The Rock - Daily Bible Reading : Recent Episodes
The Rock Community Church Penguin
In Luke 11 Jesus teaches the disciples the proper way in which to pray. Jesus also casts out a demon and upsets the Pharisees.
In Luke 10 Jesus sends out 70 disciples to heal the sick and speak of God’s kingdom. Christ also demonstrates the second greatest commandment with the story of the Good Samaritan.
A centurion in Capernaum who built the local synagogue sends Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his servant.
In this chapter, He begins to separate His followers from His detractors. This begins with calling the first five disciples and emphasising faith and repentance.
This chapter Luke gives his account of Johns "call to repentance" message evident during his baptisms.
Chapter 2 briefly summarises Jesus' birth and the arrival of shepherds directed by angels.
Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith.
The Book of Jude stresses the urgency of opposing false teaching. The writer, Jude, was an apostle and a half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was also a brother of the apostle James.
Third John consists of only 15 total verses. It is the second-shortest book in the Bible. Verse 1 begins with an introduction from "the elder," traditionally the apostle John. He writes to Gaius, whom he loves "in truth.
Second John is the shortest book in the Bible and has one chapter. This letter features only 13 verses. The book begins with a brief introduction in 2 John 1:1–3 to "the elect lady and her children."
Chapter 5 emphasises the believer's ability to "overcome" the world through the power of Christ. John gives testimony regarding Jesus as the Son of God. This passage also reassures believers, telling them they can know they have eternal life.
First John chapter 4 emphasises the way God's love removes the natural human fear of rejection. Fear is a punishment of its own, and those who do not believe have reason to fear judgment. Believers, on the other hand, have confidence. Not only has Christ forgiven our sins, but He gives us God's love.
Chapter 3 further discusses the importance of being a child of God and living accordingly. A major implication of being a child of God is that we are to love one another
Chapter 2 continues John's focus on fellowship with God, through five major points. First, fellowship includes following Christ as our advocate. John does not want believers to sin. However, if and when they do, he wants them to know there is an advocate: Jesus Christ.
Jesus already existed in the beginning, emphasising His eternality. The apostle John heard, saw, and touched Jesus. John testifies about Jesus and the eternal life He brings. This message had already been accepted by this letter's recipients.
Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God.
Chapter 3 offers two mirror-image perspectives from Paul to Timothy. These are useful in and of themselves, but the contrast they represent is also useful.
Chapter 1 includes a greeting and encouragement to Timothy, followed by words reminding Timothy of his faith.
Chapter 5 begins a new section giving instructions regarding various groups. Paul provides Timothy with guidance regarding various persons within the Ephesian church.
Here, in chapter 4, Paul reminds Timothy not to be swayed by the false teachings of others.
This chapter specifically deals with the qualifications for leaders, including both elders and deacons.
In 1 Timothy chapter 2, Paul transitions from his personal focus on Timothy and a general reference to sound doctrine, to information regarding worship practices in the church.
This first chapter is a letter from Paul to Timothy giving him warnings and encouragement.
John sees a river of the water of life. This contrasts with the pollution and decay seen during the tribulation. It also echoes the original state of the garden of Eden.
Following the great white throne judgment of chapter 20, John sees a new heaven and a new earth.
John sees an angel binding Satan with a great chain and confining him to the bottomless pit for a thousand years.
John witnesses prayers from heaven which precede a great celebration, followed by the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to earth.
In chapter 18, John's vision shifts to describe the fall of a slightly different "Babylon." In this context, Babylon is a political and economic entity.
At this point in Revelation, the bowl judgments have been described, and all that remains of the tribulation is the second coming of Christ.
Between chapters 11 and 16, Revelation pauses its in-order description of the end times to introduce certain figures and highlight certain events. One of these events, shown in chapter 14, is a celebration which occurs very near the end of the tribulation.
This chapter contains four of the most iconic concepts contained in Revelation. The two "beasts" described here are the figures often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
Starting in chapter 12, Revelation takes a detour from the step-by-step narrative of the end times. The events described occur over a wide variety of eras, including past, present, and future.
This chapter introduces two prophets referred to as the "two witnesses." Their message, supernatural power, death, and resurrection are dramatic moments in the story of the end times.
This chapter is brief, introducing an interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments. The interlude consists of two main events.
Chapter 9 begins with the fifth angel's trumpet. John observes a "star" falling to earth, which is immediately said to be given a key.
Chapter 8 begins with the opening of the seventh seal, immediately followed by a brief period of silence. The judgments which follow are associated with seven trumpets, given to seven angels, and these seven trumpets are themselves part of the seventh seal judgment.
The scene described in this passage seems to occur between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals, seen on the scroll John observed in chapter 5.
Chapter 6 marks something of a change, as the imagery will become more and more elaborate.
Chapter 5 begins by describing a scroll in the right hand of God. This scroll is sealed seven times over, and written on both sides. This scroll seems to symbolise the judgment of God on sin and wickedness.
Chapter 4 is brief, but it sets the stage for much of the rest of Revelation. It also makes the transition from John's description of things which are—or were, at the time he wrote—to those things which are yet to happen—again, at least at the time he wrote.
This chapter completes the messages by speaking to the last three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
This chapter contains Christ's words to four of these seven: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. This series of messages will be completed in Chapter 3.
Written by the apostle John near the end of the first century, Revelation shows how events will play out in the end times or "the end of the world" as it was known.
This final chapter of 2 Thessalonians begins with a prayer request and ends with a benediction. In between, Paul assures his readers that the Lord would accomplish his purposes in the lives of the Thessalonian believers and gives some final exhortations.
his chapter tackles a weak point in this church's faith. Despite their spiritual growth, and Paul's earlier letter, it seems that the church at Thessalonica was plagued with wrong thinking about "the day of the Lord."
In Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians he expands on the same themes he addressed in his first message.
This final chapter of 1 Thessalonians continues to discuss the day of the Lord, assuring Christians that it will not overtake them.
This chapter begins the second division of Paul's letter to the Thessalonian believers. The first three chapters are more personal, whereas chapters 4 and 5 contain instructions about personal purity and behavior.
In this chapter Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that he had sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica to encourage them, and to learn how they were getting along in the Christian life.
In this chapter Paul recalls his ministry at Thessalonica. He had been maltreated at Philippi, but his suffering did not deter him from moving on to Thessalonica and declaring the gospel there.
The primary message of this passage is that Paul has heard good things about the churches of this region.
After concluding the subject of the previous chapter, with a word toward Christian masters (Colossians 4:1), chapter 4 focuses on two major themes.
Paul frequently establishes spiritual concepts as ideas first, then moves into applying them. His letter to the Colossians does the same. Chapters 1 and 2 set the stage by showing how the teachings of Christ are superior to all other claims. With that established, Chapter 3 transitions to practical matters within the church.
Chapter 1 includes a greeting from Paul followed by gratitude for the faith of the Colossians Christians.
Verse 1 concludes Paul's previous passage, from the end of chapter 3, with an encouragement to "stand firm" in the Lord. He then speaks of Christ's strength in times of suffering.
Philippians chapter 3 speaks about Christ as the proper focus during times of suffering.
During this chapter Paul explains how a Christians life is a reflection of what they set their mind on. He stresses the importance of rejoicing and joy, and connects the faith to concepts such as glory.
In chapter 6 Paul gives four points of wisdom closing out his letter to the church in Ephesus.
Paul covers two important themes in chapter 5; obedience to the example of Christ and the relationship between husbands and wives.
Chapter 4 begins a new section in which Paul urges his readers to live according to the calling they have received as believers of Christ.
Paul speaks about the mystery of Christ revealed. After that he talks about prayer for spiritual strength, and ends the first half of his letter.
In chapter 2 Paul emphasizes the theme of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.
In the first chapter of Ephesians Paul describes the spiritual blessings which believers have in Christ. He then focuses on thanksgiving and prayer for his readers.
This is the final chapter of the book of James, to finish off he talks to oppressed christians and their leaders telling them that the day of the lord will come, and their oppressors will dread that day.
Words and wisdom are the focus of chapter 3. Uncontrolled words and the wisdom of the world always lead to destruction. Those who trust God understand that neither human speech nor human philosophy will lead them toward a faithful life.
James continues with the main theme of his letter: genuine faith in God results in genuinely changed lives.
Today Taylor reads from the book of James, which was believed to be written by Jesus' half-brother, a son of Mary and Joseph who eventually became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem.
The final chapter of 2 Corinthians opens with an ominous warning from Paul. His third visit to them may be marked by the judgment of Christ for sin.
This chapter continues refuting the attacks of false apostles, who were working to lead the Corinthians away from Christ.
False apostles in Corinth are trying to seduce the Corinthians away from their commitment to Christ. As their spiritual father, Paul is attempting to keep the Corinthians from sin.
False apostles and other critics were challenging Paul's role as a true apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul tackles one of their arguments against him in this chapter.
This chapter continues to urge Christians in the Corinthian church to follow through on their commitment.
Paul moves on to a new topic about collecting funds for suffering Christians in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had previously agreed to participate in contributing to this collection about a year earlier, are they still committed to that now?
The first verse of this chapter concludes Paul's teaching from the previous chapter. It goes on to talk about how Christians should cleanse themselves from every physical and spiritual thing that is opposed to God.
Paul is concerned that some amongst the church of Corinth who have heard his message of the gospel have not come to full faith in Christ alone for their salvation. This may be because of idol worship or false teachers distorting the gospel of Jesus and accusing Paul of being a false apostle.
This chapter is a continuation of chapter 4, and it begins with Paul's honest description of the experience of life on this side of eternity.
Against criticism and questioning, Paul continues to defend his legitimacy as an apostle of Jesus.
Eager for the Corinthians to understand that he is not promoting himself, Paul wants them to look at themselves to validate his role as an apostle of Jesus.
In this chapter, Paul explains the reason he delayed his return to Corinth from Macedonia.
2 Corinthians is Paul's second biblical letter to the church he helped establish in the Greek city of Corinth, and much has changed since his last letter.
As Zac finishes reading 1 Corinthians Paul also ends this long letter to the church of Corinth.
Paul teaches the Corinthians about what resurrection from the dead means for born-again believers.
Paul describes how useless and even destructive spiritual gifts are when not applied from an understanding of love.
In this chapter Paul tackles head coverings for women and how to observe the Lords Supper together.
Paul says that idolatry is not a safe practice for Christians. And suggests that God may not respond to those that do.
Paul continues to talk about the eating food offered to idols and how idols are false and hold no power.
Paul turns to another issue raised by the people of Corinth about eating meat offered to idols.
Paul talks about weather it's better to be married or single, and what that means for a Christian.
Paul confronts the church once again for two reasons. This time two Christians were involved in a lawsuit against each other and the people of Corinth including those in the church were participating in sexual immorality.
Paul confronts the church of Corinth for ignoring a case of incest by one of their very own members.
Paul calls the Christians of Corinth spiritual children, because they are divided in who they look up to as a Christian leader.
The people of Corinth may have the Holy Spirit, but the are not spiritual people for they still live in the mindset of the flesh says Paul.
Paul tells the people of Corinth that he was not sent by Christ to speak eloquent words of wisdom. But to preach the gospel with simple honesty, speaking only what he knew.
Tune in as Zac starts reading the book of Corinthians, which is Paul's letter to the church of Corinth.
Despite a lot of warning, Paul journeys to Jerusalem, where things don't quite go to plan.
Paul shares emotional goodbyes with the Ephesians as he prepares to journey to his death.
Beatings, a supernatural vision and miraculous prison escape as Paul and Silas continue to Macedonia.
Saul, now Paul, and Barnabas continue their road trip despite some tough treatment along the way.