Partakers Christian Podcasts

Partakers Bible Thought 4 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 4

Partakers Bible Thought

4 November 2021

Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 4
Reflect God – Love God and love your neighbour

18 ‘“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.

32 ‘“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. 33 ‘“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not ill-treat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. 35 ‘“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. 36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin.] I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. 37 ‘“Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.”’ (Leviticus 19:18, 32-37)

 

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.’ (Mark 12:28-31)

We left the last podcast with a question. How is personal holiness shown? Today that is what we investigate together. Leviticus 19, starts off with instructions about taking care of the poor. God was going to provide for the poor. How? The farmers were to leave some of the crop or vineyard unharvested and it was to be a symbolic act of worship, a thanksgiving and a visible sign of trusting in God to supply. It was a generous holiness in action. This whole section is summed up in Leviticus 19:18, “love your neighbour as yourself”. Neighbour being any other person, not just the person who lived next door.

Together we explore questions such as: What did it mean for ancient Israel for them to love their neighbour? Why were they love their neighbour as themselves? Who were ancient Israel’s neighbours? What makes a good neighbour? What does this mean for Christians today? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God and following Him.

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Partakers Bible Thought 2 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 2

Partakers Bible Thought

2 November 2021

Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 2
Who Is God?

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:23-24)

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

G’day! Throughout the book of Leviticus, God has said “Be holy, for I am holy”. But what is holiness? As we have glimpsed in recent podcasts, holiness is what separates God from all His creation, including humanity. Why? 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.

Today we start looking at who God is from Leviticus 18-19! Together we explore questions such as: What kind of God is this? What are some of God’s attributes? How are those attributes seen in Leviticus applicable and relevant to Christians today? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God and following Him.

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Partakers Bible Thought 1 November 2021 – Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty 1

Partakers Bible Thought

1 November 2021

Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 1

1 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.
30 Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practised before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.”’ (Leviticus 18:1-5, 30)

G’day! We looked recently at Leviticus 9 & 10 and saw a scene of great joy and jubilation, as well as a scene of great judgement. Then, more recently we looked together at Leviticus 16 & 17, and that great annual event in the calendar of Ancient Israel, known as the Day of Atonement and what it signified for ancient Israel. We looked at how these ancient writings applied to us today and concluding that it is because of Jesus Christ alone, every human can choose to be ‘at one’ with God and have eternal life.

Today we start looking into Leviticus 18 & 19. Here is where the rubber hits the road. Leviticus now 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. Together we explore questions such as: Why was Israel given these laws? What areas of life did these laws cover? What did Jesus Christ have to say about them? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about Jesus Christ and following Him.

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Partakers Bible Thought 31 October 2021 – Remember

Remember!

Today, our Bible Thought comes from Paul's letter to the city of Colossae! It has relevance to us today and our Christian lives.

If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

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Partakers Bible Thought 25 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 6

Partakers Bible Thought

25 October 2021

Jesus Christ, You and I

29 ‘This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: on the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work – whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you – 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. 32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.
34 ‘This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.’ And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:29-34)

1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming – not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, “Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll –
I have come to do your will, my God.”’
8 First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’– though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:1-10)

 

G’day! Today we continue to look together at Leviticus and Jesus Christ. Come on in and let us look together at Leviticus 16, as we conclude our look upon the Centrepiece of Joy. Together, we started with all that occurred on that great annual event known as the Day of Atonement. Then we looked at how that applied to us today because of the cross of Jesus Christ, who was our atoning sacrifice. We can choose to have a relationship with Almighty God, because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, which we celebrate at Easter and remember when we take Holy Communion. Atonement meaning, that we ‘are at one’ with God. All because of God and from His wellsprings of love, grace and mercy. Nothing we can do can earn it, but simply because of His act of love toward us. WOW!

Jesus Christ - unique, majestic, tender, wise, strong, and lovely. This Jesus who is always there to help me, wipe my tears, give me joy, relieve my frustrations, give clarity over confusion and give me peace. Is this also your Jesus? That is my Jesus, whom I seek to serve and obey in every facet of life of every day. I rarely achieve it for more than moments, but I know that when I fail, I can ask for forgiveness and He will grant it from His wellsprings of love, grace and mercy.

It is this Jesus whom I depend upon and personally know to be totally reliable in every way. When people let me down, turn away from me, discourage me, think wrongly off me, incorrectly assume my motives, this Jesus always picks me up, never turns me away, always encourages and embraces me. He comforts me. He challenges me., At the end of each day, I know that all through each day, that Jesus has been dependable, going ahead of me. Amazing that somebody could love me like that. Do you know Him?

If we would call ourselves a Christian, a follower and disciple of the Jesus Christ, we know that we are being transformed into the image of Jesus and will continue to be until Jesus returns once more for us and for His body, the Church. Sometimes this transformation takes comfort and at other times we need to be challenged. Remember, our God challenges us in our comfort and comforts us in our challenges. Or is that just my experience? Do you know Him?

Lastly, if you are not yet a Christian, and you want to turn to God right now, 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! God is calling you by name to be His child and His follower. He is calling you by name to come into relationship with Himself. As we have hopefully seen, being a Christian is a partnership between God and yourself. When you place your faith in Jesus, becoming utterly dependent upon Him, you turn to God.

Together in this podcast we explore questions such as: Who is this Jesus to me? What difference has he made in my life? What differences can Jesus make in your life? How can a person start to follow this Jesus, and have available to them all the riches of His love, grace and mercy? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about Jesus Christ and following Him as we conclude Leviticus 16.

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Partakers Bible Thought 24 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 5

Partakers Bible Thought

24 October 2021

Jesus Christ and Atonement Today Part 2

18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry for ever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 20 You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago. (Micah 7:18-20)

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished 26 – he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

G’day! Today we continue to look together at Jesus Christ, the Day of Atonement of Leviticus and the Atonement that He alone offers. We continue this by to looking together at 3 great Bible words: propitiation, redemption and substitution.

Together we explore questions such as: What do propitiation, redemption and substitution mean? What do propitiation, redemption and substitution have to do with Jesus Christ and Atonement today? With what one word can we sum up those 3 words?

Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about Jesus Christ, the Atonement that He alone offers and regarding propitiation, redemption and substitution.

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Partakers Bible Thought 20 October 2021 – Centrepiece of Joy 1

Partakers Bible Thought

21 October 2021

Centrepiece of Joy

16 The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. 2 The LORD said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover. (Leviticus 16:1-10)

9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. (Hebrews 9:1-5)

 

G’day! Today we start to look together at what I call the Centrepiece of Joy, which is Leviticus 16 and the Day of Atonement which was to occur annually on the 10th day of the 7th month. We know that God had chosen Israel to be His people and that they were supposed to be a shining beacon of light and hope to the world. As part of the covenant made with Moses, God said that He would be their God and they would be His people. What a contrast to the nations around them that worshipped multiple ‘gods’, made of material such as wood or stone and often thirsty for human sacrifice. Contrast those ‘gods’, with the God of Israel, who had made himself personally present with His people in the Tent of Meeting or Tabernacle.

Come on in and let us look together at what we can learn about this ancient practise of the Day of Atonement. Together we explore questions such as: Why was there a Day of Atonement? What is the Tabernacle or Tent of meeting? Who was allowed in there and for what purpose? What is the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat and the Golden Censer? Why are they used? What does all this reveal to us of God? What does all this have to do with us today? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about the Day of Atonement.

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Partakers Bible Thought 18 October 2021 - King David‘s Final Prayer

David's Final Prayer

1 Chronicles 29:10-20

10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
‘Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendour,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

14 ‘But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people for ever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.’

20 Then David said to the whole assembly, ‘Praise the Lord your God.’ So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king. (1 Chronicles 29:10-20)

Here is the great King David!

Here 1 Chronicles 29, we have King David in his final days before handing over the crown to his son, Solomon. David is no longer the shepherd-boy who slew Goliath. He is at the end of his life. He wanted to build the temple himself, but God told him in 1 Chronicles 28:3 "You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood."

The building of the Temple was to be ultimately achieved by his great son Solomon to do! Download or listen to the podcast to hear more about this amazing final prayer of King David!

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Partakers Bible Thought 16 October 2021 – Serving in God‘s Orchestra of Joy

Partakers Bible Thought

16 October 2021

Serving in God's Orchestra of Joy

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11)

 

As Christians, as part of our life of true Joy, we are all called to serve and minister. Each of us, who would call ourselves Christian, are to serve and minister in some way to all people without bias or prejudice in obedience to Almighty God. We are called to exhibit and show our true Joy of joyous obedient service to Jehovah God. Each of us here today is called to perform a unique serving and ministerial function in the Church, God’s Orchestra of Joy. Just as Aaron and his family were.

Come! Come on in and let us look together at what we can learn about serving in God’s Orchestra of Joy, which is the Church. Together we explore questions such as: What does this service entail? Why do Christians serve? How do Christians serve? Are Christians judged by God for their service? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about serving in God’s Orchestra of Joy

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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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