Christadelphians Talk

Today's readings.. (Deuteronomy 25), (Song of Solomon 5), (Acts 20)In today's 20th chapter in Acts we have the account of a long conversation Paul had with “the elders of the church” [v.17] at Ephesus whom he called to see him at the port of Miletus.  He told them then “that they would not see his face again' [V.38].It was obviously an intense discussion.  He tells them,  “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock …  I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.  Therefore be alert …”  [v.27-31]It is natural for most of us to want to try to avoid all problems, all controversy, to ignore it if we can.   But what does that achieve?  Does it bring us closer to God and to Christ?  We have many lessons on this from Christ himself in the gospels.  Of course the circumstances in Ephesus are different, it is an entirely Gentile community – but what is not different is human nature – and the only solution to that is the development of a genuine Christ-like frame of mind.  The foundation ingredient to do that, especially for us today, is the meditative reading of God's word.Bible reading is the only way to untwist things that have been twisted.   With what intensity did Paul seek to do this! We might think he did this by intense study, reasoning and constructive argumentation, and we see some of this in his letter to them – but what does the text in Acts say?  What is the point he makes in reminding them of the spirit of mind he showed when he was among them?   “…. Be alert  remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish everyone with tears.”  [v.31]  A most challenging example to follow. The lesson is clear – academic reasoning is not the major part of dealing with “twisted things”.  Paul left Timothy at Ephesus [1 Tim 1 v.3] and he ends his letter to him by saying, “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions …”  We must do the same

Once again we have some interesting and, to quite a degree, challenging chapters today.  Our Deuteronomy chapter (24) caused us to meditate on the nature of life without banks, or any money as we have it today, so that there is no situation in which it can be borrowed!   What will be the nature of any “money” in the kingdom age?  Real gold and silver?  The Israelites, as God's people, were told by Moses in his final message, they are to “purge the evil from your midst” [Deut. 24 v.7] How much purging will be needed in the kingdom when all peoples will be expected to serve the one real God and “out of Zion shall go the law, and  …. he shall judge between the nations …” [Isa. 2 v.3,4]?The Songs of Solomon are usually understood as a spiritual ‘parable' of the bride of Christ, and Christ says to her, “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you … You have captivated my heart … my bride … how beautiful is your love … my bride!” ” [4 v.7,9,10]  With this perspective on the meaning of this ‘parable' to what extent are we today, “captivating” the heart of our Saviour?  How can we live so that we do so?Our chapters in Acts show how the message of the gospel captivated the hearts of some of the converts so that they were really committed in serving Christ; “a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria … was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. (the Old Testament of course) … being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus …” [18 v.24,25] When he came to Achaia ” he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,  for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” [v.27,28]He was showing, in practice “how beautiful” his “love” was for Christ!  “How beautiful is (y)our love?”  There are many ways of showing it!  Let us try harder to live so that “Christ is formed in you” [Gal. 4 v.19] which was what Paul was agonising in his heart about – concerning the believers in Galatia. As we live day after day, absorbing the real spirit of God's word so that “Christ is formed” in you and I, realising more and more fully that we do this by serving one another in the spirit of Christ – as parts of “the body of Christ.”  Let us meditate on Paul's words to the Colossians in ch. 1 v.28,29.

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] What is the "certain place" where mercy and truth meet, and righteousness and peace kiss? In this thought-provoking and insightful Memorial exhortation, Bro Ted Hodge takes us on an expositional journey through Scripture to reveal the wonderful intersection of God's divine attributes. From Jacob's vision at Bethel to the seven ecclesias of Revelation, we explore how this special place is not just a location—it's a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth.This outstanding presentation challenges us as individuals and as an ecclesia to examine whether we truly dwell in this place where goodness and severity, love and faithfulness exist in perfect harmony. With practical application for our Memorial meeting and daily walk, Bro Hodge reminds us that we are soldiers of Christ, battling to remain at this place where true righteousness and peace abide. A revealing and uplifting study that will transform how you view the emblems and your spiritual warfare.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: A Place Where Mercy and Truth Meet02:14 - Jacob's Vision at Bethel: The House of God03:27 - The Lord Jesus Christ: The Person Who Is This Place05:35 - The Beauty of Scripture's Couplets06:29 - The Seven Ecclesias: Who Is at This Place?09:17 - As Individuals: Searching the Reins and Hearts10:37 - The Soldier Analogy: Enduring Hardship12:28 - 2 Timothy 2: Passing the Baton15:11 - As an Ecclesia: The House of God16:46 - The Importance of Assembling Together19:25 - Lampstands and Imperfect People21:28 - Practical Application: Balancing Divine Attributes22:52 - The Son of Man: Full of Grace and Truth25:40 - The Emblems: Where We Meet God27:07 - The Mercy Seat: Our Place of Forgiveness28:29 - Partaking in Remembrance29:13 - 1 Corinthians 11:23-30: The Lord's Supper30:49 - Prayer for the Bread33:05 - Prayer for the Cup34:47 - Closing Hymn37:28 - Concluding Prayer and Benediction42:50 - Final Reflection: Come and Listen**Bible Verse Categories:**

 How do we “receive” God's word?  It is ‘food' to nourish and build up our minds.  We continue to read about the ‘adventures' of Paul – the challenges he faced as he went from place to place to spread the true message of salvation – fulfilling the words God said to Ananias in Damascus (Acts 9 v.15) that Paul “is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”There was enthusiasm for his message in some places, but not in others – and it is the same in the world today.  Paul's first approach was to go into the local Jewish synagogue, but he almost always  had a better reception among the Gentiles; he usually found some who were looking for real meaning and purpose in their lives – and it has been so ever since.  But today – with nearly all surrounded day by day and week by week by the many activities this modern world thrusts before us, few have interest in seeking and getting to know the eternal purpose of existence.We read today how Paul, when he came to a place called Berea, went into the synagogue, where he found “these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” [ch. 17 v.11]   The Scriptures of course were what we call the Old Testament and we have seen in earlier chapters in Acts passages which first Peter and then Paul quoted to prove  that the coming of Jesus and his sacrifice had been revealed by God to the prophets.  And today we can, if we are genuinely interested, study and quote them to see how they have foretold today's events with the return of the Jews to their own land – and the events which will now follow – of which our New Testament also has much to reveal to us.  So let us be like the Bereans – so that it can be said of us that we have “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily …”     A key question for each of us is, ‘How well-nourished is my mind in eternal matters?

A  Genuine faith is an essential and active ingredient in the lives of those who believe in Jesus – it motivates their actions!  This is made clear in our chapters in the Acts of the Apostles today.  The rapidly developing communities of believers had reached a crisis point when “some believers” in Jerusalem “who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses'.” [ch.15 v.5] These Jewish converts to faith in Christ wanted the Gentile converts to fully follow Jewish ways: because of this “the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.” [v.6] This was held in Jerusalem and there was “much debate.” [v.7] Among the points that Peter made was “God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, havingcleansed their hearts by faith.” [v.8,9]  Peter says that what these former Pharisees were advocating would be a “yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?  But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” [v.10,11] The lesson is – we cannot ‘earn' salvation through keeping rituals; we are “saved through grace” and it will only be through grace that we will gain a place in God's kingdom.  The essential ingredient for those who believe is to develop cleansed hearts, the outcome of having a genuine faith.   At the end of the gathering a letter is composed (v.23) and sent to the Gentile believers.  It makes the point that “it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements…” [v.28] The requirement which it is most appropriate for us to carefully note in this 21st Century is to “abstain … from sexual immortality.” [v.29]  This will come naturally to those who have “cleansed their hearts by faith.”  This was also illustrated for us in some detail in our chapter 22 in Deuteronomy today. (v.13-30) as part of Moses' earnest exhortation before the Israelites enter the promised land. May our faith become stronger – and our vision clearer – and then -how wonderfully ‘clean' our hearts will become.

Our readings in Acts ch. 13 has many lessons about the actions of God and the reactions of men as the message of Jesus was spread.  Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia (southern Turkey) and went into the synagogue and were invited to speak (v.15). Paul started by giving them a history lesson of God's actions in bringing Israel through the wilderness and establishing them in the promised land, giving them kings, in particular David.  Then his message jumps forward to John the Baptist.  We must not underestimate the impact and spread of John's preaching because later, at Ephesus, Paul is to find those who only know John's baptism (19 v.3) – and Ephesus is a long way from the Jordan! Paul's mention of John is a springboard for him to talk about Jesus and his message.  He points out that those who lived in Jerusalem “did not recognise him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day,” and they “fulfilled them by condemning him” [v.27].Paul knew that the same misunderstanding was going to happen in Antioch as they became jealous of the non-Jews when they accepted the message that “everyone who believes (in Jesus) is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.” [v.38,39]. Then comes the punch line!  “Beware therefore, lest what is said in the prophets should come about.” [v.40]It came about in the punishment that came on Jerusalem!  And the same can be said today! Punishment is coming! Paul quoted the words God inspired the prophet Habakkuk to write, “Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'” [v.41, Hab. 1 v.5]  Today we have scoffers who deride the Bible, apparently learned men who scoff at the very thought that there is a God.  One day, maybe soon, they will “be astounded and perish.”  Then God's laws will come into action, no longer will the permissive laws of man corrupt mankind.  Let us prepare for that time by understanding the utterances of the prophets, including Jesus and Paul – and taking them to heart, and showing that we have done so, by our words and actions. 

These are the final words in Solomon's Book of Ecclesiastes. In the verse 12 he writes, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of mankind” At the start of this book we read, these are “the words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.”     In today's final chapter we read, “Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging, many proverbs with great care.” [v.9]  We quoted a few days ago v.11 “the words of the wise are like goads, like nails firmly fixed” [v.11] and it reminds us of what Jesus said to Paul on the Damascus road, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” [Acts 26 v.14] Goads are the nails that are fixed behind horses in harness pulling a carriage, which prick them if they try to disobey the driver.  Paul's conscience was pricking him as he put loving and God fearing men and women in prison and stood approving the stoning of Stephen.  Do we let the “words of the wise” that God has caused to be preserved throughout the Bible prick our conscience? We should.Solomon has a particular message for the young. “Rejoice, O young … let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.  Walk in the ways of your heart … But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement … Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come … “ [Ch.11 v.9; 12 v.1]He is writing in the despondency of old age, death is at the door, he had found “enjoyment in all his toil” [2 v.24] and now that is all over.  But today we can put a fuller meaning on “before the evil days come” for our world is facing evil times and the good times (?) are largely over; “They are afraid= also of what is high, and terrors are in the way” [v.5].We must take his final words to heart, “Fear  God and keep his commandments …

[Inspiring] In this thought-provoking and outstanding exposition, we continue our journey through the Christadelphian faith with Chapter 9: “How can this be?” Join us as brother Harry Tennant takes us deep into Scripture to answer a profound question – if the original Garden of Eden was blighted by sin, why and how can paradise ever be restored? This insightful and wonderfully revealing presentation moves from Eden's failure to Gethsemane's victory, showing that God's answer to mankind's plight is found entirely in the sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We explore two great mysteries – our redemption in Christ and the true nature of the Son of God – and discover that what God planned from the beginning (to make man in His image) was fully achieved in His only begotten Son. This is an uplifting, Scripture-centred message that will strengthen your confidence in God's righteous and merciful purpose to fill the earth with blessing. Whether you are new to Bible study or have long loved its truths, this video offers a rich, expositional walk through key passages that reveal the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.**

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply insightful, join us for this outstanding expositional study of one of the Bible's most remarkable prophecies. We explore Ezekiel 37 and its breathtakingly accurate foretelling of the modern restoration of Israel. In this wonderful presentation, Brother Mike Steele provides a revealing, step-by-step analysis of how this ancient vision has been meticulously fulfilled in our time, proving God's sovereign hand in history and signalling the nearness of Christ's return.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction00:15 - Exploring Ezekiel 37: The Prophecy of Restoration00:42 - The Historical Context & God's Ultimate Purpose01:57 - The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones03:51 - The Noise Begins: The Zionist Movement (c. 1897)06:32 - The Shaking: World War I & British Control08:04 - Sinews and Flesh Form: The Balfour Declaration (1917) & League of Nations (1922)10:30 - Skin Covers the Flesh: The UN Vote of 194711:38 - The Breath of Life: The Proclamation of the State of Israel (1948)12:47 - An Exceeding Great Army: The Six-Day War (1967) and Beyond14:33 - The Proof: "I have spoken it and performed it"15:53 - The Future King: The Promise of One King Over All19:00 - Conclusion: The Reliability of God's Word*Key Bible Verses Explored:*

A @Christadelphians Video: Pleased to present in collaboration with the Bible Unlocked team, this thought-provoking presentation from the sixth season of Bible Unlocked Live, A foundational series, “Why You Should Believe the Bible,” revealing how faith is built on a rock-solid foundation of evidence and reason. They hold a webinar each week....Find out more @ https://www.bibleunlocked.com/Inspiring. Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of one of Christianity's most debated doctrines. In this outstanding presentation, we trace the historical origins of the Trinitarian teaching, examine its foundational claims, and offer a revealing, scripture-based perspective on the true nature of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: The Central Question14:03 - Defining the Trinity Doctrine14:49 - The Biblical Principle: Tracing a Doctrine to its Origin16:20 - The Foundational Problem: No Direct Biblical Reference17:29 - Historical Origins: From Ignatius to the Nicene Creed20:27 - Constantine and the Council of Nicaea22:35 - Enforcement and the Absence of Challenge23:48 - Can God Be Understood? A Biblical View25:17 - Conclusion: The Call to Personal Bible Study26:10 - Deep Dive & Q&A: Examining Key 'Proof Texts'27:18 - John 1:1-3: "The Word was God"30:44 - Philippians 2:6 & John 14:9: Further Analysis33:08 - Summarising the Biblical Relationship: Father, Son & Holy Spirit35:11 - Closing Remarks & Preview of Next Topic**Bible Verse Category:**

How i became a Christadelphian! Rhe Desjardin

A @Christadelphians Video: *Ai Summary* [Inspiring] This thought-provoking and insightful exposition reveals why so many Bible translations exist, focusing on “challenging words” – rare terms that puzzled scholars for centuries. We explore how discoveries like the Rosetta Stone, Ugaritic, and the Oxyrhynchus Papyri have revolutionised our understanding of Hebrew and Greek. This wonderful, revealing journey shows that translation is a continuous process, not a one-off event. We learn to approach Scripture with humility, using multiple translations to benefit from each one's strengths. Outstanding content for anyone serious about God's Word. *Chapters* 00:00 – Introduction: why challenging words matter 00:42 – Hapax legomena and the need for constant revision 01:52 – Changes & discoveries: learning from ancient languages 02:25 – Akkadian: the language of Abraham and Nimrod's kingdom 05:01 – Rosetta Stone: unlocking hieroglyphics 07:16 – Ugaritic: the closest literary cousin to Hebrew 09:35 – New Testament Greek: from “Holy Spirit language” to everyday Koine 10:32 – Herculaneum papyri and the search for ordinary letters 12:02 – Oxyrhynchus Papyri: a treasure trove of receipts, letters, and everyday Greek 14:44 – Timeline: how translations (KJV, RV, RSV, NIV, ESV, NASB) relate to discoveries 16:00 – Example 1: “nuts and almonds” becomes “pistachio nuts” (Genesis 43:11) 21:04 – Example 2: “Tartan” – from a name to the title “field marshal” (2 Kings 18:17) 23:39 – Why Strong's is outdated, and modern lexicons (BDB, HALOT, BDAG) 25:56 – Conclusion: humility, using multiple translations, and always learning *Bible Verse Category*

Does God hear prayer?  Yes!  But Scripture makes it clear that it depends on the spirit of mind in which prayers are offered.  God sees all, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” [Prov. 15 v.3]  In Ecclesiastes today we read, “Rejoice … in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” [11 v.19] So what is the nature of the things we rejoice about?   Remember the parable Jesus told about the son who asked for – and received – his share of the inheritance – and ‘rejoiced' in squandering it! (Luke 15 v.12,13)  A remarkable man who was seeking the right way to ‘rejoice', was none other than a Roman Centurion!   We read of him, Cornelius, in Acts ch. 10 today.` He was a man of prayer, he was seeking a relationship with the true God, the only God, and “prayed continually to God.” [v.2] He receives a vision and is told by an angel, “”Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” [v.4]  Does God ‘receive' our prayers like that? Are we generous in giving alms?He is told to “send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter” [v.5] and wastes no time in doing this.  The events which follow are also a learning curve for Peter, it had not entered his mind that a Roman Centurion could be saved and put on the name of Jesus!  After hearing the testimony of Cornelius Peter declares,  “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” [v.34,35] Peter declares to him the “good news of peace through Jesus Christ” explaining that, “to him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” [v.36,43]  At this the gift of the Holy Spirit falls on the hearers, this leaves Peter in no doubt that God is accepting the Gentiles equally with the Jews, “and he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” [v.48]   It was the Holy Spirit that inspired the writing of the Bible, and guided the writers; today we have that word in print to guide and inspire us – and bring us ever closer to God – and one day, maybe soon, we will be told “your prayers … have ascended” – when God sends “out the angels (to) gather his elect” [Mark 13 v27] and our godless world is dramatically transformed as our Lord reigns in Jerusalem – see Isaiah 2 v.2-4. 

Our chapters in Deuteronomy and Acts today link together to give us a challenging message.  Moses continues his final message, his warning to God's nation who are about to leave the wilderness, “you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations”  that are presently in the land they are about to enter.  We cannot help seeing some parallels with the abominable practices in today's world, before God's kingdom is established.  Moses is then told, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you” [v.15] I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” [v18] The prophet Moses was told about – is Jesus! We read on Monday in Acts 3 v.22,23, how Peter quoted these very words when he was preaching in Jerusalem.  Today in Acts ch. 9, we have the account of Saul, soon to be called Paul, being challenged by the voice of Jesus in an overwhelming bright light – before he reaches Damascus – and then is led blind into the city.After 3 days a believer named Ananias is told where to find Paul and to lay “his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”[v.12]  Ananias is horrified – “Lord” he says, “I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.”              But he is told, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” [v.13-16]  It helps to also understand “name” in the sense of “reputation.”As soon as Paul “regained his sight … he rose and was baptised.” [v.18] This makes plain that the act of baptism, of going “down into the water” [8 v.28], is the essential act to show to oneself as well as others that you now belong to Christ  – see Romans 6 v.3-5. Paul wastes no time in serving Jesus, he now “confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ … and … preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” [v.22,27]  Jesus is still, today, asking all who are willing and committed in heart and mind “to carry my name.”  Does that include you? Yes?  Paul's words in 2 Cor. 13 v.5 challenge our heartfelt meditation, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?”

This was the question Philip asked the Ethiopian Eunuch; he was one of the seven appointed to assist the 12 disciples (Acts 6 v.2,4); Stephen who was killed was also one of them.“An angel of the Lord” (8 v.26) caused Philip to go up and meet with this Ethiopian as he was returning from worshipping in Jerusalem.(v.28} which shows he was a genuine God fearing man – and as he travelled, he was reading God's word and puzzling over a person he was reading about in the book of Isaiah who was “like a lamb before its shearer is silent … in his humiliation justice was denied him.  Who can describe his generation?  For his life is taken away from the earth.” [v.32,33]He asks Philip, “Does the prophet say this about himself or about someone else?” [v.34] Philip explains, “beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”   The whole world has now been given the whole of the word of God – all 66 books of it, in just about every language. Remember what Jesus said; “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12 v.48)People in the ancient world were challenged by the faith of Noah in the huge ark he and his sons built over many years!  Does the word of God really challenge us?  It did when it was first printed! Let us read some of it every day – and our understanding will grow and – like the Eunuch, we will start to think and to ask, “What prevents me from being baptised?” [v.37]  And if we are already baptised and have experienced the feeling he did after his baptism in “going on his way rejoicing” [v.39] we will find less and less to rejoice about in much of what we do in this world..We will relate to words in Peter's 1st letter.  He said that genuine believers “by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now, for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [1 v.5-7]

We all have memories; bad things we try to shut out of our memory, good things we try to retain and bring to the fore.  We read today how Moses told the people to look back on; “all the days of your life (that) you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt” [Deut. 16 v.3]  The Passover Feast was set up to aid that memory, to cement it into their consciousness.  Most of the generation that had experienced the miraculous deliverance had failed to do that and had died in the wilderness because of their faithlessness.  Now Moses is delivering the message to the next generation; whose leaders had been teenagers and children at that time.Today's chapter details the feasts they are to keep when they start living in the promised land. As well as remembering the actual deliverance, through the Passover feast, there are 3 other feasts associated with farming the land and the reward of harvesting.  This they would experience for the first time in their lives. The key lesson is they are not to “appear before the LORD empty handed.  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD” [v.16-17].Verse 20 has another blunt ‘punch line' message, “Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”Now we consider our own journey in life, how close are we to the climax of all that God has prepared for all those who truly believe in and love Him?   Is the crossing of the Jordan close at hand for us?We must face up to today's challenges and make sure we “escape all the things that are going to take place” [Luke 21 v,36] as the Almighty prepares to cleanse the earth of its' evil.  Let us “remember the day”.

Solomon's reminiscences in Ecclesiastes are in one sense a continuation of Proverbs. Several times in today's chapter (7) he contemplates ways of living and asks “What is better?” and makes observations which do not always provide a clear answer, but they do provoke our thinking.The chapter begins, “A good name is better than precious ointment” which leads us to recall the valuable ointment used to anoint Jesus and those who only thought of its wasted value. How important is it to make a good name (reputation) for yourself? Very important, but make sure it is a good reputation in God's eyes.Verse 5, “It is better for a person to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.” In so many ways this world is filled with the latter – but some, maybe many young people, would see Solomon as wrong! We ponder the state of mind that reaches that conclusion “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” [v.8]. But when “the end of a thing” is not good, some positive thinking is needed to draw out the lessons for doing better in the future.Solomon laments, “In my vain life I have seen everything” [v.15] We usually do not appreciate how some things are “vain” until we get to a mature age. Some modern versions translate this as – the pointlessness of life; but what does one really achieve in life that is of lasting value? There are some things: but we recall Solomon's attitude when he had accomplished everything that he had set his mind to physically achieve (Ch. 2 v.1-11) that it was all “a striving after wind.”At the end of Ecclesiastes he writes, “The preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one shepherd.” [12 v.10,11]In the New Testament we have the ultimate “good shepherd” yet those who came before him, such as David and Solomon, provoke much worthwhile thought. The last verse of today's chapter says, “this alone I found, that God made man upright” “but now we have twisted minds” (CEV)Let us make sure our minds are untwisted by reading and reflecting on God's word every day.

2026.4.26 Exhortation: Memorial - Emblems Deut 12, Ecc , Acts 2 Bro Grant Jolly

In contrast to his denial of his Lord on the night of his arrest Peter is now possessed of total conviction and power.  He and John heal a man who is more than 40 years old and lame from birth who was “laid daily at the gate of the Temple … to ask alms” [Acts 3 v.2]  Everyone who frequented the temple knew him, he had never walked!  His healing resulted in him entering “the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him … and they were filled with wonder and amazement…” [v.8-10]As a result, “all the people ran together to them … astounded.” [v.11]  This gave Peter a wonderful opportunity to tell them it was through Jesus “whom God raised from the dead … by faith in his name – has made this man strong” [v.15,16] This was the cause of this incredible healing, Peter's total faith and God given power…Peter then says, “and now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers …” [v.17]    So many things are done out of ignorance, many are wilfully ignorant!  But such is the tendency in human nature that there is no genuine awareness – and resultant awe – of God – and His son. Today the refusal to believe in God is the result of wilful belief that we are just the highest form of evolved life that needed no designer and creator.Peter's challenge to them is the same challenge as his words make to all people today!   “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom the heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things about which God spoke by the mouth of the holy prophets long ago.” [v.19-21]If you fail to “turn again” and be baptised – you are telling God you prefer to remain “in ignorance.”  But it is better to remain that way if we have no conviction about how these events turned the people and nations of nearly 2,000 years ago upside down in their thinking. The conviction of Peter and others led them to “speak the word of God with all boldness” [4 v.31]  How can we claim today we have “acted in ignorance” in whatever decision we make!?The last verse of our Ecclesiastes reading (ch. 6) puts the matter frankly, “For who knows what is good for a man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?”   Then, as we will read in 9 v.5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward …” unless they respond to the message of God through such as Peter “that times of refreshing” will come at “the time for restoring all things” at the return of Christ.  Let us admit – we are not making our decision – one way or the other – “in ignorance”

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] What will the Kingdom of God be like? In this outstanding and thought-provoking exposition, we explore the wonderful, revealed vision of worldwide peace, divine care, and righteous rule that Scripture paints for the coming age. Join us as we uncover the breathtaking details of God's future Kingdom on earth.

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply insightful, join us for this outstanding expositional study of one of the Bible's most remarkable prophecies. We explore Ezekiel 37 and its breathtakingly accurate foretelling of the modern restoration of Israel. In this wonderful presentation, Brother Mike Steele provides a revealing, step-by-step analysis of how this ancient vision has been meticulously fulfilled in our time, proving God's sovereign hand in history and signalling the nearness of Christ's return.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction00:15 - Exploring Ezekiel 37: The Prophecy of Restoration00:42 - The Historical Context & God's Ultimate Purpose01:57 - The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones03:51 - The Noise Begins: The Zionist Movement (c. 1897)06:32 - The Shaking: World War I & British Control08:04 - Sinews and Flesh Form: The Balfour Declaration (1917) & League of Nations (1922)10:30 - Skin Covers the Flesh: The UN Vote of 194711:38 - The Breath of Life: The Proclamation of the State of Israel (1948)12:47 - An Exceeding Great Army: The Six-Day War (1967) and Beyond14:33 - The Proof: "I have spoken it and performed it"15:53 - The Future King: The Promise of One King Over All19:00 - Conclusion: The Reliability of God's Word**Key Bible Verses Explored:**

[Inspiring] We are Christadelphians, and in this wonderfully open and revealing conversation, our brother Matt Davies shares his personal journey of faith—from growing up in a Christadelphian family to discovering the outstanding power of Bible prophecy. This unscripted, heartfelt discussion is packed with insightful, expositional teaching that will strengthen your confidence in God's Word. Matt explains how Daniel chapter 2's prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's image provides a spectacular, historically verified roadmap of world empires—and points forward to the stone kingdom: the return of Jesus Christ to establish God's Kingdom on earth. If you've ever wondered why the Old Testament matters for Christians today, or what the real gospel message is, this video is a must-watch. Prepare to be inspired and challenged by the wonderful hope we have in God's unfolding purpose.**Chapters** 00:00 - Introduction: Matt Davies shares his background as a Christadelphian 00:08 - The Power of Prophecy: Daniel Chapter 2 and the Statue of Metals 01:34 - The Four Great Empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome 02:23 - The Fifth Empire? Rome's Division and the Stone to Come 03:50 - The Stone Kingdom: The Return of Jesus Christ 05:11 - Hope of the Gospel: Jesus' Bodily Return to Earth 06:16 - Why Prophecy Strengthens Our Faith 07:03 - The Old Testament and the New Testament: Indispensable Connection 08:11 - Jesus: Son of David and Son of Abraham 09:18 - The Hope of Israel and the New Covenant 10:39 - Galatians 3: The Promise to All Nations through Abraham's Seed 12:17 - The Gospel: Things Concerning Jesus and the Kingdom of God 13:37 - Scripture Alone: Our Authority as Christadelphians 14:09 - A Call to Be on the Lord's Side – Conclusion**Bible Verse Category**

A @Christadelphians Video: **Ai Summary** [Inspiring] We, as Christadelphians, found this fourth instalment in the ‘So many versions of the Bible...Why?' series absolutely outstanding and wonderfully revealing. Jason Hensley takes us on an insightful journey into the world of *hapax legomena* – words that appear only once in Scripture. This thought-provoking exposition explains why translation must constantly be revised, how our growing knowledge of ancient languages (like Ugaritic and Koine Greek) unlocks meaning, and why humility is essential when handling God's Word. We explore the fascinating contrast between the simple vocabulary of John the fisherman and the technical terms of Luke the physician. The video also highlights the honest approach of the King James translators, who admitted uncertainty rather than dogmatising. If you've ever wondered why Bibles differ, this is a must-watch.**Chapters** 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – Challenging words & translation philosophy 03:46 – What is *hapax legomena*? (Definition) 06:00 – Frequency in the New Testament (1,672 times!) 08:02 – Author backgrounds: John vs. Luke vs. Paul 10:30 – The translator's dilemma: no other passages to compare 12:42 – Using the Septuagint and extra-biblical sources 14:38 – BDAG lexicon & early Christian literature 15:29 – King James Version preface: humility and margins 17:14 – Cognate languages: Ugaritic, Akkadian, Arabic, Coptic 18:46 – Conclusion: why ongoing discovery matters **Bible Verse Category**

A @Christadelphians Video: **[Inspiring]**Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful exploration into the foundations of our faith. In this outstanding expositional study, we delve into the fascinating history of the biblical canon. Where did our Old Testament come from, and how can we be confident in its authority? This revealing presentation tackles common questions about the 'extra books' found in some Bibles, providing wonderful clarity from both Scripture and history. Discover how the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles viewed these writings and how the inspired catalogue of Scripture was solidified long before His time.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction to the Canon of Scripture00:58 - The Question of 'Extra Books' (The Apocrypha)03:08 - Dating the Origin of the Apocryphal Books04:34 - New Testament Allusions to Apocryphal Writings07:38 - Use of Apocrypha by the Early Church Fathers10:14 - The Crucial Distinction: Inspired vs. Historical Use12:44 - Josephus & the 22 Books of the Hebrew Canon15:32 - Unified Historical Testimony on the Canon18:35 - The Canon at the Time of Christ20:14 - Why Quoting a Source Doesn't Mean It's Inspired21:35 - Jerome, the Vulgate & Medieval Confusion22:57 - The Apocrypha in Early English Bibles23:11 - Conclusion: The Divine Preservation of Scripture24:28 - Q&A: Are Apocryphal Prophecies Evidence of Inspiration?**Bible Verse Category:**

These words should be familiar to all Bible readers: they are the words of the “two men … in white robes” (a common way of describing angels) – it is what they said to the disciples as their astonished eyes watched their Lord ascend upwards “and a cloud received him out of their sight” [Acts 1 v.9-11].  We suspect it was no ordinary cloud, but like the cloud that Moses climbed up into on the mountain. (Exodus 24 v.16)Countless generations of Bible believers have looked for their Lord to descend from heaven in their lifetime.  The disciples had asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [v.6] and were told by their Lord they were to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem” – but ultimately that the witnessing was to be “to the end of the earth” [v.8]  He had said this earlier, also on the mount of Olives, “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [Matt. 24 v.14]The other sign which Jesus gave, which Luke also recorded, was that “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” [21 v.24]  Today, Jerusalem is constantly a centre of world attention – and the returned Jews have made it the capital of their resurrected country.  The evidence is plain that the climax of the ages is near. But we know, and must emphasize that it was not for his disciples, then or now, to know exactly when.  Notice again the answer of Jesus' when the disciples asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [v.6]  They were commissioned to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria” [v.8]. It is for true believers today to complete that commission  “…and to the end of the earth.”Are you his disciple?  Are you helping this commission to be carried out?  If you are, you will be really looking for his return “in the same way (as the disciples) saw him go into heaven.”As his disciple you will be following the examples given in the book of Acts ,which we have now started reading. Notice the way in which the Old Testament is often quoted as an essential part of that message. It tells us many details of the Kingdom Jesus will set up, also giving us examples of faithful service (and failures) as we are reading in the book of Deuteronomy.

A 'Christadelphians Talk' Production: Art and Chris discuss 'Cult's', but particularly the unwarranted claim that the Christadelphians are often styled as a Cult on social media and web searches. A claim vehemently denied by the Christadelphian community of Bible Believers. Is there any mileage in this claim? We examine the characteristics of what a Cult is and see if it fits the practices of the Christadelphian Community at large. Please visit https://originalgospel.blog/ as mentioned in the interview.

Today we began reading Ecclesiastes – it says it was written by “the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem [1 v.1]. We know this is Solomon and his first words are, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”What does vanity mean?  The lexicon says the Hebrew word means, transitory, emptiness.   Solomon is reviewing, apparently in his old age, all that he has accomplished in his life, he is overwhelmed by the feeling that in the final analysis it was all just “vanity” – he had accomplished nothing lasting.He reflects, “all things are full of weariness” [v.8], observing, “my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge” [v.16] but he saw it as “a striving after wind”. [v.17]. Tomorrow we will read his words, “then I considered all that my hands had done and all the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity” [2 v.11]We wonder to what extent today we will (or already are) look back on a lifetime of striving to make and then spend money – and see it in the end as simply “vanity”?   Also, those who fill so much of their ‘spare' time with tweeting and twittering and relaxation with TV and DVDs for entertainment will see the ultimate emptiness of time spent in this way?In contrast we saw today in John's Gospel the intensity of thought and meaning in the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As it reaches its climax his mind is centred on his disciples, “Holy Father keep them in your name … that they may be one, even as we are one.” [17 v.11]  Unity of mind, how wonderful!Jesus continues, “they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” [v. 17-19].God's word is “truth,” it alone reveals the ultimate meaning of life and takes us – in thought – beyond “this world”.. Sanctify means to “be set apart” from the world so that  the main focus of our minds – is on God and his ways and what is really true – in an everlasting sense.  It is a truth we then take into our hearts and it becomes part of us.Finally, how meaningful are the words of Jesus to Pilate, “You say that I am a king.  For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” [18 v.37]. Sceptically Pilate asks, “What is truth?” [v.38]. Let us not be sceptical but read and “listen” to what we read and aim to fully possess “the wisdom from above” (James 3 v.17) so that our lives are “sanctified in truth.”

A @Christadelphians Video:In this thought-provoking Watchman Report, we examine one of the most outstanding prophetic signs of our times: the regathering of Israel. Is the modern State of Israel a mere political accident, or is it the direct fulfillment of ancient Bible prophecy? This insightful presentation explores the Scriptural evidence that reveals God's active hand in world events, faithfully restoring His people to their land as He promised.Join us for an expositional journey through the prophets, demonstrating that the return of the Jewish people is a clear indication that God's Word is being fulfilled before our eyes. This report provides a powerful, Scripture-based perspective on current events in the Middle East, affirming our confidence in the soon-coming Kingdom of God.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction00:25 - God's Purpose and Chosen People01:14 - Exile and the Promise of Return02:21 - Fulfillment: The Modern State of Israel03:19 - God's Unseen Hand in Regathering04:29 - Conclusion: A Sign of Christ's Return*Bible Verses Featured:*

A Christadelphian Video Production:Follow links to see what others say about the Christadelphian Community.The BBC “Christadelphians aim to get as close as possible to the faith and practice of the early Christian church. They describe themselves as “a lay community patterned after first century Christianity”.Wikipedia “Basing their beliefs solely on the Bible, Christadelphians differ from mainstream Christianity in a number of doctrinal areas.”There must be many people who feel that there is something outstandingly significant about the person and the teaching of Jesus Christ. Yet when they survey “Christianity”, both in its history and its modern forms, they find a wide variety of churches and communities, all with their differing foundations, teachings and practices. Feeling bewildered by the existence of so many groups claiming the name “Christian”, they may well give up the quest for “the truth” as hopeless.We draw the attention of the interested enquirer to the existence of a community of believers in Christ, calling themselves “Christadelphians”, organized in groups found throughout the world. Wherever they exist they have a fellowship founded upon an agreed basis of beliefs. Fundamental to their faith is the principle that what Christ and his apostles taught in the first century was truth, and it is still the truth today. The Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are their sole authority.CHRISTADELPHIANVIDEO.ORG, a worldwide collaboration by Christadelphians to help promote the understanding of God's Word to those who are seeking the Truth about the Human condition and God's plan and Purpose with the Earth and Mankind upon it.Christadelphianvideo.org is dedicated in establishing just how far removed today's mainstream Christianity is from the 'True Christian Teachings' of the 1st Century Apostles.You can follow us online at..Some of our other services..#1 Our Main site... https://cdvideo.org#2 Our podcast on Podbean... https://cdvideo.org/podcast#3 Our podcast on Apple...https://cdvideo.org/podcast-apple#4 Our podcast on Anchor...https://cdvideo.org/truth-talk#5 Our facebook...https://facebook.com/OpenBibles#6 Our Whats App... http://cdvideo.org/WhatsApp#7 Our Instagram... http://cdvideo.org/Instagram#8 Our twitter... http://cdvideo.org/twitter#9 Our YouTube Channel... http://cdvideo.org/youtube#10 Our Audio site Scripturescribe.com... https://cdvideo.org/mp3

What thought provoking chapters we continue to read in John's Gospel!  What point was Jesus making when he said, “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him (or her); for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world” [12 v.47]And so it is true that the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus was NOT followed by actions of divine judgment on the people and the nation.   It seems remarkable that the time came when “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” [Acts 6 v.7] – this was some time after the urgent appeal for repentance at and following the day of Pentecost when some 3,000 were baptized.But note the next words of Jesus in today's chapter, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” [v.48]   A knowledge of God's word as spoken by his son, inevitably causes a reaction in the minds of those who hear or read it, but for many, at first, it was a negative reaction – and today?What is it to “receive” the words of Jesus?  It is that they become part of you, of your thinking.  Jesus expresses displeasure at those who say “Let me first go and …” – he then comments that no-one who “looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” [Luke 9 v.59-61]Jesus warned his hearers that the time will come when “the master has risen and shut the door … you begin to stand outside … saying, ‘Open to us … we ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets … (but) there will be weeping when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.” [Luke 13 v.25-28]    Will others say, ‘but we did sometimes read your word'?Jesus continues, “people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.”  Will you be among them?   All those who had responded to “the word that I have spoken” – or who read that word and put it “first” in the priorities in their lives, having become conscious that their reaction to that word – in mind and deed – will be the basis of judgment “on the last day” – will surely be among them.May we all be there!  There is a hymn that ends, ‘We make the answer now.'

Today's readings.. (Deuteronomy 1), (Proverbs 28), (John 11)Today's 11th chapter in John's Gospel has that wonderful account of the raising of Lazarus. The ministry of Jesus, covering about 3 ½ years, is now approaching its' climax.  The authorities are intensifying their efforts to arrest and kill him and Jesus and his disciples are staying out of Judea.On getting news about Lazarus' sickness Jesus waits 2 days longer before saying to the disciples, ““Let us go to Judea again'.  The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you and are you going there again?''” [v.7,8]  Jesus makes a strange answer, “If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world” [v.9]  This world!?  This world is in spiritual darkness and the one who walks “in the night” says Jesus, “stumbles because the light is not in him” [v.10]  Are you in danger of stumbling?  Is the “light” in you?  What does Jesus mean?  In ch, 12 we will read, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” [v.46]  Remember also what we read in ch. 8 v.12Jesus tells his disciples, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe..  But let us go to him” [v.15]   We then have the well-known account of the remarkable raising of Lazarus after he had been dead for 4 days; and, as a result, “many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.”[v.45]   The Pharisees were told of this incredible miracle and the affect it had had; they became even more determined to put him to death – they saw his popularity as a threat that would “take away both our place and our nation.” [v.48]Now consider, over the last 104 years a modern miracle has occurred, it is 104years since Jerusalem and the land of Israel was delivered from the control of the Turks, the Muslims – and 73 years ago the U.N. voted in favour of at least part of the promised land becoming a Jewish nation, but the U.N. had no powers to enforce their decision: however, against overwhelming odds the Jews triumphed! It was the resurrection miracle of a nation, destroyed 1,951 years preciously,  which God's word had foretold. (Luke 21 v.24  Romans 11 v.25) This modern resurrection miracle has occurred as prophesied “that you may believe”  that is, those who read and really know God's word. May you be among them?  Do you really see “the light of the world” with the eyes of true faith – for as this world plunges into deeper darkness – only those with genuine faith will endure. 

Today's readings.. (Numbers 36), (Proverbs 27), (John 9,10)  Today's chapters in John's Gospel very graphically illustrate the impact Jesus was having on the people and the jealousy this caused among their religious leaders.  He heals a man who had been born blind, who had never been able to see – utterly remarkable.  The religious leaders tell this man to “give glory to God, saying, “we know this man (Jesus) is a sinner” [9 v.24] They cannot deny that an amazing miracle has occurred, but say, “We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”      The healed man answers them, Why this is an amazing thing!  You do not know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes” [v.29,30]  Their anger boils over against the man as he persists in reasoning with them and telling them, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”  They end up telling him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?' And they cast him out.” [v.33,34]     This made us think of the increasing blindness of so many today who keep on saying at every opportunity, indeed making opportunities, to declare there is NO god, there never was a Creator, everything that exists is the result of countless happens of pure chance!  “This is an amazing thing” especially that people persist in this way of thinking!     Yet in one way we can understand why this is so – it is because the established church, especially the R.C. church are so hypocritical – in some ways they are parallel to the religious people who surrounded Jesus.        Those who are willing to read God's word for themselves – and to keep reading so that they get its full flavour and meaning – are conscious of the amazing message that unfolds and that becomes clearer the more they read.  But sadly, as we read in John's next chapter there are others that hinder the message – Jesus says, “He who is a  hired hand, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” [v.12]  Sadly this happened!     But scattered sheep can listen and, even today, hear “the good shepherd” through reading the words which he inspired his followers to remember and write down (see ch. 14 v.25-27) so that true sheep, even in the 21st Century, can “hear” his voice by reading his words and those of his disciples and other of God's prophets. If they feed on them every day they find the only true pasture in the wilderness of this world – and will come into the promised land.  

Today's readings.. (Numbers 35), (Proverbs 26), (John 8) What did Jesus mean, “The Truth will set you free?” Free from what?  The 8th chapter of John today contains aspects of the teachings of Jesus that we have to think around and put into context to get the correct meaning.  The critics of Jesus were usually those whose thought processes were mechanical.  Concerning the woman caught in adultery, They thought they had him cornered, if he said the Mosaic law should be observed and she should be stoned they would probably have done so, or got others to, and then blamed Jesus before the Roman authorities because the Jews had no right to put anyone to death – that is why they brought Jesus before Pilate.. See John 18 v.31.If Jesus has said something different, they would have denounced him before the people for not upholding the law!   His reaction confounded them – and after he said “Let him who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” [v.7] they slunk away from Jesus, no one was without sin among them. Only Jesus was without sin – and he said to her, “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?  She said, ‘No one Lord'  And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'” [v.10,11]  Notice how she addresses Jesus as “Lord”!  She saw him as far more than a “teacher” which is how the Jews addressed him.Jesus speaks to all who come to him – in the same words as he spoke to the woman – whatever our failures have been, and the closer we come to “the light of the world” the more we are aware of those failures – but we also learn the truth of his words, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” [v.12] and all the “darkness” in our character will be obliterated, indeed Christ will then be “formed in you.” [Gal. 4 v.19]Jesus went on to tell them, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” [v.31,32[    The key action on our part is to “abide” in the word of Jesus.  John uses the Gk word for ‘abide' more than 40 times in his gospel and the translators render it variously as ‘continue', ‘dwell'  ‘remaining' etc. Are you abiding in his word? Is the word ‘abiding' in you?  If the answer is ‘Yes' – you have been set free!Jesus made the point, “ … I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” – it has become part of their character.  But “if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed” [v.36]   He told the religious leaders, “…you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.” [v.37]   May it have found a place in us – in you – or will soon do so. Remember Jesus said, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God.” [v.47] – and as we read – we “hear.” 

A @Christadelphians Video: Pleased to present in collaboration with the Bible Unlocked team, this thought-provoking presentation from the sixth season of Bible Unlocked Live, A foundational series, “Why You Should Believe the Bible,” revealing how faith is built on a rock-solid foundation of evidence and reason. They hold a webinar each week....Find out more @ https://www.bibleunlocked.com/Inspiring. Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful exploration into the historical reliability of the Bible. In this expositional presentation, we delve into the remarkable story of how the Bible has withstood intense scrutiny across centuries. We examine the journey of renowned archaeologist Sir William Ramsay, who set out to disprove the New Testament's historical claims, only to have his own assumptions completely overturned by the evidence. Discover the compelling archaeological and historical findings, including the Amarna letters, that affirm the outstanding accuracy of both Old and New Testament records. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen your confidence in Scripture as a divinely inspired and trustworthy foundation for faith.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: The Bible's Unparalleled Scrutiny02:39 - William Ramsay: A Skeptic's Education03:56 - The Claims of Scripture vs. Higher Criticism06:25 - Ramsay's Investigation: Testing the Book of Acts08:18 - Unexpected Discoveries: Political, Geographical & Cultural Accuracy10:10 - A Remarkable Conclusion: The Historian's Reversal13:12 - Expanding the Evidence: The Old Testament & The Amarna Letters16:38 - Faithful Questioning: How to Handle Skepticism20:00 - Personal Application: What Do We Do With This Message?21:45 - Conclusion & Preview of Next Week**Bible Verse Category:**

Today's readings.. (Numbers 33), (Proverbs 24), (John 6) The book of Numbers now tells us of Moses giving his final instructions to the people – as the LORD directed him. The people had completed their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, all the unfaithful had died and now their children under the leadership of faithful Joshua together with Caleb and the faithful Levites would cross the Jordan and enter the promised land.  It occurs to us that there is a parallel in this to what is to soon occur when Christ establishes his world-wide kingdom. Think about this.  The LORD tells Moses as they are “by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan …  then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.” [Ch. 33 v.50-52]Similarly, when God sends Jesus back to this earth it will be a time of “punishing the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity” [Isaiah 13 v.11], but it will also surely be a time of removing all the things that people “worship” today  –  the things which are a modern equivalent of what the Canaanites had built and worshipped! Some of the things that will no longer exist are obvious; the Casino's and gaming houses for example.  If TV, DVDs and the like are to continue to be available, there will be a huge purging of the things in them that pander to fleshly thinking and doing.. Jesus said, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin” [Matt. 13 v.41]. When the people of Israel entered the promised land initially they were full of zeal and destroyed cities like Jericho, but they failed to complete the work and so the warning of Moses we read today came true.  That which they “let remain, shall be as barbs and thorns in your side and they shall trouble you” [v.55].It is obvious, with Christ in control as the King of the world, this will not happen in his kingdom.  We need to make sure we develop a mindset now that will welcome and fully appreciate a cleansed earth. Pollution will be removed from the physical earth and also the things that pollute human minds.  Concerning the future Jerusalem God told Jeremiah, “I will bring to it health and healing … this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth” [Ch.33 v.6,9]  How wonderful to be there!  Don't you think so?

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] We continue our thought-provoking series on Bible translations with an outstanding and wonderfully insightful exposition. In this session, we tackle the delicate subject of translator bias—not as a conspiracy, but as a reality that requires careful, gracious handling. We explore Granville Sharp's famous Greek rule, revealing how what sometimes looks like doctrinal insertion is often simply more accurate grammar. This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in discernment and trust in the integrity of Scripture.**Chapters** 00:00 – Introduction: Picking up the discussion on bias 00:30 – The reality of translator bias vs. textual accuracy 01:39 – Are translators trying to deceive? A call for fairness 02:52 – Why bias appears: grammar, not always an agenda 03:54 – The danger of accusing bias without knowing the languages 04:32 – Granville Sharp's rule: what it is and why it matters 06:16 – Breaking down the rule: “kai,” nouns, and the Greek article 08:17 – Matthew 12:22: How translation choices clarify meaning 10:33 – New King James vs. King James: applying the rule 11:38 – 2 Corinthians 1:3: “God and Father” as one person 12:57 – Titus 2:13 & 2 Peter 1:1: Jesus called “God” 14:34 – Why this shouldn't unsettle us (God manifestation explained) 17:26 – Conclusion: The solution—read multiple translations**Bible Verse Category**

A @Christadelphians Video: *[Inspiring]*In this timely **Watchman Report**, we sound the alarm on the city destined to shape humanity's future: **Jerusalem**. While it stands as the world's most contested city today, Scripture reveals its outstanding and wonderful destiny as the future capital of the globe. Join us for a thought-provoking and insightful exposition on why Jerusalem is, and will be, the undeniable center of world government under the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction: Jerusalem, The Contested City00:51 - A Turbulent History: From David to Today02:21 - The Stunning Biblical Promise: Jerusalem as God's Throne03:05 - The King & The Kingdom: Jesus Christ Enthroned in Jerusalem03:44 - The Mountain of the Lord's House: Isaiah's Prophetic Vision04:43 - Global Transformation: Education, Disarmament, and Peace05:56 - Universal Submission: The Nations Coming to Jerusalem06:24 - A City Made Holy: No Strangers Allowed07:18 - The Glorious Restoration: Jerusalem Rebuilt in Joy*Key Bible Verses Explored:*

A @Christadelphians Video: A @Christadelphians Video: This Audio Book by Harry Tennant (read by Paul Cresswell) invites us to pursue a path through the Word of God whilst examining the faith of a Christadelphian.It deals freely and in detail with the things which Christadelphians believe and do, and what their organisation and way of life are like.The community has borne the name Christadelphian since the latter half of the 19th century. The name is intended to cover three words: 'Brethren in Christ'. Christadelphians are to be found in countries all over the world. They are bound together by a common faith in the gospel preached by Jesus Christ and his apostles in the first century.It was this faith and its appeal to men and women from all walks of life which brought the community into existence.This series will clearly show how the Christadelphian faith rests squarely and solely on the Bible as the Word of God.And the true Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God - Romans 10:17.**[Revealing] Discover the foundational beliefs of the Christadelphians in this outstanding and insightful Bible talk by Harry Tennant. Based on his thought-provoking book, this expositional presentation provides a clear, Scripture-based guide to what Christadelphians believe and preach. Explore the coherent Biblical hope centered on God's purpose from creation to the coming Kingdom. A wonderful resource for sincere seekers of truth.**Inspiring and thought-provoking, join us for this insightful expositional study with Harry Tennant as we explore one of the Bible's most outstanding prophetic threads: the promise of a coming King. This wonderful presentation reveals how God's ancient promises to Abraham, Judah, and David converge to point to a single, divine solution to human failure. We trace this revealing theme through the prophecy of Daniel and to its ultimate fulfillment, answering the critical question: Who has the right to reign?**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: The Question of Kingship00:49 - The Prophetic Promise to Judah03:19 - God's Covenant with King David05:43 - The Elements of the Promised King06:43 - Daniel and the Dream of World Empires11:08 - The Stone that Destroys Kingdoms13:45 - Jesus Christ: The Rejected Cornerstone16:08 - The Restoration of All Things19:58 - Visions of the Coming Kingdom24:55 - Conclusion: The King and His Kingdom**Key Bible Verses:**

Today's readings.. (Numbers 32), (Proverbs 23), (John 5)  Today's 5th chapter of John includes the words of Jesus to the religious leaders who were jealous of his popularity:  these men were not of the same calibre as Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night.   Jesus tells them, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life” [v.39] Their motive in searching God's word was self-centred, they would gain prestige in the eyes of others – and – they took it for granted – prestige in the eyes of God.   In contrast Jesus said, “I do not receive glory from people” [v.41]  He then said, “I know that you do not have the love of God within you.”   They had too much self-love!    We need to meditate carefully on Jesus' words – what is it to love God – as distinct from knowing he exists and reading about him in his word?      Love arises from a relationship; Jesus asks them, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” [v.44]  Glory?  Another word would be praise – patting one another on the back over achievements – this is constantly happening in sports.  But God does not pat us on the back!  Some words Paul addressed to the Romans have application, “ … a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.  His praise is not from man, but from God.” [2 v.29]        The jealous Jewish leaders condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and “even calling God his own Father.” [v.18]  Jesus had said, “the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing” [v.19] He tells them, “His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you.” [v.38]       God's word has to come ‘alive' in the minds of those who read it.   The result will be an overwhelming sense of humility – greatly beyond human comprehension.  It includes an awed contemplation from the depth of our hearts – what the Creator of all things must be like     When his word really abides in a human heart it lays the foundation for a true and wonderful relationship with God.  The end result is an even more awesome contemplation – for the Master said, initially to his disciples, – “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  But totally committed disciples know what to ask for! Contemplate what Jesus asked for!  When we come to ch. 17 v.20 we will read, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word …”   And the result of that belief?  Read what Jesus goes on to say.

Today's readings.. (Numbers 31), (Proverbs 22), (John 4) Today's chapter in Numbers (31) tells us about the death of Balaam and of those who accepted his counsel that the only way to combat the Israelites – was not by force – but by seducing them into immorality.  They took his advice and put it into practice and it had worked!  But now God acted!Our chapter starts, “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Avenge the people of Israel….” Leading Moses to say, ‘Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD's vengeance” [v.1-3] The result is the kings of Midian are slain “and they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword”We then read that it was “on Balaam's advice” [v.16] that the Midianites had sent in women that “caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD … and so the plague came among the congregation …”   So Balaam is killed and all those immoral leaders as Moses acted to “execute the Lord's vengeance.” This “vengeance” is seen many times in the Old Testament both against Israel's enemies and against Israel itself when they themselves lapsed into immorality.   The same applies to spiritual Israel. that is, those who claim to follow Christ but whose way of life brings dishonour to Christ's name, just as unfaithfulness by natural Israel brought dishonour to the LORD's name. How easy it seems to be for both Jews and Christians to deceive themselves into thinking God will not deal with them when they slip into immoral ways of living.  Balaam of all people, who had had such contact with God, as we read in chapters 22 to 24 should have had a fear of God!  But ‘No'!  Sadly the history of Christianity shows too many examples of similar failures. Look back at some blunt words of Paul we read last week in Galatians!  “Do not be deceived God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.   And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” [6 v7-9] Balaam sowed the seeds of his own destruction although he had had so much contact with the true God.  A lesson to us – what are we sowing?  What will we reap? 

Today's readings.. (Numbers 28), (Proverbs 20), (John 1)Today we started reading the Gospel of John and saw how Jesus called his first followers.  It is evident Jesus made an immediate impact on those who met up with him starting from when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John's Gospel, the last one to be written, in several parts fills in the gaps left by the first 3 Gospels.  Of course some parts overlap; taken together they provide us with a multi-dimensional picture of the life on earth of the Son of God.  As the personality of Jesus opens out to us, we see the impact he made on individuals and we see why even those sent to arrest him said, in excuse of their failure, “No one ever spoke like this man.” [7 v.46]When John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God” [1 v.36] it caused at least two to follow Jesus.  Seeing them follow, Jesus perceived their character, but he also knew his Father was at work in causing this.  At the climax of his ministry he would say in prayer, “I kept them in your name, which you have given me.  I have guarded them, and not one of them is lost except the son of destruction” [17 v.12]   Judas failed to “see” who Jesus really was.In today's chapter we read how Philip told his friend Nathaniel, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also in the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth …” [v.45]  So they knew their Bible!  Nathaniel questions, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, ‘Come and see'”  We cannot go and see Jesus physically (not yet!) but we can ‘Come' to God's word and after careful examination ‘See' what it really means, comparing scripture with scripture: only God's word gives us the real reason for being alive – and, wonderfully, gives us a real hope for the future.         An interesting example of what God's word “inspires” us to do is in today's chapter in the book of Numbers.  We are not living under Moses' law with all its system of offerings, but we can take the lesson that “day by day … you shall offer in the morning and … you shall offer at twilight …” [28 v.3,4]        Today, God fearing people should, says Paul in the letter to the Hebrews, “Through (Christ) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” [13 v.15]  Do your lips bear such fruit?  Have you “come” to “see” what “the Lamb of God” means in your life? Do you offer praise as a result? The older we get the more fully we should be able to “see” this.

A @Christadelphians Video: **Inspiring**We present an outstanding and thought-provoking expositional study from the Watchman Report. In this insightful presentation, Brother Don Pearce provides a wonderful and revealing analysis of current geopolitical shifts in light of the remarkable prophecy of Ezekiel 38. Join us as we explore what the scriptures reveal about the "mountains of Israel," contemporary movements towards peace, and the intriguing role of Russia in the latter days.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: Clarity on Trending News from a Biblical Perspective00:16 - Examining the Mountains of Israel, Peace, Russia, and Ezekiel 3800:30 - The Importance of Ezekiel 38: Russia's Tactics and the Peace Dividend00:42 - Analysing the Prophetic Coalition: Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, and More02:14 - The Topography of Prophecy: The Mountains of Israel Today02:43 - The Prince of Russia's Plans: A Northern Assault03:15 - Gog and His Companions: Changing Tactics Against a Secure Israel03:50 - A Time of Preparation and Coming Global Trouble04:31 - The Christadelphian Response: Faith, Our Position, and Our Hope05:52 - Our True Weapons and Immortal Victory06:29 - Conclusion and Encouragement to Study God's Word**Key Bible Verses:**

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring] In this thought-provoking and wonderfully insightful exposition, we continue our series exploring why there are so many versions of the Bible. Building on our previous discussions about context, we now delve into the fascinating and often overlooked area of translator bias. This is a revealing look at how a translator's own beliefs and theology can shape the words on the page—not through conspiracy, but through the natural process of making choices. We explore the difference between understandable bias, such as dealing with grammatical gender, and more intentional changes that have shaped Christian doctrine for centuries. This is an outstanding presentation for anyone seeking to understand the history behind their Bible and how to let Scripture speak for itself.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction01:29 - How Translators Make Choices03:57 - Understandable Bias: Greek Gender & John 107:45 - Intentional Bias: The Holy Spirit in John 1411:55 - The Tyndale vs. King James Translation War18:43 - Gender Bias & Romans 16:720:17 - Conclusion: Letting the Bible Change Us**Bible Verse Category:**

Today's readings.. (Numbers 26), (Proverbs 18), (Philippians 1,2)We live in a world in which most of us are bombarded by information on all sorts of things, these include persuasive messages to spend money in acquiring or doing this or that allegedly desirable thing.  Very little, if any of this is of value in leading us toward greater spirituality: indeed, more often than not it will lead us in the opposite direction. Our thoughts followed along these lines as we read Paul's words of thanksgiving and encouragement to the Philippians.  Paul said, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Ch. 3 v.13 onwards)  It is impossible, except for the elderly in a home, to ‘forget' the world!  The difficulty to “press forward” has never been greater!  Paul continues, “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.  Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”  What have you attained?What a challenge this world is for those just starting or about to start on the pathway to attain heavenly citizenship. Paul laments about those whose “minds are set on earthly things” [v.19]  His next words are powerful, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body …”  Politicians are clamouring with ‘puffery' words to get us to vote for them, but we have the. only true citizenship – and just one candidate – and we wait for him to take his power and reign. Let us fix our eyes on him as “the sea and the waves” of the 21st Century foam and roar and there is “distress of nations in perplexity” (Luke 21 v.25)With Christ in the vessel we will smile at the storm!  But what of those who are not mature? Let us cull some words from the 5th chapter of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. “ … the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night … let us keep awake … we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith … encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all …pray without ceasing … may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. [v.2,6,8,1417,23,24]” Those “who are mature” today have a great responsibility.

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring]We invite you on a thought-provoking journey to examine the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this insightful presentation, we analyse compelling testimony from five key non-Christian historians—Tacitus, Josephus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, and Phlegon—who independently attest to the life, death, and profound impact of Jesus. This expositional study builds a powerful, external case that corroborates the biblical account, providing a wonderful foundation for faith. We then explore the outstanding internal evidence from Scripture itself, focusing on the Apostle Peter's masterful argument in Acts 2 and Paul's pivotal teaching in 1 Corinthians 15. Join us to discover the revealing truth that strengthens Christian belief.**Chapters:**00:00 – Introduction & Historical Evidence Overview01:18 – Tacitus: The Annals & Nero's Persecution03:22 – Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews05:31 – Suetonius: The Lives of the Caesars06:45 – Pliny the Younger: Letter to Emperor Trajan08:37 – Phlegon: Chronicles & the Crucifixion Eclipse10:36 – Conclusions from External Evidence12:08 – Biblical Evidence: The Gospel Accounts13:17 – Peter's Argument in Acts 215:31 – Paul's Defence in 1 Corinthians 1520:22 – Interactive Q&A: Other Biblical Resurrections23:09 – The Means & Meaning of Christ's Resurrection27:15 – Closing Remarks & Next Week's Topic**Key Bible Verses Discussed:**

A @Christadelphians Video: This Audio Book by Harry Tennant (read by Paul Cresswell) invites us to pursue a path through the Word of God whilst examining the faith of a Christadelphian.It deals freely and in detail with the things which Christadelphians believe and do, and what their organisation and way of life are like.The community has borne the name Christadelphian since the latter half of the 19th century. The name is intended to cover three words: 'Brethren in Christ'. Christadelphians are to be found in countries all over the world. They are bound together by a common faith in the gospel preached by Jesus Christ and his apostles in the first century.It was this faith and its appeal to men and women from all walks of life which brought the community into existence.This series will clearly show how the Christadelphian faith rests squarely and solely on the Bible as the Word of God.And the true Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God - Romans 10:17.**[Revealing] Discover the foundational beliefs of the Christadelphians in this outstanding and insightful Bible talk by Harry Tennant. Based on his thought-provoking book, this expositional presentation provides a clear, Scripture-based guide to what Christadelphians believe and preach. Explore the coherent Biblical hope centered on God's purpose from creation to the coming Kingdom. A wonderful resource for sincere seekers of truth.* Join us for this thought-provoking and insightful sixth installment in our series, as Brother Harry Tennant presents an outstanding expositional study on the foundational question: "Who is King?" This wonderful and revealing presentation traces the biblical theme of God's Kingdom from the peace of Eden, through humanity's rebellion, to the glorious hope found only in Jesus Christ. Discover why true peace is impossible without God's reign and how Christ alone provides the ultimate answer to our world's deepest needs.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: Who is King?00:38 - The Original Peace and Rebellion02:29 - The Dominion of Sin and Death04:36 - The Prayer for God's Kingdom to Come05:57 - The Meaning of Hallowing God's Name09:45 - The Power in the Names of Jesus and Christ12:12 - The Names of God: Almighty and Yahweh16:43 - God's Covenant Name and His Promises20:01 - God's Chosen Method: The Nation of Israel23:08 - Objections and God's Purpose for Israel26:43 - Israel as the Kingdom of God30:29 - The Throne of David and Human Frailty32:08 - The Division and Fall of the Kingdoms33:31 - A Kingdom Overturned, A Promise Given34:34 - Lamentation and Hope35:27 - Conclusion and Call to Action**Bible Verses Referenced:**

A @Christadelphians Video: *Description:*In this thought-provoking and insightful episode, we respond to the tragic events at Bondi Beach, exploring the deep and special bond between Christadelphians and God's chosen people, Israel. Join us for an outstanding, expositional look at our shared hope, the prophetic significance of current events, and our message of solidarity and hope for the Jewish nation.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction & Welcome00:29 - The Christadelphian Watchman's Response00:45 - Our Special Bond with the Jewish People01:38 -

Today's readings.. (Numbers 16), (Proverbs 12), (Galatians 1,2) The Apostle Paul has a most urgent message to bring to the Galatians – a message which has challenged believers ever since.     Paul writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you to the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ.” [1 v.6,7] Paul is emphatic as to how important it is that the original gospel is maintained.  He adds, “…. Even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” [v.8]  The potential for some to corrupt the original gospel is a fundamental reason why we need to constantly read God's word – so that the original message becomes part of our thinking with the result that humanly devised beliefs, like going to heaven when we die, are immediately seen as wrong and we search the context of any verses that others advocate as  teaching it  and see what they really mean.Why do some turn away from that which is true?  There is an interesting example in the chapter we read in Numbers (16) which tells us how some of the Levites challenged the leadership of Moses; they say to him; “you have gone too far! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves … “.   Their complaint is, “you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards.” [v.14]Their minds are focussed on positions of prestige and material rewards, but such will only come in God's good time – in his kingdom. They had a false impression of what it is – in God's sight – to be holy.  We are reminded of the principle spelled out in a verse in Hebrews “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”. [12 v.14] Turning to Galatians again, there is one key verse that we do well to memorise, for it sums up both Paul's and Moses' attitude to things divine.  “I have been crucified with Christ,” writes Paul, ”It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [2 v.20] 

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring]Have you ever wondered if the Bible in your hands is saying exactly what the original authors intended? In this thought-provoking and wonderfully insightful presentation, we continue our series on understanding Scripture by delving into the fascinating world of Bible translation. We explore how the personal context of translators—their time, culture, and even language—can influence the words we read today. This is not about casting doubt, but about building a deeper, richer appreciation for the incredible journey of God's Word through history.Join us as we uncover why some words in older translations, like the King James Version, have completely changed their meaning or fallen out of use entirely—from "leasing" and "bruit" to "wimples" and "stomachers." It's a revealing look at how language evolves and why a verse might have been historically accurate at the time of translation but confusing for a modern reader.But it's not just about old words! We also highlight the outstanding strengths of different translations, showing how the KJV beautifully preserves the distinction between singular and plural "you," which can unlock profound truths about our corporate identity as the body of Christ. We'll examine how different versions handle key passages, from the identity of "the satan" in Job to the nature of "hell" and the relationship between the Father and the Son.The conclusion is both reassuring and inspiring: while every translation has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, no single translation can completely obscure the gospel. God's Word is powerful and persistent! This expositional journey encourages us to read multiple translations, to be thoughtful students, and to trust that the core message of salvation shines through in every faithful rendering.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: The Bias of Personal Context02:03 - Historically Accurate, But Not Contemporary: Dying Words03:00 - "Leasing" and "Bruit": When Words Become Obsolete08:27 - False Friends: Words That Have Changed Their Meaning10:53 - The Unsung Strength of the KJV: Singular vs. Plural "You"15:49 - Has the Gospel Been Compromised? A Reassuring Answer16:37 - Case Study: "Satan" the Adversary vs. A Proper Name18:19 - Case Study: The Myth of "Hell" and Translating "Sheol"19:47 - Case Study: Jesus and the Father - One Heart and Mind23:36 - Conclusion: The Word of God in Every Translation**Bible Verses Referenced:**

Ai Summary[Inspiring] This thought-provoking and insightful presentation explores one of life's biggest questions: can evolution and the Bible truly be reconciled? As Christadelphians, we examine the origins of life through a deeply expositional and Scripture-based lens, revealing a purposeful and designed creation that speaks powerfully of God's mind and intent.We consider two contrasting worldviews—one rooted in chance and randomness, the other in divine design and purpose. Through an outstanding exploration of Scripture, we uncover how the Bible consistently presents creation as intentional, meaningful, and guided by God's Word. From the intricate harmony of the Bible's structure to the complexity of life itself, the evidence points to a Creator whose work is both wonderful and revealing.We also examine the scientific claims surrounding evolution, acknowledging observable adaptation while questioning whether it can truly account for the origin and complexity of life. Through compelling examples, the limitations of random processes become evident, reinforcing the Biblical message of purposeful creation.Ultimately, this encouraging message highlights that our worldview shapes how we see God—not as distant or indifferent, but as actively working with purpose in both creation and our lives.Chapters00:00 – Introduction14:05 – Big Questions: Origins and Worldviews15:09 – Design vs Chance16:04 – The Bible as a Designed Book17:40 – God as Creator and Director of History18:44 – Evidence of Design in Creation19:27 – Genesis and the Power of God's Word21:08 – Creation Declares God's Glory22:07 – Purpose vs Randomness23:19 – God's Purpose for the Earth24:06 – Humanity in God's Image25:16 – Spiritual Creation and the Gospel26:01 – Genesis and the Rejection of Randomness29:22 – “After His Kind” and Created Order30:01 – Natural Selection: Limits and Observations33:13 – Irreducible Complexity34:54 – The Challenge of Life's Origin37:04 – Probability and Design Analogy38:24 – Summary: Creation vs Evolution40:13 – Can Evolution Fit the Bible?43:22 – Implications for Christ and Salvation45:47 – Scientific Attempts to Create Life49:36 – Worldview and Faith Today52:32 – ConclusionBible Verse Category

Today's readings.. (numbers 14), (Proverbs 10), (Luke 23)Today we read of Jesus on the Cross. “The chief priests and the rulers and the people” [Luke 23 v.13] opposed Pilate's decision to release him so he gave in and “delivered Jesus over to their will.”   He is crucified between two criminals and one of these derides him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us,” but the other rebukes him and says, “we are receiving the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong” [v.39,41] Then he makes a request to Jesus which, together with Jesus' answer, is widely misunderstood.He says, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom'. And Jesus says to him, ‘Truly I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise.' “[v.42,43]  We have quoted exactly as in the Bible (ESV) with one little exception, we have put the comma after the word ‘today' instead of before it. The original Greek has no punctuation so translators use their own judgement as to how to punctuate the text when rendering it in English – or any other language – and nearly all of them get it wrong in this verse. The question the criminal asked indicates he knew the teachings of Jesus but had turned to bad ways: maybe he learnt the prayer Jesus taught, ”Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth …” [Matt.6 v.10].The word ‘paradise' means a garden, a park – the Garden of Eden was a paradise.   The whole world will become the Garden of Eden when Jesus sets up God's kingdom'.  Jesus promised, “to the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” [Rev. 2 v,7].It is obvious that Jesus is not referring to heaven when he made this promise. After he came out of the tomb he said to Mary Magdalene, “I have not yet ascended to the Father” [John 20 v.17].  The criminal re-established his relationship with Jesus because of his faith – and for that reason he received this promise of a place in the paradise of God's kingdom.  He had remarkable faith in the future that awaited Jesus when the disciples had lost theirs! A closing thought is to note the mistake some make in saying that since this repentant criminal was not baptised – baptism is not essential.  They forget that baptism is a symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus as Paul makes plain in Romans 6 v. 3-8.  Baptism became essential after the resurrection of Jesus. Those who only knew the baptism of John had to be rebaptised (see Acts 19 v.3-5) The whole world is to become a paradise!  What wonders await all who will be with Jesus then! Will you be with him in paradise?.