Partakers Christian Podcasts

Partakers Bible Thought 17 September 2021 – Why is he called Jesus?

Partakers Bible Thought

16 September 2021

Today we are going to ask ourselves, in relation to Jesus, What’s in a name? I wonder what your name means. Parents usually name their children after the hopes and aspirations they have for that child. For example, the name John means “the gift of God”. I know somebody called Grace, and her nature is that of somebody full of grace. My name of David means “beloved” and when my parents named me, it was meant to symbolize the love they had for me.

But what does the name Jesus mean? When Jesus was born, his very name imbued the reason he was born. The name Jesus means “Saviour” or “One who saves or rescues.” The entirety of His birth, life and death was centred on this very role - saving and rescuing all those who would believe, receive and follow Him. We have seen in the testimony of the Apostles John, Peter and Paul how Jesus came to save sinners, to call people to follow, believe and receive Himself! This Jesus who proclaimed He was the only way to God!

Together we explore questions such as: Why was Jesus born? What do we mean when we say: “Jesus is saviour”? Why is our understanding of His birth so important? What does the coming of Jesus have to do with humans having an intimate and personal relationship with God? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about why Jesus is called by that name.

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Partakers Bible Thought 16 September 2021 – Jesus and the Apostle Paul

Partakers Bible Thought

16 September 2021

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20)

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

Today we briefly explore who Jesus was, according to the person we know as the Apostle Paul. Paul, who as a Pharisee of Pharisees was known as Saul. Paul who became a follower of Jesus, after encountering him on the road to Damascus. Paul who describes himself as the least of the apostles, former persecutor of the church and the foremost of sinners. Because Paul chose to follow, believe in and receive Jesus Christ, most of the New Testament was written by this man and he sought to serve his master, Jesus Christ. For Paul’s life and ministry, we have much to be thankful to God!

Together we explore questions such as: How does Paul describe Jesus, as he builds up the metaphors? How did Paul describe his relationship with Jesus Christ, despite not meeting Jesus during his earthly ministry? What does Paul say that Jesus has done for him? How does Paul give praise to Jesus Christ? What can we take away from Jesus’ relationship with Paul and adapt into our own life as we seek to follow Jesus? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more concerning Jesus and his good friend, Peter.

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Partakers Bible Thought 15 September 2021 – Jesus and the Apostle Peter

Partakers Bible Thought

15 September 2021

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:22-24; 32-36)

Today we briefly explore who Jesus was, according to another of his closest friends, the Apostle Peter! Peter, whose name was originally Simon, but given the name Peter, by Jesus (Matthew 16:18). Peter, the great Apostle and some say the greatest Apostle! With John and James, one of the three people closest to Jesus and had seen Jesus transfigured and glowing with glory on the Mount of Transfiguration! Peter, a fisherman, was commanded to go with Jesus with the simple words “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people!” Peter, who several times was severely rebuked by Jesus.

Together we explore questions such as: How does Peter describe Jesus? According to Peter, how did Jesus fit into God’s plan for his people, Israel, and for the whole world? What does Peter say, when comparing King David and Jesus? How does Peter witness about Jesus earthly ministry? What does Peter say about the Holy Spirit and his role in the life of the Christian? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more concerning Jesus and his good friend, Peter.

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Partakers Bible Thought 14 September 2021 – Jesus and the Apostle John

Partakers Bible Thought

14 September 2021

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John1:1-18)

Today we briefly explore who Jesus was, according to one of his closest friends, the Apostle John, who is also known as “the disciple who Jesus loved.” (John 13:23-25; John 19:26-27; John 20:2; John 21:7; John 21:20-23). Together we look at questions such as: How does John describe Jesus? What does John say was the reason that Jesus came to earth? How does John describe the relationship between Jesus and God the Father? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more concerning Jesus and his mother, Mary.

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Partakers Bible Thought 13 September 2021 – Jesus and His Mother Mary

Partakers Bible Thought

13 September 2021

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Today we explore the relationship between Jesus and Mary, his mother! We explore questions such as: What does the angel say will happen? How does the angel describe Jesus? How does Mary react? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more concerning Jesus and his mother, Mary.

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Partakers Bible Thought 10 September 2021 – God Visits Solomon - 2 Chronicles 7

Partakers Bible Thought

10 September 2021

11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, 12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 17 “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, 18 I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.’ 19 “But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’” (2 Chronicles 7:11-22)

In the podcast yesterday we looked together at a prayer of King David, from 1 Chronicles 29. We saw that the God that David prayed to, oozed greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty from all aspects of His very being! Moving on with the story, the remnant of Israel has now returned from exile and the Chronicler is giving them an abridged version of history! The great king David has died, and his son, Solomon, is now on the throne. Solomon has had his first encounter with God and received the gift of wisdom! Solomon has prayed a great prayer to His God (2 Chronicles 6). Then in we see the Chronicler regaling one of the many great WOW moments of the Old Testament, when the glory of the Lord came down like fire and filled the temple to overflowing! The people fell down in worship of a great God, who was their God! This was followed by a great scene of abundantly joyful sacrificial worship to this God! (2 Chronicles 7:1-10)

Today we are looking together at an encounter between God and David’s son, Solomon, from 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. The gifts for have come in and the Temple is now complete. Solomon is now probably sleeping in his palace. Then, one night God Himself turns up. Here the Chronicler reveals what God said to Solomon. We explore this encounter between God and Solomon, answering questions such as: Who does God reveal that He is? How is God, the God of all human history? What does God expect of His people, those who claim to follow him? What can we learn in the 21st century, about God, from this encounter with King Solomon? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more concerning this encounter between God and King Solomon!

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Partakers Bible Thought 9 September 2021 – A Prayer of David 1 Chronicles 29

Partakers Bible Thought

9 September 2021

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 forever, 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)

In the podcast yesterday we looked together at our spiritual armour. Today we look at a prayer of King David, known as a man after God’s own heart. Why was he known like that? Because despite his faults, he demonstrated consistently that his faith was alive and that he was totally committed to following the Lord God alone! We look at this prayer to get some keys for our own prayer life but also to be reminded of God, who was the object of this prayer!

David, a man, who despite his many faults, is described as a man after God’s own heart. Israel’s greatest king, saying this prayer of intimate praise & adoration to his God in front of the assembled throngs. This prayer, like his gifts of gold etc., could be said, to be David’s legacy to the nation of Israel, to Solomon and by extension also to us.

Today we explore this prayer of King David, exploring questions such as: What do we see of God and His greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty? Whose kingdom and glory should be seen – God’s or David’s? What can we glimpse of David’s relationship with God, through this prayer? What keys can we take for our own prayer life? What can we take away from this prayer for our living as Christians in the 21st century? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more concerning this prayer of King David!

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Partakers Bible Thought 15 August 2021 – Christians Overcome The Challenge Of Sin

Partakers Bible Thought

15 August 2021

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:15-18, 22-23)

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10)

Over the last 2 days we have looked together at the Christian serving and as part of that the Christian being a shepherd. Today we look at something that is a challenge to our serving, indeed our living a Christian life. Do you think you may know what that is? Let's have a look together!

I wonder if you have ever played tennis and went to hit the ball but missed. Or you actually hit the ball and it went outside the court! Or perhaps you are a golfer, and one day you went to putt the ball in the hole, and you missed! The tennis player who hit the ball out of court or the golfer who missed the hole can be both be said to have committed a sin, because they missed! And that is sin, in biblical terms, is: it is missing the mark that God has set.

Everybody, including those who would not call themselves Christians, have some idea of sin. Even if they never use that particularly word. They generally call doing things like telling lies or speeding in the car, “little sins” because everybody does those, they say! And of course, only a tiny minority of people commit the real big sins, such as murdering other people or robbing banks! So to most people’s minds, there are degrees of sins, depending on how many people actually do that kind of sin.

What does the Bible say about “sin”? What is the Christian to do regarding sin What can be done about sin? Come, download and listen to the mp3 podcast to find out more!

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Partakers Bible Thought 23 July 2021 – God as Trinity and the Christian

Partakers Bible Thought

23 July 2021

12 ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.’ (John 16:12-15)

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’ (Ephesians 4:3-8)

One of the problems that people have with the Christian God is the concept of God being a Trinity. They ask questions such as: “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.

Come and explore what the Bible has to say about God being the Trinity. What are some of the problems which can be overcome concerning this essential doctrine of the Christian faith? How does the Bible illustrate the concept of God being Trinity? “God is one” the Bible screams throughout, so how can you say that God is Trinity? These and other questions we seek to answer! So come on it! Let’s discover together more about God as Trinity by listening to the podcast!

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Partakers Bible Thought 21 July 2021 – The Christian and a God of Love

Partakers Bible Thought

21 July 2021

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12)

Come and explore what the Bible has to say about God of Love. What does this mean for the unbeliever and for the Christian? How has God’s love been seen in the past? How is God’s love seen today? Let’s discover together more about God and His love by listening to the podcast!

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