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The Life Of Christ # 125 The Lost son returns by John Martin_1

The Life Of Christ # 125 The Lost son returns by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 124 The Prodical son by John Martin_1

The Life Of Christ # 124 The Prodical son by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 123 The Parable of the Lost by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 123 The Parable of the Lost by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 122 The cost of true discipleship by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 122 The cost of true discipleship by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 121 The great supper #2 by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 121 The great supper #2 by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 120 The Great supper by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 120 The Great supper by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 119 Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day by John Martin

The Life Of Christ # 119 Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day by John Martin

Thoughts on the Bible Readings for January 10th January 10th (Genesis 19;Psalm 22;Matthew 12)

Thoughts on the Bible Readings for January 8th (Genesis 15, 16; Psalm 18; Matthew 10)

Abram's spurning of the powerful king of Sodom meant that he now had a mighty foe. The Almighty encouraged Abram with the comfort that He was Abram's protector and in Yahweh he would berecompensed for his faithfulness. Abram's age has advanced by about 10 years since the promise of chapter 12 and as yet he has no "seed", "heir". His faithful steward, Eliezer from Damascus was his nominated heir. The LORD says, this man cannot be your heir - it must be a son born from you. Abram is brought out into the brilliant night sky and told that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars. We are told a great truth about how God counts belief as righteousness (verse 6). It should be read, "Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness". Believing God vastly exceeds mere belief IN God - see James 2verses18-26). Yahweh then cut a covenant with Abram as proof that the Almighty had vouchsafed the covenant that would be sealed by the offering of the Lord Jesus Christ some two thousand years after the death of Abram. Abram was told that his descendants would be afflicted for 400 years as strangers in a land that was not theirs. This culminated in their deliverance from Egypt atprecisely the time predicted, even on the same day that the LORD had spoken to Abram (Exodus 12verses40- 41; the 430 years refers to the time of the promise {the difference in years refers to 30 years prior to the affliction commencing}). Genesis 16 speaks of Abram and Sarai's attempt to circumvent the Almighty's way to fulfill the promise. It involved Abram taking a concubine, Sarai's maid (most likely acquired in Egypt) to produce an heir to Abram. The situation led to Hagar vaunting herself against her mistress Sarai.The disruption brought to Abram's household caused the divine command for Abram to cast out the bondswoman and her son (the literal event being a parable explained by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 4verses21-31). Hagar together with her son were rescued by the angel of the LORD; and she was told to humbly submit to her mistress. There will be some material blessings to Ishmael, as he is Abram's son. The chapter concludes by telling us that Abram is now 86 years old.Psalm 18 is a Psalm in which David exalts and celebrates the deliverance from Saul he has received from his majestic and dependable deliverer - Yahweh. It is Yahweh's consistency as the Father, the Rock that anchors our lives. David uses wonderful poetry and figurative language in which he describes his God.This language is inspiring. Yahweh is described as riding upon the storm clouds, which serve as His cherubic chariot. Yahweh is described as David's "Rock", meaning a large, unmoving rock. Moses had ascribed this characteristic to his God in his great song in Deuteronomy 32verses4 - stop for a moment to read this. Then pause and contemplate. The reason his Omnipotent Sovereign has wrought mercy, faithfulness and deliverance for David was David's steadfast love of and faithfulness to his God; and the kindness and mercy demonstrated to his fellow humans. Jesus taught us to ask for forgiveness, insofar as we have been prepared to forgive others. If you want to be froward (that is, to be tricky, or and wrestle with God); you will be dealt with according to the same measure; and will find that when wrestling against God's values.When we enter into a contest with the Almighty that will be one contest which we can never win. A divine principle is that we reap what we sowverses Galatians 6verses6-9. The greatest key to living an acceptable and godly life is "meekness", or "teachableness" - note our Lord Jesus' words in Matthew 5verses5 (quoting the entire context of Psalm 37; particularly verses 9-11); and James' comments 1verses22-27; 3verses17-18. Without humbleness of mind, we are bound to always fail (James 4verses6-10; 1 Peter 5verses5-11. Please stop and read aloud Psalm 18 verses 20-30. With these values guiding our life we will eventually emerge victorious. Pause and ponder.
In Matthew 10 the twelve Apostles are instructed and commissioned to heal and proclaim the gospel within Israel. They are warned of persecution and opposition, but urged to courageously fulfil their charge. The Gospel will polarise people's responses, even within families. Finally, they are told that a reward awaits those who support the preaching of the "good news". Matthew 10 teaches us that if we love thepresent life more than the future life, we will be disappointed; by contrast, God will reward present sacrifice with eternal life. This important principle of - "love life you will lose itverses lose life and you will find it" is stated in 5 places in the Gospels, corresponding to 3 separate occasions! It must be important!
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Thoughts on the Bible Readings for January 7th (Genesis 13, 14; Psalm 17; Matthew 9)

When Abram left Haran, it was with a multitude of people and many goods. These had increased greatly during his sojourn in Egypt. The same things were true for his nephew, Lot, and contributed to the problem told us in the end of chapter 13. Nonetheless Abram had learnt a great lesson in trust; and as an acknowledgment of that we are told in verse 4, "he made an altar and called on the name of Yahweh" (a name with which the faithful were familiar - see Genesis 4verses25-26). The location of this altar was between Bethel (the house of God) and Ai (ruin). His choices would determine whether his life would be ruined, or whether he would dwell with God - this is likewise true for each one of us. The troublesome Canaanites and Perizzites then dominated the land. The multitude of cattle made finding pasture difficult and the large number of people meant arguments were very common. A dispute caused Abram to suggest that they go their separate ways. Abram graciously allowed Lot the choice; and Lot chose the choicest pastures. Lot's choice was influenced by "the lust of his eyes". Abram was contented with trusting in the LORD to provide. The record uses the same words from God to Abram as is used of Lot's viewpoint. What God promised Abram was real estate - the earth (Romans 4verses13) - not a reward in heaven. Jesus taught the same in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as in heaven" Matthew 6verses10. And as proof of what God had promised Abram; Abram was asked to walk on what he was to receive (see also Genesis 15verses18-21). Genesis 14 is an account of Abraham's rescue of his nephew Lot, who was takencaptive when a northern confederacy headed by Chedorlaomer - whose name signifies "a bundle of sheaves" - (the famous historical Hammurabi). The account is a literal event, but also symbolic of the nearing conflict of Armageddon, WW 3. Abram was "in fellowship " - confederate with two Amorites. The victor, Abram was offered rich rewards, which he spurned. The chapter's close sees the King-Priest of Jerusalem Melchizedek offering fellowship through bread and wine with God Almighty (see Hebrews chapters 5, 6 and 7; where the extended parable about the Lord Jesus Christ is explained).In Psalm 17 David seeks vindication from his Omnipotent Creator in whom David has sought and found protection in distress and constant care. David calls on Yahweh to rise and judge his enemies. But the greatest message from the Psalm is found in David's heartfelt hope, "As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness" ESV. The resurrection will bring the realisation of this hope (Philippians 3verses20-21; Colossians 3verses1-5.1 John 3verses1- 3).
The NT chapter commences with the miracle of the healing of a paralytic man and subsequent exposure of the evil thoughts of the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ. The call of the tax collector Matthew, also known as Levi from his customs house beside the lake in Capernaum (meaning city of comfort, or consolation i.e. the centre of the proclaiming of the gospel in the Galilean region- called by the writer Jesus' own city) where he most likely collected the excise upon the fish undoubtedly earmarked for the Jerusalem market. It was here where a question about fasting arose and was answered. Here he curedthe woman from the issue of blood she had suffered incurably for 12 years. Here he raised from the dead the daughter of Jairus the ruler of the synagogue. On leaving the city he is followed by two blind men who he heals and asks them a charge they fail to respect, to keep the miracle silent. Next, he cures a deaf mute, only to accused by his adversaries of doing this via demonic powers attributed to the lord of the dung heap. The chapter closes with an appeal for more to support the work of reaping a vastly growing harvest. The recurring lesson of this chapter is that healing and forgiveness were - and are - extended by the Lord according to the faith of the disciple.
Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow