Partakers Christian Podcasts

What is a Christian Testimony

Why I am 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?

A testimony is an assertion offering firsthand authentication of a fact. For the Christian Disciple, classically it is generally expressed as how they became a Christian Disciple. But I think it is more than just how, and should expressly include why you are a Christian Disciple. I wonder what is your testimony about how you became a Christian Disciple? When was the last time you thanked God for your testimony?

Have you even thought about your testimony of how you became a Christian Disciple? I am sure you have all heard kids in the supermarket yelling out "Why?" to their parents. We all have, I am sure, questions we want to know the answer to. Why? The question I am often asked is "You are a Christian. 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.

God had been pursuing me

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). If you are a Christian today, it is not because of anything you have done. It is because of the events at Christmas and Easter that you are a Christian, when God entered this world as a human baby and took all the necessary steps so that all people could have the choice to be His people or not.

In my more smug moments I used to congratulate myself for being a Christian. How proud I was that I, was a Christian and that God was a jolly lucky God that I had decided to follow Him. It was during one of my less self-deluded moments, that I examined myself and I found God pricking my conscience and correcting me, and I read the New Testament "For the Son of Man came, not to be served but to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark10:45).

 

Right mouse click to save/download this testimony as a MP3 file

You can now purchase our books!

Please do click here to visit our Amazon site!

 

Archive 2023 June

Archive June 2023

Podcast Edition Link

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement1/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement2/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement3/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement4/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement5/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg11/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg12/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/glimpses058/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/issues-troubles/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/pod-113/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/pod-psalm-117/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/pod-psalm-14/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/pod-psalm-28/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/pod-psalm128/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/psalm148/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/sermon-acts20/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/sermon-romans6/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/sermon20200913/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/testimony-greg-richardson/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/wow-word-04-father-god/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg01/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg02/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg03/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg04/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg05/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg06/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg07/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg08/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg09/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/diwg10/

 

Right mouse click or tap to download mp3 for June 2023

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/49kee/PartakePOD-Psalm028.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/7c4f92/PartakeTestimony_GregRichardson.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/7j47/PartakePOD-Psalm148.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/exadef/Partake_Issues06.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/hvn23g/PartakePOD-Psalm113.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/iga4tj/DGR_Sermon_Romans6.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/ta7th/PartakePOD-Psalm014.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/w2chb8/Glimpses58.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/x6jzed/PartakePOD-Psalm128.mp3

http://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/yukp/PartakePOD-Psalm117.mp3

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/mf/web/3q5nfy/PBC20170625-Acts20.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/amgwp0/Partakers-Atonement04.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/c9ec0h/Partakers-Atonement03.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/eyx5kx/WW04_FatherGod.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/fyiadp/DIWG03.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/g7tnju/DIWG02.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/geqqw4/DIWG11.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hjnc7k/DIWG01.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/htigze/Partakers-Atonement01.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/i7appa/DIWG07.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jn73pw/DIWG10.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/t9aa0v/Partakers-Atonement05.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/tu4ia6/DIWG05.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/u62g6g/DIWG04.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wel9na/DIWG08.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wewhkb/Partakers-Atonement02.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/xuvm84/DIWG12.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/yl3b8w/DIWG09.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/zjknwy/Sermon-Psalm94-APrayerOfAnger.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/zqyouz/DIWG06.mp3

 

Archive - Atonement series

Archive - Atonement series

A series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement.

Podcast Edition Link

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement1/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement2/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement3/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement4/

https://davegroberts.podbean.com/e/atonement5/

Right mouse click or tap to download mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/htigze/Partakers-Atonement01.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wewhkb/Partakers-Atonement02.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/c9ec0h/Partakers-Atonement03.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/amgwp0/Partakers-Atonement04.mp3

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/t9aa0v/Partakers-Atonement05.mp3

Atonement 5 – Atonement is At-One-Ment

Atonement 5

Conclusion: Atonement is At-One-Ment?

Today we continue our series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement. We seek to explore what conclusions we can make concerning Jesus Christian, Atonement and people today.

We will look at 6 blessings and consequences because of the atonement and our acceptance of it: Atonement sealing; Atonement peace; Atonement reconciliation; Atonement salvation; Atonement gathering and Atonement life to come.

Come and listen to find out more!

Right mouse click or tap here to download as a mp3 file

 

Atonement 4 – Atonement and Jesus Christ

Atonement 4

Atonement and Jesus Christ

Today we continue our series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement, and continue to link to Jesus Christ.

As we sum up the atonement for sin because of Jesus, let’s look very briefly at just four words in our quest to explain and explore atonement. Remember, that the Church has been discussing this for the last 2000 years and will probably continue discussing it, trying to work it out until the Lord Jesus comes again.

We shall look at amazing expiation, satisfying propitiation, precious redemption and sufficient substitution. These 4 words can be summed up by the phrase Atonement love.

Atonement love is good news! When was the last time that you, as a Christian, told somebody else of this love

Right mouse click or tap here to download as a mp3 file

Atonement 3 – Atonement Today (Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 10:1-10)

Atonement 3

Atonement Today (Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 10:1-10)

Today we continue our series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement.

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)

Here we see in Romans, that salvation is for all who believe, regardless of who they are and regardless of social status and stature. Salvation is through faith alone by grace alone to any person of any age or nation, who put their trust in God alone through Jesus Christ alone. Jesus Christ alone and through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Declared righteous before God the Father, because of atonement through God the Son, Jesus Christ and Him alone.

In the podcast today we look at questions such as: what does Atonement mean for us today? What does Atonement have to do with salvation?

Right mouse click or tap here to download as a mp3 file to find out more.

Atonement 2 – What was the Day of Atonement?

Atonement 2

What was the Day of Atonement all about?

Today we continue our series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement, seeking to answer the question ”What was the Day of Atonement all about?”. Leviticus 16:1-10 starts by referring back to Leviticus 10, with the story of Abihu and Nadab, Aaron’s sons. Through their death, the Lord God states the fundamental principles for priests – only these priests could mediate for the nation before Him and they had to be spiritually and ceremonially clean, and as we have seen, do things obediently and properly. Worship of God was, and is, to be on God’s terms and His terms alone.

Could that describe our worship today – worship of God on His terms alone and not with our own self-defined terms and conditions, personally and corporately?

In this podcast we discover briefly together at the sacrificial offerings, why a sacrifice was necessary, the significance of blood, the role of Aaron and the work of the scapegoat.

 

Right mouse click or tap here to download as a mp3 file

Atonement 1 - Introduction and Day of Atonement

Atonement 1

Introduction and Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-10)

Today we start a series of 5 podcasts concerning that big Bible Word, Atonement. We shall endeavour to look together at what, why, how, when, who and so what of that word, atonement. Other religions, such as Islam, and the cults of Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses, have their own understanding, so it is a word not just used by Christians.

Atonement is to clean, cleanse, cover over, make amends, pacify, satiate, satisfy, to substitute and to bring about reconcilement. Amazing Atonement. Atonement can also be pronounced as at-one-ment, because atonement brings together as one, and it is also the state of ‘being at one’.

In the podcast today we look at the question: "Why is there a need for atonement in relation to God and humanity?" We then go on to start to look at the Day of Atonement as described to us in Leviticus 16:1-10. Come and listen!

 

Right mouse click or tap here to download as a mp3 file

Psalm 128 - Psalm on Demand

Psalm 128

A Song of Ascents.

Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways.
For you will eat the labor of your hands.

You will be happy, and it will be well with you.
Your wife will be as a fruitful vine,
in the innermost parts of your house;
your children like olive plants, around your table.

Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh.
May Yahweh bless you out of Zion,
and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel.

Right Mouse click or Tap here to save this as an audio mp3 file

 

Psalm 28 - Psalm on Demand

Psalm 28

28:1 To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me;

lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.

28:2 Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you,

when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

28:3 Don’t draw me away with the wicked,

with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors,

but mischief is in their hearts.

28:4 Give them according to their work,

and according to the wickedness of their doings.

Give them according to the operation of their hands.

Bring back on them what they deserve.

28:5 Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh,

nor the operation of his hands,

he will break them down and not build them up.

28:6 Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

28:7 Yahweh is my strength and my shield.

My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped.

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices.

With my song I will thank him.

28:8 Yahweh is their strength.

He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.

28:9 Save your people, and bless your inheritance.

Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.

Right mouse click to save/download this Psalm as a MP3 file