Episodes
Saturday Apr 08, 2023
Easter Part 3 - Why did Jesus go to the Cross?
Saturday Apr 08, 2023
Saturday Apr 08, 2023

Easter Part 3: Why did Jesus go to the Cross?
All human beings, in their natural state, are born sinners and have rebelled against God (Romans 3:23). However, because of Jesus’ death on the cross God offers forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), Peace (Romans 5:1) and reconciliation with Himself, so that we are no longer His enemies (2 Corinthians 5:19). Through the cross of Jesus Christ, and only through the cross, we are made just before God (Romans 3:24-26), it cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:7) and makes us right before Almighty God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Because of the Cross of Jesus Christ, we can have direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18) and Jesus Christ intercedes for us (Hebrews 2:17-18). Because of Jesus Christ’s death on a Roman cross, all those who follow Him have freedom from the power of slavery to sin (Galatians 5:1) and freedom from the power of the devil (Hebrews 2:14). None of the above things are true if a person does not follow Jesus.
The cross of Jesus Christ is amazing love in action and is ignored at great peril. Let us go forward in hope and faith, choosing deliberately not to boast in anything else, save only of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The wisdom of God as exhibited on and in the Cross of Jesus Christ, is foolishness but only to those who don’t accept it.
Come and listen to the podcast to hear more about this as we discover:
- There is a problem!
- There is a solution!
- Victory achieved!
- What should our response be to the cross of Jesus Christ?
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Friday Apr 07, 2023
Easter Part 2 - Jesus’ Trial Death and Crucifixion
Friday Apr 07, 2023
Friday Apr 07, 2023

Easter Part 2: Jesus’ Trial, Crucifixion, Death and Burial
These words were spoken of the coming Messiah, by the prophet Isaiah centuries before Jesus Christ.
See, my servant will act wisely he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (Isaiah 52:13-14)
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11)
Jesus Condemned
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face. (John 19:1-3)
Jesus Crucified
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. (John 19:16-19)
Jesus Buried
38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about thirty-five kilograms. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there.(John 19:38-42)
Download the Podcast to learn some details of these Scriptures concerning Jesus. Tomorrow we will look at some of the other character & events that happened around the cross, and investigate what Jesus’ death on a Roman cross two thousand years ago means for humanity today and why He had to die on a cross in the first place.
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Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Easter Part 1 - Jesus Prepares and Serves
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Thursday Apr 06, 2023

Easter Part 1: Jesus Prepares & Serves
1. Jesus Prepares
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’
13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks: where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’
19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’
20 ‘It is one of the Twelve,’ he replied, ‘one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. 25 ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(Mark 14:12-26)
The disciples needed a room within Jerusalem itself, and also required food - a lamb, bread, bitter herbs and wine. The Passover meal contains historical and theological symbolism regarding the death of Jesus. This is why this meal is the model for the central act of Christian worship, which is Holy Communion.
Listen to the podcast to hear:
- An outline of a Passover meal at the time of Jesus
- The significance of the Last Supper for us today
2. Jesus Serves
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’
7 Jesus replied, ‘You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’
8 ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’
9 ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’
10 Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.’ 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. (John 13:1-10)
As part of the custom of the day, a servant or slave usually undertook foot washing of guests. Since none of the disciples had done this, Jesus Himself undertakes the task (John 13:4-5). Peter is recalcitrant and resistant as always, and objects (John 13:6, 8). Peter learns that only those cleansed by Jesus and trusting in Him fully, can be a part of the kingdom (John 13:7, 9). As we look back at this episode, knowing what we do now of the Cross, we learn how this simple act of washing feet is symbolic of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross.
Download the Podcast to find out more about this act of service by Jesus and what it means for the Church today.
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Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
24. John’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Exploring The Bible
24. New Testament
Gospel of John - A.D. 80-90
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
- John 1:1-5
- John 20:28-31
John was writing his Gospel sometime after the other three writers, probably about AD 90. He had built up a considerable fellowship of disciples for whom he was now writing, so he is more concerned with the meaning of what happened than the facts behind the events. He presents the person and work of Jesus Christ in such a way that everyone should believe in Him as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
John’s argument portrays Jesus as the God-Man. John records miracles and messages that affirm both Jesus’ deity and humanity. He builds his record around Jesus’ public ministry, private ministry, the cross, and the resurrection. The result is a Gospel worthy of much careful thought and meditation.
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Monday Apr 03, 2023
25. Luke’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Exploring The Bible
24. New Testament
Gospel of Luke - AD 60-61
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
- Luke 1:3-4
- Luke 19:10
Luke presents Jesus as the God-Man, a saviour for the entire world. He writes primarily for Gentiles in the Roman and Greek world. He does this from a broad vantage point that is compatible with the fact that he is himself Greek.
Luke traces Jesus’ incarnation, introduction, public ministry, rejection, subsequent teaching in view of His rejection, the cross, resurrection and ascension. Even though a Gentile, Luke emphasizes the kingdom program, with Israel's place in the kingdom, but he makes it clear that the kingdom is for all people.
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Sunday Apr 02, 2023
26. Mark’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
Sunday Apr 02, 2023
Sunday Apr 02, 2023
Exploring The Bible
24. New Testament
Gospel of Mark - AD50-60
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
- Mark 8:34-36
- Mark 10:45
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of the Lord, coming in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus offers His miracles and his teaching as his credentials. He gathers His disciples, while proclaiming the Kingdom of God and its message.
Jesus teaches in short parables, which hide the truth from those hardened against Him, while at the same time preparing and instructing those responsive to Him. Jesus calls those who follow him to serve him by serving others and to deny themselves by taking up their own cross, just as He took up His. There is little about the resurrection in this Gospel, possibly because the end of the scroll has been lost.
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Saturday Apr 01, 2023
27. Matthew’s Gospel Introduction - New Testament - Exploring the Bible
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
Exploring The Bible
27. New Testament
Gospel of Matthew - AD50-60
G'day and welcome to our series, "Exploring the Bible" This is also the title of our latest book available on Amazon by clicking here or visiting PulpTheology.com
Key Verses:
- Matthew 1:23
- Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew writes primarily to Jews, presenting Jesus as the long waited for Messiah, predicted in the Old Testament. He also records Israel’s attitude towards Jesus as Messiah.
Matthew gives us the Jesus’ genealogy and proceeds to tell us about Jesus’ presentation, and authentication as the Messiah. Matthew tells of Israel's opposition to and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. This causes Jesus to reject Israel due to her unbelief. Matthew then records the death and resurrection of Christ. He concludes with Christ commissioning the disciples.
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Friday Mar 10, 2023
Poem - Jesus of the Scars
Friday Mar 10, 2023
Friday Mar 10, 2023
Jesus of the Scars
Edward Shillito (1872-1948),
Free Church minister in England during World War I:
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If we have never sought, we seek You now;
Your eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on your brow,
We must have You, O Jesus of the Scars.
The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Your Scars, we claim Your grace.
If, when the doors are shut, You draw near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Yours;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Your Scars, we know the countersign.
The other gods were strong; but You were weak;
They rode, but You did stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but You alone.
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Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Psalm On Demand - Psalm 32
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Thursday Mar 02, 2023
Psalm 32
32:2 Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn't impute iniquity,
in whose spirit there is no deceit.
32:3 When I kept silence, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
32:4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me.
My strength was sapped in the heat of summer.
Selah.
I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah.
32:6 For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you
in a time when you may be found.
Surely when the great waters overflow,
they shall not reach to him.
32:7 You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble.
You will surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah.
I will counsel you with my eye on you.
32:9 Don't be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding,
who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.
32:10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but God's loving kindness shall surrounds the man who trusts in Him.
2:11 Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous!
Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!
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Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Psalm on Demand - Psalm 51
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Psalm 51
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies,
blot out my transgressions.
51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
Cleanse me from my sin.
51:3 For I know my transgressions.
My sin is constantly before me.
51:4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned,
and done that which is evil in your sight;
that you may be proved right when you speak,
and justified when you judge.
51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity.
In sin my mother conceived me.
51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
51:9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all of my iniquities.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me.
51:11 Don’t throw me from your presence,
and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.
51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Uphold me with a willing spirit.
51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways.
Sinners shall be converted to you.
51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,
O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
51:15 Lord, open my lips.
My mouth shall declare your praise.
51:16 For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it.
You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
51:18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion.
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings.
Then they will offer bulls on your altar.