G’day and welcome to Partakers Christian Podcasts! Join us for uplifting Bible teaching, inspiring readings, heartfelt worship, powerful prayers, and fascinating church history. Whether you’re new to faith or growing deeper in your journey, we’re here to encourage and equip you. 🎧 Tune in, interact, and be inspired—wherever you are in the world.
Episodes
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
3 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 3
1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations:
before I was born the LORD called me;
from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, ‘You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.’
4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due to me is in the LORD’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.’(Isaiah 49:1-4)
We are now in what is called "the second Servant song!" We discover in here the Servant Himself is speaking! We have no idea of his actual name, but He does have a name (Isaiah 49:1)! In the first Servant song, with the dispensing of justice as part of His identity, the Servant is a King! But not just a King, something more as well! In this song, the Servant appears as if He is a prophet by the things He is saying. He was called Isaiah 49:1) just as Jeremiah was. The words He speaks are as if a double-edged sword (Isaiah 49:2). Despite the opposition (Isaiah 49:4), He perseveres to gain the reward and to glorify God (Isaiah 49:3).
What is His name? We find His name is Israel! Not as in the nation of Israel itself, but as a person who embodies all that Israel was meant to be and do. This Servant would glorify God in all His ways. This servant is a Prophet who is also a King. This Servant is a perfect incarnation of God’s light, covenant and salvation.
In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 49:1-13 about the Mission of the coming Messiah, why He is coming and how that relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.
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You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Thursday Dec 02, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
2 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 2
1 ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.’(Isaiah 42:1-4)
In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 42:1-9 about the identity of the coming Messiah and how that relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.
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You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Wednesday Dec 01, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
1 December 2021
Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 1
In the podcast today we start to look at what 2 people from the Old Testament had to say about the events of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. These two people we know as Isaiah and Zechariah. Throughout the Old Testament, we see that the birth, life and mission of this Messiah is the aim and focus of attention. The whole Old Testament is joined together, because it all speaks about this Messiah baby, Jesus Christ. This baby, who was both 100% human and 100% divine, who later would grow in wisdom and stature. We start this adventure together by looking at an introduction to these two books of the Bible, Isaiah and Zechariah.
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You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Partakers Christmas Thought
30 November 2021
Church Worship - O Antiphons
In the podcast today we continue celebrating Advent and Christmas with some ancient Christian worship! These seven O antiphons each address 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 shall be (with you)" – looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ.
The seven antiphons are:
- Sapientia – Wisdom (Isaiah 11:1-3; Isaiah 28:29)
- Adonai - Holy Lord (Exodus 3:1-4; Isaiah 11:3b; Isaiah 33:22)
- Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:1; Revelation 22:16-17)
- Clavis David - Key of David (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 22:21-22)
- Oriens - Morning Star (Isaiah 9:2; Zechariah 6:12-13; Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:8-10; John 8:12; Hebrews 1:3)
- Rex Gentium - King of the Nations (Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 28:16; Haggai 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:14-16)
- Emmanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:13-14; Matthew 1:23; John 3:16; Acts 4:11-12)
Come listen and interact with an attitude of worship and prayer, and make them an act of your worship of Jesus today!
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You can now purchase our book about the story of Christmas by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Friday Nov 26, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
26 November 2021
Rachel’s Story
14 After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’
19 Laban said, ‘It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’ 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.’
22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant.
25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?’
26 Laban replied, ‘It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder one. 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.’
28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
(Genesis 29:14-30)
The story of Rachel is like that of a soap opera! Rachel had a fairly complicated family structure. Rachel's sister Rebekah was Jacob's mother. Rebekah trained Jacob to scheme in order to gain his father's blessing and promised him that she would take the results of the deceitful act upon herself. Rachel became Jacob's wife, but only after Laban had tricked him into marrying Leah, the older daughter first. We can wonder if Rachel encouraged Jacob in his trickery, or if she was influenced by him to think first of herself at the expense of others. Whether his mother and/or his wife influenced Jacob, or indeed if he influenced them, both Rebekah and Rachel serve as examples of the outcome of sinful deceit and discontent.
In the podcast today we will look briefly at the story of Rachel and discover together more about her and how she overcame many things against her. We delve into her story and see three things that epitomise why she is part of salvation history in the leadup to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about Rachel, a woman of faith, and what we can learn from her as we live as a Christian in the 21st century.
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You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
25 November 2021
Thanks to God for Ruth
16 But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.’ 18 When Naomi realised that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (Ruth 1:16-18)
The book of Ruth is a cameo story of love, devotion and redemption set in the black days of the Judges. It tells the story of a pagan woman giving up everything to cling to the people of Israel and to God Himself and it shows her faithfulness when the nation was faithless.
Today we are going to learn about Ruth and her obedience. Indeed elsewhere in Scripture it says that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). The story of Ruth celebrates the gentle beauty of love and loyalty between individuals, and it shows the positive power of obedience to God for both personal fulfilment and wider blessing. By committing herself to Naomi, as well as to Naomi's God, Ruth found satisfaction in service. Instead of losing her identity by her voluntary and complete submission, Ruth's place in Israel and history is confirmed.
In the podcast today we will look briefly at four aspects of the obedience of Ruth, that we living as Christians today would be wise to copy as we seek to follow this God with obedient lives that are worthy of Him.. Please do listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about this aspect of living as a Christian in the 21st century.
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You can now purchase our book about being a Christian by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
7 November 2021
Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 7
Concluding Reflections
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: “I am the LORD your God. 3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. 4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. 5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.
30 Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practised before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.”’ (Leviticus 18:1-5, 30)1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
37 ‘“Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the Lord.”’ (Leviticus 19:1, 37)
In the last podcast, we looked at two ways Christians can be show they are obedient and faithful to God as evidence of their love of God: to carry their cross daily and to tell others about Jesus. We started these reflections in Leviticus 18-19 by looking at the ancient people of Israel, who were not to be like the surrounding nations in areas of life such as food & diet, immigration, sex and social etiquette . Ancient Israel was to administer justice fairly and make sure the poor were helped and nobody was in need. We saw that God is holy and that ancient Israel were to be holy through joyful obedience to God. That was the command from God: "Be holy as I am holy. You are to do as I would do."
We went on to see that the Church today, individually and collectively, are to do similarly. Particularly loving other people. All other people. Including other Christians. Not a plastic love but a real love. A love such as that which God shows the world – deep seated, open, honest and sacrificial.
Today we look at how we Christians can go out with joy and wonder, to love others radically and practically. Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God and following Him.
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You can now purchase our book on Leviticus by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
6 November 2021
Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 6
Reflect God – Love Practically (2)
16 ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Mark 10:16-20)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20)
In the last podcast, we looked at ancient Israel having to be obedient and faithful to God as evidence of their love of God. We left with a question “How can we love God faithfully and obediently?” Today we look at just two ways in which we as Christians can show our love of God?
Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God and following Him.
Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file
You can now purchase our book on Leviticus by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
5 November 2021
Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 5
Reflect God – Love Practically (1)
16 ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Mark 10:16-20)
We left the last podcast with a question “How can we reflect and practise this love?” Firstly, love is faithful. In our journey through Leviticus, Israel was to be faithful to God. We have seen the ancient Israelites being given a new identity, which would have seen them stand out amongst the nations. So too with us today, as we have also gained a new identity when we chose to become a Christian.
Together we explore questions such as: How can we as Christians overcome difficulties and opposition? How can we remain faithful to God in making decisions? How is faithfulness to Jesus Christ observed? What does whole life worship entail? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God and following Him.
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You can now purchase our book on Leviticus by clicking or tapping on this link here which will take you to Amazon!
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
4 November 2021
Joy Gets Its Hands Dirty Part 4
Reflect God – Love God and love your neighbour
18 ‘“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.
32 ‘“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. 33 ‘“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not ill-treat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. 35 ‘“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. 36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin.] I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. 37 ‘“Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.”’ (Leviticus 19:18, 32-37)
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ 29 ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’ (Mark 12:28-31)
We left the last podcast with a question. How is personal holiness shown? Today that is what we investigate together. Leviticus 19, starts off with instructions about taking care of the poor. God was going to provide for the poor. How? The farmers were to leave some of the crop or vineyard unharvested and it was to be a symbolic act of worship, a thanksgiving and a visible sign of trusting in God to supply. It was a generous holiness in action. This whole section is summed up in Leviticus 19:18, “love your neighbour as yourself”. Neighbour being any other person, not just the person who lived next door.
Together we explore questions such as: What did it mean for ancient Israel for them to love their neighbour? Why were they love their neighbour as themselves? Who were ancient Israel’s neighbours? What makes a good neighbour? What does this mean for Christians today? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about God and following Him.
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