Tikvat Israel Sermons

In 1867, Norwegian missionary Lars Skrefsrud and a colleague went to the Santal people living in the area north of Calcutta, India.  Skrefsrud quickly learned the language and began proclaiming the Gospel.  These people were far removed from Jewish or Christian influences, and he wondered how long it would take for them to show interest in the Good News. To his surprise, the Santal were immediately receptive to the message.  He heard them say, “This proves that Thakur Jayu [the Genuine God] has not forgotten us!”   “How do you know about Thakur Jayu?” asked Skrefsrud.  “Our forefathers knew him long ago.” “Well, then, why don’t you worship Him instead of the sun or worse yet, demonic powers?” “That is the bad news.” So one of the sages, Kolean, told the story. For more, check out our latest sermon “I Am With You,” based on Matthew 28, here:

I have good news and better news. The good news is that the good news is not the downfall of our enemies. The better news is that we will follow a particular Hebrew word through the Scriptures and see how King David teaches us more of the real meaning. We will finish with Paul’s definition of the Good News, where the story of Israel, the story of all nations and all creation, and the death and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah are all intertwined. Check out our latest sermon here:

Mister Rogers was an ordained minister who hosted a children’s program that affected millions through its commitment to kindness, compassion, an awareness of emotion, and humble curiosity. He managed to pass these things on to so many because his show wasn’t about himself.   This week, we follow that thread to Moses and Joshua, and then to Peter’s relationship with Yeshua. What gets passed on is the character of a true shepherd, modeled after the Chief Shepherd.   Take a listen here:

And now, here is a list of things you can do with your nose: 1.⁠ ⁠You can breathe in with it. 2.⁠ ⁠You can put it on the ground. 3.⁠ ⁠You can let it burn with anger. This week we followed the Hebrew word af (“nose”) through Scripture—from God breathing life into Adam, to anger and humility, all the way to Yeshua breathing the Ruach ha-Kodesh on His disciples, and even the long, long nose of God. Come follow your nose and see where it goes. Listen here:

While we relate to our heavenly Father as someone who loves us, created us, and desires to bless us, He is also King. It is as a King that he calls us to battle, representing ourselves as witnesses of Him, possibly even to death, as were the martyrs of Revelation 6. If we die with Him, we will live with Him; if we suffer with Him, we will rule with Him. Check out this weeks sermon by elder Scott Moore "Avinu Malkeinu".

Three times in Scripture, people stand face-to-face with someone they should have recognized—but they didn't. What blinded them? And what might be keeping us from recognizing the Messiah today? Join us as we journey from Isaac to Joseph to the road to Emmaus, discovering three common causes of spiritual blindness—and the gracious way Yeshua opens our eyes to recognize Him through the Scriptures, His presence, and the hope of the resurrection. Check out our lates sermon by Rabbi David " How to Recognize the Messiah".  

On Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Comfort following the Fast of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av, we are seeking peace in our homes, a peace that will bring comfort and renewal to our family of families at Tikvat Israel.  Marriages can become tumultuous, but peace is worth fighting for.  Especially, men are responsible for assuring that there is a successful marriage (to the extent he is able) through love, and women are responsible to respect their husbands.

Why is Bashan? It's a strange question—but it leads to one of the Bible's most surprising connections. This week we'll journey from King Og and the giants of Bashan... to Psalm 22... to Yeshua's words on the tree... to the "gates of Sheol" at Caesarea Philippi. The forces of darkness thought they had won. But they were wrong. Join us as we discover why the Kingdom of God is on the offensive—and what it means to put on the armor of God today.

Paul wrote, “The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but they are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of the Messiah.” This describes the tactics, but our strategic objective is to bring the Kingdom of God near through close devotion to and our proximity to Yeshua through his Spirit.  When we learn to exercise ourselves to learn warfare, nothing can separate us from the love of Messiah.

What do two goats, two brothers, and two men named Yeshua have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we explore one of the Bible's most fascinating patterns, tracing a thread from Genesis to Matthew that reveals God's plan of redemption—and what it means to trust the path He has chosen for us. Listen now to "Choose Your Goat Adventure!"

Burial, betrayal, and brokenness. Join us as we listen to Eitan Shishkoff's sermon on Mark 14. May you be blessed and encouraged through the hearing of God's Word as we reflect on Yeshua's faithfulness and His journey to the cross.

May got bless you as you listen to this sermon by Elder Scott Moore on the problem with sin. 

What’s in your pockets? A phone? Wallet? Keys? What else are you carrying? Fear? Worry? Unrealized dreams? This week: open hands, Abraham, and the surprising power of surrender.

What do a bald man, Pepe the Prawn, and childbirth have in common? 🤔 Turns out…a lot more than you might think. This week, we dive into clean vs. unclean—not as “good vs. bad,” but as a deeper story about life, loss, and how Yeshua moves us from death and decay into cleansing life.

It’s time for everyone’s favorite quiz show: "The Road to Eternal Life!" First Question: What does it really take to get eternal life? A) Keep the commandments. B) Surrender everything. C) You can’t, humanly, get it at all.   In this week’s message from Gospel of Matthew 19, Rabbi David walks us through a surprising, upside-down answer. Come play along and listen for the final answer.

Breaking News! the “Best Person” award has been announced. The winner may shock you! Check it out here in this week’s sermon from Rabbi David based on Matthew 18

What if the greatest barrier to the gospel of the Kingdom isn’t in others’ hearts, but in our own?   We were blessed this week by Pastor Randy Martinez from MAPS Global, who shared a message from Matthew 9 that was both challenging and encouraging—inviting us to seek God’s face and let Him reshape our priorities.  

“Try Again, Please (Passover Sermon) ” is a powerful reminder that God is the God of second chances. From the story of Dov Gruner to the biblical pattern of second Passover, we see that failure is never the end of the story. Time and again, God invites His people to start fresh—rewriting the tablets, restoring worship, and calling us back to Him. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, in Messiah we are made new. No matter what you’ve missed or where you’ve fallen, His grace still says: “Try again.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran Pastor, gave up his life to resist the Nazis.   Otto Koning, a missionary in Papua New Guinea, gave up his pineapples. Yeshua gave up everything. “What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life?” Join us as we discover why the surrendered life is the way to live.   Check out our latest sermon from Matthew 16--and more from Rabbi David here:

“So Who Do You Say I Am?” A bold question that demands a personal answer—beyond opinions, beyond the crowd. In Gospel of Matthew 16:1–20, the Messiah isn’t just revealed… He’s encountered. Check out this sermon from Lloyd Brown   

Healthy cells have something important: a good membrane. They don’t let everything in. Maybe that’s a lesson for us, too. In this week’s message from Matthew 15, we explore how Yeshua held boundaries, showed compassion, and responded to people’s expectations with wisdom. Because sometimes the most spiritual prayer might be: “Lord, help me to be selectively permeable.” Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David: “How to Be a Cell Membrane.”

Check out what Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook from Ohev Yisrael has to share about Listening and Responding to Hashem. 

Why would an Arab Israeli grandfather learn Yiddish—the language of European Jews—and teach it to his grandson? This surprising story comes from this week’s guest speaker, Ruby Bishai, an Arab Israeli Christian. Ruby shared powerful stories from his family, his work in a Messianic Jewish ministry serving Arab and Jewish youth, and his passion to bridge and restore. To learn more about his inspiring work in the Land of Israel, visit fieldsofwheat.org. You can also listen to Ruby’s message—based on his testimony and Matthew 15—here:

Sponge, Funnel, Strainer, or Sieve? Which kitchen tool will help you live? God is faithful, a patient planter, and loyal Are you rocky, thorny, or fruitful soil? In Matthew 13, Yeshua invites us into the classroom of the Kingdom—where learning isn’t passive, and growth takes intention, patience, and discernment. This week at Tikvat Israel, we’ll explore how parables, kitchen tools, and soil all point to the same question: will we simply notice the lesson, or will we bear fruit thirty, sixty, and even one hundred fold? Check it out in this week’s sermon from Rabbi David on the New Covenant Parsha (Matthew 13): What Kind of Student, Soil, and Kitchen Tool are You?

What if Shabbat isn’t just “not working”?  What if it’s about healing and wholeness?  Learning to stop striving, because you’re not a solo ox--there’s a stronger ox connected to you! In Matthew 11–12, Yeshua doesn’t just teach about rest--he is that rest, and challenges how the religious leaders understood it. “Come to me, all who are weary and broken, and you will find rest for your souls.” Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David along with some glimpses of the real-time survey from our community about Shabbat!

A king sends his humble son to teach the people the heart behind the law — love, forgiveness, restoration, and compassion. Some welcome him. Others think they already understand everything. In Matthew 9, Yeshua calls a tax collector, eats with sinners, and challenges the religious: “Go and learn what this means — I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Messiah comes not to affirm what we know, but to teach us what we’ve missed. He calls the outsiders, confronts the insiders, and invites all of us to follow, to unlearn if necessary, and to become teachable again. Because the kingdom of God isn’t built on experts — it’s built on learners. Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David, “Go and Learn” based on the New Covenant parsha.     #besorah #podcast #tikvatisrael #RVA #messianic #synagogue #judaism #yeshua #Matthew #parasha #parsha

The narrow gate isn’t easy—and it’s not meant to be walked alone. At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua sets before us two paths. Through the story of Paul and the one man who believed in him—Barnabas—we discover how encouragement and integrity help form lives built on the rock. Join us as we explore “The Narrow Gate of Encouragement,” our most recent sermon from Rabbi David based on Matthew 7:13-29.

“I wouldn’t want to be part of any club that would have me as a member.” — Groucho Marx What if faith sometimes feels like that too? This week we talk about belonging, rejection, and how Yeshua teaches us to live with lovingkindness on the margins. Check it out in our most recent sermon from Rabbi David. Faithful on the Margins: Following Yeshua with Humility, Discernment, and Hesed (Matthew 7:1-12)

When George Müller was ten years old, his father caught him stealing coins from his desk and punished him swiftly and harshly. But instead of learning not to steal, young George learned a different lesson: don’t get caught. By the end of his life, George turned into a man who trusted God for every meal, every step, and thousands of orphaned children. For the rest of the story of George’s remarkable testimony, check out our latest sermon from Matthew 6:19-34: “Where is Your Treasure?” By the way, listening to the podcast is great, but if you want the full experience, join us Saturdays at 10AM for our worship service.

What if the most famous prayer in history wasn’t meant to be memorized—but practiced? When Yeshua teaches his disciples to pray, he simply says: “Pray like this.” This past Shabbat, we explored the Lord’s Prayer as a deeply Jewish prayer—conntected to the Siddur, echoed in the Talmud, and alive in the hopes of Israel. From Our Father to Daily Bread, we’ll discover how this prayer connects heaven and earth, invites the nations into the kingdom, shapes our hearts, and teaches us to trust God one day at a time. If you’ve ever wanted to pray but weren’t sure where to begin, this prayer offers a foothold—a simple, relational way to talk with God and be transformed from the inside out.  Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David, “Pray Like This” from Yeshua’s teaching in Matthew 6:1-18.

How do you grow a Torah garden—and keep out those pesky gophers?  In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua teaches us how to build a fence around the Torah, guard our roots, and protect what’s sacred before it’s trampled by entitlement, lust, greed, and unforgiveness. For faith that bears fruit, check out our most recent sermon from Rabbi David: “How to Grow a Torah Garden” based on our new covenant parsha, Matthew 5:27–48.

Not one yud is wasted. From hidden menorahs to the words of Yeshua, discover how both the Torah and the Prophets come to fullness—and how God’s faithfulness reaches across generations to make all things right. Check it out in this past week’s sermon from Rabbi David on the New Covenant portion, Matthew 5:17-26: “Torah from the Mountain: The faithfulness of God across generations.”

Feeling poor in spirit? Mourning? Hungry for God? Yeshua calls you blessed! The Sermon on the Mount is comfort for the weary and hope for the humble—Torah that transforms us and brings heaven to earth. The Torah from the Mountain calls us to be a different kind of people—humble, merciful, peacemakers, pure in heart. Check it out in this past week’s sermon on the New Covenant Portion, Matthew 5:1-16: Torah from the Mountain: Blessed are the Humble.

What exactly is the good news? This week we follow the reading cycle to the Gospel of Mark, where we explore this very question.   Straightened paths, submitted citizens, belief and action, righteousness grounded in trusting, and the same way of salvation for all.   Check it out in this week’s sermon on the New Covenant parsha from Elder Scott Moore

The Jewish Gospel of Matthew presents Yeshua as a Powerful Servant that came to operate in authority. While others sought titles and positions, Yeshua brought the Kingdom of God with power and simplicity. In the historic scene of expectation for the Messiah, the Jewish people waited for a political liberator, but God sent a spiritual King that would set the human heart free before setting the nation free. Join us as we dive deeper into the three fundamentals of Messiah’s ministry from Mark 1:14-28 with our special speaker - Pastor Ossimar.

Before Yeshua healed a single person, before He preached a single sermon, and before He called a single disciple—He waited. Thirty silent years. And when the heavens finally opened over Him, the very first thing the Spirit did was not send Him into ministry… but into the desert.   Why?   Because the wilderness reveals our hunger and because Yeshua is walking out another story.     In Matthew 4, the Adversary whispers to Yeshua, “Turn these stones into bread.” But Yeshua answers with the lesson Israel forgot, the lesson Adam and Eve rushed past, the lesson Esau traded away, the lesson Saul failed—and the lesson we still struggle with: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”   We avoid waiting. We fill the silence. We numb the hunger. But in the desert seasons—ankles breaking, plans collapsing, blessings disguised as disasters and vice versa—God does His deepest work.   Gam Zu L’Tovah. This too is for the good.

You may have heard of John the Baptizer, but have you heard of “The Little Dipper”?  This week in Matthew 3, John the Baptizer shows up calling Israel to repent — turn around, prepare, get ready for the King.   But then we meet his opposite: the Little Dipper — a made-up “prophet” who says, “Relax… a little sin is fine. The kingdom’s far away.”   John prepares the way. The Little Dipper prepares excuses.   Join us as we explore real repentance — turning, immersing, confessing — and why John is the coach we need even right now.   The Kingdom of Heaven is upon you!

As a first grader once said, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him tap dance.” The way that Yeshua fulfills the expectations and prophecies in the Hebrew Bible is both expected and unexpected.  This whole year we are learning about the Gospel of Matthew.  We dove into Matthew Chapter 2 this week; let’s see how this very Jewish story fulfills the Israel story, shows the divinity of Yeshua, and transforms our lives.

Ever had your plans blown up — not by failure, but by Heaven? This is what happened to Joseph, the adoptive father of Yeshua. One divine interruption turned scandal into salvation. “Doubt can’t achieve what the Spirit can conceive.”

Even Moses had his doubts: “What if they don’t believe me?” “Who am I?” “But I have a stutter!” “Isn’t there anyone else you could send to Pharaoh?”  The One who formed the mouth and who led us in the desert is with us.  Will you go in faith?

We’ve all got surprising sides — collectors of pottery and hanukkiahs, rock painters, pageant queens, airplane-card archivists, even someone who can blow a shofar with their hands. If we’re full of surprises, Kal Vachomer, how much more does Yeshua have surprising facets? This Shabbat we’ll open the first words of John, Mark, and Matthew’s Gospels and uncover the hidden connections to the Jewish people and to the Creator in the Beginning. “The Word was with God and the Word was God.”  In the beginning… there’s more than you think.

We woke up. We got washed. We got dressed. Now it’s time to go outside. 🌿 Invite. Include. Rejoice.

How can you ask God to do anything if you are not tithing?  “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” says Adonai Tz’va’ot  “The glory of this new house will surpass that of the old,” says Adonai Tz’va’ot, “and in this place I will grant shalom,” says Adonai Tz’va’ot.

Two men went up to pray—one proud of his record, the other pleading for mercy. Two kinds of fasting—one to be seen, the other to set free. One counts his good deeds; the other counts on God’s grace. Yom Kippur asks: Are we afflicting ourselves… or awakening compassion? Are we tallying what we’ve done for God… or remembering what He’s done for us? This year, it’s time to get dressed— not in sackcloth and ashes, but in compassion, humility, and love.

The goodness of God draws us to repentance.  The crushing of God produces perseverance and faith, so that, “Out of Zion will come forth a Redeemer who will turn ungodliness from Jacob, and He will take away their sins.”

David: God, I want to build Your house! God: "NO U" David: Awesome! IWASGUNNA… IWASGUNNA… Ole King David, he never said  “IWASGUNNA” because he was Heaven-led IWASGUNNA make a house for God to the letter But His building my house is 10 times better IWASGUNNA IWASGUNNA The 5 maidens said IWASGUNNA get some oil I had all these plans that were quickly foiled Cause the groom came back in the middle of the night IWASGUNNA get some oil later tonight IWASGUNNA IWASGUNNA The Israelite Slaves in Egypt land Wanted to build something grand Then that Moses came and did what he did But IWASGUNNA make this here pyramid! IWASGUNNA IWASGUNNA IWASGUNNA do this, IWASGUNNA do that IWASGUNNA build my wealth, IWASGUNNA buy a hat IWASGUNNA build a kingdom, but it all got currupted IWASGUNNA do it all before the Lord interrupted IWASGUNNA IWASGUNNA IWASGUNNA sleep in, and coast along But the Lord woke me up with his Shofar Song! TEKIA!!!!