Partakers Christian Podcasts

A God of Love - Partakers Bible Thought

God is Love!

 

The world is in love, with love! Love sells everything! But what, or rather, who, started love? God did! The Bible tells the story of this God of love and we are going to very briefly in our time together talk about this great subject! Perhaps more books are written about the love of God than anything else! How is God love?  God is a trinity or tri-unity! That is, God is a living, vibrant and dynamic community of love! Every activity of the Trinity is an expression of love. God loves because that is His very nature. God the Father loves God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God The Son loves God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit loves both God the Father and God the Son. A perfect community of love.

Description of God's Love

God's Love as described throughout the Scriptures

• Unfailing - Psalm 119:41 Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.
• Everlasting - Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
• Intimate - John 14:21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.
• Sacrificial - Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
• Unbreakable - Romans 8:35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
• All-conquering - Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
• Personal - Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Great - Ephesians 2:4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
• Immeasurable - Ephesians 3:18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
• All knowing - Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

JI Packer - "God's love is an exercise of His goodness towards individual sinners, whereby having identified Himself with their welfare, He has given His Son to be their Saviour, and now brings them to know and enjoy Him in a personal covenant relationship."

How is God's love seen?

• It is seen supremely in the Cross of Jesus Christ, when He died for the sins of the world. Supreme love overcoming all that is not love.
• It is seen in the love that people have for others. When you hold somebody's hand or give that telephone call just to say hello - that is love.. Even with all the acts of evil in the world, love is all around. You can see it at the arrival halls of airports where family members meet each other. You can see it in the cafes where friends meet for conversation. You can see it as couples get married. Love exists even in the middle of that chaos, turmoil and hatred. Yes there are people filled with hatred and commit acts of unmitigated evil - but even those people have experienced love of some kind despite their not remembering it, being aware of it or even in spite of it! Even if it was the guiding hand of their parents to alert them from danger or the greeting of a close friend.
• Going further, the love of God is seen when Christians, who proclaim their love of God, love others. Churches are also to be enabling radical love in their communities! Not a love which is impractical but a love which is self-sacrificing! A love mirroring that of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is by helping supplying the practical needs of others, even to the point when it hurts to give! 1 John 3v16-18 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.

Love is tough!

Love is not wishy-washy though! Love is tough! When Jesus died on the cross, that was tough love as He died. Love involves discipline such as the guidance of a parent stopping their child from putting their hand on a hot pan. Avail yourself of God's love today and more importantly show the love of God to others today! A kind word, a surprise gift or an helpful act! God's love releases us from the things that entangle our daily walk with Him. The more you hold onto His love, the more you will desire it and the more it will be revealed in your daily life. Your love in action today, reflects God's love in action on the cross. Go and love - to the glory of God! Love not just in words but also in practise! Love all that you come in contact with - practical love showing a loving God in action.  By loving others, we help heal this broken world we live in with all its traumas, natural disasters and conflicts. Love.

 

Right mouse click or tap here to download as a MP3 audio file

Encounters with Jesus - Bible Thought

Jesus’ Encounters

We know Jesus spoke to and interacted with large crowds. The Sermon on the Mount, the feeding of large crowds just a couple of examples. But we also have records of his encounters with individuals and their reaction to him. People who we talk to about Him, often have three reactions: rejection (either in sorrow or anger); more to think about it; and acceptance. We are going to look at two encounters that we find in the Gospels, what Jesus had to say to them and their subsequent reactions: his encounter with the rich young ruler and his meeting with Nicodemus. Next time we will look at two examples of those who accepted and believed in Him.

1. Rich young ruler Matthew 19:16-26 Mark 10v17-22 Luke 18:18-27

Mark 10v17: As Jesus started on his way; a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.'"

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

 

This story is in all three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Luke describes him as a wealthy ruler (Luke 18v18-27). Matthew describes him as a young man (Matthew 19v16-26). In Mark’s account, he is simply a man (Mark 10v17-22). Put altogether that makes him a rich young ruler. He runs up to Jesus and falls on his knees before Him. He wants eternal life, wants it now and so asks Jesus about it. When he calls Jesus a good teacher, Jesus responds “No one is good—except God alone.”

Now Jesus could have been correcting the young man, but more likely Jesus was asking: “Do you know what you are saying and how close to the truth about me you are?” This young man had fully kept the commandments listed by Jesus (Mark 10v19). However when Jesus said to the young ruler that in order to follow Him, he would have to give up all his wealth in order to have treasure in heaven and eternal life, the man left rejected.

That was a step too far for the rich young ruler. He wanted his riches and also eternal life but Jesus said he couldn’t have both. He remains the only man who left Jesus’ presence sorrowful, and that due to putting his trust in his riches & wealth alone. Now riches are not necessarily wrong but they do make trusting fully in God very difficult (Mark 10v23).

2. Nicodemus John 3v1-21

John 3v1-3: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.^[

Nicodemus wants to know more about Jesus and investigate Him personally, instead of following the majority of the other Jewish leaders. What do we know about Nicodemus?

• Member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin
• A leading teacher and learned scholar of the Scriptures
• From other sources we know he may well have been from a family of wealthy landowners
• Protested against Jesus’ condemnation without a trial (John 7v50-52)
• Took gifts to anoint Jesus’ body (John 19v39-40)

Nicodemus was probably one of the many looking for a kingdom of God based around a political Messiah; hence him admitting that due to his miraculous signs, Jesus must have been from God. They wanted a Messiah who was a political leader who would lead Israel to be a shining light for the whole world to come to Jerusalem and worship the one true living God. However, Jesus corrects Nicodemus and says that it is not through a new Israel that God’s kingdom will be seen, but by being “born again”.

Three times in this conversation, Jesus repeats about being “born again”. What does “born again” mean?

• It is not a physical rebirth and nor is it merely a turning over a new leaf.
• It is not baptism because Jesus has not instituted baptism yet!
• It is the new covenant, which Nicodemus should have known about it (Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36). It is being born with water and spirit – cleansed of sin and indwelt with the Holy Spirit
• It is being born from above, which is looking to the one who has come down from heaven. For the phrase “born again” can also be translated “born from above”.
• It is looking to Jesus and trusting in him just as the ancient Israelites were saved by looking at the bronze snake (Numbers 21v8)
• It is on an individual basis just as physical birth is. Nobody knows the date and time of their own birth unless they are told by somebody!

Jesus seemed astonished that the teacher didn’t already know that, being as Nicodemus was a highly educated and learned teacher!

 

So there we have 2 different reactions to Jesus: The rich young ruler who left full of sorrow; the Jewish leader who left with more to think about regarding this Jesus. In each encounter, Jesus is remarkably comfortable with all two people. He loved the rich young ruler (Mark 10v21)His love surrounded them, just as His love surrounds all people today. His message of salvation, through Him alone, is for everybody of all time.

 

For more to think about please do ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.

 

Q1. Please read Mark 10v17-22. What things may be hindering me from fully trusting in God for all things?

Q2. Read John 3v1-21. What does this Scripture tell me about God’s salvation?

Q3. How does Jesus’ approach to telling people about salvation inspire me to do likewise?

Poem - Home

Home

By: Christi Armstrong

Recited by Jenny

 

Some unforgivable idea

beckons from beyond my pain.

My attention centers on the darkness that suffocates my brain.

Come with me, I hear a voice say,

as it injects me deeper into the fathoms

of my hidden experiences.

"Hello Sweetheart,"

the voice invades my head.

"How was your day? Is your heart doing well?"

I hope.

 

Another voice calls.

Come with me. Listen to the rain.

It waits patiently to drown your being.

My mouth opens,

To the vain pressure of silence, the thief of my intent to protest.

Life, vitality, love spin in my stomach,

dizzy, with no place to go.

My feeble attempt to escape

plunges me deeper into my leech dried veins.

My panicked heart cramps,

grasping for the crimson oasis that taunts my survival.

Desperately,

I cling as my lungs collapse,

in a bed of eternal delirium.

Pale eyes look up,

confused at the figure before me.

His soft compassion, invites and assures me.

He clasps my hand in His.

Through the numbness I can hear his quiet voice,

longingly call my name.

"It's time to go child",

he encourages,

as I gingerly touch the hole in his hand.

My pain gone, I look to Him.

"I'm ready,"

I cry,

as gently He pulls me into His peace.

My Abba Father,

my daddy and I cross the rocky shores

of earthly existence, together.

He sets me down and holds me at his side as quietly,

I gaze into His promise of gold.

My knees cave beneath me.

My face on his perfect feet,

those feet that faithfully carried my life,

my breath, my soul,

with each step that I did not deserve.

"Well done, my daughter",

His majestic voice soothes,

"welcome home!"

Right mouse click or tap here to save this Poem as a MP3.

The Lord’s Prayer - Partakers Bible Thought

The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen.

Luke 11:2-4
‘“Our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”

What we call the "Lord's Prayer" is a prayer which is common to all churches of all denominations, just as it is known to those of others faiths and indeed, no faith at all. This prayer is recorded for us by both Matthew and Luke. Luke’s account is written to enlighten those who need to know how to pray, and Gentiles were his main readership. Matthew however is writing primarily to Jews who knew how to pray but wanted to know how to pray correctly. So that is where we are today

Download the mp3 using the link below to hear the rest of this message...

Click or Tap here to listen to or download this as an audio mp3 file~

1 Chronicles 29 - King David’s Final Prayer - Bible Thought

David's Final Prayer

1 Chronicles 29:10-20

Introduction

Welcome as we look into this great, and perhaps last, public prayer of the great King David! It is a fabulous piece of Scripture, I am sure you agree, that tells us a lot about God we as Christians claim to know and love, as well as how we are to respond to Him. Originally 1 & 2 Chronicles were one book. It was the final book of the Jewish Canon, probably written by Ezra and was also known as the "the events of the days", "the things omitted" which would suggest that Chronicles were to be regarded as additional to the books of Kings and Samuel. It's a book which was written for those from the nation of Israel who are now in exile, to remind them of their spiritual heritage - the journey & history of Israel as a nation. For us though, not least I, it issues certain challenges to us all.

Right mouse click or tap here to download this sermon

Here is the great king David!

What has happened so far?

1. WOW factor of God! (v10-13)

2. David - its all God (v14-20)

3. So what?

Firstly, we saw the wow factor of God: a God who exudes greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty. Then we saw David's utter adoration and dependence upon the God that he knows intimately. So, finally, what does all this have to do with us? How often do we receive from our God, but not thank Him for it? We are to be thankful for every good gift that is given to us. We offer praises and thanks to Him, for who He is and for His generosity and grace towards us. Tonight's bible passage was a superb piece of thanksgiving.

When was the last time you thanked God for all the things He has given you? How can we put this thanks and praise into action? Lets see quickly! Firstly, I am convinced there are enough wealthy Christians sitting in churches in the West, who could make significant donations and virtually eradicate a lot of the poverty in the developing world and indeed their own countries. This would be active Christian giving on a radical scale. In biblical stories, such as this from 1 Chronicles 29, its always those who had the most, gave the most as an example to others of God's generosity. After all, God owns it all anyway and it's only given as a loan from God and not a transference of ownership.

As Christians, we are to desire to mature spiritually - growing in adoration, obedience and commitment to God. Perhaps the greatest indicator of today, concerns our giving. Giving is to be done whole-heartedly and cheerfully. It is also not so much about how much is given, but how much is left after giving and the attitude behind it. God looks beyond that which is given to the motive and attitude behind it. All our money and possessions belong to Him anyway, as we have seen, so giving is to be in response to this. Our money and possessions are a leasehold agreement not a freehold one. Giving done willingly is also not done to boost our own egos or for the feel-good factor, but rather to bring glory and honour to God as a thankful response to His giving all things to us.

Many prayers seemingly go unanswered because God is waiting on people to be obedient to Him, in order to answer the unanswered prayers of others. . We are to be generous with everything we have, not just in the area of money but with our very lives. We all have time, information, knowledge imagination, gifts and talents. All these too are to be given back to God . That may well take radical action to do, but radical giving is what we are called to do. God has given everything so that you and I may live and have life, so by caring and giving, we will reflect that. Let's be radical church together and encourage others to be likewise.

But, as we have seen, it's not only about giving money and resources. Giving is also to include skills, information, imagination and knowledge. Remember, the priests and craftsmen were waiting to give in the building of and service within the Temple. Churches, particularly these days, need to capture the imagination of those looking for a church home, and get them involved. Involvement in such a way that it builds up commitment to God and a growing adoration of Him. If people are involved, they will stay. It means training them up, to be fit for service within the church. If training for service doesn't occur, then commitment and dedication to God is likely to be diminished. If the same people do the same thing year after year, that local church will eventually die out. Each local church is only one generation away from closing its doors permanently. Giving, as we saw in tonight's passage, is also a community affair. This Church is to be a community, both within the church and outside of it, where the strongest members support the weakest members - including their time, possessions, money, knowledge and wisdom.

But, as we also saw tonight, it is not just for leaders to give! Giving is to be for everyone! Every church has a fantastic array of knowledge, wisdom, possessions and imagination. Let us share that with people outside the church. Who knows what our caring and giving will do for them as it reflects the glory of God! Too often, we are found turning a blind eye to the suffering of others where the necessities of life are in sparse existence. Too often we neglect to give up our personal space, time, imagination, information and money generously to help the poor and needy in our local, national and global communities. By doing this giving collectively, we will show our faith to be real and practical. There are people out there in our local community just waiting for somebody to give generously to them. We need to be seen to be radically giving to all - of our money, our possessions, and also our time, imagination, knowledge, practical help, care and love. Let us show our relevance to our local community, particularly at this time of Corona Virus Pandemic. So if I could summarise all this up in one sentence, it would be something like this

"Ask not only what your God can give to you,

but what great things you can do and give to your God."

Right mouse click or tap here to download this sermon

Poem - Jesus of the Scars

Jesus of the Scars

Edward Shillito (1872-1948),

Free Church minister in England during World War I:

Right mouse click or tap here to download this as an audio mp3

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.

Right mouse click or tap here to download this as an audio mp3

Bible Reading - Psalms 96 to 100

Psalm 96 to Psalm 100

Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection!

 

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 96

1 Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

 

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 99

1 The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
2 Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name –
he is holy.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 32

Psalm 32

32:1 Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
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.

32:5 I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn't hide my iniquity.
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.

32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go.
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!

Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.

You can also click or tap here to visit this page on our site and download all Psalms as CD quality MP3

You can now purchase our books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site!

Psalm on Demand - Psalm 51

Psalm 51

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51:1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
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.

Right mouse click or tap here to save this Podcast as a MP3.

Psalm On Demand - Psalm 16

Psalm 16

1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

Right Mouse click or tap here to save this as a mp3 file

You can now purchase our Partakers books!

Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site!

Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!