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Episodes
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Giving
Time, possessions and money
Giving is seemingly one of the three forbidden subjects for Christians to discuss in the 21st century! The other two being sex and power. Jesus talked about all three often!
Every person has in differing quantities: time, talent, possessions and money. In relationship to giving, the Church is to be a community where the strongest members support the weakest members. This applies not only to the local church, but also at a national and international level as well.
Too often, even as Christian Disciples we are found turning a blind eye to the suffering of others where the bare necessities of life are in sparse existence. Too often we gather possessions and people, instead of giving up our time and money generously to help the poor and needy of both our world and local communities. Too often we keep our time and talents selfishly to ourselves instead of giving them to others in need.
Spiritual Growth Indicator
Perhaps the greatest indicator of spiritual growth in the Christian Disciple concerns their giving – particularly financial giving. Paul writing to the Corinthians commands that giving is to be done whole-heartedly and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). WOW! For the Christian Disciple, it is not so much how much is given, but how much is left after giving. God looks beyond the amount that is given to the motive and attitude behind the giving. All of our money, time, talents and possessions belong to God anyway, so giving is to be in response to this. Giving is to be done out of love for God. Paul offers in 1 Corinthians 16:2 a three-point system for giving financially: regularly, methodically and proportionately.
Failure to give back to God's work what He has given the Christian Disciple in the first place, robs God (Malachi 3:8). The reason it robs is because the giving cannot be used to support those who are working for God. As a result of giving, the Christian Disciple will be blessed (Malachi 3:10) and have their needs satisfied (Philippians 4:19).
Old Testament
In the Old Testament, Widows were important to God, because justice is important to God as He is a God of perfect justice and consummate mercy. In the Old Testament, under the Law of Moses, God commanded provision for those who were widows, oppressed or uncared for.
The 12 Apostles would have known about God caring for the widows and through Jesus’ teaching about justice for the poor and the oppressed. We know this because if you read the Book of Acts, people were selling and sharing possessions and ensuring that all people within the Christian community were being looked after and cared for. This included making sure that everyone got fed, particularly those who had no family to care for them. And it was not just for those within the church – but from the wider community!
New Testament
The New Testament church made sure that financial giving was done and that the poor, the oppressed, the lonely and the widows were taken care of. People working fulltime for the Lord, were given recompense by others for their efforts. People gave. Paul in Romans 12:6-8 places giving as a spiritual gift! I wonder how many people have asked specifically for that particular gift. Perhaps it’s the least asked for gift; after all it isn’t one of the supposedly spectacular ones!
You and I
How are you doing? How is your giving of your time, your talents, your possessions and your money on a local, national and international level? The get out clause for a lot of Christians is that it would not be good stewardship to give to that person or that cause. Or they say the passages in the book of Acts are only descriptive of that particular time and have no relevance for us today.
Each of us has in varying quantities: time, talents, possessions and money. How is your giving of those to others doing? God gave everything so that you and I may have life and life in abundance. So by giving generously of your time, your talents, your possessions and your finances, you are reflecting that. Just as God gave and gives generously, and gave His Son as a ransom for sin. If you have run out of ideas about how to give what you have, ask God to show you and give you some creative ideas! Go live! Go give!
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Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Prayer - Augustine
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
over those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give Your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend the sick ones,
Rest the weary ones.
Bless the dying ones.
Soothe the suffering ones.
Pity the afflicted ones.
Shield the joyous ones.
And all, for Your love's sake.
Amen
Based on a prayer of Augustine (4th century)
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Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Psalm 43
43:1 Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation.
Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
43:2 For you are the God of my strength.
Why have you rejected me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
43:3 Oh, send out your light and your truth.
Let them lead me.
Let them bring me to your holy hill,
To your tents.
43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy.
I will praise you on the harp, God, my God.
43:5 Why are you in despair, my soul?
Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God!
For I shall still praise him: my Savior, my helper, and my God
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Saturday Dec 24, 2022
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
24. Mary's God – Partakers Christmas Bible Thought
In our last podcast, we looked at Mary’s response the visit of her relative Elizabeth, and discovered that in response to Elizabeth’s exclamations, Mary spontaneously bursts into song! A song seemingly of renewal, revolution and reformation. Today we look more at the God of Mary whom she worships and what that has to do with us today. Mary knows that her God is called Almighty. We know it as well through our study of the Bible and in our own lives, I am sure. But how is God, “Almighty”, and just as importantly, why? God being Almighty, can be summed up in 3 words: Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. Come and listen to find out more about God and Mary's relationship with Him, in this part in the Christmas story!
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
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Friday Oct 14, 2022
Friday Oct 14, 2022
Partakers Prayers
We pray together and when Christians pray together, from different nations, different churches and different denominations - that reveals Church unity! Come! Let us pray together!
A prayer of Bonaventure
Lord Jesus,
as God’s Spirit came
down and rested upon you,
may the same Spirit rest upon and be within us.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O Yahweh,
Grant us the gift of
understanding, by which your
precepts may enlighten our minds.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O Jehovah,
Grant us counsel,
by which we may follow in your
footsteps on the path of righteousness.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O Great God,
grant us courage,
by which we may ward
off the Enemy’s attacks.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O Sovereign God,
grant us knowledge.
by which we can distinguish
good from evil.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O Merciful God,
grant us piety,
by which we may acquire
compassionate hearts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O Holy God,
grant us fear, by which
we may draw back from evil
and submit to what is good.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O ineffable God
made known through Jesus,
grant us wisdom,
that we may taste fully the
life-giving sweetness of your love.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For we ask this O God our Father,
In the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us
Through the Son who died and rose again!
Amen.
Based on a Prayer of Bonaventure 1221 –1274
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Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
Worship
I wonder what you think worship is! Is your view of worship too small? Worship is giving God alone (Psalm 19:2), the glory due His name in the beauty of His holiness (1 Chronicles 16:29), with reverence.
“Yes, ascribe to the Lord! The glory due his name! Bring an offering and come before him; Worship the Lord when clothed with holiness!” (1 Chronicles 16:29)
Worship is where through the use of the mind and the senses, honour and respect are directed towards God, “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24)! Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.’
Come and explore with us, more about what worship of God is, why God is to be worshipped and how the Christian should worship God!
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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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Saturday Oct 09, 2021
Saturday Oct 09, 2021
Partakers Prayers
9 October 2021
G'day! Welcome to Partakers Christian Podcasts! Today we are praying together! Come and join in praying for the world and yourself, offering praises to God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Order of Service
Opening prayer
Confession
Psalm 65
Prayers for Churches and Christians worldwide
Silent time (Prayer for your own concerns)
Prayers for the world
Prayer of Benedict of Nursia
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Friday Aug 20, 2021
Friday Aug 20, 2021
Partakers Bible Thought
20 August 2021
“Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the LORD in all his holy splendour” (1 Chronicles 16:29)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
3 And again they shouted:
“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”
4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
“Amen, Hallelujah!”
(Revelation 19:1-4)
I wonder what you think worship is? Is your view of worship, too small? Worship is giving God alone (Psalm 19:2), glory due His name in the beauty of His holiness (1 Chronicles 16:29), with reverence. This is where through the use of the mind and the senses, honour and respect are directed towards God, “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24)!
What is worship? How can Christians Worship, as commanded, in Spirit and in Truth? What role does Worship play in the life of a Christian? Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more of the Christian and Truth!
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~
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Wednesday May 19, 2021
Wednesday May 19, 2021
G'day! Welcome to Partakers! Today we have a short midweek worship session together! Come on in!
- Opening Prayer
- Reading: Proverbs 3:5-7
- Song
- Bible Thought
- Closing Prayer
(All songs and music are in the Public Domain available here).
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You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site!
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