All Nations Church Podcast

Series six, episode one. The trio are back! Emma, James & Kier are kicking off this new season, Discovering God, by letting you know what's coming and what they are most looking forward to talking about.

All Nations Church is based in Cardiff, Wales and exists with a vision to take the good news that Jesus saves to all nations. Find out more by going to www.allnationschurch.org.uk/aboutus
Hosted by: Emma Scott, James Aubrey & Kier Adams

Creators and Guests

Host
James Aubrey
Guest
Roger Aubrey

What is All Nations Church Podcast?

The All Nations Church podcast explores topics and truths about the Kingdom of God, His Church and God Himself. Every episode will help you to grow in your relationship with Him and empower you to reach out to fulfil the great calling God has given us. From one series to the next we will draw on trusted friends and ministries to bring you great discussion, teaching and encouragement as you walk with God and His people throughout your life.

Speaker 1:

Hello, everybody. Welcome to season six of the All Nations Church podcast. I'm Emma Scott, and I am with Kier Adams Hello. And James Aubrey. Hello.

Speaker 1:

Hello. So we are looking at discovering God this season, correct? Correct. Correct. I'm hoping because that's what I'm saying.

Speaker 2:

I'm not

Speaker 3:

gonna throw you a cure for now.

Speaker 1:

So James, as you're in that seat, would you like to tell me why are we doing this? Why have I read this book?

Speaker 2:

Why would you We've like called season six of the podcast Discovering God because we're gonna spend this entire season not with many guests, but with one guest. Yeah. It's a kind of bit of a departure for us in the podcast, because normally on these series we have a kind of a different guest for every podcast or a couple of, maybe we might have a returning guest for a couple of more than one episode. Yeah. But this series, we're gonna be joined in every episode by a legitimate friend of the podcast.

Speaker 2:

Legitimate.

Speaker 3:

The original friend

Speaker 2:

of the podcast.

Speaker 1:

Think

Speaker 2:

Oh, Kathleen might be offended by sorry Matthew. Well anyway, so Roger Aubrey is gonna be joining us for this series and we're going to spend the series talking about God.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. Which is good.

Speaker 2:

Which is a good thing to talk about. And we're going to be going through with Roger various aspects of who God is, various aspects of his name and his nature, who the Trinity is, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all that kind of stuff. And my motivation behind the series is I think thinking about the fact that the Bible so often emphasizes the need and the priority for us to know God. In fact Jesus says in John 17 that eternal life, he's praying to the Father, he says this is eternal life, that they may know you, God the Father and his Son whom you've sent. And so eternal life is not merely from the Christian point of view about living forever or escaping hell or not dying.

Speaker 2:

Eternal life is actually about knowing God. And this is a theme that runs right through the scripture. So Daniel, the prophet says the end of, towards the end of his book, that people who know their God will stand strong and perform And I think one of the wonderful things about Christianity, one of the wonderful things about the Bible, is that it reveals to us the fact that God can be known. He wants us to know Him. He's a God of revelation.

Speaker 2:

And the Bible not only tells us stories about things that God did, things that God does through people, it reveals to us again again what God is like. So we find the Bible telling us that God is good, that God is just, that God is faithful, that He's merciful, that He's patient. As we dig into the original language of the Scriptures, into Hebrew and Greek, we find that God has many names that describe different parts of his character. We get to know in the Bible the Trinity, it's not a biblical word, but it's a really good use Krsnah to describe Father, Son and Holy Spirit and coming to know this God who's in relationship with Himself helps us then enjoy relationship with Him and with one another. So I think this season is gonna be really exciting.

Speaker 2:

I imagine it's gonna be on a couple of occasions, a bit of a head scratcher. You know, when you start talking about God, our brains can't compute everything about God, He remains a mystery. Think if we do this well, this should lead to a lot of wonder, a lot of worship, some prayer, some walks out in nature that make us just look around and going, wow, God, wow. Yeah. So I think this is gonna be a good series, think it's gonna be a series to dig into.

Speaker 2:

I reckon this is gonna be one that people are gonna wanna listen to and listen to again. Yeah. And yeah, we get Roger's company all the way through it,

Speaker 1:

Which is always It very

Speaker 2:

is, yes. He's probably the best Aubrey on the podcast I think.

Speaker 3:

Oh, don't know, on a par with another. Well on

Speaker 2:

a par with Saskia definitely.

Speaker 1:

I was gonna say I loved

Speaker 3:

Saskia. I

Speaker 2:

really should watch your episodes actually.

Speaker 1:

So now James, you threw a few technical things in there. You threw in things about talking about Hebrew names

Speaker 2:

and Yes. Yes.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. Trinity and names of God. And is this series, are we predicting that I'm gonna have to make a very strong coffee before every episode? Or, you know, are we, I mean, we're with Roger. We'll be in pretty safe hands, right?

Speaker 2:

I He's help think

Speaker 1:

me understand this.

Speaker 2:

I think so, I think we'll be able to walk through it fairly slowly, fairly simply. I think that's kind of the attributes of a good Bible teacher is that they can make the complicated simple. And I think Roger's shown he could definitely do that over time. Yeah, I think we can't get away from the fact that some things about talking, about anything to do with the Bible and particularly about God can sometimes require us to use specific language. And that's the case in any specialty, isn't it?

Speaker 2:

Yeah. You have to know a little bit of the lingo. We were just talking about some music and some films and some drama off camera and you end up using some lingo and all of those kind of disciplines, don't you? It's the same when we talk about God. So yeah, we'll do an episode where we talk about the Trinity to really kind of break that down and help us understand what we mean by that.

Speaker 2:

We're also gonna do an episode later on in this series where we talk about heresy, because the majority of heresies that people still believe today are first of all, very old, so most of them came out of the first few hundred years of church life.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

And secondly, they're all really to do with a misunderstanding about the nature of God. Okay. So while we're talking about God, talking about what he's like, this is a useful time to also to kind of debunk a couple of myths or misunderstandings that that people cause them to veer off track. So I think we might need strong coffee anyway, because that's a good thing. I do think probably people might wanna kind of lie down afterwards and just think God's amazing.

Speaker 2:

Or like I said, go and walk on the beach or look up at the stars, listen to the birds singing and think, wow, the God I know is the God who made all of this.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. And I think it's a really I mean it sounds so obvious to say it's a really important subject to talk about, of course it is, but particularly if you've grown up in Christian circles, we're going to talk about some things that perhaps we can easily take for granted when we talk about God. God is a God of justice or God, you know, we say things like, oh Almighty God. But actually when you stop and pause and actually dig deep into those things and say why do we call Him that? It really does give you an opportunity to know him deeper.

Speaker 2:

Totally.

Speaker 3:

Not just know about him or be armed with some kind of fun fact for a Christian party or something or to write a good sermon, but actually it does make you go wow, God you are this and you deal with us in this way. And I do think that as you see God rightly, you begin seeing yourself rightly. I think it's exciting we're doing this because it's gonna give everybody an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God just as you were saying James.

Speaker 2:

Yeah and I think that the other exciting thing about talking about God is that when we talk about knowledge, often in a kind of twenty first century Western world, we're really talking about information. So we live in a world where people are awash all the time with information, facts, figures, stats, real or fake news. But by and large often when we talk about knowledge, we're talking about information. Like lots of the people right now, I've got kids revising for big exams in The UK and one of the things they're having to do is cram their beautiful little brains with information. But when the Bible talks about knowledge, it's talking about something that involves information, but also involves experience.

Speaker 2:

So when the Bible talks about us knowing God, it's not knowing facts about God. In the same way that we know facts about our favorite bands or favorite films or favorite movie stars. It's knowledge in the way that you know a family member or a friend or your spouse. It's information and its experience. So the Psalmist can say for example, Psalm 119 says, you are good and you do good.

Speaker 2:

But Psalm 30, I think is it four? Around there somewhere. It says, taste and see that the Lord So is we're not talking about kind of an academic exercise or kind of theological study now. Great. We are talking about truth that leads us to then enjoy and experience that truth.

Speaker 2:

Great. That's the Christian life, isn't it? It's not only knowing that God's a healer, it's experiencing His health in our bodies. It's not only knowing that He's the God who saves, we've experienced His saving power, His provision, all those kind of things. And so I'm expectant that even in the conversations we have, we will be all the more encouraged and provoked to dig deep into God.

Speaker 2:

But for anyone listening and watching, I think they'll have the same invitation. Let's really know and experience the God of the Bible.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, love that. I think a couple of seasons ago when you were talking to people about their heroes and everyone was listening to other people talk about their heroes, it was that, it was going, I'm hearing facts that actually make me change my view on God and myself and the world and things, and actually, yeah, how much more so if we spend time actually thinking about God, if we move past thinking about people who follow God and go to the source.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Fab. So we might have to do some heavy thinking, but afterwards it's gonna end up with some

Speaker 2:

Deep praying and nice of raising new scooters up.

Speaker 1:

Love that. Okay, fab. So with that in mind, Kier, are most excited about? Oh, absolutely. No, you've got the benefit of you've already read the book.

Speaker 1:

I have. So you know what's coming

Speaker 2:

I up should say this series is, there was a book with that title a couple years ago called Discovering God that Yeah. Roger you can, that is available to buy it's fantastic various online

Speaker 3:

be accessible. You're talking about a big topic, Roger is brilliant at just bringing some of that down, even when it gets to those more complex words we have to use, just helping people say, this is why we're using this word, this is what it means. So yeah, highly recommend the book. Do you know what? I'm really excited actually for the conversation we're gonna have about heresies because I think it's gonna help

Speaker 2:

You'll find out where you're finally wrong, is that the point?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it's gonna help me.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, suddenly Keir's going back and editing lots

Speaker 3:

of No, I'm only joking.

Speaker 2:

That was a joke by

Speaker 1:

the way.

Speaker 3:

No, I'm excited of that because I think particularly in the Western society we're in at the moment there can be a lot of misinformation passed around about God with the advent of social media. I think it's really important that we do live with an awareness of some of those things because misinformation about God is not new, that's been going on since, you know, dawn of time and the misunderstanding of God. So I think to be able to sit down and have a conversation about what God is not and where people have gone wrong, sometimes very well intentioned as well, is really useful for us because it helps us live with an awareness that we have to think rightly about God we are surrounded by wonderful people who can help us think rightly about God as well. You know, we can go to people like a Roger and say, hey Roger, I've been reading this in the Bible, can you just help me understand that about God? And then there's something beautiful about that, which is a vulnerability for each of us that we don't have to just have all knowledge about God and it's not a test but also it reminds us that we are in a body.

Speaker 3:

And so bit of a know, bit of a long one but that's what I'm excited for.

Speaker 1:

Love that because just before we were recording I was saying about how I've been speaking to some people who'd sort of had a bit of a view of going I've read the Bible myself, why do I need to read anything that anyone else is? Or why do I need to listen to anything? And I'm guessing anyone who's listening to this podcast doesn't feel that way.

Speaker 2:

Either they're listening in protest. I'm only listening Just trying to write a complaint. I'm listening to prove that I don't need to listen to

Speaker 3:

you. Right.

Speaker 1:

But like as much as it is so important for us to get the Word of God in our own hands and in our own brains, actually that is so valuable to go to people, to read us, listen to have conversations with people who go, can you help me with this? Can you break

Speaker 3:

this down?

Speaker 2:

Love that.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 1:

James, how about you?

Speaker 2:

I'm really looking forward to talking about the Trinity. So kind of in my own studies this past couple of months, have really been enjoying looking at and learning more about how the Trinity works, if you like collectively, if that's not too heretical at home. So we'll do that at the start of the series, and then later on in the series we're gonna do an episode on each person of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Spirit. And I'm really looking forward to those conversations, learning more about the way the Father works, learning more about the ministry of the Son and how He came to earth as Jesus of Nazareth and looking forward to talk about the Holy Spirit. So it's gonna be a really exciting couple of conversations.

Speaker 3:

It is, yeah. How about you Emma, what are you looking forward to?

Speaker 1:

Well, I think so, unlike both of you, I've not done a lot of that academic work around like the Bible or thinking about historical text, I think that I'm really looking forward to asking all those questions that I probably should have asked a long time ago. So things like, when I, when you said about, oh, that we're gonna be talking about the names of God. I was like, what are you talking about the names of God? What are you saying? So actually going really back to basics and being like things that I kind of just accept that sometimes we sing in a song, but going, why is it that in this song we're saying the ancient of days?

Speaker 1:

And why is it in this song we're saying Lord and Lords and things that roll off your tongue because you've sung them?

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

What is that is that about and what am I singing?

Speaker 2:

Very good.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. And so I'm really looking forward to breaking down some of those things and asking some questions. Yeah. And yeah, making it so that words that I say mean more to me next time I say them or next time I hear someone else say them. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

I'm basically making other people do my work for me so that I don't have to do it.

Speaker 3:

Isn't that what a podcast is?

Speaker 1:

That's what it's all about. This is why you hang out with smart people. Yeah.

Speaker 3:

Oh, it's gonna be a great season.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, Lush. Great. So starting off with Trinity.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, first episode is Raja will be joining us for a conversation about the Trinity, which we're very excited about.

Speaker 1:

So that sounds like one that we're gonna, from the very start, get ready And for thinking

Speaker 2:

how soon after this episode will people be able to

Speaker 3:

get hold of that? That's gonna be the same day, same day.

Speaker 1:

Right now!

Speaker 3:

As soon as you finish watching this, and you'll back into the watch the next one.

Speaker 2:

Well that's a real gift thanks for doing

Speaker 3:

that Keith. Oh you're welcome.

Speaker 1:

Go doing this get some cake I guess.

Speaker 3:

Yeah yeah yeah maybe have a break, make some other coffee.

Speaker 1:

And then

Speaker 3:

Or if you're

Speaker 2:

out running, you know, careful with eating cake while

Speaker 3:

you're that's true yeah.

Speaker 1:

Do know what, I feel like especially if you're running, like you've earned it, go get yourself a cake, what else Greg's? Difficulty. That's great. You can tell the people who run and the people who do

Speaker 3:

not run

Speaker 1:

right now that I'm like, man, you did a thing.

Speaker 2:

We'll do a running podcast one day, Emma. Be fine.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely not.

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Through Bristol Streets.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. Still do It's that

Speaker 1:

still on 7 Hills, kid. That's okay.

Speaker 2:

Like like Rome.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. Right, I will be on some kind of motorized scooter. Okay. You, because that's Bristol, and you guys can run and I will just hold my glasses.

Speaker 2:

Listen, we're hyping this up. When we do our kind of George Mullot On Location Heroes podcast in Brisbane.

Speaker 1:

That's a hill as well.

Speaker 2:

It's gonna be amazing.

Speaker 3:

It's gonna be a metaphorical hill then.

Speaker 1:

But that's not what we're doing today. No, no, no. Refocus.

Speaker 3:

Yeah,

Speaker 1:

yeah. So that's, so straight after this Yep. Jump back to the next episode and we're gonna find out more about when we say the Trinity.

Speaker 2:

What do we mean?

Speaker 1:

What are we even talking about?

Speaker 3:

Brilliant. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Lush. Okay.

Speaker 3:

That's it.

Speaker 1:

Well, we will look forward to seeing again then. And subscribe

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

So that all of the episodes drop straight

Speaker 3:

into Get notifications. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Which makes life so much easier,

Speaker 3:

doesn't it? It does. It does.

Speaker 1:

And we will see you again in about ten minutes after you've made that cup of tea I guess. See you then. Bye bye. Thanks

Speaker 2:

guys. Bye.