Calvary Chapel Portsmouth Podcast

Calvary Chapel Portsmouth

Barry Forder
This is our Podcast. We're a Bible believing Church meeting at Barncroft Primary School, Havant, Hampshire, UK
AMOS CH2 VS4 – CH4
How is the church in this country doing? Certainly, better than the world right? The world is deserving of judgment, God's divine wrath. But the church, well, we're doing just fine... aren't we? So why does Peter say that the coming season of Judgment will begin with the house of God!? (1 Peter 4:17). That is exactly how Israel saw themselves in c.760 B.C. when Amos was called to bring to them a thunderous wake-up call. In chapter 1 we saw how God, through Amos, uttered His judgment on six of the surrounding Gentile nations; but then, in chapter 2, the bombshell! "Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof" v4 and "Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof" v6. In God's eyes, Judah and Israel were no better than their heathen gentile neighbours. Their transgressions were 'full to overflowing'. The church today can scarcely be said to be any better than the world, embracing immorality and idolatry, all in the name of expediency. Tolerating what God calls abominations so as not to offend. We have become more concerned about our reputation in this world than God's! In so doing, the light we are supposed to be, to a world that has lost its way, has often become little more than a flickering ember. Israel too, were to have been a light to the nations, to be a conduit through which God's blessing would come to the world. Instead, they were ripe for judgment. It has been said that our sin always looks worse on other people! We always try to play down and justify our own failings, but when we see the same in other people, we are quick to tut and roll our eyes in distain. Judah and Israel had done just this, but now it was time to be faced with their sin and prepare for God's rebuke. In Amos' day, the surrounding nations had incurred God's wrath because of their cruelty (Damascus), merciless profiteering (Gaza), betrayal (Tyre), hatred, (Edom), murder (Ammon), and contempt for others (Moab). However, Judah and Israel's crime was much worse! Their crime had not been so much committed against their fellow men, but against God Himself! "because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments" v4. Jerome comments: ““Those other nations, Damascus and the rest, he upbraids not for having cast away the law of God, and despised His commandments, for they had not the written law, but that of nature only. So then of them he says, that “they corrupted all their compassions” - and the like. But Judah, who, at that time, had the worship of God and the temple and its rites, and had received the law and commandments and judgments and precepts and testimonies, is rebuked and convicted by the Lord, for that it had “cast aside His law and not kept His commandments;” wherefore it should be punished as it deserved.” God expects a standard from His people that He does not demand from the world; "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more". (Luke 12:48).
Nov 7, 2021
47 min
AMOS CH1 – CH2 VS3
This first teaching in this verse-by-verse study of the Book of Amos was given be Pastor Barry Forder at Calvary Portsmouth on 31st October. On Sunday we began a new verse-by-verse study in the book of Amos. The book of Amos is like an alarm clock going off, sharply bringing our attention to the time. It was that way when he spoke is message to Israel in around 765 B.C., and it will ring true for the days we are living in. God will not sit passively by and ignore sin. There comes a tipping point where enough is enough. God is not mocked, and His goodness demands Him to be just and bring judgment. In chapter 1, Amos will begin pronouncing judgment on 6 of the nations that bordered Israel. These judgments would be fulfilled, probably, in Amos’ own lifetime – yet we see overtones of these judgments being ‘replayed’ today on the very same nations (or the people who now occupy the same territory).
Nov 3, 2021
52 min
Are you also still without understanding?
In Matthew 15 vs 15 Jesus asked His disciples "Are you also still without understanding?" This question came after Jesus had spoken many things in Parables. Contrary to the way many view parables, they are not just quaint Sunday school stories! They are full of important instruction about and for the Church! They were not meant for the multitude, in fact, Jesus intentionally concealed these truths in Parables so that His own would understand, but the multitude, would not. In Matthew 13:11 we read: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given". Yet after giving all these parables, so that His own would understand, we have the question above: "Are you also still without understanding?"
Oct 18, 2021
54 min
JOEL 3 VS 3-21
This incredible 3-chapter book of Joel lays out the history of Israel and it’s climatic future at the end of this age, during a period of time to come which the Bible calls ‘the Day of the Lord’. Joel tells us that God will gather all the nations of this world together in the Jezreel Valley in Israel, also known as the valley of Megiddo. The coming world leader (whom we typically refer to as Antichrist), will launch an attack on Israel, who by that time will be in hiding in the Jordanian desert (the area previously known as Edom). Just it looks as if there is no hope for Israel against this massive combined military threat, they will petition their Messiah – Jesus Christ – who will return to destroy their enemies, and then proceed to claim Jerusalem as His own, fulfilling countless prophecies and sitting on the Throne of David, from where He will rule the whole Earth! In this study we look at John’s vision of these events recorded in the book of Revelation, as well as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah and others whom the Lord used to expound on the framework given to us in Joel. Joel’s almost 3000 year-old prophecies are now approaching their climactic fulfilment in our lifetime. The schemes and plans of this world will soon give way to the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! The countdown is almost over; it is time to decide ‘who is on the LORD’s side! There will only be one Victor! May you be stirred and encouraged to walk with Jesus in these days!
Oct 10, 2021
45 min
JOEL CH3 VS1-2
In our previous studies we have seen how the book of Joel seems to prophetically outline the history of the Nation of Israel, up to and including the climactic conclusion as depicted in the last three feasts of Israel. From the forthcoming ‘time of Jacob’s trouble’ that will commence with the Feast of Trumpets / Trumpet judgments of Revelation 8-9, the subsequent flight of Israel into the wilderness, her repentance and acknowledgement of Jesus as her Messiah, fulfilling the Feast of Atonement; concluding with the return of Jesus to deliver Israel, subdue the nations and establish His throne on Earth, marking the Feast of Atonement. It is incredible to consider that Joel, arguably the 1st of all the writing prophets, gives us, in this 3 chapter book, such an incredible framework of the key prophetic events surrounding Israel, from the Birth of the nation to the ‘completion’ when she will walk in harmony with her Messiah.
Oct 3, 2021
59 min
JOEL CH2
Last week we saw how God used the real plague of locusts in Joel's time to warn the nation of Israel, and 'all who have ears to hear', that another devastating judgment is coming on Israel, and indeed upon the whole earth. Hosea tells us that God uses similitudes (models or types) to speak to us. We know that the Feasts of Israel, as well as being literal, historical events, were also given as anticipatory models of things that would come later. Last week we noted that the first four feasts of Israel find their prophetic fulfilment in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and the birth (and possibly the subsequent rapture) of the Church. This leaves us with the last three feasts, the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles for which no prophetic fulfilment has yet taken place. It would seem from scripture that these last three feasts are specifically linked to events that will befall the nation of Israel; moreover it appears that the book of Joel becomes a model of the prophetic fulfilment of these feasts. Remember that Joel seems to have been the first of the 'writing' prophets; before Isaiah, Hosea or any of the prophets who would come later and add more 'colour' to the outline Joel gives us. Montague S. Mills said: “Joel, ... was probably the first of the so called writing prophets; so this book provides a valuable insight into the history of prophecy, particularly as it furnishes a framework for the end times which is faithfully followed by all subsequent Scripture. God started a new work with the writing of Joel, that of preparing the human race for the end of this temporal era, and thus gave an outline of His total plan. Later prophets, including even our Lord, would only flesh out this outline, but in keeping with the divine nature of true Scripture, never found it necessary to deviate from this, the initial revelation.” The first chapter of Joel, as we studied last week, seems to give the prophetic summery of the nations history from the time of the Exodus (the Birth of the Nation of Israel), to the time of the Tribulation (still yet future). Prophetically, chapter 1 seems to unveil: Verse 1: Introduction: God speaks! - who will listen? Verse 2-3: Riches to rags! - How Israel went from being betrothed & blessed by God to being cast out of their land and made to wander throughout the world. Verse 4: Utter destruction - the literal Locust plague the Joel witnessed as a forerunner of a far more deadly and destructive plague that is yet to come. Verse 5: Israel’s wake-up call! - Israel we given countless chances to return and walk with God and avoid judgment.... Verse 6-7: Rome! - but alas, because of the Israel's disobedience, God allowed nations to conquer and subdue them, most notably Rome! Verse 8: Israel’s rejection of Messiah - rather than Israel's betrothal leading to bliss, Israel rejected and killed their Messiah. Verse 9: AD 70 - Sacrifice stopped - consequently, what Jesus warned in Like 19 came upon them. Verse 10: AD 132 – Jerusalem ploughed - by Emperor Hadrian who wanted the Jews expelled from the Land of Israel. Verse 11-12: Worldwide diaspora & shame - history is our record. Verse 13: Abomination of Desolation! Sacrifice ‘withholden’ Time to flee! Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24 etc. and warned this time would come Verse 14: The ‘Elders’ gathered into the house of the LORD & called to pray! ‒A picture of the Rapture of the Church and our subsequent obligation? Verse 15: The Day of The LORD The Great Tribulation begins! Verse 16-18: Israel forced to flee Verse 19-20: Desperate Israel seeks refuge in the wilderness of Edom - these last 3 points will now be expounded in chapter 2 In chapter 2 we start to see the prophetic fulfilment of the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Atonement
Sep 26, 2021
47 min
JOEL CH1
The book of Joel. Little is known about this man, whose name means 'Jehovah is God', but conservative scholars place the book around 835 B.C., making it the oldest of the prophetic books and as such the subject matter is even more provocative! The theme is 'The Day of the LORD'; Joel uses this phrase 5 times in these 3 chapters. The immediate context seems to have been a devastating locust plague that had come upon the land, as a judgment from God. However, Joel speak beyond his own day to the final climactic 7 years of this age; the time Jesus Himself called the Great Tribulation. Just as the locust plague of Joel's time had destroyed the land, so will the coming time of judgment be upon this world. Isaiah would later prophesy of this coming judgment saying: Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:6-13) Against the backdrop of the National calamity Joel had just witnessed, he speaks of the end of this age, the Church and the World and the ultimate deliverance for his people, Israel.
Sep 19, 2021
1 hr
HOSEA CH13-14
What are the lessons we can learn from this incredible book of love and grace? Nothing is able to quench God’s love for us God suffers intense sorrow when men desert him: The sacredness and sanctity of marriage typify our relationship with Jehovah. The consequences of following unworthy teachers are tragic. There can be no “double standard” of morals in God’s kingdom. A nation declines rapidly when its leaders become corrupt: Internal corruption in a nation is more dangerous to its existence than foreign enemies. The greatest sin is that against true love. There is a real danger of becoming like those we associate with (I Cor. 15:33). The root from which all sins spring is unfaithfulness to God. Genuine repentance will bring forgiveness and full restoration to God’s favor. There is beauty in forgiving those who sin against us (Matt. 6:12-14). The crushing blows of life can drive us to the arms of God. “Who is he that he may understand these things? prudent that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein:” (Hosea 14:9). Our goodness must be more permanent than the morning cloud — fog and early dew (6:4). May we not be half-baked Christians — burned on one side, mushy on top — and therefore useless (7:8). All “these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (I Cor. 10:11). God still prefers goodness to heartless sacrifice (6:6): May we, like Hosea, be a living demonstration of our message: Corruption in politics is bad, but in religion it is inexcusable. God is not willing that any should perish, especially his children (II Pet. 3:9). “It appears to be a universal law of this sin-stricken world that God makes perfect through suffering, that redemption is wrought through sacrifice.” In chapter 13, the reality dawns that God’s judgment on Israel, at the hands of the Assyrians, is coming. No longer is it distant prophecies of some future Divine rebuke; the moment has come and will be accomplished as quickly as the morning dew disappears (13:3). Even in this God reminds His covenant people that He was the One who had delivered them from Egypt, sustained them in the wilderness and brought them into the Promised Land. It had been the Nation that had rejected God, demanded a king so as to be like the nations around them, and then taken all the blessings God had given and used them to indulge in immorality and idolatry (13:5-11) God then reminds Israel that His patience, up to this point, should not be mistaken for indifference to their sin. God had collated all of their sin (‘bound up’) (13:12) and was ready to mete out the appropriate judgment. Sadly, many today think they can ‘get away’ with sin because God doesn’t judge them instantly. Yet God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! (John 3:16). God also is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Ecclesiastes 3:15 also reminds us that God requires and account of things past. On that day how will you plead? Sin must be paid for, the wages of sin is death. Either you face God as judge and suffer the eternal consequences, or you face Him as LORD, in which case, your sin still has to be paid for. Only Jesus Christ offers a remedy; only Jesus Christ died in your place, taking the full force of God’s wrath for sin upon Himself whosoever would accept His offer of Salvation. Chapter 13 ends with the lamentable warning of what Israel would imminently experience
Sep 5, 2021
50 min
HOSEA CH11-12
In our verse-by-verse journey through Hosea we have seen God’s call to Hosea to take a wife of whoredoms and love her despite her unfaithfulness. This was to be a sign to the Nation of Israel of God’s love for His people even though they had gone whoring after foreign gods – that were not gods at all! When Gomer, Hosea’s wife, had reached the lowest point, sold into slavery, stripped naked and put up for auction, Hosea came and purchased her, clothed her, took her home, treated her with love and affection, and promised to provide for her. This is what God has done for each of us. We had been unfaithful (loving the things of this world – the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh & the pride of life) and, as a result, lost everything. We were sold into the slavery of sin. Yet it was while we were still sinners that Christ came and died for us (Romans 5:8), paying the full price to secure our freedom, clothe us with His righteousness and promise to provide for us! However, Hosea also records that God is a God of justice, and Israel’s sin (murder, immorality, injustice, idolatry) if not repented of, would be met with His swift judgment. But even in His judgment God’s mercy is seen; for by letting Israel be overcome by the Assyrians, being taken away from their land, and taken away from her idols, Israel would inevitably come to her senses, and, just as with the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), realise all she had given up and lost in pursuit of her sin. In chapters 11-13 Israel are reminded that God had rescued them from Egypt – synonymous with the bondage and slavery of sin – and had placed them in a fruitful land. Yet they had crossed a line, judgment was now inevitable. God’s assessment of the Nation is summed up in Hosea 13:9-10 “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee[?]“.
Aug 30, 2021
55 min
HOSEA CH9-10
In this study we continue the list of complaints God is listing against Israel, and the reasons He would allow the Assyrians to come and invade and carry away captive, the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. Chapter 9 Captivity will come because of corruption (9:1-9) Fruitful Israel will be unfruitful (9:10-17) Chapter 10 Eighth Discourse: Repent or Perish (10:1-15) –Another oracle pronouncing Israel's judgment: (10:1-8) 1. Her sins enumerated (10:1-4) 2. Assyria will destroy her kings and idols (10:5-8) –God protests that Israel had sinned from the start (10:9-11) –He pleads for them to "break up their fallow ground" and sow righteousness (10:12-15) Whilst the Historical narrative is important, there are many lessons for us today in these chapters - indeed, in the whole of Hosea! Chapter 9 opens with a warning to not bury your head in the sand of 'entertainment' and hope everything will be ok! Know God, have a real relationship with Him, and then recognise the privilege and responsibility of being called by His name! Another thing we see here is that God hates pretense! Religion and a merely outward show does not impress God. With Israel, God told them He would even remove the opportunity for them to continue their sacrifices and offerings, because their hearts were far from Him. Albert Barns comments: When man parts with the substance, his true honor, God takes away the shadow, lest he should content himself therewith, and not see his shame, and, boasting himself to be something, abide in his nothingness and poverty and shame to which he had reduced himself. The New Testament, as in the Old, states that God is not mocked! God will bring judgment on this unbelieving and unrepentant world as he did on Israel in the past. But neither will God sit idly by while His children, those who should know Him and walk with Him, embrace the 'foreign gods' of this world instead of seeking Him. It is because of His love He chastens: God “doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men” Lamentations 3:33. Grievous then must be the cause of punishment, when God not only chastens people, but, so to speak, longs to chasten them, when He chastens them without any let or hindrance from His mercy. Yet so God had said; “It shall come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and to multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and to bring you to nought” Deuteronomy 28:63. - AB Yet we see in these chapters that, despite Israel returning to Egypt - the epitome of sin and slavery - God Himself went to the farthest reaches (through the death of His Son whom He called out of Egypt) to bring home all who would return to His loving arms. May you be blessed and encouraged by this study.
Aug 22, 2021
59 min
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