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Atonement 1 - Introduction and Day of Atonement
2023/06/26
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Atonement 1
Introduction and Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-10)
Today we start a series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement. We shall endeavour to look together at what, why, how, when, who and so what of that word, atonement. Other religions, such as Islam, and the cults of Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses, have their own understanding, so it is a word not just used by Christians.
Atonement is to clean, cleanse, cover over, make amends, pacify, satiate, satisfy, to substitute and to bring about reconcilement. Amazing Atonement. Atonement can also be pronounced as at-one-ment, because atonement brings together as one, and it is also the state of ‘being at one’.
In the podcast today we look at the question: "Why is there a need for atonement in relation to God and humanity?" We then go on to start to look at the Day of Atonement as described to us in Leviticus 16:1-10. Come and listen!
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Psalm 128 - Psalm on Demand
2023/06/25
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Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways.
For you will eat the labor of your hands.
You will be happy, and it will be well with you.
Your wife will be as a fruitful vine,
in the innermost parts of your house;
your children like olive plants, around your table.
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh.
May Yahweh bless you out of Zion,
and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel.
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Psalm 28 - Psalm on Demand
2023/06/24
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Psalm 28
28:1 To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me;
lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.
28:2 Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you,
when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
28:3 Don’t draw me away with the wicked,
with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors,
but mischief is in their hearts.
28:4 Give them according to their work,
and according to the wickedness of their doings.
Give them according to the operation of their hands.
Bring back on them what they deserve.
28:5 Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh,
nor the operation of his hands,
he will break them down and not build them up.
28:6 Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
28:7 Yahweh is my strength and my shield.
My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped.
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices.
With my song I will thank him.
28:8 Yahweh is their strength.
He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.
28:9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance.
Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.
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Times of Trouble - Bible Thought
2023/06/23
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Times of Trouble
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4v16-18)
I wonder if sometimes you feel just like giving up, throwing it all away and just be buried by whatever is burdening you. I guess, almost everyone has felt like that at one time or another. Maybe its because you are undergoing troubles or suffering - physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Whatever it is, as a Christian you are to persevere. We persevere, because we are not alone in our troubles. Also, if we think about it, in the light of eternity, the time of endurance through these troubles, is but the blink of an eye! Wow!
How are you and I to respond to suffering and other troubles? Naturally, we either treat them too flippantly or far too seriously. Where is God in all of this?
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Sermon - Guided by God to serve - Acts 20
2023/06/22
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Acts 20
Guided by God to serve…
I know what people think. They think that I work alone. That I enter a town like a lone superhero and boom – people are instantly wowed with my good news of salvation. That I am so intelligent, speaking things which are difficult to comprehend and without emotion.
But you know what. Those people who think like that, are wrong. I don’t work alone. I am always surrounded by a great team of people. Check out these folk with me on this occasion, or will be soon – Luke, Sopater; Aristarchus and Secundus; Gaius; my dear son, Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus. A community of God’s people from different places working with me. It is for God’s sake that I work and am His. It is my conviction that the good news of salvation can be had by all, through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection from the dead. As for being without emotion, clearly, they have never met me and therefore misunderstand me. Emotions are part of the human experience and that is what I am, a mere human being used by the God I proclaim, worship and serve.
I once was very different though. I was on a mission – a mission from God – or so I thought. A mission to defend God’s truth. It was my job to be God’s defender and root out the miscreants known as ‘The Way.’ Those people claiming that Jesus, Yeshua ben Joseph, had risen from the dead after being crucified. No way could God have a Son. That was blasphemy! Rubbish it was! It was! How could the Saviour of my people, the Jews, the Messiah, die on a cross – a Gentile cross at that - and be cursed by God? Patently absurd! Bald-faced and blatant blasphemy! No! No! No! It was my duty as a man zealous for the Law, to eradicate all those who were followers of this man, Jesus. Those heretics. Then… I still remember it as if it was yesterday. I was on the road to Damascus, embarking on my mission and boom! Suddenly a voice from heaven cried out “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
I asked who it was that was speaking and the voice spoke again “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
God had stopped me, arrested me (Philippians 3:12), shone his light upon me (2 Corinthians 4:6), and the mercy of God overflowed upon me (1 Timothy 1:14) and within me. Jesus is alive! WOW! It is true! Jesus is alive! Did you hear me? Jesus is alive! Jesus, the Messiah did die on a cross. But he came back to life, rising from the dead three days later just as He repeatedly said He would. Afterwards, he made many public appearances before He ascended back to God the Father. Then He appeared to me! Me! Saul of Tarsus! WOW!
That was about 20 years ago now. Now I am on a different mission. A mission given undeniably to me, by God – a mission which is to tell the world, by all possible means, this good news of Jesus the Christ. I, now named Paul, am no longer an enemy of Jesus, but now His friend. A friend of God! God calls me, friend - converted from a persecutor to being one of His faithful followers. This conversion was a total transformation by God upon me. My attitudes, character & relationship with God, have all been transformed and for His glory alone. My God loves me! Me! Unbelievable, isn’t it? My conversion is real, God continuing to work in me, upon me and through me.
So here we are today! Having just left that majestic city of Ephesus, where I spent the best part of the last 3 years. A city and people I love dearly – loved often with tears and joy. Recently as a result of my preaching and sharing the Good News of Jesus, some folk took exception and caused a riot.
So, onwards to Jerusalem and the believers there. I have a gift for them. A wonderfully sacrificial gift from the Gentile churches, to the Church there in Jerusalem. It is a practical way of looking after the welfare of the Church of fellow believers there in the magnificent city of Jerusalem. The churches in Macedonia and Achaia, are wanting to make a practical contribution towards the Christians in Jerusalem . Headlong we go, guided by God and serving Him. I will catch up with Timothy and Erastus whom I have sent ahead of me!
Firstly though, let’s look at the map so that you can see where I am and where we are going tonight.
v1-2 – first we go north from Ephesus to Macedonia. I may just stay in Corinth for the winter.
v3 – Then I will return through Macedonia instead of sailing to Syria
v7-12 - Troas - Eutychus is raised from the dead by God
v13 - By foot to Assos
v14 - sailed to Mitylene
v15 - sailed to Kos, Samos and Miletus
v17 - Ephesus elders came to Miletus
And still on our way to Jerusalem! We will get there, even if not directly!
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----more----
1. Overview
With that introduction, we come to tonight’s passage of Acts 20. We may just finish by midnight and hopefully nobody is sitting on any window sills to fall asleep and fall.
The chapter, as you can see, breaks down into 3 sections.
v1-6 - Paul in Macedonia and Greece
v7-12 - Paul in Troas
v13-39 - In this section, Paul says goodbye to the Ephesian leaders. We have the only sermon in the book of Acts, which is given by Paul to other Christians. All others are preached to those who were not Christian.
As ever, there is a lot in this chapter for us. In preparation, as I read the passage, listened to it being read repeatedly and meditated on this chapter, two words came over and over to my mind. Two words which are important for the church today, just as they have been down through history.
2. Guidance
How was Paul guided by God to fulfil God’s purposes and will? I know some people probably think that Paul was guided by God putting visible arrows in the sky, pointing Paul and his team in the right direction! Maybe you are one of those tonight, and if you are, then I am sorry to disappoint you by saying that is not how God guided Paul. As far as we know anyway! Another time, the Holy Spirit stopped Paul and his team from entering a place – twice. Acts 16:6-7 tells us this. How the Spirit stopped them, we don’t know, but soon afterwards, we find out why He did. God spoke to Paul in a vision. A vision whereby a man in Macedonia implored Paul to visit. So, Paul went and preached the Gospel there! But that was probably quite a rare event.
So how was Paul primarily guided by God? I would like to suggest that in the main, Paul just used his brain. He set out where he wanted to go, and proceeded to go there. If he got stopped, he went somewhere else, just as we have seen here in this passage and in previous weeks here.
We have that intriguing phrase in v22 “compelled by the Spirit” or as the New Living Translation puts it “bound by the Spirit”. What are we to make of that phrase? Is that in direct contrast to Paul using his mind to work things out, as some people today would suggest? By no means, no. Paul knew, as he has said, that he was to be in Jerusalem. He was obligated by his convictions. The Spirit was binding Paul to his inner conviction that Jerusalem was where he was to go. He also had that gift from the Gentile churches to give to the Jerusalem church. That thought also played on his conscience. He had undertaken the task and was honour bound to fulfil it. Therefore, Paul was bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem – bound by the Spirit through conviction and conscience.
His overarching conviction was that people must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. It was his aim to preach that message everywhere he went. His conviction fed his aim in v24 “to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Paul was also guided by circumstances (v3). Once he had found out that the Jews had made a plot against him, Paul changed his plan and went back through Macedonia. It would have been easy for a boatload of Jewish opponents going as pilgrims to Jerusalem to get hold of Paul and dump his body overboard into the sea.
Or with Eutychus in verse 10. When it occurred, do you think Paul had an internal debate with himself: “Hmmm. Is God guiding me to keep speaking now or is He wanting me to go help that lad?” Of course not! Paul saw the need, used his brain, went to the lad, prayed, held him and the lad was resuscitated.
God also would have guided Paul through prayer into His purposes and direction. Perhaps that is why Paul went alone on his journey by land to Assos– to spend time with God alone and seek His face. So, Paul had set his face towards Jerusalem.
Another way Paul used his mind in being guided by God, was by relating his future to his past. In this sermon, Paul says “You know” (in relation to his past in verses 18, 20 & 34) and “I know” (in relation to his future, in verses 23, 25 & 29). Paul had learnt the lessons of his past to help him in his future. All he knew that lay ahead, as he preached the Gospel, was that suffering and persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ was to be his.
Of course, these are only some of the ways. He certainly also sought and used the counsel of others. How are we guided?
2a. Guidance
So what can we learn from this, for us to put into practise in our life? We saw that Paul was guided by a vision, his brain, his convictions, his conscience, his circumstances, the past, prayer and wise counsel. Not a mystical arrow in the sky in sight! Perhaps the most common question we get asked is “How can I know God’s guidance for me – to know his purposes and will for me?”
Controlled by the Holy Spirit
So firstly, the Christian Disciple is guided by being controlled by the Holy Spirit. We see this clearly in evidence in the life of Paul. Another way to say this is by submitting to the God the Holy Spirit’s leading. Fundamental to being guided by the Spirit for the Christian is to be filled with the Spirit, or another way of saying it, is to be controlled by the Spirit.
When the Spirit is quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19) or grieved (Ephesians 4:30), then the Holy Spirit no longer has control of us. To allow the Holy Spirit control, we need to resubmit ourselves to God. Part of being controlled by the Spirit is to enable Him to convict us of sin (Psalm 139:23-24), regularly confessing our sin (1 John 1:9) and accepting the assurance of being forgiven. Sins such as quenching or grieving the Holy Spirit. We are to go on devoting ourselves to being a living sacrifice for God (Romans 12:1-2) and seeking the Holy Spirit’s divine power and wisdom in order to serve Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 3:16). We show our devotion to God by yielding all things to Him, including our gifts and our plans.
In yielding to the Holy Spirit, the body (1 Corinthians 6:20) and mind (Romans 12:1-2) are given to Him sacrificially for the glory of Jesus Christ. Both the body and the mind are yielded, because the body activates what is conceived in the mind (Proverbs 25:19). We are called to a total dedication of placing all thoughts, plans and actions into God’s hands and the seeking of His divine wisdom. We set out where we want to go and let God steer, accelerate or brake. Sometimes all three at once. It’s like driving a car. No point just sitting in the car hoping to get somewhere if you aren’t willing to turn it on and actually drive! So we start out and let God do the steering, accelerating and braking. Just as Paul has done here.
Convictions and Conscience
We saw tonight how God the Spirit leads through convictions and conscience. How are we doing at standing firm in our convictions and allowing God to refine them? How are we doing at allowing God to refine our conscience – pricking and poking it?
Counsel and Circumstances
In addition to submitting to the Holy Spirit, other people and circumstances are great helps in regard to guidance. We saw that earlier tonight with Paul. Seeking the advice of others in trying to understand God’s guidance, plays an important role in deciding God’s will in our life. The Ephesian Elders were certainly guided by God through the ministry of Paul. When seeking the advice of others bear in mind that the person should be a reliable, godly and faithful servant of God. How often have we not asked for advice because we don’t want to humble ourselves and actually ask for help and advice? Or am I alone in being like that? In the end, each of us as individuals is responsible for our own actions and for knowing God’s guidance for themselves.
Then, again as we saw earlier, we have circumstances, which are a great learning tool. Circumstances surround us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through circumstances, God often discloses his perfect will and guidance. You can see examples of this in the lives of Abraham (Genesis 22); Moses (Exodus 2) and again, Paul (Acts 23).
Lessons from the past
Are we learning the lessons of our past, both individually as well as those passed down through Church history, to help us in our future – both individually and as a body? That is one reason we should be studying what has gone on before, in order to be ready for what is to come.
3. Service
What did Paul do with that guidance? He served – served God and served others! Showed his love of God by loving others and serving both. That is our second word - service.
3a. Paul’s Service - How did he serve
We see here, just in this passage, as we do elsewhere, Paul served where ever he was – in public spaces as well as in private spaces, such as homes.
We see that Paul served God and showed that, by serving others. Serving others both in private and in public. He served groups of people, such as the leaders of the Ephesian church. As well as individuals, such as Eutychus. Paul overcome opposition while on his acts of service. Opposition as we saw last week in Acts 19. We see in v23 that Paul has been warned what is to come – persecution and suffering for the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of God.
What can we learn of Paul’s use of words and of his knowledge in his acts of service to God and others. We see that with words Paul challenged, comforted, encouraged, evangelized, healed, prayed, preached, taught, warned and worshipped – all with words. We also see that he worked manually with his hands, probably as a tentmaker. We see a couple of times where Paul says that he served with tears in his eyes, verses 19 & 31. That is not something we usually associate with him, is it? In all these ways of serving God, Paul showed that service of God, by serving others and being a consistent example to others – is a good witness for God to others. Paul knew, that he knew, that he knew, he was called by God to be a witness to the Gentiles of a loving God of mercy and grace.
Let’s see just in this passage how Paul did that.
v2 encouraged.
v7 worshipped by sharing in the Lord’s Supper and s preached
v10 Prayed
v19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.
v20-21 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
v24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
v25 preached the Kingdom
v27 I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know
v31 my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
v34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and the needs of those who were with me.
v35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need
Not only do we see Paul encouraging others to go serve but we see other people serve as well, such as when they engaged in worship and the Lord’s supper. We also saw that God Himself serves by his grace and mercy. We know that the Son, Jesus Christ, was the greatest servant of all.
One way, the Ephesian elders were to serve, amongst others. was by protecting their flock. To be on their guard and have their wits about them. They were to be on their guard for when wolves would enter amongst them to try and steal the sheep. Wolves as animals, hunt in packs and are predators. Collectively they use guile, intelligence, cunning and speed, panicking their prey and usually concentrating on the weaker prey. Their prey, as a collective defence, have a great sense of smell, good hearing, agility, speed, or sharp hooves.
What Paul means as wolves, are those people being ear-tickling false teachers trying to lure people away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Wolves that knew nothing about the real gospel of Jesus Christ and repentance and are only in it for what they could get out of it. Ergo, the elders are to use their senses, their wisdom and knowledge to sense out these wolves. It wasn’t long after this, that we see that it did occur, just as Paul said it would.
3a. Service
Once again, what can we take away with us tonight, so that we can go from here to live lives worthy of Jesus Christ?
Just as Paul was gifted, so were the Ephesian elders. Eutychus obviously had the gift of falling asleep!
Who has Spiritual Gifts?
All of us here tonight have what we call spiritual Gifts. We know from other parts of the Bible, that God, through His infinite wisdom, mercy and grace bestows these gifts that belong to Him, upon His servants, you and I. These gifts are to be used primarily to bring glory to God! (1 Peter 4:11). That was Paul’s motive, as we saw earlier. They are opportunities for you and I to serve other people. Some gifts like teaching, helping or leadership quite possibly are enhancements of natural abilities. Whilst others like faith, healing and miracles are from the Holy Spirit’s empowerment alone.
The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
The reason that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to us Christians, so that the body of Christ is built up (Ephesians 4:12), for the common good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7, 14:12) and “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:12). That was certainly evident in the life of Paul, even in our brief glimpse of him tonight.
As all Christian people have gifts, we have a responsibility to discover and develop them (1 Timothy 4:14)! We are also, to help others discover and develop their gifting. Again, just as Paul did earlier. When was the last time that you and I did that? We are to discover, discern, develop and put into effect our spiritual gifts, so that God can be glorified and His church built up! Have you discovered your gifts of service yet?
We are to employ our gifts & talents faithfully by asking God to continue their development, strengthening and opportunities to use them! We are to seek gifts that build up others, commands Paul (1 Corinthians 14:1-12). We are to ask God faithfully for gifts that give opportunity for service to God and others!
Each of us here is creative in some way! How creative are you in your service of God and of others? Do not neglect or ignore your gifts and talents – the Church needs you. Church local and church universal. If you need help, ask somebody!
How are you serving God – in this church and outside of church, in the workplace and at home? Where ever we go, work, rest or play – online or offline, we are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ and serving Him. Serving Him in our office, our home and where ever we go. How are we doing at that?
3 quick questions to ask ourselves
Q1. Am I willing to do whatever God commands me to do?
Q2. Am I willing to be humble enough to ask other people’s advice?
Q3. Am I willing to sacrifice my desires so that God’s Will is achieved and His glory acclaimed?
How are we doing at looking out for wolves amongst us as warned by Paul? The church we used to belong to in London, would often hae people from the nearby Jehovah Witnesses or the Church of Scientology sneak in to visit the congregation after the services, to see if they could steal people away to join their cult. Usually by inviting their prey to do some form of “bible study.” But as Paul said, not only wolves from outside, also wolves from amongst us. I am sure it has happened here before. Let’s all be on our guard. Not primarily from what is taught up front, though do keep your minds active to hear what is being said. But more what happens after the service, particularly by others, and away from here during the week. Possibly evern from within the home groups. Let’s all be on our guard – for ourselves and for those that we know. Let’s use our own knowledge of Scripture, our common sense and our senses to sense out the wolves.
Words
Let’s have a look now to our words – our use of words. How are you and I doing in our use of words? Words are our central means of communication and miscommunication. Are the words you and I use, filled with grace, always of truth, healing, uplifting, encouraging and building up others! Words of comfort and of challenge – as appropriate. Serving others with your words. Sure, there are times when words are to be used for rebuking in love, but always used under the control of the Holy Spirit. The words we speak reflect our inner attitudes, our inner thoughts and our inner being. The words you speak and communicate reflect who you are. Just as mind do. If the words we communicate are derogatory, inflaming and cursory then that reflects your inner thoughts and attitudes. Your words and all your communication have the power to bring life, healing and encouragement but also on the contrary, have the power to bring corruption, degradation and death.
Are we sometimes embarking on gossip, under the pretence of “sharing”? “You know, ooo listen, did you hear about such and such? “No! Really? WOW!”
Let God Himself help us to use our words for the supreme glory of Jesus Christ! That is one of the ways in which you and I will truly be seen to be one of His disciples! Our words have power – we are to use them wisely.
As for silence. Sometimes silence is golden. Proverbs 17:28 says “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” But at other times it too is misused. We stay silent when we should say something particularly encouraging and building up. We all at times ignore people in need of care, but use our silence against them. Am I alone in doing this?
Conclusion
As we go now, into the new week, let’s go with the confidence that God is guiding us when we ask him too, that we are to serve him where ever we go – work, home and play. As C.S. Lewis once said, “It is not your business to succeed, but to do right. When you have done so the rest lies with God.” Too many Christians are afraid to do something different, in case it fails or because they think it somehow goes against God. If it is against God, He will soon let you know!
We are to use words to glorify God – words that comfort, challenge gently, heal and to communicate the Gospel to other people, those outside God’s Church. Our confidence, like Pauls, is to be in God and His words of grace. The words we use can heal people – heal their hurts. Our words of encouragement, can be a boost to others and ourselves, and glorifying to God. I know what it is like to be hurt by the words of others – people telling lies about me and gossiping – from the realms of fantasy. Even recently. But I also know beyond doubt that words can be a healing balm. Also recently.
Daily I have to repent to God, of my misuse and abuse of words. I have to ask forgiveness of somebody I hurt with my words or my silence.
Lastly, our knowledge. Let’s go on growing in knowledge – particularly knowledge of God, so we can pass that knowledge on.
Bernard of Clairveaux in the 12th century once said: “There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love.”
I am convinced that is why Paul sought knowledge and to distribute what he knew – to serve God and others with love. Who will you share your knowledge of Jesus Christ with this week? How will you use your knowledge this week to be a help or encouragement of somebody else? Who will you protect from the wolves this week with your sensitivity, your sense and your knowledge of God?
Let’s go from here knowing we are being guided by God and to serve His purposes and will. With v24 in mind, determined, where ever we go – work, home or play “to go on to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given us – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
We are not all called explicitly to be evangelists but we are called to do the work of an evangelist. We are not all called to be pastors and elders, that is shepherds of God’s people, but each of us can take care of others in our own inimitable way. May God continue to guide us as we serve him in word and deed. May God be glorified in each of our lives every day as effective witnesses for Him, in this town, our workplaces, this country and this world.
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Sermon - Fly! Be Free! - Romans 6
2023/06/21
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Fly! Be Free!
Romans 6:1-23
Introduction
These Roman Christians were united with Jesus Christ, united in Jesus Christ and all because of Jesus Christ alone. How could this be? Entirely due to the twin wellsprings of God’s grace and mercy. And so do we, as all Christians do down through time! In these three chapters, Romans 5-8, Paul is explaining about life under grace – life for all those who claim Jesus to be their Master, their Lord and their God – having responded to God’s free offer! Here in Romans 5-8, Paul shows from 8 different angles or lenses about life for all those who claim to be a Christian disciple – somebody who has decided to follow Jesus. It’s like he is creating this fabulous stained glass window or a tapestry about life for the Christian believer who is now under grace and has Jesus as their master and Lord.
What’s going on?
What was happening here in Chapter 6? In this section of Romans, Paul wants the believers in Rome to know, understand, recognize and comprehend all that living under grace encompasses. Paul knows that right thinking leads to right living. Paul is writing basic doctrine to this group of believers in Rome. There are 3 possible scenarios in Paul’s thinking – 2 here in Romans 6 and another in Romans 7! Paul had obviously encountered this thinking before – perhaps even in his own life! So let’s look at these scenarios together… As Paul writes, he informs the readers
Exodus 21:1-6 – Freedom from slavery or continue being a slave…
Two Scenarios!
Scenario 1 (v1)
Informing them of what they were in the past!
Informing them of what they are now!
Informing them of what they are to do in the future!
And why all this, Paul? Informing them about Jesus!
Scenario 2 (v15)
Informing them of what they were in the past!
Informing them of what they are now!
Informing them of what they are to do in the future!
And why all this, Paul? Informing them about Jesus!
Recapitulation
Conclusion
Application - What about us?
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Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 94 A Prayer of Anger
2023/06/20
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A Prayer of Anger - Psalm 94
I believe that I would be right in saying that most of us here have prayed. Whether in joy and happiness; or in sadness and grief; in need or in want; in praise or in worship or in confessing sin, or in other ways we have prayed. But how many of us have prayed in anger, following the example of the writer of Psalm 94. Have any of us prayed out of anger to a God who is a judge? Have we cried out in anger to a God who punishes evil? By anger I do not mean that short burst of temper when something happens to us against our will. The kind of anger that rises when somebody does something against you, and you retaliate against them.
No, the type of anger I am talking about is the anger we should feel inside us that occurs when we see injustice being done; when we see sin being done to assist in the systematic abuse of other people. The sort of anger that the church should have felt in Germany during the 2nd World War when the creatures of the Nazi regime held mock trials of so-called criminals such people as Dietrich Bonhoeffer for opposing the ungodly views of the state.
The type of anger we should feel when we face today on our television screens when we see the pictures of the innocent victims of war or any region where people abuse people for the sake of their own power and glory. The sort of anger that should make us cry tears of sadness and humility when faced with the utter poverty of the families living on the streets in the cities of the world such as New Delhi, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo. George Bernard Shaw once described poverty as the greatest of crimes.
That deep seated anger that should be amongst us as Christians when we see the oppressed and the poor being used and abused by those who are in positions of power to help them. We are all quite comfortable with the God of Psalm 93, the God of majesty, strength and magnificence who is from everlasting to everlasting. The God who is mightier than the greatest seas! The God whose glorious holiness covers his house eternally!
Yet something, somehow, makes us uncomfortable about praying to God for justice. Perhaps our view of God is too small. For sure our God is a God of mercy but he is also a God of justice. Our God is a God of love, but He is also a God of wrath. His written word affirms all these things.
So the writer of the Psalm calls and prays to God for justice to be done. That He, the judging God might be glorified. Has the writer made this up? No, because God has described Himself as Judge and Avenger (Genesis 18:25; Deut 32:35). How many of us here, have prayed for justice to be done? Perhaps we should pray on occasion for burden of injustice to be lifted off the poor and oppressed peoples of this world. But, before we go any further on this thought, let us consider together 3 things about Psalm 94.
1. Whom is the writer praying to (Vs. 1-3)?
The obvious answer to this question is God. But what sort of God is He? Let's look at all the various descriptions given to us about God in this Psalm. A God who avenges (v. 1). To avenge is to seek revenge on behalf of somebody else. Here God is asked to avenge for the poor and innocent against the wicked and guilty people A God who judges (v. 2). To judge is to decide which is right and which is wrong.
Here God is asked to judge the wicked and guilty people for their wrong doing. A God who created and creates (v. 9), disciplines (vs. 10, 12); teaches (vs. 10, 12). A God who knows all things (v. 11) through omniscience. A God who relieves (vs. 13), assists (vs. 14, 17, 18), loves (vs. 18) and supports (vs. 18). He is a God who consoles (vs. 19), and who is incorruptible (vs. 20). A God who is strong and dependable (vs. 22) and a God who is a refuge (vs. 22). But he is also a God who repays and destroys (vs. 23) evil men for their wickedness. Is your vision of God still too small?
2. Why is the writer praying (Vs. 4-7)?
The writer js praying because he has seen the wickedness of mankind and has a deep inner anger against the brutality and evil deeds of the wicked. These people may not be foreigners, since many Jewish leaders were also brutal, for example the evil King Manasseh or the cynics of Isaiah (Is. 5: 18ff).
What sort of things are these evil people doing, and what sort of people are they? Arrogant and boastful (vs. 4), crushing (vs, 5), oppressing (vs. 5), slaying widows and foreigners (vs. 6) murdering orphans (vs. 6). The people who do this sort of thing are the object of the writer's anger. They are not only content to do evil deeds, but also add hard speeches, boasting, threatening and insulting the saints of God. The insults are used so often that they become a natural part of the language.
That is the idea behind the phrase "pour out" in vs. 4. Words often wound more than swords, they are as hard to the heart as stones are to the flesh; and they are poured out by the ungodly against the godly. According to verse 4, they even talk to themselves, and of themselves, in spiritual arrogance, as if they were doing some good deed in crushing the poor and killing the widows, orphans and foreigners.
Their error is that they believe that God cannot see their doings, and even if He could see, He wouldn't do anything about it any way. These evil people, who grind the people of God with oppression, crush them with contempt claim that God cannot see them, and so therefore reason that there is nothing to stop them from doing their evil works.
There is no limit to the pride and arrogance of these wicked people, as they have lost their senses (vs. 8 ) and lost all common sense. It is natural for them to boast, just as it is natural for godly men to practice humility.
The God of Jacob heard him and led him throughout his life and said concerning Jacob "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm", yet these proud and arrogant people proclaim boldly that God neither sees nor knows what we do. It is true that those whom God will destroy, He leaves to the madness of their corrupt hearts.
What is God going to do? In verse 14, is the answer to verse 5. The Lord has not rejected his own people. He has not forsaken those who are his. To do this, would go against God's very nature. As his inheritance, God has marked out all those who are his saints. God takes a peculiar interest in their well being and delights in them; He has an eternal covenant with them. I will be your God, and you will be my people. Will God not defend his people?
In verse 14, we have the answer!! The Lord will not withdraw His love or leave people totally on their own against the evil persecutors. For a little while, He may leave them with the design to benefit them, yet he will never utterly destroy them. He will discipline His people, but never destroy them.
In vs. 15, the great Judge will come, the reign of righteousness will begin, justice will be done and then all the godly will rejoice. The vehicle of right will be driven down the streets of evil, and all those upright in heart will follow it in joyous procession. Are we as the people of God today, following the path of righteousness or are we trampling somehow on the poor and oppressed? Are we keeping silent when we should be speaking out? Some governments of this world, have for sometime been using their power to oppress, but the cry of this prayer will bring back righteousness to the throne of government, and then every upright heart will proclaim loudly with joy!
3. What is the writer praying (vs.8-23)
a) Help!!!! (vs 16-19). The writer is praying for God to judge injustice, and avenge the oppressed (vs. 2). But not only that, as he is also crying out for help (vs. 16). Who is going to rise up against the evildoers? He obviously needs help, and his friends are not there for him, so he calls out to God for help! The soul is safest and at rest, after calling all others to assist and no one comes, when total trust for help is upon God.
Today the church sees error and evil coming into her, and faithful godly leaders seem to be a minimum, and fewer still are bold enough to stand up and defy the enemies of truth. Our great hope is that the God of the Bible is with us, and He will call out his champions to defend Him. Are you one of God's champions? Is your foot slipping, are you feeling weak at this moment in time and need help?
Take courage, we feel our weakness, and see our danger, and in fear and trembling we cry out. Our inbred sin is dragging us down and we need help. God, in His supreme mercy and love, helps us and our joy is that His mercy endures forever, and is always available to help us in times of danger to support us. From my sinful and proud thoughts, my thoughts of sorrow, my cares, my conflicts, I will hurry to the Lord. This is a cry of the writer, yet are we the same? The Lord alone is consoling, and yet not only consoling but delighting in me.
How sweet are the comforts of God the Comforter, the Holy Spirit? Who without feeling joy, can think about eternal love, trustworthy promises, the coming to earth of the Redeemer in Jesus Christ, the risen Saviour and his next coming again. The little world within us, that is full of confusion and strife becomes calm when we rely upon Jesus to say "Peace be with you!"
b) Can a corrupt throne be allied with you? God enters into no promises with those governments who are corrupt, and He gives no help to unrighteous laws. No assistance does He give. They might legalize robbery and violence and then say in defense, it is the law of the land, yet it is still evil and wicked. No injustice is permanent, for God will not set His seal upon it, nor have any fellowship with it, and therefore one day it will fall. An example of this was the slaughter of the Jews during the 2nd World War. The German church in general, allied itself along with the laws and decrees of Hitler, and changed its theology to that of white supremacy. We all know that the plans of the Nazis failed.
Or take for example South Africa, which up until recently had a policy of separating whites and others. For a long time the mainstream Church held as its theology that this was true. Since then, the walls of apartheid have fallen, and the church has confessed this sin to God. No evil regime lasts very long. The unrighteous join together, in order to attack the righteous. The guilty join each other to attack the innocent. No crime is too great for them.
Yet there is good news. Let the ungodly join together, the Psalmist is not afraid, but sweetly sings that the rock upon which he stands his the Jehovah God, Yahweh who is his fortress and refuge. Firm is the rock of God's love, and in Him we go for shelter. He is indeed a tremendous lover. As if in answer to his own question of verse 16, "Who will rise up for me against the wicked and evildoers", the final verse gives us an answer. The natural result of oppression, against the innocent, the poor, or the righteous is the total destruction of the ungodly. The great God who is judge, will repay their sins, and destroy their wickedness. While the bread and food they have stolen is in their mouth, God's wrath will slay them. God himself, visibly and noticeably, visits them and reveals His own power to them.
So now what can we say in conclusion.
Firstly, our vision of God should not be too small. We need to acknowledge him as a great lover, but also as a terrifying Judge. Remember, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). To quote John Stott - "God is not at odds with himself, however much it may appear to us that he is. He is 'the God of Peace', of inner tranquility not turmoil. True we may find it difficult to hold in our minds simultaneously the images of God as the Judge who must punish evil-doers and of the Lover who must find a way to forgive them. Yet he is both, and at the same time."
Secondly, can we rightly pray, in the light of the New Testament, for the vengeance of God to come down against the ungodly? No, we cannot, for then we would be no better than those who do not know Him. The vengeance of God has already come down upon one man. One day his judgment will fall, and it is from this terrible event that this man is our deliverer. This man, the Lord Jesus Christ when He died on the cross, for you and me and all our enemies, took upon Himself the full vengeance of God. He took the anger of God upon himself, so that no-one may face the judgment of God without first having the opportunity to turn to Jesus in repentance of sins. We should be praying for the governments of this world that abuse the widows, orphans and innocents of today, that they will see their errors and turn away from them. And not only that, we should pray that the members of these governments will turn to God in awe and wonder to worship Him. One day all men and women will be called upon before God to give an account of themselves to Him. If they do not know this Jesus as their Saviour, then God will cast them from His holy presence. We should also pray that godly men and women will become members of the governments of the world to help protect the innocent and the righteous, that leaders will be raised up, who know God personally to stop the abuse of the innocent.
Thirdly, even in the face of abuse and persecution, we should turn to the living God for comfort and help in our circumstances. Too often we rely on ourselves or others for strength in times of trouble. It is God alone who can help us, and it is God alone who will destroy the evil in the world. The judgment of evil, according to Psalms, is a time for universal rejoicing. Ps. 67:4; 96:12-13; Ps. 35:24. Let us rejoice together when good overcomes evil in this world.
Finally, let us pray and cry out in anger against the suffering and evil in this world. And not only pray about it, but do something about it. We, as Christians, should be as light and salt to the world of darkness and evil. What will you and I do about being light and salt to a world where the innocent suffer, the widows and orphans are abandoned and murdered?
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Bible Thought - Father God
2023/06/19
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WOW Word - Father God
Today, Alphy the WOWChurch cat shares with us about God the Father! Play the audio to find out the following about God the Father!
God the Father - Father of Creation
God the Father - Father of Jesus Christ
God the Father - Father of Christian Disciples
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Psalm 148 - Psalm On Demand
2023/06/18
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Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies!
2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!
3 Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
4 Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
5 Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being.
6 He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths,
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him,
9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds,
11 kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth,
12 young men and young women, old men and children.
13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones- the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
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Psalm 117 - Psalm On Demand
2023/06/17
Psalm 117
Praise God, everybody!
Applaud God, all people!
His love has taken over our lives;
God's faithful ways are eternal.
Alleluiah!
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Christian Testimony - Christine
2023/06/16
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Listen to the testimony of Christine King!
Amazing testimony as are all testimonies of God's saving power through Jesus Christ...
Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
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Christian Testimony - Greg
2023/06/15
Testimony - Greg Richardson
Christian testimony - the son returns
The story of Greg, who became a christian largely due to the effort of others praying for him! Thanks be to God!
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Psalm 14 - Psalm On Demand
2023/06/14
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Psalm 14
14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt.
They have done abominable works.
There is none who does good.
14:2 Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men,
to see if there were any who understood,
who sought after God.
14:3 They have all gone aside.
They have together become corrupt.
There is none who does good, no, not one.
14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and don’t call on Yahweh?
14:5 There they were in great fear,
for God is in the generation of the righteous.
14:6 You frustrate the plan of the poor,
because Yahweh is his refuge.
14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When Yahweh restores the fortunes of his people,
then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad!
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Psalm 113 - Psalm On Demand
2023/06/13
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Psalm 113
(Read by Sharona)
1 Praise Yahweh! Praise, you servants of Yahweh,
praise the name of Yahweh.
2 Blessed be the name of Yahweh,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
Yahweh's name is to be praised.
4 Yahweh is high above all nations,
his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like Yahweh, our God,
who has his seat on high,
6 Who stoops down to see
in heaven and in the earth?
7 He raises up the poor out of the dust.
Lifts up the needy from the ash heap;
8 that he may set him with princes,
even with the princes of his people.
9 He settles the barren woman in her home,
as a joyful mother of children.
Praise Yah!
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Developing Intimacy With God - 12. Jesus’ Teaching About Prayer Part 2
2023/06/12
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Developing Intimacy With God
12. Jesus’ Teaching About Prayer (Part 2)
“9 ‘This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
Last week in our Saturday series, we started looking at Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer in what we call the Lord’s Prayer and we continue that this week.
Forgiveness: Forgiveness, of course, is a major part of the Christian faith and Christianity. Both in the way that God forgives me when I come to Him in penitence and repentance, but also in the way that I forgive others and themselves! Asking for forgiveness, particularly from other people, can be one of the hardest things I need to do. When those times come upon me, I need to stop and consider Jesus Christ and the enormity of His forgiveness. If He forgave me for all I have done wrong, then I also should forgive others, regardless of how difficult that might be to do. Again, is that your experience? Forgiveness deals with my emotional responses toward an offender. Forgiveness enables me to have the same openness toward the person after they offend me, as before. When I forgive the offender, the hurt and the wound start to diminish. This is helped when I realise Jesus Christ understands all of this. I can use these experiences for my eternal advantage. Is that your experience of forgiveness – both in giving and receiving?
Temptation: It’s an undeniable and inevitable fact of the Christian Disciple’s life! It is certainly true of my own life. But it is good to know that temptations are common experiences for all Christian Disciples, and not just for me as an individual. No matter what I may think at the time! An important thing to note and remember, is that temptation itself is not sin! Rather it is the giving into temptation that causes me to sin. How easily it is for me to forget that. One of the keys to living a life right with God and not sinning is by dealing with temptation the very moment it confronts us. As a Christian Disciple, I face temptation from three different angles: the world, my old nature and satan. It is not just out and out temptation that Jesus means here, but also the tests and trials of life. We are to overcome both temptations and trials, in order that our character may, through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, become more like that of Jesus, our Master.
Deliver: What I am delivered from, is better translated I think, as “evil one” rather than “evil”. satan tempts you and I for being a Christian Disciple. It is he who suggests to me that I should not forgive others and to trust in myself for my own needs. It is he who does not want God to be my number one priority or for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven. It is satan who does not want God’s kingdom to be spread. Neither does satan want Jesus Christ to return in glory. Therefore, as a Christian Disciple, I am to pray for these things. I need to rely and trust in God for deliverance from satan, who wants to snatch away the Christian Disciples inner joy and dependence on God.
Your Power: How can God deliver me from temptation, trials and satan? He can, because He is always all–powerful and eternally almighty. Christian Disciples are to rely on God’s strength to overcome temptation, trials and satan, and not to rely on their own strength. By relying on our own strength, failure is inevitable, but by trusting in God and His power and strength, overcoming temptation, trials and satan is assured. How easy it is to forget such fundamentals of Christian living!
Your Glory: What is the aim of being a Christian Disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ? It is for me to give all glory to God regardless of what personal achievements I have gained. His glory is to be my supreme concern, so that God is number one in all aspects of my life as a Christian Disciple. Ergo, I am to pray that His will is done in me, in other Christian Disciples and in the world. I am to pray that His kingdom continues to grow until Jesus Christ returns in majesty and glory.
Amen: May it be so, Lord, as I ask in faith of you.
That is all for today! Our the book this series is based on “Developing Intimacy with God ” It can be found at or www.pulptheology.com which will take you to our Amazon page.
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Developing Intimacy With God - 11. Jesus’ Teaching About Prayer Part 1
2023/06/11
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Developing Intimacy With God
11. Jesus’ Teaching About Prayer (Part 1)
“9 ‘This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
This is, quite possibly, the prayer that is most frequently used, and repeated, by those professing to be Christians, as well as those who are not. It is often called the “Lord’s Prayer”. This is not, however, because Jesus would have prayed it. As He was without sin, He would have had no need to have asked God for forgiveness of sin. It is the Lord’s Prayer, because it was given by Jesus, to serve as a model for His Disciples to know what prayer is to be like, hence Jesus saying, “How You should pray” (Matthew 6:9). Let’s look at it together now, albeit briefly, over the next 2 studies.
Father: Calling God, “Father”, implies that God is in a personal relationship with me, as a Christian Disciple. I am to think of God as a loving and generous Father. God is not impersonal, but wants to be approached intimately as a child approaches its daddy. By saying “our Father”, the individual Christian disciple, I should realize that I am not alone, but rather, I am part of a wider church family.
Holy: When we call God, ‘holy’, it is symbolic of what is to be our intimate adoration of Him. When I call out and say that God is ‘holy’, it affirms that I am to place Him and His purposes at the very top of my list. That is, God is to be number one priority in all aspects of my life and this world. His glory, His kingdom and His will are to be my supreme concern high above my own needs. WOW!
Kingdom: God is a King and He rules! Jesus has inaugurated the Kingdom of God. He is its King. The Kingdom is not yet complete so I, as a Christian Disciple, as somebody who claims to follow Jesus, must pray that His Kingdom will become more and more complete. This is where I pray that the Gospel will spread far and wide, and that God’s Kingdom will continue to grow until Jesus Christ returns in glory, to rule with majesty and honour.
Will: As God is holy and a king, His Will is already being done in heaven. I am to pray that life here on earth will approximate to life in heaven as the Kingdom grows! As a Christian Disciple, I am to be wanting to place God as number one priority in all facets of life and to see God’s kingdom spread, and that I will also pray that God’s Will be top priority as well! These are, I think, the three priorities for a Christian Disciple, such as I am.
That God will be number one
That His Kingdom will spread
That His will be done on earth
Give Us: This signifies that I, as a Christian Disciple need to rely on and trust in God for all things that are necessary for life to continue. So often, particularly in the Western world, we rely on our own finance and goods, to supply our needs and therefore seemingly forget that God has provided for our needs that way. As a Christian Disciple, I am to be thankful for all the good gifts that God my Father has supplied to me. Often, without my needing to ask Him! That is certainly my own experience in the 35 years that I have been a follower of Jesus. Could it also be said, that this is also your experience of God supplying your needs?
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Developing Intimacy With God - 10. The Function of Prayer
2023/06/10
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Developing Intimacy With God
10. The Function of Prayer
The function of prayer, which is the act of communicating and conversing with God, reveals a constant hunger for God’s help. An inner yearning, just as a child yearns for its parent. It is consolidating my desire towards the ultimate goal, of eternal life, joy, worship and knowledge of God – and of being fully known by God. It is also through the Bible that my desire to know God and be known by God, evolves and develops. That is why prayer and Bible reading go hand in hand. Prayer emits my words and thoughts to the God I seek to know, in response to His reaching out to me.
Through prayer, God can comprehend the Christian Disciple, regardless of language, grammar or oratory skill, if the Christian Disciple approaches with a correct attitude. Words, however, are not just to be a mental action but also an emotive act, conveying emotions and feeling. Prayer is a way for me to convey my deep emotions, feelings and expressions to God, regardless of my language skills, or lack thereof. The words spoken in prayer portray my innermost feelings and desires to Him.
This is because God is alive, and what is more, He is personal. He values language and expects His people to talk to Him. If for some reason, I am unable to convey my words in prayer, then Romans 8:26, intimates that the Holy Spirit intercedes for me! WOW! Remember, as a Christian Disciple, the Holy Spirit lives within you and I, seals us as God’s children, unites us as family and He is the Great Comforter and Encourager. How easy it is for me to forget this fact of spiritual life. Prayer epitomises the Father–child relationship, symbolized in my relationship with God. It further symbolizes the freedom and peace in prayer, advocated by Jesus to communicate His deepest desires, as in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) and as we read in John 17. Prayer is not just me talking to God, but also being silent, to allow God to talk to me.
Now a question we all ask at some time or another. I know I have regularly. We ask it, either consciously or even subconsciously: Does God answer all prayers?
Firstly, the answer I expect, may not be the answer I get! Is that your experience of prayer? I know that it is often my experience! So often I pray, expecting one result and I end up getting another completely unexpected result. I then often think that God hasn’t answered my prayer! Sometimes the answer He gives, is ‘Yes’. At other times, it is ‘No’ or ‘Not yet. Wait.’ When I recall that God works outside of my restrictions of time and space, it is a lesson for me to not only learn, but also to remember. A lesson which says that I am to trust His judgement and wisdom. After all, He is God and I am not. I am to acknowledge that He is the Master and I am His servant. Alas, sometimes when I pray, I like to think I am the Master and He is my servant. Is that also your experience?
Why are some prayers unanswered? There are various reasons, I think, that prayers aren’t seemingly answered. It may well be due to things like:
unconfessed sin (Psalm 66:18)
disobedience (Proverbs 28:9)
pride (Luke 18:11–14)
doubt (James 1:5–7)
selfishness (James 4:3)
others not responding to God’s call upon them to be the answer to the prayer
no reason, that for now that can possibly be conceived, seen or understand.
God knows best and I am to acquiesce to His love and His knowledge – despite my tears and tantrums towards Him. He is the Master and I am to be His servant. He is willing to hear my voice. He wants to hear my voice. He wants to hear of my love for Him. I am in a relationship with God, because of God, and I desire to show my love of God and tell Him that I love Him. His desire is to have me serve Him and for Him to lavish His love upon me, in all manner of ways and in all circumstances of life. Is this your experience of God and your life with Him?
Next week we start to look at Jesus’ teaching on prayer as part of our Developing Intimacy With God.
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Developing Intimacy With God - 9. Prayer - Some thoughts
2023/06/09
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Developing Intimacy With God
9. Prayer - Some Thoughts
As Christian Disciples, followers of Jesus Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. That can easily be seen in the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, what we call the “Lord’s Prayer”, which we look at together later in this series. If you and I are engaged in spiritual warfare, that means we are to have weapons. Prayer, along with studying and reading the Bible, are our weapons of spiritual warfare!
Prayer is at the centre in the relationship between God and the Christian Disciple, consequently building friendship and intimacy between God and ourselves. Prayer is to be the major action of fellowship between God and humans – of you and I communicating with God, both in talking and listening (Genesis 18:33) – as individuals and with other people. Not just as certain times of the day but also throughout the day – constant communication and not just for 30 minutes in the morning.
Prayer is also a way of “letting God in” to the life of the Christian Disciple, of enjoying the company of God, relating all aspects of life to Him - and into the life of the Church – local, national and global.
Prayer is also a means of protection for the Christian Disciple, in that the Christian Disciple is too weak in their own understanding and strength to withstand all that is against them. God Himself assists me as I pray: where yearnings are corrected and strengthened.
Prayers expressing my desires and thoughts, offer a contributory way to my journey as a Christian Disciple. A cursory look at the book of Psalms in the Bible, will show that they are superb biblical examples of prayer. Prayer is ultimately what we as humans were made for: conversing and communicating with God, all the while developing intimacy and relationship with God. This dynamic relationship enables me to engage in prayer that is personal and relational.
However, prayer is only the penultimate stage in the relationship with God. Prayer is the forerunner of the day when I as a Christian Disciple, will know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12). All true prayer consists of a desire, a yearning and a longing to know God better, and that is to be my prime motivation: to know God better. That is why prayer is a spiritual weapon, and it is also the reason satan tries to stop Christian Disciples from praying.
That’s it for today! Next study in this series we look together at the function of prayer
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Developing Intimacy With God - 8. The Bible Helps You To Get To Know God’s Will For You
2023/06/08
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Developing Intimacy With God
8. The Bible Helps You To Get To Know God’s Will
God has a program for the universe and it is revealed only in the Bible. The overall will of God, is that all people should come to believe and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and their Saviour. After starting the Christian life, you discover God’s program by humbly reading his written word, the Bible. You become aware of how God wants you to live and what God wants you to do.
God’s initial will for those who believe, is the changing and conforming of the believer into the likeness of Jesus. But this is only the beginning of God’s work in the believer! This serves as merely an elemental introduction into the lifelong process of becoming like Jesus Christ, the Son of God – your Saviour.
Paul writes “being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Philippians 1:6). God will not abandon you, but he will keep working in you, transforming you to be like Jesus Christ. Being obedient to God’s will as revealed in the Bible, helps speed this work of transformation within you. It is work, because being obedient to God can be difficult and it can involve great personal cost. Yet it is also very worthwhile in the light of eternity.
Secondly, as a Christian believer, you should not overlook God’s work in this world. Was it not Jesus who commanded all his followers to tell everybody about Himself? God uses people to spread the good news of this gospel. People are God’s hands, feet and voice to the world This includes you, if you allow him and seize every opportunity! Then conviction comes to a person through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, believe it or not, God is at work in and through the church – his church. The church throughout the world and throughout history. The church is to be a dynamic organism ordained by Jesus to do work for God. As the church reflects biblical truths to the world, God works through his Holy Spirit and through his followers. In so doing, the church is strengthened and blessed abundantly. I wonder if that describes your experience of church?
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Developing Intimacy With God - 7. The Bible Helps You To Get To Know God Better
2023/06/07
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Developing Intimacy With God
7. The Bible Helps You To Get To Know God Better
One of the very key teachings from the Bible is that God is love and that he can be known personally. That is why we know that he has spoken to humanity through his two WOW Words – Jesus Christ and the Bible. People are not naturally born possessing this knowledge, even though they know that God exists. That knowledge is not the same as knowing God personally. In the same way that I know about Queen Elizabeth II, I don’t know her personally. That is the same state that some people are in with regards to God.
Personal knowledge of God is ultimately crucial however, since knowing God personally and developing that relationship is what being a Christian is all about. As a Christian believer, you should be rejoicing that God earnestly desires you to gain this knowledge of Him, and to know him more and more. For this reason, He has spoken to you through his written Word, the Bible, revealing Himself and disclosing how you may know him.
While God can be known, your own knowledge of God, both now and in the future, will only ever partial. You will never know everything there is to be known about God. Knowledge of Him is both wonderful and endless. As you grow spiritually, knowing the Bible and thus knowing God more, you will grow in spiritual maturity. Why do you need to grow in maturity and knowledge?
The Apostle Peter commands that you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). You do this as part of your spiritual journey. Your aim is to become more like Jesus Christ. One of the Christian life’s’ greatest delights, is developing an intimate knowledge of God, intimacy with him and exploration of him and his ways.
The gospel, which means ‘good news’ or the news of Jesus you share with other people, is rightly entitled: ”the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). The gospel the Bible brings to us is the agent of the new birth. The gospel is the soap by which God gives the believing sinner a spiritual bath resulting in salvation. The Bible is a teacher that brings wisdom, which leads to salvation.
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Developing Intimacy With God - 6. The Bible Helps Equip You To Serve God
2023/06/06
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Developing Intimacy With God
6. The Bible Helps Equip You To Serve God
One of the main ways that the Bible helps you, is by equipping you for active service! There are at least four ways, in which the Bible does this in your Christian life!
Firstly, the Bible also equips you for doing battle with Satan and resisting temptation. Paul likened this believers’ spiritual armour to that used by Roman foot soldiers (Ephesians 6:11-17). In Paul’s pen-picture here, the Bible is compared to a soldier’s sword. A sword is not only used to defend, but also used to attack. Jesus defended Himself from satan’s attack by using Scripture to show the devil how wrong he was (Matthew 4:3-4).
Secondly, is that the Bible equips, and is useful for, evangelism and pointing others to Jesus Christ. In Acts 8 we read that the Ethiopian was puzzled by Isaiah 53. It was in explaining about that, that Philip could talk to him about Jesus Christ and bring him to faith. (It is also thought by some that he was responsible for starting the Christian church in Ethiopia which continues to this day).
Thirdly, the Bible equips you as a Christian to use your spiritual gifts. Paul talked often about them and one list is in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. A spiritual gift is an ability given by the Holy Spirit, to you the believer, so that the church is encouraged and God is glorified. Your spiritual maturity derives from building Bible knowledge, which in turn helps you use your talents in the best way possible to serve God and other people.
Finally, the Bible equips you in order that you may give counsel to others seeking help. An example is seen in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 where Paul urges Timothy to use Scripture when teaching others.
As you read your Bible regularly, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate it to you! You will start growing in spiritual maturity. As you do, and as you use these methods living the Christian life, you will grow into spiritual maturity.
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Developing Intimacy With God - 5. Keys To Understanding The Bible
2023/06/05
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Developing Intimacy With God
5. Keys To Understanding The Bible
You may well be asking a particular question by now. Just how does God the Holy Spirit illuminate the Bible to you. What is it that the Holy Spirit uses to help make the Bible easier to understand?
The answer is prayer. Pray and ask that the Holy Spirit will help you as you read. That is a major part of his role in your life as a believer. He will use the Bible to enlighten and illuminate your mind, heart and will as you seek to be obedient to the Lord.
Remember the Bible is inerrant and infallible. That is, it does not mislead in matters of faith and practice. It does not contain errors or mistakes in its original form. It is the Bible that God intended us to have. God speaks through it so it is totally trustworthy. That statement strictly speaking, only applies to the original manuscripts and languages. Because of that, we are to maintain the Bible as our final authority over all things. We can do this because if any part of the Bible appears to contradict another part, there must be a meaning in the contradiction - even if we find it difficult!
The Bible is a balanced and unified message from a God who does not change. By reading the Bible regularly, you will be see how it holds together. I would recommend reading it daily, perhaps first thing in the morning to help your day start off well. As you read, it is a good practise to always ask yourself questions about the Bible passage you are reading. Use a good set of daily devotional studies! There are many available for you and your own taste. Use a Bible you can read easily. There are many translations available to suit your taste and style of reading.
Finally, expect to be changed when reading the Bible with an obedient heart, mind and will. The Bible is God’s Written Word because it is active, and God will not cease transforming you into the image of Jesus the Living Word.
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Developing Intimacy With God - 4. The God Who Speaks - Illumination
2023/06/04
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Developing Intimacy With God
4. God Speaks By Illumination
God has spoken and he has communicated his Written Word to us. Firstly, by revelation when God spoke to the writers. Secondly, through inspiration as the writers were divinely guided by God, in the process of writing his message. However, to understand God’s revealed and inspired message, illumination is required. This is where God causes the Bible to be understood by both the human heart and the mind.
Why do we need illumination? Without illumination, the reader is blinded both by their own nature and by satan. Just as a light bulb needs power to give light, so the Bible needs somebody to provide the power! The person, who does this illuminating, is God the Holy Spirit. He was promised by Jesus to illuminate the Bible to the hearts and minds of all those people willing to listen, both Christian and non-Christian.
Take for example the event recorded for us in Acts 2. This is where the Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to illuminate sinners at Pentecost, where after hearing Peter preach, over three thousand people became Christians (Acts 2:41).
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ 41 Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:40-41)
Even as a Christian you need this illumination to help you understand God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will show amazing truths to you as you read the Bible regularly, and ask for his help in understanding it. God’s Living Word Jesus Christ is revealed as the Holy Spirit illuminates the Bible as God’s inspired written word. That way people’s lives are transformed and changed.
So, why not pray for his help whenever you read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate it to you?
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Developing Intimacy With God - 3. The God Who Speaks - Inspiration
2023/06/03
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Developing Intimacy With God
3. God Speaks By Inspiration
The actual word ‘inspiration’ is found only once in the New Testament, when Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16 explicitly states, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” or more literally “is God-breathed.” The word ‘inspiration’ is in fact, not a good translation. The original Greek word says that God ‘breathed out’ his Word. Divine inspiration naturally proceeds from divine revelation. We looked at revelation last week.
While through revelation God speaks to humanity, it is by inspiration that God works the pen, ergo ensuring that the message is God breathed and written correctly. This process of inspiration has several theories attached to it. One theory called the content theory, suggests that the author was given the main idea by God, but God allowed the writer to choose his own words.
Another is the natural theory. This is where the Biblical writers were inspired in the same sense Shakespeare was inspired, but that doesn’t agree with the ‘God-breathed’ word.
It is quite apparent that God did not suppress the writers’ personalities. For example, the writing style of John is clearly different from that of Peter or indeed that of Paul. The differences in writing style and in vocabulary of different authors are easily seen.
However, Jesus implied clearly that God chose the very letters of the words when he said that not one stroke of the pen would pass from the law (Matthew 5:17-19). From this we can infer that God inspires all the words of the Bible. God wanted to communicate to ordinary people, therefore he used ordinary people to write and produce the Bible.
In response to temptation by satan, Jesus said that humanity is to live by God-inspired words. (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10) Writers in the Bible, such as Peter, knew their writings were being guided by God (1 Peter 1:10–12; 2 Peter 1:19, 20; 3:15, 16).
Inspiration, is only guaranteed in the original manuscripts which were written in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic. It is not, however much some people protest, guaranteed in any translation of the Bible.
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Developing Intimacy With God - 2. The God Who Speaks - Revelation
2023/06/02
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Developing Intimacy With God
2. God Speaks By Revelation
"Then the LORD replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that whoever reads it may run with it." (Habakkuk 2:2 New International Version)
Last time we looked at the God who speaks and a reason why we should develop our intimacy with Him. He is a God of love and to hear him speak we need to read and understand the Bible. We continue with that today, by looking at the first of 3 words which describe what we mean when we say that God has spoken. The word for today is “revelation”.
The Bible, as God’s written word, is revelation. Revelation is how God has communicated truths to people, who otherwise would not know them. The story of creation in Genesis 1 and 2 is a good example of this. As humanity was not created until the sixth day, it must have been God who revealed the knowledge about what occurred on the first five days to the author of Genesis, or it would not be possible to know what occurred.
We know God spoke to those who wrote the Bible; but how did he speak? Was it in Hebrew? Or Greek? Or some form of angelic language? We do know that God spoke to them in their own language, just as he did to young Samuel in the temple. Samuel at first thought that the voice was that of Eli the priest. (1 Samuel 3:3–9) At other times God spoke through angels, as when the angel Gabriel informed Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. (Luke 1:26–38)
In the part of the Bible we call the Old Testament, God often spoke through the “Angel of the Lord”. Some people believe this to have been Jesus before he came to earth as a human (Joshua 5:13–15; 1 Chronicles 21:16). We call those events, a ‘christophany’ – a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus the Son of God.
Another method of communication used by God, is in dreams and visions. An example of this is in the birth story of Jesus Christ, where the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to King Herod. (Matthew 2:12). God has also communicated from a burning bush (Exodus 3) and from within a cloud (Exodus 34). God has even spoken through a donkey, as the prophet Balaam can testify (Numbers 22).
Without revelation, we could not learn about God. Unless God reveals Himself, we would not know anything about him. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, “He (God) has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
We know for certain that this revelation has caused the Bible, the Written Word of God, to reveal Jesus Christ the Living Word of God. WOW!
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Developing Intimacy With God - 1. The God Who Speaks
2023/06/01
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Developing Intimacy With God
1. The God Who Speaks
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16
Today we are starting a new series where we will seek to help our relationship with God, to develop our intimacy with Him. We will start with 8 studies about reading and understanding the Bible, where God speaks to us. Then we will go on to prayer, where we speak to God but He also, again, speaks to us.
We start today by looking at the God who speaks and the basis on which we are to develop our relationship with Him through reading the Bible and praying to Him, listening to Him.
Let me know what you think! I won't mind what you say...
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Sermon - God? So what? - Ezekiel 36
2023/05/31
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God - so what?
Ezekiel 36v22-28
1. A God who is holy (Ezekiel 36v22-23)
22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.
2. A God who gathers (Ezekiel 36v24)
36v24 "For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you to your own land."
3. A God who cleanses (Ezekiel 36v25) and operates (Ezekiel 36v26)
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
4. A God who indwells (v27)
27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
5. A God to live for (v28) 2
8 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
Conclusion - What about you?
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Sermon - God Comes To Town - Ezekiel 1
2023/05/30
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God Comes To Town!
Ezekiel 1:1-4, 24-28 to 2:2
Introduction
I wonder if there anybody here that is 25 years old? Anybody turning 25 this year? How about those who wished they were turning 25 this year? Imagine you are a 25 year old and being trained for the family business. Then suddenly your enemies invade your city and take you away to a foreign land. That's what happened to Ezekiel 5 years before this passage of Scripture, Ezekiel 1-2, when the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar in 597BC took 3000 Jews back to Babylon. This was the first deportation.
1. Ezekiel - who was he and how did he get there?
2. How does Ezekiel describe this vision of God?
3. God is Holy God
4. God is Universal: Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Mission minded & Personal
5. What does all this mean? Worship & Tell others
6. We speak God's word
Conclusion
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am in exile. I don't mean as an Australian living in England, the mother country! Although sometimes it does feel like I am in exile! We are living in a country, which despite its Christian heritage, evangelical non-compromising Christians are being increasingly marginalized by a society, which decrees that, all religions or none are equal, and that to declare otherwise is simply arrogance and divisive. How are we to react? When you are faced with a crisis or some trouble, how do you react? Are you like the ancient Israelites that Ezekiel was sent to? Do you trust in the holy, all-powerful, all knowing, personal God or do you trust in other things?
God is coming again!
Be Holy and be obedient!
Live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Trust fully in the God of your salvation
Go tell somebody!
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Sermon - Understanding the Kingdom - John 3
2023/05/29
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Sermon - Understanding the Kingdom (John 3:1-21)
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
(John 3:1-21) New Living Translation
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Introduction
I wonder what you think the Kingdom of God is. In the Old Testament we learn of all kinds of different earthly kingdoms. Each one of these kingdoms were doomed to fail from the start, because of the promised commencement of a new and everlasting kingdom. Perhaps by having a brief overview of what Jesus in the Gospels said about the Kingdom will help us understand more about it before we focus on just a couple of aspects. From what Jesus said, we learn that:
The kingdom had small beginnings.
It advances slowly and unspectacularly.
It works in an unseen way, like yeast in dough.
It grows side by side with evil and error.
The members are drawn from every part, for it is a universal part.
When discovered, it is the source of true joy and fulfilment.
It requires sacrifice, submission and surrender.
It ends in an eternal separation of the good from the evil, of the true from the false.
It centres only on Jesus Christ (Luke 9:28-36).
So having seen these descriptions, mainly from Matthew 13, we can now go on to a main definition of the kingdom. We find this ultimate definition in Romans 14:17 'For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.'
This is the experience of salvation. Every believer, all those who trust in Jesus Christ, has entered it and been accepted by Jesus when He died on the cross. So, having described it and then defined it, the next question we ask is how do we enter the Kingdom of God. Well, after such a long introduction, we are going to look at this aspect of the God's Kingdom based on our reading of John 3:1-18. So, if you haven't done so already please do have your bibles open at that passage - John 3:1-18.
1. Birth (vs. 1-7)a. Pain - Human birth involves pain, both for the parents and for the baby. So does spiritual birth. At Easter we are reminded this of the pain Jesus endured on the cross so that we might become members of the Kingdom of God. Believers in their Christian life should endure the pain of persecution, suffering, and prayer and witness as we seek to win new people to Christ.
b. Nature - Children inherit the nature of the parents, and so do the people in the Kingdom of God. We take on the divine nature (2 Peter 1 :4). As believers we should naturally have an appetite for the things of God (2 Peter 2:2-3). As believers we should have no desire to go away from the Kingdom of God (2 Peter 2:20-22). As believers we are to feed on the Word of God and grow in spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5: 11-14).
c. Life - Human birth, involves life and spiritual birth into God's kingdom involves the life of God. John uses the word 'life' about 36 times in his gospel. The opposite of life is death, and anybody not in the Kingdom of God, do not and cannot have God's eternal life in His kingdom.
d. Future - Human birth involves a future, and we are born again to a living hope, both in the present and the future (1 Peter 1:3). Police cannot arrest a newborn baby because it has no past, and the future is in front of that baby. When born again into the Kingdom of God, sins are forgiven and forgotten, and the future is bright with a living hope in the Kingdom of God.
2. The wind (vs. 8-13).
It is possible that the evening wind was blowing just then as Nicodemus and Jesus sat the housetop talking. The 'wind' in the Bible, signifies the Spirit. When Jesus used this symbol, Nicodemus should have remembered Ezekiel 37:1-14. The prophet Ezekiel saw a valley full of dead bones; but when he prophesied to the wind, the Spirit came and gave the bones' life.
Again, it was the combination of the Spirit of God and the Word of God that gave life. The nation of Israel was dead and hopeless, and in spite of the morality and religion of the people, they needed the life of the Spirit. The new birth from above is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God, but it is also a mystery. Everyone born of the Spirit is like the wind: it is impossible to explain or predict the ways of the wind or the Spirit of God.Nicodemus came "by night' and he was still in the dark! He simply could not understand the concept of new birth even after Jesus had explained it to him. Jesus insisted that Nicodemus' Old Testament knowledge should have given him the light he required (John 3:10). Yet, he still could not see how to enter the Kingdom of God.
What was his problem? Religious leaders would not submit to Jesus' authority and witness (John 3: 11). The religious leaders continued to believe Moses, yet would not believe Jesus (John 5:35-47). "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"
3. The snake on the pole (vs. 14-18).
This story from Numbers was certainly familiar to Nicodemus. It is a story of sin, for Israel rebelled against God and had to be punished. God sent fiery snakes that bit the people, so that many died. Yet it is also a story of grace, for Moses intercede for the people and God provided a remedy. He told Moses to make a brass snake and lift it up on a pole for all to see. Any sick and dying person could look to the brass snake on the pole and be immediately healed. So, it is also a story of faith, punishment, salvation and faith. The phrase lifted up means to be crucified (John 8:28; 12:13-24) and also be glorified and exalted. John points out that our Lord's crucifixion was actually the means for Him to be glorified (John 12:23). However the cross was not the end of His glory, it was the way He achieved His glory (Acts 2:33).
Much as the snake on the pole had to be lifted up, so the Son of God, Jesus had to be lifted on the cross. This happened to save all people from sin and death. In the camp of Israel, the solution to the "snake problem" was not in killing the snakes, or taking medicine against the poison, or pretending the snakes were not there, or passing anti-snake laws or by climbing the pole. The answer was to look in faith at the lifted snake. Now, the whole world has been bitten by sin (Romans 6:23). God sent His son to die, not only for Israel, but also for the whole world. The Kingdom of God is not just for Israel, or England or even the United States of America. How does a person enter the Kingdom of God? By being born again from above, which means believing on Jesus and looking to Him in faith.
Each of us that are believers have therefore entered into the Kingdom of God and are spiritually living. The difference between living spiritually and being dead spiritually is faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus could well have come to this world as a Judge and destroyed every rebellious sinner; but He came in love. Jesus came into the world as our Saviour, to guide us into the Kingdom of God, and He died on the cross, Jesus became the "uplifted snake".
The brass snake in Moses' day brought physical life to dying Jews; but Jesus gives eternal life to all who asks and trusts in Him. He brings the Kingdom of God for a whole world, Nicodemus eventually entered the Kingdom of God, when he spoke up for Jesus in John 7 and came into a "sunlight of confession" when he identified with Jesus at Calvary bringing the spice to prepare the body for burial (John 19:38-42). He realized that the uplifted Jesus on the cross, was the path into the world-wide Kingdom of God
Conclusion
Therefore lets go over tonight's lessons from the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus. The definition of the kingdom of God is exposed from Romans 14:17 which we also see as the experience of salvation. "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." The path into the kingdom of God, was defined in the 3 distinct pictures Jesus told to Nicodemus. Firstly in the picture of new birth from above, secondly in the picture of the blowing wind or spirit and thirdly in the Old Testament picture of the snake on the pole.
As we finish, what are we to say. For those of us who are in the kingdom of God: are you growing in your faith and immersing more of yourself into the Kingdom of God. Is your story or testimony of what Jesus is doing in your life up to date, or are you living on past memories, last Easters' prayers and past Sundays' sermons. The testimony of how we are living in the Kingdom of God is vital for our witness in the Kingdom of God. Jesus commanded us to go and tell, so go and tell the wondrous news of an eternal kingdom - one which will never end! God has promised and He always fulfils His promises.
Now finally, what stops people from entering into the Kingdom of God? People want to continue to do things against God, and this keeps them from coming out of darkness into the light of the Kingdom of God. This is because the closer someone who loves darkness gets closer to light, the more their evil ways are exposed to the light of God. It is not any intellectual problems that keep people out of the Kingdom. It is a moral and spiritual problem. It would involve a change of lifestyle, of being 'born again' as it was.
What is your reason, for not being yet a believer and follower of Jesus Christ? If for some reason, you are not part of God's kingdom yet, then your opportunity is here. You may not get another chance. You might just walk on out of here tonight, not having entered into the eternal Kingdom of God, and die. It really could be that shocking and happen. Take your opportunity now. Please do come and see one of the leaders about how you can enter the Kingdom of God this very night!
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Pentecost Sunday - Bible Thought
2023/05/28
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The Holy Spirit Comes
G'day! Today is Pentecost Sunday where Christians around the world remember and celebrate the coming of the promised Holy Spirit! Happy Pentecost!
Jesus has now ascended back to the right hand of the Father. The 12 apostles are now back in Jerusalem and waiting. Waiting for the Holy Spirit to come. The coming of God the Holy Spirit is in fulfilment of the promise that Almighty and All-powerful God would indwell all those people who chose to follow Him. This event was prophesied many years before. An example is from the prophet Ezekiel:
“And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezekiel 36:27)
Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus had talked about how after He departed that God the Holy Spirit would come (John 15:26). Starting today and over the coming few days we will look at the Holy Spirit and into the book of Acts seeing how the Holy Spirit worked within and through the early Church. Let's look together!
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A Christian Response to Suffering & Sickness - Bible Thought
2023/05/27
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A Christian Response to Suffering & Sickness
Jeremiah 37v11-16: After the Babylonian army had withdrawn from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh's army, 12 Jeremiah started to leave the city to go to the territory of Benjamin to get his share of the property among the people there. But when he reached the Benjamin Gate, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, arrested him and said, "You are deserting to the Babylonians!"
"That's not true!" Jeremiah said. "I am not deserting to the Babylonians." But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. They were angry with Jeremiah and had him beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary, which they had made into a prison.
Quite possibly the biggest question Christian Disciples ask themselves or is asked of them by others concerns the problem of suffering. I will start out by saying I don’t have all the answers, but hope to give some idea as to what the Bible says about suffering. Many people mention suffering as the main reason they do not believe in any form of God, whether that be a personal God or an impassive God. What is true of all humans, is that we all suffer in some way. It is an endemic part of human life. Suffering of any kind leaves some sort of scar or mark. Do you have scars? Physical, emotional or mental scars due to sickness, somebody else actions against you or as a result of your own actions? Scars come as a result of human life - everyone one of us has them! Are you suffering today from sickness? Are you suffering today because of somebody else? Guaranteed you know of somebody suffering, even if its only by watching the news and the scenes of devastation presented!
Come and listen to find out more. Thank you.
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Christian Testimony - Andy
2023/05/26
Come and hear Andy give his testimony of a journey
from darkness into glorious Christian joy!
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Christian Testimony - Carol
2023/05/25
Testimony - Carol
Hear how this lady of faith turned her life around and came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour!
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Psalm 108 - Psalm on Demand
2023/05/24
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Psalm 108
1-2 I'm ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe.
Ready to sing, ready to raise a God-song:
"Wake, soul! Wake, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!"
3-6 I'm thanking you, God, out in the streets,
singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud's a flag to your faithfulness.
Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
And for the sake of the one you love so much,
reach down and help me-answer me!
7-9 That's when God spoke in holy splendor:
"Brimming over with joy, I make a present of Shechem,
I hand out Succoth Valley as a gift.
Gilead's in my pocket, to say nothing of Manasseh.
Ephraim's my hard hat, Judah my hammer.
Moab's a scrub bucket- I mop the floor with Moab, Spit on Edom,
rain fireworks all over Philistia."
10-11 Who will take me to the thick of the fight?
Who'll show me the road to Edom?
You aren't giving up on us, are you, God? refusing to go out with our troops?
12-13 Give us help for the hard task; human help is worthless.
In God we'll do our very best; he'll flatten the opposition for good.
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Psalm 23 - Psalm on Demand
2023/05/23
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Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!
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Psalm 122 - Psalm On Demand
2023/05/22
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Psalm 122
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
1 I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
2 And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.
4 All the tribes of Israel-the Lord's people-
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.
5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace
within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, "May you have peace."
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
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God of Judgment - Bible Thought - WISE
2023/05/21
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God of Judgment
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We all have at some point liked to think of God as being all love and never judging. People say “It will be alright in the end, because the love of God conquers all.” Well, remember also, that love involves judging! God is the judge of all the earth, the writer of Hebrews reminds us (Hebrews 12v23)! This judgment has several aspects to it:
Unbiased
God shows no favouritism (Romans 2v11). God is eternally just and righteous. It is a reflection of His mercy, that nobody can claim God is unfair.
Unavoidable
Jesus Christ will judge the whole world with justice (Acts 17v31). People are destined to die once and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9v27). What is common to all people, is a universal sinfulness (Romans 2v1). What is in the murderer or the thief is in all people, everywhere and of all time. That is sin and it must be judged. Judgement will be before the Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20v11-15).
Universal
Judgement covers both unbelievers and believers:
Judgment of unbelievers - Those who do not profess Jesus, as God, will be judged according to their sinfulness. They are already guilty, because they didn’t take up the offer during their earthly life. These people will be cast into the lake of fire with satan and his angels (Revelation 20v15; Matthew 25v41). This punishment is eternal (Matthew 25v46).
Judgment of Christian Disciples - And that is not all! Those who are believers, Christian disciples, and are actively engaged in a relationship with Jesus Christ, will also be judged! Does that surprise you? While these people have accepted God’s free offer and are declared righteous by faith, they will be judged according to the things they have done with, and in, their faith. Belief and faith is to be supported by good works (Galatians 5v6; James 2v18).
As a Christian Disciple, you will not be judged for sin - this has been judged (Isaiah 53v4-6; 1 Peter 2v24), and you have salvation on that basis! This judgment is not for your salvation but for your crown! As a Christian Disciple, you will be asked to give an account of yourself (Romans 14v10), and you will be judged according to what you have done (2 Corinthians 5v10). The quality of your work will be tested (1 Corinthians 3v11-15) and your motives exposed – either you did things for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 4v4-5) or you did them for your own glory.
As a Christian Disciple, you will give account of the opportunities and abilities entrusted to you (Matthew 25v14-30). Rewards may be gained or lost (1 Corinthians 3v14-15). These rewards are described as an incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9v25); a crown of glory (1 Peter 5v4); crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4v8); crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2v19) and the crown of life (James 1v12)
So, go this day. Go this week! Go tell somebody of the crown waiting for them, if only they are willing to enter into a living and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ! Remember - do all you do, for God’s glory and not your own!
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God of Love - Bible Thought - WISE
2023/05/20
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A God Of Love
We live in a world that is in love with love. Love, according to some people, is what makes the world go around. Valentines day and the endemic materialism associated with it is evidence of that! There are more songs written about all kinds of love than perhaps any other subject! In the Bible, God’s love is revealed. The Apostle John in 1 John 4 does not simply say that God loves, but rather that God is love. Remember that God is the Holy Trinity, three persons in one. The Trinity is a living, vibrant community of love, and every activity of the Trinity, is an expression of love. God loves because that is His very nature. Throughout the Bible, God’s love is described as an unfailing, everlasting, intimate, sacrificial, unbreakable, conquering, immeasurable and all-knowing. How is God’s love seen? It is seen in two ways.
Firstly, it is shown supremely in that He has given His Son to be the Saviour of the world, so that if a person takes up that opportunity, they can know and enjoy God in a personal relationship. God had only one Son, Jesus Christ, and He sent Him on a rescue mission to seek the lost and to reconcile people to God. This is love in action. The lover dying for the ones He loves.
Secondly, God’s love is shown when Christians love. As a Christian, you are a child of God, so you should want to be like your Heavenly Father, by showing the world your love for others and your transformed character. The Christian Church should be a community of love, for this is how the world sees God
If people see Christians that are not loving and kind, rightly or wrongly, the whole Church is branded as a bunch of fakes and hypocrites. Worse still, God is seen at best as nothing more than a distant uncaring irrelevant figure. The love between Christians is seen as a visible showing of the invisible God. The very character of the church should always be to reflect God in all aspects. The ultimate example of showing people God, is for you as a Christian, to love and be love. People should be seeing God’s love, through your love. For as Jesus said, “All men will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another” (John 13:35).
His love releases us from the things that so easily entangle our daily walk with Him. The more you hold onto His love, the more you will desire it and the more it will be revealed in your daily life. Your love in action today, reflects God’s love in action on the cross. How will you reflect this God of love today, to the world around you? Go and love - to the glory of God! Maranatha!
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Prayer - Bible Thought - WISE
2023/05/19
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Prayer
I wonder what you think prayer is and how much of it you have experienced? Is your vision and experience of prayer too small? Let us find out together, a small part of prayer! Prayer is to be at the centre of the relationship between God and the Christian. It is the major interaction and fellowship between God and humans, and of humans communicating with God, both in talking and listening. Prayer is allowing God to be consciously in to all aspects of Christian's life and enjoying God's companionship.
John Calvin, said that part of praying was asking for "what we have learned to be available" in God's love and of His being the infinitesimal good giver. He goes on to say our "only security" is achieved by calling on the Father for His providence out of His infinite mercy.
Prayer is ultimately what humans were made for: conversing with God. Regardless of status or maturity or any other man-made barrier, God is always accessible, through prayer, to all those seeking Him with a contrite heart and a humble spirit. This dynamic relationship enables the Christian to engage in prayer that is both personal and relational. All prayer consists of a desire or longing to know God better, and that is to be the prime motivation: to know God better and more intimately.
Prayer's function is to a constant yearning for God's assistance! It is to be a strengthening of desire towards eternal happiness, holiness and worship and knowledge of God. God Himself assists us as we pray! Did you know that? He does this by correcting and strengthening the yearning we express. Prayers express desires and thoughts in a contributory way to the journey of the Christian Disciple. Prayer emits our words from ourselves to the God we seek to know, as a response to His reaching out to us.
Through prayer, God is able to comprehend the Christian Disciple regardless of language, grammar or oratory skill as long as the Christian Disciple approaches with a correct attitude. Words however, are not just to be a mental action but also an emotive act, conveying emotions and feeling. Prayer is to convey deep emotions to God, regardless of our language skills. The words spoken in prayer portray our innermost feeling to Him.
Because God is personal, He values language and expects His people to talk to Him. Prayer is intimacy with God! If for some reason, the Christian Disciple is unable to convey their words in prayer, then Romans 8v26, intimates that the Holy Spirit intercedes. Prayer epitomises the Father-child relationship symbolized in the Christian Disciple's relationship with God. It further symbolizes the freedom and peace in prayer, advocated by Jesus to communicate His deepest desires, as in the Lords Prayer (Matthew 6v9-13) and in John 17. Don't just have your prayer time in the morning or evening and leave it at that. Pray throughout the day as well, asking God for His assistance as you go about your daily life! Go! Pray!
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God As Trinity - Bible Thought - WISE
2023/05/18
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Words In Scripture Explored – Trinity
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One of the problems that people tell me they have with the Christian God is the concept of God being a Trinity, asking “Why must God be a Trinity?” After all they say, the word Trinity isn’t in the Bible! And they are partly correct, insomuch as that there is no explicit Bible text using the word trinity. However, the concept is explicit throughout the Bible.
Trinity is Love
Love Indivisible - One of the main errors people make regarding the Trinity, is that the three names, Father, Son and Spirit are simply three different modes of the one God. However the Christian doctrine of the Trinity states that God, is made of one indivisible essence or substance, and this is expressed in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each belongs to the whole undivided essence of God. The totality of God exists in the Father, the Son and in the Holy Spirit. Each member of the Trinity is co-equal, co-eternal, self-conscious and self-directing. The three members never act in opposition to any other member, but always in complete union and harmony. The three members are always in complete union with the other. Love Precession – This endeavours to describe the relationship within the Godhead. While, there seemingly is an order of succession in their relationship, this in no way means superiority & inferiority. The Son is begotten of the Father (John 3v16) and does the Fathers Will. Both the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit (John 15v26). Love Relationship – There is a communal honour between the Trinity Persons (John 15v26; 16v13-15; 17v1, 8,18,23). In the work of redemption or salvation, there is a co-ordination in the Triune Godhead (Hebrews 10v7-17; Ephesians 4v4-6; 1 Corinthians 12v4-6). The Father ‘elects’ (Ephesians 1v4); The Son ‘redeems (Ephesians 1v7); and the Holy Spirit ‘seals’ (Ephesians 1v13-14).
Between the three Persons, there is an eternal unison in active purpose and yet seemingly external distinctive between the Three members of the Triune Godhead. If God was a single essence, as some people say, then how could love possibly be shown, as love requires more than one Person for it to be active? God is love. The Father totally loves the Son and the Spirit. The Son totally loves the Father and the Spirit. The Spirit totally loves the Father and the Son. This Trinitarian God exhibits love and commands His Disciples, to love one another so that He will be seen (John 13v34-25). When you show love, you reflect and reveal the Trinitarian God, in whose image you are made.
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Psalm 17 - Psalm On Demand
2023/05/17
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Psalm 17
17:1 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
17:2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
17:3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
17:4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
17:5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
17:6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
17:7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
17:9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
17:10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
17:11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
17:12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
17:13 Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
17:14 from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
17:15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
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POD - Psalm 116
2023/05/16
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Psalm 116
1-6 I love God because he listened to me,
listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn;
then I called out to God for help:
"Please, God!" I cried out.
"Save my life!"
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.
7-8 I said to myself, "Relax and rest.
God has showered you with blessings.
Soul, you've been rescued from death;
Eye, you've been rescued from tears;
And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."
9-11 I'm striding in the presence of God,
alive in the land of the living!
I stayed faithful, though bedeviled,
and despite a ton of bad luck,
Despite giving up on the human race,
saying, "They're all liars and cheats."
12-19 What can I give back to God
for the blessings he's poured out on me?
I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
I'll pray in the name of God;
I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
and pray in the name of God.
I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God's house,
in Jerusalem, God's city.
Hallelujah!
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Almighty God - Bible Thought - WISE
2023/05/15
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The word for today is Almighty God! Throughout the Bible, God is called Almighty. But how is God, almighty? God being Almighty, can be summed up in 3 words.
Omnipresent – That is God is wholly present everywhere. fills the universe in all its parts without division (Psalm 139v7-12; Jeremiah 23v23-24). For example in Ezekiel 1, Israel is in exile in Babylon and they thought God was left in the Temple in Jerusalem. Yet God appears to Ezekiel in order to show that God was also in Babylon with His people!
Omnipotent – That means God has unlimited power to do all things that are the object of power. With Almighty God nothing is impossible, yet there are things God cannot do such as He cannot do anything that is contrary to His own nature. For instance, He cannot declare something infinite if that something is finite. Omnipotence is an essential quality of God for if God were not all-powerful then He would not be God and would not be worthy of worship. Remember, He stopped the sun during Joshua’s time! Amazing power! God created the universe with His eternal and infinite power! God made everything out of nothing and He sustains it and gives all of it life!
Omniscient - God has perfect knowledge of all things. The Psalmist writes: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me, You know when I sit and when I rise…You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways (Ps. 139:1-2a & 3). God knows all things, past, present, and future and all possible circumstances and outcomes. Therefore He knows all that we do (which includes the remembrance of all that we have done), all that we think (and the record of those thoughts), and all that we do say and all that we could say.
So God is Almighty in presence, power and knowledge and He is mighty to save. As we seek to live holy lives, let us remember that whatever we do, Almighty God is watching. Watching not to condemn us, but watching in order to love us as any good father does to his children.
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Bible Thought - The Story of Athaliah and Jehosheba
2023/05/14
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The Story of Athaliah & Jehosheba (2 Chronicles 22-23)
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah's sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so that she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. (2 Chronicles 22:10-12)
Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, 'Long live the king!' When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the Lord. She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and musicians with their instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, 'Treason! Treason!' Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: 'Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.' For the priest had said, 'Do not put her to death at the temple of the Lord.' So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death. Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord's people. All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. (2 Chronicles 23:11-15)
This story has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster! I can see Angelina Jolie playing the role of Athaliah and Julie Andrews as Jehosheba! What do you think? As hard as it is to believe, our two characters tonight are related! There is their family line. Clearly there is a lack of creative imagination in the naming of children though! Jehosheba had the same father as Ahaziah and was Athaliah's step-daughter! All very confusing! With that in mind, let us persevere together.
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Prayers for the Global Persecuted Church
2023/05/12
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Partakers Prayers
Persecuted Church Worldwide
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
Prayers for the Global Persecuted Church
Sovereign God, we worship you and acknowledge that you know all of those who suffer in your name because they follow you. We remember those who are imprisoned for their faith and ask that they would join with the Apostle Paul to see that even though they remain captive, their chains have furthered the gospel, not frustrated it. May they inspire and embolden their fellow believers to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Amen
God of all comfort, for those who are tortured both in body and mind, give them the grace to endure and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ’s footsteps. Merciful God, for those asked to pay the ultimate price; who are martyred because of their love for you, may they truly know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
Amen
Father God, for those who are widowed and orphaned may they know the comfort that comes from your promised presence even when they walk through the valley. May they be strengthened by your Spirit, enabling them to rejoice with the psalmist as they proclaim that the LORD will not abandon them in death.
Amen
Heavenly Father, we ask that you would make us ever mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who need us to stand with them as they suffer in your name. Teach us what it means to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony; we pray that we would not love our lives so much as to shrink from death.
We ask these things O Father, through the name of Your Son, Jesus
and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Amen
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Partakers Prayers - Refugees
2023/05/07
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Prayers for Refugees...
Today on Partakers we are praying a series of prayers - ancient and modern - for refugees worldwide regardless of where they are from. Currently there are over 21,000,000 refugees, those who have been forced to leave their home country due to natural disasters, war or persecution due to race, religion, politics, or social group. As we know, Jesus our Lord, was a refugee when a baby, as Joseph & Mary escaped to Egypt with him. Come on in, download the mp3 and pray with us!
We commence with a prayer from the ancient Syrian church...
O my God,
You are the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love,
the fountain of blessings,
and the bestower of affection!
You are the God who sends peace to those that receive it;
open to us this day the sea of Your love,
and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of Your grace.
Amen
Download or listen to the mp3 to hear more prayers! Come on in!
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World View - Bible Thought
2023/05/01
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Christian Disciple and World View
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Paul writing in Philippians 2v1-4: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
What was your worldview before you became a Christian? What is your worldview now that you are a Christian? Are there any similarities and differences between the two? What does a Christian worldview consist of and what are some of the thoughts behind opposing worldviews that are prevalent in Western society today?
Contemporary Society
Shock rock group, Slipknot, in one of their songs, describe people as the equivalent of excrement. Reality television programmes love to show the degradation and embarrassment of human participants. The London Zoo has in 2005 exhibited humans and treated them as animals, in order to reflect humanity's "basic nature" and place on earth.
The pornographic industry, despite protests from both religious and non-religious groups, shows both men and women in airbrushed degradation, with pictorial and verbal humiliation. All these treat humans as mere, undignified 'glory-less' commodities to be used and degraded, albeit, in the main part willingly. Some treat other people as either their equal or of lesser concern than themselves. This is following what is commonly called the “Golden Rule“, which is “do to others, what you would have them do to you”.
Furthermore, there is the thinking that there are no certainties or absolutes in life, just your own perspective. Morality is a private thing and what is right for you, may not be right for me and don't dare tell me that I am wrong in any aspect of my life. My morals are mine and mine alone, and it is my right. As for religion, all religions inevitably lead to some form of god or gods, that is if any exists at all.
Darwin & Scientific Materialism
Richard Dawkins, the eminent Oxford biologist and atheist, decrees that humans are merely a miniscule section in nature's rich spectrum, and Darwinism explains not only how we got here but that our purpose has evolved just as we have evolved biologically and sexually. Based on this hypothesis, he sees no reason for a creator or any form of intelligent designer, as man evolved by "chance and random variations". Further to this, he views "humanity as just one little twig", amongst the order of primates. He does however admit, that humans have probably evolved as far as they can and further concedes that there is "no definitely accepted account" regarding life's beginnings. This atheistic and naturalistic theory goes on to deny the very existence of a spiritual world and claims that our emotions such as love, fear, hatred and guilt, or our thoughts and feelings, are merely physical or chemical in origin.
A Christian Worldview
Contrast these with a Christian worldview. Atheistic views are entirely theoretical and are based entirely upon presupposed disavowal and disbelief in any form of deity, whether personal or impersonal, and belief that any kind of faith is blind, non-evidential and irrational. Juxtaposed against this thought, Genesis 1 asks us to rejoice in the knowledge of who we are, as the pinnacle of creation. Early Greek Patriarchs likened the creation of humanity to a royal leader being shown his new palace.
Again, contrast those worldviews against Scripture, which says, that humanity, both male and female, is made in the image of God, the imago dei, and is therefore according to one of the church fathers made to "reflect the Divine". Paul when writing to the Thessalonian church said: “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
When God created humanity, it was in His image that they were created. The Bible indicates that humans are composed of 3 parts - Body, Soul and Spirit. The spirit and soul are only separable in thought and are probably best seen as two separate dimensions of the non-material side of a person - the spirit relating to God, and the soul relating to earth. All three parts, spirit, soul and body have an important role to play in our humanity. The whole person is valuable to God, not just the spirit as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Other philosophies and religions have tried to portray the body as evil or irrelevant, and this has crept into some parts of Christianity, with the tradition of priestly celibacy and asceticism. A break down in any of these areas can cause imbalance in the other areas. For example, research has shown that sometimes, physical sickness can be caused through emotional turmoil. Studies have also revealed that mental illness may occasionally be caused through guilt or unforgiveness. As humans we are created in His image, and as Christian Disciples we were bought at a price when Jesus died on the cross.
A biblical Christian worldview should include the following:
God created humanity, in His own image therefore higher than the animal world. Humanity subsequently rebelled and disobeyed God. God then took the initiative and promised a way out through His chosen Messiah. This Messiah was Jesus Christ, and he had simultaneously both human and divine natures. It was He, who as God, stepped into history and became confined for a short while by time and space. He was born so that when He died on the cross, it was to pay the price so that all of humanity could be freed from slavery to sin and disobedience, if only they chose to accept and believe in Him as God. He rose again physically from the dead, ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father.
Those who don't accept Him as Lord and Saviour wil spend eternity apart from Him. He is the only way to God, and all other paths lead to destruction. That is why Christianity is the only true and permanent hope for the world. As Christians Disciples, living in the 21st century, we are to place God first, others second and ourselves last. That is the path a Christian Disciple is to walk, following and serving both God and others. It is done by taking up our cross daily, just as Jesus Christ took up His cross (Luke 9v23) and following His life devoted to being a servant of others. As Christian Disciples, we have God in the person of the Holy Spirit, living inside us as a deposit for our future life with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1v13-14). With His help, we are being transformed into the very image of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3v18; Philippians 3v20-21). You may well be able to add other things to this in order to form your own worldview.
For more to think about please do read for yourself: Philippians 2v1-18. Ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.
Q1. How has and is my worldview being developed and transformed into a worldview similar to that of Jesus Christ?
Q2. How has my life been transformed in the last year and in what way can I continue to be transformed into the very image of Jesus Christ?
Q3. In what way do the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed help and reinforce my understanding of a Christian worldview?
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My Jesus - Bible Thought
2023/04/30
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My Jesus
Jesus Christ the man who splits history BC & AD! The man who we claim is the messiah and saviour as spoken about by the prophets of old and written about by those who met Him... The man who healed the sick, fought for justice, did many great deeds, filled with compassion, driven on by joy and in constant conversation with God the Father... Jesus Christ the man who claimed to be God and was God! Jesus who emptied Himself, made Himself nothing, so as to take on human form... Jesus Christ, fully human and yet fully God...
Jesus Christ the most amazing man who ever lived, born of a woman, in a humble stable... Jesus Christ, the man born to die that he may come back alive and give all people a chance to live forever... Jesus Christ, who died on a grubby Roman cross, pierced, battered, bruised and scarred. Jesus Christ, the God-man who died physically. Jesus Christ, buried within and sealed into a cold empty tomb...
Jesus Christ who conquered death, came back alive as witnessed by uncountable others... Jesus Christ who defeated the sting of sin, so that humanity may choose to live forever! Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection we celebrate at Easter, who ascended to the right hand of God the Father... Jesus Christ, who with the Father, sent the Holy Spirit to transform into the image of Jesus Christ, all who choose to follow Him...
Jesus Christ, who covers His followers in His own robe of righteousness so that they would be acceptable to the Father... Jesus Christ, coming again soon in glory to judge humanity and claim those who follow Him... Jesus Christ calls "Come and follow!"
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WOW Word - The Christian and Forgiveness
2023/04/29
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WOW Word - Forgiveness
True forgiveness is not just saying sorry!! Forgiveness is to include penitence and also a desire never to do that same thing again. Forgiveness of course is a major part of Christianity, both in the way that God forgives when approached in penitence and repentance, but also in the way Christians forgive others and themselves! In both giving and receiving forgiveness, consider Jesus Christ and the enormity of His forgiveness.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-14 that forgiveness is part of the being in God’s family of Christians! If God forgave you for all that you have done wrong, then you also should forgive others, regardless of how difficult that might be to do. Nobody said it would always be easy though! Forgiveness enables you to have the same openness toward the person after they offend you, as you did before the event – if not more! When you truly forgive the person who has wronged you, any hurt you have will diminish.
Receiving and Giving Forgiveness
But why do we need to both receive and give forgiveness? Apart from being commanded to, a vast number of emotional and psychological problems are caused by failure to either give or to receive forgiveness.
There is a failure to receive forgiveness. Many people try to pay for their sin by trying to punish themselves for they're past sins. These people should let go, because God has forgiven them, just as they asked!
There is a failure to give forgiveness. When forgiveness is not offered to a person who has done you wrong, bitterness, resentment and anger may spring up in your life. There are parents who hurt; siblings who fail; and close friends who betray and reject. Yet forgive is the command, and it can only be done as the Holy Spirit and His power is relied upon.
By receiving and giving forgiveness, you will find an ability to love God more and love others more openly. Don’t let bitter unforgiveness destroy you and others, but rather let love & forgiveness build and strengthen.
God and Forgiveness
God’s ultimate concern is your holiness and not just your happiness, as you are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ! God is concerned not just about what is happening to you, but also what you are learning and how you are responding in His workshop of life, as you are being transformed. This involves both giving and receiving forgiveness.
Tests to see if there is someone I need to forgive:
Resentment test - Is there anyone you resent?
Responsibility test - Do you find yourself thinking, "If only this other person or persons had done this, things would have been different!" and therefore blaming others?
Reminder/reaction test - Do you find yourself reacting negatively against a person because they remind you of someone else?
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WOW Word 07 - The Christian Partaker
2023/04/28
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Partaker
Today's WOW Word is Partaker! To partake, or to be a partaker of something, can mean at least three things!
having the qualities or attributes of something
having, giving or receiving something
to consume
Jesus Christ was a Partaker! Did you know that? He was a Partaker, in so much as that when He became human, He adorned human flesh and blood! WOW!
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WOW Word 20 - Growing As A Christian
2023/04/27
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WOW Word - Growing as a Christian
~
Today Alphy talks about the WOW Word - Growing!
~
Galatians 5:16-26 - "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
What is the response of a Christian to be to these words of Jesus?
Let Alphy the WOWChurch cat explain to you!
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WOW Word 45 - God of Judgement
2023/04/26
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WOW Word - God of Judgement
~Today Alphy the WOWChurch Cat shares about
the WOW Word - God of Judgment!
We have all at some point liked to think of God as being only about love and never judging. People say “It will be alright in the end, because the love of God conquers all.” Well, remember also, that love involves judging. God is the judge of all the earth, the writer of Hebrews reminds us (Hebrews 12:23). This judgment has several aspects to it:
Unbiased: God shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11). God is eternally just and righteous. It is a reflection of His mercy, that nobody can claim God is unfair.
Unavoidable: Jesus Christ will judge the whole world with justice (Acts 17:31). Everybody is destined to die once and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). What is common to everybody, is a universal sinfulness (Romans 2:1). What is in the murderer or the thief is in everybody, everywhere and all the time. That is rebelliousness against God and that is sin and it must be judged. Judgement will be before the Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Universal
Judgment of unbelievers: Those who do not profess Jesus, as God, will be judged according to their sinfulness. They are already guilty, because they didn’t take up the offer of salvation through Grace during their earthly life. These people will be cast into the lake of fire with satan and his angels (Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:41). This punishment is eternal (Matthew 25:46). Judgment of Christian Disciples: And that is not all.
Judgment of believers: Those who are believers, Christian disciples, and are actively engaged in a relationship with Jesus Christ, will also be judged. Does that surprise you? While these people have accepted God’s free offer and are declared righteous by faith, they will be judged according to the things they have done with, and in, their faith. Belief and faith are to be supported by good works (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
As a Christian Disciple, you will not be judged for sin - this has been judged (Isaiah 53:4-6; again I find that odd since it is quoting from before the event, which raises all sorts of questions about scripture. Why not Romans 6:21? Peter 2:24), and you have salvation on that basis. This judgment is not for your salvation but for your crown, your rewards (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). As a Christian Disciple, you will be asked to give an account of yourself (Romans 14:10), and you will be judged according to what you have done (2 Corinthians 5:10). The quality of your work will be tested (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Your motives will be exposed – either you did things for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 4:4-5) which is acceptable, or you did them for some other reasons which are not.
As a Christian Disciple, you will give account of the opportunities and abilities entrusted to you (Matthew 25:14-30). Rewards may be gained or lost (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). These rewards are described as:
an incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25)
a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4)
a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)
a crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
a crown of life (James 1:12)
So, go this day. Go this week. Go tell somebody of the crown waiting for them, if only they are willing to enter into a living and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember - do all you do, for God’s glory and not your own.
~
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Sharing Our Faith In Jesus – Bible Thought 25 April 2023
2023/04/25
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Share My Faith In Jesus
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost”. (Luke 19:10)
Today, we shall seek to discover the answer to some questions, such as:
Why did the Jesus say that He came to seek and save the lost? How did He do it and how does He still do it today? Why are Christians to share our faith?
To the answerws of these questions and more, come and listen!
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Four Portraits of Jesus – Bible Thought 24 April 2023
2023/04/24
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Four Portraits of Jesus
In the New Testament, we have four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ which are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are called Gospels. But what is a Gospel, how are the four accounts different or similar and what were the main points each writer sought to communicate.
What the Gospels are!
Firstly they are called Gospels, because they gave substance to the Gospel or Good News as described by Paul in Romans 1v16 (The Message): “this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!”
We know Jesus Christ during his time on earth wrote nothing yet the stories about him were preserved and passed on by Christian teachers and evangelists. For the first thirty years or so, these stories were possibly collated and stored together. That would explain the similarity in the four accounts of Jesus’ life. They are not an exhaustive biographical detail of all that Jesus did. Similarly they are also not diaries reflecting a daily account of Jesus’ life. Rather they are selective accounts of His life, and were probably factual illustrations used by His disciples when preaching about Him. Therefore they would represent the theology of the disciples, as each story about is Jesus is told. That is why they are trustworthy accounts as well as rooting Jesus’ life in first century Judaism and the Greco-Roman world.
The first three of our Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke are what are called the synoptic Gospels. This is based on their great similarity and possibly use of a common source. Mark is probably the first Gospel as it is shorter in length than Matthew or Luke and it would appear that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a guide and elaborated where required. Mark wrote none of the great discourses of Matthew, such as the Sermon on the Mount nor does Mark show the great parables that Luke recorded, such as the Good Samaritan. Surely if Mark had used either the accounts of Matthew or Luke, he would have used those two examples! Matthew is closer in similarity to Mark than Luke. Luke does share large portions of Mark and quite often verbatim, and with a greater use of the Greek language.
John on the other hand, while still telling about Jesus’ ministry, has a vastly different story content. Whereas in the synoptic Gospels Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God frequently, in the Gospel of John, Jesus talks about Himself much more often, as in the seven I AM statements. For this reason, John was probably written later than the synoptic Gospels.
Four Different Portraits
Mark
Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant of the Lord, coming in fulfilment of the Old Testament. Jesus offers His credentials, gathers His disciples, offers the Kingdom of God and its message. Jesus’ teaching is seen in short parables, which hide the truth from those hardened against Him, yet prepares and instructs those responsive to Him. Overall Jesus calls those who follow him to serve others and to deny themselves by taking up their own cross, just as He took. Early tradition states that Mark’s Gospel had a connection with the Apostle Peter, and was therefore written to preserve some of Peter’s memories before his death.
Mark 8:34 - "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke
Luke 1:3-4 -Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 19:10 -For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
Luke presents Jesus as the God-Man, as a saviour for the entire world, writing primarily to Gentiles. He does this from a broad vantage point that is compatible with the fact that he is a Greek. Luke traces the incarnation, Christ's introduction, ministry, rejection, subsequent teaching in view of His rejection, the cross, resurrection and ascension. Even though a Gentile, Luke emphasizes the kingdom program with Israel's place in the kingdom. This Gospel is not complete in itself, but is rather the first for two parts, with the Book of Acts being the second section. Both are addressed to Theophilus (Luke 1v1-4 & Acts 1v1). The author is probably the Luke as identified by Paul as a doctor, and was one of Paul’s travelling companions (Colossians 4v14; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4v11). The style and language use is that of a native Greek speaker.
Matthew
Matthew 16:16 - Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Matthew 28:18 -Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. "
Matthew wrote primarily to Jews who knew the Old Testament. He wrote to present Jesus as the Messiah to Israel. He also records Israel’s attitude towards Him as Messiah. Throughout this Gospel, Matthew gives us the genealogy, presentation, and the authentification of Jesus as the Christ Messiah. Matthew then shows the nation of Israel's opposition to and rejection of Jesus as the Christ followed by Jesus' rejection of Israel due to her unbelief. He then records the death and resurrection of Christ. He concludes with Christ commissioning the disciples. Throughout this Gospel is a well ordered and balanced account of the life of Jesus Christ.
John
John 1:9 & 12: The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God John 20v31 - These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John presents the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ so that mankind would believe in Him as the Son of God, Messiah, and Saviour of the world. His selective argument portrays Christ as the God-Man. John records miracles and messages that affirm the deity and humanity of Christ. John builds his record around the public ministry of Christ, the private ministry, the cross, and the resurrection.
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My encounter with Jesus – Bible Thought 23 April 2023
2023/04/23
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My encounter with Jesus
Almost everybody has an opinion of the man Jesus Christ! Countless millions worship him today and down through history! People sometimes ask me "Who is my Jesus?"
"Who is my Jesus?"
My Jesus Christ, is the man who splits history BC & AD! The man who we claim is the messiah and saviour as spoken about by the prophets of old and written about by those who met Him... My Jesus Christ, the man who healed the sick, fought for justice, did many great deeds, filled with compassion, driven on by joy and in constant conversation with God the Father.
My Jesus Christ, is the man who claimed to be God and was God! Jesus who emptied Himself, made Himself nothing, so as to take on human form. Jesus Christ, fully human and yet fully God. My Jesus Christ, is the most amazing man who ever lived, born of a woman, in a humble stable. Jesus Christ, the man born to die that he may come back alive and give all people a chance to live forever.
My Jesus Christ, is the man who died on a grubby Roman cross, pierced, battered, bruised and scarred. Jesus Christ, the God-man who died physically. Jesus Christ, buried within and sealed into a cold empty tomb. My Jesus Christ, is the man who conquered death, came back alive as witnessed by uncountable others. Jesus Christ who defeated the sting of sin, so that humanity may choose to live forever!
My Jesus Christ, whose very death and resurrection we celebrate at Easter, who ascended to the right hand of God the Father. This Jesus Christ, who with the Father, sent the Holy Spirit to transform into His own image, all who choose to follow Him. My Jesus Christ, who covers His followers in His own robe of righteousness so that they would be acceptable to God the Father. Jesus Christ, coming again soon in glory to judge humanity and claim those who follow Him. Jesus Christ who calls to you and I "Come and follow!" That is my Jesus Christ! But, you may be asking yourself, why are you a Christian and identify yourself as such?
Why am I a Christian?
"We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:9-12 -
I am a Christian not because of anything I have done! No, nothing I could do or have done would have made me a Christian. Rather, it is because He first chased me, and because He first loved me. Jesus himself said "I came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19v10). God was chasing me and following my every path. Why am I a Christian? It is because of the events at Christmas and Easter that I am a Christian!
The dual events, in harmony, when God entered this world as a human baby and took all the necessary steps so that all people could have the choice to be His people or not. In my more smug moments I used to congratulate myself for being a Christian. How proud I was that I, Dave, was a Christian and that God was a jolly lucky God that I had decided to follow Him.
It was during one of my less self-deluded moments, that I examined myself and I found God pricking my conscience and correcting me, and I read the New Testament "For the Son of Man came, not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark10v45).
Jesus calls you!
If you would not call yourself a Christian today, and this Jesus appeals to you, this Jesus who speaks with authority, and you want to become a Christian there are three simple steps to follow. Firstly, admit that you have done wrong against God and His ways. Secondly, believe and trust in Jesus. Call on Him, receive, trust, obey and worship Him, recognizing Him for who He is and what He has done. Lastly, confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
Once sin has been confessed, and Jesus is believed in and trusted as Saviour, then you are a Christian. Now you are ready as Peter writes in the Bible, "to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Christian discipleship is a lifetime commitment! Welcome to the family of God. It isnt just becoming a convert but rather a life long follower wanting to be more like Jesus Christ in what we call being a disciple. God has chosen you; Jesus has paid for you and has put His mark within you through His Spirit (Ephesians 1:1-13). Finally, I ask again, who do you say this Jesus is? But further, what are you going to do with this Jesus and let Him do to you? Thank you.
Again, I ask, who do you say Jesus is? But further, what are you going to do with this Jesus and let Him do to you?
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Church Begins - 10. Final Journey Completed
2023/04/22
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10. Church Begins - Final Journey Completed
Acts 27v39 - 28v30
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Acts 27v39 - 28v6 When it was day, they didn't recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it. Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape. But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land; and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship.
So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land. When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live." However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn't harmed. But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Along the journey, eventually the ship arrived at Malta. Everybody was safe and secure, but tired and bedraggled (Acts 27v39-44). The Roman centurion did not want to kill the prisoners he was guarding, because he wanted to keep Paul alive (Acts 27v24, 43). This group of people stayed in Malta for three months and all we know of their stay in Malta, is two quite remarkable events.
1. Malta
The snake on the beach. The local Maltese people were hospitable to them. Immediately, the Maltese people built a fire on the beach for the weary travellers. Paul had gathered some of the wood for the fire, and when he put the wood on the fire, a snake was driven out by the heat, and fastened itself onto his hand (Acts 28v3). At this point, because of their superstitions, the Maltese thought Paul was a murderer and trying to run from justice. Paul did not suffer however, and the Maltese changed their minds about Paul. He went from being a murderer, to 'a god' (Acts 28v6). God was glorified yet again through this event, and Paul no doubt would have been horrified at being called a 'god', just as he was at Lystra years before (Acts 14v11-18). This shows that God gives grace to the humble, and Paul was indeed a humble man.
The healing of the sick. The other event we hear about is about Publius. Publius was the Maltese leader. He entertained the ship's company, and Paul healed Publius' father and the rest of the island came and were cured. Salvation by the grace of God was preached, and Paul was honoured in many ways. We are not told if any Maltese became believers at this point.
2. Approaching Rome
After three months in Malta, they sailed on towards Italy. They landed at Puteoli and Paul stayed there a week with some fellow believers, who had come as far as forty miles to meet him Paul thanked God for them and was encouraged by God through them (Acts 27v24). God's had kept Paul safe, by His power to fulfil his promise to him about standing trial in Rome. Paul had experienced what he had long known to be true, that whatever happens in life, falls within the purpose of God. No storm, no shipwreck, no snake, no Sanhedrin, no riots, no threats could separate him from the love of God or stop God's purpose for him.
Paul arrived in Rome quietly, and settled into ministry, despite his chains, for the next two years. During this time, he seemed to avoid any great dramas with the authorities. The arrival of Paul in Rome, was the fulfilment of the Lord's promise to him in the prison in Jerusalem (Acts 23v11). Paul never forced anything on anyone. Yet he refused to let anyone stop him from proclaiming Jesus as Lord. Paul always told people the gospel with love, honesty, sensitivity and a focus that breathed a personal concern' Just because people accept an invitation, doesn't always mean they will listen. Paul found this out with the Roman Jews. They listened to him, and then rejected the gospel message.
This is the last specific event recorded in Acts. We are left with the picture that preaching the Gospel is hard in a world that is unsympathetic to us. It is also the last instance of a Jewish rejection of Paul's ministry, and from now on he seems to concentrate only on the Gentiles. This is shown in the universal nature of the church today, whereas back in the time of Paul, it was primarily Jewish. It also confirms Jesus' principle that when the message is constantly rejected in one place, to take the message elsewhere (Matthew 10v14). The gospel moves on, seeking the lost wherever they may be found.
3. Mission while under arrest!
For two years Paul was able to preach the gospel in Rome, and all this time he was under house arrest! There are 3 main features of his ministry during this time. a. He welcomed all who came to see him. His door was always open to all enquirers. If he could not go to them, then he would always welcome those who came to him. b. He consistently preached the kingdom of God and taught about Jesus.
Paul's passion was Jesus, and his message of salvation was the saving grace of Jesus. Christ dominated Paul's life. Paul loved the Lord and constantly lifted Him up before people. c. Paul preached boldly and without hindrance. Even though Paul's hands were chained, his mouth remained open for Jesus Christ and his gospel.
This sums up the book of Acts. Jesus cannot be contained. The gospel cannot be silenced. The salvation of sinners cannot be stopped. The work continues. Jesus told his disciples that they would be his witnesses 'in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth' (Acts 1v8), These words continue for us today as we go into our places of work, study, or our families to tell them of the saving love of Jesus, that his name is the only name given under heaven among men, by whom we will be saved. The book of Acts does not end with a final statement, but with a story that continues. It seems that God wanted Luke to end the book of Acts with an open and unfinished story. Why?
The book of Acts, then, is all about the continuing work of God in and through His people, the church. It is about the unfinished work of faithfulness: faithfulness to reach out (Acts 28v17-22), faithfulness to persevere when people will not listen (Acts 28v23-30), and faithfulness to proclaim Jesus (Acts 28v30,31). Our faith grabs hold of God's power, and this power strengthens our faith, and we are preserved; it places us within those walls, and sets our souls within the guard of the power of God, which is only left exposed by our own selfish pride and acting in our own strength.
Faith is a humble, self-denying grace' making the Christian nothing in himself and everything in God - He and He alone should be our security. We who are believers, are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church of the book of Acts. We are to be indebted to the work of Paul and the other Apostles. It would be their desire, for us to continue on the work they left. It would be their desire, to see us, living the gospel of truth in a world that is dying to know of the grace and love of its Saviour, Jesus Christ. We, as Christians in the 21st Century, are part of Acts Chapter 29. Will we be written as part of the story, or simply be placed on the side? That is the challenge for all of us who believe in Jesus.
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Church Begins - 9. Final Journey Commences
2023/04/21
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9. Church Begins - Final Journey Commences
Acts 27v1-38
Acts 26v19-32 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me. Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles."
As he thus made his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!" But he said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness. For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." Agrippa said to Paul, "With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?"
Paul said, "I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds." The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds." Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has spread throughout the Roman Empire, and Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea. The Jewish leaders wanted Paul tried and executed, and Festus was willing to go along with that idea. However, Paul, ever guided by the Holy Spirit, appealed directly to Caesar! Paul was a Roman citizen and any Roman citizen had that right! So after what we call the three missionary journeys, Paul is now on a final journey - to Rome! We jump forward now to Acts 27 to look at this final journey.
Final Journey Begins
Luke records the course of the voyage in detail, and we can feel just how people travelled back in that time. The prisoners were probably put on the boat at Caesarea. They sailed up the coast of Sidon, to the east and north of Cyprus. At Sidon the centurion in charge of Paul, "in kindness...", allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs' (27v3). Now as far as we know, Paul had never visited Sidon although perhaps he had met Sidonese people on his travels. This was to be the last time he would have had the fellowship and family worship of a Christian home and a wider company of believers. Strengthened and encouraged by this group of Christians, Paul was ready for any trouble that lay ahead for him.
After two weeks sailing, they landed at Myra, in what is now southern Turkey. They then changed ships, for one heading towards Italy, and their next stop was Crete. The time of year was now late October, and the weather was quickly getting worse (27v10). The captain and owner of the ship thought that it was wise to seek a new place in which to stay for the winter. Paul foresaw the disaster, and said so.
Paul, it must be said, did believe that God was ruler of the winds and waves and would get him to Rome come what may. He was simply stating that it was better to be safe rather than sorry, to arrive in Italy safely in spring rather than not arriving at all. Paul's advice set the scene for the events that happen later on in the voyage in which God once again confirmed Paul's discernment and calling by miracles and mighty works, even if it had no immediate effect on those responsible for the decision to sail on regardless. The sailors were not fools however. They waited until the weather improved before starting to sail from Crete (27v13). Their optimism was soon blown away by a strong wind, which started to blow them towards Africa. Day after day after day, for two weeks they ran with the wind, hoping that the wind would stop, and at the same time seemingly waiting for the ship to sink. The sailors were probably starting to reflect on their life and commitments, or the lack of commitments. During this time, Paul intervened to encourage their disheartened spirits.
Encouragement
A call for faith (27v21-26) - By this time, everybody on board must have been aware that Paul was right in his warning not to sail on. He said they should keep their courage, because no-one would lose their life, even if the ship was damaged beyond repair. But why should they believe this? Because God had sent an angel to assure Paul that he would arrive in Rome, to stand trial before Caesar. Paul had faith in God that it would happen just as he had promised. They should take courage. All people, whether Christian or not, are in the same boat of life. All people share a common life of ups and downs. Godless sailors lived because of godly Paul. Yet it is up to us as Christians to share a message of hope to all those who do not believe. These sailors, even though they were blessed by God to survive this disaster, may not survive the next voyage of disaster, and then they would end up in hell. Regardless of their blessings, they stayed lost if they didn't come to Christ in faith. For Paul, however, to live was Christ and to die was gain (Philippians 1 :21). Whatever trials we face as believers, we must hold fast to the glory of Jesus. The real issue, Paul tells his shipmates, is not whether we live or die, but what will you do with Jesus? Paul spoke of God's promises and his faith in God. He invited them to believe in God, just as he did.
A call for unity - stay together (27v27-32) - Their crisis came fourteen days out of Crete. They were about to land at Malta, in conditions that were worse than awful. Some sailors were trying to sneak off in the life-boat. Paul, however, insisted that all hands were necessary if any were to be saved, and the centurion prevented them from escaping.
A call for effort - The promise of God, always includes the means to fulfil His promise. God doesn't commend or give His power to the faithful, so that they may be lazy and not plan, when there is a definite reason to be careful. When God makes a promise to us, we must be responsible to receive his promise. God promises to save us, yet it is our responsibility to accept by faith His Son Jesus Christ. Paul always reminded them of God's promise. He urged them to take food so that they would be strong when the time was needed for strength. He once again reminded them of the promise of God. He also witnessed to them, when eating, by giving thanks to God. Paul was a man of a God and a man of action, a man of the Spirit and common-sense, a man who combined spirituality with sanity, faith with works, a man who was heavenly minded and of earthly use.
Christians, should be the most practical people in the world, because the Lord has given us the real truth about the real world and its real needs. How do you respond to the world? Are you like Paul?
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Church Begins - 8. Forward in Unity
2023/04/20
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8. Church Begins - Forward in Unity
Acts 15v13-35
James, the brother of Jesus and writer of the epistle of James, was not an apostle. He delivered the coup-de-grace to the Judaism argument with a direct appeal to the Word of God. God had already spoken on the matter! Quoting Amos 9v11-12, James reminded them that the prophet had declared that 'David's fallen tent' was be restored and that this would involve the in gathering of all the Gentiles who bear the Lord's name' (Acts 15v16-18). This is fulfilled, James says, in all that Peter had described (Acts 15:14). The church of Jesus Christ was all along intended to encompass both Jew and Gentile and, one by one without discrimination, they are brought to the same faith by the same Lord. The gospel is for all nations. This, James showed, was 'the mind of God", in the Scripture'.
1. Deliverance Proposed The Lord's brother then proposed the motion that was to become the finding of the Jerusalem Council. This consisted of two main parts: The first was the definitive doctrinal answer to the Judaizers, which stands for all time: 'We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God' (Acts 15v19).
This verse is often passed over as a mere introit to the verses that follow, but it ought to be seen as standing on its own. It told the Judaizing party in the gentlest possible way - if they thought through all they had heard - that what they were asking for was not the Lord's will for the church, but was, indeed, even contrary to the gospel of God's free grace in Christ and wonderful doctrine of being put right with God by faith alone. If ever them was a soft answer that would turn away potential anger, this was it. 'We should not make it difficult,' is an example of affirming a basic doctrine in a very practical way.
The doctrine had been clearly stated by the previous speakers. There was no need for a bare restatement. There was need, however, to persuade people of its practical significance. And, at the same time, those whose views were being rejected needed to know that they were not being personally rejected, but were still warmly embraced within the fellowship of the Lord's people. They were believers and they had laid their views before the whole church in an orderly manner. Having received the considered judgement of the church, they could be expected to receive it with due submission in the Lord. They were certainly not to be made to feel that they had been foolish or were no longer welcome.
This is surely a model for resolving doctrinal and practical controversy today. Too often, church debates degenerate into fights and lead to unnecessary and ungodly division. The maintenance or truth never requires discourtesy or unpleasantness on the part of its advocates, even if those who oppose it are strident and contentious (2 Timothy 2v25). James deftly set the denial of any requirement of legal observances for salvation (the other side of which was the affirmation of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ, in terms of not putting difficulties (that is unbiblical ones) in the way of Gentile converts being received into the membership of the church.
2. Unity Proposed The second part is a practical four-point proposal (Acts 15v20) designed to foster unity in the church. They proposed asking the Gentile Christians to take particular care to distance themselves from their former manner of life. This was also, no doubt, designed to allay the fears of Jewish Christians, whose sense of what constituted a God honouring lifestyle was formed by the regulations of the law of Moses. They needed to know that Gentile Christians were not adrift from practical godliness as properly defined by God's Word. James therefore addressed specific practical issues, where the teaching of the Scriptures - still confined to the Old Testament - challenged the accepted norms of Gentile behaviour and called for a conscientious application of biblical principles.
2a. Leave Alone First, they should 'abstain from food polluted by idols' (Daniel 1v8; Malachiv1:7-12). This had been offered at pagan temples as sacrifices to the gods and the surplus sold in the market. The question here was not primarily one of diet - that is dealt with in the third and fourth points - but concerned association with the milieu from which the food had come. Questions of conscience later arose in Corinth on this very point. These were addressed by Paul, who made it clear that while there was no essential problem with eating this meat, there ought to be sensitivity to the tender consciences of those who, having come out of paganism, regarded consuming it as a sinful complicity with paganism (1 Corinthians 8v1-13; 10v14-33). Second, they should abstain from 'sexual immorality' (Leviticus 18; Matthew 5v27-30). The Gentile world, like that of television movies and sitcoms today, treated promiscuous sexual relations as acceptable and part of normal behaviour. This was sin then and it remains sin to this day. Third, they should not eat of 'the meat of strangled animals'. This is a reference to meat from which the blood had not been completely strained (Leviticus 7v22-27).'
Lastly, they should eat no 'blood' (Genesis 9v4; Leviticus 17v10-12; 19v26). This was the basis for the preceding point. Blood was symbolic of life and was to be reserved for sacrifice to the Lord, thus underscoring his role as the giver of life. None of these, as John Owen points out, was a new imposition on the practice of the churches.' All were clearly taught in Scripture, even if all but the second were elements of old covenant piety that would eventually pass away when the full revelation of the New Testament was completed. The purpose of reiterating them here was to encourage a discerning sensitivity to practical godliness in a Gentile social-cultural milieu and a Jewish Christian ecclesiastical context. Gentiles were to examine critically their old habits and give no cause to anyone to accuse them of their old sins. They were also encouraged to be graciously accommodating to Jewish dietary sensitivities. For their part, Jewish believers needed to understand that Gentiles were not to be required to observe the Mosaic ceremonial law, now that the Messiah had come and published the gospel of sovereign grace in all its fullness.
The decision was made to adopt James' proposal and send a letter with a deputation to all the churches in 'Antioch, Syria and Cilicia' (Acts 15v22-29). This conveyed the verdict of the council. Today it still vibrates with lively applicability.
2b. Grace Alone First of all, the men who insisted on circumcision and the law were declared to be 'without the church's authorisation' for their disturbing teaching. This almost unobtrusive dismissal underscores the solidity with which the church knew its doctrine. From the beginning, the apostles clearly taught that salvation was by the free and sovereign grace of God through faith in Christ and not through man's best efforts to keep tile law and impress God with self generated good works. Jerusalem held that line and closed the door to works-righteousness- Good works have a vital place in the Christian life, to be sure. They are, however, not the root, but the fruit of salvation, prepared by God in advance for us to do (Ephesians. 2v10).
2c. Spirit Alone They emphasised that the decision 'seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to [the church I' (Acts 15v28). Here is the purpose and the role of the church in the guidance and discipline of God's people. Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth (John 14v26; 16v13). All decisions in churches, as well as in the individual Christian's life, ought to fulfil this condition. Not only does it tell us what God does with his church, but it defines the goal and prayer of the church. If what we do only seems good to us, without the evident leading of the Spirit, then we are simply not doing the Lord's work.
2d. Standing Alone The council's four 'requirements' - one permanent (sexual immorality), the others transitional and temporary, highlight the necessity and the blessing of the separated life for Christians: 'You will do well to avoid these things' (Acts 15v29). Christians must bear a decisive testimony to the society in which they are located - a testimony which shows the righteousness of God before the world.
The result in the mission churches was encouragement and continued blessing through the ministries of Judas, Silas Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15v30-35). The burden of Judaistic legalism was lifted. The Gospel of Jesus Christ 's was lifted up before the Gentiles and the Holy Spirit continued to accompany the preaching of the Word with power, so that more and more people were being saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.
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Church Begins - 7. Problems Arise
2023/04/19
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7. Church Begins - Problems Arise
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Acts 15:1-4 "Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved." Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers. When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
At its beginning, the apostolic church was one church under the unitary leadership of the apostles. It had an expanding eldership, often called presbyters, bishops or overseers.' From earliest days, the church had a simple but well-defined order. Elders and deacons were set apart to their particular tasks, as we saw earlier in Acts 6. Members were received upon profession of faith and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper were administered. Discipline was exercised, in which members who had fallen into sin and remained unrepentant were excluded from the church.
The church was never individualistic: that is to say, people did not suddenly decide to 'join' or 'leave' the church, as is too often the case in modern churches. The church was a corporate entity, in which pastoral oversight and spiritual authority were exercised by the leadership. A leadership raised up by the Lord and set apart according to a church policy mediated by the divinely inspired guidance of the apostles. This did not mean that there was neither controversy nor the threat of disunity. From the beginning, problems arose which needed to be resolved with pastoral, spiritual and judicial authority.
It is therefore no surprise to find, early on in Church history, a question arising about the nature of membership in the church and to see the matter being dealt with through the collective leadership of the church, the apostles and elders, who met together in a deliberative assembly (Acts 15v6). The problem arose because some men from Judea came to Antioch and promoted the view that circumcision, according to the law of Moses, was necessary for salvation. 'They were opposed by Paul and Barnabas. The church must have been seriously upset by the dispute. There was no final resolution and so help was sought from the church in Jerusalem, still at this point the heartland of the Christian church, from which the problem had come in the first place. Paul, Barnabas and some other believers were reputed to take the case to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
It is impressive to see the orderliness and seemingly good spirit in which they sought to deal with the dispute. This is reflected in the way the news of the conversion of Gentiles was received along their path. The church was one church, united in a glorious obsession with the gospel and the conviction that there is one truth by which the people of God are to be guided and ordered in one, undivided body. Every theological and practical controversy potentially threatens the unity of the church.
In this case, the issue was fundamental to the meaning and application of the gospel itself. The intense conservatism of some of the Christian Jews was expressed in an insistence that certain regulations of the Old Testament law be required of non-Jewish converts as prerequisites for their recognition as members of the church of Jesus Christ. This is, of course, the so-called ‘Judaizing controversy', which, notwithstanding the action of the Jerusalem Council, continued to dog the progress of the apostolic church and was to be he target of Paul's epistle to the Galatians.
The heart of the matter is the tendency to add to the Word of God in defining who is, or is not, a Christian and thus expand the scope of what makes for a credible profession of faith to take in all sorts of unbiblical rules and requirements. The 'Judaizing' Christians in Antioch did not want to add some new man-made tradition of innovation, but desired to keep certain elements which had been God's will for the Old Testament church. How could that which was good and holy until Jesus came again, become an improper imposition afterwards?
The answer had already been given explicitly and also implicitly in the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon Samaritan and Gentile believers (Acts 8v7; Acts 10v45-48). The maintenance of an Old Testament regulation (in this case, circumcision), when it had been replaced by a distinctively New Testament ordinance (baptism), was equivalent to imposing a man-made tradition even though God had originally given it to his people. Why? Because God had made it clear, through the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, that baptism was to be the ordinance of incorporation with his people for the whole New Testament era, until its culmination in the Second Coming of Christ (Matt. 28v19; Acts 2v38).
The transition period of the first-generation church of the apostles, however, made sensitive and difficult matter with which to deal. Jewish Christians still attended services in the synagogues and observed the ceremonies at the temple (see Acts 21v26 for an instance of the involving the apostle Paul). Only with the destruction of the Temple in AD70 would the ceremonial aspects of the Old pattern for godliness decisively recede from the practice of church. On arriving at Jerusalem, the delegates from Antioch were welcomed by 'the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them', This gathering evidently consisted of the leadership (apostles and elders) and many of the membership, including those convened were putting forward the requirement that Gentiles 'must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses' (Acts 15v5-6). This was the context for discussion of the issue.
The Jerusalem Council, as it has been named, was a group of ordained elders together with the apostles, The significance of this council, beyond the immediate decision which was made, lies in the fact that the apostles did not make the decision for the church, as could well have been expected of men of their unique position and gifts, but participated, for the purposes of this decision, as elders with the other elders, albeit as the 'first among equals', It is for this reason that the Jerusalem Council is the great prototype of 'synods and councils', whether congregational or Presbyterian, ever since.
Having convened for that purpose, the apostles and elders' engaged in a deliberative discussion of the issue referred to them by the church in Antioch, namely, whether the Judaistic proposition that circumcision and a commitment to keeping Mosaic law were to be required of Gentiles (Acts 15v7). There was free debate and no papering over differences. The apostles let the elders speak before they joined in, thus showing the way for the future, when their uniquely revelatory gifts would be gone.
Furthermore, it is clear, from what is said later, that their goal was to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in the matter (Acts 15v28). The Jerusalem Council is a reminder to the church of Jesus Christ to go back to God's way of seeking the mind of the Spirit on the issues confronting the doctrinal purity and the practical peace of the body of Christ - namely, by God-appointed elders in deliberative assemblies. The way the discussion unfolded in Jerusalem is the most vivid recommendation for God's way to solve the church's challenges.
Peter arose after much discussion, and proceeded to demolish the Judaistic viewpoint with arguments drawn from his own experience of ministry to Gentiles. He first described the conversion of the Gentiles as the work of God (Acts 15v 7-9). It had been God, not himself, who had determined that, through his lips the Gentiles might hear the message of the gospel and believe. It was certain that God had accepted them, because He had given the Holy Spirit to them, just as He had to Jewish believers; and this was proved by the Gentile Christians' faith, which was no different from their own (Acts 15v9). He then rebuked those Jewish Christians who would insist on human works - in this instance, circumcision and the law - as necessary for salvation (Acts 15v10).
They should have known better! Their fathers could not bear the 'yoke' of the law. It could not save them. They could not keep it. To suggest that this same yoke is necessary to being recognised as a true believer in Christ was, in effect, to deny their own profession of Christ as their Saviour! Worse still, it was to trying to test God - that is, to challenge God's ability to save lost people by grace through faith in Christ alone! To make any action, however righteous in itself, an instrument of the justification of a sinner before God, when God has made it plain by precept and actual experience that it is by grace alone through saving faith in Jesus Christ, is to contradict the very essence of the gospel! Faith is in a category all of its own. Faith is not a 'work'. It is, to be sure, the act of the human heart casting itself upon the Lord, but it is pre-eminently the gift of God as Paul later says so that no one can boast (Ephesians. 2v9).
Rising to a glorious crescendo, Peter declared emphatically the very heart of the gospel (Acts 15v11). Salvation is by grace alone, both for Jews and Gentiles. Jesus' yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11v30). There is no place for the yoke of a law, which could only condemn us! The two missionaries, whose labours had largely occasioned the controversy, supported Peter with testimony to the miracles attending the ministry to the Gentiles. These showed that God was working among them, as he had among the Jews. Then, as we shall discover next time, James speaks and the church goes forward in unity!
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Church Begins - 6. Paul is Sent
2023/04/18
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6. Church Begins - Paul is sent
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Acts 9:10-31 “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.” 9:11 The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 9:12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”
9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 9:14 Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
9:17 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 9:18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. 9:19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. 9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. 9:21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
9:22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 9:23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 9:24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, 9:25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 9:26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 9:28 He was with them entering into Jerusalem, 9:29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him. 9:30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. 9:31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
Transformed: From the conversion of Paul, we go to the consequences of his conversion. The first consequence we maybe aware of is that he changed his name: changed from Saul of Tarsus to Paul of Tarsus – we read that in Acts 13! Paul's conversion was a total transformation. His attitudes, character & relationships with God, fellow believers and the unbelieving world were utterly transformed.
A changed life is the ultimate proof, that conversion is real and the Holy Spirit is working. Now that through Jesus and his cross, Paul had been put right with God, Paul, as with all believers, enjoyed direct access to the Father, as the Spirit witnessed with his spirit that he was the Father's child (Romans 8:16). Perhaps his prayers were for forgiveness of sins of self-righteousness & cruel persecution of Jesus & the church. And no doubt they contained worship. The mouth that breathed murderous threats against Jesus like a roaring lion, was now breathing prayers & praises to God like bleating lamb. Paul's life was changed from self-righteousness to righteousness through Jesus. The evidence of this was a change in the way he lived his life.
Ananias went to meet Paul, after having been sent by God. No doubt, he had heard of Paul and his persecuting the Church. At the beginning he was hesitant to do this, but in the end he went to Straight Street as told and ministered to Paul. Upon laying hands upon him and identifying with him(v17), calling him brother, and ministering the love of Jesus to this his former enemy, the Holy Spirit entered Paul (v17), and Paul could see again (v18). Paul then ate some food, and spent time with the Damascene disciples. It is amazing really that Paul was accepted.
The Jews were confused and astonished by him. For wasn't this the man who was going to kill followers of Jesus. What has happened so dramatically that he has joined them? Whenever he preached to the Jews, they were confused. Paul however did not settle down in Damascus, and according to Galatians 1:17-18 spent 3 years in Arabia. Some people seem to think, that he spent the time with Jesus, to learn from him by revelation his distinctive truths, just as the disciples had spent about 3 years with him while Jesus was on earth. Paul then returned to Damascus and while there, the Jews leaders plotted to kill him. So he escaped with the help of the other believers to Jerusalem.
Sent: Jesus had appointed Paul to be 3 things. A servant of God; a witness for God to the world, and also an apostle engaged in pioneer work to the Gentiles (26:16ff). Jesus confirmed this to Ananias that Paul was a 'chosen instrument', and Ananias passed this onto Paul (v15). There were also four things about this witness that Paul would do, that can help us as we live to witness for Jesus Christ.
His witness was centred on Christ. (v20, 22). His arguments focused on Jesus, and spoke boldly about Him.
His witness was powered by the Holy Spirit (17,22)
His witness was courageous in Damascus (v27), the synagogues (2,20) and in Jerusalem (28) where the Sanhedrin met. He also debated with the Hellenists (v29)
His witness was costly. His life was threatened (v23-24, 29). And we learn even more things from the rest of this book of Acts, and in his letters. His parents possibly disinherited him, was persecuted consistently by fierce opponents & imprisoned, shipwrecked in Cyprus.
Paul and Barnabas: Paul's experience in Damascus repeated itself in Jerusalem. When he tried to join the Apostles and community of Christian believers, since he knew he was one of them, they were afraid and doubted he really was a believer. But this time Barnabas came to the rescue and testified to the others about him and his changed life. The only apostles Paul met were Peter & James (Gal 1: 18-20), and told them how he had seen Jesus, the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had fearlessly preached the name of Jesus. Because of this testimony, he was accepted by them into the community of believers. And in yet another of Luke's summaries, we see the church has now five characteristics –
peace (free from outside interference)
strength (confirming its position)
encouragement (comforted by the Holy Spirit)
growth (multiplying numerically)
godliness (living in the fear of the Lord.
This was noticed by the Apostle Peter when he wrote in 2 Peter 3v15-16: “Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you; as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
We have much to be thankful to God for the life of Paul and the witness he was for Jesus Christ at the beginnings of the Church. Most of the book of Acts follows him, on what we call the three missionary journeys and the events that unfold as the Church grows and spreads to the glory of its head, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Church Begins - 5. Paul’s Conversion
2023/04/17
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5. Church Begins - Paul's Conversion
Acts 9:1-6 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he travelled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
The conversion of Paul is perhaps the most famous throughout the history of the Church. Luke tells us the story three times. But was Paul's conversion special? Many people say "I have not had a Damascus Road experience". There were, it is true, special events on that day, which make Paul's conversion unique. Let us look together at his conversion experience.
Conversion Experience The only possible cause for his conversion is the beautiful sovereign grace of God. It was Jesus Christ who decided for him. Each of the 3 previous times Paul is mentioned, Luke mentions him as opposing the church & persecuting the body of believers, most fittingly having witnessed the death of Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:1,3). Now Luke resumes his story of Paul by saying that he was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples (9:1).
Paul had tried to contain the church to Jerusalem, but some had escaped to Damascus. Paul then devised a plan to capture the believers in Damascus. Armed with letters from the High Priest in Jerusalem, he set out for Damascus in a bid to stop the spreading of the Good News. He would arrive in Damascus, a proud and pompous man, bent on ridding the city of its followers of Jesus. Why did Paul hate the believers so much? Because, To his mind at the time, to him a dead Messiah was no Messiah at all and how could the Saviour of the Jews, the Messiah, die on a cross and be cursed by God. No, no. Paul considered it his duty as a man zealous for the law, to eradicate all those who were followers of this man.
Luke's description of Paul seems to be like that of a wild animal trying to destroy a flock of sheep, creating havoc & destruction which ever way he turned. And yet, he had not considered the sovereign grace of God. To a man like this there could only be one reason why he changed his mind, and became the most ardent follower of Jesus. He turned from a wolf who destroyed sheep, to become a sheep with the character of a shepherd. It can only be through the sovereign grace of God.
So let us look together at Paul's conversion. Paul and his companions were nearing the end of a weeks' travelling of the 150 mile journey to Damascus from Jerusalem Then suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him (v3), brighter than the sun (26:13). It was so overwhelming that it both blinded him and knocked him over (v8-9), flat on his face before his conqueror. Then a voice cried out "Paul, Paul, why do you persecute me?"
And in answer to Paul's subsequent question as to his identity, the voice continues "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Paul must have at once, hooked on to how closely Jesus identifies with His followers, so to persecute them was to persecute Him, that he suddenly realised that Jesus was no longer dead as he supposed, but was alive and all His claims were true. Paul's companions, while hearing the voice, did not see the resurrected Jesus.
They took Paul into the city. Instead of arriving there full of pride & bravery, a self confident enemy of Jesus, Paul entered Damascus, humbled and blinded, a prisoner of Jesus. The light he saw was the glory of Jesus, and the voice he heard was the voice of Jesus. In his letters we discover how Paul views this event: how God arrested him (Philippians 3:12), shone his light upon him (2 Corinthians 4:6), and the mercy of God overflowed upon him (1 Timothy 1:14).
And yet, while it was entirely due to the grace of God, that Paul was converted from enemy of the Christ to follower of the Christ, it was not sudden. Yes, the light was sudden, and Christ appeared suddenly, but Jesus had talked to Paul before. The goads, likened Paul to a wild horse needing to broken in, ready to be ridden. The implication is that Jesus was pursuing Paul, prodding and pricking him, and Paul was resisting painfully. But what were the goads that Jesus used to prick Paul of Tarsus? While we are not told specifically what they were, by reading his letters we can gain an insight into what they were.
The Goads
Here are three of the goads used by Jesus on Paul:
a. His sub-conscious doubts. With his conscious mind, he proclaimed Jesus as an impostor, who had been rejected as the Messiah by his own people, and died under the curse of God on a cross. Yet, Paul would have heard reports about Jesus' teaching & miracles, claims & character, together with the talk that Jesus had been raised from the dead.
b. The testimony of Stephen. Paul had been present at the trial of Stephen and had seen his execution, both the non-resistance while being stoned to death and his face shining like an angel. He had heard Stephen's speech at his trial, his prayer for forgiveness of his executioners and his astonishing claim to have seen Jesus at the right hand of God. There was something about these Christians, that could not be explained to Paul- the divine living power of Jesus in the lives of His followers.
c. The inadequacy of the law to save. Paul claimed to be faultless i e that is his public life. In private however, he knew that his thoughts & attitudes were not clean for example his sin of covetousness. Therefore he had no inner power or peace, and it was the goads of Jesus.
Paul's conversion was a sudden climax, to a long drawn out process with Jesus having pursued him. And yet while his conversion was not sudden, it was not forced upon him. Indeed, forcing him to the ground blind, he did not change his character and turn him into a robot. And when Jesus asked the questions, Paul did not have to answer the questions of Jesus.
Paul's conversion, while not sudden or compulsive, was due entirely to the gracious pursuit of Jesus. Not everybody has sudden flashes of light and voices that say his name. No-one else has seen the historical fact of the Jesus' resurrected body and a call to be an apostle.
Yet there are similarities with us. To be converted, we did not & do not need those things to happen, anymore than we have to travel to the same spot Paul was at on the road to Damascus. We must experience a personal encounter with Jesus, surrendering to Him our will in faith, and receive his order to serve Him.
Just as Jesus Christ has pursued all people everywhere, over the past 2000 years, to return into a dynamic relationship with Him. Just as He did me and I handed my life over to Him. Millions of other people have also done that down through the centuries. My final question to you is - have you?
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Church Begins - 4. Let’s Get Organized
2023/04/16
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4. Church Begins - Let's Get Organized
Today we go back to the beginning of Acts 6. So far in the book of Acts, we can see that the Church has come under attack by the world (through persecution) and satan (through deceit & moral compromise). A new crisis has appeared. Unable to destroy the church by way of persecution and deceit, satan now tries to create a split in the church by getting believers to argue and fight with each other. If satan had succeeded in creating an implosion within this church, the only church in existence at the time, then the effects could have been devastating.
I have had people tell me they want a church without any form of organizational structure. If a church has no organizational and leadership structure then it will soon have chaos instead of harmony, and will collapse rather than grow. Of course, some leaders are corrupt or make wrong decisions as we have seen already, but Godly leaders will not be corrupt and as we shall see, make decisions that are wise and based on prayer and spiritual insights. So, what was the problem, what was the solution and what happened after it was resolved?
The Problem! (Actsv1) Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
Good news - they were growing, but this had caused a problem!
Bad news - Some widows were not being cared for!
Hebraic Jews had always lived in the then nation of Israel, spoke mainly Aramaic and some Hebraic. They would have been well used to life in a Jewish society, the Temple and avoiding those who were not Jews: the Gentiles.. Grecian or Hellenestic Jews were part of the Jewish Diaspora, born elsewhere within the known world and had returned to Jerusalem. These mainly spoke Greek, and were well used to working with Gentiles. We know that widows were and are important to God, because justice is important to God. God is a God of justice and mercy.
In the Old Testament, under the Law of Moses, God commanded provision for those who were widows, oppressed or uncared for. The Apostles would have known about God caring for the widows and in Jesus teaching about justice for the poor and the oppressed. We know this because earlier in Acts 2 and 4, people were selling and sharing possessions and ensuring that people within the Christian community were being looked after and cared for. This included making sure that everyone got fed, particularly those who had no family to care for them. Somehow, unintentional or not, this group of widows were missing out. What then happened?
The Solution! (Actsv2-6) The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word." These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Three things about the solution
a. Transformation of the Apostles - James, Peter & John particularly (v2) Its not stated here, but a transformation had taken place! Only a few short time ago, the disciples of Jesus had refused to wash feet as an act of service (Peter); some had wanted positions of power and greatness (James & John). Their old nature must have started asking questions and prompting them to react negatively. The world has attacked the church, satan has attacked the church, and now satan would have been using the Apostles old nature to attack the church. But - as they are transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and now have a new nature, the nature of Jesus Christ, they react much more righteously and judiciously.
b. All together now! (v2-5) Notice they gathered all the believers together for a church meeting. The gave their opinion or judgment if you like, that their ministry or time would be better spent doing what God had called them to do - to be leaders of the Church, praying, preaching, evangelizing and discerning how best to apply the 3 years of teaching that they had had when travelling with Jesus Christ before His ascension. Their time, rightly so, was best spent doing that, for that was their ministry of service. But other people in the church gathering, who had a ministry of service and overseeing the food distribution, could spend their time doing that! So what of these seven men with Greek names? They were elected by the whole church, both Grecian and Hebraic, to perform this duty. They may already have been doing it, but now were being set apart especially for this role. These men were controlled by the Holy Spirit and were wise. They were chosen to give relief to the leadership so that the Word of God and prayer would not be hindered.
c. Commissioning (v6) Interestingly enough, the word diakonia is translated here as ministry. Another way to translate it is as deacons. But, they were not deacons in the way the Paul uses the word as part of a church government in 1 Timothy 3. Rather they were deacons, set apart for this specific task - it was their ministry. It may well have been from here, that Paul developed what some parts of the universal church understands of the role of deacons. So these seven men, were prototypes as it were, for the Paul-ine idea of deacons. Note also that the Apostles didn't say their work was more important than serving. They were just following what God had called them to do, just as God had called these seven men to take responsibility for providing food for the widows. So they were commissioned by God, by the laying on of hands and set apart to perform it. We know only of Steven and Phillip and that they continued doing other ministries as well as this.
The Result! (v7) The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. The result was growth! Growth and witness may well see the conversion of former enemies. Growth and witness may well see reasoning and transformation. Now that the Apostles had time for their dedicated and unique ministry, all the widows could be fed, and all believers able to participate within the life of the church.
Not only that, Stephen was instrumental in reaching the Apostle Paul (Acts 7v58). Philip was instrumental in reaching the city of Samaria and won over for Jesus Christ (Acts 8v4-25 ), the Ethiopian Eunuch who would have then taken the gospel to Africa. (Acts 8v26-40 ) This growth was where the word of God increased in its effectiveness in the lives of those unbelievers who would listen to the gospel. This growth was not merely addition but multiplication! It was explosive!
So explosive that even former enemies were becoming converts! Sadducees were Jewish believers who didn't believe in a bodily resurrection - yet they came to faith and started to believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's not hard to imagine that some of those Priests coming to faith in Jesus Christ were former persecutors of the Church! They were watching the church to see how best to attack and debate them. Yet found that they were joining the church, rather than continuing to oppose it. The church was preaching one thing and acting upon it. There was no hypocrisy within the church. The church was transparent - it lived as it believed. The church was seen as transformative and servant-like.
While the Church continued to reason with others about the validity of Jesus Christ's claims to be the Messiah, it would have not been effective if lives were not being transformed. If lives were not being changed, then no amount of reasoning alone would have seen the growth in numbers being added to the Church. Just as transformation and change alone would not have been the catalyst for growth, without the reasoning behind it.
Transformation The early Church was a radical community of believers, growing quickly. At Pentecost, the church community began when the Holy Spirit filled the Disciples (Acts 2v4). The hallmarks of this community were commitment and transformation. This community was radical. It was where people's lives were being changed as the Holy Spirit filled them. Instead of being a withdrawn people filled with fear of retribution from the Roman government and Jewish leaders, they became a people filled with boldness and joy. This church in Jerusalem grew by being a radical community imbued with radical individuals engaging with others and serving. It was a church where every member was asked and expected to play some role, in the life of the church.
The Christian life is to be dynamic and active. As we have seen the word "deacon" here denotes ministry. Ministry is any service for Jesus Christ. When you serve as God's deacon in this way, God's honour is released. That's why the embryonic Church in Jerusalem grew and flourished. This is done because service shows the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ to those being served and to those watching. That is to be our motive for service. Serving and ministry should never to be about what you and I can get out of it. When that is the motive, God is not glorified. God's glory and supremacy is our goal as Christians.
Spiritual growth comes from serving rather than being served. This is because what ever is given in service of God and others, faith grows and Jesus Christ gives back even more. Jesus speaking in Matthew 25v15-30 tells of the rewards for faithful service and the penalties for being faithless. Serving others is a sign that you are trusting God and having faith in God. Serving God and others is the mark of a spiritually maturity and through service, the greatest servant of all, is reflected: Jesus Christ, who came to serve and give his very life for others (Mark 10v45). As Christians, we are to be as Jesus Christ (Romans 8v28; Philippians 2v5) and to serve. Yet if we are honest, we sometimes feel incapable, just as Moses did (Exodus 3). An excellent example to follow is that of the deacon Stephen.
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Church Begins - 3. Persecution
2023/04/15
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3. Church Begins - Persecution
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The world was changing, particularly for the Jewish people. They were still under the rule of the odious Romans, in the land God had given them. For centuries they had been expectant of a Messiah, a King, to rise up and rid them of the Roman oppressors. When the Messiah, Jesus Christ, did come - they missed Him. They had misunderstood what the Messiah was to do. The Messiah was not to lead a political revolution as they thought, but rather lead a spiritual revolution, bring people back into relationship with God. The worldview of the Jewish people needed to be changed. When worldviews need wholesale change of focus, problems arise. The embryonic church, followers of Jesus Christ the Messiah, was soon to feel pressure to change back.
Its not long into the book of Acts, and therefore the history of the church, that persecution arises. We see the first stages of this persecution in Acts 4v1-4. "As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.
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Church Begins - 2. Power and Passion
2023/04/14
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2. Church Begins - Power & passion
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1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."
1:12-14 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 2:1-2 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
As we saw last time, Jesus has ascended back to the right hand of the Father. The 12 apostles are now back in Jerusalem and waiting. Waiting for the Holy Spirit to come. The Holy Spirit who indwells members of the early church. The Holy Spirit who empowers and transforms them! Remember Peter? Remember how just a few days earlier he had rejected Jesus Christ and openly defied Him by trying to stop Jesus going to the cross. This Peter who was dejected and defeated. In the early chapters of Acts, we see the disciples transformed. Lets concentrate on Peter for a good example of this. This is now a new Peter, transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who speaks with the authority Jesus gave the disciples.
This Peter, given impetus by the Holy Spirit, who preaches a sermon and 3000 people are added to the church in one day (Acts 2v41). This Peter, who when passing by a man who couldn't walk, told him to get up and walk - and he did (Acts 3v1-11)! Peter was allowing himself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and doing some of the things that were synonymous with Jesus' earthly ministry.
What is the difference between this Peter and the Peter before Jesus' resurrection? It was only the Holy Spirit and the difference He makes to Peter. Peter, by submitting himself to the authority and power of the Holy Spirit, was allowing the Holy Spirit to control him and guide him. This Peter, who we know from the Gospel accounts, had no self-control, yet now had self-control because he submitted to the Holy Spirit. The greatest evidence of the Holy Spirit living inside any of us, is the transformation of the individual into the image of Jesus - as demonstrated here in Peter. This Peter who not only allowed the Holy Spirit's power to heal people but also administered church discipline as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5v10). But it wasn't just Peter who was empowered.
As Acts 5v12-16 shows us, all the disciples, not just the twelve apostles, filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, were able to do healings and other signs and wonders. The Holy Spirit, living inside and empowering all believers for service of Jesus Christ, not just the 12 apostles. All of this power delivers their passion for Jesus Christ and making Him, and Him alone, known. The early church was dynamic and seen to be exercising the authority of Jesus Christ. This was done by preaching the good news about him being the long waited for Messiah. Exercising His authority, by submitting themselves to Him and relying totally on the Holy Spirit alone. This power and passion however, had a cost.
The early church endured persecution from the Jewish authorities, keen to exercise authoritarian rule. The early church persecuted for being Christian and preaching Jesus as the Messiah. What was the result of this persecution? Did persecution stop the church growing? That is for next time!
In preparation for that, you might like to read Acts 7 & 8. So finally, remember this. The greatest evidence for the power of the Holy Spirit is not by way of signs and wonders and healings or tongues or other miracles. The greatest evidence that you have the Holy Spirit living inside you, controlling you and of you being submitted to Him is your being continually transformed into the very image of Jesus Christ. Transformed by allowing yourself to be so intimate with Jesus Christ that people will notice you have changed and will ask you why!
Being filled with the Spirit, is allowing yourself to be continually controlled by Him and exercising His will, power and authority. That is one of the reasons the early church grew phenomenally and why the church is still here 2000 years later. The Pharisees and Sadducees are long gone. The Roman Empire collapsed. But... But... But... Jesus' church still stands, is still growing, and will one day be joined with Jesus in eternity, to the praise, honour and glory of Him who will return! Thank you.
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Church Begins - 1. Catalyst
2023/04/13
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1. Church begins - Catalyst
Jesus' resurrection is the catalyst for the mission of the church, beginning with the disciples and throughout history. Indeed, the growth and spread of the church, is a proof of the historical fact of Jesus' physical resurrection or rising from the dead. Having been raised from the dead, Jesus' mission to earth is coming to an end and shortly He will be returning to the right hand of the Father. Before He does so though, He has some more words to say to His disciples. Lets read Acts 1v1-12 for what happened between His resurrection and ascension.
The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God's Kingdom. Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, "Don't depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
Jesus' Authority
Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' authority is a major theme. Where Matthew records Jesus doing miracles, this is to highlight Jesus authority in action and not just merely in words. Matthew records Jesus' authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9v6) and He imparted authority to His disciples for a short time when they went on a mission in Matthew 10. Jesus has authority (Matthew 28v18) over all things, all people, all circumstances and happenings. Jesus has authority over all spiritual beings, whether angels or demons. Jesus has authority over all nations, governments and rulers. Jesus has authority over all earthly and spiritual authorities. Jesus has the authority. This means regardless of what ever the Christian Disciple faces, Jesus is in control.
Therefore, as Christian Disciples, we can obey him without fear of retribution from those who would seek to harm us. We can obey Him regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It is a great comfort to know, that He is in control of everything!! Through His death on the cross and His rising from the dead, Jesus has conquered all enemies. Now people sometimes confuse authority with authoritarian. Authoritarian means severe, rigidity and a dictator. None of these apply to Jesus. We have been given a free will, but as His disciples, we should choose to exercise our free will to obey Him and live a life worthy of Him. As the Christian depends on Jesus' authority, the Christian Disciple gains wisdom, guidance, and power.
You Go
If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then the disciples would not have had a story to tell. But Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, and the early church exploded numerically as the twelve disciples exercised Jesus' authority and His power. We read about the growth of the early church in the Book of Acts. Christianity is a faith whereby all Christian Disciples are to tell others of the goodness of God. Indeed God Himself is a missionary God. Ever since Genesis 3 and the fall of man, God has been on a mission to bring and call people back to Himself.
That was the purpose of the nation of Israel, to be a light to all nations of the goodness and glory of God! That was purpose when God, who is outside of time and space, entered human history taking on human flesh and restricted Himself in a human body as the man we know as Jesus Christ. Jesus whole mission was one of calling people back to life in God. As followers of Jesus Christ, all Christian Disciples are to evangelize. Evangelism is showing and telling others of God's message of reconciliation to all people of all time. It is not forcing people to adopt Church standards (1 Corinthians 5v12) and nor is it simply a message of join the church as a symbol of good works (Ephesians 2vv8-10).
Why evangelize?
The prime motivation for evangelism is out of gratitude for what God has done, in that we love because He loved us first. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5v14, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." As His servants we are to tell and live of God's reconciling message As I said before, we are all to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4v5).
In these last words of Matthew's Gospel, all Christian Disciples are to make disciples throughout the whole earth! Making disciples is not just evangelism but ensuring that guidance and care is given to new Christian disciples. How is this achieved? How can the Christian Disciple exhibit Jesus' authority and power in evangelism? Who gives the impetus for Christian Disciples? That is part of the role of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus said would come once He had ascended back to the right hand of God the Father.
Jesus Ascends
Mark 16:14-19, Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1v1-12, we read about Jesus physically ascending into the heavens. He is returning, as He said he would do, to the right hand of the Father. During their last discussion with Jesus, the disciples were still expecting him to lead a revolution against the Romans (Acts 1v6). Despite all Jesus had said to them in the previous 3 years, they still did not understand that Jesus had come to lead a spiritual kingdom and not a political kingdom. Hence He tells them to go back to Jerusalem, with for the Holy Spirit and then go tell others the Good News about Him!
Even after Jesus had vanished into the clouds, the disciples still gathered around looking into the sky for Him to return! So two angels came and said "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky." (Acts 1v11) From there the disciples returned to Jerusalem and waited. They didn't have to wait long, 10 days, until the Holy Spirit came, filled them and started living with them.
The Holy Spirit is coming
This is in fulfilment of Ezekiel 36v27 "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." where Almighty and All-powerful God will indwell those who follow Him. Throughout His ministry Jesus had talked about how after He was to depart, and that the Holy Spirit would come (John 15v26).
We know from the other writings in the New Testament who the Holy Spirit is and what His ministry is. The Holy Spirit is spoken of as God (1 Corinthians 3v16). The attributes of God are ascribed to the Holy Spirit life (Romans 8v2), truth (John 16v13) and love (Romans 15v30). The Holy Spirit is also a Person and is always referred to as ‘He' in the New Testament (John 16v14). He relates to us as a person for He is comforter, guide and teacher (John 14). He can be blasphemed against and be grieved (Ephesians 4v30), and wherever the Holy Spirit is, the Father and Son are also present because they are one. (John 14v18-23).
Throughout the Book of Acts and in the other New Testament writings we discover more about the Holy Spirit. We see that His prime role to to glorify Jesus Christ the Son of God is praised and glorified (John 16v13-14). He will testify for Jesus Christ (John 15v26). He will witness for Jesus Christ (Acts 1v8). The Holy Spirit is involved with ministering to members of the church, as Jesus would be to us if He were here. The Holy Spirit declares God's Word, interpreting and illuminating it. He convicts of sin, transforms, indwells, fills, baptizes and seals the believer.
With all this, the Holy Spirit also equips for service. God is at work in His body the church, to will and to act accordingly to his purpose (Phil. 2v13), to be my witnesses (Acts 1v8). This is evident in the book of Acts and the other New Testament writings. How is the Spirit seen? The Spirit's work is in evidence, where people's lives become more holy and more like Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12v3; 2 Corinthians 13v7). Sometimes the Holy Spirit works also in powerful ways, with miracles. But He also equips Christian Disciples for service, through the giving of spiritual gifts. Not just the so called more spectacular gifts of healing, miracles etc but also gifts such as mercy, generosity, helps and service. We see in the rest of the Book of Acts, how the Holy Spirit empowered the early church and because of the impetus He gave them, the church is still growing and expanding throughout the world 2000 years later.
In this series of studies in Acts, we will look at some of the key events in the life of the New Testament church, as recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts.
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Easter Part 7 - Jesus meets people today
2023/04/12
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Easter Part 7
Jesus meets people today
As we have seen, the good news is that Jesus is still living. The remainder of the four Gospels and the beginning of the book of Acts tell us a little more of what Jesus did before He ascended into the heavens. But Jesus still meets with people at the present time. How does He do this?
Jesus walks with us, where ever we go and in particular in the darkest periods of our life. Just as he did with the two people on the road to Emmaus, he walks with those who proclaim to follow Him (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-32). Jesus speaks whenever the Bible is faithfully preached and read from, just as He opened the eyes of those on the Emmaus road when He explained the Scriptures (Luke 24:27). Jesus meets us in the Communion or Lord’s Supper, with the bread and wine, which symbolise His flesh and blood as an act of remembrance of what He did for humanity.
But that is not the end, because Jesus has promised that He is coming again. Not as a baby next time, but as an all conquering Son of God in judgment to gather those who follow Him. Are you ready? If you want to follow this Jesus, come on over Here is how… You won’t regret it if you do!
Becoming a Christian
If you want to turn to God there is no need for delay. He is ready and willing to take you as his own – right now. You only have to ask him to forgive you and he will! Being a Christian is a partnership between God and yourself. Deciding to change course in mid-life, is what is called conversion, being born again, or deciding to be a Christian. When you place your faith in Jesus, becoming utterly dependent upon Him, you turn to God.
Once you have made that decision, you leave behind your rebellion against Him. As you live each day, becoming more involved with Jesus day by day, you will find yourself changing. You stop doing things which separated you from him and find yourself doing things that develop your relationship with him.
How do you develop this relationship?
Until you enter into that relationship, sin, or that which alienates you from God, controls your rebellion against him in your attitudes and your activities. You develop this relationship by allowing God to take control of your life, as He asks you to accept His management and guidance of your life.
God’s point of view and His strength will become your point of view and your source of strength. You turn your mind, will and heart to Him for all you do.
If you want to make that decisive step and become a Christian there are three simple steps to take.
Firstly, admit that you have done wrong against God and his ways and turn away from those attitudes.
Secondly, believe and trust in Jesus as your Saviour from the consequences of the anger of God towards you and your tendency to sin. Call on Him, receive, trust, obey and worship Him, recognizing him for who he is and what he has done.
Lastly, accept the Holy Spirit of God into your life as the major motivating force for what you do. Once sin has been confessed, Jesus is believed in and trusted as Saviour and the Holy Spirit has entered your life, then you are a Christian.
All these things happen together in a flash as you turn to God. Now you are ready to grow in grace and knowledge of our Jesus. Welcome to the family of God! God has chosen you. Jesus has paid for you and has put his mark within you through his Spirit (Ephesians 1:1-13).
Download the Podcast to hear about the resurrected Jesus meeting people today - including you!
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Easter Part 6 - Significance of the Resurrection
2023/04/11
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Easter Part 6
Significance and consequences of Jesus' Resurrection
Significance 1
The resurrection of Jesus Christ provided the central theme for the sermons and teaching in the early church (Acts 1:22; Acts 4:33, Acts 17:18) and certainly within Paul-ine theology. But what significance is there in Jesus’ resurrection?
Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
That was the Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthian church about the Jesus having been raised from the dead – physically!
Significance 2
The resurrection proved and vindicated all Jesus’ teaching and claims as the suffering Servant and attested to His being fully God and the last Judge of all mankind (Isaiah 53:10-12; Acts 2:36; Acts 3:13-15; Romans 1:4). The resurrection, declared God’s approval of Jesus obedient service and the fulfilment of all the Old Testament promises, resulting in forgiveness of sins and salvation being only found in and through Jesus Christ, which was the prime motive for evangelism in the early church (Acts 2:32, Romans 4:24-25). Jesus’ resurrection is a sign of the bodily resurrection for all believers in Him, giving a new attitude to death and transforming hopes (1 Corinthians 15:12-58, Romans 8:10, 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Peter 1:3 & 21). As the resurrected King, Jesus now intercedes for us and has perfected the redemption of all those who choose to follow Him (Romans 5:10; Hebrews 6:20; 1 Peter 1:21).
Significance 3
Finally, the resurrection of Jesus’ physical body is a sure victory over satan, sin and death. All three are conquered and squashed. Satan is a defeated creature and will do anything to drag people into defeat with him. The power of sin is conquered, and sin’s grip is overcome if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. Finally, as I said earlier, death has been beaten, because those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ will live forever with him – death is not the end but a beginning.
If Jesus Christ did not physically rise from the dead then as Paul states in
“Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all people most pitiable.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
Or let me put it in my own words - if Jesus Christ did not physically rise from the dead, we as Christians are the product of the greatest delusional lie and are the most foolish of all people.
Come back tomorrow to hear another consequence of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - Jesus meets people today! Download the Podcast to learn some details of these Scriptures concerning Jesus.
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Easter Part 5 - Dealing with doubts
2023/04/10
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Easter Part 5
Dealing with doubts concerning the resurrection
Yet people still doubt. Let us say Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. Surely the authorities, both Jewish and Roman, would have produced his dead body in order to quench this new movement! But they didn’t, and the reason they didn’t is because there was no body to produce! Would the disciples have really risked death for telling and maintaining a lie about the risen Jesus? They were beaten, confused, defeated and dispersed men until they saw Jesus truly did rise from the dead. After seeing Him, they were transformed and victorious people.
I have had people say to me that somebody (even the disciples) stole the body. Hardly likely, and if that had occurred, for what reason? How would they have got past the Roman Guard and moved the stone a great distance from the tomb? This very reason is what the Jewish authorities tried to perpetuate by way of a bribe:
“Now while the disciples of Jesus were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, saying, “Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day.” (Matthew 28:11-15)
Then we have the swoon theory. Jesus didn’t die but merely fainted and recovered consciousness in the tomb. Even the sceptics disagree with this theory, one of whom said “It is impossible that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to His sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that He was a Conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life”.
Or perhaps, they all went to the wrong tomb. That’s it – they went to the wrong tomb. Whilst one person may have gone to a wrong tomb, not everyone would have done. Besides, the gospel accounts tell us that people were waiting outside the tomb where Jesus was buried! Surely Joseph would know which tomb Jesus was buried in, seeing as Joseph owned it!
Lastly, Jesus didn’t die on the cross but somebody was substituted for him. This is certainly untenable, given the rigidity and strict record keeping of Roman rule and with the eyes of the Jewish hierarchy watching. This conjecture is a lie of satan because he knows the significance of Jesus having risen physically from the dead.
Come back tomorrow to hear more about the significance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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Easter Part 4 - Jesus is Alive
2023/04/09
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Easter Part 4: Jesus is Alive!
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”’ 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.(Luke 24:1-12)
All four Gospels, Matthew, Mark Luke and John, tell us that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried in a tomb. What do these four Gospels say about the Jesus’ resurrection or rising from the dead?
Let us first look at the sequence of events over the period of time after Jesus death till He ascended. Now remember, the Gospels are documents which have recorded historical events.
The tomb is empty
• Two Marys watch the burial: (Matthew27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke23:54-55)
• Roman soldiers guard the tomb and place an official Roman seal upon it: (Matthew 27:62-66)
• Women prepare burial spices then rest: (Luke 23:56)
• An angel rolls the stone away: (Matthew 28:2-4)
• Women arrive at dawn with spices: (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 24:1-3, John 20:1)
• Angels appear to women: (Matthew 28:5-7, Mark 16:5-7, Luke 24:4-8)
• The women dart back to tell disciples: (Matthew 28:8, Mark 16:8, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:2)
• Peter and John investigate the empty tomb: (Luke 24:12, John 20:3-9)
• Peter and John go home: (Luke 24:12, John 20:10)
• Mary Magdalene weeps by the tomb: (John 20:11)
• Mary sees two angels: (John 20:12-13)
Jesus’ appearances
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene: (Mark 16:9, John 20:14-17)
• Jesus appears to the other women: (Matthew 28:9-10)
• Women report to the disciples: (Mark 16:10-11, John 20:18)
• Guards testify to the priests: (Matthew 28:11-15)
• Jesus meets two people on the Emmaus Road: (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-32)
• Jesus appears to Simon Peter: (1 Corinthians 15:5, Luke 24:34)
• Two men on the Emmaus Road report to disciples in Jerusalem: (Luke 24:33-35)
• Jesus appears to the Disciples less Thomas: (Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-24)
• Disciples report to Thomas: (John 20:25)
• Jesus appears to the Disciples and Thomas: (Mark 16:14, John 20:26-29)
• Jesus appears to seven people: (John 21:1-14)
• Jesus questions Peter 3 times: (John 21:15-23)
• Jesus appears to 500 people: (1 Corinthians 15:6)
• Jesus appears to James: (1 Corinthians 15:7)
Evidences for the resurrection
These facts remain for the resurrection. Look at them and study them. Notice the changed attitude of the disciples after seeing the risen Jesus. They changed from defeated, cowardly people to victorious, brave people. Nobody who could have produced the dead body of Jesus, did so. Their silence is as significant as the preaching of the Apostles. Or take the multiple appearances of Jesus to various numbers of individuals and groups of people at various times of the day and in differing circumstances.
This shows that Jesus’ resurrection was physical in nature! Some people say Jesus’ resurrection was spiritual in nature but not physical. But the amount of people that saw Him physically afterwards dispels that particular myth. What about the current tangible evidence - the survival and inordinate growth and impact of the early church and that the church is still growing 2000 years later. If there was no bodily resurrection of Jesus, would people really have risked persecution and death for knowing a lie? One or two people maybe, but not hundreds. Certainly not thousands!
Come back tomorrow where we continue looking at Jesus' resurrection.
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Easter Part 3 - Why did Jesus go to the Cross?
2023/04/08
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Easter Part 3: Why did Jesus go to the Cross?
All human beings, in their natural state, are born sinners and have rebelled against God (Romans 3:23). However, because of Jesus’ death on the cross God offers forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), Peace (Romans 5:1) and reconciliation with Himself, so that we are no longer His enemies (2 Corinthians 5:19). Through the cross of Jesus Christ, and only through the cross, we are made just before God (Romans 3:24-26), it cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:7) and makes us right before Almighty God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Because of the Cross of Jesus Christ, we can have direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18) and Jesus Christ intercedes for us (Hebrews 2:17-18). Because of Jesus Christ’s death on a Roman cross, all those who follow Him have freedom from the power of slavery to sin (Galatians 5:1) and freedom from the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14). None of the above things are true if a person does not follow Jesus.
The cross of Jesus Christ is amazing love in action and is ignored at great peril. Let us go forward in hope and faith, choosing deliberately not to boast in anything else, save only of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The wisdom of God as exhibited on and in the Cross of Jesus Christ, is foolishness but only to those who don’t accept it.
Come and listen to the podcast to hear more about this as we discover:
There is a problem!
There is a solution!
Victory achieved!
What should our response be to the cross of Jesus Christ?
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Easter Part 2 - Jesus’ Trial Death and Crucifixion
2023/04/07
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Easter Part 2: Jesus’ Trial, Crucifixion, Death and Burial
These words were spoken of the coming Messiah, by the prophet Isaiah centuries before Jesus Christ.
See, my servant will act wisely he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (Isaiah 52:13-14)
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11)
Jesus Condemned
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face. (John 19:1-3)
Jesus Crucified
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. (John 19:16-19)
Jesus Buried
38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about thirty-five kilograms. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there.(John 19:38-42)
Download the Podcast to learn some details of these Scriptures concerning Jesus. Tomorrow we will look at some of the other character & events that happened around the cross, and investigate what Jesus’ death on a Roman cross two thousand years ago means for humanity today and why He had to die on a cross in the first place.
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Easter Part 1 - Jesus Prepares and Serves
2023/04/06
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Easter Part 1: Jesus Prepares & Serves
1. Jesus Prepares
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’
13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks: where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’
19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’
20 ‘It is one of the Twelve,’ he replied, ‘one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. 25 ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(Mark 14:12-26)
The disciples needed a room within Jerusalem itself, and also required food - a lamb, bread, bitter herbs and wine. The Passover meal contains historical and theological symbolism regarding the death of Jesus. This is why this meal is the model for the central act of Christian worship, which is Holy Communion.
Listen to the podcast to hear:
An outline of a Passover meal at the time of Jesus
The significance of the Last Supper for us today
2. Jesus Serves
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’
7 Jesus replied, ‘You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’
8 ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’
9 ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’
10 Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.’ 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. (John 13:1-10)
As part of the custom of the day, a servant or slave usually undertook foot washing of guests. Since none of the disciples had done this, Jesus Himself undertakes the task (John 13:4-5). Peter is recalcitrant and resistant as always, and objects (John 13:6, 8). Peter learns that only those cleansed by Jesus and trusting in Him fully, can be a part of the kingdom (John 13:7, 9). As we look back at this episode, knowing what we do now of the Cross, we learn how this simple act of washing feet is symbolic of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross.
Download the Podcast to find out more about this act of service by Jesus and what it means for the Church today.
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John 14 - Jesus, Our Hope - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/04/05
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“Jesus - our hope”
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:1-6)
A good Christian friend of mine recently died. I am sure you know others as well. My friend is now more alive than ever before! Why? Because Jesus was his hope. Let us learn together today at how and why Jesus Christ can be our hope!
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24. John’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
2023/04/04
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Exploring The Bible
24. New Testament
Gospel of John - A.D. 80-90
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
John 1:1-5
John 20:28-31
John was writing his Gospel sometime after the other three writers, probably about AD 90. He had built up a considerable fellowship of disciples for whom he was now writing, so he is more concerned with the meaning of what happened than the facts behind the events. He presents the person and work of Jesus Christ in such a way that everyone should believe in Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
John’s argument portrays Jesus as the God-Man. John records miracles and messages that affirm both Jesus’ deity and humanity. He builds his record around Jesus’ public ministry, private ministry, the cross, and the resurrection. The result is a Gospel worthy of much careful thought and meditation.
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25. Luke’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
2023/04/03
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Exploring The Bible
24. New Testament
Gospel of Luke - AD 60-61
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
Luke 1:3-4
Luke 19:10
Luke presents Jesus as the God-Man, a saviour for the entire world. He writes primarily for Gentiles in the Roman and Greek world. He does this from a broad vantage point that is compatible with the fact that he is himself Greek.
Luke traces Jesus’ incarnation, introduction, public ministry, rejection, subsequent teaching in view of His rejection, the cross, resurrection and ascension. Even though a Gentile, Luke emphasizes the kingdom program, with Israel's place in the kingdom, but he makes it clear that the kingdom is for all people.
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26. Mark’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
2023/04/02
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Exploring The Bible
24. New Testament
Gospel of Mark - AD50-60
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
Mark 8:34-36
Mark 10:45
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of the Lord, coming in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus offers His miracles and his teaching as his credentials. He gathers His disciples, while proclaiming the Kingdom of God and its message.
Jesus teaches in short parables, which hide the truth from those hardened against Him, while at the same time preparing and instructing those responsive to Him. Jesus calls those who follow him to serve him by serving others and to deny themselves by taking up their own cross, just as He took up His. There is little about the resurrection in this Gospel, possibly because the end of the scroll has been lost.
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27. Matthew’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
2023/04/01
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Exploring The Bible
27. New Testament
Gospel of Matthew - AD50-60
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
Matthew 1:23
Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew writes primarily to Jews, presenting Jesus as the long waited for Messiah, predicted in the Old Testament. He also records Israel’s attitude towards Jesus as Messiah.
Matthew gives us the Jesus’ genealogy and proceeds to tell us about Jesus’ presentation, and authentication as the Messiah. Matthew tells of Israel's opposition to and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. This causes Jesus to reject Israel due to her unbelief. Matthew then records the death and resurrection of Christ. He concludes with Christ commissioning the disciples.
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2 Chronicles 6 A Covenantal God - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/31
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Dedication of the Temple
2 Chronicles 6v1-21
Tonight as you may have gathered, we go back to looking at the prayers of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 6. Not in an exhaustive way, but to discover together what we can learn about God and His relationship with those who are His and seeing how this is relevant to us some 3 millennia later. During the intervening period, I wonder if Solomon had wrestled in his mind over what he prayed… Let us wrestle together now, in these prayers of his, albeit briefly. This is a key passage, a link if you like, between the Covenant that God made with Solomon’s father, David, including the building of a House for God, the Temple, and the glory of the Lord filling the Temple in 2 Chronicles 7. This reflects I think, the necessity and vitality of prayer in the unfolding of God’s will for humanity. The story is also regaled in 1 Kings 8 but with some nuance as you may expect.
1. A Covenant Making God
a. Verses 1 & 2 - Solomon acknowledges God’s presence in the cloud
b.Verses 3 to 9 – Solomon blessed the people and blesses God.
c. Verses 10-11 - Solomon presents the finished temple unto God.
Part 2. Solomon’s prayer.
a. Verses 12-14 - Humility before and praise unto God.
b. Verses 15-17 - Solomon recognizes God as the maker and keeper of promises.
c. Verses 18-21 - Solomon asks God to dwell in this place and honour those who seek Him here.
Conclusion - Promises of God for the Christian
The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:15-20)
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Genesis 18 - God Visits Abraham and Sarah - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/30
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Genesis 18
“God's Visitation to Abraham & Sarah”
There I was in Mamre. A distance way from Ur where we used to live quite comfortably. Sitting in the opening to our tent, under the shade of the great trees, in the middle of yet another swelteringly hot day. I was looking down into the dust and wondering to myself what was going on. My wife, now called Sarah, was inside the tent doing whatever it is that wives do in the middle of a hot day here. A mystery to me, as I am just a mere old male.
I am remembering back to a day when our life changed back in Ur. That was when God said he was going to bless me and made promises to me! Little old me - Abraham of the Chaldees! Not only to me but also to Sarah, my wife!
God told me specifically and with authority:
• I will be the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1)
• I will receive personal blessing (Genesis 12:2)
• I will receive personal honour and a grand status (Genesis 12:2)
• I will be a source of blessing to others. (Genesis 12:3)
What’s more, there will be blessings on those who bless me and the nation which comes from me (Genesis 12:3) just as there will be curses on those who curse me and that nation (Genesis 12:3).
I have been called by God. Personally, and explicitly. Not only me, my wife Sarah as well. That was 25 years ago now. Not too bad for somebody 99 years old is it. It all seems rather inconceivable really seeing as both my wife and I are aged. God made a promise to Sarah too! She would be having a baby. Inconceivable it seems, doesn’t it? Sarah, my wife, is beyond the normal child bearing age to start conceiving a family. The way of motherhood has passed her by. In our culture where we are from, to be a childless couple, the majority of the stigma is cast upon the woman. It is a shame upon her. But regardless, I stepped out in faith, trusted the Lord and here we are on a journey.
Then suddenly!! I looked up from the dust and I saw them. Much to my surprise. How did I not see them coming from a long distance off? Am I seeing things? They seemed to appear out of nowhere. Three men. Three men just standing there looking towards me. I am sure that I recognize the one in the middle. Have I met him before? I still can’t work out how I never saw them approaching. I hurried to them despite my great age and the searing heat. I wanted to show them an even greater welcoming honour than the one my culture usually allowed to strangers. I bowed down as low as I could get. Even lower than normal to convey a great honour upon them. I asked them to come in for a little light refreshment before they continued their journey in the heat of the day.
They replied. “All right. Go and do as you have said.” Their blunt response stunned me a bit, if I am being honest!
So, I scurried back. I ensured water was taken to them and returned to Sarah in the tent. “Quick! Sarah! We have visitors! One of them maybe the Lord again. I am not sure. They are all in the appearance of men. Cook up some of that unleavened bread from the recipe your mum taught you! The bread that doesn’t take long to cook. I will go get a good tender calf and have one of the servants prepare it for eating. While he does that, I will get some yoghurt and milk to accompany it all. I will serve them out under the shade of the trees. As is our custom, you please stay here, my love.”
So, there I was. Waiting on our visitors as per the custom of our day, treating them to the hospitality of our culture. When all of a sudden, out of the blue, our guests asked “Where is Sarah your wife?”
How did these folks, these men, if that is what they really are, know her name? Any doubt that this was the Lord God began to leave me - after all He would know Sarah’s name. He is the one who changed her name!
If it was the Lord, we had indeed met before! It must be! It must be the Lord my God. The other two must be angels in disguise. I guess. If this really is the Lord God, then this is the one who blessed us and honoured us when he changed our names to Abraham and Sarah. He called us out of our life in Ur.
I offered in response to our guests, “She is inside the tent.”
Then almost surprisingly, one of them said that he will return in a year and by then Sarah and I will have had a child, a son! It was then, that my wife Sarah chuckled quietly. Almost silently, she talked to herself. “No way! I am outside the age of normal motherhood and Abraham is also a bit old now too.”
But my guests still heard that quiet laugh and that comment. Then I was questioned! Me! “Why did Sarah laugh mockingly and dispute what I said about you having a child? Is there anything that is too hard for God to do? This time next year you will have a son. Be assured of that and be of good courage, the pair of you. What I have said, I will accomplish. I always keep my promises!”
At which point, my dear Sarah who had clearly been eavesdropping, responded by denying that she had laughed. She did this to cover her embarrassment of being found out.
“Nope! You did, Sarah. I heard you!” the Lord God gently rebuked her for telling an alternative fact.
With that, our guests arose and looked out towards that evil city of Sodom. Being a good host, I arose and walked with them to see them safely away, wondering why they were going to such a place renowned for injustice, oppression of the innocent, wickedness and unrighteousness.
The one I identified as the Lord, started speaking quietly to Himself. He was asking himself a question and then answering it for himself. Or so it seemed. I guess he could have also been talking to the other two. Regardless, I could hear what he was saying.
“Hmmm. Should I tell Abraham concerning my plan for Sodom? He, Abraham, will certainly become a mighty and great nation. Indeed, the whole earth will be blessed by Me through him. Abraham will instruct and direct his family and ancestors in the way to follow Me rightly and justly. I have promised Him and I will do it. I am the Lord, and I keep my promises. I uphold my end of the deal.”
“I have heard such an outcry from the innocents there, that we are going to see if things really are as we have heard. A cry of pain from those being oppressed and violated. An outcry against injustice by those who are weak and oppressed. I don’t rely on gossip or hearsay. I have heard and I care for them. I want to see the full story for myself and see if anything has been left out. I am a compassionate God and I seek to act on behalf of those wronged and put things right. Does the hullaballoo and noise match the reality of oppression and injustice?”
Two of our guests then continued their journey onwards to Sodom. However, the third one, the Lord waited with me and seemingly also waited for me to respond to Him. Waited for me to talk to him.
Therefore, I neared him and said, quite boldly yet humbly, “In that place Sodom, where you heard that outcry from the innocent, will you really deliver judgement upon both those who are righteous and those who are wicked? What about if there are 50 such innocent righteous folk there? Are you going to do away with them as well as those who have transgressed against you and others? Will you not spare the city for their sakes? How can you, a righteous yet just and merciful God, destroy both the wicked and the righteous together? Why would you want to do such a thing? You are the Judge of the whole earth and you should do right, surely? Can you, O God, deny yourself and do contrary to your very nature?”
Then I went silent, allowing the Lord to respond. “Abraham. If there are 50 righteous people there, I will spare the city.”
“Ok Lord. I know that compared to you, o Righteous and Holy One, I am but mere dust and ashes. I am not worthy to be speaking to you. However, what if there were only 45? Surely you won’t decimate that city because of 5 people short of your number?”
“Nope. Not for the sake of 45 people.”
“Forty folk?” I asked yet again.
“Nope. I the Lord, won’t destroy the city if we find 40 righteous and innocent people.”
Ok, I was really still concerned for those people. I imagine that it’s a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of God! So plaintively I progressed: “30 righteous people?”
“Nope. Not if I find 30.”
“Ok Lord, in my boldness, how about 20?
“No, Abraham. Not if I find 20.”
Then I thought to myself, one last push, Abraham. “Lord God. Do not be angry with me, I am concerned for the innocent ones. One more request, a final one. How about if there are only 10 found there?”
“Abraham, I will not destroy for the sake of 10 innocent & righteous people.”
With that, the Lord God finished his conversation with me, and went on to meet his companions. Meanwhile, I went back to my tent and pondered all these things further. Lot, my nephew was near Sodom. I hope that he and his family are ok and will be ok.
Well that is Genesis 18. That is all a bit exciting, isn’t it? I hope you don’t mind my paraphrasing it and adding some context and explanation to the Bible text, rather than simply stating the context and explanations as we normally would. Please do download the mp3 using the link below to hear my explanation. Thank you.
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A God of Love - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/29
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God is Love!
The world is in love, with love! Love sells everything! But what, or rather, who, started love? God did! The Bible tells the story of this God of love and we are going to very briefly in our time together talk about this great subject! Perhaps more books are written about the love of God than anything else! How is God love? God is a trinity or tri-unity! That is, God is a living, vibrant and dynamic community of love! Every activity of the Trinity is an expression of love. God loves because that is His very nature. God the Father loves God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God The Son loves God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit loves both God the Father and God the Son. A perfect community of love.
Description of God's Love
God's Love as described throughout the Scriptures
Unfailing - Psalm 119:41 Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.
Everlasting - Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
Intimate - John 14:21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.
Sacrificial - Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Unbreakable - Romans 8:35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
All-conquering - Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Personal - Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Great - Ephesians 2:4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
Immeasurable - Ephesians 3:18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
All knowing - Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
JI Packer - "God's love is an exercise of His goodness towards individual sinners, whereby having identified Himself with their welfare, He has given His Son to be their Saviour, and now brings them to know and enjoy Him in a personal covenant relationship."
How is God's love seen?
It is seen supremely in the Cross of Jesus Christ, when He died for the sins of the world. Supreme love overcoming all that is not love.
It is seen in the love that people have for others. When you hold somebody's hand or give that telephone call just to say hello - that is love.. Even with all the acts of evil in the world, love is all around. You can see it at the arrival halls of airports where family members meet each other. You can see it in the cafes where friends meet for conversation. You can see it as couples get married. Love exists even in the middle of that chaos, turmoil and hatred. Yes there are people filled with hatred and commit acts of unmitigated evil - but even those people have experienced love of some kind despite their not remembering it, being aware of it or even in spite of it! Even if it was the guiding hand of their parents to alert them from danger or the greeting of a close friend.
Going further, the love of God is seen when Christians, who proclaim their love of God, love others. Churches are also to be enabling radical love in their communities! Not a love which is impractical but a love which is self-sacrificing! A love mirroring that of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is by helping supplying the practical needs of others, even to the point when it hurts to give! 1 John 3v16-18 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.
Love is tough!
Love is not wishy-washy though! Love is tough! When Jesus died on the cross, that was tough love as He died. Love involves discipline such as the guidance of a parent stopping their child from putting their hand on a hot pan. Avail yourself of God's love today and more importantly show the love of God to others today! A kind word, a surprise gift or an helpful act! God's love releases us from the things that entangle our daily walk with Him. The more you hold onto His love, the more you will desire it and the more it will be revealed in your daily life. Your love in action today, reflects God's love in action on the cross. Go and love - to the glory of God! Love not just in words but also in practise! Love all that you come in contact with - practical love showing a loving God in action. By loving others, we help heal this broken world we live in with all its traumas, natural disasters and conflicts. Love.
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Leviticus 18 & 19 - Joy Get Its Hands Dirty - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/28
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Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty
Leviticus 18 & 19 & Mark 12:28-34
Introduction
Leviticus 18 & 19 is where the rubber hits the road. Leviticus moves on to the matter of wholeness of life and personal holiness. God gives to His people, Israel, some laws of how they were to live. Laws for such things as: food & diet, foreign nationals, justice, the poor, sex, social etiquette and tattoos. Sounds very relevant for us today in Boscombe, doesn’t it?
Let’s briefly take 2 examples. Firstly, concerning the laws regarding sexual activity. The other nations engaged in all these sexual activities as given in Leviticus 18, often as part of their religious devotion and worship but also as an abusive power. But Israel was not to be like that! Sexual activity was to be between one man and one woman within marriage. Tattoos. Look in Leviticus 19:28. Why are tattoos mentioned? Primarily because the other nations tattooed and cut themselves as signs of their devotion, worship and allegiance to their gods. That was their manner of “outward holiness” as it were. Hence their prohibition for Israel who were to be very different from the surrounding nations.
Israel were not to be like these other nations in any way, shape or form. Other cultures were not to be allowed to infiltrate them. Israel was to stand out as God’s light to the other nations. These laws were for Israel and also for all immigrants, foreign nationals and aliens who lived among them (Leviticus 18:26). In our second reading from Mark 12, we see that Jesus said that the whole of the Law, including these in our 2 chapters in Leviticus today, is summarised as “Love God and love all other people”.
From Mark 12, we see that Jesus said that the whole of the Law, including these in our Leviticus 18-19, is summarised as “Love God and love all other people”.
The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: “I am the Lord your God. 3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. 4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. 5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.(Leviticus 18:1-5)
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
3 ‘“Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.
4 ‘“Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.
5 ‘“When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. 6 It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned. 7 If any of it is eaten on the third day, it is impure and will not be accepted. 8 Whoever eats it will be held responsible because they have desecrated what is holy to the Lord; they must be cut off from their people.
9 ‘“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:1-10)
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
29 ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
32 ‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.(Mark 12:28-34)
Repeatedly in this book, God has said “Be holy, for I am holy”. But what is holiness? As we have glimpsed in the last 2 weeks, holiness is what separates God from all His creation. For God alone is holy and full of glory. Remember what Aaron had to do when entering the holy of holies on the day of Atonement? He had to create a wall of smoky incense, so that he wouldn’t glimpse God’s glory and holiness and be struck down dead, like his sons Nadab and Abihu. Holiness is in fact the sum of all God’s attributes. God is holiness and holiness is God.
Holiness is also a moral attribute of God, of His purity, and His freedom from the stain of ALL sin. There is an innate moral goodness about God – an absolute perfection which always seeks creation’s welfare. The goodness of God has several key aspects within His moral attributes. These include the following but they are not an exhaustive listing: Grace, holiness, patience, love, mercy, righteousness and truth. They are part of our God’s moral framework. Have you seen evidence of these in your own life?
Let’s keep having a look at our God. God says, for example, in Leviticus 19:2 “I…” That indicates that God is personal. This God is personal and there is an intimacy to be had with a personal God like this. No god of rock or wood like the surrounding polytheistic nations for Israel! Their God is one! God is a God who is personal, and must therefore be capable of having and sustaining relationships. A God who sustains relationships will also want to be known! We know that God is spirit, yet also a personal and infinite being (John 4:24). He is one in substance or nature and incapable of being divided. Even more, as we saw last week, God is love. Love is one of His key attributes. If God was only a single person, then how could love possibly be shown? Love requires more than one Person for Love to be active. If it is not active, then it cannot be love. How can we answer this seeming paradox?
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Leviticus 16 - A God of Joy and His people - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/27
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A God of Joy and His people
Introduction
Book of Leviticus
We look again in the book of Leviticus and chapter 16. Some of the words and phrases we commonly use come straight from the book of Leviticus. Words such as jubilee and scapegoat are commonly used today. And what husband hasn't offered a form of guilt offering to his wife!Leviticus does have important things to tell us about sin, obedience and holiness. Perhaps most importantly it tells of God dwelling with His people. So today we delve into Leviticus 16, which is the centre and pinnacle of the book.
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Leviticus 9-10 - Obedient Service of God - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/26
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Obedient Service of God
Introduction
How to read Leviticus today? What is the best way for us in the 21st century to read these ancient laws of Leviticus? Is it just to simply ignore them or are we to slavishly follow them? Perhaps the best way is to simply let Scripture interpret Scripture and see what the New Testament says about the Leviticus laws.
Take for instance the food laws. We know in the New Testament that all food is now permissible, whereas under the Old Testament, certain foods were not permitted to be eaten. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter had a dream in which all food was declared clean!It is also wise, not to see them as merely a list of "not do" statements, but also as "do statements".
Rather, we should see them as a love letter from a God who wants to save His people from distress and anxiety in order to give them a life of peace, unity, health and a joyful life in all its fullness.All these laws were to lead ancient Israel to be a holy nation. Holiness was about being set apart for a purpose and making wise, conscious decisions about what was right or wrong. It involved being obedient to God and keeping His decrees and regulations.
Being holy, involved having a lifestyle, which was contrary to the cultures surrounding them. To be holy was a lifestyle choice of worship, to reflect their holy God.They were called to be loyal! Called to be distinct! Called to worship! What has all this got to do with us? Where does the Day of Atonement and these laws fit into the life of a Christian in the 21st century? We will take a look in the third part in al little while!
Outline:
Introduction
Great joy Leviticus 9:22-24
Great tragedy Leviticus 10:1-11
A God of Judgement
A God of Wrath
So what’s all this got to do with us today?
New Covenant?
Called to service
Judged for our service
Conclusion
Listen to the mp3 file to see what this fabulous piece of Scripture is about and how it is relevant to you today...
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64. Leviticus Introduction - Old Testament - Exploring the Bible
2023/03/25
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Exploring The Bible
64. Old Testament
Leviticus
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
Leviticus 16:15-16
Leviticus 20:7-8
The Book of Leviticus is God’s guidebook for His nation, Israel, showing them how he is to be worshipped, served and obeyed. Fellowship with God is through sacrifice and obedience to reflect His holiness.
Leviticus tells how atonement for sin is secured by sacrifice – thus preparing the way for the principle of the once-for-all atonement Jesus Christ secured on the Cross.
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Psalm 40 - Psalm on Demand
2023/03/24
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Psalm 40
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
40:1 I waited patiently for Yahweh.
He turned to me, and heard my cry.
40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay.
He set my feet on a rock,
and gave me a firm place to stand.
40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth,
even praise to our God.
Many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in Yahweh.
40:4 Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust,
and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
40:5 Many, Yahweh, my God,
are the wonderful works which you have done,
and your thoughts which are toward us.
They can’t be declared back to you.
If I would declare and speak of them,
they are more than can be numbered.
40:6 Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire.
You have opened my ears.
You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
40:7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come.
It is written about me in the book in the scroll.
40:8 I delight to do your will, my God.
Yes, your law is within my heart.”
40:9 I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly.
Behold, I will not seal my lips,
Yahweh, you know.
40:10 I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart.
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation.
I have not concealed your loving kindness
and your truth from the great assembly.
40:11 Don’t withhold your tender mercies from me, Yahweh.
Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me.
40:12 For innumerable evils have surrounded me.
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up.
They are more than the hairs of my head.
My heart has failed me.
40:13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to deliver me.
Hurry to help me, Yahweh.
40:14 Let them be disappointed and confounded together
who seek after my soul to destroy it.
Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
40:15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!”
40:16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.
Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!”
40:17 But I am poor and needy.
May the Lord think about me.
You are my help and my deliverer.
Don’t delay, my God.
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Testimony - Sharon
2023/03/23
Sharon, a Chinese believer, talks about her journey of faith, from Daoism to Christianity and how Jesus Christ is relevant to her life today.
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Testimony - From Skeptic to Salvation
2023/03/22
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From Skeptic to Salvation
I am Richard. I am 62 years of age. For 59 years of my life, I lived with faith " only in myself ".I was at best a Skeptic, at worst an Atheist. I would go right out of my way to test and very strongly argue against anyone I met, who professed to have a faith, in any sort of God. I needed nothing, but my own free will. All my faith was "only" in myself.
In 2002 / 2003 my world fell apart. I was left alone to myself. All my lifelong responsibilities disappeared. I became for 2 years a solitary hermit, living in my house, completely alone. It was during this time, alone, that I started to question, :- What my life was about. What was I here for. What was the reason for my being, if there even was one. I wanted, and so needed contact with other people. I needed to talk, to be listened to, and to listen to others. We are not meant to be solitary beings we are social creatures. We so need fellowship with others, like we need food.
After over 2 years of self imposed solitary confinement, I was becoming worried about losing my ability to communicate with others. It was back just before Christmas 2005, I received through my door the usual annual programme of all the Churches in my area, listing all their events, over the Christmas period. I decided to systematically visit all of them. Not to seek faith, Oh No', I'm a Skeptic, an Atheist. I just want to have communication with others. I visited most of the local Churches over the coming months, and always found people to speak and listen to, but none of the Churches somehow felt right for me, until I visited " Verwood Road Evangelical Chapel", just up the road from where I live, in Three Legged Cross. Here I felt good, " well better ". I liked the way they did things. It was not a liberal church. It was more leaning towards, a Brethren sort of fellowship, but not too hard line. There was no pomp or high ceremony, no fancy clothes or precious things to see or worship. These were ordinary people, just like me.
Over the next 10 months I visited V.R.C. " on and off " at first, maybe once or twice a month and found that I liked it more and more, so I went more and more. By October 2006, I found that I was wanting to go not only every Sunday but twice on Sundays. It was at this time that I seriously decided to the best of my ability, to very fully investigate just what this Christianity was really all about. How could so many intelligent, thinking people, believe in it?
For the next 6 months, I lived in the single minded state of total study of the Christian faith. I devoted all of my time to the study of the Bible and many, many books, both for and against the Christian faith. I prayed and prayed so very hard to God to give me a definite sign - a proof that God was out there and not something made-up in my own mind. I was in heartfelt tears, many, many times, asking for some proof, a miracle even, a certain sign, anything, but no sign or proof came. I was God's for the taking, but both He, and my heart, wasn't ready.
In late March 2007, something happened to turn me completely off Christianity. I went from very serious " single minded seeking " with all my heart and soul, TO - " This Christianity is certainly not for me ". It is not " at all " important what " event " occurred to cause this absolute turn around. It is only important to understand that it was very strongly driven by " My Own Self Pride ". God knew that it had to be, for Him to use it, to turn this 60 year old Atheist into a Christian. It was during my very powerful, and emotional efforts, to try and take a wrong, and turn it into a right, No matter what the cost, that my eyes were turned back into myself. To see, or to start to see, that all I hated and despised in others, was also, very present in myself. I was no better, than all those that I felt the very strong need to " bring to rights " in my life. It was at this moment in time, of now seeing, just what " I Am ", that my life changed forever. I was born on Easter Friday, Good Friday, the 4th. April.
In 2007, Three days after my 60th. Birthday, at exactly 12:32 p.m. lunch-time on Easter Saturday, the 7th. April, I at last discovered, that I was nothing, undeserving of my life, A Sinner that so needed the forgiveness of God. This opened my heart to God, and at that very moment, He Came In. It was at this time, that I understood, for the very first time, the Amazing events of Easter, and that Jesus died for me, that I may have life, and live life, to the full.
The next day, Easter Sunday, 2007, I took my first communion with my God. I would now like to say, that I am not a writer, I agree with " Winnie The Pooh Bear ", when he said.:- "Yes' I know all my letters, but my spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling, but it wobbles, and my letters get into the wrong places!" I'm not a poet either. I'm a practical man, an engineer. In the early hours of Easter Monday morning, 2007, at 1:30 a.m. whilst I was sat in my back porch thinking " in a daze " about what had happened to me on Easter Saturday, I picked up a pen and without thinking, wrote out the following poem. It is un-referenced, original and un-edited. It is just as it came down to me, 37 hours after finding my faith.
This poem is called :- The Fellowship - ( Revealed )
I don't know where I'm going,
I don't know where I've been,
I don't know what's in store for me,
But God has hold, to let me see.
For he will surely show my way,
My guide,
to lead,
to change each day.
To give me life, I've never seen,
To serve, to try, to make life clean,
To hold me close, to let me go,
To understand, To love me so.
My God is One, with saviour Christ,
He gave for me, The Total Price.
My heart is found, the Ghost within,
Salvation sealed, Forgiven Sin.
My past remains, but all washed clean,
My future comes, like it's never been.
I cannot say the words I feel,
Of things that are, to me so real.
My sad, sad past, is gone, my futures clean,
For with my eyes, new life I've seen.
This gift of love, that has been given,
Shall remain with me, right through to Heaven.
I believe that this poem was written with God's help. There is nothing good that can come out of me, from my own self, Self. Any good that may come from me, comes through me, from God. So please just Praise the Lord. ( Thank you.)
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Encounters with Jesus - Bible Thought
2023/03/21
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Jesus’ Encounters
We know Jesus spoke to and interacted with large crowds. The Sermon on the Mount, the feeding of large crowds just a couple of examples. But we also have records of his encounters with individuals and their reaction to him. People who we talk to about Him, often have three reactions: rejection (either in sorrow or anger); more to think about it; and acceptance. We are going to look at two encounters that we find in the Gospels, what Jesus had to say to them and their subsequent reactions: his encounter with the rich young ruler and his meeting with Nicodemus. Next time we will look at two examples of those who accepted and believed in Him.
1. Rich young ruler Matthew 19:16-26 Mark 10v17-22 Luke 18:18-27
Mark 10v17: As Jesus started on his way; a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.'"
"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
This story is in all three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Luke describes him as a wealthy ruler (Luke 18v18-27). Matthew describes him as a young man (Matthew 19v16-26). In Mark’s account, he is simply a man (Mark 10v17-22). Put altogether that makes him a rich young ruler. He runs up to Jesus and falls on his knees before Him. He wants eternal life, wants it now and so asks Jesus about it. When he calls Jesus a good teacher, Jesus responds “No one is good—except God alone.”
Now Jesus could have been correcting the young man, but more likely Jesus was asking: “Do you know what you are saying and how close to the truth about me you are?” This young man had fully kept the commandments listed by Jesus (Mark 10v19). However when Jesus said to the young ruler that in order to follow Him, he would have to give up all his wealth in order to have treasure in heaven and eternal life, the man left rejected.
That was a step too far for the rich young ruler. He wanted his riches and also eternal life but Jesus said he couldn’t have both. He remains the only man who left Jesus’ presence sorrowful, and that due to putting his trust in his riches & wealth alone. Now riches are not necessarily wrong but they do make trusting fully in God very difficult (Mark 10v23).
2. Nicodemus John 3v1-21
John 3v1-3: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.[
Nicodemus wants to know more about Jesus and investigate Him personally, instead of following the majority of the other Jewish leaders. What do we know about Nicodemus?
Member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin
A leading teacher and learned scholar of the Scriptures
From other sources we know he may well have been from a family of wealthy landowners
Protested against Jesus’ condemnation without a trial (John 7v50-52)
Took gifts to anoint Jesus’ body (John 19v39-40)
Nicodemus was probably one of the many looking for a kingdom of God based around a political Messiah; hence him admitting that due to his miraculous signs, Jesus must have been from God. They wanted a Messiah who was a political leader who would lead Israel to be a shining light for the whole world to come to Jerusalem and worship the one true living God. However, Jesus corrects Nicodemus and says that it is not through a new Israel that God’s kingdom will be seen, but by being “born again”.
Three times in this conversation, Jesus repeats about being “born again”. What does “born again” mean?
It is not a physical rebirth and nor is it merely a turning over a new leaf.
It is not baptism because Jesus has not instituted baptism yet!
It is the new covenant, which Nicodemus should have known about it (Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36). It is being born with water and spirit – cleansed of sin and indwelt with the Holy Spirit
It is being born from above, which is looking to the one who has come down from heaven. For the phrase “born again” can also be translated “born from above”.
It is looking to Jesus and trusting in him just as the ancient Israelites were saved by looking at the bronze snake (Numbers 21v8)
It is on an individual basis just as physical birth is. Nobody knows the date and time of their own birth unless they are told by somebody!
Jesus seemed astonished that the teacher didn’t already know that, being as Nicodemus was a highly educated and learned teacher!
So there we have 2 different reactions to Jesus: The rich young ruler who left full of sorrow; the Jewish leader who left with more to think about regarding this Jesus. In each encounter, Jesus is remarkably comfortable with all two people. He loved the rich young ruler (Mark 10v21)His love surrounded them, just as His love surrounds all people today. His message of salvation, through Him alone, is for everybody of all time.
For more to think about please do ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.
Q1. Please read Mark 10v17-22. What things may be hindering me from fully trusting in God for all things?
Q2. Read John 3v1-21. What does this Scripture tell me about God’s salvation?
Q3. How does Jesus’ approach to telling people about salvation inspire me to do likewise?
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 102
2023/03/20
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Psalm 102
A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the LORD.
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
3 For my days vanish like smoke;
my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
I forget to eat my food.
5 Because of my loud groaning
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake;
I have become like a bird alone on a roof.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
9 For I eat ashes as my food
and mingle my drink with tears
10 because of your great wrath,
for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like the evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
your renown endures through all generations.
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her;
the appointed time has come.
14 For her stones are dear to your servants;
her very dust moves them to pity.
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion
and appear in his glory.
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
he will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :
19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death."
21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion
and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the peoples and the kingdoms
assemble to worship the LORD.
23 In the course of my life he broke my strength;
he cut short my days.
24 So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days;
your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.
27 But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.
28 The children of your servants will live in your presence;
their descendants will be established before you."
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 110
2023/03/19
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Psalm 110
as read by Noelle
1-3The LORD says to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand until I make
your enemies a footstool for your feet."
The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion;
you will rule in the midst of your enemies.
Your troops will be willing on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy majesty,
from the womb of the dawn
you will receive the dew of your youth.
4-7The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind:
"You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
The Lord is at your right hand;
he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
He will judge the nations,
heaping up the dead and crushing
the rulers of the whole earth.
He will drink from a brook beside the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.
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Poem - Home
2023/03/18
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Home
By: Christi Armstrong
Recited by Jenny
Some unforgivable idea
beckons from beyond my pain.
My attention centers on the darkness that suffocates my brain.
Come with me, I hear a voice say,
as it injects me deeper into the fathoms
of my hidden experiences.
"Hello Sweetheart,"
the voice invades my head.
"How was your day? Is your heart doing well?"
I hope.
Another voice calls.
Come with me. Listen to the rain.
It waits patiently to drown your being.
My mouth opens,
To the vain pressure of silence, the thief of my intent to protest.
Life, vitality, love spin in my stomach,
dizzy, with no place to go.
My feeble attempt to escape
plunges me deeper into my leech dried veins.
My panicked heart cramps,
grasping for the crimson oasis that taunts my survival.
Desperately,
I cling as my lungs collapse,
in a bed of eternal delirium.
Pale eyes look up,
confused at the figure before me.
His soft compassion, invites and assures me.
He clasps my hand in His.
Through the numbness I can hear his quiet voice,
longingly call my name.
"It's time to go child",
he encourages,
as I gingerly touch the hole in his hand.
My pain gone, I look to Him.
"I'm ready,"
I cry,
as gently He pulls me into His peace.
My Abba Father,
my daddy and I cross the rocky shores
of earthly existence, together.
He sets me down and holds me at his side as quietly,
I gaze into His promise of gold.
My knees cave beneath me.
My face on his perfect feet,
those feet that faithfully carried my life,
my breath, my soul,
with each step that I did not deserve.
"Well done, my daughter",
His majestic voice soothes,
"welcome home!"
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 24
2023/03/17
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Psalm 24
1 The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the floods.
3 Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart;
who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,
and has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh,
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him,
who seek your face—even Jacob.
Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Be lifted up, you everlasting doors,
and the King of glory will come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
Yahweh strong and mighty,
Yahweh mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors,
and the King of glory will come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
Yahweh of Armies is the King of glory!
Selah.
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Prayers Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2023/03/16
G'day! Today we are praying a series of prayers concerning the Ukraine Russian conflict and war. Молитви за Україну / Molytvy za Ukrayinu
Come! Let's pray together and say your "Amen!" or "May it be so, Lord!"
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Jesus Who - Pulp Theology 09
2023/03/16
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PulpTheology Books
Jesus Who?
This book is free on Kindle March 15th to March 20th, 2023...
The title "Jesus Who?" was a question put to me by my father many years ago. He was asking me which Jesus I was talking about. The Jesus of Islam? The Jesus of the Anglicans or the Jesus of the Baptists? The Jesus of the imagination?
In this little book, we look at who I think Jesus was and is... It acts as a brief introduction to the greatest man who ever lived: Jesus Christ. Who was he? Why does he matter? What has he got to do with each of us? Jesus Christ. The name which is on everybody's lips at Christmas. But who was this man and so what? When the human we know as Jesus Christ was born, his name imbued the very reason he was born. His conception and birth were extraordinary at every level. Jesus very name, means “one who saves” and the entirety of his birth, life and death were centred on this very role. His role was to save all those who would follow Him.
Almost everyone has an opinion about Him. Jesus was born to confirm God's promises, to reveal God as a loving Father, invite people into His Sonship, and to be our representative before Almighty God. He gave us an example of how to live a holy life to the full. Jesus was not merely a man who received some special power, nor was he some strange creation that was half man and half God. As we will see together inside, He was much more than those ideas.
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The Lord’s Prayer - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/15
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The Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen.
Luke 11:2-4
‘“Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
What we call the "Lord's Prayer" is a prayer which is common to all churches of all denominations, just as it is known to those of others faiths and indeed, no faith at all. This prayer is recorded for us by both Matthew and Luke. Luke’s account is written to enlighten those who need to know how to pray, and Gentiles were his main readership. Matthew however is writing primarily to Jews who knew how to pray but wanted to know how to pray correctly. So that is where we are today
Download the mp3 using the link below to hear the rest of this message...
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Psalm 89 - Psalm On Demand
2023/03/14
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Psalm 89
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations.
Selah.
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5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
18 For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven.
Selah.
38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame.
Selah.
46 How long, Lord? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?
Selah.
49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen.
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Use of Words by the Christian - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/03/13
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Words and the Christian
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Jesus speaking:"34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.’" (Matthew 12:34-37)
Words Alive!
Given all thats gone on since Friday here in the UK and the use of one person's words, it is self evident that our words matter! Words matter for the Christian as those words are of the utmost importance as the building blocks of communication. Whether by thought, written or spoken. One of the greatest sins of the twenty first century, that all Christian Disciples need to be wary of, is the use of words. The power of the tongue in communication and speech is awesome. The tongue has the power of life & death and those who love it will eat & bear its fruit. The tongue is a fire, which left unguarded, can corrupt the whole body and set the whole course of life on fire. We need to watch the words we speak and control our speech, or it will control us.
What is a right use of the tongue in communicating for the Christian? How can we guard our use of words? How and in what way did Jesus Christ use words? How are you doing in your use of words?
Come and listen to find out more about how Jesus Christ used words and the Christian today using their words!
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Psalm 72 - Psalm on Demand
2023/03/13
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Psalm 72
For the Chief Musician. A song. A Psalm. By Solomon.
72:1 God, give the king your justice;
your righteousness to the royal son
72:2 He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice
72:3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people.
The hills bring the fruit of righteousness
72:4 He will judge the poor of the people.
He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.
72:5 They shall fear you while the sun endures;
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations
72:6 He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth
72:7 In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more
72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
72:9 Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him.
His enemies shall lick the dust
72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts
72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before him.
All nations shall serve him
72:12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries;
the poor, who has no helper.
72:13 He will have pity on the poor and needy.
He will save the souls of the needy
72:14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence.
Their blood will be precious in his sight
72:15 They shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba.
Men shall pray for him continually.
They shall bless him all day long
72:16 Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land.
Its fruit sways like Lebanon.
Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.
72:17 His name endures forever.
His name continues as long as the sun.
Men shall be blessed by him.
All nations will call him blessed
72:18 Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds
72:19 Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen
72:20 This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.
Psalm 91 - Psalm On Demand
2023/03/12
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Psalm 91
91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
91:2 I will say of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
91:3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.
91:4 He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
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91:5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day;
91:6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.
91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you.
91:8 You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.
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91:9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
91:10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
91:11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
91:12 They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won't dash your foot against a stone.
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91:13 You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
91:14 "Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
91:15 He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.
91:16 I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation."
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1 Chronicles 29 - King David’s Final Prayer - Bible Thought
2023/03/11
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David's Final Prayer
1 Chronicles 29:10-20
Introduction
Welcome as we look into this great, and perhaps last, public prayer of the great King David! It is a fabulous piece of Scripture, I am sure you agree, that tells us a lot about God we as Christians claim to know and love, as well as how we are to respond to Him. Originally 1 & 2 Chronicles were one book. It was the final book of the Jewish Canon, probably written by Ezra and was also known as the "the events of the days", "the things omitted" which would suggest that Chronicles were to be regarded as additional to the books of Kings and Samuel. It's a book which was written for those from the nation of Israel who are now in exile, to remind them of their spiritual heritage - the journey & history of Israel as a nation. For us though, not least I, it issues certain challenges to us all.
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Here is the great king David!
What has happened so far?
1. WOW factor of God! (v10-13)
2. David - its all God (v14-20)
3. So what?
Firstly, we saw the wow factor of God: a God who exudes greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty. Then we saw David's utter adoration and dependence upon the God that he knows intimately. So, finally, what does all this have to do with us? How often do we receive from our God, but not thank Him for it? We are to be thankful for every good gift that is given to us. We offer praises and thanks to Him, for who He is and for His generosity and grace towards us. Tonight's bible passage was a superb piece of thanksgiving.
When was the last time you thanked God for all the things He has given you? How can we put this thanks and praise into action? Lets see quickly! Firstly, I am convinced there are enough wealthy Christians sitting in churches in the West, who could make significant donations and virtually eradicate a lot of the poverty in the developing world and indeed their own countries. This would be active Christian giving on a radical scale. In biblical stories, such as this from 1 Chronicles 29, its always those who had the most, gave the most as an example to others of God's generosity. After all, God owns it all anyway and it's only given as a loan from God and not a transference of ownership.
As Christians, we are to desire to mature spiritually - growing in adoration, obedience and commitment to God. Perhaps the greatest indicator of today, concerns our giving. Giving is to be done whole-heartedly and cheerfully. It is also not so much about how much is given, but how much is left after giving and the attitude behind it. God looks beyond that which is given to the motive and attitude behind it. All our money and possessions belong to Him anyway, as we have seen, so giving is to be in response to this. Our money and possessions are a leasehold agreement not a freehold one. Giving done willingly is also not done to boost our own egos or for the feel-good factor, but rather to bring glory and honour to God as a thankful response to His giving all things to us.
Many prayers seemingly go unanswered because God is waiting on people to be obedient to Him, in order to answer the unanswered prayers of others. . We are to be generous with everything we have, not just in the area of money but with our very lives. We all have time, information, knowledge imagination, gifts and talents. All these too are to be given back to God . That may well take radical action to do, but radical giving is what we are called to do. God has given everything so that you and I may live and have life, so by caring and giving, we will reflect that. Let's be radical church together and encourage others to be likewise.
But, as we have seen, it's not only about giving money and resources. Giving is also to include skills, information, imagination and knowledge. Remember, the priests and craftsmen were waiting to give in the building of and service within the Temple. Churches, particularly these days, need to capture the imagination of those looking for a church home, and get them involved. Involvement in such a way that it builds up commitment to God and a growing adoration of Him. If people are involved, they will stay. It means training them up, to be fit for service within the church. If training for service doesn't occur, then commitment and dedication to God is likely to be diminished. If the same people do the same thing year after year, that local church will eventually die out. Each local church is only one generation away from closing its doors permanently. Giving, as we saw in tonight's passage, is also a community affair. This Church is to be a community, both within the church and outside of it, where the strongest members support the weakest members - including their time, possessions, money, knowledge and wisdom.
But, as we also saw tonight, it is not just for leaders to give! Giving is to be for everyone! Every church has a fantastic array of knowledge, wisdom, possessions and imagination. Let us share that with people outside the church. Who knows what our caring and giving will do for them as it reflects the glory of God! Too often, we are found turning a blind eye to the suffering of others where the necessities of life are in sparse existence. Too often we neglect to give up our personal space, time, imagination, information and money generously to help the poor and needy in our local, national and global communities. By doing this giving collectively, we will show our faith to be real and practical. There are people out there in our local community just waiting for somebody to give generously to them. We need to be seen to be radically giving to all - of our money, our possessions, and also our time, imagination, knowledge, practical help, care and love. Let us show our relevance to our local community, particularly at this time of Corona Virus Pandemic. So if I could summarise all this up in one sentence, it would be something like this
"Ask not only what your God can give to you,
but what great things you can do and give to your God."
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Poem - Jesus of the Scars
2023/03/10
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Jesus of the Scars
Edward Shillito (1872-1948),
Free Church minister in England during World War I:
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If we have never sought, we seek You now;
Your eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on your brow,
We must have You, O Jesus of the Scars.
The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Your Scars, we claim Your grace.
If, when the doors are shut, You draw near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Yours;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Your Scars, we know the countersign.
The other gods were strong; but You were weak;
They rode, but You did stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but You alone.
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Psalm on Demand - Psalm 45
2023/03/09
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Psalm 45
45:1 My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
45:2 You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
45:3 Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one: your splendor and your majesty.
45:4 In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds.
45:5 Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies.
45:6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
45:7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
45:8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
45:9 Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
45:10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.
45:11 So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.
45:12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.
45:13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
45:14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
45:15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king’s palace.
45:16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.
45:17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.
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Bible Thought - A Story of Two Women
2023/03/08
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A Story of Two Women!
Today is International Women's Day! So let's look together at two women from the Bible!
2 Chronicles 22:10-12 - When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah's sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so that she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
2 Chronicles 23:11-15 - Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, 'Long live the king!' When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the Lord. She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and musicians with their instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, 'Treason! Treason!' Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: 'Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.' For the priest had said, 'Do not put her to death at the temple of the Lord.' So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death. Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord's people. All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
The two main characters which we will look at today are Athaliah and Jehosheba. This story has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster! I can see Angelina Jolie playing the role of Athaliah and Julie Andrews as Jehosheba! What do you think? As hard as it is to believe, our two characters tonight are related! Come and listen to find out more!
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 68
2023/03/08
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Psalm 68
For the choir director: A song. A psalm of David.
1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives.
2 Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
3 But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy.
4 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord- rejoice in his presence!
5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows- this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 O God, when you led your people out from Egypt, when you marched through the dry wasteland,
8 the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
9 You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land.
10 There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people.
11 The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news.
12 Enemy kings and their armies flee, while the women of Israel divide the plunder.
13 Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures- doves with wings of silver and feathers of gold.
14 The Almighty scattered the enemy kings like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.
15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky.
16 Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever?
17 Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary.
18 When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there.
19 Praise the Lord; praise God our saviour! For each day he carries us in his arms.
20 Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
21 But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways.
22 The Lord says, "I will bring my enemies down from Bashan; I will bring them up from the depths of the sea.
23 You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!"
24 Your procession has come into view, O God- the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary.
25 Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines.
26 Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel's life.
27 Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.
28 Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past.
29 The kings of the earth are bringing tribute to your Temple in Jerusalem.
30 Rebuke these enemy nations- these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war.
31 Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bow in submission to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord.
33 Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky.
34 Tell everyone about God's power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens.
35 God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 2
2023/03/07
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Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together,
against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh.
The Lord will have them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:
6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
7 I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me,
“You are my son. Today I have become your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance,
the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron.
You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10 Now therefore be wise, you kings.
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry,
and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled.
Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 69
2023/03/06
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Psalm 69
1 Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in deep mire,
Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
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3 I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.
4 Those who hate me without a cause
Are more than the hairs of my head;
They are mighty who would destroy me,
Being my enemies wrongfully;
Though I have stolen nothing,
I still must restore it.
5 O God, You know my foolishness;
And my sins are not hidden from You.
----more----
6 Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me;
Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.
7 Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;
Shame has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,
And an alien to my mother's children;
9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,
That became my reproach.
11 I also made sackcloth my garment;
I became a byword to them.
12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me,
And I am the song of the drunkards.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to You,
O LORD, in the acceptable time;
O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,
Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.
14 Deliver me out of the mire,
And let me not sink;
Let me be delivered from those who hate me,
And out of the deep waters.
15 Let not the floodwater overflow me,
Nor let the deep swallow me up;
And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.
16 Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good;
Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.
17 And do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in trouble;
Hear me speedily.
18 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it;
Deliver me because of my enemies.
19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;
My adversaries are all before You.
20 Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.
21 They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22 Let their table become a snare before them,
And their well-being a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see;
And make their loins shake continually.
24 Pour out Your indignation upon them,
And let Your wrathful anger take hold of them.
25 Let their dwelling place be desolate;
Let no one live in their tents.
26 For they persecute the ones You have struck,
And talk of the grief of those You have wounded.
27 Add iniquity to their iniquity,
And let them not come into Your righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,
And not be written with the righteous.
29 But I am poor and sorrowful;
Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
30 I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.
32 The humble shall see this and be glad;
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
33 For the LORD hears the poor,
And does not despise His prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise Him,
The seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
And build the cities of Judah,
That they may dwell there and possess it.
36 Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it,
And those who love His name shall dwell in it.
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Psalm on Demand - Psalm 22
2023/03/05
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Psalm 22
(as read by Kathrine D)
For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer;
in the night season, and am not silent.
But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.
Our fathers trusted in you.
They trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried to you, and were delivered.
They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm, and no man;
a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
All those who see me mock me.
They insult me with their lips.
They shake their heads, saying,
“He trusts in Yahweh; let him deliver him.
Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.”
But you brought me out of the womb.
You made me trust at my mother’s breasts.
I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb.
You are my God since my mother bore me.
Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near.
For there is none to help.
Many bulls have surrounded me.
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
They open their mouths wide against me, lions tearing prey and roaring.
I am poured out like water.
All my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax; it is melted within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have brought me into the dust of death.
For dogs have surrounded me.
A company of evildoers have enclosed me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all of my bones.
They look and stare at me.
They divide my garments among them.
They cast lots for my clothing.
But don’t be far off, Yahweh.
You are my help: hurry to help me.
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion’s mouth!
Yes, from the horns of the wild oxen, you have answered me.
I will declare your name to my brothers.
In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you.
You who fear Yahweh, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him!
Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,
Neither has he hidden his face from him;
but when he cried to him, he heard.
Of you comes my praise in the great assembly.
I will pay my vows before those who fear him.
The humble shall eat and be satisfied.
They shall praise Yahweh who seek after him.
Let your hearts live forever.
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh.
All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you.
For the kingdom is Yahweh’s.
He is the ruler over the nations.
All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship.
All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him,
even he who can’t keep his soul alive.
Posterity shall serve him.
Future generations shall be told about the Lord.
They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a
people that shall be born, for he has done it.
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 41
2023/03/04
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Psalm 41
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 Blessed is he who considers the poor.
Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.
2 Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive.
He shall be blessed on the earth,
and he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies.
3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed,
and restore him from his bed of illness.
4 I said, "Yahweh, have mercy on me!
Heal me, for I have sinned against you."
5 My enemies speak evil against me:
"When will he die, and his name perish?"
6 If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood.
His heart gathers iniquity to itself.
When he goes abroad, he tells it.
7 All who hate me whisper together against me.
They imagine the worst for me.
8 "An evil disease," they say, "has afflicted him.
Now that he lies he shall rise up no more."
9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted,
who ate bread with me,
has lifted up his heel against me.
10 But you, Yahweh, have mercy on me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them.
11 By this I know that you delight in me,
because my enemy doesn't triumph over me.
12 As for me, you uphold me in my integrity,
and set me in your presence forever.
13 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
from everlasting and to everlasting!
Amen and amen.
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Friday Prayers Persecuted Church Worldwide
2023/03/03
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Partakers Friday Prayers
for the Persecuted Church Worldwide
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
Prayers for the Persecuted Church
Sovereign God, we worship you and acknowledge that you know all of those who suffer in your name because they follow you. We remember those who are imprisoned for their faith and ask that they would join with the Apostle Paul to see that even though they remain captive, their chains have furthered the gospel, not frustrated it. May they inspire and embolden their fellow believers to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Amen
God of all comfort, for those who are tortured both in body and mind, give them the grace to endure and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ’s footsteps. Merciful God, for those asked to pay the ultimate price; who are martyred because of their love for you, may they truly know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Amen
Father God, for those who are widowed and orphaned may they know the comfort that comes from your promised presence even when they walk through the valley. May they be strengthened by your Spirit, enabling them to rejoice with the psalmist as they proclaim that the LORD will not abandon them in death. Amen
Heavenly Father, we ask that you would make us ever mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who need us to stand with them as they suffer in your name. Teach us what it means to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony; we pray that we would not love our lives so much as to shrink from death.
We ask these things O Father, through the name of Your Son, Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Amen
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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 18
2023/03/03
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Psalm 18
For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,
18:1 I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
18:2 Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
18:3 I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised;
and I am saved from my enemies.
18:4 The cords of death surrounded me.
The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
18:5 The cords of Sheol were around me.
The snares of death came on me.
18:6 In my distress I called on Yahweh,
and cried to my God.
He heard my voice out of his temple.
My cry before him came into his ears.
18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled.
The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken,
because he was angry.
18:8 Smoke went out of his nostrils.
Consuming fire came out of his mouth.
Coals were kindled by it.
18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down.
Thick darkness was under his feet.
18:10 He rode on a cherub, and flew.
Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind.
18:11 He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him,
darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
18:12 At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed,
hailstones and coals of fire.
18:13 Yahweh also thundered in the sky.
The Most High uttered his voice:
hailstones and coals of fire.
18:14 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them;
Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them.
18:15 Then the channels of waters appeared.
The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
18:16 He sent from on high.
He took me.
He drew me out of many waters.
18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
18:18 They came on me in the day of my calamity,
but Yahweh was my support.
18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place.
He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
18:20 Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness.
According to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
18:21 For I have kept the ways of Yahweh,
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
18:22 For all his ordinances were before me.
I didn’t put away his statutes from me.
18:23 I was also blameless with him.
I kept myself from my iniquity.
18:24 Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
18:25 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful.
With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.
18:26 With the pure, you will show yourself pure.
With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.
18:27 For you will save the afflicted people,
but the haughty eyes you will bring down.
18:28 For you will light my lamp, Yahweh.
My God will light up my darkness.
18:29 For by you, I advance through a troop.
By my God, I leap over a wall.
18:30 As for God, his way is perfect.
The word of Yahweh is tried.
He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
18:31 For who is God, except Yahweh?
Who is a rock, besides our God,
18:32 the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
18:33 He makes my feet like deer’s feet,
and sets me on my high places.
18:34 He teaches my hands to war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
18:35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation.
Your right hand sustains me.
Your gentleness has made me great.
18:36 You have enlarged my steps under me,
My feet have not slipped.
18:37 I will pursue my enemies, and overtake them.
Neither will I turn again until they are consumed.
18:38 I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise.
They shall fall under my feet.
18:39 For you have armed me with strength to the battle.
You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
18:40 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me,
that I might cut off those who hate me.
18:41 They cried, but there was none to save;
even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.
18:42 Then I beat them small as the dust before the wind.
I cast them out as the mire of the streets.
18:43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people.
You have made me the head of the nations.
A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
18:44 As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me.
The foreigners shall submit themselves to me.
18:45 The foreigners shall fade away,
and shall come trembling out of their close places.
18:46 Yahweh lives; and blessed be my rock.
Exalted be the God of my salvation,
18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me,
and subdues peoples under me.
18:48 He rescues me from my enemies.
Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me.
You deliver me from the violent man.
18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations,
and will sing praises to your name.
18:50 He gives great deliverance to his king,
and shows loving kindness to his anointed,
to David and to his seed, forevermore.
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 32
2023/03/02
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 51
2023/03/01
Partakers Bible Thought - WOW Word - God of Love
2023/02/28
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 16
2023/02/27
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 118
2023/02/26
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 8
2023/02/25
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 7
2023/02/24
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 6
2023/02/23
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 5
2023/02/22
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 4
2023/02/21
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 3
2023/02/20
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 2
2023/02/19
Jesus the I AM of God - Part 1
2023/02/18
Pulp Theology 01 - A Glimpse Of God
2023/02/17
Exploring Romans 12v9-13 - Bible Thought
2023/02/17
Exploring Romans 12v1-8 - Bible Thought
2023/02/16
Pulp Theology Book 10 - An Ambassador in God’s Orchestra of Joy
2023/02/15
Exploring Romans 10v14-21- Bible Thought
2023/02/15
Exploring Romans 10v1-13 - Bible Thought
2023/02/14
Exploring Romans 8v31-39 - Bible Thought
2023/02/13
Exploring Romans 8v18-30 - Bible Thought
2023/02/12
Exploring Romans 6 - Bible Thought
2023/02/11
Exploring Romans 5 - Bible Thought
2023/02/10
Romans An Introduction - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/02/09
Pulp Theology Book 35 - Glimpses Into Romans
2023/02/08
Partakers Bible Thought - Self Interest
2023/02/08
Partakers Bible Thought - Standing Alone
2023/02/07
The Christian Dealing with Doubt - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/02/05
Psalm 119 - Prayer
2023/02/04
Prayer of Bonaventure - Friday 3 February 2023
2023/02/03
Pulp Theology 36 - God’s WOW Words For You
2023/02/02
The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
2023/02/02
Psalm 43 - Prayer
2023/02/01
Psalm 86 - Prayer
2023/01/31
Bible Thought - The False Witness in Proverbs
2023/01/29
Pulp Theology 10 - An Ambassador in God’s Orchestra of Joy
2023/01/28
Peace - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/28
Partakers Prayers - A prayer of Martin Luther
2023/01/27
Prayer - Psalm 65
2023/01/26
WOW Word - God of Love - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/26
Prayer - Psalm 8
2023/01/25
WOW Word Joy - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/25
Psalm 137 - Bible Thought
2023/01/24
Sex and Moral Purity - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/24
Prayer - Psalm 91
2023/01/23
WOW Word 17 - Your Cross - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/23
Prayer - Psalm 29
2023/01/22
The Centrepiece of Joy - Bible Thought Sermon
2023/01/22
Partakers Prayers - A Prayer of Patrick (c389 - 461AD)
2023/01/21
Saturday Story - CS Lewis
2023/01/21
Pulp Theology 15 - Living Life Right Romans 12
2023/01/19
Thursday Story - God Said No
2023/01/19
Pulp Theology 26 - Developing Intimacy With God
2023/01/18
A Strategy to Cope Hebrews 3 - Bible Thought
2023/01/18
Pulp Theology 08 - Exploring the Bible
2023/01/17
Psalm 143 - Bible Thought
2023/01/17
Pulp Theology 21 - Read this book to learn more about Jesus Christ
2023/01/16
Psalm 46 - Bible Thought
2023/01/16
Pulp Theology 04 - Church History - Heroes And Heretics Abound
2023/01/15
Partakers Bible Thought - Chocolate Christianity
2023/01/15
Pulp Theology 38 - Glimpses Into Leviticus
2023/01/14
Sharon’s Story from China - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/14
Rachel’s Story - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/13
Ruth’s Story - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/12
Athaliah’s Story - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/11
Yehosheba’s Story - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/10
Yael’s Story - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/09
Living in the joy of salvation 1 Peter 1 - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/08
Psalm 110 - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/07
Jesus Returns As King - Revelation 21-22 - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/04
Jesus Humanity Hebrews 2 - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/03
WOW Jesus - Partakers Bible Thought
2023/01/02
Happy New Year 2023 Prayers
2023/01/01
Born Again - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/31
Lord’s Prayer - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/30
Prayer - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/29
Solid Doctrine - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/28
Almighty God - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/27
Merry Christmas - Jesus is born – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/25
Mary’s God – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/24
Mary’s Song the Magnificat – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/23
Mary visits Elizabeth – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/22
Mary is called by God – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/21
Joseph – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/20
The Wise Men – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/19
The Shepherds – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
2022/12/18
Hymn and Prayer of Ephraim the Syrian - Partakers Christmas Thought
2022/12/17
COVID19 Prayers 16 December 2022
2022/12/16
Partakers Christmas – A Gospel Harmony
2022/12/15
Christmas Fulfilled Prophecy 5 - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/14
Christmas Fulfilled Prophecy 4 - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/13
Christmas Fulfilled Prophecy 3 - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/12
Christmas Fulfilled Prophecy 2 - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/11
Christmas Fulfilled Prophecy 1 - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/10
Christmas Antiphon 7 Emmanuel - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/09
Christmas Antiphon 6 Rex Gentium - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/08
Christmas Antiphon 5 Oriens - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/07
Christmas Antiphon 4 Clavis David - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/06
Christmas Antiphon 3 Radix Jesse - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/05
Christmas Antiphon 2 Adonai - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/04
Partakers Christmas Prayer Service
2022/12/04
Christmas Antiphon 1 Sapientia - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/03
A Christmas Thought of Martin Luther - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/12/01
A Christmas Thought of John Chrysostom - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/11/30
A Christmas Thought By Gregory of Nazianzus - Partakers Bible Thought
2022/11/29
Partakers Bible Thought - Method of Evangelism
2022/11/28
Partakers Bible Thought - Message of Evangelism
2022/11/27
Partakers Bible Thought - The Christian and Community
2022/11/25
Partakers Bible Thought - The Christian and Universalism
2022/11/23
Partakers Bible Thought - The Christian and Culture
2022/11/22
Partakers Bible Thought - Keys to a Life of Joy - Psalm 66
2022/11/21
Partakers Bible Thought - Freedom To Live Romans 8v18-30
2022/11/20
Partakers Bible Thought - WOW Word - Living Water
2022/11/19
Partakers Bible Thought - Living for Jesus - 1 Peter 1
2022/11/18
Partakers Bible Thought - Stop Being A Chocolate Christian
2022/11/17
Partakers Bible Thought - Partaker
2022/11/16
Partakers Bible Thought - Spiritual Armour
2022/11/15
Partakers Bible Thought - God of Love
2022/11/14
Partakers Bible Thought - Jesus Final Command
2022/11/12
Partakers Bible Thought - Challenge of Jesus
2022/11/11
Partakers Bible Thought - Jesus WOW Matthew 16
2022/11/10
Partakers Bible Thought - Jesus Fully Human
2022/11/09
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 15
2022/11/05
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 14
2022/11/04
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 13
2022/11/03
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 12
2022/11/02
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 11
2022/11/01
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 10
2022/10/31
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 09
2022/10/30
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 08
2022/10/29
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 07
2022/10/28
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 06
2022/10/27
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 05
2022/10/26
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 04
2022/10/25
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 03
2022/10/24
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 02
2022/10/23
The Normal Christian Journey of Faith - Part 01
2022/10/22
Partakers Prayers - COVID19 Corona Virus
2022/10/21
Thursday Story - Malcolm Muggeridge
2022/10/20
Wednesday Wisdom 2 - Proverbs 2
2022/10/19
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 66
2022/10/18
Partakers Bible Thought - Conversion of Paul Acts 9
2022/10/17
Sunday Bible Thought - David’s Final Prayer - 1 Chronicles 29v10-20
2022/10/16
Saturday Story - Salvation and Healing
2022/10/15
Partakers Prayers 14 October 2022
2022/10/14
Thursday Story - CS Lewis
2022/10/13
Partakers Bible Thought - Watch out Noah - Genesis 7
2022/10/12
Partakers Prayer 8 October 2022 - Psalm 91
2022/10/08
Partakers Bible Thought - Living in the Joy of Salvation
2022/10/06
Wednesday Wisdom 1 - Proverbs 1
2022/10/05
Testimony - Donna from Detroit - Glimpses 56
2022/10/04
Testimony - Why I am a Christian
2022/10/03
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 112
2022/10/01
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 09
2022/09/29
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 08
2022/09/28
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 07
2022/09/27
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 06
2022/09/26
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 05
2022/09/25
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 04
2022/09/24
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 03
2022/09/23
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 02
2022/09/22
Partakers Bible Thought - Walking with Jesus 01
2022/09/21
Partakers Bible Thought - A God of Wonder - Genesis 1v1-19 & John 1v1-14
2022/09/20
Partakers Bible Thought - Correct thinking leads to correct action - 1 Timothy 1
2022/09/19
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 38
2022/09/18
Partakers Bible Thought - God visits Abraham and Sarah - Genesis 18
2022/09/16
Partakers Bible Thought - True Joy - Psalm 66
2022/09/15
Partakers Bible Thought - Remember Who You Are
2022/09/14
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 67
2022/09/13
Partakers Bible Thought - A Strategy to Persevere
2022/09/12
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 98
2022/09/11
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 5
2022/09/10
Partakers Bible Thought - Daniel 8 - Worlds In Conflict
2022/09/08
Partakers Bible Thought - When Jesus Returns As King - Revelation 21 to 22
2022/09/07
Partakers Bible Thought - Obedience leading to Intimacy
2022/09/05
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther – Part 17
2022/09/04
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther – Part 16
2022/09/03
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther – Part 15
2022/09/02
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther – Part 14
2022/09/01
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 13
2022/08/31
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 12
2022/08/30
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 11
2022/08/29
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 10
2022/08/28
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 9
2022/08/27
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 8
2022/08/26
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 7
2022/08/25
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 6
2022/08/24
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 5
2022/08/23
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 4
2022/08/22
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 3
2022/08/21
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 2
2022/08/20
A Simple Way To Pray - Martin Luther - Part 1
2022/08/19
Partakers Prayers 18 August 2022 - COVID19 Corona Virus Pandemic
2022/08/18
Partakers Bible Thought - Count your blessings - Romans 5:1-11
2022/08/17
Partakers Bible Thought - An Almighty God of Almighty Love
2022/08/16
Partakers Prayers 15 August 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/08/15
Partakers Bible Thought - Sermon - Remember
2022/08/14
Glimpses Testimony - Steve
2022/08/13
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 123
2022/08/12
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 92
2022/08/11
Church History Part 28
2022/08/10
Church History Part 27
2022/08/09
Church History Part 26
2022/08/08
Church History Part 25
2022/08/07
Church History Part 24
2022/08/06
Church History Part 23
2022/08/05
Church History Part 22
2022/08/04
Church History Part 21
2022/08/03
Church History Part 20
2022/08/02
Church History Part 19
2022/08/01
Church History Part 18
2022/07/31
Church History Part 17
2022/07/30
Church History Part 16
2022/07/29
Church History Part 15
2022/07/28
Church History Part 14
2022/07/27
Church History Part 13
2022/07/26
Church History Part 12
2022/07/25
Church History Part 11
2022/07/24
Church History Part 10
2022/07/23
Church History Part 9
2022/07/22
Church History Part 8
2022/07/21
Church History Part 7
2022/07/20
Church History Part 6
2022/07/19
Church History Part 5
2022/07/18
Church History Part 4
2022/07/17
Church History Part 3
2022/07/16
Church History Part 2
2022/07/15
Church History Part 1
2022/07/14
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 150
2022/07/13
God Loves You 04
2022/07/12
God Loves You 03
2022/07/11
God Loves You 02
2022/07/10
God Loves You 01
2022/07/09
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 87
2022/07/08
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 94
2022/07/07
Poem - I fell in love with Jesus
2022/07/05
Partakers Prayers 1 July 2022 - COVID19 Corona Virus Pandemic
2022/07/01
Partakers Prayers 29 June 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/06/29
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 22
2022/06/28
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 21
2022/06/27
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 20
2022/06/26
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 19
2022/06/25
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 18
2022/06/24
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 17
2022/06/23
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 16
2022/06/22
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 15
2022/06/21
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 14
2022/06/20
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 13
2022/06/19
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 12
2022/06/18
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 11
2022/06/17
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 10
2022/06/16
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 09
2022/06/15
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 08
2022/06/14
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 07
2022/06/13
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 06
2022/06/12
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 05
2022/06/11
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 04
2022/06/10
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 03
2022/06/09
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 02
2022/06/08
Partakers Bible Thought – The Spirit Explodes 01
2022/06/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 June 2022 - Keep Loving - Revelation 1 & 2
2022/06/06
Partakers Prayers - Queen’s Jubilee
2022/06/03
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 101
2022/06/02
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 82
2022/06/01
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 79
2022/05/31
Partakers Bible Thought - Jesus Christ’s Humanity - Hebrews 2:5-18
2022/05/30
Partakers Bible Thought - Food Sacrificed To Idols - 1 Corinthians 8
2022/05/29
Partakers Bible Thought 27 May 2022 - The Christian and the Government
2022/05/27
Partakers Bible Thought 26 May 2022 - 2 Corinthians 1
2022/05/26
Partakers Prayers 25 May 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/05/25
Partakers Bible Thought 24 May 2022 – Forgiveness
2022/05/24
Partakers Podcasts Christian Testimony - John
2022/05/23
Partakers Podcasts Christian Testimony - Dave
2022/05/22
Partakers Podcast Christian Testimony - Sharon
2022/05/21
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 6 to Psalm 10
2022/05/20
Partakers Bible Thought 19 May 2022 - Daniel 8
2022/05/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 May 2022 – Spiritual Armor
2022/05/18
Pulp Theology 03 - God, Internet Church and You
2022/05/17
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 28
2022/05/16
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 103
2022/05/14
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 95
2022/05/13
Partakers Prayers 12 May 2022 - COVID19 Corona Virus Pandemic
2022/05/12
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 19
2022/05/11
Partakers Bible Thought - Guided by God to Serve - Acts 20
2022/05/10
Psalm Bible Thought - Psalm 99
2022/05/09
Partakers Prayers 8 May 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/05/08
Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 37
2022/05/07
Bible Thought 5 May 2022 – Revelation 1:12-20 - John meets the Ascended Jesus
2022/05/05
Bible Thought 4 May 2022 – John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the adulterous Woman
2022/05/04
Bible Thought 3 May 2022 – Jesus and the Woman at the well
2022/05/03
Bible Thought 2 May 2022 – Jesus and Nicodemus
2022/05/02
Bible Thought 1 May 2022 – Jesus and the rich young ruler
2022/05/01
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 30
2022/04/30
Bible Thought - 27 April 2022 - Worship
2022/04/27
Bible Thought - 26 April 2022 - Prayer
2022/04/26
Bible Thought - 25 April 2022 - A Prayer of David
2022/04/25
Pulp Theology 14 - Glimpses Into Leviticus
2022/04/24
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 117
2022/04/13
Partakers - Psalm 100
2022/04/12
Partakers Bible Thought 9 April 2022 - What is a Partaker
2022/04/09
Partakers Bible Thought 8 April 2022 - Giving
2022/04/08
Partakers Prayers 7 April 2022 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2022/04/07
Partakers - Psalm 27
2022/04/05
Partakers Prayers 4 April 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/04/04
Who is He - 12. Messiah’s Kingdom
2022/04/03
Who is He - 11. Messiah’s Proclamations
2022/04/02
Who is He - 10. Messiah’s Rejection
2022/04/01
Who is He - 9. Messiah’s Invitation
2022/03/31
Who is He - 8. Messiah’s Promise
2022/03/30
Who is He - 7. Messiah’s Leadership
2022/03/29
Who is He - 6. Messiah’s Arrival
2022/03/28
Who is He - 5. Messiah’s Sacrifice
2022/03/27
Who is He - 4. Messiah’s Encouragement
2022/03/26
Who is He - 3. Messiah’s Obedience
2022/03/25
Who is He - 2. Messiah’s Mission
2022/03/24
Who is He - 1. Messiah’s Identity
2022/03/23
Who is he? Introduction
2022/03/22
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 23
2022/03/18
Partakers Prayers 16 March 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/03/16
Partakers Prayers 15 March 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu
2022/03/15
Scriptural Delight 25 - Conclusion
2022/03/14
Scriptural Delight 24 - Psalm 119:169-176
2022/03/13
Scriptural Delight 23 - Psalm 119:161-168
2022/03/12
Scriptural Delight 22 - Psalm 119:153-160
2022/03/11
Scriptural Delight 20 - Psalm 119:137-144
2022/03/10
Scriptural Delight 21 - Psalm 119:145-152
2022/03/09
Scriptural Delight 19 - Psalm 119:129-136
2022/03/08
Scriptural Delight 18 - Psalm 119:121-128
2022/03/07
Scriptural Delight 17 - Psalm 119:113-120
2022/03/06
Scriptural Delight 16 - Psalm 119:105-112
2022/03/05
Scriptural Delight 15 - Psalm 119:97-104
2022/03/04
Scriptural Delight 14 - Psalm 119:89-96
2022/03/03
Scriptural Delight 13 - Psalm 119:81-88
2022/03/02
Scriptural Delight 12 - Psalm 119:73-80
2022/03/01
Scriptural Delight 11 - Psalm 119:65-72
2022/02/28
Scriptural Delight 10 - Psalm 119:57-64
2022/02/27
Scriptural Delight 09 - Psalm 119:49-56
2022/02/26
Scriptural Delight 08 - Psalm 119:41-48
2022/02/25
Scriptural Delight 07 - Psalm 119:33-40
2022/02/24
Scriptural Delight 06 - Psalm 119:25-32
2022/02/23
Scriptural Delight 05 - Psalm 119:17-24
2022/02/22
Scriptural Delight 04 - Psalm 119:9-16
2022/02/21
Scriptural Delight 03 - Psalm 119:1-8
2022/02/20
Scriptural Delight 02
2022/02/19
Scriptural Delight 01
2022/02/18
Partakers Bible Thought 17 February 2022 - Devotional Life
2022/02/17
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 64
2022/02/16
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 121
2022/02/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 February 2022 - Love in Practise Romans 12
2022/02/14
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 114
2022/02/11
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 63
2022/02/09
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 97
2022/02/08
Partakers Prayers 7 February 2022 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2022/02/07
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 16
2022/02/06
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 15
2022/02/05
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 14
2022/02/04
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 13
2022/02/03
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 12
2022/02/02
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 11
2022/02/01
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 10
2022/01/31
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 9
2022/01/30
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 8
2022/01/29
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 7
2022/01/28
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 6
2022/01/27
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 5
2022/01/26
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 4
2022/01/25
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 3
2022/01/24
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 2
2022/01/23
Gospel of Mark - Chapter 1
2022/01/22
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 111
2022/01/21
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 34
2022/01/19
Partakers Bible Thought 17 January 2022 - Disciple
2022/01/17
Partakers Bible Thought 16 January 2022 - Peace
2022/01/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 January 2022 - Love
2022/01/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 January 2022 - Joy
2022/01/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 January 2022 – Fruit and Light
2022/01/13
Partakers Bible Thought 12 January 2022 - Heaven
2022/01/12
Partakers Bible Thought 11 January 2022 – Jesus Is Building His Church
2022/01/11
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 141
2022/01/10
Partakers Prayers 9 January 2022 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2022/01/09
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 139
2022/01/08
Partakers Bible Thought 8 January 2022 – A Call to Persevere
2022/01/08
Partakers Christmas Thought 7 January 2022 – Christmas 40
2022/01/07
Partakers Christmas Thought 6 January 2022 – Christmas 39
2022/01/06
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 36
2022/01/05
Partakers Christmas Thought 5 January 2022 – Christmas 38
2022/01/05
Partakers Christmas Thought 4 January 2022 – Christmas 37
2022/01/04
Partakers Christmas Thought 3 January 2022 – Christmas 36
2022/01/03
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 90
2022/01/02
Partakers Christmas Thought 2 January 2022 – Christmas 35
2022/01/02
Happy New Year 2022 Prayers!
2022/01/01
Partakers Christmas Thought 31 December 2021 – Christmas 34
2021/12/31
Partakers Christmas Thought 30 December 2021 – Christmas 33
2021/12/30
Partakers Christmas Thought 29 December 2021 – Christmas 32
2021/12/29
Partakers Christmas Thought 28 December 2021 – Christmas 31
2021/12/28
Partakers Christmas Thought 27 December 2021 – Christmas 30
2021/12/27
Partakers Christmas Thought 26 December 2021 – Christmas 29
2021/12/26
Partakers Christmas Thought 25 December 2021 – Christmas 28
2021/12/25
Partakers Christmas Thought 24 December 2021 – Christmas 27
2021/12/24
Partakers Christmas Thought 23 December 2021 – Christmas 26
2021/12/23
Partakers Christmas Thought 22 December 2021 – Christmas 25
2021/12/22
Partakers Christmas Thought 21 December 2021 – Christmas 24
2021/12/21
Partakers Christmas Thought 20 December 2021 – Christmas 23
2021/12/20
Partakers Christmas Thought 19 December 2021 – Christmas 22
2021/12/19
Partakers Christmas Thought 18 December 2021 – Christmas 21
2021/12/18
Partakers Christmas Thought 17 December 2021 – Christmas 20
2021/12/17
Partakers Christmas Thought 16 December 2021 – Christmas 19
2021/12/16
Partakers Christmas Thought 15 December 2021 – Christmas 18
2021/12/15
Partakers Christmas Thought 14 December 2021 – Christmas 17
2021/12/14
Partakers Christmas Thought 13 December 2021 – Christmas 16
2021/12/13
Partakers Christmas Thought 12 December 2021 – Christmas 15
2021/12/12
Partakers Christmas Thought 11 December 2021 – Christmas 14
2021/12/11
Partakers Christmas Thought 10 December 2021 – Christmas 13
2021/12/10
Partakers Christmas Thought 9 December 2021 – Christmas 12
2021/12/09
Partakers Christmas Thought 8 December 2021 – Christmas 11
2021/12/08
Partakers Christmas Thought 7 December 2021 – Christmas 10
2021/12/07
Partakers Christmas Thought 6 December 2021 – Christmas 09
2021/12/06
Partakers Christmas Thought 5 December 2021 – Christmas 08
2021/12/05
Partakers Christmas Thought 4 December 2021 – Christmas 07
2021/12/04
Partakers Christmas Thought 3 December 2021 – Christmas 06
2021/12/03
Partakers Christmas Thought 2 December 2021 – Christmas 05
2021/12/02
Partakers Christmas Thought 1 December 2021 – Christmas 04
2021/12/01
Partakers Christmas Thought 30 November 2021 – Christmas 03
2021/11/30
Partakers Christmas Thought 29 November 2021 – Christmas 02
2021/11/29
Partakers Christmas Thought 28 November 2021 – Christmas 01
2021/11/28
Partakers Prayers 27 November 2021 - Morning Prayer
2021/11/27
Partakers Bible Thought 26 November 2021 – Rachel’s Story
2021/11/26
Partakers Bible Thought 25 November 2021 – Obedience of Ruth
2021/11/25
Partakers Bible Thought 23 November 2021 – Jesus Cares For You
2021/11/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 November 2021 – Healed Emotions in the Christian
2021/11/22
Partakers Bible Thought 21 November 2021 – Christian Commitment 04
2021/11/21
Partakers Bible Thought 20 November 2021 – Christian Commitment 03
2021/11/20
Partakers Bible Thought 19 November 2021 – Christian Commitment 02
2021/11/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 November 2021 – Christian Commitment 01
2021/11/18
Partakers Prayers 17 November 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/11/17
Partakers Bible Thought 16 November 2021 – Prayer 08
2021/11/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 November 2021 – Prayer 07
2021/11/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 November 2021 – Prayer 06
2021/11/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 November 2021 – Prayer 05
2021/11/13
Partakers Bible Thought 12 November 2021 – Prayer 04
2021/11/12
Partakers Bible Thought 11 November 2021 – Prayer 03
2021/11/11
Partakers Bible Thought 10 November 2021 – Prayer 02
2021/11/10
Partakers Bible Thought 9 November 2021 – Prayer 01
2021/11/09
Partakers Prayers 8 November 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/11/08
Partakers Bible Thought 7 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 7
2021/11/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 6
2021/11/06
Partakers Bible Thought 5 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 5
2021/11/05
Partakers Bible Thought 4 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 4
2021/11/04
Partakers Bible Thought 3 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 3
2021/11/03
Partakers Bible Thought 2 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 2
2021/11/02
Partakers Bible Thought 1 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 1
2021/11/01
Partakers Bible Thought 31 October 2021 – Remember
2021/10/31
Partakers Bible Thought 27 October 2021 – My Jesus
2021/10/27
Partakers Bible Thought 24 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 5
2021/10/24
Partakers Bible Thought 23 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 4
2021/10/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 3
2021/10/22
Partakers Bible Thought 21 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 2
2021/10/21
Partakers Bible Thought 20 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 1
2021/10/20
Partakers Prayers 19 October 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/10/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 October 2021 - King David‘s Final Prayer
2021/10/18
Partakers Bible Thought 16 October 2021 – Serving in God‘s Orchestra of Joy
2021/10/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 October 2021 – God of Covenantal Love
2021/10/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 October 2021 – A God Who Judges Leviticus 10:1-11
2021/10/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 October 2021 – Great Judgement Leviticus 10:1-11
2021/10/13
Partakers Bible Thought 12 October 2021 – Great Joy
2021/10/12
Partakers Prayers 11 October 2021
2021/10/11
Partakers Prayers 10 October 2021
2021/10/10
Partakers Prayers 9 October 2021
2021/10/09
Partakers Bible Thought 8 October 2021 – A Prayer of Anger Psalm 94
2021/10/08
Partakers Bible Thought 7 October 2021 – A Prayer of Joy Psalm 66
2021/10/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 October 2021 – A Prayer of Trust Psalm 62
2021/10/06
Partakers Prayers 5 October 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/10/05
Partakers Bible Thought 4 October 2021 – Big Story 12
2021/10/04
Partakers Bible Thought 3 October 2021 – Big Story 11
2021/10/03
Partakers Bible Thought 2 October 2021 – Big Story 10
2021/10/02
Partakers Bible Thought 30 September 2021 – Big Story 08
2021/09/30
Partakers Bible Thought 29 September 2021 – Big Story 07
2021/09/29
Partakers Bible Thought 28 September 2021 – Big Story 06
2021/09/28
Partakers Bible Thought 27 September 2021 – Big Story 05
2021/09/27
Partakers Bible Thought 26 September 2021 – Big Story 04
2021/09/26
Partakers Bible Thought 25 September 2021 – Big Story 03
2021/09/25
Partakers Bible Thought 24 September 2021 – Big Story 02
2021/09/24
Partakers Bible Thought 23 September 2021 - Big Story 01
2021/09/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 September 2021 –Christian Perseverance
2021/09/22
Partakers Bible Thought 21 September 2021 – Jesus the Christ: So what?
2021/09/21
Partakers Bible Thought 20 September 2021 – Jesus being fully God
2021/09/20
Partakers Bible Thought 19 September 2021 – Jesus being fully human
2021/09/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 September 2021 – What is all the fuss about Jesus?
2021/09/18
Partakers Bible Thought 17 September 2021 – Why is he called Jesus?
2021/09/17
Partakers Bible Thought 16 September 2021 – Jesus and the Apostle Paul
2021/09/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 September 2021 – Jesus and the Apostle Peter
2021/09/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 September 2021 – Jesus and the Apostle John
2021/09/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 September 2021 – Jesus and His Mother Mary
2021/09/13
Pulp Theology 03 - God, Internet Church and You
2021/09/12
Partakers Bible Thought 12 September 2021 – Christian Commitment to Jesus Christ
2021/09/12
Partakers Prayers 11 September 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/09/11
Partakers Bible Thought 10 September 2021 – God Visits Solomon - 2 Chronicles 7
2021/09/10
Partakers Bible Thought 9 September 2021 – A Prayer of David 1 Chronicles 29
2021/09/09
Partakers Bible Thought 8 September 2021 – Spiritual Armour
2021/09/08
Partakers Bible Thought 7 September 2021 – satan
2021/09/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 September 2021 – God the Father
2021/09/06
Partakers Bible Thought 5 September 2021 – The Christian and Holy Communion
2021/09/05
Partakers Bible Thought 4 September 2021 – God, the Christian and Justification
2021/09/04
Partakers Bible Thought 3 September 2021 – God, the Christian and Judgement
2021/09/03
Partakers Bible Thought 2 September 2021 – The Christian Growing In Christ
2021/09/02
Partakers Bible Thought 1 September 2021 – The Christian Living Life to the Full
2021/09/01
Partakers Bible Thought 31 August 2021 – The Christian and Use of Words
2021/08/31
Partakers Bible Thought 30 August 2021 – The Christian and the Challenge of Universalism
2021/08/30
Partakers Bible Thought 29 August 2021 – The Christian and Church Unity
2021/08/29
Partakers Bible Thought 28 August 2021 – The Christian Overcoming Times of Trouble
2021/08/28
Partakers Bible Thought 27 August 2021 – The Christian Staying Faithful to Jesus Christ
2021/08/27
Partakers Bible Thought 26 August 2021 – The Christian and the Challenge of Self Interest
2021/08/26
Partakers Bible Thought 25 August 2021 – The Christian and the Challenge of Materialism
2021/08/25
Partakers Bible Thought 24 August 2021 – The Christian and the Challenge of Individualism
2021/08/24
Partakers Bible Thought 23 August 2021 – Assurance for the Christian
2021/08/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 August 2021 – Peace and the Christian
2021/08/22
Partakers Bible Thought 21 August 2021 – The Christian and the Cross of Jesus Christ
2021/08/21
Partakers Bible Thought 20 August 2021 – The Christian Worships God
2021/08/20
Partakers Bible Thought 19 August 2021 – Truth and the Christian
2021/08/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 August 2021 – The Christian Resists And Flees Temptation
2021/08/18
Partakers Bible Thought 17 August 2021 – Stewardship and the Christian
2021/08/17
Partakers Bible Thought 16 August 2021 – Spiritual Gifts And The Christian
2021/08/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 August 2021 – Christians Overcome The Challenge Of Sin
2021/08/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 August 2021 – Christians Are Called To Shepherd
2021/08/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 August 2021 – Christian Called To Service
2021/08/13
Partakers Bible Thought 12 August 2021 –The Christian and Sanctification!
2021/08/12
Partakers Bible Thought 11 August 2021 –The Christian and Salvation
2021/08/11
Partakers Bible Thought 10 August 2021 – The Christian and Resurrection
2021/08/10
Partakers Bible Thought 9 August 2021 –The Christian and Repentance
2021/08/09
Partakers Bible Thought 8 August 2021 –The Christian Remembers Who They Are
2021/08/08
Partakers Bible Thought 7 August 2021 – God, the Christian and Redemption
2021/08/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 August 2021 – God, the Christian and Propitiation
2021/08/06
Partakers Bible Thought 5 August 2021 – God, the Christian and Prayer
2021/08/05
Partakers Bible Thought 4 August 2021 – Holy Spirit, the Christian and Perseverance
2021/08/04
Partakers Bible Thought 3 August 2021 – The Christian Is A Partaker
2021/08/03
Partakers Bible Thought 2 August 2021 – The Christian Has A New Nature
2021/08/02
Partakers Bible Thought 1 August 2021 – A Strategy to Cope With Covid-19
2021/08/01
Partakers Bible Thought 31 July 2021 – God, the Christian and Love
2021/07/31
Partakers Bible Thought 30 July 2021 – God, the Christian and Living Water
2021/07/30
Partakers Bible Thought 29 July 2021 – The Christian and Joy
2021/07/29
Partakers Bible Thought 28 July 2021 – God, the Christian and Idolatry
2021/07/28
Partakers Bible Thought 27 July 2021 – God, the Christian and Holiness
2021/07/27
Partakers Bible Thought 26 July 2021 – The Christian and Guidance from God
2021/07/26
Partakers Bible Thought 25 July 2021 – The Christian and the Government
2021/07/25
Partakers Bible Thought 24 July 2021 – God the Holy Spirit and the Christian
2021/07/24
Partakers Bible Thought 23 July 2021 – God as Trinity and the Christian
2021/07/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 July 2021 – The Christian and God’s Sovereignty
2021/07/22
Partakers Bible Thought 21 July 2021 – The Christian and a God of Love
2021/07/21
Partakers Bible Thought 20 July 2021 – The Christian and a God of Judgment
2021/07/20
Partakers Bible Thought 19 July 2021 – The Goal of the Christian Disciple
2021/07/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 July 2021 – The Christian and Giving
2021/07/18
Partakers Bible Thought 17 July 2021 – The Christian and Forgiveness
2021/07/17
Partakers Bible Thought 16 July 2021 – The Christian Fellowships With Other Believers
2021/07/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 July 2021 – The Christian and Faith
2021/07/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 July 2021 – The Christian and Evangelism
2021/07/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 July 2021 – The Christian and Doctrine
2021/07/13
Partakers Bible Thought 12 July 2021 – The Cross of the Christian
2021/07/12
Partakers Bible Thought 10 July 2021 – The Christian and Angels
2021/07/10
Partakers Bible Thought 9 July 2021 – The Christian and Baptism
2021/07/09
Partakers Bible Thought 8 July 2021 – The Christian is Blessed
2021/07/08
Partakers Bible Thought 7 July 2021 – What is a Christian Disciple?
2021/07/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 July 2021 – The Christian and Bible Covenants
2021/07/06
Partakers Bible Thought 5 July 2021 – Christian Thought Life
2021/07/05
Partakers Bible Thought 4 July 2021 – Christ
2021/07/04
Partakers Bible Thought 3 July 2021 – Born Again
2021/07/03
Partakers Bible Thought 2 July 2021 – God is Almighty
2021/07/02
Partakers Bible Thought 1 July 2021 – Christian Adoption
2021/07/01
Partakers Bible Thought 30 June 2021 –God Has Placed You
2021/06/30
Partakers Bible Thought 29 June 2021 –Jesus Christ and the use of Words
2021/06/29
Partakers Bible Thought 28 June 2021 – Cast Yourself on Jesus Christ
2021/06/28
Partakers Bible Thought 27 June 2021 – The Awe and Majesty of Jesus Christ
2021/06/27
Partakers Bible Thought 26 June 2021 – The Christian Uses Words Wisely
2021/06/26
Partakers Bible Thought 25 June 2021 – The Wisdom of Jesus Christ
2021/06/25
Partakers Bible Thought 24 June 2021 – The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
2021/06/24
Partakers Bible Thought 23 June 2021 – The Loveliness of Jesus Christ
2021/06/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 June 2021 – The Christian Lovingly Serves
2021/06/22
Partakers Bible Thought 21 June 2021 – The Christian Obeys Jesus Christ
2021/06/21
Partakers Bible Thought 20 June 2021 – The Christian Depends on Jesus Christ
2021/06/20
Partakers Bible Thought 19 June 2021 – The Christian Serves With Meekness
2021/06/19
Partakers Bible Thought 18 June 2021 – The Christian and the Conscience
2021/06/18
Partakers Bible Thought 17 June 2021 – The Christian and Trusting God
2021/06/17
Partakers Bible Thought 16 June 2021 – The Christian and Heaven
2021/06/16
Partakers Bible Thought 15 June 2021 – The Christian and Joy
2021/06/15
Partakers Bible Thought 14 June 2021 – The Christian and Peace
2021/06/14
Partakers Bible Thought 13 June 2021 – The Christian and Use of Words
2021/06/13
Partakers Bible Thought 12 June 2021 – Jesus and Words
2021/06/12
Partakers Bible Thought 11 June 2021 – Wisdom of Jesus
2021/06/11
Partakers Bible Thought 10 June 2021 – Uniqueness of Jesus
2021/06/10
Partakers Bible Thought 9 June 2021 – Loveliness and Joy of Jesus Christ
2021/06/09
Partakers Bible Thought 8 June 2021 - Obedience to God's Love
2021/06/08
Partakers Bible Thought 7 June 2021 - Responding to God's Love
2021/06/07
Partakers Bible Thought 6 June 2021 - God Is Love
2021/06/06
Partakers Bible Thought 5 June 2021 - Rest With Jesus
2021/06/05
Partakers Bible Thought 4 June 2021 - Meekness and rights
2021/06/04
Partakers Bible Thought 3 June 2021 - How's your conscience?
2021/06/03
Partakers Bible Thought 2 June 2021 - Paul’s Final Journey Completed
2021/06/02
Partakers Bible Thought 1 June 2021 - Paul's Final Journey Commences
2021/06/01
Partakers Bible Thought 31 May 2021 - Forward in Unity
2021/05/31
Partakers Bible Thought 30 May 2021 - A New Problem Arises
2021/05/30
Partakers Bible Thought 29 May 2021 - Paul is sent
2021/05/29
Partakers Bible Thought 28 May 2021 - Conversion of Paul
2021/05/29
Partakers Bible Thought 27 May 2021 - Opposition Arises
2021/05/29
Partakers Bible Thought 26 May 2021 - Evidence of the Holy Spirit's Work
2021/05/29
Partakers Bible Thought 25 May 2021 - Ministry of the Holy Spirit
2021/05/25
Partakers Bible Thought 24 May 2021 - Who is the Holy Spirit
2021/05/24
Partakers Bible Thought 23 May 2021 - Pentecost Power and Passion
2021/05/23
Partakers Bible Thought 22 May 2021 - Jesus Leaves
2021/05/22
Partakers Bible Thought 20 May 2021
2021/05/20
Partakers Worship 19 May 2021
2021/05/19
Partakers - Psalm 65
2021/05/18
Partakers Bible Think Spot 17 May 2021
2021/05/17
Partakers Sermon - Worlds in Conflict Daniel 8
2021/05/16
Partakers Prayers 14 May 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/05/14
Partakers Bible Think Spot 10 May 2021
2021/05/10
Partakers Bible Thought 8 May 2021
2021/05/08
Partakers Prayers 7 May 2021
2021/05/07
Partakers Prayers 6 May 2021 - Global Persecuted Church
2021/05/06
Partakers Bible Thought - Lord’s Prayer
2021/05/05
Partakers Prayers 4 May 2020
2021/05/04
Partakers Prayers 3 May 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/05/03
Exploring Islam 12
2021/05/02
Exploring Islam 11
2021/05/01
Exploring Islam 10
2021/04/30
Exploring Islam 09
2021/04/29
John Stott - Looking back on a life devoted to serving God
2021/04/28
Exploring Islam 08
2021/04/27
Exploring Islam 07
2021/04/26
Exploring Islam 06
2021/04/25
Exploring Islam 05
2021/04/24
Exploring Islam 04
2021/04/23
Exploring Islam 03
2021/04/22
Exploring Islam 02
2021/04/21
Exploring Islam 01
2021/04/20
POD - Psalm 104
2021/04/19
Partakers - Psalm 91
2021/04/17
Partakers Prayers 16 April 2021 - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2021/04/16
Partakers Prayers 15 April 2021 - Prayers Concerning Refugees
2021/04/15
Partakers Prayers 14 April 2021 - Prayers of John Wycliff
2021/04/14
Partakers Prayers 13 April 2021 - Global Persecuted Church
2021/04/13
POD - Psalm 1
2021/04/10
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 9 April 2021
2021/04/09
WOW Word 15 - The Cross of Jesus Christ
2021/04/08
Easter 2021 - Part 10
2021/04/07
Easter 2021 - Part 09
2021/04/06
Easter 2021 - Part 08
2021/04/05
Easter 2021 - Part 07
2021/04/04
Easter 2021 - Part 06
2021/04/03
Easter 2021 - Part 05
2021/04/02
Easter 2021 - Part 04
2021/04/01
Easter 2021 - Part 03
2021/03/31
Easter 2021 - Part 02
2021/03/30
Easter 2021 - Part 01
2021/03/29
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 24 March 2021
2021/03/24
Chocolate Christianity
2021/03/23
Job - Why God? - Part 10
2021/03/22
Job - Why God? - Part 9
2021/03/21
Job - Why God? - Part 8
2021/03/20
Job - Why God? - Part 7
2021/03/19
Job - Why God? - Part 6
2021/03/18
Job - Why God? - Part 5
2021/03/17
Job - Why God? - Part 4
2021/03/16
Job - Why God? - Part 3
2021/03/15
Job - Why God? - Part 2
2021/03/14
Job - Why God? - Part 1
2021/03/13
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 12 March 2021
2021/03/12
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 25 February 2021
2021/02/25
Sermon - Church: Past, present and future
2021/02/21
The Reason I am a Christian
2021/02/19
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 18 February 2021
2021/02/18
Lament 26 - Psalm 139, Psalm 141 and Psalm 142
2021/02/17
Lament 25 - Psalm 77, Psalm 86 and Psalm 120
2021/02/16
Lament 24 - Psalm 61, Psalm 64, Psalm 70 and Psalm 71
2021/02/15
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 14 February 2021
2021/02/14
Lament 23 - Psalm 57 & Psalm 59
2021/02/13
Lament 22 - Psalm 54, Psalm 55 & Psalm 56
2021/02/12
Lament 21 - Psalm 42, Psalm 43 & Psalm 53
2021/02/11
Lament 20 - Psalm 40 and Psalm 41
2021/02/10
Lament 19. Psalm 31 and Psalm 39
2021/02/09
Lament 18 – Psalm 25, Psalm 26 and Psalm 28
2021/02/08
God, Internet Church and you
2021/02/07
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 6 February 2021
2021/02/06
Lament 17 - Psalm 22
2021/02/05
Lament 16 - Psalm 14 and Psalm 17
2021/02/04
Lament 15 - Psalm 10 and Psalm 13
2021/02/03
Lament 14 - Psalm 7 and Psalm 9
2021/02/02
Lament 13 - Psalm 3, 4 & 5
2021/02/01
Lament 12 - Psalm 102 and Psalm 143
2021/01/31
Lament 11 - Psalm 51, 32 & 86
2021/01/30
Lament 10 - Psalm 6, 38 & 130
2021/01/29
Lament 09 - Psalm 90, 94, 123, 126 & 129
2021/01/28
Lament 08 - Psalm 80, 83 & 85
2021/01/27
Lament 07 - Psalm 60, 74 & 79
2021/01/26
Lament 06 - Psalm 12, 44 & 58
2021/01/25
Lament 05 - Lamentations 5
2021/01/24
Lament 04 - Lamentations 4
2021/01/23
Lament 03 - Lamentations 3
2021/01/22
Lament 02 - Lamentations 2
2021/01/21
Lament 01 - Lamentations 1
2021/01/20
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 19 January 2021
2021/01/19
Sermon - A Call to Persevere in a time of Corona Virus
2021/01/16
Friday Prayers 15 January 2021 - Global Persecuted Church
2021/01/15
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 14 January 2021
2021/01/14
Prayers - Corona Virus Pandemic - 13 January 2021
2021/01/13
Christmas 2020 - 22. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 8
2021/01/10
Christmas 2020 - 21. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 7
2021/01/09
Christmas 2020 - 20. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 6
2021/01/08
Christmas 2020 - 19. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 5
2021/01/07
Christmas 2020 - 18. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 4
2021/01/06
Christmas 2020 - 17. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 3
2021/01/05
Christmas 2020 - 16. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 2
2021/01/04
Christmas 2020 - 15. Prophecies Fulfilled Part 1
2021/01/03
Christmas 2020 - 14. A Christmas sermon of Martin Luther
2021/01/02
Happy New Year - Prayers for 2021
2021/01/01
Christmas 2020 - 13. Nativity Sermon By Isaac the Syrian
2020/12/31
Christmas 2020 - 12. A Christmas sermon of John Chrysostom
2020/12/30
Christmas 2020 - 11. A Christmas Thought By Gregory of Nazianzus
2020/12/29
Christmas 2020 - 10. Gospel Harmony
2020/12/28
Christmas 2020 - 9. The Visit of the Wise Men
2020/12/27
Christmas 2020 - 8. The visit of the Shepherds
2020/12/26
Christmas 2020 - 7. The birth of Jesus Christ
2020/12/25
Christmas 2020 - 6. Mary's Betrothed - Joseph
2020/12/24
Christmas 2020 - 5. Why did Mary have to be a Virgin?
2020/12/23
Christmas 2020 - 4. The God of Mary
2020/12/22
Christmas 2020 - 3. The Magnificat - Mary's Song
2020/12/21
Christmas 2020 - 2. Mary meets Elizabeth
2020/12/20
Christmas 2020 - 1. Mary is called
2020/12/19
Gospel of Mark - Introduction
2020/12/02
Messianic Psalms 01
2020/12/01
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 30
2020/11/30
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 29
2020/11/29
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 28
2020/11/28
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 27
2020/11/27
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 26
2020/11/26
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 25
2020/11/25
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 24
2020/11/24
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 23
2020/11/23
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 22
2020/11/22
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 21
2020/11/21
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 20
2020/11/20
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 19
2020/11/19
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 18
2020/11/18
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 17
2020/11/17
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 16
2020/11/16
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 15
2020/11/15
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 14
2020/11/14
Friday Prayers 13 November 2020 - UK Day of Prayer
2020/11/13
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 13
2020/11/13
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 12
2020/11/12
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 11
2020/11/11
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 10
2020/11/10
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 09
2020/11/09
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 08
2020/11/08
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 07
2020/11/07
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 06
2020/11/06
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 05
2020/11/05
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 04
2020/11/04
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 03
2020/11/03
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 02
2020/11/02
Romans 12 - Living Life - Part 01
2020/11/01
Issues - Materialism
2020/10/31
Issues - Guidance
2020/10/30
Issues – Be Radical
2020/10/29
Issues - Christians and culture
2020/10/27
Issues - Individualism
2020/10/26
Issues - Worship
2020/10/25
Issues - Chocolate Christianity!
2020/10/21
Issues - Government
2020/10/20
Friday Prayers 25 September 2020 - Persecuted Church
2020/09/25
Saturday Story - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
2020/09/12
Friday Prayers 11 September 2020 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/09/11
Think Spot 7 September 2020
2020/09/07
Friday Prayers 4 September 2020 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/09/04
Wednesday Wisdom 31- Proverbs 31
2020/09/02
Think Spot 31 August 2020
2020/08/31
Saturday Story - Malcolm Muggeridge
2020/08/29
Friday Prayers 28 August 2020
2020/08/28
Pulp Theology 10
2020/08/27
Wednesday Wisdom 30 - Proverbs 30
2020/08/26
Think Spot 24 August 2020
2020/08/24
Friday Prayers 21 August 2020 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/08/21
Pulp Theology 20
2020/08/20
Wednesday Wisdom 29 - Proverbs 29
2020/08/19
POD - Psalm 13
2020/08/18
Think Spot 17 August 2020
2020/08/17
Story of Ruth 05 - Worship Through Obedience
2020/08/15
Friday Prayers 14 August - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/08/14
Wednesday Wisdom 28 - Proverbs 28
2020/08/12
Think Spot 10 August 2020
2020/08/10
Story of Ruth 04 - Ruth's Wholeness of Obedience
2020/08/08
Friday Prayers 7 August 2020 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/08/07
Wednesday Wisdom 27 - Proverbs 27
2020/08/05
POD - Psalm 61
2020/08/04
Think Spot 3 August 2020
2020/08/03
Story of Ruth 03 - Ruth's Witness in Obedience.
2020/08/01
Friday Prayers 31 July 2020 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/07/31
Pulp Theology 01 - A Glimpse of God
2020/07/30
Wednesday Wisdom 26 - Proverbs 26
2020/07/29
Think Spot 27 July 2020
2020/07/27
Story of Ruth 02 - Obedience of Ruth
2020/07/25
Friday Prayers 24 July 2020 - Persecuted Church Globally
2020/07/24
Pulp Theology Book 06 - Helping the Forgotten Church
2020/07/23
Wednesday Wisdom 25 - Proverbs 25
2020/07/22
Think Spot 20 July 2020
2020/07/20
Partakers Bible Thought - The Story of Rachel
2020/07/19
Story of Ruth 01 - Introduction
2020/07/18
Friday Prayers 17 July 2020 - Corona Virus Pandemic
2020/07/17
Wednesday Wisdom 24 - Proverbs 24
2020/07/15
POD - Psalms 146 to 150
2020/07/14
Think Spot 13 July 2020
2020/07/13
Friday Prayers 10 July 2020
2020/07/10
Wednesday Wisdom 23 - Proverbs 23
2020/07/08
POD - Psalms 141 to 145
2020/07/07
Think Spot 6 July 2020
2020/07/06
Friday Prayers 3 July 2020
2020/07/03
Wednesday Wisdom 22 - Proverbs 22
2020/07/01
POD - Psalms 136 to 140
2020/06/30
Think Spot 29 June 2020
2020/06/29
Friday Prayers 26 June 2020
2020/06/26
Wednesday Wisdom 21 - Proverbs 21
2020/06/24
POD - Psalms 131 to 135
2020/06/23
Think Spot 22 June 2020
2020/06/22
Sermon - God, Internet Church and You
2020/06/21
Friday Prayers 19 June 2020
2020/06/19
Wednesday Wisdom 20 - Proverbs 20
2020/06/17
POD - Psalms 126 to 130
2020/06/16
Think Spot 15 June 2020
2020/06/15
Friday Prayers 12 June 2020
2020/06/12
Wednesday Wisdom 19 - Proverbs 19
2020/06/10
POD - Psalms 120 to 125
2020/06/09
Think Spot 8 June 2020
2020/06/08
Sermon - Living in the face of alienation and its cure (1 Peter 1)
2020/06/07
Friday Prayers 5 June 2020
2020/06/05
Wednesday Wisdom 18 - Proverbs 18
2020/06/03
POD - Psalm 88
2020/06/02
Think Spot 1 June 2020
2020/06/01
Friday Prayers 29 May 2020
2020/05/29
Wednesday Wisdom 17 - Proverbs 17
2020/05/27
Think Spot 25 May 2020
2020/05/25
Friday Prayers 22 May 2020
2020/05/22
Wednesday Wisdom 16 - Proverbs 16
2020/05/20
POD - Psalms 111 to 118
2020/05/19
Think Spot 18 May 2020
2020/05/18
Friday Prayers 15 May 2020
2020/05/15
Pulp Theology Book 03 - God, Internet Church and You
2020/05/14
Wednesday Wisdom 15 - Proverbs 15
2020/05/13
POD - Psalms 106 to 110
2020/05/12
Think Spot 11 May 2020
2020/05/11
Friday Prayers 8 May 2020
2020/05/08
Pulp Theology 03 - God, Internet Church and You
2020/05/07
Wednesday Wisdom 14 - Proverbs 14
2020/05/06
POD - Psalms 101 to 105
2020/05/05
Think Spot 4 May 2020
2020/05/04
Friday Prayers 1 May 2020
2020/05/01
Pulp Theology 18
2020/04/30
Wednesday Wisdom 13 - Proverbs 13
2020/04/29
POD - Psalms 96 to 100
2020/04/28
Think Spot 27 April 2020
2020/04/27
Friday Prayers 24 April 2020
2020/04/24
Wednesday Wisdom 12 - Proverbs 12
2020/04/22
POD - Psalms 91 to 95
2020/04/21
Think Spot 20 April 2020
2020/04/20
Prayer - CoronaVirus Pandemic
2020/04/18
Easter 2020 - Day 30
2020/04/17
Easter 2020 - Day 29
2020/04/16
Easter 2020 - Day 28
2020/04/15
Easter 2020 - Day 27
2020/04/14
Easter 2020 - Day 26
2020/04/13
Easter 2020 - Day 25
2020/04/12
Easter 2020 - Day 24
2020/04/11
Easter 2020 - Day 23
2020/04/10
Easter 2020 - Day 22
2020/04/09
Easter 2020 - Day 21
2020/04/08
Easter 2020 - Day 20
2020/04/07
Easter 2020 - Day 19
2020/04/06
Easter 2020 - Day 18
2020/04/05
Easter 2020 - Day 17
2020/04/04
Easter 2020 - Day 16
2020/04/03
Sermon - The Hour Is Near
2020/04/02
Easter 2020 - Day 15
2020/04/02
Easter 2020 - Day 14
2020/04/01
Easter 2020 - Day 13
2020/03/31
Easter 2020 - Day 12
2020/03/30
Easter 2020 - Day 11
2020/03/29
Easter 2020 - Day 10
2020/03/28
Easter 2020 - Day 9
2020/03/27
Easter 2020 - Day 8
2020/03/26
Easter 2020 - Day 7
2020/03/25
Easter 2020 - Day 6
2020/03/24
Easter 2020 - Day 5
2020/03/23
Partakers Christian Podcasts
http://www.partakers.co.uk
G‘day! Partakers Christian podcasts of Bible Teaching, Bible Readings, Worship, Prayer and Church History on Podbean to help enable and encourage you! Come listen and interact.
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