Tikvat Israel Sermons

If It Were Up to Me | Elder Scott Moore

The epistle of Y’hudah (Jude) verse 3 exhorts us:  “Dear friends, I was busily at work writing to you about the salvation we share, when I found it necessary to write, urging you to keep contending earnestly for the faith which was once and for all passed on to God’s people.”  That faith includes the history of the God of Israel and His people as well as those who have been grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel through the death of the Messiah and his resurrection from among the dead.  The historical faith and these historical events don’t depend on us, for our inheritance does not decay, spoil, or fade away; it is kept safe for us in heaven. We did nothing to receive this living hope.  But having received, it is now our duty and privilege to trust and act faithfully.  It’s not something we earned; it’s something we owe.

It is Well with My Soul (Parashat Terumah) | Rabbi David

In the wake of unimaginable personal loss, Haratio Spafford wrote the well known hymn: "It Is Well with My Soul.” Spafford's story, marked by grief and tragedy, invites us to explore how we can find shalom amidst life's deepest sorrows. Drawing on Scripture, including the rabbinic idea of God’s Shekinah (abiding presence), we discover two enduring truths that enable us to say, “It is well with my soul.” First, God is with us, holding our hand through our pain.  And second, He is making all things right.  To learn more, check out…

We Will Do and We Will Hear: The Process (Parashat Mishpatim)| Rabbi David

Just like a toddler develops a will that we must guide and understand, we too face a process of learning to follow God’s Torah, even when we don’t fully grasp its meaning right away. We say: "Na'aseh, v'nishma" – "We will do, and we will hear, or understand" – as Israel committed to obeying God’s commandments perhaps before fully understanding them. Through this, we are reminded that following God isn’t just about doing things because we’re told, but about trusting in His process, growing in relationship with Him, and gaining understanding through on-the-job training and trust. And remember, "It was processed in a processor that used to process nuts." To hear more about this puzzling quote and other helpful tips, click here.

On The Third Day (Parashat Yitro) | Rabbi David Wein

The Lord is on a mission to answer all our questions, to rescue us, and to wipe every tear from our eyes.  God is the one who writes the end of our stories, and the end of our stories is not death, but Resurrection. Now that is good news.

The question is: what day are we on? There were three days between the death of Yeshua and the raising to life of Yeshua.  Sometimes we are in that in-between part. Not only that, but sometimes we are on the third day, and we may not even know it. 

The rabbis saw all of the "Third Days" in the Scripture, from Hosea, to Jonah, to Esther, to Moses.  And they saw resurrection life in the Hebrew Bible.  Yeshua is the fullness of all the third days in the Hebrew Bible; That's how we know that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

The Shopping Spree of the Lord | Rabbi David Wein

In this week’s sermon, "The Shopping Spree of the Lord," we explore the profound concept of God’s acquisitions or purchases throughout Scripture, with the Hebrew word "kana" serving as the anchor word.  Through the powerful imagery of God's acquiring the people of Israel, the land of Israel, the Torah, and the Temple, we reflect on our own relationship with the Lord as His "acquisition." We are extensions of God’s purpose and our lives, as part of His body, should embody unity and care for one another, thus fulfilling the Torah of Messiah. 

Chosen Ones, Trust in the Lord | Reverend Louis Williams

This week we had Reverend Louis Williams from Into the Neighborhood, a local ministry seeking to mobilize prepared people to live out God’s mission for their lives and reclaim, restore and rebuild the landscape of their community. This week, Rev. Louis shared with us on how to trust in the Lord and be anxious for nothing, a great reminder for all of us. 

God is the One Who Holds onto You | Victor Avery

This week we heard from Victory Avery from Maps Global on the life and calling of Simon Peter.

He Knows Your Pain (Parashat Shemot) | Rabbi David Wein

In this week's sermon from Parashat Shemot, we are reminded that God intimately knows our pain and struggles. Like the "Undercover Boss" who humbles himself to understand the burdens of his employees, God has lowered Himself to walk with us in our suffering, sharing in our afflictions. He is not distant, but deeply acquainted with our every hurt, offering us strength and comfort in our times of need. The contrasting lessons of Moses and Pharaoh serve as a lesson on what it means to know and to be known by God and others. Let's reflect on our relationship with God, trust that He understands our deepest pains, and draw near to the One who fully knows us, offering healing and hope in His presence.

An Ethical Will (Parashat Vayechi) | Rabbi David Wein

In this week's sermon, we delve into the profound tradition of the ethical will—an inheritance of wisdom, values, and life lessons passed down through the generations. Through the words of Jacob and King David, we see how both patriarchs, near the end of their lives, share their deepest insights and blessings with their children, laying the foundation for the future. We explore how this act of transmission, rooted in the biblical ethic of "L'Dor Va-Dor" (from generation to generation), is not just a family tradition but a vital part of our spiritual inheritance. Whether it’s Jacob's prophetic blessings to his sons or David’s final charge to Solomon, these moments remind us that we too are called to pass on the faithfulness of God. Join us as we reflect on what we can pass on—a legacy of God's love, guidance, and faithfulness—so that our stories, wisdom, and blessings continue to impact future generations.

One Flock, One Shepherd (Parashat Vayigash) | Rabbi David Wein

The Scriptures describe an ideal Shepherd, a descendant of King David.  And as we read through these descriptions, it’s as if a painting begins to take shape, a picture of an ideal shepherd.  First, just the edges, and then it fills in as we read from Genesis onward. And the purpose of this broad painting over many different books in the Bible is so that when the person actually walks in the room, we can go, “Hey, it’s the shepherd from the painting, but he’s actually here! It’s really him!” And then He can say to us, “It’s time for the family reunion: One Flock, One Shepherd.”

 

And why should we look forward to this family reunion? Because we want a world with No Sheep Left Behind.