Partakers Christian Podcasts

Christmas Antiphon 5 Oriens - Partakers Bible Thought

The O Antiphons - 5. Oriens

In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I come" – looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The seven antiphons which we will look at individually over the next 7 days are:

• Sapientia - Wisdom
• Adonai - Holy Lord
• Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse
• Clavis David - Key of David
• Oriens - Morning Star
• Rex Gentium - King of the Nations
• Emmanuel - God with us

Today our Antiphon is Oriens.

 

5. O Oriens - Morning Star, splendour of eternal light and sun of justice, you came and illumined those seated in darkness and the shadow of death.

Old Testament readings are:

Isaiah 9:2 – The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Zechariah 6:12-13 - Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.”

Malachi 4:2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

New Testament readings are:

Luke 1:8-10 - Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.

John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’

Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

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Christmas Antiphon 4 Clavis David - Partakers Bible Thought

The O Antiphons

In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I come" – looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The seven antiphons which we will look at individually over the next 7 days are:

• Sapientia - Wisdom
• Adonai - Holy Lord
• Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse
• Clavis David - Key of David
• Oriens - Morning Star
• Rex Gentium - King of the Nations
• Emmanuel - God with us

Today our Antiphon is Clavis David.

4. O Clavis David - Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, who opens and no one shuts, who shuts, and no one opens, you came to free from prison, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

Old Testament readings:

Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 22:21-22 I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.

New Testament reading:

Revelation 3:20-21 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

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Christmas Antiphon 3 Radix Jesse - Partakers Bible Thought

The O Antiphons

In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I come" – looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The seven antiphons which we will look at individually over the next 7 days are:

• Sapientia - Wisdom
• Adonai - Holy Lord
• Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse
• Clavis David - Key of David
• Oriens - Morning Star
• Rex Gentium - King of the Nations
• Emmanuel - God with us

Today our Antiphon is O Radix Jesse.

3. O Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse, who stands as an ensign to the peoples, at whom kings stand silent and whom the gentiles seek: you came to free us, delay no longer!

Old Testament readings:

Jeremiah 23:5-6 “The days are surely coming,” says the LORD, ”when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ’The LORD is our righteousness.’”

Micah 5:1 - Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel upon the cheek.

New Testament reading:

Revelation 22:16-17 - “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

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Christmas Antiphon 2 Adonai - Partakers Bible Thought

The O Antiphons - 2. Adonai

In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I come" – looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The seven antiphons which we will look at individually over the next 7 days are:

• Sapientia - Wisdom
• Adonai - Holy Lord
• Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse
• Clavis David - Key of David
• Oriens - Morning Star
• Rex Gentium - King of the Nations
• Emmanuel - God with us

Today our Antiphon is Adonai.

2. O Adonai - Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the Law on Sinai, you came to redeem us with outstretched arms!

Our Old Testament readings are:

Exodus 3:1-4 - Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

Isaiah 11:3b - 5 He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.

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Christmas Antiphon 1 Sapientia - Partakers Bible Thought

The O Antiphons - 1. Sapientia

In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy. Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I come" – looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The seven antiphons which we will look at individually over the next 7 days are:

• Sapientia - Wisdom
• Adonai - Holy Lord
• Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse
• Clavis David - Key of David
• Oriens - Morning Star
• Rex Gentium - King of the Nations
• Emmanuel - God with us

Today our Antiphon is Sapientia.

 

1. O Sapientia - Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High God. You fill the universe and hold all things together in a strong yet gentle manner: you came to teach us the way of truth.

Our Old Testament readings are:

Isaiah 11:1-3 - A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—
and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 28:29 - All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 66

Psalm 66

For the Chief Musician. A song. A Psalm.

66:1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
66:2 Sing to the glory of his name! Offer glory and praise!
66:3 Tell God, "How awesome are your deeds! Through the greatness of your power, your enemies submit themselves to you.
66:4 All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name."

Selah.

66:5 Come, and see God's deeds- awesome work on behalf of the children of men.
66:6 He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. There, we rejoiced in him.
66:7 He rules by his might forever. His eyes watch the nations. Don't let the rebellious rise up against him.

Selah.

66:8 Praise our God, you peoples! Make the sound of his praise heard,
66:9 who preserves our life among the living, and doesn't allow our feet to be moved.
66:10 For you, God, have tested us. You have refined us, as silver is refined.
66:11 You brought us into prison. You laid a burden on our backs.
66:12 You allowed men to ride over our heads.
We went through fire and through water, but you brought us to the place of abundance.
66:13 I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you,
66:14 which my lips promised, and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress.
66:15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals, with the offering of rams, I will offer bulls with goats.

Selah.

66:16 Come, and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul.
66:17 I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue.
66:18 If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened.
66:19 But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer.
66:20 Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

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Partakers Bible Thought - Watch out Noah - Genesis 7

Watch out, Noah!!

Genesis 7:11-24

"Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out,· men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth." Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark." Genesis 7:23 

I wonder if you have ever been in a flood. I remember when as a boy growing up in rural Australia. Sometimes it would be dry for months and then suddenly rain would come, and come and keep on coming for days on end and the entire landscape would be flooded with water. One particular time, we were totally isolated from everyone, and nobody else was to be seen as far as the eyes could see. It was as if my family and I were the only people on earth, just like Noah and his family were.

Noah - How and why?

But how did Noah and his family happen to be in this ark and saved from dying in the flood? So let us put the passage before us into its context. Some time before, God had created the world and humans. Shortly after that man went against God's commandments and sinned against Him. This sinning process continued down through the generations of people.

As Genesis tells us "that every inclination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil all of the time." So God, in holiness, repented of his decision to make man and decided to wipe all living things from the earth. However one man, Noah, had continued to walk with God and was righteous. God, then commanded Noah to build an ark so as to keep him, his family and all types of creatures alive during the flood. Noah, whom the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us was a righteous and godly man, obeyed God and built the ark, gathered the animals, and entered the ark of safety with them and his family. So that is the background in which we come to today's passage. The story of the flood is one of the more well known stories of the Old Testament, and is particularly popular with children. But with it comes a series of messages that we learn from this section of the Bible in the 21st century?

God is a Judge

The first message we see is that God is a judge. The flood demonstrated that God is a righteous and just God, who will not tolerate evil. The flood showed that God means what He says: He gave man 120 years to repent, they did not, so they were judged. This judgment tells us that God is true to His Word. The flood was complete; God's judgement was complete.

The waters "rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered ... Every living thing that moved on the earth perished."

It is hard for us to conceive how such a great amount of water came to cover the earth. How the flood happened is a mystery. However God's judgement is not a mystery. We have seen here that the basis of God's judgement is the response of man to the revealed will of God. It is a thoroughly just and convincing thing. No doubt that when the waters of the flood started to appear everyone left outside the ark were panic struck and their mouths gaped open as they stopped in disbelief at the justice of God's judgement and feeling very sorry that they hadn't listened to the words of God through Noah.

God is a Deliverer

Our second message that we can refer to is that God is a deliverer. In fact, the ark is typical of our salvation through Christ in many ways. God designed the way of salvation, long before God revealed to Noah the judgment. Noah was saved because he fulfilled the requirements for salvation as given by God; the way of salvation provided a refuge from the judgement of God upon the world; the Lord "shut Noah in" to His salvation, a salvation that nothing or no one could take away. As the rain fell, Noah was safely in the ark. The rest of the world, however, could only watch as "for forty days the flood kept coming on the earth."

Noah, however, as the floodwaters grew, could look back on all the work he did in obedience to God and realize that it was not for nothing. He could look back at all the persecution that he suffered as he built the ark and count it not worth comparing to the glory of his salvation. He must have felt greatly honoured to receive from God deliverance from a judgement that he, as a sinner, deserved also. As the rain fell, he probably pondered God's mercy to him, asking, "Who am I, that I should be saved?"

New Testament Reflection

So far we have seen that God is both a judge and a deliverer. But what does that have to do with us, living several thousand years after the event? What possible connection is in there for us? Well, lets have a look at what the New Testament has to say about this episode in history?

Firstly Jesus quoted it in Mt 24:39, when He talked about the end of the age, when He will come again. In verse 37, He compares the flood with the coming of the Son of Man. There will again be two groups of people. There are those that are like Noah, who are prepared and saved; and those who are unprepared and lost. Secondly, Peter backed this up in his second letter, and added that the next judgement will not be with water, but fire for the destruction of all ungodly people (2 Peter 3:5-7). The godly people, will have a new home of righteousness to look forward to.

So What?

So let us recapitulate and then conclude. Firstly we have seen that God is a righteous judge. God, in His pure holiness, cannot tolerate sin and disobedience, and needs to judge it. He judged the earth with a flood several thousand years ago.

Secondly we learnt that God also delivers or saves. All through out history, even in the most ungodly times, God has always kept a remnant or group of people for Himself, and has always had a spokesperson ready to speak for Him. We learn this throughout the Old Testament, in the story of the people of Israel.

Thirdly we discovered what the New Testament teaches us about it. Jesus and the Apostle Peter, both referred to it. The writer of Hebrews, tells us that Noah was a man of faith, who lived in holy fear and was the heir of righteousness to a new world following the flood.

How then can we conclude? Today, as in the days of Noah we have 2 groups of people. Those of us who are Christians, who are His children safe in the arms of Jesus, and those who don't know about God's grace and mercy and are lost in the flood of sin. Some of us here today, have been Christians possibly only a couple of days or perhaps for decades. What are we doing, knowing that the judgement of Christ is coming? Are we like Noah, and obeying God and his commandments? Working out our faith, with fear and trembling. Are we showing people and telling the lost that God loves them, cares for them, and is coming back again to judge the earth with fire and righteousness. That is our work and mission as Christians.

Maybe you belong to the second group of people and you are not a child of God and safe in the 'ark' of Jesus. It is God's will for you to be safe, for He desires that nobody should be lost. You are still lost in the flood of sin, and do not yet know God as your Father? Sin is not obeying what God has revealed to be true. I implore you to turn to Him today! No-one knows when the next judgment day will be, just as in the days of Noah. It could be now, tomorrow or in another hundred years. No one knows when that judgment will be, only the all knowing and all wise God. The time for you to turn to Him is now. All you have to do is believe, accept that Jesus is God, and follow Him trusting that He will save you and then you will be safe in the God's modern ark. If that is you today, please do see one of the leaders or myself afterwards and we will be very happy to talk with you further! Thank you

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Partakers Prayer 8 October 2022 - Psalm 91

Psalm 91

91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

91:2 I will say of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."

91:3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence.

91:4 He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.

~

91:5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day;

91:6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.

91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you.

91:8 You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.

~

91:9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,

91:10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

91:11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.

91:12 They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won't dash your foot against a stone.

~

91:13 You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.

91:14 "Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name.

91:15 He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.

91:16 I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation."

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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 112

Psalm 112

Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,

Who cherish and relish his commandments,

Their children robust on the earth,

And the homes of the upright—how blessed!

Their houses brim with wealth

And a generosity that never runs dry.

 

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—

God's grace and mercy and justice!

The good person is generous and lends lavishly;

No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,

But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.

 

Unfazed by rumor and gossip,

Heart ready, trusting in God,

Spirit firm, unperturbed,

Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,

They lavish gifts on the poor—

A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.

 

An honored life! A beautiful life!

Someone wicked takes one look and rages,

Blusters away but ends up speechless.

There's nothing to the dreams of the wicked.

Nothing.

 

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Psalm On Demand - Psalm 38

Psalm 38

A Psalm by David, for a memorial.

1 Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.2
2 For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.
6 I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.
7 For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.

12 They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.
14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."
17 For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.
18 For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
21 Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me.
22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.

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