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Episodes
Monday Dec 16, 2019
Monday Dec 16, 2019
8. Prophecies/ Fulfilled (Part 1)
That first Christmas, almost 2,000 years ago, is the time when the invisible becomes visible. When God who is outside of time and space, entered time and space. This Almighty God becomes a weakened baby, in what we call the incarnation. Almighty God has become one of his created beings – a helpless human.
Over the next few days, as part of our Christmas 2019 series, we will look at some of the words given as prophecy in what we call the Old Testament and how they were fulfilled in the New Testament. Some of those things could have been fulfilled by deliberate human intervention (or even Jesus Himself)… However, not all of them. We will look together at how the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ was fulfilment of words and promises spoken about down through the ages, through countless years as people looked to God to rescue them.
John 3:16 sums this up well “For this is how God loved the world: He sent his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” One of God’s servants, one of Jesus’ followers said something similar in Romans 8:3 “So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
1. Prophecies concerning Jesus’ parents.
a. Prediction: Messiah would be born of a woman.
Predicted: Genesis 3:15 / Fulfilled: Matthew 1:20 & Galatians 4:4-5
b. Prediction: Messiah would be born of a virgin.
Predicted: Isaiah 7:14 / Fulfilled: Matthew 1:22-23 & Luke 1:30-31
c. Prediction: Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Predicted: Micah 5:2 / Fulfilled: Matthew 2:1 & Luke 2:4-7
2. Prophecies concerning Jesus’ ancestry. Something very important for the nation of Israel at the time!
a. Prediction: Messiah would come from the line of Abraham.
Predicted: Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18/ Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1 & Romans 9:5
b. Prediction: Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.
Predicted: Genesis 17:19; Genesis 21:12/ Fulfilled: Luke 3:34
c. Prediction: Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.
Predicted: Numbers 24:17 / Fulfilled: Matthew 1:2
d. Prediction: Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.
Predicted: Genesis 49:10 / Fulfilled: Luke 3:33; Hebrews 7:14
e. Prediction: Messiah would be heir to King David's throne.
Predicted: 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:7 / Fulfilled: Luke 1:32-33; Romans 1:3
f. Prediction: Messiah's throne will be anointed and eternal.
Predicted: Psalm 45:6-7; Daniel 2:44 / Fulfilled: Luke 1:30-33; Hebrews 1:8-9
g. Prediction: Messiah would be called Immanuel.
Predicted: Isaiah 7:14 / Fulfilled: Matthew 1:22-3
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Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
7. A Sermon of John Chrysostom (4th century)
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Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Son of justice. Ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God.This day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged.
And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.
Since this heavenly birth cannot be described, neither does His coming amongst us in these days permit of too curious scrutiny. Though I know that a Virgin this day gave birth, and I believe that God was begotten before all time, yet the manner of this generation I have learned to venerate in silence and I accept that this is not to be probed too curiously with wordy speech. For with God we look not for the order of nature, but rest our faith in the power of Him who works.
What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to this light by birth. The manner of His conception I cannot comprehend. Nature here rested, while the Will of God labored. O ineffable grace! The Only Begotten, Who is before all ages, Who cannot be touched or be perceived, Who is simple, without body, has now put on my body, that is visible and liable to corruption. For what reason? That coming amongst us he may teach us, and teaching, lead us by the hand to the things that men cannot see. For since men believe that the eyes are more trustworthy than the ears, they doubt of that which they do not see, and so He has deigned to show Himself in bodily presence, that He may remove all doubt.
Christ, finding the holy body and soul of the Virgin, builds for Himself a living temple, and as He had willed, formed there a man from the Virgin; and, putting Him on, this day came forth; unashamed of the lowliness of our nature’. For it was to Him no lowering to put on what He Himself had made. Let that handiwork be forever glorified, which became the cloak of its own Creator. For as in the first creation of flesh, man could not be made before the clay had come into His hand, so neither could this corruptible body be glorified, until it had first become the garment of its Maker.
What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infants bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness. For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His spirit; and so He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit, that He may save me.
Come, then, let us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been ‘in planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels.
Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things arc nourished, may receive an infant’s food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star.
To Him, then, Who out of confusion has wrought a clear path, to Christ, to the Father, and to the Holy Ghost, we offer all praise, now and for ever. Amen.
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Saturday Dec 14, 2019
Saturday Dec 14, 2019
6. Harmony of the Gospel Accounts
A harmony of the Gospel recordings of the Christmas. Today we hear all 7 readings in one sitting! Each gospel gives us a section of the story, therefore telling it from different perspectives.
Readings from:
1. Pre-existence of Christ - John 1:1-18
2. Gabriel visits Mary - Luke 1:26-38
3. Mary visits Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-56
4. Angel visits Joseph - Matthew 1:18-24
5. Birth of Jesus Christ - Luke 2:1-7
6. Shepherds visit Jesus - Luke 2:8-20
7. Magi visit Jesus - Matthew 2:1-12
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Friday Dec 13, 2019
Friday Dec 13, 2019
5. The Spirit of Christmas by Henry van Dyke
Today we are listening to a short book, "The Spirit of Christmas" by Henry van Dyke. It was first published in 1905 and is in the Public Domain. The book can be download by visiting the Gutenberg site
Introduction!
It was the hour of rest in the Country Beyond the Stars. All the silver bells that swing with the turning of the great ring of light which lies around that land were softly chiming; and the sound of their commotion went down like dew upon the golden ways of the city, and the long alleys of blossoming trees, and the meadows of asphodel, and the curving shores of the River of Life. (Hear the rest of this part of the story by listening to the audio.)
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Thursday Dec 12, 2019
Thursday Dec 12, 2019
4. A prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo (AD354-440)
Let the just rejoice,
for their justifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their saviour is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let slaves rejoice,
for their Master is born.
Let free people rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let All Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.
Amen
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Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
A Sermon of Gregory of Nazianzus (AD380)
Again, the darkness is past; again Light is made; again Egypt is punished with darkness; again Israel is enlightened by a pillar. The people who sat in the darkness of ignorance, let them see the great Light full of knowledge. Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front. The shadows flee away, the truth comes in on them. Melchizedek is concluded. He who was without Mother becomes without Father (without mother of His former state, without father of His second). The laws of nature are upset; the world above must be filled. Christ commands it, let us not set ourselves against Him.
O clap your hands together all you people, because unto us a Child is born, and a Son given unto us, whose government is upon His shoulder (for with the cross it is raised up), and His name is called The Angel of the Great Counsel of the Father. Let John cry, prepare the way of the Lord; I too will cry the power of this Day. He who is not carnal is Incarnate; the Son of God becomes the Son of Man, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Let the Jews be offended, let the Greeks deride; let heretics talk until their tongues ache. Then shall they believe, when they see Him ascending into heaven; and if not then, yet when they see Him coming out of heaven and sitting as Judge.
This is our present Festival; it is this which we are celebrating today, the Coming of God to Man, that we might go forth, or rather (for this is the more proper expression) that we might go back to God - that putting off of the old man, we might put on the new; and that as we died in Adam, so we might live in Christ, being born with Christ and crucified with Him and buried with Him and rising with Him.
For I must undergo the beautiful conversion, and as the painful succeeded the more blissful, so must the more blissful come out of the painful. For where sin abounded grace did much more abound; and if a taste condemned us, how much more does the passion of Christ justify us?
Therefore let us keep the Feast, not after the manner of a heathen festival, but after a godly sort; not after the way of the world, but in a fashion above the world; not as our own, but as belonging to Him who is ours, or rather as our master's; not as of weakness, but as of healing; not as of creation, but of re-creation.
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Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
2. A prayer of Isaac the Syrian (6th/7th century)
This Christmas night bestowed peace on the whole world;
So let no one threaten;
This is the night of the Most Gentle One - Let no one be cruel;
This is the night of the Humble One - Let no one be proud.
Now is the day of joy - Let us not revenge;
Now is the day of Good Will - Let us not be mean.
In this Day of Peace - Let us not be conquered by anger.
Today the Bountiful impoverished Himself for our sake;
So, rich one, invite the poor to your table.
Today we receive a Gift for which we did not ask;
So let us give alms to those who implore and beg us.
This present Day cast open the heavenly doors to our prayers;
Let us open our door to those who ask our forgiveness.
Today the Divine Being took upon Himself the seal of our humanity,
In order for humanity to be decorated by the Seal of Divinity.
Amen.
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Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Day 1. The O Antiphons
In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons in use. 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 shall be (with you)" – looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ.
The seven antiphons 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
Download or listen to the mp3 using the links available to find out more about these ancient words of the Church regarding Jesus Christ, the promised one of God.
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Friday Dec 06, 2019
Friday Dec 06, 2019
Partakers Friday 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 Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
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Thursday Dec 05, 2019
Thursday Dec 05, 2019
PulpTheology Book
"Read This Book To Learn More About Evangelism"
G’day! The book this week is "Read This Book To Learn More About Evangelism". Inside this little book, there is something for you to learn afresh or be reminded about that great subject of Evangelism, regardless of who you are.
Evangelism seems to be a scary word for a lot of Christians in the Church today. Perhaps even yourself. In what we call the Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20, we see that before He ascends back to God the Father, Jesus issued this commandment to his disciples. They will do as Jesus commanded – go and tell the world about this Jesus and teach them to be his disciples.
Some 2,000 years later, we are the products of their obedience to Jesus. We also are to do likewise. Inside this little book, we seek to learn together more about Evangelism. We will endeavour to answer questions such as: What is evangelism? What does the Bible say about evangelism? What can evangelism look like? What is the message of evangelism? Who is evangelism for? Why do Christians evangelise? Come on in to learn afresh, or be reminded of, evangelism. Come, Church! Let's pray together!
Whether you have not started the Christian journey yet, you are just starting your journey as a Christian, or have been a Christian for a while, you can either learn afresh or be reminded about the prayer and your Devotional Life. Come on in!
"Read This Book To Learn More About Evangelism" available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle with ISBN: 978-1723440052
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