Partakers Christian Podcasts

Teachings of Seraphim   Part 5. Love for God   He who has acquired perfect love for God goes through this life as if he did not exist. For he considers himself a stranger to all that is visible and awaits with patience that which is unseen. He is completely transformed into love for God and has abandoned all worldly attachments. He who truly loves God considers himself a wanderer and newcomer on earth, for in him is a striving towards God in soul and mind, which contemplates Him alone. As for care of the soul, a person in his body is like a lighted candle. The candle must burn out, and a person must die. But as our soul is immortal, so our cares should be directed more toward the soul than the body: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)" for which, as is known, nothing in the world can serve as ransom? If the soul alone is worth more than all the world and the worldly kingdom, then the Kingdom

Investigating Jesus Part 36 Jesus’ Last Night: Jesus serves (John 13) In an extraordinary move, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17).  Why does He do this? As part of the custom of the day, a servant or slave usually undertook foot washing of guests. Since none of the disciples had done this, Jesus Himself undertakes the task (John 13:4-5). Peter, recalcitrant and resistant as always, objects (John 13:6, 8). Peter learns that only those cleansed by Jesus and trusting in Him fully, can be a part of the kingdom (John 13:7, 9). As we look back at this episode, knowing what we do now of the Cross of Jesus Christ, we learn how this simple act of washing the feet of His disciples, is symbolic of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross. Jesus’ getting up to serve symbolizes his coming to serve. Just as Peter opposed Jesus going to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23), so he objected to having his feet washed here As he took off his cloak, this symbolizes his glory being taken off when he became man. Girding Him

Teachings of Seraphim   Part 4. Hope   All those having firm hope in God are raised to Him and enlightened with the radiance of eternal light. If a person does not have superfluous care for himself, out of his love for God and for virtuous deeds, and knows that God will take care of him, then this hope is true and wise. But if a person places all his hope in his works, and turns to God in prayer only when unforeseen misfortunes befall him, then he, seeing that he lacks the means of averting them in his own abilities, begins to hope for help from God -- but such a hope is trivial and false. True hope seeks the one Kingdom of God and is sure that everything necessary for this mortal life will surely be given. The heart cannot have peace until it acquires this hope. This hope pacifies it fully and brings joy to it. The most holy lips of the Saviour spoke about this very hope: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). An excerpt from the teachings of Seraph

Investigating Jesus Part 35 Jesus’ Last Night: Jesus prepares (Luke 22) The disciples needed a room within Jerusalem itself, and required food - a lamb, bread, bitter herbs and wine. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' he will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. (Luke 22:7-13). The Passover meal contains historical and theological symbolism regarding the death of Jesus. Therefore, this meal is the model for the central act of Christian worship, which i

Teachings of Seraphim  Part 3. Faith Faith, according to the teachings of St. Antioch, is the beginning of our union with God: the true believers are the stone of the church of God, prepared for the edifice of God the Father, which is raised up to the heights by the power of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Cross and help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). The works of faith are love, peace, longsuffering, mercy, humility, bearing one’s cross and life by the spirit. True faith cannot remain without works. One who truly believes will also surely perform good works. An excerpt from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file

Investigating Jesus Part 34 Jesus’ Last Night: Jesus plans (Luke 22) A lot of businesses and a lot of churches have mission statements. Here we have what is clearly Jesus’ Mission statement and after 3 years of ministry from that point, Jesus has preached the good news of God’s salvation. He has healed the sick. He will release the oppressed by his death on the cross. His mission will be fulfilled at the cross. Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles were the three most important feasts in the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 21). All Jewish men were expected to visit Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). The Feast of Passover was to commemorate the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and it was a time for remembering and rejoicing (Exodus 11-12). In Luke 22, we come to Jesus’ last night before he goes to that cross. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then

Teachings of Seraphim  The Reasons for Christ’s Coming Jesus Christ came because of: 1. God's love towards the human race: "For so God loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16); 2. The restoration of the image and likeness of God in fallen man; 3. The salvation of human souls: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17). And so, we, following the goals of our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, must lead our lives according to His Godly teaching, in order to save our souls by it. An excerpt from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson. Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file

Investigating Jesus Part 33 Jesus’ Last Prayer: Jesus prays for all disciples (John 17:20-26) Now Jesus prays for all those who, through the work of the disciples, will become his followers. As such, it brings all Christian disciples into intimacy with Jesus and a part of a dynamic relationship with Him. What does Jesus pray for his church of followers? Jesus prays for unity. That is unity is on various levels. Firstly, it is unity on the invisible, supernatural level (John 17:21-22). The life of all Christian disciples is inextricably linked to each other, through the love and obedience of God the Son and God the Father. Christian disciples are united because Jesus imparts upon them, the glory given to Him by God the Father (John 17:22). Secondly, this unity is also physical, in so much as through a visible unity, people will come to know Jesus personally and take up the offer of reconciliation with God (John 17:21, 23). This unity is also physically seen, through the telling of the message of reconciliati

Teachings of Seraphim We start today a new series, with excerpts from the teachings of Seraphim of Sarov of the 18th & 19th centuries. He was one of the most renowned Russian saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Seraphim extended the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson.   About God God is fire, warming and igniting the heart and inward parts. So, if we feel coldness in our hearts, which is from the devil (for the devil is cold), then let us call the Lord: He, in coming, will warm our heart with perfect love, not only towards Himself, but to our neighbors as well. And the coldness of the despiser of good will run from the face of His warmth. Where there is God, there is no evil. Everything coming from God is peaceful, healthy and leads a person to the judgment of his own imperfections and humility. God shows us His love for man not only in those instances when we do good, but also when we affront Him with our sins and anger Him. With what long-suffering he bear

Investigating Jesus Part 32 Jesus’ Last Prayer: Jesus prays for his disciples (John 17:6-19) In this part of the prayer, Jesus prays for his disciples. Note how he describes them: they were chosen by God Himself, seen God in Jesus and have received God’s words and obeyed them (John 17:6). John 17:6, 9-10 tells us that the disciples were in the safe possession of both the Father and the Son. John 17:7-8 shows what the disciples know. Despite misunderstanding frequently what Jesus was talking about, the disciples still grasped that Jesus had come from God. Having taught that they will endure persecution and suffering because they are his followers, Jesus prays for their safety. They will be safe, not because of their own cunning, character or conduct. They will be safe because of God’s care and protection (John 17:11-12). As they are God’s possession, God Himself will ensure that they are watched over and protected. This security is also born from glorifying God and being witnesses for Him (John 17:10). G

Investigating Jesus Part 31 Jesus’ Last Prayer: Jesus prays for Himself (John 17:1-5) After his final teaching on his last night before his death, Jesus now turns to prayer. Firstly, praying for Himself, then for his twelve disciples and then finally for all disciples that will follow, the church. This prayer is probably the pinnacle of revelation in John’s gospel. Here we see Jesus’ very words, revealing an unparalleled intimacy with his Father. We get a glimpse into the very heart of their relationship and see the intimate bond between them. Jesus prays for Himself (John 17:1-5) Central to this part of his prayer is glorification. That is the glorification of Himself in order that God the Father who sent Him will be glorified. Glorify is rarely used outside of church circles today. If ever it is, is usually in the context of somebody pretending to be better than they really are. Glorify means, in a biblical context, to have the person’s true nature disclosed. In effect, Jesus is saying in John 17:1: “M

Psalm 26 to Psalm 30 Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection! Psalm 26 A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption A Psalm of David. 1 Vindicate me, O LORD, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. 3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. 4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. 9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.

Investigating Jesus Part 30 Jesus’ Last Teaching: Disciples will have resources in the kingdom The prime resource that Christian Disciples have is, as we have already seen, God the Holy Spirit. He is the real evangelist. In conjunction with Him, the Christian Disciple has other resources which are available for us to use: counselling, discipling and proclaiming, . Counselling (John 16:8-11): As well as proclaiming about Jesus, the Holy Spirit speaks to people’s hearts, personally – one to one. He convinces people hearing God’s Word of three things: their own sin (John 16:8); their separation from a righteous God (John 16:10) and in regard to the judgement of satan and all who follow Him (John 16:11). In these three things, a person is led to the Cross in order to confess their sin and need of Jesus Christ and the salvation only he can give. Discipling (John 16:12-16): Once brought to faith, the Holy Spirit performs several tasks for the Twelve Disciples: he will guide them into all truth and develop what

Psalm 126 to Psalm 130 Often we hear the Psalms one by one, but today we offer you the chance to hear a group of Psalms read as a collection!   Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file Psalm 126 1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Right mouse click or tap here to save/download these Psalms as a MP3 file Psalm 127 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling

Investigating Jesus Part 29 Jesus’ Last Teaching: Disciples will suffer for the kingdom John 15:18: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” We learn from this passage that opposition to Jesus’ message is unavoidable. The first opposition is that of the old nature attacking the new nature. Christian Disciples, Jesus said, were called out from the world (John 15:19). Christian Disciples upon conversion belong to a different place and are heading for a different place. Secondly, opposition is to be expected simply because of who Jesus is (John 15:21). Christian Disciples share in the life of Jesus and the way the world treats Jesus is the way the world treats all his disciples (John 15:20-21). Thirdly, opposition comes through revealing evil. Jesus, as the Light of the World, exposed evil and sin through his words (John 15:22) and works (John 15:24). At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus commanded all those who follow Him, to also be “lights of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16). This

Readings and Prayers of Lament 25. Psalm 139, Psalm 141 and Psalm 142 We are reading Scripture together, particularly Psalms of lament and repentance as well as the book of Lamentations. As each Scripture is read, listen in an attitude of prayer, and perhaps repeat the words to yourself. Feel the very raw emotions of the words and agony of the original writer and at the heart of God Himself. Yet also listen out for those little words of joy and hope that are hidden within. Then after listening, pray to God using that piece of Scripture. Right Mouse click or tap here to save Podcast as an audio mp3 file Today we are reading and praying together Psalm 139, Psalm 141 & Psalm 142. Psalm 139 1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 141 1 I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you li

Investigating Jesus Part 28 Jesus’ Last Teaching: Disciples must bear fruit for the kingdom Before he is crucified, Jesus is saying goodbye to his disciples and giving them some final teaching before he departs. Several times he has told them he is going away (John 13:33; John 14:3-4, 19, 28). “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2). As usual Jesus uses Old Testament language, for in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is often seen as a vine (Jeremiah 2:21; Psalm 80). However, as a vine, Israel had not produced fruit that God had expected as explained here: I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good g

Readings and Prayers of Lament 25. Psalm 77, Psalm 86 and Psalm 120 We are reading Scripture together, particularly Psalms of lament and repentance as well as the book of Lamentations. As each Scripture is read, listen in an attitude of prayer, and perhaps repeat the words to yourself. Feel the very raw emotions of the words and agony of the original writer and at the heart of God Himself. Yet also listen out for those little words of joy and hope that are hidden within. Then after listening, pray to God using that piece of Scripture. Right Mouse click or tap here to save Podcast as an audio mp3 file Today we are reading and praying Psalm 77, Psalm 86 & Psalm 120 together. Psalm 77 1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. Psalm 86 1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. Yo

Investigating Jesus Part 27 Jesus Encounters a Woman caught in adultery Jesus, as all Rabbis and teachers did, was at the temple teaching and talking with people. It was also part of the role of the rabbi/teachers to ascertain what to do in certain difficult moral and legal situations. As part of this role, the Pharisees dragged in an unknown woman charged with adultery. Likewise, with the Samaritan woman, we don’t know this woman’s name either. The Pharisees lay a trap for Jesus. If Jesus said to stone the woman, then the Romans could arrest Jesus, for it was Roman law that any death must be conducted by them and not by others. If Jesus says to release the woman, then the Pharisees would say that Jesus is contravening Scripture and the Law of Moses. What does Jesus do? He writes in the dirt (John 8:6). We don’t know what he wrote, but from the Greek word for ‘write’, we understand that he was seemingly writing a report. Additionally, when Jesus says: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the fir

Readings and Prayers of Lament 24. Psalm 61, Psalm 64, Psalm 70 and Psalm 71 We are reading Scripture together, particularly Psalms of lament and repentance as well as the book of Lamentations. As each Scripture is read, listen in an attitude of prayer, and perhaps repeat the words to yourself. Feel the very raw emotions of the words and agony of the original writer and at the heart of God Himself. Yet also listen out for those little words of joy and hope that are hidden within. Then after listening, pray to God using that piece of Scripture. Right Mouse click or tap here to save Podcast as an audio mp3 file Today we are reading and praying Psalm 61, Psalm 64, Psalm 70 & Psalm 71 together. Psalm 61 1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 64 1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threa