Partakers
Posted in Partakers, Church History, HAHA on Jun 29th, 2013 Comments
G’day and welcome to Partakers and to our series, HAHA – Heroes and Heretics Abound. Together we are looking at the story of the church from its origins to the Age of Reasoning in the 18th century. Last time we looked at some of the leading Christian figures in Britain.
Today we see a new religion, some would say threat, coming towards Christianity – Islam!
Islam is a religion strictly following one God. The adherents of Islam, Muslims, follow their book, the Koran (the verbatim words of Allah) and the Sunnah (teachings and examples give by Mohammed, the last prophet of God.)
Background
In Arabia at the time, the religious background was like this:
Mohammed 570-632
Into this comes the main man and founder of Islam – Mohammed. He was born in Mecca in 570. It was while he was seeking solitude within the Arabian Desert, that he claimed to have received messages from God, via the Angel Gabriel. Mohammed claims to have received the whole of the Koran (Moslem Scripture), which was claimed to have always existed in heaven but was now on earth. He was to be the message of Allah! Mohammed was given the task of telling others about Allah and what Allah had said in this book, the Koran. Mohammed preached from the Koran when he returned to Mecca, but was initially rejected by the masses. That was soon to change!
Mohammed's message.
Basic beliefs
A Muslim is one who lives according to God's will as expressly given in the Koran. Islam is submission to God. Islam accepts parts of Judaism & Christianity quoting extensively from the Old Testament in the Koran. Jesus Christ is accepted as a prophet of God, but not the Son of God. Mohammed is the last and greatest prophet. They do not believe Jesus Christ was crucified and died, but that there was a substitution done for him. They do however broadly accept his miracles and virgin birth. While there are some similarities with Christianity, they miss the whole point of God's revelation to man in Christ & Christ's death for our sins. There is no plan of salvation apart from works.
Islam's spread
Despite being initially rejected by people, Islam and the message of Mohammed soon spread quickly. Raiding parties from Arabia, captured neighbouring lands and Islam became the religion of these peoples. The Islamists treated their captured people well, therefore Islam grew in acceptance. Within only 12 years, Egypt, Syria and Iraq were occupied by Muslims, quickly spreading to North Africa and Spain. The spread into Europe was checked however at the battle of Tours in 732 when Charles Martel led Christian armies into victorious battle.
For more in-depth information and knowledge about Islam, we have a series on this site and you can find that by clicking here!
Next time in our series HAHA, we will look at the church in Britain reaching out into Europe! Thanks for listening! Come back to Partakers, where every day there is something new to encourage your walk as a Christian in the 21st century.
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Posted in Partakers, Friday Prayers on Jun 28th, 2013 Comments
~Partakers Friday Prayers!
28th June 2013
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!
Order of Service
Opening Prayer
Confession
Time for Your Praises
Time for Your Petitions & Requests
Benediction
Closing Prayers
G’day and welcome to Pauline's Thursday Ponderings!
Where do your security, self worth and significance come from? If they come from God it means you will be able to deal with whatever tragedies life throws at you with an inner peace and a trust that an omnipotent Father is working behind the scenes in your best interests. It does not mean that you won’t get upset or confused or angry. When you break a bone, it hurts, no matter how good your relationship with God. In the same way we feel emotional pain but we won’t go under and our emotions won’t be totally ruled by our circumstances.
Some of us use shopping, or our husbands or possessions to give us a sense of value. Others use their career to give them a sense of significance. Others turn to food or alcohol for comfort or courage. Take some time to reflect where you try to get your deepest needs met. Esther is a good example of a Jewish woman in the bible whose security is in God. She is faced with an edict from her husband the King that all Jews should be put to death. Esther 4:15-16 describes how she reacts to the news: Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go; gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Esther listens to God and follows his plan. As a result she and all the Jews are saved from death. What an example of emotional stability and dependence on God. If you don’t get your security, self worth and significance from God ask for his forgiveness and ask him to show you how to do so. I will be sharing more about this over the coming weeks.
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Posted in Partakers, Think Spot on Jun 24th, 2013 Comments
G'day! Welcome to Partakers Think Spot at the start of new week!
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake.
The first word I would use for Jesus is that He is unique - totally unique! Never before and never to be repeated again - ever! Jesus Christ is the standout person from all of history! In all of human history, Jesus Christ is incomparable!
Yet in human form, we read that during his earthly ministry he had no physical beauty that would draw people naturally to himself. We read that Jesus' body on the cross was disfigured and tortured beyond that of human likeness. His perfect life, His salvation work on the cross and His subsequent rising from the dead, is what makes Jesus Christ unique - a once and for all lifetime Messiah or Saviour for the entire world! This great God of creation, stepping into His creation as a human, with the purpose of reconciling the world back to Himself! WOW!! Jesus' uniqueness meaning I can have an active and dynamic relationship with God.
As you go into this week may your relationship with God be active and dynamic! Go and thank Jesus Christ for his uniqueness which allows this to occur.
Father, we thank you for Jesus Christ your Son! We thank you that because of Him, we can enter into a dynamic and active relationship with you! We ask this prayer and give you praise, through your Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside all those who are following! Amen!
Thanks for joining us on Partakers ThinkSpot! See you again real soon!
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G’day and welcome to Partakers and to our series, HAHA – Heroes and Heretics Abound. Together we are looking at the story of the church from its origins to the Age of Reasoning in the 18th century. Last time we looked at Christian origins in Britain. Today we will look at some of the leading figures in the growth of Christianity in Britain.
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Ninian was the Bishop of Galloway in South West Scotland by the end of the 4th Century. He is known to have carried out extensive missionary work in South Scotland. Hence there are many churches named after him in that area. He was born about 360 and is widely regarded as being the first Gospel preacher in a part of Britain which was not under Roman rule. Touring widely away from Galloway, Ninian preached at various missions. Much of Celtic Christianity is thought to have formed from this man’s ministry.
Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England refers to him thus “For the southern Picts, who dwell on this side of those mountains, had, it is said, long before forsaken the errors of idolatry, and received the true faith by the preaching of Bishop Ninias, a most reverend and holy man of the British nation, who had been regularly instructed at Rome in the faith and mysteries of the truth;”
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Patrick – (389-461) He was the Apostle to England and is perhaps the greatest name in Irish history. At 16, he was taken as a slave from West Britain to Ireland for 6 years, during which time he found God. Patrick escaped to France & trained in a monastery. Later, he returned to Britain and had a dream calling him to Ireland. Subsequently Patrick returned to Ireland as bishop in 432. From there, Patrick evangelised the majority of Ireland, founding many churches & monasteries. Few men have had such an impact on a nation. Many missionaries and mission trips later, he left Ireland to evangelise Britain & Europe.
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Columba was born in Ireland in 521 and as a young man entered the Moville monastery and later ordained deacon. Columba left Ireland under dubious circumstances and he sailed north until he could no longer see Ireland. He landed at the Island of Iona, South West of Scotland, and founded the Iona monastery, a great centre of learning and missionary activity. It is known that he evangelised much of northern Scotland.
Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England writes “Columba came into Britain in the ninth year of the reign of Bridius, who was the son of Meilochon, and the powerful king of the Pictish nation, and he converted that nation to the faith of Christ, by his preaching and example. Wherefore he also received of them the gift of the aforesaid island whereon to found a monastery”
Most information comes from the Vita Columbae (i.e. "Life of Columba" ).
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Aidan was born in Connaught, Ireland. He was educated at Leinster, later going into the Monastery of St David in Wales where he spent many years studying and researching. He later founded a monastery in Wexford, becoming its Bishop. Later responding to a call from the King, Aidan settled on Lindisfarne Island. From here, Aidan engaged in much missionary work and evangelised extensively!
Bede in Ecclesiastical History of England relates to him thus: “Aidan’s holiness of life wins from him a warm tribute of admiration. … a man of singular gentleness, piety, and moderation; having a zeal of God, but not fully according to knowledge; for he was wont to keep Easter Sunday according to the custom of his country …” Bede goes on to describe various miracles said to be done by Aidan.
That’s it for this time! Next time in our series HAHA, we will look at a new threat to the growth and well being of Christianity - Islam! Thanks for listening! Come back to Partakers, where every day there is something new to encourage your walk as a Christian in the 21st century.
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Posted in Partakers, Friday Prayers on Jun 21st, 2013 Comments
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Partakers Friday Prayers!
21st June 2013
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! Today we are praying for all those grieving, regardless of the reason. Come! Let us pray for those in mourning...There is also space in the video for you to say your own prayers...
Today's prayers are for those who are imprisoned
G’day and welcome to Pauline's Thursday Ponderings!
Social action is a funny phrase and somehow implies you need lots of time to get involved. But it really means helping others in a practical way and can be as easy as making a couple of extra portions of shepherd’s pie and giving them to someone who is in need of a meal. It could be someone whose lost their job, someone who has been in hospital whether for an operation, illness or having a baby. There are also lots of lonely old people out there who would appreciate half an hour of your time once a week, and hospices and hospitals are crying out for volunteers in all sorts of capacities. It may mean offering to babysit for a friends children to give them a night off. These are just a few ideas, I’m sure if you think about it and if you have any spare time you can come up with something suitable for you.
James 1:27 “Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress... “.
James 2 15-17 “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by some action is dead.”
But just a warning for those of you who do so much that you are continually exhausted and find it difficult to fit in time alone with God. You have the opposite problem and must cut out some of your activities. You are of no use if you burn out and much more likely to sin if you are exhausted all the time. Neglecting time alone with God is a fatal move and to be avoided at all cost.
WOW Word - Living as a Christian
Today Alfie talks about the WOW Word - Living!!
Luke 9:23-26 Jesus speaking “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
What is the response of a Christian to be to these words of Jesus? Play the video to see Alphy talking about a man who couldn’t give up something to follow Jesus and the consequences he faced because of that!
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Posted in Partakers, Think Spot on Jun 17th, 2013 Comments
As I reflect upon the life of Jesus as given to us through the Gospels, I see that in his interaction with people he exhibits his loveliness. An example of this is found in Matthew 20:29-34
As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
See how Jesus exhibited his loveliness to those two men, through an act of compassion and mercy! Jesus gave those two men great joy in receiving their sight and enabled them to overcome the rejection by the crowd! Those two men could testify that Jesus is altogether lovely and lovely altogether!
Jesus is beyond compare for the things He has done and the things He will do. Jesus Christ is altogether lovely in regard to his divinity, humanity, birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, exultation, glorification, grace, protection, tenderness, power, wisdom, vengeance, judgment, majesty, redemption and pardon! Jesus' loveliness means I can have His incomparable inner joy when I feel defeated, dejected and discouraged. Jesus oozes loveliness!
As you go into this week, remember that when you are feeling defeated, dejected or discouraged, that Jesus joy is inside you. Joy is not necessarily loud and obtrusive but also quiet and peaceful. Allow that joy of Jesus to carry you through. Let His loveliness embrace you and allow Him control over your circumstances.
A prayer to help you into this new week:
Father, we thank you for sending Jesus.
We thank you Jesus that you are altogether lovely and lovely altogether.
We thank you that you are with us when
everybody else rejects, despises, defeats or discourages us!
Amen.
Posted in Partakers, Partakers Video, Worship on Jun 16th, 2013 Comments
Hello! My name is Jim Harris! This poem, which I’ve called “Restoration”, was written when I was in France in 2003. Struggling to read the Bible in French I was made aware of the subtleties in that seemingly simple word ‘restores’, found in Psalm 23, verse 3 ‘He restores my soul’. Here’s what I wrote about that word at the time.
‘The word ‘restore’ carries more than one meaning. A ‘restaurant’ is where you replenish your energy levels by taking food. Restore also means to put something back into its original condition, or someone back into a broken relationship. It can also be used for stirring something into life, like the old coal fires we used to have. These three verses, based on Psalm 23:3, ‘He restores my soul’, try to reflect these three ideas about our relationship with the Good Shepherd.’
You can view more of Jim's verse at his website ~
