2021-12
2021-12
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought 5 December 2021 – Christmas 08
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Sunday Dec 05, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
5 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 8
1 ‘Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord:look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; 2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. 3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
( Isaiah 51:1-3)
Here in the ancient book of Isaiah, we see that faith is nurtured by listening and hearing. People are encouraged to look back and see what God has done with just one man, Abraham! How from him came an entire nation! This bodes well for the future when all history is consummated – have faith in your God who will lead you into the next world! But for now, don’t be afraid of what other people will do – stay close to God, have faith in Him, trust Him patiently and live obedient and righteous lives. For as stated: “my salvation shall be for ever, my righteousness will never fail.” (Isaiah 51:6)
Then we come to a mounting anticipation with bated breath. Quickly the phrase “Awake! Awake!” is repeated, as if to give a sense of urgency. The exodus from Egypt, an event remembered well by the nation of Israel and alluded to in Isaiah 51:9-10, will be surpassed by a new age of righteousness at the end of time. All those “ransomed by the Lord”, those set free by God will enter the city of God with joyous singing which will be their crown! Sorrow and sadness will no longer exist! Gladness and joy will be triumphant! Alleluia! Despite many obstacles in the way, the Lord God will reign triumphant. His Messiah, His Servant will deliver you. His Servant, the Messiah, will be triumphant.
In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 51 & 12, concerning the encouragement of the coming Messiah for the people of Israel and for the world. What form does this encouragement take? How does the coming Messiah inspire, reassure and support? How does any of this have relevancy for Jesus Christ? We discover how the encouragement, inspiration and support given by the coming Servant relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.
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You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Saturday Dec 04, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought 4 December 2021 – Christmas 07
Saturday Dec 04, 2021
Saturday Dec 04, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
4 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 7
4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning,wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away.6 I offered my back to those who beat me,my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.Therefore have I set my face like flint,and I know I will not be put to shame.8 He who vindicates me is near.Who then will bring charges against me?Let us face each other!Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.Who will condemn me?They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light,trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches,go, walk in the light of your firesand of the torches you have set ablaze.This is what you shall receive from my hand:you will lie down in torment.
( Isaiah 50:4-11)
In this the third Servant song, we see now the obedience of the Servant. This coming Servant will exhibit obedience to God, of God and trust in God. This obedience is regardless of all manner of spite, evil, malice and bitterness which confronts the Servant. Part of obedience is that we the Servant is willing to learn. This willingness to learn is a lifelong learning as indicated in the phrase “morning by morning”.
What is His name? We find His name is Israel! Not the nation of Israel itself, but as a person who embodies all that Israel was meant to be and do. This Servant would glorify God in all His ways. This servant is a Prophet who is also a King. This Servant is a perfect incarnation of God’s light, covenant and salvation.
In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 50:4-11 about the obedience of the coming Messiah. How does this obedience give the Servant confidence, humility as well as determination? We discover how the obedience of the coming Servant relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.
Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought 3 December 2021 – Christmas 06
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
3 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 3
1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations:before I was born the LORD called me;from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,in the shadow of his hand he hid me;he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.3 He said to me, ‘You are my servant,Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.’4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain;I have spent my strength for nothing at all.Yet what is due to me is in the LORD’s hand,and my reward is with my God.’
(Isaiah 49:1-4)
We are now in what is called "the second Servant song!" We discover in here the Servant Himself is speaking! We have no idea of his actual name, but He does have a name (Isaiah 49:1)! In the first Servant song, with the dispensing of justice as part of His identity, the Servant is a King! But not just a King, something more as well! In this song, the Servant appears as if He is a prophet by the things He is saying. He was called Isaiah 49:1) just as Jeremiah was. The words He speaks are as if a double-edged sword (Isaiah 49:2). Despite the opposition (Isaiah 49:4), He perseveres to gain the reward and to glorify God (Isaiah 49:3).
What is His name? We find His name is Israel! Not as in the nation of Israel itself, but as a person who embodies all that Israel was meant to be and do. This Servant would glorify God in all His ways. This servant is a Prophet who is also a King. This Servant is a perfect incarnation of God’s light, covenant and salvation.
In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 49:1-13 about the Mission of the coming Messiah, why He is coming and how that relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.
Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought 2 December 2021 – Christmas 05
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
2 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 2
1 ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;4 he will not falter or be discouragedtill he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.’
(Isaiah 42:1-4)
In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 42:1-9 about the identity of the coming Messiah and how that relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.
Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought 1 December 2021 – Christmas 04
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
1 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 1
In the podcast today we start to look at what 2 people from the Old Testament had to say about the events of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. These two people we know as Isaiah and Zechariah. Throughout the Old Testament, we see that the birth, life and mission of this Messiah is the aim and focus of attention. The whole Old Testament is joined together, because it all speaks about this Messiah baby, Jesus Christ. This baby, who was both 100% human and 100% divine, who later would grow in wisdom and stature. We start this adventure together by looking at an introduction to these two books of the Bible, Isaiah and Zechariah.
Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!