Messiah. You will feel comfortable in inviting those that are not accustomed to observing Shabbat.
WE SUPPORT THE LOCAL CHURCH
We have several churches under our covering and we are pleased to say that they are powerful and growing. They do not shy away from the Hebrew perspective, but willingly embrace it.
THE MESSIANIC MOVEMENT
Wherever there are Rabbis, Pastors, Apostles, Scholars, etc., there will be different opinions on faith, which is exactly the way it is in the church and in the Messianic movement.
While the Messianic Movement and the Christian Church both believe that Y'shua (Jesus Christ) is the Messiah, we all have different opinions and ways of expression in our faith. The Messianic movement is just that, a movement. It is not a denomination and it is comprised of both Jew and Gentile (Christian). Contrary to anti-Semitic thinking in the church, the Messianic movement does not reject the church as the church sometimes rejects the Messianic movement.
Within the Messianic movement, you will find those that believe in the gifts of the Spirit, Prophet's today, and the gift of tongues; you will also find those who do not. Some will tell you that you can lose your salvation and others will tell you that you cannot. You will hear about some imposing certain rituals and some that will not.
Our Belief . . .
We believe in the gifts of the Spirit - we believe in the gift of tongues - and we believe that God/Hashem has Prophets today.
We believe in the saving grace of Hashem and we do not believe that we can judge your salvation or your heart. We do believe, however, that we can judge your life by the fruit of your deeds. (Matt. 7:1-5, Matt. 12:35). We believe that both the Messianic movement and the Christian Church are blessed of God/Hashem and of Him as we read in the Brit Chadasha (New or Second Testament).
THE TORAH
The Messianic movement embraces the instruction of the Torah and incorporates it as the teachings of Y'shua. While most in the church view the Torah as the law, the Messianic movement views it within its definition: "Teaching and Instruction". The Torah is a blessing to mankind. You cannot have the Second Testament without the First. They are not complete without each other.
Our Belief . . .
The Torah is not to be dissected to strengthen modern day doctrines. It comes as a whole - for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth (Rom. 10:4,5), which really means: Christ is the goal/destiny of the law (teaching and instruction) (Lev. 18:5 through commandments, Deut. 30:11-14 by way of the heart). In order to truly understand the depth of Torah and Y'shua's words, one must be taught from the original text. So, we seek, study and encourage study.
THE NAME OF GOD
There are some within the Messianic movement that are adamant about saying Y'shua instead of Jesus – or Hashem instead of God. Their reasoning behind it relates to the meaning of the letters and words. Many Gentile believers have been turned off by this as they are pressed to change their Western vocabulary to suit a language they do not yet speak.
Our Belief . . .
I cannot go to Portugal or Mexico and change their vocabulary to suit mine. When an American says the Name of Y'shua as Jesus Christ with reverence and respect - when he/she prays in that Name and is referring to Y'shua, it becomes Holy. If this were not the case, a deaf/dumb person that can only make a sound and is saying Jesus in His heart would be unqualified to reach heaven with his/her prayers. God forbid! It is the heart that makes it Holy, not the language. Believe me, God/Hashem will hear you by your heart not your language.
Should you learn about His Name? We emphatically believe that you should! You should learn all that you can about Him.
HUMILITY AND THE MESSIANIC COMMUNITY
There has been an arrogance within the Messianic movement - a "better than" - "know it better" type of attitude. This attitude has turned off many within the church. This attitude, although NOT right or pleasing to Y'shua, has come through studying the Hebrew Word of our Jewish Messiah. This is a problem in general and not directed to everyone in the movement.
Our Belief . . .
We believe that one - whether a teacher, scholar or leader - should willingly make themselves a student. God forbid we should think we cannot learn from others at anytime and we should always be open to listen and learn. Arrogance has an ugly stench and will only turn others away from the root.
Israel’s election gives no claim to superiority over the nations. Israel was given teaching and instruction and the other nations had to begin from scratch. They had to search for it and own it for themselves. In faithfulness to Y'shua and His ways (Torah), righteousness is for everyone and everyone who seeks will find.
“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3) Those who seek will find and will be blessed.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Redemption
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Rom. 3:28)
Good works and many deeds will not redeem you. You are redeemed by the Lamb of God. There are many that will call on Him and confess their belief in their Messiah, Y'shua (Jesus Christ) and will never be big on deeds. You are redeemed because of His love and mercy. You are justified only through His mercy. It is through the faithfulness of our Messiah that Israel and the Gentile world are justified.
Confess With Your Mouth
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Rom.10:9) (Lev. 5:5; 16:21; Num. 5:6-7)
"Sacrifice of Confession"
The expression of repentance is life-changing. Confession of righteousness with your mouth will make an enemy out of your evil inclination. Every time the sacrifice of confession is made over your unrighteousness - righteousness resurrects. When you confess with your mouth, you offer the sacrifice of confession which puts you at odds with your evil inclination. Through this sacrifice, you are saved. All of our body’s members must become slaves to righteousness. In order for the sacrifice of confession to be completed, you must believe what you are saying in your heart. Eternal life is yours through Y'shua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
We study, teach and believe the entire Word of God - both the (Tanakh) Old Testament and the New Testament. We believe it is the truth that is needed for life here and in the world to come. After careful scrutiny, we have found that one cannot exist without the other. They are one: Tanakh is a Hebrew term (TNK), includes the Torah, Netuvim and Ketuvim (basically all of the old or First Testament); and all of the Brit Chadasha (New Testament).
We believe and teach the Holy Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective and incorporate the Judaic mindset Y'shua had while here on earth.
BAPTISM/MIKVEH
We believe in baptism by submersion into the waters. It is symbolic of the burial and resurrection of Christ - as the old man is buried and the new man in Christ is risen. It originates from the Mikveh, which was a ceremonial pool where people came to cleanse themselves from all impurities. It was required for conversion - from old identity to new identity. It is a profound symbol that makes a statement to all those that see. Total submersion is required for the Mikveh.
All believers should be willing to make this statement; however, we do not believe that your salvation depends on it as there are some too ill or never taught. Baptism is a sign for the world not for God.
PRESERVATION OF LIFE
We believe that at all costs life must be preserved. Our Creator represents life and considers life a priority. One must do what one must do to preserve life.
SIN
The greatest downfall leading to sin is lack of discipline. If one exercises discipline, sin will not overtake him/her. The lack of discipline in and of itself is sin. One must discipline his/her life in every area. We believe one of the key ways to prevent sin in one's life is to teach and practice discipline. When one sins, they mar their relationship to God - and repentance (t'shuva) is necessary.
THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
We honor His Blood shed for us by His death on the tree. It is the power of His Blood that sets us free. The origin of that Blood comes from His breath - the breath of life. We acknowledge the power in His Blood and the redemption through it.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
DISCIPLESHIP
We believe in discipleship and intense teaching of the Word of God. We believe that God does assign people with people and that through the covenant that is formed; people are prepared for their service unto their Creator and pointed toward their destiny. We encourage discipleship.
This is why we have established methods of teaching and learning such as a ministry institute, media, our Right Hand of Fellowship that meets quarterly and offers teaching and instruction.
ASSISTING OUR CREATOR
We believe that we are all called to assist our Creator with His creation. This leaves no room for jealousy, envy or competition. If you try and hold someone back, you are holding back God's purpose - you are in His way. We educate and equip all those assigned that are willing to be taught. We believe in assisting our Creator with all that He assigns to us including but not limited to Souls.