Partakers Christian Podcasts

Partakers Bible Thought 15 October 2021 – God of Covenantal Love

Partakers Bible Thought

15 October 2021

God of Covenantal Love

1 The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 ‘I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’
4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. (Genesis 12:1-4)

1 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt – on that very day – they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, ‘This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.’ (Exodus 19:1-6)

Over the last 3 podcasts we have seen a scene of exultant joy; a scene of great judgement and yesterday, we looked at how and why God is love but also a God who must judge.

Come! Let us look together at what we can learn about God and His Covenantal love. Together we explore questions such as: Why does God make Covenants with humanity? What do the Covenants with Abraham and Moses have to do with us today? Has God made a covenant with humanity that covers us today? If He has, what does it entail? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God who makes covenants with humanity.

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Partakers Bible Thought 14 October 2021 – A God Who Judges Leviticus 10:1-11 (Part 2)

Partakers Bible Thought

14 October 2021

A God Who Judges

30 For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:30-31)

In the podcast yesterday from Leviticus 10:1-11, we saw Nadab and Abihu come under God’s judgement for being disobedient and where the fire represents a different aspect of God’s presence through his active holiness and therefore danger and judgement.

In the podcast today, we look together at what we can learn about God and His judgement. Together we explore questions such as: Is God, a God who is at odds with Himself? What can we learn about God’s holiness in this scene of judgement? Where does love come into God’s judgement? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God’s judgement and love.

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Partakers Bible Thought 13 October 2021 – Great Judgement Leviticus 10:1-11 (Part 1)

Partakers Bible Thought

13 October 2021

Leviticus 10:1-11 Great Judgement

1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorised fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:
‘“Among those who approach me I will be proved holy;
in the sight of all the people I will be honoured.”’
Aaron remained silent.
4 Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, ‘Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary.’ 5 So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered.
6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, ‘Do not let your hair become unkempt and do not tear your clothes or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. 7 Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, because the LORD’s anointing oil is on you.’ So they did as Moses said.
8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, 9 ‘You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, 10 so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and so you can teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses.’ (Leviticus 10:1-11)

In the podcast yesterday from Leviticus 9, we saw a scene of exuberant joy and where fire represented God’s presence and spoke of His love, warmth, purity and blessing upon His people.! Today though we see fire representing God but a very different outcome! Here in the very next scene from Leviticus 10:1-11, the fire represents a different aspect of God’s presence through his active holiness and therefore danger and judgement.

Come on in and let us look together at Leviticus 10:1-11, which causes a lot of people today some problems.. Together we explore questions such as: Who were Nadab and Abihu? What was their role to be? Why did they come under God’s judgement? What had they done wrong? What can we say about God from this passage? How did Aaron react? What can we make of this ancient scene? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this scene of exuberant joy from Leviticus 10:1-11

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Partakers Bible Thought 12 October 2021 – Great Joy

Partakers Bible Thought

12 October 2021

A Scene of Great Joy Leviticus 9:22-24

22 Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.
23 Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. (Leviticus 9:22-24)

The first seven chapters of Leviticus talk about the different offerings or sacrifices that Israel was to make to God. Then in chapter 8 we see the beginning of the priesthood and the joyful work of Aaron and the priests. Their main role as Priests, was to act as mediators between a holy God and the people of Israel, particularly in the role of making those offerings and sacrifices. In fact, these Priests were the ultimate multi-taskers, as they seemed equally adept as butchers, doctors, teachers, quality assurors and public health inspectors! The passage from Leviticus 9 shows the culmination of this priestly ordination. Let us witness together a scene of great and exuberant joy!

Come on in and look at Leviticus 9:22-24 and a scene of great and exuberant joy! Together we explore questions such as: What is this joy? Why was there such joy? What can we make of this ancient scene? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this scene of exuberant joy.

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Partakers Prayers 10 October 2021

Partakers Prayers

10 October 2021

G'day! Welcome to Partakers! In this podcast we pray together some prayers of one of the Church Fathers, John Chrysostom. Come and pray!

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Partakers Prayers 9 October 2021

Partakers Prayers

9 October 2021

G'day! Welcome to Partakers Christian Podcasts! Today we are praying together! Come and join in praying for the world and yourself, offering praises to God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Order of Service

Opening prayer

Confession

Psalm 65

Prayers for Churches and Christians worldwide

Silent time (Prayer for your own concerns)

Prayers for the world

Prayer of Benedict of Nursia

 

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Partakers Bible Thought 8 October 2021 – A Prayer of Anger Psalm 94

Partakers Bible Thought

8 October 2021

Psalm 94 – A Prayer of Anger

1 The LORD is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, LORD; they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.
(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. Psalm 94, which is a prayer of anger by the Psalmist.

Come on in and look at Psalm 94, a prayer of anger. Together we explore questions such as: What is this anger? What is the Psalmist praying about that has caused such anger? Why is the Psalmist praying with anger? What does God thing of all this? Will God listen to prayers of anger? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this prayer of anger from Psalm 94.

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Partakers Bible Thought 7 October 2021 – A Prayer of Joy Psalm 66

Partakers Bible Thought

7 October 2021

Psalm 66 – A Prayer of Joy

1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”
5 Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
8 Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
(Psalm 66)

Psalm 66, is a prayer of joy. Throughout this Psalm, the Psalmist paints a picture of joy! There is joy and the earth, joy and the nation of Israel and joy and the psalmist himself. Joy, is not just for the future. Joy is also for the present, for the here and now. But, what is joy, and what place should joy take in our life today?

Come on in and look at this joy filled prayer of Psalm 66. Together we explore questions such as: What is joy? Who is the source and object of joy? How does the Psalmist build up this picture of joy in this prayer? Why can the Christian be filled with joy? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this prayer of joy from Psalm 66.

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Partakers Podcasts Christian Testimony - Dave

Dave's Story

"Why am I a Christian?"

 The Apostle John, writing in 1 John 5:9-12 - "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."

Why Is It So?

Why I am a Christian?

Now I could say that at the age of 12, we moved to a town on the coast of Australia, and was invited along to a local youth group and several weeks later, gave my life to Christ and became a Christian. Of course that is partly true. I can't even claim to be a Christian because I was raised in a Christian country. Australia was and is probably the second most secular country on this planet. Sure Australia has its moral base grounded in historic Christianity, but for the latter part of its history, Australia has been thoroughly secular and non-religious. Even if I had been raised in a country such as England, with Christian parents, that would also, only be partly true and I could have rejected Christianity as many people do. The reason that I am a Christian is not because I chased God, but rather He chased me. Unknown to me at the time, God was chasing me and following my every path with the urgency of a lover after the beloved, just as described in the Song of Songs 2:2-14.

This piece of poetic Scripture speaks about the love that God has for his people, and the energy He puts in to calling his people to Himself. He is always reaching out, for all to return to His arms. As for me, it wasn't until I was a 12 year old that I heard that I needed to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Before that I didn't know I had to do anything with this Jesus. Jesus was only a curse word for me at the time. That or was just someone or something that the RE teachers bored me with at school. We are primarily Christians, not because we come to church services or just happened to have been born in a supposedly Christian country. We are primarily Christians, because God first chased and harried us into His arms. We are Christians, if you are one, because God first loved you. And as a tremendous lover, He beckons and calls people all the time to respond to His call, and back to Him.

How does He chase us with His love? He chases each person differently, just as each Christian testimony is different. Take for instance the Apostle Paul in Acts 8 & 9. God chased him through Paul's mind and his religious upbringing and education. Paul had known about God from his childhood. Paul was a righteous Pharisee who saw persecuting these ‘Christians' as his religious duty, so that he may somehow find favour with God. As Paul was gloating over the death of the martyr Stephen, God was pursuing Him, probably raising doubts in Paul's mind as to why Stephen would say at the point of death "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit and forgive them for what they do" (Acts 7:54-60). Surely doubts must have been raised in Paul's mind as he approved of this death (Acts 8:1). Paul was also wrestling with his conscience. Externally he was a righteous man, a Pharisee of Pharisees.

Yet when he internally examined himself and his heart, he found himself failing regarding covetousness, which is the last of the Ten Commandments. Then finally, Jesus himself makes a sudden and dramatic appearance before Paul and confronts him directly, "Why are you kicking against me? Why are you rejecting my advances?" (Acts 9) Paul's conversion to Christianity is often described as being sudden. But the only thing sudden about his conversion was this climatic appearance of Jesus.

Just as that was true of Paul, it is true of me, just as it is true of all those who profess to call themselves a Christian Disciple. I am a Christian Disciple not because of anything I have done, but rather because He first chased me, and because He first loved me. Jesus himself said "I came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

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. What were the events leading up to my choosing to be a Christian disciple which symbolize God running after me?
Q2. How am I, as a Christian Disciple, continuing to listen to God's voice?
Q3. Will I be ready to give my testimony the next time somebody asks me as to why I am a Christian?

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Partakers Bible Thought 6 October 2021 – A Prayer of Trust Psalm 62

Partakers Bible Thought

6 October 2021

Psalm 62 – A Prayer of Trust

1 My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress-- I will never be greatly shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man, would all of you throw him down, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.
Selah. 5 My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.
7 With God is my salvation and my honor. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us.
Selah.
9 Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.
10 Don't trust in oppression. Don't become vain in robbery. If riches increase,
don't set your heart on them.
11 God has spoken once; twice I have heard this, that power belongs to God.
12 Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
(Psalm 62)

Trust in the world today, is a missing ingredient. The one thing that most people today will say they trust in, is themselves. The world says to trust yourself, don't rely on anything else. The world says that all other things are totally unreliable and the only object you can trust is yourself, because you know what you can do, and you should only ask for help if you’re really desperate for it.

It is like a refreshing breath of clean air that we come to Psalm 62. Living in a world which cynically says trust only yourself, Psalm 62 reflects like a mirror the thoughts of God to our minds and hearts. When God says, "Trust me!" - he is totally trustworthy. This man, King David knew that God was like that. Throughout his life, except for when he sinned, he trusted in God.

Come on in and look at the Christian persevering in their faith. Together we explore questions such as: Why does the Psalmist trust God? What kind of God is worthy of trust? How does David build up this picture of God being worthy of trust? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this prayer of trust from Psalm 62

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