[Jeff Colburn]

In my community, I have witnessed the watering down of Jesus’ message. Christianity has been reduced to an individual decision which upon making that person’s sins are forgiven and they are ensured a seat in Heaven. Any mention of the kingdom is meant metaphorically. Most are concerned with the signs of Jesus’ return yet they do not know that He will dwell on earth. People look at me oddly when I inform them that man was created to dwell on earth and not in Heaven and that dying and going to Heaven is not the end game. This course has further emboldened me to continue to share God’s truth. I have been sharing with those who surround me the Jewish historical and cultural context of Jesus’ message. I recently launched a podcast to do the same. I meet with a small group of men from my church and I recently proposed that we work our way through David Martyn Loyd-Jones’ Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. Again, this will present the opportunity to place Jesus’ message in its proper context. I see within my church an opportunity to teach the congregation. From my conversations with my pastor, I get the sense that he is a subscriber of replacement theology and believes the church has replaced Israel. I love God’s word and I have felt it placed upon me to protect it. As a hebraic leader, I want those around me to know the truth. It is far more powerful than the watered down version.