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Toward Jerusalem: #1'Toward Jerusalem' with Jason Robinson Dec 13, 2024

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The video discusses Christ's final journey to Jerusalem, emphasizing its significance, spiritual goals, and the establishment of a New Jerusalem. Description: When Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, he knew he was to tread a pathway of betrayal, ridicule and physical violence. However it was the way to his Father’s right hand through death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. With his Father he would set about to create the New Jerusalem, revealed in Revelation. As we follow the Lord’s journey of life, we have many personal lessons to learn as we seek to save the lost.

Understanding the Devil and Satan in the Bible #2 Dec 13, 2024

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A @Christadelphians Video: Description: Some believe that the Bible describes the great enemy as a fallen angel or other supernatural power. The biblical usage of the words Devil and Satan is examined. Firstly, by considering the Bible teaching about human nature, the way in which Jesus destroyed the Devil can be understood. In the second talk, the occurrences of the words “Devil” and “Satan” in Old and New Testaments are highlighted and shown to be perfectly consistent with the Bible teaching that the great enemy we all face is our own nature.

Understanding the Devil and Satan in the Bible #1 Dec 13, 2024

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Thought for December 13th. “WEARY THEMSELVES FOR NOTHING” Dec 13, 2024

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It has always been so – but it is more obvious today – how meaningless life is in the ultimate sense. More than ever before people are living for the here and now. With this thought in mind we can relate to the words of the prophet Habakkuk.

In today’s ch. 2 where he says of his decadent nation, “Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own … and loads himself with pledges.”[v.6] It is so in today’s ‘have it now’ society in the western world – pledging payment sometime later and almost always forever in debt.

A question is asked in v.13, “Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that people labour merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing.”

Once again God’s prophet reminds his people (and us the readers) that God is behind the scenes and knows all – and has the ultimate control. People labour “merely for fire” – to provide heat in time of cold, to cook their food – and light in the darkness. Few had any long term view of life, they had then and have now, no idea of God’s vision as stated in the very next verse. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Any vision people have could be described as ‘tunnel vision’ –that of having fixed objects of thought – unable to see the larger perspective, Job’s ‘friends’ suffered from this. As we read Peter’s 1st epistle we particularly noticed his reference to “when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared.” [3 v.20] Noah and his sons laboured for 100 long years while around them was total godlessness (Gen. 6 v.5).

Peter sees their salvation in the ark as it was was riding on the flood waters as a type of baptism; he writes, “Baptism which corresponds to this (the flood), now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience …” [v.21] Baptism cleanses the conscience and provides a new start, with a new vision ‘nothingness’ is swept away – and replaced by the anticipation of participation in the glory that is coming.

In Peter’s time God’s judgements were looming over Israel, Jerusalem was doomed for rejecting the Messiah, and Peter warns, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded …” [4 v.7] – the very opposite attitude to those who ”weary themselves for nothing.” Let us all heed Peter’s words, living with a real sense of purpose in our hearts “by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” [v.11]

Thought for December 12th. “IF A MAN DIES, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN” Dec 12, 2024

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As we continue our reading in Job, we came to his question given in our heading. Job struggles to find the answer – but as we read on in coming days, we will find that his mind becomes clearer and his hope in the future more sure. Today we read of his pleading with God, “Oh that you would hide me in sheol (av ‘the grave’), that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me.: [14 v.13]

After saying this he asks the question we have put in our heading, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” His answer? “All the days of my service I would wait until my renewal should come. You would call, and I would answer you …” [v.14,15] and it would be the time, Job says to God, “you would cover over my iniquity.” [v.17]

These questions and words are a prelude to his declaration in Ch. 19, “For I know that my redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold …” [v.25-27]

We notice how Job is now giving up reasoning out his thoughts with the 3 ‘friends’ and spends at least part of his responses addressing his thoughts to God. At the end of the book we will see how God dramatically answers him in a most meaningful way. We perceive a sort of parallel we might be having ourselves with our ‘friends’ today, our neighbours, our school or workmates, that their way of thinking, their perceptions of the cause and meaning of life is totally astray! They rarely listen to us so as to take in the points we make.

The time comes when we give up trying to reason with them – and concentrate more and more on our own perceptions of – and relationship with – God and His Son. We have found that our meditation can become so deep that we will empathise with Job who, after seeing and saying, “I shall see God … my eyes shall behold ..” – his next words are – “My heart faints within me.” [19 v.27]

Thought for December 11th. “SET YOUR HOPE FULLY ON ….” Dec 11, 2024

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Is our world in a hopeless condition? The indications that it is are multiplying. The nations are too self-centred to take any effective action over global warming and the weather is getting more extreme. The United Nations are more disunited than ever over many issues, especially over Israel. The money woes of the nations increase and move from crisis to crisis; efforts to achieve disarmament are useless, the economies of some nations depend on making and selling weapons! And above all, efforts at moral reform no longer exist, instead laws are relaxed to allow many unnatural kinds of behaviour, ways of living God deplores.

We saw a lesson related to that last point as we completed reading the prophecy of Nahum against Nineveh today. It had repented at the preaching of Jonah, but the following generations had gone back to their old ways; doom is now pronounced by God, Nahum’s concluding words to them are – “upon whom has not come your unceasing evil.” Through his prophet Zephaniah God said, “I will make Nineveh a desolation, a dry waste like the desert.” [2 v.13] And it happened.

As we start reading Peter’s letters we see how appropriate they are for us. His urgent message is for believers to have a strong faith, to remain steadfast as trials increase. He writes of “the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [1 v.7]

The whole chapter is a powerful message, but we took special note of v.13, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” No half measures will be adequate; as the world becomes even more hopeless,

Peter tells them, “you have been born again” [v.23] and then tells them how! “Born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” The seed of God’s message must “abide” in our hearts if we really want to prepare “our minds for action.” Jonah’s message to Nineveh had proved to be perishable, the children did not learn the lesson as their parents had. If we are to succeed where the Ninevites failed how vital it is for us to feed on and digest God’s word every day.

Real Places in the Bible #4 'Capernaum' with Sam Robinson Dec 10, 2024

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# Summary

The PRESENTATION discusses the significance of Capernaum, a small city on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, during Jesus' ministry. It highlights Capernaum as a critical location for Jesus' teachings and miracles, despite its residents' eventual rejection of his spiritual messages. The presentation underscores the lesson that proximity to faith does not guarantee spiritual fidelity, emphasising personal responsibility in responding to Jesus' teachings.

# Highlights

- 🌊 **Capernaum's Importance**: Capernaum was a small city with around 1,500 residents, yet it served as Jesus' home base during his ministry, notably referred to as "Jesus' city" in Mark 2:1.

- ✨ **Miracles and Teachings**: Jesus performed numerous miracles in Capernaum, including healing Simon's mother-in-law and a paralytic man, which attracted large crowds seeking healing and miraculous signs.

- 📖 **Spiritual Message**: In John 6, Jesus admonished the people for their focus on miracles rather than his spiritual teachings, leading many disciples to abandon him due to their inability to grasp his messages.

- ⚖️ **Judgment on Capernaum**: Jesus pronounced judgment on Capernaum for its lack of faith, stating that it would be thrust down to hell despite having the greatest opportunities to believe in him.

- 🔍 **Personal Accountability**: The presentation concludes that being near Jesus or witnessing miracles does not guarantee salvation; true faith requires personal engagement with his teachings and a commitment to spiritual growth.

# keyword

#Capernaum #JesusMinistry #Faith

Thought for December 10th. “… TREASURE IN THE LAST DAYS Dec 10, 2024

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What sort of treasure in the last days; any different from other days? As we complete reading the letter of James we find it is full of interesting and challenging thoughts, the reference to “treasure” is one of them. James is the leader of the believers in Jerusalem that we read about in Acts 15 v,13 when the Apostles met to make a decision about the Gentile converts and whether they in any way had to also keep the Law of Moses.

The years have now moved on from that occasion, James is now writing as the chief elder for the believers in Jerusalem, it is now only a few years before the city would be encircled and then destroyed by the Roman armies in AD 67-70. James’s comments in his final chapter are initially directed at the situation that was then developing there and the awesome future the city faced, and which our world now faces. He is inspired to write – because these events would be replicated in human history climaxing in our last days..

So James is writing to warn them of their approaching last days and he says, “weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you, your riches have rotted … You have laid up treasure in the last days … you have lived on the earth in luxury and self-indulgence.” [5 v.1-3,5] This is so true today of Australia and many other parts of the world.

Remember how we saw in 2 Tim. 3 the reference to conditions in the last days (v.1) and primarily this was about the condition among believers; that they would have only “a form of godliness”. But James continues, “Be patient (steadfast) therefore brothers until the coming of the Lord … establish your hearts … the judge is standing at the door” [v.7,8] These words apply so much to believers today in their failure to cope with this world.

The end of the times of the Gentiles (i.e non-Jews) appears to be increasingly close. The total godlessness around us is as much a sign to us of the nearing “end” as is the mounting crisis in the Middle East surrounding God’s Holy Land. James then states, “Behold, we consider those blessed who remain steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job” [v.11].

So as we read Job for the rest of this month we should remember how James sees him as an example of enduring despite much perplexity of mind about his situation. He is an example of the perplexities believers are already facing in some parts of the world today – and this may spread everywhere very soon. Our thought should be to ensure we have the right kind of treasure – that which is described in the parable of Jesus that we read in Luke 12 v.13-21. Read and reflect on the points our Lord makes and become “rich toward God.”.

Real People, Real Lessons #7 Mary Magdalene - Faithfully serving Dec 08, 2024

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Real People, Real Lessons #7 Mary Magdalene - Faithfully serving

When Jesus Became God #2 The Development of a Doctrine with Darren Tappouras Dec 08, 2024

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A Christadelphian Video: # Summary This PRESENTATION delves into the historical evolution of the doctrine of the Trinity, contrasting the beliefs of the first-century apostles with those established in the fourth century. It highlights the development of theological ideas from the time of Jesus through the early church fathers, culminating in the establishment of the Trinity as the official doctrine of the Roman Empire. The presentation critiques the philosophical influences that shaped these beliefs and asserts that the original teachings of the apostles have been obscured over time. # Highlights - 📜 **Apostolic Century vs. Fourth Century**: The first century is marked by the personal teachings of Jesus and the apostles, while the fourth century sees the formal adoption of the Trinity doctrine, particularly through the Nicene Creed established in 325 A.D. - 🏛️ **Development of Doctrine**: The presentation discusses the gradual development of the Trinity doctrine over the second and third centuries, influenced by philosophical ideas, particularly those of Plato, leading to the emergence of various views like proto-orthodoxy and modalism. - ⚖️ **Key Theological Figures**: Important church fathers, such as Tertullian, Origen, and Athanasius, played significant roles in articulating and refining the concept of the Trinity, with debates between figures like Arius and Athanasius shaping the theological landscape. - 🔍 **Cappadocian Fathers**: The Cappadocian Fathers introduced a formula that defined God as a single essence with three distinct persons, which became widely accepted despite its theoretical nature and lack of biblical foundation. - ⚔️ **Political Enforcement of Doctrine**: Theodosius I enforced the Nicene Creed as the official doctrine of the Roman Empire, leading to severe consequences for those who opposed it, marking a significant shift in the relationship between church and state. - 📖 **Original Teachings of the Apostles**: The presentation argues that the original beliefs of the apostles, as documented in the Acts of the Apostles, do not align with later developments of the Trinity, suggesting a divergence from early Christian teachings. # Keywords #Trinity #ChristianDoctrine #HistoricalTheology

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