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Episodes
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Jesus Betrayed, Denied and Condemned
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 28 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we look briefly at Jesus being betrayed and denied by two of his closest friends and then condemned by both the religious and political authorities.
Jesus Betrayed Luke 22:1-6
Jesus Condemned
Jesus knew that his work of bringing people back to God in a loving relationship did not rest on the actions of a mere Roman governor. Overall, we see that Pilate was more concerned with his own position than he was for justice. Jesus is publicly rejected by the masses and by the religious authorities who proclaim publicly that Caesar is their only King, while forgetting that in reality, God is their King! Jesus is led away to die on his cross as a common criminal. ~
Come back tomorrow for Day 29 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We shall see together Jesus final moments before He goes to his crucifixion!
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Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Psalm 76
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song.
76:1 In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.
76:2 His tabernacle is also in Salem; His dwelling place in Zion.
76:3 There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war.
Selah.
76:4 Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game.
76:5 Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands.
76:6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.
76:7 You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?
76:8 You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent,
76:9 when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth.
Selah.
76:10 Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.
76:11 Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.
76:12 He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.
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Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Jesus Final Prayers 2
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 27 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we look briefly at Jesus prays for all future disciples.
John 17:20-26 “‘My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ‘Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.’
Jesus has prayed for Himself and for his disciples. Now Jesus prays for all those who have ever believed and also those who will become His followers as the fruit and seed of the disciples. As such, it brings all Christian disciples into intimacy with Jesus and a part of a dynamic relationship with Him. Jesus doesn’t just pray for the rich of faith but also for those who are weak of faith. Jesus’ prayer encompasses all believers, not just some – including the strong with the weak.
What does Jesus pray for all believers? Firstly Jesus prays for unity. That is unity on various levels. Firstly it is unity on the invisible, supernatural level (John 17:21-22). The lives of all Christian disciples are inextricably linked to each other, through the love and obedience of God the Son and God the Father through God the Holy Spirit who lives within all believers.
Christian disciples are united together because Jesus imparts upon them, the glory given to Him by God the Father (John 17:22). This unity is also physical, in so much as through a visible unity, people will come to know Jesus personally and take up the offer of reconciliation with God (John 17:21, 23). This unity is also physically seen, through the telling of the Gospel - a message of reconciliation between God and humanity (John 17:20). That is why different churches must be seen to work together – a visible sign of unity reflecting the invisible unity. Jesus’ prayer in verse 23 “bought to complete unity” seems to signify that this visible unity will be a process. Therefore all believers must be seeking to bring this unity forward.
Then Jesus prays that all believers will stay in Him and in God. When believers are united with God then we can also be united with each other. All believers are in God – Father, Son and Spirit. They are also in us – Father, Son and Spirit. All believers are branches of the same vine – Jesus. Remember recently when we talked about that? When those who are not believers see Jesus’ modern disciples loving others sacrificially, then unity is seen and it is an effective witness to the reality of reconciliation with God, and a vibrant living relationship with Him. And this relationship is borne of God’s love! The same love which God the Father has for God the Son! WOW!
As Jesus closes his prayers, He prays that the mission He has been on will be concluded. Jesus knows he is going to be betrayed, adjudged guilty by both the religious and secular authorities. Jesus knows he is going to be denied by one of his disciples before being condemned to die on a Roman cross. But that want be the end of the story. Jesus has been saying previously that God the Father will raise Him back to life again after death! Jesus wants all believers to see His glory, the glory He had at the beginning and the glory which he wanted his disciples to see! All believers and modern day disciples of Jesus are disciples and believers because of Jesus who has made known and manifest the love of God. There are those who do not know God the Father! Jesus is also praying for them, that they will see believers in action, showing God by loving all generously. Those who are strong are to support those who are weak and by doing so, manifest the love of God.
Come back tomorrow for Day 28 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We shall see together Jesus final moments before He goes to his crucifixion!
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Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
2 Why let the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3 Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.
4 Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.
5 They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.
6 They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell.
7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound.
8 And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.
10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.
11 All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the people of Israel and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly.
14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity.
17 The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.
18 But we can praise the Lord both now and forever!
Praise the Lord!
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Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Jesus Final Prayers 1
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 26 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we start looking briefly at Jesus final prayers in John 17:1-19.
Jesus prays for Himself: Jesus starts off by praying for Himself. Central to this part of His prayer is glorification. That is the glorification of Himself in order that God the Father who sent Him will be glorified. In effect, Jesus is saying “Father, may people see me for who I truly am, your Son. And may they also through Me, see Your true nature Father!”
Praying as He does, just before He knowingly goes to His death on the cross, shows the importance of the cross. For it is through the cross alone. Both God the Father and Jesus will be glorified. Jesus’ death on the cross reveals a God of love, faithfulness and forgiveness. John 17:4 reveals that it was this purpose that He came, in order to complete the work given. Jesus’ entire earthly life has been one to show divine love – to all people of every age and class. All Jesus’ works and words were completed without even a hint of hypocrisy. His entire life was driven by the desire to see sinful people turn to God for reconciliation and forgiveness. Jesus confidently prays that having laid aside His glory by taking on human form, He will return to God’s right hand, having achieved the work of redemption through the cross.
Jesus prays for His Disciples: Now Jesus turns to pray for His disciples. Note how He describes them: they were chosen by God Himself, seen God in Jesus and have received God’s words and obeyed them. Jesus prays that the disciples would be in the safe possession of both the Father and the Son. Despite misunderstanding frequently what Jesus was talking about, the disciples still managed to grasp that Jesus had come from God. Having taught that the disciples will endure persecution and suffering because they are His followers, Jesus prays for their safety.~ They will be safe, not because of their own cunning, character or conduct. They will be safe because of God’s care and protection. As the disciples were God’s possession, He will ensure that they are watched over and protected. This security is also borne from glorifying God and being witnesses for Him. By remaining loyal and obedient to Jesus, obedient to His teachings and telling others about Him, God’s name & nature will therefore protect the disciples. Jesus also prays that they may be filled with joy and be dedicated wholly and solely to Him. The disciples now have a mission and purpose to fulfil – to tell others about this Jesus. Remember they will not be left alone but have the Holy Spirit to counsel and clarify with them.
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Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Psalm 140
(As read by Pammy)
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140:1 Deliver me, Yahweh, from the evil man.
Preserve me from the violent man;
140:2 those who devise mischief in their hearts.
They continually gather themselves together for war.
140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent.
Viper’s poison is under their lips.
Selah.
140:4 Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked.
Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.
140:5 The proud have hidden a snare for me,
they have spread the cords of a net by the path.
They have set traps for me.
Selah.
140:6 I said to Yahweh, “You are my God.”
Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.
140:7 Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
140:8 Yahweh, don’t grant the desires of the wicked.
Don’t let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud.
Selah.
140:9 As for the head of those who surround me,
let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
140:10 Let burning coals fall on them.
Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits,
from where they never rise.
140:11 An evil speaker won’t be established in the earth.
Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
140:12 I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and justice for the needy.
140:13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name.
The upright will dwell in your presence.
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Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Jesus Prepares His Disciples 3
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 25 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we look briefly again at Jesus preparing His disciples for the coming few days and His departure from them.
John 16:5-17 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. “A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me.” Some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?”
Jesus is will soon be leaving them. He has told them that they are to keep on loving one another and keep on being obedient to Him. This would be evidence that they are indeed His disciples. He has warned them that they will be persecuted for being His disciples. Jesus has encouraged His disciples by saying he will send the Holy Spirit to be with them, to help them testify about Him.
But, as noted by Jesus Himself, no matter how many times he has told them he is leaving, not one of them has asked where He is going. He has also noted that they are full of sorrow. But Jesus continues with his encouragement about the Spirit who is to come after He has left them!
At the time the disciples still didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about, but they would soon understand completely! The Spirit who would come and live within the disciples, would clarify and proclaim all about Jesus’ teachings and works to them. He would testify about Jesus’ death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Jesus explains that while He could only be at one place physically at a time, the Spirit could be everywhere at once – regardless of where the disciples were when separated from each other! It was better the Spirit to be in them, than to have Jesus beside them physically!
Jesus announces that the Holy Spirit would speak to the hearts of the disciples and to their fruit. This signifies the intimacy between the holy God and– the disciples and their fruit – that is all believers! The Holy Spirit will come and work in the world, convincing people of their sin (John 16v8); that they are separated from a holy & righteous God (John 16v10) and also in that Satan and all who follow him have already been judged by God!
Once bought to faith, the Holy Spirit will perform several tasks for the Disciples. He will guide them into all truth and develop what is coming in the future (John 16:13). The New Testament is the product of this work and that through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For us today, as fruit of the disciples, the Holy Spirit helps us to apply the Bible to their life in order that Jesus Christ be glorified (John 16v14). The Holy Spirit always ensures that Jesus is glorified! He makes Jesus known – Jesus’ righteousness, power and glory will be the disciples – and also their fruit!
Yes, the twelve disciples will experience sorrow and loss when Jesus is put on trial, crucified and dead. But after the resurrection, their sorrow will turn to great joy – similar to the exceeding joy after the pains of childbirth!
Not only His presence, but the disciples would also have His provision! Through answered prayer, joy abounds (John 16:24)! Prayer will be of necessary importance for the disciples as it is a way to ensure unabated joy – joy even amidst suffering and trouble!
The disciples finally started to understand what Jesus was talking about! They understood that Jesus had perfect Godly knowledge of all things! Though Jesus’ knowledge of their thoughts reveals that their faith was still quite weak and insipid. One more time, Jesus tells them that He is leaving. Indeed, His departure will be soon! One last warning about the time of persecution to come but the disciples are to be of great joy, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16v33) and nothing can prevail against Him! If the disciples abide with Jesus, then nothing will prevail against Him and He will protect and provide for them.
Come back tomorrow for Day 26 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We shall start to see together Jesus in his final prayers! See you soon at Partakers!
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Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the LORD had not been on our side-
let Israel say-
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,
3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Jesus Prepares His Disciples 2
Welcome back to our series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 24 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Today we look briefly again at Jesus preparing His disciples for the coming few days and His departure from them
John 15:18–16:4 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It is to fulfil the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’ But when the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.
Disciples will suffer for the kingdom
Having spoken of love and bearing fruit, Jesus now declares a warning to His disciples and the context into which He is sending them. They will learn, if they were not already aware, that opposition to Jesus’ message was unavoidable. Their first opposition would be that of world. As His Disciples, Jesus said, they were called out from the world (John 15v19). They belonged to a different place and were heading for a different place. His disciples have been called into His kingdom – the kingdom of God. ~
Secondly, opposition was to be expected simply because of who Jesus was (John 15:21). Just as His Disciples shared in the life of Jesus so will they share in His persecution by being persecuted themselves. If the world treated Jesus in such a way, then the world would also treat His disciples that way (John 15v20-21). Jesus’ disciples would go and do great things for the Kingdom of God, just as Jesus did, and suffer the persecution for it. Not only had Jesus’ teachings been rejected by the religious leaders, but so had his miracles and good works. These people were not only in opposition to Jesus, the Son of God, but also in opposition to God the Father! The Disciples were not to be like that!
Thirdly, opposition comes through revealing evil. Jesus, as the Light of the World, had exposed evil and sin through His words (John 15v22) and works (John 15v24). At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus commanded all those who follow Him, to also be “lights of the world” (Matthew 5v14-16). This was to be done by consistently ensuring that their works and words matched their lifestyle. Opposition brings persecution, is the warning Jesus gives His disciples. The law predicted that the Jewish people would reject Jesus.
Then Jesus gives them some good news and encouragement! They will persevere, because His Disciples will not be alone. Jesus and the Father will send the Spirit, the Comforter! Jesus will be with them to help them through the Spirit! The Spirit will be a witness for Jesus and testify about Him! But, the disciples would also need to testify and witness about the works and words of Jesus Christ. They were to be the audible voice of the Holy Spirit who would live inside them!
Why is Jesus preparing them? He is preparing His disciples so they do not fall away from him. His disciples would be excommunicated from the synagogues and possibly killed for following Jesus. All this would be done, Jesus says, because they are blindly thinking they are serving God. But they do not know God, because they hadn’t known Jesus – they had rejected Him. When the time of persecution comes, they will remember what Jesus has said. Previously all persecution had fallen on Jesus, but when He departs back to the Father, it will fall on them! Ergo, it was necessary that Jesus prepared His disciples for that time coming shortly when they would be persecuted for loving and following Him.
Come back tomorrow for Day 25 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We shall see together Jesus continuing to prepare His disciples for when He leaves them! See you soon at Partakers!
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Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Psalm 2
This Psalm speaks of the glories of the Messiah to come! It speaks of Jesus, who we know to be the Messiah that the Psalmist is speaking about!
1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying, “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.
4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:
6 “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
7 I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.