Banchory Christian Fellowship Church

Galatians 2:11-21   English Standard Version     Paul Opposes Peter 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” Justified by Faith 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified[b] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will

Galatians 2:1-10   English Standard Version     Paul Accepted by the Apostles 2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the g

2 Corinthians 5:11-21   English Standard Version     The Ministry of Reconciliation 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passe

Galatians 1:10-24   English Standard Version     10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant[a] of Christ. Paul Called by God 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[b] 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,[c] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[d] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[e] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me,

Galatians 1:1-9   English Standard Version     Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers[a] who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. No Other Gospel 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accurs

Joshua 24:1-8 English Standard Version The Covenant Renewal at Shechem 24 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates,[a] Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River[b] and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. 4 And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. 5 And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out. 6 “‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 And when they c

Jeremiah 31:10-34 English Standard Version 10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,     and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,     and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ 11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob     and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,     and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil,     and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden,     and they shall languish no more. 13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,     and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy;     I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,     and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” 15 Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah,     lamentation and bitter weepi

Hosea 11:1-11 English Standard Version The Lord's Love for Israel 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,     and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called,     the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals     and burning offerings to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;     I took them up by their arms,     but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness,[a]     with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,     and I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall not[b] return to the land of Egypt,     but Assyria shall be their king,     because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword shall rage against their cities,     consume the bars of their gates,     and devour them because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me,     and though they call out to the Most High,     he shall not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?     How can I hand yo

Psalm 46 English Standard Version God Is Our Fortress 46 God is our refuge and strength,     a very present[b] help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,     though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam,     though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,     the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;     God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;     he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us;     the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,     how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;     he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;     he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.     I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!

Isaiah 7:10-17 English Standard Version The Sign of Immanuel 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your[a] God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he[b] said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.[c] 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!” Footnotes Isaiah 7:11 The Hebrew for you and your is singular in verses 11, 16, 17 Isaiah 7:13 That is, Isaiah Isaiah 7:

Isaiah 49:1-13 English Standard Version The Servant of the Lord 49 Listen to me, O coastlands,     and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb,     from the body of my mother he named my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;     in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow;     in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, “You are my servant,     Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”[a] 4 But I said, “I have laboured in vain;     I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord,     and my recompense with my God.” 5 And now the Lord says,     he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him;     and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord,     and my God has become my strength— 6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant     to raise up the tribes of Jacob     and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as

2 Samuel 7:1-17 English Standard Version The Lord's Covenant with David 7 Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” 4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges[a] of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from

Lamentations 5 English Standard Version Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord 5 Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us;     look, and see our disgrace! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,     our homes to foreigners. 3 We have become orphans, fatherless;     our mothers are like widows. 4 We must pay for the water we drink;     the wood we get must be bought. 5 Our pursuers are at our necks;     we are weary; we are given no rest. 6 We have given the hand to Egypt, and to Assyria,     to get bread enough. 7 Our fathers sinned, and are no more;     and we bear their iniquities. 8 Slaves rule over us;     there is none to deliver us from their hand. 9 We get our bread at the peril of our lives,     because of the sword in the wilderness. 10 Our skin is hot as an oven     with the burning heat of famine. 11 Women are raped in Zion,     young women in the towns of Judah. 12 Princes are hung up by their hands;     no respect is shown to the elders. 13 Young men are compelled to grind at the mill,     and

Lamentations 4 English Standard Version The Holy Stones Lie Scattered 4 How the gold has grown dim,     how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered     at the head of every street. 2 The precious sons of Zion,     worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots,     the work of a potter's hands! 3 Even jackals offer the breast;     they nurse their young; but the daughter of my people has become cruel,     like the ostriches in the wilderness. 4 The tongue of the nursing infant sticks     to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the children beg for food,     but no one gives to them. 5 Those who once feasted on delicacies     perish in the streets; those who were brought up in purple     embrace ash heaps. 6 For the chastisement[a] of the daughter of my people has been greater     than the punishment[b] of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment,     and no hands were wrung for her.[c] 7 Her princes were purer than snow,     whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy th

Numbers 21:4-9 English Standard Version The Bronze Serpent 4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze[a] serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. Footnotes Numbers 21:9 Or copper  

Hebrews 3:1-6 English Standard Version Jesus Greater Than Moses 3 Therefore, holy brothers,[a] you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's[b] house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.[c] Footnotes Hebrews 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12 Hebrews 3:2 Greek his; also verses 5, 6 Hebrews 3:6 Some manuscripts insert firm to the end  

Lamentations 1 English Standard Version How Lonely Sits the City 1 How lonely sits the city     that was full of people! How like a widow has she become,     she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces     has become a slave. 2 She weeps bitterly in the night,     with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers     she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her;     they have become her enemies. 3 Judah has gone into exile because of affliction[a]     and hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations,     but finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her     in the midst of her distress.[b] 4 The roads to Zion mourn,     for none come to the festival; all her gates are desolate;     her priests groan; her virgins have been afflicted,[c]     and she herself suffers bitterly. 5 Her foes have become the head;     her enemies prosper, because the Lord has afflicted her     for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have

Ephesians 5:25-30 ESV 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. a 28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body.  Footnotes: a 27 Or holy and blameless   Revelation 19:6–9 ESV The Marriage Supper of the Lamb 6 Then I heard what seemed to be wthe voice of a great multitude, like xthe roar of many waters and ylike the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty zreigns.  7  Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for athe marriage of the Lamb has come, and bhis Bride has made h

The Mystery of Godliness 1 Timothy 3:14-16 ESV: English Standard Version The Mystery of Godliness 14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: sHe5 was manifested in the flesh, vindicated6 by the Spirit,7 tseen by angels, uproclaimed among the nations, vbelieved on in the world, wtaken up in glory.   Footnotes: s Jn 1:141 Pe 1:20 5 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which 6 Or justified 7 Or vindicated in spirit t Lk 2:13Lk 24:4 u Ga 2:2 v 2 Th 1:10 w Ac 1:2  

1 Peter 2:4-10 English Standard Version A Living Stone and a Holy People 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,     a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honour is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected     has become the cornerstone,”[a] 8 and “A stone of stumbling,     and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now y