Just Another Blog in the Wheel

Ya got a minute?

Posted on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 11:55 am

It is not uncommon at Messiah’s for people to shout out answers to rhetorical questions. Over time, this led to some questions being asked from the pulpit to which answers are expected. In fact, questions are sometimes thrown by the congregants at the pulpit. It’s a pretty unified intent—definitely orderly, undergirded by love, trust and respect. We all want to learn together.

Last Lord’s Day David gave us all a warm heart with a question that preceded a brief story. [Go here to download the sermon mp3—the portion being discussed begins at the 14:20 mark and lasts just over a minute.-CB]

A long-time member, Dave listened as I mentioned a Jewish custom whereby you are permitted to hint to a non-Jew about something you would like to have done on a Shabbos but which rabbinic law forbids to
be performed by a Jew. David held up his hand. “I have a story about that.”

“Great!,” says I.

“Ya got a minute?”

“Do I have a minute? Where do you think I’m gonna go?”

So he told his story, to everyone’s delight and edification. And that’s how it should be in church. At least, it should give you a real feel for the way it is at Messiah’s.

Posted in Jews, Worship |

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3 comments

Val W. Finnell, MD, MPH:

Yes, it is definitely that way at Messiah’s. When my son Zachary and I visited in October of 2007, we had some spontaneous discussions during church that were very edifying.

Keep up the good work.

Val

January 21st, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Tony LoSchiavo:

So good to hear Pastor Steve’s voice preaching and David’s story.

Years ago on a late Friday afternoon as a rookie cab driver I stopped my yellow cab and picked up a lively group of Hasidic Jews standing by the Williamsburg Bridge on Delancey Street.

They piled into my cab and directed me over the bridge to Brooklyn while asking me if I was Jewish. OK, so I’ll be Jewish for this fare. Three stops later, and 12 bucks on the meter, when the last guy exited my taxi, I learned a bit of Jewish law.

Tony Lo

pray continuously

January 24th, 2009 at 8:30 am

George Lews:

Isn’t Schlissel a jew? I am surprised that this sermon would be so disrespectful to his roots. Wonder if this post will be allowed?

Moderator’s Note: Yes, Pastor Steve is jewish. This subject matter is exactly what Jesus was critical of on the pages of the new testament. The gentlemen in the story–David–was orthodox, born and raised, bar mitsvah’d, 12 years of Yeshiva, the whole nine. They both, as christians, have an appreciation for much that the Jews as a people have to teach the church. However, their “line upon line, precept upon precept” approach is not one of them–and certainly not their “finagle a goyim to turn on the air-conditioner during a hot shabat.” And just as a reminder to all–this is the exclusive blog of Pastor Steve Schlissel–there are no other users that can or will post blogs.–CB

April 9th, 2009 at 8:54 pm

Ya got a minute?

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