Partakers Christian Podcasts

Jesus' Identity

75. The Christian Disciple and Jesus’ Identity

Mark writing in Mark 8v27-33: Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

This section of the Bible contains the verse, which divulges Jesus’ identity, when Peter calls Him the Christ or Messiah or Saviour (Mark 8v29). In the preceding few verses Jesus and the disciples were in Bethsaida and there is the incident where Jesus healed the blind man.

1. See who Jesus is – (Mark 8v22) reveals that the faith of others apart from the blind man was also involved

There are two very obvious questions that come out of this.

Why did Jesus touch the blind man twice to heal him? We don’t know for sure, but we do know that Jesus kept on until the man could see clearly. Two things to remember though. Firstly that Jesus was unable to do miracles because of people’s lack of faith and we also need to remember that God does things in His own time and for His own purposes, but also acts in order to tell us of His love for us.

Why does Jesus tell the man not to tell anybody? Jesus didn’t want to be seen as only a healer and miracle worker.

2. Confess who Jesus is

Now we come to a climactic part of the Gospels when Jesus asks His disciples: “Who do people say that I am?

John the Baptist

· Jesus and John had been seen together in public and they were different in personality and ministry

· John came ‘in the spirit and power of Elijah’ (Luke 1v17), in a ministry of judgement, whereas Jesus came in a spirit of meekness and service.

· John performed no miracles (John 10v41), but Jesus was a miracle worker.

· John even dressed like the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1v8; Mark 1v6)

Jeremiah (Matthew 16v14)

· Jeremiah was the ‘weeping prophet’, and Jesus was the ‘man of sorrows’

· Jeremiah called the people to true repentance from the heart, and so did Jesus.

· Both men were misunderstood and rejected by their own people.

· Both men condemned the false religious leaders and the hypocritical worship in the temple.

· Those in authority persecuted both men.

In both His works and words, Jesus gave evidence to the people that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, and yet they did not get the message.

a Why did Jesus tell the disciples to keep quiet about Him?

Disciples had much to learn about Him and what it meant to follow Him.

The Jews were expecting a victorious Messiah (Isaiah 11v1-5). But they had forgotten that the Messiah must suffer and die (Isaiah 53v1-12; Luke 24v26). The Jewish people thought that the Messiah would set up an earthly political kingdom, but Jesus came to set up a spiritual kingdom that would last forever (Isaiah 9v7; Daniel 7v13-14; Luke 1v33; Revelation 11v15)

b What was the purpose of the Messiah? (Mk10v45)

Jesus’ mission was to be the Servant of the Lord, and therefore, the saviour of the world as God’s Son (John 3v16). His purpose as the Messiah was neither that He be served nor that He will lead a political overthrow of the Roman government as some had hoped. Rather, His purpose as the Messiah was to be God’s servant and give a message of hope for the spiritually poor and spiritually oppressed people.

3. Follow who Jesus is

When Jesus rebuked Peter, he was also telling off the other disciples (Mark 8v33). Remember that they did not yet understand the relationship between suffering and glory. By the time Peter had written his epistle 1 Peter, he did (1 Peter1v6-8, 1 Peter 4v13-5v10).

Some Jewish leaders taught of 2 Messiahs – one to suffer and one who would reign (1Peter 1v10-12)

Price to pay for true followers

· We must surrender completely to Him.

· We must identify with Him in His suffering and death.

· We must follow Him obediently, wherever He leads.

What is the reward for the true disciple of Jesus?

· Satan promises glory now, but in the end suffering comes.

· God promises suffering now, but the suffering turns to glory.

Spiritually, at this time, the disciples were still blind to who Jesus was, just as the man who was physically blind.

Our confession of Jesus is a matter of life and death (John 8v21;1 John 4v1-3). Confession of Jesus as Lord is necessary for salvation (1 Corinthians 12v1-3), when that confession is from the heart (Romans 10v9-10). Christians are called to follow Jesus, to take up their cross and this could mean nothing less than being ready to suffer and die for Jesus. If we are ashamed of Him on earth, He will be ashamed of us when the end of the world has come. He will reward those deserving the reward, and deny those who deny Him.

For more to think about please do read 1 Peter 1v1-12. 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. What does Jesus’ revealed identity as Saviour offer me as a Christian Disciple?

Q2. How does knowing Jesus’ identity help me as I undergo trials, suffering and bad times?

Q3. What part does each member of the Trinity play in my life as a Christian Disciple?

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk. Thank you.

Jesus' 12 Disciples

74. The Christian Disciple and Jesus’ Disciples

Matthew writing in Matthew 4v18-22: “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Who were Jesus’ Disciples?

There are three main lists of disciples (Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16) who were chosen near the start of Jesus ministry. The Gospel of John offers no comprehensive list but does refer to them as “The Twelve” (John 6v67, John 6v70, and John 6v71)

1. Andrew: he was a fisherman from Bethsaida (Matthew 4v18). It was he who introduced his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus (John 1v40-42). He was a disciple of John the Baptist.
2. Barthomew: he was the son of Talemai and possibly was also called Nathaniel (John 1v45-1v51)

3. James: he was the son of Aphaeus. He is also know as James the Less (Mark 15v40) or James the Just. He would later be the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts)

1. James & John: the sons of Zebedee. Both were fisherman (Matthew 4v21; Luke 5v1-11) and Jesus called them the sons of Boanerges or sons of thunder (Mark 3v17)! John is known as the “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13v23, John 19v26, John 21v7 & 20)
2. Judas Iscariot (Luke 6v13, 16): he was the son of Simon (John 6v71 & John 13v26). He was the disciple who betrayed Jesus (Matthew 26v14-16; Mark 14v10-11) and was replaced after the Resurrection by Matthias (Acts 1v26).
3. Matthew: he was a tax collector (Matthew 9v9) and the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2v14. He also authored the gospel by the same name (Matthew 1v1)
4. Philip : from Bethsaida (John 1v44; John 12v21). Notable it was he who introduced Greeks to Jesus (John 12v20-22)

8. Simon: also known as Simon the zealot (Matthew 10v4) and possibly from Jerusalem.

1. Simon : brother of Andrew and also an uneducated fisherman from Bethsaida (Matthew 4v18; Acts 4v13). Later, he was renamed Peter by Jesus (John 1v42) and would later lead the disciples (Acts 1v15-26). He wrote 2 of the books of the New Testament known as 1 Peter and 2 Peter.
2. Thaddeus: listed as a disciple in Mark 3v18 and also known as Lebbaeus (Matthew 10v3) and Judas brother of James (Luke 6v16)
3. Thomas also known as Judas Thomas Didymus. (John 11v16, John 20v24, John 21v2)

How were they chosen?

In the time of the New Testament, it was usual practice for a disciple to take the initiative and choose his master and then voluntarily join that school. However, in reverse of this practise, Jesus Himself chose those who were to follow Him by issuing a command to “Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 16v24; Matthew 19v21; Mark 1v17; Mark 8v34; Mark 10v21; Luke 9v23; Luke 18v22). Jesus chose them after a night of prayer and were given to Him by God (John 17v9). The reason that God gave them to Him as His disciples was so that they would produce fruit for God’s Kingdom (John 15v16). Jesus also placed some demands on those who wanted to follow Him. For some these demands proved too much so they went away, like the rich young ruler (Matthew 19v16-22). Others who initially attracted to Jesus left saying “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it? (John 6v60).

What were they chosen for?

As we read the Gospels, we know that they often got things wrong. Jesus often rebuked them, such as when the storm hit when they were in the boat. He rebuked them for panicking (Mark 4v38) and for fearing and lacking faith (Mark 4v40). This in spite of having seen Jesus do the things He had done. In Matthew’s Gospel the disciples mistake Him for a ‘ghost’ as He walked to them on the water (Matthew 14v22-36) and Jesus rebukes Peter for lacking faith as Peter looked at the storm (Matthew 14v30) rather than to Jesus Himself. When Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross Jesus’ subsequent rebuke was meant for all the disciples and not just Peter (Mark 8v33). They did not yet understand the relationship between suffering and glory. By the time Peter had written 1 Peter, he did (1Peter 1v6-8, 1 Peter4v13-5:10).

In calling them to Himself, Jesus called them into a common discipleship of which they are to “love one another” (John 15v17). The reason for this is so that people will know they are His disciples by their love for one another (John 13v34, John 15v16) and this will produce the desired fruit for God’s kingdom and an effective prayer life (John 15v16).

• Take up your cross: In Matthew 16v24, Jesus called his disciples to take up their cross, just as He was going to be taking up His cross at Calvary. By this he meant that His disciples must be prepared to sacrifice and be willing to suffer and die.

• Called to a life of repentance: Symbolic of this is Peter who when first encountered by Jesus in Luke 5v1-11 declared of Jesus "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
• Called to a life of obedience: Jesus called for obedience of God (Matthew 7v21, Luke 6v46). This obedience means to follow Him in all areas of life.
• Called to a life of service: When they were sent out in Matthew 10, the disciples were to: Tell the Good News’; heal the sick; raise the dead; drive out demons and freely give.
• Called regardless of background: The disciples were from a broad cross-section of society. Some as we have seen were fishermen, another a tax collector (who were thought of as traitors to Israel!), others zealots or sons of zealots.

For more to think about please do read John 15v18-24. 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. Looking back on my life, how did Jesus choose me to be His disciple and why?

Q2. As I continue my life as a Christian Disciple, what things are holding me back from total obedience and service to Him?

Q3. Do I truly show love towards others in my life as a Christian Disciple?

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk. Thank you.

Jesus' Mission

73. The Christian Disciple and Jesus’ Mission Luke writes in Luke 4v42-44: “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.” Jesus’ public ministry on earth has begun! These verses at the end of Luke 4 tell us that His mission is to preach God’s Kingdom. A reluctant John the Baptist baptized him and the crowds heard God the Father speaking to Him. He underwent temptations by the arch-seducer, satan and emerged victorious from that ordeal. Now Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, has returned home to Galilee (Luke 4v14). 1. Jesus at home (Luke 4v14-30) Jesus is back in home territory and because of the power of His teaching, He is becoming known as a great teacher (Luke 4v15). Jesus spent some time in Galilee, become known and arousing the interest, curiosity and excitement of people. a. Worshipping (Luke 4v14-18) – It was Jesus’ habit to attend public worship wherever he was. A typical synagogue service · Opened with a prayer for God’s blessing · Traditional Hebrew confession of faith (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21) · Prayer and readings from the Law and the Prophets · Brief sermon given by one of the men or a visiting rabbi (Acts 13:14-16) · Benediction or prayer Because of His growing renown as a teacher, it is no surprise that he should be asked to read the Scripture and give a short teaching session regarding it. Here in Nazareth, Jesus declared that the day for demonstrating God’s salvation had arrived and the day the prophets looked forward to, was going to be fulfilled in Jesus Himself (Luke 4v20). He was the Servant Isaiah had talked about long ago (Isaiah 61v1-2). His ministry was divinely directed; it was a ministry of hope for all people and a ministry to free the spiritually oppressed (Luke 4v18). Acceptable Year of the Lord (Luke 4:19) When Jesus said in Luke 4v19 “to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour”, Jesus was referring to the “Year of Jubilee” (Leviticus 25). Every fiftieth year, this special year was the balancing of the economic system. · Slaves were set free and returned to their families · Property that was sold back to the original owners · All debts were cancelled · Lands lay bare to rest and rejoice in the Lord The local reaction was at first one of astonishment (Luke 4v22) and telling each other he was the son of Joseph! But Jesus was not the son of Joseph, but rather the Son of God, the new Adam and the founder of a new humanity as he goes on to explain. b. Rejected (Luke 4:20-30) They saw Him as the son of Joseph. Admiration turned to anger, because Jesus began to remind them of God’s goodness to the Gentiles. · The prophet Elijah bypassed all the Jewish widows and helped a Gentile widow in Sidon (1 Kings 17:8-16) · Elisha healed a Gentile leper from Syria (2 Kings 5:1-15) Whilst those in Nazareth could only see Jesus in the local setting, He told them His mission was for all Israel! And if Israel rejected this message of Good News, then the Gentiles would be blessed by it (Luke 4v25-27). Upon hearing this, the astonished admiration turned to furious anger (Luke 4v28-30)! Salvation is no longer restricted to Israel but for every child of Adam – every human. Jesus’ mission was not to be Israel’s saviour but the world’s saviour. When Jesus quoted the proverb “no prophet is accepted in his hometown”, he revealed his knowledge of Old Testament history. He knew that God’s messengers often were rejected, and even as God’s Son, he was rejected as well. 2. Jesus away from home (Luke 4v31-44) Now Jesus walked through the rioting mob and went to Capernaum and here he engaged in public ministry: a. Preaching (Luke 4v31-32) – Jesus sets up headquarters in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13-16) and started teaching in the Synagogue. People were astonished that He taught with such authority. b. Rebuking (Luke 4v33-37, 41) – Our Lord did not want the demons to bear witness to Himself and His identity (Luke 4:34,41). Again people were astonished at Jesus power and authority. c. Healing (Luke 4v:39-40) – People bought their sick and asked Jesus to help them. d. Praying (Luke 4v42-44) – He was up early the next morning to pray (Mark 1:35). It was in prayer that He found his strength and power for service, and so must we. During this period: · No new teaching – He has God’s authority to do what He is doing – preaching healing and releasing. · God desires humility – Jesus is looking for people to acknowledge their spiritual blindness and poverty, so that Jesus may liberate them. · God’s Word is important – In the previous verses, Jesus counters the devil by using God’s Word, and he continues to do this throughout His ministry. He teaches and preaches in the synagogues (Luke 4v32, 44); rebukes demons (Luke 4v35, 41) and heals diseases (Luke 4v39) all with the authority of His word. Jesus’ mission was to be the saviour of the world as God’s Son (John 3v16) and the Servant of the Lord. His mission was to give a message of hope for the spiritually poor and spiritually oppressed people. People not only in his hometown, nor only in Israel, but rather for the whole world. People have two choices when faced with this fact: accept or reject. There is no other option. That is why as Christian Disciples we are to be actively engaged in evangelism, to tell people of this news about Jesus Christ. For more to think about please do read Luke 4v1-44. 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. How does knowing Jesus’ mission help me in my life as a Christian Disciple? Q2. Where does the authority for my ministry come from? Q3. What encouragement can I take from Jesus’ behaviour to those who rejected His message? As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk. Thank you.

What's in a name?

One of an evangelistic series I am making as a trial... The usual Partake Discipleship MP3's will resume tomorrow...

Jesus’ Temptations

72. Christian Disciple and Jesus’ Temptations

Luke writing in Luke 4v1-2: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”

In Luke 3, we discovered that Jesus had started his public ministry at his baptism, and that He was revealed as God’s Son. However, not only was Jesus fully God, he was also human. In the other Gospel accounts of this event, Matthew (Matthew 4v1) and Mark (Mark 1v12) both tell us that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. Luke alone tells us that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and that he was led in the Spirit into the desert. Luke’s phrasing and terminology makes it clearer that Jesus’ temptation experiences in the desert were all part of God’s plan at the start of Jesus’ public ministry, in order that the type of Messiah Jesus was, would be revealed.

This temptations event reveals Jesus’ perfect and full humanity. Knowing Jesus to be both God and man, satan starts his plan of attack against Him. After forty days of fasting, prayer and wandering in the desert, Jesus is confronted by satan. In this event we have three temptations, and it reveals the way Christian Disciples are to handle temptations when confronted with them.

First temptation (Luke 4v3-4) - Note the way satan starts by saying “So you are the Son of God.” As if to say, “If you are really who those voices speaking at your baptism say you are, then prove it to me. You must surely be hungry by now, so why don’t you turn these stones into bread and feed yourself” (Luke 4v3). Satan wanted Jesus to disobey to God the Father’s will by using His powers for selfish purposes. He also wanted Jesus to doubt God the Father’s love and care. Jesus however is the beloved Son who always does the will of the Father (John 8v29). Luke 4v4 shows us that Jesus answered satan by using Scripture “'Man does not live on bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8v3). This reveals that while physical food is necessary, it is more important to be sustained by the authority of Scripture. For Jesus, instead of relying on His own power to create food, it showed His trust in God the Father to take total care of Him.

Second temptation (Luke 4v5-8) – This is satan’s encouragement for Jesus to engage in false worship, challenging him as it does to break the commandment “You shall have no other gods but me” (Exodus 20v3). Satan says its all yours if you just bow the knee and worship me. Of course satan is as always telling a deceiving half-truth. Though satan has great power (John 12v31; 2 Corinthians 4v4), he has no authority to be able to offer Jesus everything he said he would give. He is also not worthy of worship as his power is always destructive and leads to wanton disobedience and unfaithfulness. This reflects satan’s self-delusion of grandeur. Jesus’ reply again is from Scripture, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only'" (Deuteronomy 6v13). Jesus here is saying that He will only serve one Master, and that is God the Father.

Third temptation (Luke 4v9-13) - Here, satan encourage Jesus to take God the Father up on His promised protection. “Throw yourself off the top of the temple. If God is faithful and true, God will catch you and protect you as you start off on this ministry of yours!” Satan also here quotes Scripture in order to make the temptation much more appealing (Psalm 91v11-12). However, this is a misquote, because he doesn’t add “in all your ways”. Jesus, however, being always wise, quotes Scripture back “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Deuteronomy 6v16). In quoting Scripture back, Jesus gives balance to the total expression of God’s will and not just part of it. Jesus refused to acquiesce to the lures of satan, and his demands to test God the Father’s faithfulness on his own terms.

The first temptation is echoed within us, when we try to do things in our own strength and power instead of relying on God’s power and strength to achieve much more than we can hope for or imagine.

The second temptation here echoes James 1v14-15 where desires and lusts lure the Christian Disciple into sinning against and disobeying God.

The third temptation occurs for us when we test God. Christian Disciples who actively disobey God, subsequently fall into trouble and then expect God to rescue us are testing God. An example of this is in Exodus 17v1-7.

Jesus emerged from the desert experience, the victor, and to continue his ministry. Satan skulked off for his next opportunity. As Christian Disciples we need to be aware of the schemes of satan, and learn to fend him off, just as Jesus did in the wilderness and in all subsequent encounters during his earthly ministry.

How satan tempts the Christian Disciple

Accuse them (Rev 12v10)

Devour their testimony for Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5v8)

Deceive them (2 Corinthians 11v14)

Hinder their work (1 Thessalonians 2v18)

The Christian Disciples’ response to satan should be:

To recognise his power and deception (2 Corinthians 2v11; Ephesians 6v11)

Stay with the faith (1 Peter 5v9)

Wear the armour of God (Ephesians 6v10-17)

Resist him openly by submitting to God and he will flee (James 4v7)

Not to give him opportunities (Ephesians 4v27)

Probably the best way to oppose him is to grow as a Christian Disciple and submit all to God. We must remember that our love for God must always be stronger than our love for the world. If we love somebody, we do not want to hurt that person. When we go against God and sin, we are hurting our relationship with Him. He is a holy God and cannot abide any sin! Therefore, as we grow as Christian Disciples we grow more in love with God, and therefore our desire to sin grows less. By having faith & trust in God to provide needs and protection and worshipping and serving Him alone, the Christian Disciple grows in spiritual maturity and will also not succumb to temptation to sin and disobey God.

For more to think about please do read 1 Corinthians 10v1-13. 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. How can these examples given by Paul help me not to disobey God?

Q2. In what areas do I think I am standing firm and do I always recognize the way of escaping temptation?

Q3. What does Jesus’ experiences of temptation, tell me about his humanity and how I too can stand up when tempted?

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk. Thank you.

Jesus' Baptism

71. The Christian Disciple and Jesus’ Baptism

Luke writing in Luke 3v21-23: “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."  Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.”

In the next few Podcasts, we will discuss certain events in the life of Jesus.  But today, we start with Jesus’ baptism as it also shows the commencement of Jesus’ public ministry.  Jesus is now about 30 years old.  John the Baptist precedes all Gospel accounts of the start of Jesus’ ministry, and this is because repentance before God is the key to starting a new life in God’s Kingdom.

Witness One – John the Baptist (Luke 3v1-20)

When John came (Lukev1-2) – When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, no prophetic voice had been heard within Israel for almost 400 years. His coming was part of God’s perfect timing, for everything that relates to God’s Son is always on time (Gal.4v4; Jn.2v4, 13v1)

How John came (Lukev3) – Dressed and acting like an Old Testament prophet Elijah, John came to the area near the River Jordan, preaching and baptizing. He announced the arrival of the kingdom of heaven (Mt.3v3) and urged the people to repent. John’s baptism looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, while Christian baptism looks back to the finished work of Christ in His death and resurrection.

Why John came (Lukevv4-20) – John the Baptist was a voice “crying in the wilderness” (Is.40v1-5; Luke 3v4; Jn.1v23). Spiritually speaking, the nation of Israel was living in a state of unbelief and twisted spiritual reality. The people desperately needed to hear a voice from God, and John was that faithful voice. It was John’s work to prepare the nation for the Messiah and then present the Messiah to them. John is also compared to a farmer who chops down useless chaff (Luke 3v17). Many Jews of the time, thought they were destined for heaven simply because they were descended from Abraham. In Luke 3v7, John depicts the Pharisees as snakes.

John the Baptist also was a teacher. He taught people to live their new faith (Luke 3v10-14). He told them not to be selfish, but to share their blessings with other people. Tax collectors were told by John to do their work honestly. Soldiers were to stop using their jobs for personal gain. John clearly stated that Jesus was “the Lord” (Luke 3v4) and the Son of God (Jn.1v34)

Witness Two and Three – The Father and the Spirit (Luke 3v21-23a)

Jesus comes to John the Baptist, and presents Himself for baptism. John at first refuses to do it (Mt.3v13-15). He knew that Jesus of Nazareth was the perfect Son of God who had no need to repent of sin.

Through His baptism, He identified with all sinners that He came to save.  We have seen already that it is the start of His public ministry (Acts 1v21-22, 10v37-38).  But why did Jesus get baptized?  In replying to John’s initial refusal to baptize him, Jesus said “…it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness” (Mt.3v15).  This looks forward to the cross, because it is only through the baptism of suffering that Jesus endured on the cross, that God is able to fulfil all righteousness. The “us” referred to means Father Son and Spirit. When Jesus came up from the water, the Father spoke from heaven and identified Him as the beloved Son of God, and the Spirit visibly came upon Jesus in the form of a dove.

Jesus as the Son of Man - The Genealogy Luke 3v23b-38

The genealogy here reminds us that the Son of God was also the Son of Man, born into the world, identifying with the needs and problems of mankind.  Through the genealogy, we see down through the generations Jesus’ link to Adam and ultimately God.  The phrase “the son of” generally means any remotely connected descendant or ancestor.  It is a reminder that Jesus, being Joseph’s legal son was part of a human family, tribe, race and nation.  Jesus’ line goes back through the Old Testament from Joseph to King David to Judah, Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, to Methuselah to Noah and Adam.  The genealogy with its link to David, shows Jesus’ right to ascend to David’s throne (Luke 1v32-33).  The genealogy shows Jesus’ total human-ness, and because he is linked to Adam, identifies with all humanity and not just Israel.  But there is one difference between Jesus and all other humans.  In that Luke doesn’t stop the genealogy at Adam, as he would have for all other humans.  Luke ultimately leads and links Jesus to being God’s Son.

Son of God (Luke 3v38) – Adam has come into the world bearing the true image of a son of God, for when Adam disobeyed God, that image was marred & scarred due to sin entering the world.  All that is, except Jesus.  The voice from God the Father ratified Jesus as the Son of God.  Not a son of God as some may claim, but the one and only Son of God.  This genealogy points to the unbroken relationship between Jesus and God.  Jesus is as Adam was before Adam’s disobedience.

For more to think about please do read Luke 4v1-30. 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. What lesson can I learn from the ministry of John the Baptist?

Q2. What link is there between being tempted and doing the work God has give me to do?

Q3. What lessons can I learn Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth?

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk.  Thank you.

United

69. Partake - The Christian Disciple and Unity

Paul writing in Ephesians 2v19-21: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.”

As the church, we are to be one and unified through and in Jesus Christ! The universal Church is one around Jesus Christ, but churches on a local level frequently engage in acts of disunity rather than unity. Churches and Church denominations fight over minor details. So how can we as Christian Disciples show unity, to a world that sees the Church fragmented. Paul when writing to the Ephesians challenged the two groups of believers, Jews and Gentiles, to be unified in order for the church to grow and Jesus Christ to be glorified.

1. Alienation – Jews and Gentiles

There was alienation, evident in the church. Most of the converts in the church of Ephesus were Gentiles. For centuries Jews (the “circumcision”) looked down upon the Gentiles (the “uncircumcision”) as an inferior people. Israel (the Jews) were to be the light of God to the whole world. However, the physical mark of being a Jew was no proof of a man was a man of faith (Romans 2v25-29; Galatians 5v6, 6v15)

The best word to describe the Gentiles is without

• a Without Christ
• b Without citizenship
• c Without covenants
• d Without hope
• e Without God

2. Reconciliation – One Jesus Christ

“But now…” (Ephesians 2v13) is linked with “But God…” (Ephesians 2v4). This is God’s grace and reconciliation. Enmity is a feeling of war and hostility. Reconciliation means to make peace between enemies and to bring together again. Sin is the separator – Adam & Eve; Cain & Abel; the Flood; Tower of Babel; leading to Abraham & Israel (Genesis 12)

a. Enmity between Jew and Gentile

Jews were different from Gentiles in religion, dress, diet and laws. Until Peter was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 10), the church had no problems. But placing the salvation of the Gentiles on the same level as the Jews caused problems.

Acts 11 – Peter was told off for going to the Gentiles and eating with them.

Acts 15 – Apostles meeting – both Jews and Gentiles are saved in the same way.

The barrier or wall between Jew and Gentile was the Law (Leviticus 11v44-47; Ezekiel 44v23).

Jesus breaks the barrier in His death (Galatians 3v10-13). Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10v12-13)

The Lord Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2v14) and made our peace with God (Ephesians 2v15)

The Gentiles

Old position	New position
“Christ-less”	In Christ (Ephesians 2v13)
“aliens”	A holy nation (1 Peter 2v9)
“strangers”	“no more strangers” (Ephesians 2v19)
“hope-less”	“called in one hope” (Ephesians 4v4)
“”God-less	The God and Father of out Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1v3)

b. Enmity between God and man

God had put a difference between Jew and Gentiles, so that His purpose would be done. These differences were erased through the reconciliation of Jesus’ work.

Acts 15 – All people both Jew and Gentile need Jesus’ reconciliation.

3. Jesus’ Living Work

1. Jesus work has made

i both Jew and Gentile one (Ephesians 2v.14)

¨ “one new man” (Ephesians 2v.15)

¨ “one body” (Ephesians 2v.16)

¨ “one Spirit” (Ephesians 2v.18)

2. Jesus has made

i one nation (Ephesians 2v.19a)

ii one family (Ephesians 2v.19b)

iii one temple (Ephesians 2v20-22)

¨ God lived with His people (Exodus 25v8)

¨ God lived in His tabernacle (Exodus 25v8)

¨ God lived in His temple (1 Kings 8v1-11)

¨ God lived in Jesus (John 1v14)

¨ God lives in His people through the Holy Spirit that indwells us. (1 Corinthians 6v19-20)

¨ God lives in the church, His body (Ephesians 2v20-22)

3. Jesus is the chief cornerstone (Psalm118v22; Isaiah 8v14; Ephesians 2v21, 4v16)

A Cornerstone is the main part of a building and it holds the whole structure together. Jesus said in Matthew 16v18 “I will build my church”. Jesus Christ has united the Jews and Gentiles. Just as even though the universal church has many different denominations, Jesus Christ holds them together in unity. But how can we as Christian Disciples show unity when we have so many diverse parts to the church? Where does the source of authority for our unity lie?

Authority

By authority, I do not mean authoritarian, but rather total obedience to a power or force. However, the world today baulks at both. People constantly rebel against the authority of the Police and Government. Today, particularly in the Western world, the only authority a lot of people accept particularly in regards to morality and how to live is their own self-deducted authority.

As Christian Disciples, our supreme authority is to be God Himself. We are of course free to disobey His authority, but in doing so, ignore His better wisdom. When this occurs our conscience testifies that God’s authority regarding His wisdom and we repent of our disobedience.

Source of authority

So if God is to be our authority, where can this authority be found?

Historically, the church has had several sources of authority. There are the historical creeds and confessions such as the Apostles Creed and the Westminster Confession. Creeds are valuable in order to gain insight on Christian doctrine, but there are two main problems concerning ultimate authority. Firstly they are too general and in no way be used to fully explain Church doctrines and beliefs. Secondly, the creeds and confessions are under authority themselves as they are based on the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.

Then there is the “mind of the church”. This dictates that God’s mind & will can be discovered through opinion and consultation. This is of course, partly true. However, it is not our ultimate authority due to individual belief concerning such things as the sacraments, Spirit baptism and other doctrines. If there isn’t unity of mind on these things, then how can the church progress past the impasse?

Then of course there is experience in the life of the Christian Disciple. Whilst experiencing God is vital, how can we know our experiences are truly under His authority and not just our old sinful nature raising its head? Again it is not the ultimate authority, because many great Christian truths fall outside of personal experience.

Whilst the creeds, confessions and “church mind” are indicative of the historical Church, they are not of themselves to be our ultimate authority. God as Father, Son and Spirit are to be the ultimate authority for the Christian Disciple. This triune God is known through the Bible, and the Bible is our authority. It is God-breathed and is to be revered and obeyed. By submitting to the authority of Scripture, we bow the knee to the God who is alive in us through the indwelling Spirit. In doing so, we give authority to Jesus Christ, who has the “supremacy over all things” (Colossians 1v18). Before His ascension, He said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28v18). As His Christian Disciples, Jesus Christ is to be our ultimate authority and the Bible reveals Him supremely to us.

For more to think about please do read John 17v6-25. 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. How can I exhibit unity with those I disagree with regarding points of bible teaching?

Q2. Are there those in my local church with whom I need to reconcile with?

Q3. What and who is the source of my authority as a Christian Disciple?

Serving

My apologies, but I mistakenly deleted the previous version of this Podcast...

66. Partake - The Christian Disciple and Serving (Re Record – dodgy voice)

Paul writing in Romans 12v4-5: “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”

As Christian Disciples, we are called to a life of serving God and other people. We are not alone, but part of a larger body where each member is called to perform a serving function. By serving others as Christian Disciples, it shows unity and solidarity to those outside of the church who frequently accuse the church of infighting and “devouring one another”. 

 

Serving

 

The Christian life is not to be static or inactive.  The Christian life is to be dynamic and active.  The word servant is key in Scripture.  It is used at least 500 times in its various derivations. When a Christian Disciple serves, God’s honour is released.    This is done because service shows the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ to those being served and to those watching.  That is to be our motive for service.  Serving is never to be about what the Christian Disciple can get out of it.  When that is the motive, God is not glorified. God’s glory and supremacy is the goal of a Christian Disciple’s life.  Spiritual growth comes from serving rather than being served.  This is because what ever is given in service of God and others, faith grows and Jesus Christ gives back even more.  Jesus speaking in Matthew 25v15-30 tells of the rewards for faithful service and the penalties for being faithless.  Serving others is a sign that the Christian Disciple is trusting God and having faith in God.  Serving God and others is the mark of a spiritually mature Christian Disciple and through service, we reflect the greatest servant of all, Jesus Christ, who came to serve and give his very life for others (Mark 10v45).  As Christian Disciples we are to be as Jesus Christ (Romans 8v28; Philippians 2v5) and to serve.  Yet if we are honest, we sometimes feel incapable, just as Moses did (Exodus 3).  An excellent example to follow is that of Stephen in the Book of Acts. 

 

In serving others, we fulfil the command that Jesus gave to love God and love others.  Showing love and serving each other through our Spiritual Gifts and our giving achieves this aim of obedience to Jesus.

 

Spiritual Gifts

 

The reason that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to Christian Disciples is so that the body of Christ is built up (Ephesians 4v12), for the common good of the church (1 Corinthians 12v7, 14v12) and “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4v12).  These three reasons signify that God wants Christian Disciples to be active in service and not still like stagnant water.  That is why we have been given gifts and if these gifts are not used for God’s purposes, then they are utterly useless and meaningless. 

 

As Christian Disciples, we are dependent upon each other, just as one part of the human body has dependence on another part.  That is why we serve each other and use the gifts generously given by God.  As all Christian Disciples have gifts, we have a responsibility to discover and develop them (1 Timothy 4v14)!  God has called Christian Disciples and equipped them with spiritual gifts, and they are not to be neglected! 

 

As we are not to neglect our gifts, or let other Christian Disciples neglect their gifts, we are to fan the gift into flame (2 Timothy1v6).  Much like blowing on embers and stirring them up will restart the flames of a fire!  To do this Christian Disciples are to employ the gift faithfully and by asking God to continue their development, strengthening and for the opportunities to use them! Seek gifts that build up others, commands Paul (1 Corinthians 14v1-12). Ask God faithfully for gifts that give opportunity for service to God and others!

 

Giving

 

Every person has in differing quantities time, possessions and money.  These things in and of themselves are not evil.  The whole Christian community is one that is to reflect the Holy Trinity.  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 to the universal Church and therefore has a national and international context as well.  Too often 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. 

 

Perhaps the greatest indicator of spiritual grown in the Christian Disciple concerns their financial giving. Paul writing to the Corinthians commands that giving be done whole-heartedly and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9v7).  For the Christian Disciple, its 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 behind the giving.  All our money 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 16v2 a three-point system for giving: 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 3v8).  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 3v10) and have their needs satisfied (Philippians 4v19).

 

For more to think about please do read 2 Corinthians 9v6-8. 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. Do I need to change my motivation for serving in any key area of my Christian Discipleship?

Q2. How can I serve others more?

Q3. When was the last time I reappraised my giving of money, possessions and time?

 

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk.  Thank you.

Covenants 2

60. Partake – The Christian Disciple and Bible Covenants 2

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 2 Corinthians 3v6-8

Following on from the Edenic, Adamic, Noahic and Abrahamic Covenants, comes the Covenant given to Moses. But before we continue our journey in Old Testament Covenants, first an explanation regarding some nuances about them.

Covenants were common in all kinds of life, and not just between God and humanity. For instance where a powerful nation had taken over a weaker nation, a covenant was in place to give benefits from the powerful nation to the weaker nation, such as protection as well as sanctions if the weaker nation rebelled. There were covenants between equal partners in deals similar to contracts of law today. The Covenants of the Old Testament had several things about them regarding the relationship between God and humanity.

Firstly, God always took the initiative – sometimes by surprise as in with Abraham or in Noah's case, through his obedience.

Secondly, God has promised certain commitments and has given His solemn promise to fulfil His end of the bargain.

Thirdly, God waits for a response from humanity. God does not coerce or force but waits for humanity to take the responsibility of replying and acquiescing to God's covenantal promises.

1. The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19v5-8)

This is the fifth covenant between God and humanity and also the second theocratic. It commences with the stipulation “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.” (Exodus 19v5). This covenant was to Israel in order that those who believed God’s promise to Abraham, could know how to live righteously.

This Mosaic covenant covered the three areas of life:

The commandments were given so they would know how to correctly relate socially to God (Exodus 20v1-6)

The judgements were given in order that they could relate socially to each other properly (Exodus 21v1 - 24v11)

The decrees dictate their religious life so that God could be approaced by humanity on His terms (Exodus 24v12 - 31v18).

This Mosaic covenant however, does not replacethe Abrahamic Covenant, but rather as an addition (Galatians 3v19) to it until the Messiah Christ came and made the perfect sacrifice (Galatians 3v17-19). The Covenants pointed towards this momentous event. The Mosaic Covenant was never meant as a means towards salvation. It was given that they could realize their helplessness of their own efforts, and their need of God's help. Galatians 3v22-24 Explains that the Law was only a protective fence until through the promised Messiah, humanity “could be made right with God through faith.“

6. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7v4-17)

This covenant is the sixth covenant and third theocratic covenant.

The Davidic Covenant promises three things :

* A land forever (2 Samuel 7v10);

* A dynasty without end (2 Samuel 7v11, 16)

* A perpetual kingdom (2 Samuel 7v13, 16)

2 Samuel 7v12 predicts the birth of Solomon as David's successor to the throne with his role being to establish David's throne forever (2 Samuel 7v13). We see this link to Jesus Christ, though the genealogies to both Joseph: a legal right to David's throne (Matthew 1v1-17) and to Mary: a blood right to David's throne (Luke 3v23-38).

7. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31v31-34)

This covenant is the seventh covenant between God and humanity, and the fourth theocratic covenant.

Four features of this covenant are:

* Regeneration – On the hearts of people, God will write His law (Jeremiah 31v33)

* Restoration - God will be their God, and they will be God's people. (Jeremiah 31v33)

* Promised Holy Spirit – God will indwell people and they will be led by Him (Jeremiah 31v 34)

* Justification – Sins will be forgiven and removed eternally (Jeremiah 31v34)

This new covenant is sealed only through the perfect sacrifice of the God-Man Jesus on the cross. His blood ensures the truth of this New Covenant. His death pays the penalty for the sins of all people who say yes to God and His New Covenant. This New Covenant is contrasted with the Old Covenant or the Mosaic covenant (Jeremiah 31v32; Hebrews 8v6-13) because this New Covenant finalizes what the Mosaic Covenant could only point to: the follower of God living in a righteous life conforming to God's holy character.

Through all these Covenants we see a God who is willing to interact with His creation and bless it. When first century Christians such as Paul, Peter and John checked all the events surrounding the life of Jesus, they searched their Scriptures (our Old Testament). It was as the Holy Spirit illuminated their minds, that they wrote down and passed on the whole gamut of Old Testament promise which was fulfilled in God's Messiah and the world's hope: Jesus Christ and Him alone. That is why it is important for us as twenty-first century Christian Disciples to read our Old Testament as well as the new. For by reading the Old Testament, new light may be shed on our own understanding of the New Testament.

For more to think about please do read for yourself: Hebrews 9v24 to Hebrews 10v25. 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. What does Jesus Christ's death and the New Covenant, mean to me as a Christian Disciple?

Q2. Why and how can I, as a Christian Disciple, draw near to God?

Q3. As a Christian Disciple, what and how can I encourage those I meet?

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk. Thank you.

Covenants 1

Bible Covenants 1

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9v14-15

If we as Christian Disciples are now under what the writer to Hebrews calls the “New Covenant”, what were the Old Covenants that preceded it? Over the next two Podcasts we shall look briefly at these Old Covenants and also the New Covenant.

Old Testament Covenants

1. The Edenic Covenant (Genesis 2v15-17)

This was the first covenant between God and man. Adam is commanded in the Edenic Covenant to

• Populate the earth (Genesis 1v28)
• Subjugate the earth (Genesis 1v28)
• Exercise dominion over animals (Genesis 1v28)
• Tend and enjoy the garden of Eden (Genesis 1v29; 2v15)
• Refrain from eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2v16-17).

When Adam & Eve ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the Covenant was terminated and the consequence was their spiritual and physical deaths. This failure required God to make a new covenant with Adam.

2. The Adamic Covenant (Genesis 3v14-21)

This second covenant between God and humanity, is also titled the covenant with all of mankind, as it lay down the terms and conditions which hold until sin's curse is lifted (Isaiah 11v6-10; Romans 8v18-23). Because of Adam's sin, we are all born under the curse of sin.

The terms and conditions of this covenant include:

* Satan is judged although- he will enjoy limited & temporal success (Genesis 3v15), but ultimately he will be judged (Genesis 3v15).

• The first Messianic prophecy is given (Genesis 3v15)
• Childbirth now involves pain and the woman is made subject to her husband (Genesis 3v16)
• The ground is cursed and weeds will grow amongst man's food (Genesis 3vv17 - 19)
• Physical changes occur and now people sweat when they work all their life (Genesis 3v19)
• Because of the sin and disobedience, people die spiritually, and inevitably physically. (Genesis 3v19).

3. The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9v1-19)

This is the third covenant between God and man given after the flood had wiped out earth's population, apart from Noah and his family.

The terms of the Noahic covenant are

• Populate the earth is reaffirmed (Genesis 9v1).
• Subjection of the animals to humans is reaffirmed (Genesis 9v2).
• Humans are allowed to eat animal flesh but are to refrain from drinking/eating the blood (Genesis 9vv3, 4)
• Human life's sanctity is established. (Genesis 9vv5, 6).
• God promises to never to destroy the earth again by flood (Genesis 9v11). But as 2 Peter 3v10 tells us, God will destroy it by fire!
• The rainbow is given as a symbol of this covenant and its existence (Genesis 9v12-17)

4. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12v1-3)

Whilst the Edenic, Adamic and Noahic Covenants were universal covenants, the fourth Covenant is the first covenant which is theocratic or relating to the rule of God. It is dependent on God alone, who by means of grace in the “I will,”. to bestow promised blessings.

This Abrahamic Covenant is also the basis for the theocratic covenants which follow and provides blessings in three levels:

• Personal level: “I will make your name great; and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12v2)
• National level: “I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12v2)
• Universal level: “all peoples on the earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12v3)

Initially this covenant was in broad outline, but God later confirmed it to Abraham in greater depth (Genesis 13v14-7; 15v1-7, 18-21; 17v1-8). The Abrahamic covenant is a link to all of God's activities and programs until the end of time, when Jesus returns to gather His people to Himself.

The personal aspects of the Covenant, particular to Abraham are:

• father of a great nation (Genesis 12v1)
• receive personal blessing (Genesis 12v2)
• receive personal honour and reputation (Genesis 12v2)
• He will be a source of blessing to others. (Genesis 12v3)

The aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant, pertinent universally are:

• blessings on those who bless Abraham and the nation of Israel which comes from him (Genesis 12v3)
• curses on those who curse Abraham and Israel (Genesis 12v3)
• blessings on all the earth through the God's coming Messiah, who is Abraham’s son and brings universal salvation. (Genesis 12v1-3 and Galatians 3v8)

The Adamic, Noahic and Abrahamic Covenants all look forward to the coming of the Messiah, as do the Mosaic and Davidic Covenants. All of history points to His coming. This was all part of Paul's reasoning from Scripture with the Jews he came in contact with. Of course for Paul, as for us, the Messiah is Jesus Christ.

For more to think about please do read 2 Corinthians 3, 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. As a Christian Disciple, how do the Old Testament Covenants fit together and apply to me?

Q2. As a Christian Disciple, how does God make me competent, and for what purpose?

Q3. As a Christian Disciple, what affect does the ministry of the Holy Spirit have on me?

As ever, if you have any comments to make on this, please do contact me at partake(at)hotmail.co.uk. Thank you