Great Bible Truths with Dr David Petts

124 The Promises of God - Talk 5 - Principles for interpreting God’s Promises

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 124 The Promises of God Talk 5 Principles for interpreting God’s promises   In Part One of this series of talks, which we entitled Identifying God’s promises, we saw that:   God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ God’s promises are fulfilled in the gospel God’s promises are fulfilled in our salvation   We also identified six aspects of our salvation that the New Testament describes as promises:   We are made righteous by faith in our Lo...

123 The Promises of God - Talk 4 - Identifying other promises

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 123 The Promises of God Talk 4 Identifying further promises In our first three talks we have concentrated mainly on Bible verses that contain the word promise. We saw that all God’s promises centre on Christ and the salvation that he offers us. They are primarily fulfilled already by the coming of Christ, but they will find their ultimate completion at his second coming. Some of God’s promises we see fulfilled already, but others we must patiently wai...

122 The Promises of God - Talk 3 - God’s promises are fulfilled in the salvation offered to us in Christ

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 122 The Promises of God Talk 3 God’s promises are fulfilled in the salvation offered to us in Christ   In our last talk we saw that all God’s promises find their Yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). He is the fulfilment of all God’s promises. Some we have seen fulfilled already. Others we must patiently wait for, knowing that Christ is the guarantee that God will do what he has promised us because he IS the fulfilment of the promises.   In this t...

121 The Promises of God - Talk 2 - Christ fulfils all the promises

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 121 The Promises of God Talk 2 Christ fulfils all the promises   In our last talk we saw that, although God has made many wonderful promises in the Bible, not every verse is a promise and not all the promises are for us, because some of them were made to specific people for a specific purpose. We used God’s promise to Abraham as an example. What God promised to him he is not necessarily promising to us. So we need to be very careful about ‘claiming’...

120 The Promises of God - Talk 1 - The Bible is not a promise box

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 120 The Promises of God Talk 1 The Bible is not a promise box   In this series we’ll be looking at what the New Testament teaches about God’s wonderful promises and learning how to identify, understand, and receive them. But first let me tell you about my grandmother’s promise box.   Ellen Petts died at the age of 86 when I was just 16. She had lived with us for the last six years of her life and I had had plenty of opportunity to witness the ev...

119 1 Corinthians 16 - Concluding Exhortations

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 119 1 Corinthians Talk 21 Concluding Exhortations (16:13-24)   Welcome to the final talk in our series on 1 Corinthians. Today we are in chapter 16. We will be concentrating on verses 13 and 14 which contain five short commands which conveniently summarise all that Paul has been teaching in this letter. But first let’s read the entire passage from v13 to the end of the chapter.   13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; b...

118 1 Corinthians 16 - About the Collection and Apollos’ Coming

Great Bible Truths Podcast Episode 118 1 Corinthians Talk 20 About the Collection and Apollos’ Coming (1 Corinthians 16:1-12)   Paul has now dealt with the major matters, but two items remain: - the collection for the poor in Jerusalem - and their request that Apollos return soon.   These are dealt with in verses 1-12. The remainder of the chapter is comprised of concluding exhortations and final greetings (13-24).   a) Arrangements for the Collection (1-4)   1 Now ...

117 1 Corinthians 15 - The Certainty of Our Resurrection and Final Victory over Death

Talk 19. The certainty of our resurrection and final victory over death – 1 Corinthians 15   Last time: The certainty of Christ’s resurrection   vv      1-4      Resurrection is an essential part of the Gospel vv      5-8      The evidence of Christ’s resurrection - he appeared vv      9-11    Digression - Paul’s unworthiness to be an apostle vv    12-19    The logical outcome of denying the resurrection vv    29-34    Further illogicalities in denying the resurrection   ...

116 1 Corinthians 15 - The Certainty of the Resurrection of Christ

Talk 18. The Certainty of the Resurrection of Christ   Paul now turns from the subject of public worship to the vitally important matter of the resurrection of the dead.  Some had been questioning and even denying the great truths of bodily resurrection (v 12).  1 Corinthians 15 is a masterpiece of literary logic in defence of this fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith.   The chapter may be summarised as follows   vv      1-4      Resurrection is an essential part of th...

115 1 Corinthians 12-14

Talk 17 1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 14   Welcome to talk 17 in our series on 1 Corinthians. Today’s talk will be rather different from usual as I have decided to cover chapters 12-14 in one single talk. This is because I recently recorded five Podcasts on these chapters under the general heading of The most excellent way. These talks are each somewhat longer than those in our current series, but I encourage you to listen to them in addition to today’s talk which will be a brief summary ...

114 1 Corinthians 11 - The Lord's Supper

Talk 16:  The Lord’s Supper - 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34   1 Corinthians was written before the Gospels and so this is the first written account of the events that instituted the Lord’s Supper.   One of our greatest problems is that we are very familiar with at least part of this passage and our understanding has been conditioned by its liturgical setting.   In seeking to understand it we must remember that what Paul writes here is in the context of the abuse of the Lord’s Supper in...

113 1 Corinthians 11 - Women and Men in Worship

Talk 15:  Women and Men in Worship (11:2-16)   Paul leaves the matter of meat offered to idols and turns his attention to the subject of public worship. This important theme occupies the next four chapters which deal with head-coverings, the Lord’s Supper and the right use of spiritual gifts in all of which the over-riding consideration must be love.  He opens his discussion with the matter of head-coverings.   This passage is full of notorious difficulties. These are largely due to ...

112 1 Corinthians 10: 14 - 11: 1 - No Going to Idol Temples

Talk 14.   No going to idol temples (10:14-11:1)   As we have seen in recent talks, in chapter 8 Paul brought out the general principle that there are some things that are quite lawful but from which we should abstain for the sake of weaker Christians.   This theme is partly continued in chapter 9 where he points out that he has certain rights as an apostle which he has not claimed.    The same line of thought dominates the second part of chapter 10, which includes a strong prohi...

111 1 Corinthians 10 - Warnings from Israel's History

Talk 13.   Warnings from Israel’s History (10:1-11:1)   In chapter 8 Paul brought out the general principle that there are some things that are quite lawful but from which we should abstain for the sake of weaker Christians.   This theme is partly continued in chapter 9 where he points out that he has certain rights as an apostle which he has not claimed.    The same line of thought dominates the conclusion of chapter 10, but the main theme of the chapter is a strong prohibition ...

110 1 Corinthians 9 - Paul Defends his Apostleship

Talk 12.  Paul defends his Apostleship (9:1-27)   In this chapter Paul continues his theme of love not insisting on its own rights.  In vv 1-14, he talks about his rights as an apostle and in vv. 15-27 explains why he does not choose to exercise those rights.    In this chapter, as in the last, love is the over-riding consideration.  He illustrates by personal example the principles he has been teaching in chapter 8.   It is also possible, as we saw in the last talk, and as Fee s...

109 1 Corinthians 8 - Love - The Basis of Christian Behaviour

Talk 11   Love, the Basis of Christian Behaviour (8:1-13)   Introduction to Chapters 8-10   The main theme of chapters 8-10 is that love does not insist on its own rights (cf. 13:5  Amplified Bible).    This principle is applied to the question of meat offered to idols in chapters 8 and 10 and to the rights of an apostle in chapter 9.   The question of meat offered to idols is a very specific topic which was of immediate relevance to the early church and is of less significan...

108 1 Corinthians 7 - Questions about Marriage

Talk 10.  Questions about Marriage (7:1-40)   One of Paul’s purposes in writing 1 Corinthians was to answer certain questions about which they had written to him.  The first of these was on the subject of marriage and Paul devotes the whole of Chapter 7 in giving his answer. It’s too lengthy for verse by verse exposition and I shall not be reading it all in this podcast. So I suggest that before listening any further you hit the pause button and take time to read through it and the...

107 1 Corinthians 6 - Dealing with Immorality, Part 2

Talk 9:  Dealing with Immorality (Part 2)   Welcome to talk 9 in our series on 1 Corinthians. Today we are in chapter 6. As we saw last time, in chapter 5 Paul has been dealing with a very serious case of sexual immorality within the church. He teaches the Corinthians that they must judge and discipline the offender. He concludes by explaining that, in saying that they were not to keep company with the immoral, he was referring to those inside the church, not to those outside it. ...

106 1 Corinthians 5 - Dealing with Immorality

Talk 8: Dealing with Immorality (5:1-13) Chapters 1-4 have dealt with divisions in the church. Now in Chapters 5-6 Paul turns to the serious matter of immorality. The two chapters may be divided into four main sections:           Sexual immorality must be put out of the church (5:1-13)           Christians have a responsibility to judge (6:1-8)           Sexual immorality is not compatible with the Kingdom of God (6:9-12)           Six reasons why a Christian should avoid sexua...

105 1 Corinthians 4 - Privileges and Responsibilities of Church Leadership

Talk 7: The Privileges and Responsibilities of Church Leadership   Chapter 4 forms the final part of the opening section of Paul’s letter in which he deals with divisions in the church. The divisions have been based largely on personalities and it is with this subject that the chapter opens. Paul is appealing to the Corinthians not to glory in men and to follow his example. But there is much in the chapter that we can learn about the privileges and responsibilities of apostleship, ...

104 1 Corinthians 3:9-23 - Gods Holy Temple - The Church

Talk 6 1 Corinthians 3:9-23    God’s Holy Temple – the Church   In the last two talks we have been looking at wisdom and contrasting the wisdom of man with the vastly superior wisdom of God.   Paul’s discussion of wisdom is set in the context of the problems of division in the church in Corinth and is probably included there because one of the causes of division may well have been an immature boasting in human wisdom.   The theme of division continues in chapter 3 and (back in Ta...

103 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 - God's Superior Wisdom

Talk 5       God’s Superior Wisdom   Today we’re continuing our study of 1 Corinthians 1:18 -2:16. Last time we discovered nine problems with human wisdom:   It is foolishness to God It does not recognise God It rejects the message of the cross It rejects Christ who is God’s Wisdom personified It is totally different from and inferior to God’s Wisdom It is useless as a means of winning others for Christ It is an insecure basis for our faith in Christ It gets you nowher...

102 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:8 - The Problem with Human Wisdom

Talk 4: The trouble with human wisdom (1:18-2:8)   Last time we identified five causes of division in the Corinthian church:   Behaving ‘only in a human way’ - like the world Immaturity A Celebrity culture Failure to recognise church leaders for what they are – servants Failure to recognise that we’re all serving the same God with the same purpose – that his church should grow.   Now it could be argued that #2-5 all spring from #1. Today we will see that in Corinth this w...

101 Dealing with Division in the Church (1 Corinthians 1 and 3)

Dealing with Division (1:10-17, 3:1-9)   Last time we looked at 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 where we saw that Paul was able to give thanks for the Corinthians despite all the problems they were facing.   Today’s passage reveals the first of those problems – divisions in the church, and particularly division over leaders. We’ll be looking at three main passages of scripture:   1 Corinthians 1:10-17 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 John 17:11, 20-23   We will handle the subject under the follow...

101 1 Corinthians 1 and 3 - Dealing with Division in the Church

Dealing with Division (1:10-17, 3:1-9)   Last time we looked at 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 where we saw that Paul was able to give thanks for the Corinthians despite all the problems they were facing.   Today’s passage reveals the first of those problems – divisions in the church, and particularly division over leaders. We’ll be looking at three main passages of scripture:   1 Corinthians 1:10-17 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 John 17:11, 20-23   We will handle the subject under the follow...

100 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 - Thanking God despite the problems

Talk 2: Thanking God despite the problems (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)   Today we’re going to make a start on the text of 1 Corinthians, but first let’s take a quick look at why Paul wrote this letter.   The general purpose of the letter is revealed by its contents and may be summarised as follows:   to set right disorders in the church   division (chs 1-4) immorality (chs 5-6) public worship (chs 11-14)   to answer questions   eg on marriage (ch 7). Cf Now for the matters you ...

099 1 Corinthians - How the Corinthian church started

Why study 1 Corinthians?   Because it is part of God’s Word, the Bible Because it is highly relevant to our lives as individuals and to the church today It teaches us important lessons about:   The secret of true wisdom The importance of unity The seriousness of immorality The nature of marriage, including the right person to marry! The right use of freedom The way we should worship The correct use of spiritual gifts The overriding supremacy of love The certainty ...

098 The Most Excellent Way Part 5

Paul's apostolic instructions to a charismatic congregation, as found in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

097 The Most Excellent Way Part 4

Paul's apostolic instructions to a charismatic congregation, as found in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

096 The Most Excellent Way Part 3

Paul's apostolic instructions to a charismatic congregation, as found in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

095 The Most Excellent Way Part 2

Paul's apostolic instructions to a charismatic congregation, as found in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

094 The Most Excellent Way Part 1

Paul's apostolic instructions to a charismatic congregation, as found in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.

093 Secrets to the Success of the Early Church

Dr David Petts speaks to a local congregation about Secrets to the Success of the Early Church (Acts Chapter 4)

092 The Power of Commitment (5 Themes in the book of Acts)

091 The Power of Prayer (5 Themes in the book of Acts)

The Power of Prayer (5 Themes in the book of Acts, Part 4)

090 The Power of the Name of Jesus (5 Themes in the Book of Acts)

The Power of the Name of Jesus (5 Themes in the Book of Acts)

089 The Power of the Word (5 Themes in the book of Acts)

088 The Power of the Spirit (5 Themes in the book of Acts)

The Power of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.

087 Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit

In this final part of the series, Dr David Petts preaches that all Christians can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.

086 Be Baptized!

085 Repent!

084 God's People in Isolation 4 - The Apostle Paul's last words

https://youtu.be/TMLFZG89CoQ What to do in an impossible situation                   The Situation   Paul was in prison   He was lacking fellowship verse 11 - only Luke was with him verse 10 - Demas had deserted him (cf v16) verse 14 - Alexander had harmed him verse 20 - Trophimus was sick   He was in danger of death verse 17 (lion = lion or Nero or devil) verse 6 - indeed he was about to die (cf. 3:11)   Paul’s attitude and reaction in the situation   H...

083 God's People in Isolation 3 - John the Baptist in Prison

John the Baptist doubting (Matthew 11:2-6, 11)   2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account o...

082 God's People in Isolation 2 - Jeremiah buys a field

Today we are looking at Jeremiah 32 where Jeremiah is imprisoned in a city that is already being besieged. You could say that he is doubly in isolation.

081 God's People In Isolation 1 - Hezekiah and Sennacherib

080 1 Peter 5

1 Peter 5:1-14 ESV 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfa...

079 1 Peter 4:12-19 - Suffering Now, Future Glory

In our first talk in this series we did a quick survey of Peter’s letter and showed that its main theme is suffering now but future glory. Today’s passage summarises all his teaching so far on this important theme.   Let’s read the passage together   Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.   But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when hi...

078 1 Peter 4:1-11 - Following The Example of Christ in the Last Days

1Peter.    Talk 10.    1 Peter 4:1-11   Introduction   As we saw in our last two talks,  Peter is offering special encouragement to Christians who are suffering and reminds them of the sufferings of Christ. This theme continues in the opening verses of Chapter 4.   Read: 1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh n...

077 1 Peter 3:18-22 - The Example of Christ

Last time: Special encouragement for those who are suffering 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when ...

076 1 Peter 3:8-17

Last time we concluded a section on submission to authority: Submission to rulers Submission to masters Submission to husbands   Today’s passage deals with: How we should behave and why 8-12 Encouragement to those who are suffering 13-17   Remember, Peter is writing to Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. The theme of the letter is: Suffering now - maybe, future glory - certain.   Read 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lo...