Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days (audio)

Join Pastor Derek Walker and host Howard in this engaging Q&A session, tackling a wide array of religious and societal topics. From the role of Christianity in modern politics to the historical significance of biblical events, this episode offers profound insights and discussions. Key topics include the impact of recent political decisions on religious communities, the interpretation of biblical prophecies, and the challenges of living a faith-based life in today's world. Tune in for thoughtful perspectives and spiritual guidance.

All Temples give God's blueprint for us as His ultimate Temples. Man fell into sin & lost God's Presence, but He's restoring us to be His Temples – He'll dwell within us & shine out of us forever. All the different Temples encode different aspects of His ultimate Temple, each providing a piece of the puzzle. We get the whole picture by putting together the revelation from them all. (1) Our SPIRIT = HOLY of HOLIES, (2) our SOUL = HOLY PLACE, (3) our BODY = OUTER COURT. We're made with His THRONE in our SPIRIT to live under His authority. When we receive Christ & He's enthroned within us, we discover our true identity, ability & personality, for His Spirit of grace flows from His throne to fill & transform our souls & empower us to do His will & be fruitful. Christ is the perfect human Temple; God was enthroned in His spirit and His Spirit filled His soul & flowed out of Him. But we were born spiritually dead, so His Spirit did not indwell us. Christ came to make us into true Temples, like Him. So, He died as our SIN OFFERING to take away our sins, and as our BURNT OFFERING to give us His perfect righteousness. Mercy Seat = ‘Place of Propitiation' where God's righteous judgment is fully satisfied by the Blood. He sees the Blood & declares us forgiven, so He's now free to bless us. Once the blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat & accepted by God, Israel came under mercy for another year. But she had to repeat this ritual every year signifying man's sin wasn't yet put away (Heb 10:1-4). Christ accomplished this (Heb 10:5-10). So, Tabernacle rituals pictured what Christ would accomplish in establishing the New Covenant in His Blood in the Heavenly Temple, and activating it in His redeemed human Temples (Heb 9:7-12). As the High Priest, He offered Himself as the final Sacrifice and took His Blood into the heavenly Holy of Holies, and sprinkled it on God's Throne, the Mercy Seat, as full payment for our sin & every blessing of grace (Heb 4:16). His Blood in Heaven ever speaks on our behalf, and is the basis for the everlasting New Covenant (Heb 12:22-24). Having done this, He sat down to signify His finished work, and entered into His work as Mediator of the New Covenant for His people (Heb 1:3, 10:11-12, 9:23-26). The Heavenly Temple is an image of God's ultimate Temple (Man), so when we receive Christ, He also sprinkles us with His Blood & sanctifies us to Himself (1Pet 1:2, Heb 9:13-14). By His Spirit, He entered our holy of holies, and applied His Blood to our spirit, cleansing it from all sin & sanctifying it to Himself, making it a perfect new creation, and then sits enthroned there by His indwelling Spirit, to mediate the new covenant in our lives. This happened at our New Birth. He activated the New Covenant in us, so we're now under grace. We became a functioning Temple. Having sprinkled & cleansed us with His Blood (Heb 9:13-14), He now brings us into our inheritance (v15). It's a Throne of Grace, for the Lamb's Blood has been accepted by God on our behalf, and He sits at God's right hand dispensing His River of Grace to us (Rev 22:1-2). This also pictures us as Temples, with Christ enthroned as Lord in our spirit, releasing His river of grace from His throne in our spirit, flowing down into our heart & life. The trees = thoughts & emotions in our soul. As we trust in Christ who lives in us, and submit to His Lordship, we receive His river of blessing into our hearts. When God entered the Tabernacle, He sat in His glory, enthroned on the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, and there He met with Moses & spoke with him (Ex 25:21-22). Likewise, He sits on the throne in our spirit, His base of operation in us. 3 items in the HOLY PLACE (Heb 9:1-4) = our SOUL: *(1) MENORAH = our MIND, illuminated by the oil of His Spirit. *(2) TABLE of SHOWBREAD (‘the Bread of the Presence') = our EMOTIONS, kept ever fresh from God's Presence, shining from the Holy of Holies. *(3) The ALTAR of INCENSE next to the Holy of Holies = our HEART or WILL, at the deepest part of our soul, called the Golden Censer (‘the Place of Incense') in Heb 9:4, where it's described as belonging to the holy of holies. Thus, our HEART is the junction & connection between our SPIRIT & SOUL, receiving God's life from the spirit, so that it flows into our soul (Heb 4:12, John 7:38). By God's design, the heart should be under the spirit's control, so a worshipping heart is necessary to receive God's grace into our souls. As we submit our hearts into God's Hand (the Holy Spirit), He can guide & empower us (Prov 21:1). To reign in life, put our heart into His Hand (His Spirit), who manifests in us as rivers of living water. In the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant containing 3 items, hidden under the Throne (under His control) = 3 aspects of God's grace, He wants to release into our soul by His Spirit: (1) the Tablets of the Covenant, (2) Aaron's Almond Rod that budded, and (3) the Golden Pot of Manna (Heb 9:3-5)

Explore the divine blueprint of God's Temples and learn how they reflect His ultimate Temple: redeemed man in Christ. We're designed to be Temples of the Living God, in the image of Christ, the perfect human Temple of God. In union with Him, by His Spirit, He transforms us into His image from glory to glory. God's will for us as His Temples is to be filled with His Spirit, who indwells our holy of holies (SPIRIT), and also wants to fill our holy place (SOUL) and our BODY. The Tabernacle with all its furnishings was made according to a Divine Pattern (Ex 25:9,20, 26:30, Num 8:4, Acts 7:44, Heb 8:1-6). So, the earthly Tabernacle was made after the image of the heavenly Temple. The primary fulfilment of the typology of the Tabernacle is Jesus Himself. God came down to dwell among His people, by dwelling in a perfect human Tabernacle (John 1:1-14). The prophetic picture of the Tabernacle was perfectly fulfilled in the human nature of Jesus (Col 2:9). He was also filled with God's glory through the indwelling Spirit. He was the perfect prototype human Temple of God, the basis for all future human Temples of God. By His death & resurrection, He made it possible to multiply Himself in us, like a seed planted in the earth & rising again in multiplied form (John 12:24). When anyone receives Jesus, they are put into union with Him and become living stones in His Temple built on Him, their living Foundation, and He begins to change them into His image - first, by recreating our spirits in the New Birth, then by transforming our souls, and finally by glorifying our bodies. So, Christ is not just the fulfilment of the Tabernacle pattern, the perfect human prototype Temple, but also, the transforming power that changes us into His image as God's Temple, on the basis of His death & resurrection, so that we also become Temples of God, like Him. Thus, the pattern of the Tabernacle of Moses is primarily fulfilled in Christ, and 2ndly in us, His Body. God now lives in us, and wants to shine His glory through us. To make this all possible, on the Cross Christ fulfilled the Law of the Burnt Offering (Lev 1:1-12) & the Sin Offering (Lev 4:1-35). During the first 3 hours on the Cross, He offered Himself up as a sweet-selling burnt offering to the Lord (Eph 5:2). He identified with us and offered Himself for us, offering up His perfect human righteousness to God, to be accepted on our behalf, so that in Him we might be possess & be covered in His righteousness. On the basis of this aspect of the Cross, His righteousness is offered to us as a free-gift. From noon until 3pm, He fulfilled the type of the Sin Offering. He who knew no sin became sin for us on the Cross (2Cor 5:21). God signified this in the heavens by turning the sun to darkness, a picture of the radiant Sun of righteousness being covered with the darkness of our sin. In His Atonement, He paid the penalty in full for all our sins, so we can be forgiven, if we trust in Him. As our Sin-Offering, He took our sin and the punishment we deserved, releasing God's forgiveness & mercy to us, and as our Burnt Offering, He released His righteousness & life to us as a free-gift of grace. Christ's Altar of Burnt Offering is the everlasting power source for all of God's human Temples forever, for He gave Himself for us to release His everlasting righteousness & life, which will uphold us for all eternity. The truth that His Sacrifice is forever effectual in satisfying God and in releasing His grace to us is revealed in the Law of the Burnt Offering (Lev 6:8-13). His act of obedience in offering Himself up for us on the Cross provides for us an abundant everlasting source of grace (Rom 5:8-21). By His once for all perfect offering, He gave us His righteousness, grace & life, as our everlasting possession. As one moves toward the Holy Place of worship, after the Altar of Burnt Offering was the Laver (Ex 40:30). (1) He sacrificed Himself on the Cross for His Bride (represented by the Bronze Altar), so that (2) He might sanctify & cleanse us by the WASHING of His WORD (the Bronze Laver) - Eph 5:26. The LAVER represents God's WRITTEN WORD, which reveals His LIVING WORD – Christ, the source of eternal life (John 5:39-40). As we look into the Mirror of God's Word, the glory of the Person & Life of Christ is revealed to us, and His Spirit cleanses us from sin & sanctifies us to God (2Cor 3:18). The more we're cleansed & sanctified, the closer we can draw near to God to fellowship with Him and know Him (Heb 12:14, Matt 5:8). The Holy of Holies represents the spirit of man, in which was: “the Ark of the Covenant, in which were the Golden Pot of Manna, Aaron's Rod that budded & the Tablets of the Covenant” (Heb 9:3-4). These 3 items in the Holy of Holies correspond to the 3 items in the Holy Place, for the soul is made in the image of the spirit, designed to express & manifest the life & nature of the spirit.

In this episode, 'the River of Life,' Derek explores the profound biblical revelation that believers are the eternal Temple of God, designed to be filled with His presence and glory. Redeemed man in Christ is designed to be the eternal Temple of the Living God, indwelt by Him and shining forth His glory. Thus, redeemed man is the ultimate, eternal Temple of God (1Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20, 12:12, 2Cor 6:16, Ephesians 2:21-22, Rev 21:22-26). TEMPLES are designed to be dwelling places of God, and He introduced TEMPLES to reveal His ULTIMATE PURPOSE for mankind. He created MAN to be His TEMPLE, and now His plan is to redeem us, so that we might be the DWELLING PLACE of God, that God would dwell with us and IN US forever! This is God's ultimate purpose for man - that God might dwell in us and be glorified through us. All Temples of God are a blueprint of His ultimate Temple (Man), and so they describe our nature, design, purpose and operation - how God made us to function. The first clear design feature of God's Temples is that they are all tripartite in structure. That is, they are comprised of 3 distinct parts, with 3 different levels of holiness, sometimes represented by different heights: (1) The HOLY of HOLIES, where God is enthroned, (2) the HOLY PLACE, and (3) the OUTER COURT. Likewise man is (1) SPIRIT, (2) SOUL & (3) BODY (1Thessalonians 5:23). The greatest Presence of God is in the Holy of Holies, where He is enthroned as King, and His Presence (Glory) radiates like light shining forth from the Holiest Place. One picture of this FLOW of LIFE is that His SPIRIT of GRACE flows down like RIVERS from the highest place (the Holy of Holies or Throne Room) to water the lower places. We see this RIVER of LIFE in the Heavenly Temple (Rev 22:1-2), in Eden (Genesis 2:10) and in the Millennial Temple (Joel 3:18, Zechariah 14:8-9, Ezekiel 47). Jesus was a fully functioning Temple of God, who came to make us into Temples of God, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in our born again spirit (John 14:16-17, Romans 5:5, John 4:10,14), and flowing out through our heart as rivers of living water (John 7:37-39). So, now in Christ, God, the Holy Spirit lives within our reborn spirit (where Christ is enthroned), from where He wants to flow down as rivers of life to fill our souls with His light and life, and then flow out through our bodies to the world, as we obey Him, by speaking His words and doing His works. We are Temples of the Living God, who wants to fill and empower us and be glorified through us. As we let His River of life and grace flow down from our high place (our spirit) through our soul, as we submit to Him and obey Him, the trees in the garden of our soul (our thoughts and emotions) will continually flourish and grow and be fruitful to the glory of God.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the concept of the Temples of God in a special series. Discover how believers are considered living stones, forming a spiritual Temple with Christ as both the Foundation Stone and the Capstone. This episode delves into biblical passages that illustrate the significance of Christ's role in the Church and God's plan for unity among believers.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the concept of the Temples of God, both heavenly and earthly. This episode delves into the idea that believers collectively form the ultimate Temple of God, united as the body and bride of Christ. Discover how the corporate Temple embodies greater glory than individual Temples and how Jesus Christ as the Foundation Stone and Capstone unites us all.

Derek Walker explores the theological significance of the Millennial Temple in this enlightening sermon. Discover how the concept of God's dwelling with man is central to biblical revelation, from the original Temple in Eden to its ultimate fulfilment in the Millennial reign of Christ. Delve into the scriptural prophecies and visions that depict the restoration of God's Kingdom on earth through Christ's Return. This episode provides a deep dive into theological insights, drawing from scriptures like Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah, to illuminate the divine plan for the heavenly and earthly Temples.

Derek Walker explores the significance of Temples, focusing on the first 3 Temples on the earthly Mount Zion, pointing out the connections between the heavenly and earthly Temples. After God moved into the Tabernacle, He promised He would lead them to a holy Mountain of His choosing where His Sanctuary would be established. God had already set apart Mount Moriah, later called Mount Zion, when Abraham offered up Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22) and God promised that He would offer up His Son in that place (v8,14). From that time Mt. Moriah was God's ordained place of Sacrifice. Later David establish his capital in Jerusalem, and God revealed to him the location and plans for the Temple, especially the Holy of Holies, and the Altar (on Ornan's threshing floor) on Mount Moriah, to the north and above the City of David (1Chronicles 21-22). Later Solomon build the Temple there (2Chronicles 23:1) and it was filled with God's glory at its Dedication. It was destroyed by the Babylonians 432 years later because of Israel's idolatry, and rebuilt 70 years later in the same place as the 2nd Temple, which was later beautified by Herod the Great. This was the Temple in the time of Jesus, but was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, because of Israel's rejection of Christ. There will also be a 3rd Temple of God on Mount Zion in the future (the Tribulation Temple), which God will use as a final outreach to Israel as well as the world, especially through the 2 witnesses. After 3.5 years the antichrist will desecrate it with the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2Thessalonians 2, Revelation 11). There will also be a 4th Temple on Mount Zion in the Millennium (Isaiah 2:1-4, Ezekiel 40-48).

Join Pastor Derek Walker from the Oxford Bible Church as he continues his enlightening series on the Temples of God. In this episode, explore the spiritual significance of Mount Sinai and the Tabernacle, delving into their roles as divine dwellings and reflections of the heavenly Temple. We study how Mount Sinai was an earthly Temple of God for a year, before God's Presence moved into the Tabernacle (God's portable Temple).

Join Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church in this enlightening series exploring the concept of the Temples of God. Discover how Eden was the original earthly Temple, reflecting God's heavenly Temple, and learn about the restoration of God's Presence through biblical history. Delve into the symbolic significance of Temples across cultures and how they relate to God's ultimate plan for humanity. This episode highlights how God's original plan to establish His Kingdom and Presence over the whole earth, which He began in Eden (His original Temple), will be fulfilled in His Millennial Kingdom, when Christ will reign from His Millennial Temple on the top of Mountain of the Lord (Mount Zion) over the whole earth, and His glory will cover the earth, with Israel being the restored Garden of Eden.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church as he delves into the fascinating study of the Temples of God, exploring the concept of Eden as the original earthly temple. Discover how Eden, the Garden of God, was the sacred ground where God intended to dwell with man. This video examines biblical narratives, comparing Eden to the heavenly Jerusalem and revealing profound insights into the spiritual significance of these divine structures. Learn about the heavenly blueprint that influenced the creation of Eden and how it served as a sanctuary for mankind. This educational journey offers a deeper understanding of the spiritual connections between the earthly and heavenly temples.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church as he delves into the profound series on the Temples of God. In this episode, explore the concept of Eden as the first earthly Temple, mirroring the heavenly Eden. Discover the theological insights into the heavenly City, New Jerusalem, and its significance as the dwelling place of God. Learn about the symbolic structures of Temples and their relation to us as tripartite beings —spirit, soul, and body (1Thess 5:23). Uncover the biblical parallels between the Garden of Eden and the Heavenly Temple, reflecting God's design and purpose for mankind.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the profound theme of God's Temples throughout the Bible. This episode delves into the concept of the Heavenly Temple, the New Jerusalem, and how it serves as the everlasting dwelling Place of God, the blueprint for the temporary earthly Temples of God. Discover the significance of earthly temples as copies of their heavenly counterpart and the spiritual insights they offer into our identity as Temples of the living God (redeemed man being the ultimate Temple of God). Learn about the biblical blueprint for these sacred spaces and how they reflect God's divine order.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church as he continues the enlightening series on the Temples of God. This video delves into the concept of the heavenly City, the New Jerusalem, as the eternal dwelling of God with His people. Explore biblical insights on the heavenly temple, its significance, and how believers are seen as Temples of the living God. The session also touches on the transformative power of the new covenant and the role of Jesus Christ in granting believers access to the heavenly kingdom.

Join Pastor Derek Walker of the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the biblical significance of the four blood moons occurring in 2014-2015. Delve into prophecies from Joel and Acts, and historical events linked to blood moon tetrads. Discover the potential divine messages these celestial events may hold for Israel and the world.

Join Pastor Derek Walker from the Oxford Bible Church as he delves into the signs of the times, focusing on celestial events like the four blood moons. Discover their biblical significance and what they could mean for the future. This video explores prophetic interpretations and the connection of these signs to historical and future events, urging viewers to be watchful and prepared for the times ahead.

Join Derek Walker, Pastor of Oxford Bible Church, as he explores the concept of being 'in Christ' and its foundational importance in the Christian faith. Discover the blessings and promises that come with this spiritual position, as well as how to build a strong Christian life based on the unchanging truth of God's Word. Learn about the transformation from being in Adam to being in Christ and how to live out this reality through grace.

Explore the profound concept of being 'In Christ' through biblical teachings. This video delves into the spiritual blessings, identity transformation, and foundational truths of Christianity. Discover the significance of transitioning from being in Adam to being in Christ and how it impacts your faith journey.

Join the Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker as they explore a Christian perspective on elections. Discussions include the role of prayer, moral values in politics, and the potential for revival. The show also touches on theological topics such as the end times, Israel's significance, and the role of prophets today. Viewers are encouraged to send in their questions and engage in this insightful discussion on faith and politics.

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church, with a special discussion on the life and impact of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch. The show delves into her faith, leadership, and the unity she fostered across nations. Viewers are invited to share their thoughts and questions in this heartfelt tribute.

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

A Debate on Revelation TV hosted by Tim Vince between Derek Walker arguing for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and John Campbell arguing for the Post-Tribulation Rapture.

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek

Q&A Show with Pastor Derek

Psalm 83 is a Prophetic Prayer describing by name a confederacy of nations, which surround her, who all want to destroy Israel in the end-times. Derek and Tim explain how this Prophecy has been fulfilled in detail in the wars that Israel has faced since her rebirth in 1948, including the present Israel war with Hamas. The Psalm is an inspired prayer that God would give Israel military victory, as in her ancient victories by Gideon and Deborah, with the help of God. God has answered this prayer again and again by giving Israel victory against her enemies, even when it was against all odds. This prayer also gives a blueprint for how we should pray in the present situation. The stated purpose of this victory is to glorify the Name of the true God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, so that Israel's enemies, who worship and trust in a false god, may repent and trust in the true God instead, and so be saved.

Pastor Derek explains how a number of theological paradoxes can be resolved, in particular, the difference between relationship (positional truth) and fellowship (temporal truth) scriptures. Understanding these 2 distinct realms allows us to receive both scriptures fully, and apply them correctly, especially in the area of forgiveness.

Pastor Derek reveals the origins of the Gospel in the Year of Jubilee, which took place on the Day of Atonement, when the Jubilee trumpeters proclaimed forgiveness, release and restoration for all, throughout all the land, on the basis of the great sacrifice made on that day (Leviticus 25). Jesus initiated the preaching of the Gospel, and commanded us to continue preaching this same Gospel. In Luke 4, Jesus claimed that His preaching of the Gospel was the fulfilment of Isaiah 61, a prophecy of the Messiah fulfilling the Type of Jubilee for all men by preaching Good News to the poor, proclaiming the Acceptable Year of the Lord, on the basis of God's acceptance of His great final Sacrifice (Isaiah 53).

A key to knowing God's Times and Seasons is 1 DAY = 1000 years. Examples of this are the Passover Lamb, Hosea 6:2, the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Transfiguration and the Good Samaritan. It's almost 2 DAYS from the Cross!

God's Structure of Time is based on the Blueprint of Creation Week, where 1 DAY = 1000 years of human history (Psalm 90:4, 2 Peter 3:8), with the 7th DAY being the Millennium (Revelation 20:1-6).

Derek shares 2 Keys to Victory: (1) Come to God in humility to receive His grace. (2) Once you know His will, do it with all your heart. Persist and refuse to quit, as illustrated in 2 Kings 13:14-25.

Joel's Prophecy was fulfilled by (1) the Signs in the Heavens (Dark Sun & Blood Moon) at the Cross, (2) Christ's glorious Resurrection, and (3) the Outpouring of His Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21).

Pastor Derek puts together clues from the Bible, ancient history and modern science to prove Tarshish is Britain. This matters, because 3 end-time prophecies about Tarshish give us hope for this nation.

Our eternal destiny (Heaven or Hell) depends on whether we love the Truth of God (we are created by God, accountable to Him), or the Lie of Satan, that we are our own gods, the product of evolution.

There are 2 apparently contradictory sets of Scriptures, one of which says we are already fully righteous (justified) and fully forgiven in Christ by His grace (Rom 5:1, 2Cor 5:21, Eph 1:7, 4:32, Col 1:14, ), but the other says that we are lacking in righteousness and so need to seek God for more of His righteousness (Matthew 5:6, 6:33), and that we need to ask for forgiveness, when we sin to be cleansed of all unrighteousness (1John 1:9, Matthew 6:12-15, Mark 11:25-26). How can both sides be true? Many take a simplistic approach of embracing the verses they like, and ignoring or explaining away the rest, for example by saying the teaching of Jesus no longer applies (in contradiction to Matthew 5:19, 7:24-27, 28:18-20). Derek shares that the full truth is found by embracing all the Scriptures as fully true, but there are 2 related realms of truth – relationship truth and fellowship truth. Relationship truth describes what God has done for us in Christ when we received Him as Lord and Saviour. This was all done by God's grace at the moment of salvation and is unconditional, absolute, and unchanging. All our sins are forgiven and we have been justified (declared righteous) before God. Before salvation, we had no relationship with God, we were in the realm of the Courtroom, guilty before the Judge, but when we trusted in Christ, who paid the penalty for us, we were not only forgiven and placed into right-standing with God, but also adopted into His family as His son. So, we now have a new relationship with God by His grace, which move us out of the realm of the Courtroom into the realm of God's Family, where the truths of family fellowship and forgiveness apply. As far as the Courtroom (and our salvation) is concerned there is no condemnation for us in Christ, but as far as our family life with God is concerned, when we sin, we need to confess our sins to God to receive His forgiveness (1John 1:9), in order to keep our heart right with God, and restore our fellowship with Him (see James 4:7-10). Whereas relationship is binary (you either have a relationship with God or you don't), your fellowship with God (the level of the Light of His Presence in your heart) is variable, depending on how close your heart is to God. Moreover, fellowship by its very nature is reciprocal, depending on the will of both people, and therefore variable if one of them is human. Thus, Fellowship Scriptures are conditional, unlike Relationship Scriptures. Relationship truth is foundational, as our fellowship with God is only possible on the grounds of our relationship with Him in Christ. But fellowship truths are also important, for God's purpose in establishing a relationship with us is so that He might have fellowship with us (Isaiah 43:25). Finally, Derek explains why the Relationship-Fellowship distinction is a fundamental part of reality because it originates in the nature of the Triune God, who has a 2-fold unity: (1) of relationship, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit being of one substance, and (2) of fellowship, since they fully give themselves to each other and interpenetrate each other in love (perichoresis).

We look at a number of apparent theological paradoxes that are resolved in the same way, according to the principle that: “the entirety of Your WORD is TRUTH” (Ps 119:160). In each case, there are a set of Scriptures that emphasise one truth and another set of Scriptures that emphasise a different truth, but it can seem hard to see how to hold both truths together as they don't seem to fit. Some examples are: (1) the Prophecies of the Sufferings and Glory of Christ (Luke 24:25), (2) the Goodness and Severity of God, (3) God's Sovereignty and man's free-will, (4) the fact that Christ is both God and man (the hypostatic union), (5) the Tri-unity of God, and (6) how we can be forgiven in Christ (as far as our relationship is concerned), and yet still need forgiveness (as far as our fellowship with God is concerned). In each of these cases, people can easily go into a ditch on either side of the road of truth by choosing the set of Scriptures they like, and then ignoring or explaining away the Scriptures on the other side. The answer is found in realising that both sets of Scriptures are fully true, because there are 2 distinct (but related) realms of truth (if you can try to reconcile the 2 truths by mixing them together, you end up compromising and destroying them both - for example, by saying Christ is a semi-god and a semi-man, whereas the truth is that He is fully God and fully man). On the basis that all Scripture is true, we should embrace both revelations of truth, then seek God for a deeper understanding of how both sides can be fully true. When we do this, we will be rewarded with a fuller revelation of God's truth.

When we are feeling empty or spiritually depressed, or when circumstances make us aware of our weakness, that is a great opportunity to grow in God by turning to Him and asking Him to fill our void. We must be thirsty for God before we drink of His living water (Isa 55:1, John 7:37, Rev 21:6, 22:17). When our soul is full of worldly things we have no room for God, but “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (God's Word and Spirit) Presence, for they shall be filled (with God's Presence)” (Matt 5:6). In Psalm 42 the psalmist is depressed and thirsty for the living God (v1-2), so He turns to God to fill him. Inspired by the local scenery, where the river Jordan flows out from Mount Hermon at Banias and tumbles down in waterfalls, he focuses on God, seeing these waters as a picture of God's river of life (v6), and then cries out from the depth of his heart (need) to the depths of God to fill him: “Deep calls unto deep at the noise (sound) of Your waterfalls (of grace)” (v7a). Through His Word, we hear the sound of His river of life flowing to us, and respond by calling out to Him to fill us. As a result: “all Your waves and billows (of love, peace and joy) have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime” (v7b-8). The Oil Miracle (2Kings 1-7), when God filled all the empty vessels that were presented to Him with His Oil (representing the Holy Spirit) reveals that He is willing to fill all the empty parts of our soul with His Spirit, if we turn to Him, present them to Him, and ask Him to fill us. The Oil only stopped flowing when there were no longer any empty vessels to fill. So our empty voids (our awareness of our weakness and need) are a great opportunity to turn to god and be filled.

Ps 27 continues with David concluding his confident declaration of faith (v1-6), saying: “And now my head shall be lifted up (in honour) above my enemies all around me” (v6a). God will exalt him to be king (v5). If we exalt Him in worship, He'll exalt us. Time in worship gives us confidence in God's protection & hope for the future. He sees beyond the present to God's victory, when he'll praise God with His people, thanking Him for manifested victory: “Therefore, I will offer sacrifices of joy in His Tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord” (v6b). God gave him victory over the immediate threat (v1-6), but he had to endure a hardness for 8 years, in constant danger & need for His help, so now he moves to humble entreaty for ongoing favour & deliverance (v7-12). Knowing himself as weak & sinful, dependent on God, he doesn't presume on His blessing, but urgently asks for continuing mercy & grace. v7: “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also on me, and answer me” (v7). Due to the wait time between promise & fulfilment, he battles negative thoughts of fear & condemnation. But as a worshipper (v4-6), rather than giving into fears, he gives them to God in prayer (v7-12) & comes into assurance (v13). “When You said: “SEEK My FACE (Presence)!” My HEART said to You: “Your FACE (Presence), Lord, I WILL SEEK” (v8). He reminds God, He initiated this relationship by inviting him to seek Him. This is God's command to all, for the first ‘seek' is plural. He graciously invites all to seek & find Him, to know Him personally. True prayer is our response to His gracious initiative. He reminds God he did respond by setting his will (heart) to seek & know Him. So, he was sure he'd find Him, for God reveals Himself & blesses all who seek Him (Deut 4:29, Jer 29:13, Matt 7:7). Those who don't find God have not set their heart to seek to know Him. Saying: “I WILL seek” shows intentionality. He was a man (who sought) after God's heart (v4, 1Sam 13:14, Acts 13:22). We need to pay attention to God, if we want Him to pay attention to us (hear our prayers). He realises he's not perfect & deserves condemnation, so has to deal with negative accusing thoughts, which he does in prayer: “Do not hide Your FACE from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger” (v9a). When His face shines on us, He's gracious toward us, but if He hides His face, He's displeased, and we need to confess our sin & turn back to Him. “You have been my help (in the past, so); do not leave (abandon) me (now) nor forsake me (in my time of need), O God of my salvation” (v9b). In his weakness, he abandons himself to God, expressing total dependence on Him. This is how to handle inner fears - bring them to God. When you sin don't run from God, but to God. He's the God of your salvation. Despite our failings, if we seek Him (v8), He'll not hide His face from us (v9). He knew God as His Saviour (v9) & perfect Parent: “When (even if) my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me (receive, gather me up as a father lifts up his son & provides for him)” (v10). Even if our strongest relationships fail, God will not forsake us. He has that assurance, for God is what every parent should be (merciful, faithful, loving & forgiving). Having spent face to face time with God, he now prays for guidance, to walk in His will: “(1) TEACH me Your WAY, O Lord, and (2) LEAD me in a smooth (straight, level) path, because of my enemies (lit: watchful foes, looking for him to go wrong & take advantage)” (v11). (1) We need to know the WAY and (2) be LED step by step in it. “Do not deliver me to the will (desire) of my adversaries (v3, including demons); for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out (threats & acts of) violence.” Having faced his inner fears, he prayed through into the light of assurance: “I would have lost heart, UNLESS I had (firmly) BELIEVED that I would SEE (look steadfastly on, as in v4) the (manifest) goodness (promised provision) of the Lord in the land of the living (in this life)” (v13). Thus, it finishes as it starts with confidence God's plan will come to pass (he'll be king). If we look on the Lord in worship (v4) & wait on Him in faith (v14), His glory will change us and bring God's will to pass in our life. v14: “WAIT (in FAITH) on (set your HOPE on) the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. WAIT, I say, on the Lord!” WAIT is repeated for emphasis. He speaks to himself, then us. YLT: “LOOK to Jehovah, be STRONG, and He will STRENGTHEN your HEART, yea, LOOK to Jehovah!” When God promises, its time of fulfilment is in His hands. Sometimes there's a delay, as with David. The danger is to lose heart. So, in this time, we must stand strong in faith, believing He'll bring it to pass. Wait patiently & expectantly in faith for Him, looking to Him for directions. Then His Spirit strengthens, encourages, enlightens our heart & empowers us to obey (v14).