Messages that matter by Dr. Andrew Corbett

The Latin term 'imago Dei' means "the image of God". It is considered one of the most influential anthropological concepts about what it means to be human. It occurs in various forms only four times in the first nine chapters of Genesis but is considered the chief reason for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights declaring the inherent equality of all human beings, and the reason that human life is treated as exceptional by all nations around the world. This important motif is introduced in Genesis 1:26-27 without definition or explanation, yet it has spawned hundreds of thousands of books and articles exploring its consequences and significance. Dr. Brent Strawn, in the Cambridge Companion to Genesis, makes the point that no where in Genesis is the "imago Dei" (image of God) ever singular. From its literary establishment in Genesis 1:27 it is plural ("male and female") and throughout "the unfolding of the book" it continues to be revealed as a plural. After the depiction of the Fall in Genesis 3, from chapters 4 to 36 it is revealed as intact yet presented as broken leading to fratricide, violence, deceit, depravity, and innocent deaths. Yet, in all this, the doctrine of the imago Dei remains the pillar for understanding the answer to the psalmist's question: "Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them?  Of what importance is humankind, that you should pay attention to them?" (Psa. 8.4 NET) The doctrine of the Imago Dei is the most uplighting insight into what it means to be human and has shaped the The U.N.'s Declaration of Human Rights and west civilisation itself. But these three distortions of it have become far from what GOD intended for humankind. Have a listen to this podcast and discover for yourself what they are. In this episode we conclude this short series by seeing the Book of Genesis bookends its opening introduction about the image of God and show how during the darkest section of human wickedness and evil, GOD shine a light by opening Rachel's womb and giving her a baby whom she named 'Joseph'. In this episode I show how there was at least 11 parallels between Joseph and Jesus. And then explain how this is relevant for you and me today. For more Biblical teaching via podcast subscribe to Messages That Matters with Dr. Andrew Corbett on iTunes, Soundcloud or Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/messages-that-matter-by-dr-andrew-corbett/id1059252114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3GuYKpgiAyKiF56LCekRSS Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/DrAndrewC Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/u/0/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjY5NjkzNjY5L3NvdW5kcy5yc3M

The description of humankind as being in "the image of God" is an indication of what it means to be human and why we should regard each person with a sacred reverence which bestows on them dignity and a life that is worthy of respect. But can this "image of God" be lost, deformed and destroyed? If so, what does this mean for what it means to be a human being? In this episode Dr Corbett shows how the book of Genesis unfolds and displays the original human populations as failing to live up to what it means to be "in the image of God" - yet, simultaneously, GOD was at work unfolding His plan to redeem mankind so that they, we, could be reconciled to God and once again be renewed in our hearts and minds to live as imagines of God. The Latin term 'imago Dei' means "the image of God". It is considered one of the most influential anthropological concepts about what it means to be human. It occurs in various forms only four times in the first nine chapters of Genesis but is considered the chief reason for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights declaring the inherent equality of all human beings, and the reason that human life is treated as exceptional by all nations around the world. This important motif is introduced in Genesis 1:26-27 without definition or explanation, yet it has spawned hundreds of thousands of books and articles exploring its consequences and significance. Throughout this mini-series of theological sermons and lectures I will demonstrate how it is enlarged beyond the ninth chapter Genesis and is finally presented in the closing chapters of Genesis Christologically.

God's final and ultimate act of creation was to create “'Ishah” (the Hebrew word for ‘woman'). She could reflect GOD in ways that A'dam could not. She was given the gift reproducing imago Dei life! Angels could not do this. No animal could do this. She could exhibit a quality that only GOD Himself had. Little wonder then that at the moment she was created envy and pride arose in the heart of one of the high heavenly beings. When GOD created the “Ishah” for A'dam, the man broke out into poetry. These are the first recorded words of Adam. Perhaps as he walked and talked the Lord each day in the cool of the day, he learned from his Maker to speak poetically. Today, it is no accident that Christian worship still echoes that original impulse to worship GOD poetically. GOD created the ‘Ishah as an “ezer“ (an ally, in the military sense) and together the man and the woman would be a unit of covenant intimacy for worshiping GOD in their ordinary and mundane activities - yet now, nothing would be truly mundane, because everything they did —- walking, talking, gathering, washing, eating, cleaning—- would be an act of worship to the One who had made them. Throughout this mini-series of theological sermons and lectures I will demonstrate how it is enlarged beyond the ninth chapter Genesis and is finally presented in the closing chapters of Genesis Christologically. In this episode we examine whether the Fall from Innocence effected the imago Dei of humankind and show why it did not destroy, deform, or mar it. However, it did create a gulf in the relationship that our Progenitors were created to enjoy. Jesus the Christ, who is the Ultimate Imago Dei (2 Cor. 4:4) has now come to atone for the sins of humankind and by His resurrection He has defeated death and assured the redeemed of our future resurrection into imperishable and immortal bodies. In the meantime, we are each called to be renewed into the image of God through our growing knowledge of Christ.

The Latin term 'imago Dei' means "the image of God". It is considered one of the most influential anthropological concepts about what it means to be human. It occurs in various forms only four times in the first nine chapters of Genesis but is considered the chief reason for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights declaring the inherent equality of all human beings, and the reason that human life is treated as exceptional by all nations around the world. This important motif is introduced in Genesis 1:26-27 without definition or explanation, yet it has spawned hundreds of thousands of books and articles exploring its consequences and significance. In this episode I focus on three fallacies that are actually distortions of the 'imago Dei' teaching: (i) Chauvinism - leading to women being oppressed; (ii) Racism - leading to slavery and unfair discrimination and worse; and (iii) Ableism - treating the physically and intellectually disabled as if they also were not image bearers of God. The text version of this podcast can be found at: https://www.findingtruthmatters.org/articles/theology/the-imago-dei-revealed-through-genesis-part-3-fallacies/

The doctrine of the imago Dei is grounded on one verse in Genesis chapter 1. From Genesis 1:27, Brent Strawn observes, “The image of God (Latin imago Dei) is a familiar, even fraught, biblical notion because it has served as something of an empty cipher that countless interpreters have sought to fill.” Strawn continues to highlight how much of a lacuna there is in trying to define and explain the Genesis 1:27 reference to imago Dei: “Despite a great deal of spilled ink, what, exactly, the imago Dei is remains no small mystery because the notion goes largely undeveloped and underdeveloped in the Bible.” Despite Strawn's highlight of the lack of biblical development of this motif, he is not suggesting that it cannot be developed from the scant biblical data we do have. This is where biblically informed philosophy can be helpful.

This is the first sub-series in the grander Imago Dei series. It is the first series because the Book of Genesis is the first book of the bible, and appropriately so because Genesis means “beginning”. Yet as I will show throughout the grander series it is not the very beginning - that will be referred to in the New Testament documents (Jn. 1:1, 17:5; 1Cor. 2:7; Titus 1:2; 2Tim. 1:9; Jude 25). In the meantime, I will commence this series “in the beginning” described in Genesis 1:1 from which we will see that God is the introduced as the Creator and humankind is introduced as the created. Theologians tend to use the Latin term for “the image of God” - imago Dei. As we proceed in our study through Genesis I am going to argue that its introduction in the opening chapter marks one of the predominant themes of this book. As such I will demonstrate that the book has been ordered in a way that we are able to see why certain people did not live up to this created purpose and how Genesis concludes by giving an example of someone who did. The reason that this is an important way to regard Genesis is that establishes a literary sophistication one might reasonably expect from a book claiming to have divine inspiration and authority. Secondly, it will be shown that this positive example exhibits Christological qualities that will contribute to the Hebrew expectation of what the Messiah would be like.

This is the concluding message in this brief Peter Series and begins by pointing out why New Testament scholars consider that Jude was either the amanuensis of Second Peter or was at least a significant influence on Second Peter. Both apostles were concerned that their audiences would be prone to the errors of the false teachers, and that they would need something to remind them of what had taught His apostles to teach. The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires.

The apostle Peter knows that his execution as a martyr is imminent and now pours out his pastoral heart for those he is writing to. He is deeply aware in the Spirit that after his 'departure' that false teachers will arise within the churches he has helped to plant and will try to deceive many of them. What he warns them of is still relevant for us today. May God grant us open hearts to hear what the Spirit is saying to us today. The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires. For more Biblical teaching via podcast subscribe to Messages That Matters with Dr. Andrew Corbett on iTunes, Soundcloud or Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/messages-that-matter-by-dr-andrew-corbett/id1059252114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3GuYKpgiAyKiF56LCekRSS Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/DrAndrewC Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/u/0/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjY5NjkzNjY5L3NvdW5kcy5yc3M For Biblical Thinking Resources - https://www.andrewcorbett.net/ Read “The Most Embarrassing Book in the Bible -understanding the Book of Revelation” on Kindle https://www.amazon.com/MOST-EMBARRASSING-BOOK-BIBLE-ebook/dp/B0081RZ91O/ Read “Authentic Apostolic Leadership - Structure For the Church” https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Apostolic-Leadership-Structure-Church-ebook/dp/B003GIRESO/

In this episode the Apostle Peter describes one of the most dramatic encounters he had with Jesus when he and James and John were taken up a mountain one night by Jesus where they literally heard the voice of God declare that Jesus was the Son of the God! Yet he goes on to say that there is something even more persuasive for anyone — if they would open their hearts and accept it. The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires. For more Biblical teaching via podcast subscribe to Messages That Matters with Dr. Andrew Corbett on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/messages-that-matter-by-dr-andrew-corbett/id1059252114 For Biblical Thinking Resources - https://www.andrewcorbett.net/ Read “The Most Embarrassing Book in the Bible -understanding the Book of Revelation” on Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/MOST-EMBARRASSING-BOOK-BIBLE-ebook/dp/B0081RZ91O/ Read “Authentic Apostolic Leadership - Structure For the Church” https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Apostolic-Leadership-Structure-Church-ebook/dp/B003GIRESO/

We now venture into Second Peter which has quite a different tone than First Peter. In this episode we hear the apostle Peter talk about his own impending death and offering his faithfulness as a model for steadfast Christian living. He then offers the 8 qualities of a mature Christian and how these eight qualities should be what every Christian strives for. The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires.

This is Peter writing to church leaders about the kind of heart and attitude they should have in order to serve a local church. The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires.

In this episode, we ask the question, Is It God's Will for His Children to Suffer? We look at the 4 types of suffering that Christians can experience and compare them what the Apostle Peter details in this passage. The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires.

The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires. In this episode we explore how the Apostle Peter told these new believers that they no longer belonged to their old way of life and its ways - despite the ridicule they all received from their former friends. Instead, they now belonged to a community of care, love and belonging. There is a very practical implication for us today as to how we are to live as believers and as a local church.

The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires. In this episode, based on First Peter chapter 3 and verses 13 to 22, we consider how he told these new Christian that they were to live apologetically - that is, to live in a way that they could answer any questions or respond to any arguments against Christianity.

The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires. In this episode Dr. Corbett discusses what the Apostle Peter, the only married person of the original 12 disciples, had to say about how Christ and then Christianity has redically reinstituted what marriage was always meant to be.

The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires.

The two New Testament epistles ascribed to the Apostle Peter are lesser known by most Christians than the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Some scholars believe that First Peter may have been written to young Christians and may have even served as a 'catechism' for those about to be water baptised. In this episode, we look at how Peter presents God as Father, Son, and Spirit, and how Christianity commences with becoming 'born again'. But this is not where Christianity ends - and that aged Apostle Peter gives instructions on how a new believer is to grow in the faith by exploring what the knowledge of God and HIs grace requires.

The first century Corinthian church had lost its understanding of what the gospel truly meant. They had become beguiled into accepting what certain false teachers had been saying against the apostle Paul and had been led to believe that there was more to Christianity than what Paul had been able to tell them. As a result they, they now bragged about their new found knowledge and spirituality. This is why Paul exercised his apostolic authority to correct the Corinthians and rebuke them for their lax stance on godly morality and conduct. In First Corinthians 15 he begins to remind them of the basic truths of the Christian gospel and indicates to them just how ignorant they had become despite them arrogantly claiming that they possessed more knowledge than the apostle himself.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Christianity they embraced was because of the truthfulness of the gospel they accepted and received. This gospel had been contested by some promoting a false gospel. Paul counters these errors with a reminder that the gospel they received also came with apostolic authority. This apostolic authority is now resident in the New Testament documents. The New Testament now forms the basis for Christians being able to discern truth from error.

The Christian message is called the gospel. This word means "good news". It is good news because it announces how a person can have their sin, guilt, and shame, forever dealt with by putting their trust is Jesus the Christ. This trust is not mere wishful thinking. On the contrary, it is grounded in verifiable truth claims. These include (i) the fulfilment of prophecies given hundreds of years before the birth of the Christ (most notably Isaiah 53); (ii) the testimonies of witnesses to the death, buriel, and physical resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth; and, (iii) the phenomenological experiences of those who put their trust in this Christ as the Saviour and God.

Christianity is not merely a religion filled with rituals and observances to be kept. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that it was a message which they experienced. Indeed, even today the Holy Spirit is still at work through the preaching of the gospel to bring people to experience the gospel of God so their burdens of sin, guilt and shame, are taken away in an instant. It is the reception of the gospel which opens spiritually blind eyes, unstops spiritually deaf ears to be able to hear the voice of God, and officiates the adoption of lost souls into the Kingdom and family of God!

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians in AD 51, there were several deeply concerning problems which needed to be addressed urgently. After doing so in the first 14 chapters of the Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul declares how these problems can be resolved and avoided - if they would just be continually reminded the Gospel truths about what Jesus the Christ had done for each of them. Added to this, he states that these truths are grounded in historically verifiable proofs. This is Part 6 of this Reminder Series - A Reminder about the Gospel I Preached to You.

In the mid-first century, the apostle Paul writes to a church in turmoil and reminds them of why and how they had become Christians. The ten things initial things he wants to remind them of are still just as relevant for today. In this episode we consider his reminder to the Corinthians to "hold fast" to the gospel he is also reminding them of.

The Apostle Paul had written to the Corinthians Church to address the damage which had been done by the false teachers who had sown deception among the Corinthians. In First Corinthians 15 Paul makes one more appeal to the Corinthians as their overseeing apostle. This appeal was to remind the Corinthians of the gospel. Paul gives reasons for the Corinthians to reflect on the power of the gospel which brought them out of spiritual darkness and death - into glorious light and life. When the apostle had preached the gospel to the Corinthians it was the power of the Holy Spirit which quickened this Word into the souls. Paul reminds them of this gospel. It was this Spirit anointed gospel preaching which had enabled the Corinthians to continue "being saved."

The Corinthians had drifted from the gospel and as a result they were no longer 'standing' in the truth of what it meant to be either a Christian or a Church. The Apostle writes to them to remind them of what the gospel truly was - and why this was necessary. For more Biblical teaching via podcast subscribe to Messages That Matters with Dr. Andrew Corbett on iTunes, Soundcloud or Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/messages-that-matter-by-dr-andrew-corbett/id1059252114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3GuYKpgiAyKiF56LCekRSS Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/DrAndrewC Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/u/0/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjY5NjkzNjY5L3NvdW5kcy5yc3M For Biblical Thinking Resources - https://www.andrewcorbett.net/ Read “The Most Embarrassing Book in the Bible -understanding the Book of Revelation” on Kindle https://www.amazon.com/MOST-EMBARRASSING-BOOK-BIBLE-ebook/dp/B0081RZ91O/ Read “Authentic Apostolic Leadership - Structure For the Church” https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Apostolic-Leadership-Structure-Church-ebook/dp/B003GIRESO/

The Apostle Paul concludes his epistle to the Corinthian believers by reminding them if 10 things they had sorely forgotten. In this podcast I look at the second of these - a reminder of how they had received the gospel.

The first century Corinthian church had lost its understanding of what the gospel truly meant. They had become beguiled into accepting what certain false teachers had been saying against the apostle Paul and had been led to believe that there was more to Christianity than what Paul had been able to tell them. As a result they, they now bragged about their new found knowledge and spirituality. This is why Paul exercised his apostolic authority to correct the Corinthians and rebuke them for their lax stance on godly morality and conduct. In First Corinthians 15 he begins to remind them of the basic truths of the Christian gospel and indicates to them just how ignorant they had become despite them arrogantly claiming that they possessed more knowledge than the apostle himself.

In order for a local church to be healthy, it needs to have a healthy culture. In this episode, Dr. Corbett expounds on why this is important and what it looks lie — and what it should not look like. He then offers two practical suggestions for how a local church can build a healthy culture. Also, check out the Ecclesiology Blog Posts: Ecclesiology Part 1 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/11/some-say-church-but-i-say-ecclesiology.html Ecclesiology Part 2 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/11/ecclesiology-part-2-ecclesiology-has.html Ecclesiology Part 3 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/11/ecclesiology-part-3-structure.html Ecclesiology Part 4 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/11/ecclesiology-part-4-need-for-assembling.html Ecclesiology Part 5 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/12/ecclesiology-part-5-eldership-and.html Ecclesiology Part 6 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/12/part-6-ecclesiology-and-family-home.html Ecclesiology Part 7 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-least-pastored-people-in-any-church.html Ecclesiology Part 8 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-use-of-spiritual-gifts-within-local.html Ecclesiology Part 9 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2025/03/ecclesiology-part-9-problems-and.html Ecclesiology Part 10 https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2025/05/ecclesiology-part-10-christoformity.html

A church is more than just a building; it's more than just a meeting on a Sunday meeting; it's more than a global organisation - it is primarily a local community of Christ-followers. These believers are called together by the Holy Spirit to be a worshiping, witnessing, welcoming community of sons and daughters of God the Father. A local church is also called to be "salt and light" in a society. This involves being prepared to speak up and speak against wickedness and injustice. Thus, a local church has a role to be prophetic. Dr. Corbett shares how they can do it.

Christianity is grounded in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is now good evidence to believe that the folded grave cloths of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth, the shroud used to cover His body, and the face cloth to place over His face, have been preserved even to this day. In this presentation Dr. Corbett presents some of that evidence and why Christ's resurrection is relevant for each person.

It is known as Good Friday. But why? It is the penultimate moment in human history when the Creator of the Universe entered into His creation. In this message, Kim and I share why Good Friday really was GOOD Friday.

Ecclesiology is the study of the church. Local churches are all a part of the global Church which made up multiple denominations and traditions. There is one thing that is often neglected by a local church and it is not just their foyer or carpark - it is their pathway. In this session Dr. Andrew Corbett discusses how a local church can begin to develop their pathway.

Becoming a Christian is the entrance to belonging to a church family. There is a growing trend for Christians looking for a more meaningful engagement with their local church when they gather. The Apostle Paul described the gathering a church as being a time when the presence and power of the Lord Jesus Christ was experienced and obvious. In this episode of the ecclesiology series we discuss what the New Testament says about what the church is to do when it assembles.

The reason every Christian should be increasingly aware of ecclesiology is quite simple. When someone becomes a follower of Christ because of the miracle of conversion, they are “baptised into the body of Christ” as Paul told the Corinthians. In this episode we discuss the principles for revitalising and refocusing a local church so that it can "glorify Christ throughout generations" (Ephesians 3:20-21). Read: 'The 10 Biblical Priorities for a Local Church' - https://www.findingtruthmatters.org/articles/theology/the-10-biblical-priorities-and-purposes-for-a-local-church/ And, https://andrewcorbett.blogspot.com/2024/11/ecclesiology-part-2-ecclesiology-has.html

Every Christian should know about ecclesiology. Ecclesiology, from the two Greek words ecclesia and logos is the study of the church. The reason every Christian should be increasingly aware of ecclesiology is quite simple. When someone becomes a follower of Christ because of the miracle of conversion, they are “baptised into the body of Christ” as Paul told the Corinthians: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (First Corinthians 12:13) Therefore, what many new Christians may not know is that when the Spirit leads you to surrender your life of Christ, you are instantly spiritually “baptised” into the family of God! To put this in another way, a Christian is a follower of Christ and thereby a member of the household of God, which is the body of Christ, which is the Church. The risks of not being familiar with the biblical foundation for ecclesiology include being misled into thinking that a church is about entertainment and therefore its weekly gathering is merely about attending a performance, a show. Further risks include being told that the church is a corporation to be led by a CEO-type-leader whose primary concern is to the grow ‘the business' by focusing on financial growth. Both of these two category of risks put vulnerable Christian at risk of being spiritually abused and deceived. But the benefits of developing a biblically sound ecclesiology includes: (i) The avoidance of fads, gimmicks, new trends, which do not comport with what the Scripture teaches. (ii) A local church is more likely to missiologically adaptive. Churches are subject to the Great Commission of Christ, but they also can adapt the compliance with that mission accordingly to their cultural context. (iii) Believers can develop the security that their church leaders are not whimsical and are subject to the revelation of God's Word which has served the Church well since it founding. The foundation for biblically informed ecclesiology is found in Matthew 16 and in Paul's Epistles.

This is the second part in this look at, The Book of Acts, which describes this most unlikely partnership between Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus. Barnabas, the older, genteel, devout, kind and gentle man, who sought out and brought into the attention of the world, a brash, younger, hold, confrontational, zealot, man named Saul (who would take on the name, Paul. These two men formed a formidable partnership which literally went on to change the course of history and the very world itself.

The Book of Acts describes this most unlikely partnership between Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus. Barnabas, the older, genteel, devout, kind and gentle man, who sought out and brought into the attention of the world, a brash, younger, hold, confrontational, zealot, man named Saul (who would take on the name, Paul. These two men formed a formidable partnership which literally went on to change the course of history and the very world itself.

The Prophetic Book of Malachi is written using a unique literary style called ‘a Disputational'. The Lord would bring a charge of wrongdoing and the people would dispute the charge. Malachi 1:2, '“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?”' This constant disputing by Malachi's audience reveals their stubborn hearts. With each charge against the people by GOD, the LORD also introduced another theme He wanted To re-emphasise through the prophet Malachi: Theme #1 / God's Love For His People Theme #2 / The Father-Heart of God Theme #3 / God is Worthy of Sacrificial Worship Theme #4 / The Obligations of The Mosaic Covenant Theme #5 / The Marriage Covenant is a Type of Covenant with God Theme #6 / The Coming of the Messenger-Redeemer Theme #7 / The Separating of the Righteous from the Wicked / (Final Judgment) Throughout the Old Testament, GOD is often described as being a like the sun - Psalm 84:11, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." And the prophet Malachi brings his prophecy to close by declaring that GOD would one day rise like the sun upon His people to bring judgment. Mal. 4:1-3, “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts." For the wicked there will be condemnation, but for the righteous there will be healing, life, and bliss. Thus, when Jesus the Christ came, He came as the Sun prophesied by Malachi, and because of His atoning, sacrificial death and then resurrection, He now extends this offer of healing, life, and bliss, to all who will turn to Him as the Saviour.

In this powerful sermon, we explore the book of Malachi and its deep connections to the prophet Jeremiah's message. We will discover how Malachi's words—though not fully understood by his original audience—speak profoundly to us today, especially as we reflect on God's unwavering love and mercy. The closing verses of Malachi, some of the heaviest in the Bible, remind us of God's unique, incomparable greatness. Join us as we delve into the beauty of Psalm 86, unpacking the God Malachi speaks of—a God of steadfast love, mercy, and grace, who is far more than just another option among many gods

In this powerful sermon, we explore the book of Malachi and its deep connections to the prophet Jeremiah's message. Discover how Malachi's words—though not fully understood by his original audience—speak profoundly to us today, especially as we reflect on God's unwavering love and mercy. The closing verses of Malachi, some of the heaviest in the Bible, remind us of God's unique, incomparable greatness. Join us as we delve into the beauty of Psalm 86, unpacking the God Malachi speaks of—a God of steadfast love, mercy, and grace, who is far more than just another option among many gods

After resistance from Israel's Priests, Malachi announced that the Lord “Would come to the Temple” (Mal. 3:1). “The LORD will come” is a warning of His judgment as the proceeding context indicates. In this life, the Lord's judgment is merciful and redemptive. The Lord will come in Judgment as a Refiner to purify and launderer to wash clean (Mal. 3:2). Refining silver is a very tedious process (Mal. 3:3). The Silversmith would refine silver by separating it from the other mined metals. The Silversmith would use the varying heat of the furnace to separate: lead, copper, gold. The Silversmith would use the varying heat of the furnace to separate: lead, copper, gold: lead melts at 327.5°C; silver melts at 932°C; gold melts at 1064°C; copper melts at 1085°C. This is similar to - First Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." The Silversmith would remove the dross and separate the silver when the silver reached its melting point it would turn white. When the silver turns white, it absorbs light and becomes highly reflective. It is as we look into the face of Christ that we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. The Lord still refines and purifies His people through adversities (Isa. 48:10 “afflictions”). Malachi 3:3, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD." God's judgment always reveals His heart! What we learn from this Malachi Passage: - Recognise that the Silversmith knows when the silver is purified when He can see His face in the refined silver!

The Book of Malachi is the 'Capstone' of the Old Testament prophets. Each of the elements of the Mosaic covenant are referenced in the Book's 55 verses. Each of the rebukes of the previous OT prophets are also echoed in this prophetic book. One of the major themes of Malachi is also one of the central features of the Old Covenant: the ‘Temple'. This is where God and Man Meet. Thus, originally, the Garden of Eden was 'a temple' because it was where God and man met. When Solomon's Temple was dedicated, God's Shekhinah glory filled it (a visible manifestation of God's presence presented as intense light.) But when the Second Temple was dedicated, by those returning from their exile in Babylon, there was no such manifestation of God's presence. Malachi, though, foretold that the day would come when God Himself enter the Temple - not to glorify it, but to "come" in judgment. So, how did the Temple become godless? Dr. Andrew Corbett explores the factors that led to this sad state. Check out the supplementary series on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtlWLsHwjdATk9R5BcfAs6jY1BV041jT7

One of the main and underlying themes of the Book of Malachi is: ‘The Messenger'. Indeed, the very name of Book means “My Messenger” in English. While the book refers to the author as the Lord's Messenger, Malachi also refers to the priests as the Lord's messenger as well. Then, in one of the climaxes of the Book, there is the prophecy of the coming John the Baptist as the Lord's messenger (note Malachi 4:5) who will prepare the way for the Messiah-Christ - who will be Ultimate messenger, the LORD Himself: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the Covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:1) Malachi has thus revealed his hand. He is a messenger of the Lord chastising those who were called to be the messenger/s of the LORD but rebuking them for their apostasy, and announcing that the end of the Old Covenant will come with a special messenger who will be like Elijah, the 'father' of the prophets (note Matt. 17) who we know to be John the Baptist. It will be John the Baptist, the last of the Old Covenant prophets, who will pave the way for the Ultimate Messenger: Jesus the Christ. God has sent His Messenger into our world, which is actually His world, with a message for you. Are you listening?

The Book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. It is the 'capstone' of the prophetic books. In many respects it is a summary of all that the previous prophets had declared. If effect, it announces the end of the Old and the soon coming of the New Covenant which we be preceded by John the Baptist coming in the 'spirit of Elijah' and the LORD Immanuel Himself who would "come" into His Temple. Of the seven themes that are intertwined throughout Malachi, one of them is the importance of marriage. What GOD says through Malachi to men about how they treat marriage - and thereby - women in general, is still just as relevant for today. Also check out Dr. Andrew Corbett's YouTube series through Malachi @DrAndrewC.

What Were The Priests Doing That Upset Malachi So Much? "Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations." God Expected His Levitical Priests To Obey and Honour Him

To honour someone is to treat them as important, guard their reputation, & serve them gladly. Worship is meant to be done with sacrifice - It Should Cost You Something!

The Temple had been cobbled together in 516BC, repaired in 350BC, and in 156BC was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes - Coincidentally, it would not be rebuilt until king Herod the Great (37BC - 4BC) began work to dismantled it, enlarged its boundaries to around 30 acres, raised its elevation and rebuild it commencing around 20BC and continued after he death being finally completed in AD63.

The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. “Oracle” a ‘direct' word from GOD through a prophet in response to questions asked by the prophet's audience. Some scholars believe that Malachi is not a name, but is the designation of an anonymous author. Malachi clearly cared about GOD, His Law, and GOD's people. He also cared about the Temple as a place where GOD and mankind could meet; and also about the Priesthood who were ordained to serve GOD in the Temple.

We live in a world that promotes temporary 'happiness' rather than lasting 'joy'; and, we are constantly being told to be 'proud'. Yet, our society is now suffering its worst mental health crisis in human history. Perhaps we need to consider that we are using the wrong narrative and life-road-map to live by? In this series we are exploring a different narrative and a different life-road-map.

We live in a world that promotes temporary 'happiness' rather than lasting 'joy'; and, we are constantly being told to be 'proud'. Yet, our society is now suffering its worst mental health crisis in human history. Perhaps we need to consider that we are using the wrong narrative and life-road-map to live by? In this series we are exploring a different narrative and a different life-road-map.

We live in a world that promotes temporary 'happiness' rather than lasting 'joy'; and, we are constantly being told to be 'proud'. Yet, our society is now suffering its worst mental health crisis in human history. Perhaps we need to consider that we are using the wrong narrative and life-road-map to live by? In this series we are exploring a different narrative and a different life-road-map.