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.