B&A Church Podcast

On Sunday, James spoke about Jesus' encounter with the man born blind in John's gospel and explored where we as disciples find home, how we get there and how we can help others to discover it. John 9:1-4 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

This Sunday Wayne spoke about Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well and how when we come home to a relationship with Jesus, we are filled and sustained by the Spirit, we are freed from the stories that contain us and we can see the world differently. John 4:1-26 Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptising more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptised, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Where is home? This Sunday James spoke about Andrew's encounter with Jesus from John Chapter 1. We looked at Andrew's question “Where are you staying?” - what it meant for him then and what it means for us now and for the people in our lives we want to introduce to Jesus. John 1:35-42 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

This Sunday we welcomed guest speaker Richard Moy from SOMA UK. Richard spoke on what it means to not fear death but to know that our names are written in the book of life. SOMA is an Anglican mission agency working for renewal across the world. 'However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.' - Luke 10:20

We're in a series called Home With Jesus, looking at encounters with Jesus in the Gospels. This week Charles looks at encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus found in Mark chapter 3 and what it means to be born again. John 3:1-21 NIV Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel's teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

This Sunday we welcomed guest speaker Tim Dobson from Woodies Church Bristol. He replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” - Luke 4:43 Are we longing for the Kingdom to come? Do we believe that God has dreams for his world and for our lives? Are we anticipating that God's Kingdm will break in every day? Tim spoke about Jesus's obsession with the Kingdom of God and why it should become our obsession too.

Wayne & James give a short update on where we're up to with our buildings exchange, how we got to where we are and what's happening next.

One of the big lessons we can learn from the exile that feels particularly relevant for post-pandemic life is how to wait. This week Wayne looks at the Psalms of Ascent, in particular Psalm 123, and what they can teach us about waiting: active waiting, waiting together and waiting with Jesus.

This Sunday, guest speaker Charles Auld spoke from Lamentations 3 about how and why we need to talk about the justice of God.

This Sunday we continued in our series on HOME, looking at Prophecy: speaking out how God sees the present and the future. James looks at prophecy in both the Church today and the Bible and how we can read the prophets in the Old Testament. Together, we looked at Isaiah 11 and how Isaiah looked towards the person of Christ and the second coming. In our Little Churches we looked at these passages... Isaiah 9:2-7 Isaiah 40:1-5 Isaiah 58:6-12 And discussed these questions... Which verses are speaking about the context, the cross, the second coming? What is God saying to me/us/our culture in this passage?

This half term as many people in our city celebrated Halloween, we gathered to celebrate Jesus, the light of the world, the one who has overcome the darkness. In this 2-part recording Wendy & Wayne unpack the armour of God, how we can get a hold of it and be people of the light. Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

This Sunday James spoke on the importance of communal suffering and what we can learn from the exile, and in particular Psalm 137, about being real with others and with Jesus. Psalm 137 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!” Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.

What do you worship in life? We're in a series called Home, looking at the exile and seeking to understand where we are in an uncertain world. This Sunday's talk looks at Psalm 115, how the people in exile overcame the temptation to worship idols, and why worship is the key for us in re-ordering our priorities as followers of Jesus. Psalm 115 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. All you Israelites, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord. In our Little Churches we asked these questions: What are the idols of our culture and our lives? Do I seek to be with God in worship? Am I worshipping with others? What difference do the promises of God make in my life?

This is the first in a new series of monthly podcasts exploring some of the key discipleship questions that get asked in our Little Churches and the theology behind them. In this episode we're looking at 4 key theological concepts: The Kingdom of God, the Church, the World, and Culture.

We're in a new series, Home, helping us understand where we are in an uncertain world. This week, James explains some of the history of the exile from the Old Testament and explores why embracing God's holiness can help others see Jesus. In our Little Churches this week we asked these questions: How are those you are serving experiencing the world right now? How are you presenting Jesus to them? What do you want God to do next in your Little Church? What do you think God wants you to do next in your Little Church?

Who is the Lord of your history? In the second of our series of talks on Home, seeking to understand where we are in an uncertain world, we're looking again at Jeremiah's letter to the Israelites who have been carried into exile in Babylon. Wayne unpacks what God is saying to them and what he might be saying to us now. God is in charge, he has a plan and he has promised that even in Babylon we can be full of hope.

How do we follow Jesus well in uncertain times? This week at The Gathering we began our new series, Home, learning from the exile. Wayne spoke from Jeremiah 29 about our identity that finds its home in Jesus. This culture is not our home, Jesus is our home. But because Jesus is our home, we can make our home in this culture. In our Little Churches we discussed these questions: Is Jesus my home? If yes, what rhythms and practises do I have in place to live this out? Do I pursue God's presence? If yes, what rhythms and practises do I have in place to pursue God's presence?

Most of us will be taking a break over the summer but there are some things that we shouldn't stop doing - and following Jesus together is one of them! That's why on Sunday at The Gathering we launched the B&A Summer Challenge. If you missed out I'm afraid you won't get the stickers but you can hear all about it on this week's episode of the Catch Up Podcast. You can find all the challenges on the website, just head to babristol.org/summerchallenge.

Better later than never, this weeks catch up is finally out! Catch up from Sunday's 17th July, where Wayne brought us a word called "How to become the best You, You can be"

This week James sat down with Matti to catch up about the Sunday gathering. Recapping on our 'God stories' and how we can use them to Go and share the good news of the gospel with our friends, colleges and class mates. Part 2 we deep dived a little more into what it looks like to go in our weakness rather than our strength.

Stories are important, good stories have a beginning, middle and an end. Great stories often have God in the middle of them! - We looked together at how important our God stories are for GO'ing and sharing the good news with others. Wendy and James caught up what happened, including a crash course in praying for the sick in THIRST in the second part of our service. If you weren't able to be with us this is a good way to catch up.

On Sunday at The Gathering Wayne spoke from 2 Timothy chapter 2 on how to be strong in grace and give our lives away. We had some time in our Little Churches afterwards to discuss and pray for one another. We asked these questions: Who am I passing the Gospel onto? Is the Gospel the focus of my life? Am I willing to suffer for the Gospel? Is Jesus who I am strong in? 2 Timothy 2: 1-13 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, For he cannot disown himself.

We had an amazing time celebrating Father's Day and God our Heavenly Father on Sunday - we shared communion together in part 1 and then spent some extended time in worship in God's presence in part 2 for our THIRST week. Kate caught up with Wayne about Toblerones, Father's Day, what Prodigal actually means in the Prodigal Son and what God did at THIRST. If you weren't able to be with us this is a good way to catch up.

At The Gathering this week we continued in our series on Live, Love, Give Go, talking about giving our lives away. James spoke from Matthew chapter 6 about how we can seek first the kingdom and live generous lives. Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

On Sunday at The Gathering we welcomed Keld Dahlmann from Aarhus in Denmark. Keld is a pastor and the senior leader of The Order of Mission, a global network of Missional Leaders and Church Planters. For many years Keld has led and been part of missional communities like our Little Churches and he came to speak on loving others as family, continuing in our series Live, Love, Give, Go. Yesterday we caught up with Wayne to chat through the six points that Keld brought. We did record the talk but unfortunately had a few technical glitches with sound so it's not that easy to hear - if you'd like to listen drop us an email to info@babristol.org and we'll send you a copy of the recording.

On Sunday at The Gathering we continued in our series Live, Love, Give, Go talking about loving others as family. Earlier today, Matti caught up with Wendy about belonging in the family of faith. If you weren't able to be with us or want a refresher on what we talked about on Sunday this is a good way to catch up!

At the gathering on Sunday Wayne spoke from 1 Samuel chapter 3. We've recently begun a new series called Live, Love, Give, Go and the talk this week was about LIVING a life of prayer - how we can step into prayer as a vocation.

On Sunday we started our new series called Live, Love, Give, Go and earlier today Matti caught up with James to chat about one way we can include more prayer in our daily lives. If you weren't able to be with us or want a refresher on what we talked about on Sunday this is a good way to catch up!

Mark 13The destruction of the temple and signs of the end times1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!'2 ‘Do you see all these great buildings?' replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.'3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?'5 Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth-pains.9 ‘You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.12 ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.14 ‘When you see “the abomination that causes desolation” standing where it does not belong – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equalled again.20 ‘If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah!” or, “Look, there he is!” do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.24 ‘But in those days, following that distress,‘“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will

Mark 12The parable of the tenants1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall round it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.6 ‘He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, “They will respect my son.”7 ‘But the tenants said to one another, “This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.9 ‘What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven't you read this passage of Scripture:‘“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes”?'12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.Paying the poll-tax to Caesar13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the poll-tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?'But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. ‘Why are you trying to trap me?' he asked. ‘Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.' 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?'‘Caesar's,' they replied.17 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.'And they were amazed at him.Marriage at the resurrection18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 ‘Teacher,' they said, ‘Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.

Mark 11Jesus comes to Jerusalem as king1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, “Why are you doing this?” say, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.”'4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, ‘What are you doing, untying that colt?' 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,‘Hosanna!'‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'10 ‘Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!'‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!'11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.Jesus curses a fig-tree and clears the temple courts12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig-tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard him say it.15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it “a den of robbers”.'18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig-tree you cursed has withered!'22 ‘Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 23 ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the

Mark 10Divorce1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'3 ‘What did Moses command you?' he replied.4 They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.'5 ‘It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,' Jesus replied. 6 ‘But at the beginning of creation God “made them male and female”. 7 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.'10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.'The little children and Jesus13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.The rich and the kingdom of God17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,' he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?'18 ‘Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. ‘No one is good – except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honour your father and mother.” '20 ‘Teacher,' he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.'21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,' he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.23 Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!'24 The disciples were amaz

Mark 91 And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.'The transfiguration2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.5 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!'8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what ‘rising from the dead' meant.11 And they asked him, ‘Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?'12 Jesus replied, ‘To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.'Jesus heals a boy possessed by an impure spirit14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.16 ‘What are you arguing with them about?' he asked.17 A man in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.'19 ‘You unbelieving generation,' Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.'20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.21 Jesus asked the boy's father, ‘How long has he been like this?'‘From childhood,' he answered. 22 ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water

Mark 8Jesus feeds the four thousand1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.'4 His disciples answered, ‘But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?'5 ‘How many loaves do you have?' Jesus asked.‘Seven,' they replied.6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.' 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.The yeast of the Pharisees and Herod14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 ‘Be careful,' Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.'16 They discussed this with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.'17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?'‘Twelve,' they replied.20 ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?'They answered, ‘Seven.'21 He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?'Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spat on the man's eyes an

Mark 7That which defiles1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the market-place they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, ‘Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?'6 He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:‘“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.'9 And he continued, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, “Honour your father and mother,” and, “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) – 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.'14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.' 17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 ‘Are you so dull?' he asked. ‘Don't you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.' (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)20 He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.'Jesus honours a Syro-Phoenician woman's faith24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret

The very first words that Jesus says in Mark's Gospel are ‘the Kingdom of God has drawn near'. From January to Easter 2022 we are journeying together through the Gospel of Mark to discover more about this Kingdom and the person of Jesus. In this series of podcasts we'll be taking a chapter a week and expanding on the material covered at our Sunday Gatherings to help us dig deep and unearth some of the life-changing truths in Mark's extraordinary account of the life of Jesus. Mark 6A prophet without honour1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.‘Where did this man get these things?' they asked. ‘What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?' And they took offence at him.4 Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.' 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few people who were ill and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.Jesus sends out the TwelveThen Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.8 These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.'12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed with oil many people who were ill and healed them.John the Baptist beheaded14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying,[b] ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'15 Others said, ‘He is Elijah.'And still others claimed, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.'16 But when Herod heard this, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!'17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you

Mark 5Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding&

Mark 4 The parable of the sower1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered round him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 ‘Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.'9 Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.'10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,‘“they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”'13 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.'A lamp on a stand21 He said to them, ‘Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.'24 ‘Consider carefully what you hear,' he continued. ‘With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.'The parable of the growing se

Mark 3Jesus Heals on the Sabbath3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shrivelled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.Crowds Follow Jesus7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8 When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11 Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.Jesus Appoints the Twelve13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgi

Mark 2Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.'6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 ‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralysed man, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, take your mat and walk”? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.' So he said to the man, 11 ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!'Jesus calls Levi and eats with sinners13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. ‘Follow me,' Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?'17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'Jesus questioned about fasting18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, ‘How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?'19 Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.21 ‘No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be

Mark Chapter 1John the Baptist prepares the wayThe beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way' –‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness,“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”' And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.'The baptism and testing of Jesus At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.' At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.Jesus announces the good news After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,' he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'Jesus calls his first disciples As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,' Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.Jesus drives out an impure spirit They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!' ‘Be quiet!' said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!' The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.' News about him spread quickly over the whole

What God has done at B&A in the pandemic and how you can get involved.

Matthew 6: 5-15Prayer‘And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.‘This, then, is how you should pray:‘“Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.And forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 548 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-47Love for Enemies“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Matthew 5:38-42Eye for Eye“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:33-37Oaths“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes' or ‘No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Matthew 5:31-32“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 5:27-30Adultery“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 5:21-26Murder‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them then come and offer your gift.‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.