March 7 - Galatians 2:11-14
When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
When I was a freshman in high school, our choir went to state contest. We did poorly and our score reflected that. However, as students will do, once we got on the bus, everyone complained about how the judges had it in for our community and that it wasn’t fair, on and on and on.
Stupid little freshman girl got herself in a MESS o’ trouble. It was the seniors that were making all the noise and the last thing they wanted to hear from a wet behind the ears freshman was the truth regarding their performance. We had not done a good job, we had really screwed up several things and for heaven’s sake, why would out of state judges even KNOW about our community, much less have it in for us. Oh yes, I said all of those things. Some of those girls have never forgiven me. Fortunately, we only had a month or so left before summer and by the next fall, I was a sophomore, the worst of the mean girls were gone and there was a new crop of freshman to hate.
I walked into that argument with truth on my side against people who didn’t want to hear it. Paul did the same thing … but, he went up against leaders who had proven themselves … not as mean and petty girls, but as men who had been through the worst of it all and remained as followers of Jesus. He was willing to take them on and make them see the truth, no matter how difficult it might make the relationship.
March 6 - Galatians 2:6-10
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 6 - Galatians 2:6-10
As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
I can’t imagine the difficulty Paul faced in the early years of his ministry as he dealt with his own feelings of inadequacy in comparison to the twelve disciples who had known Jesus for the years they traveled together.
While he had complete confidence in the knowledge that Jesus had come to him on the road to Damascus and was fully aware that his ministry to the Gentiles was from God; at the same time he seemed to need assurances that they supported him. If they hadn’t, he would have moved forward, but it would have upset him as well as others in the early church.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to worry about it. By the time he got to the pillars of the church – James, Cephas and John, they were ready to support him and acknowledge that God had done a great work in his life and through him in the lives of many others. While he wanted his readers to know that he didn’t place a lot of importance on this, it obviously relieved him.
The only thing they asked was that he continue to remember the poor – he tells us that was already part of his plan.
Of all the things that they were concerned about – remembering the poor was what they mentioned to him. There had been debates regarding circumcision that raised the roof in Jerusalem, with both Paul and Peter coming down on different sides for awhile … but, caring for the poor was of great import then – and it is now.
Think about how that might impact us today. The one thing the three leaders of the Jerusalem church want us to know. James (the brother of Jesus), John and Peter. Three great men that we rely on to tell us the truth of Jesus’ message. Remember the poor. It seems to me we shouldn’t take that lightly!
As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
I can’t imagine the difficulty Paul faced in the early years of his ministry as he dealt with his own feelings of inadequacy in comparison to the twelve disciples who had known Jesus for the years they traveled together.
While he had complete confidence in the knowledge that Jesus had come to him on the road to Damascus and was fully aware that his ministry to the Gentiles was from God; at the same time he seemed to need assurances that they supported him. If they hadn’t, he would have moved forward, but it would have upset him as well as others in the early church.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to worry about it. By the time he got to the pillars of the church – James, Cephas and John, they were ready to support him and acknowledge that God had done a great work in his life and through him in the lives of many others. While he wanted his readers to know that he didn’t place a lot of importance on this, it obviously relieved him.
The only thing they asked was that he continue to remember the poor – he tells us that was already part of his plan.
Of all the things that they were concerned about – remembering the poor was what they mentioned to him. There had been debates regarding circumcision that raised the roof in Jerusalem, with both Paul and Peter coming down on different sides for awhile … but, caring for the poor was of great import then – and it is now.
Think about how that might impact us today. The one thing the three leaders of the Jerusalem church want us to know. James (the brother of Jesus), John and Peter. Three great men that we rely on to tell us the truth of Jesus’ message. Remember the poor. It seems to me we shouldn’t take that lightly!
March 5 - Galatians 2:1-5
Saturday, March 5, 2011
March 5 - Galatians 2:1-5
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
In Acts 9:27, Barnabas is the one who vouched for Paul to the disciples after his conversion. Again, he goes with Paul before the church in Jerusalem as Paul tells them of his ministry to the Gentiles.
Obviously Paul didn’t think it was going to be easy. In fact, this man who seems so confident in his faith was worried that maybe he’d gone off track and was preaching something so far outside the orthodox beliefs that those in Jerusalem, the founders of the church, the disciples who had walked with Jesus for several years; would have a problem with him.
He didn’t really think so … even Titus wasn’t all that interested in being circumcised. But, there had been noise coming out of Jerusalem that tried to change his teaching on freedom in Christ Jesus. They were once again teaching that all should be circumcised – should hold on to the rules of Judaism – if they really wanted to be part of the faith movement.
It wasn’t the original twelve disciples … Paul says that false brothers had gotten in and started making trouble. He wasn’t going to have anything to do with it.
The truth of the gospel … freedom in Christ Jesus … is what Paul wants the Galatians to know. It’s what we all need to know – every day. There is freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
In Acts 9:27, Barnabas is the one who vouched for Paul to the disciples after his conversion. Again, he goes with Paul before the church in Jerusalem as Paul tells them of his ministry to the Gentiles.
Obviously Paul didn’t think it was going to be easy. In fact, this man who seems so confident in his faith was worried that maybe he’d gone off track and was preaching something so far outside the orthodox beliefs that those in Jerusalem, the founders of the church, the disciples who had walked with Jesus for several years; would have a problem with him.
He didn’t really think so … even Titus wasn’t all that interested in being circumcised. But, there had been noise coming out of Jerusalem that tried to change his teaching on freedom in Christ Jesus. They were once again teaching that all should be circumcised – should hold on to the rules of Judaism – if they really wanted to be part of the faith movement.
It wasn’t the original twelve disciples … Paul says that false brothers had gotten in and started making trouble. He wasn’t going to have anything to do with it.
The truth of the gospel … freedom in Christ Jesus … is what Paul wants the Galatians to know. It’s what we all need to know – every day. There is freedom found in Jesus Christ.
March 4 - Galatians 1:18-24
Friday, March 4, 2011
March 4 - Galatians 1:18-24
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.
Paul spent three years in Arabia and only fifteen days with Cephas (Peter). It could possibly be that with this statement, Paul is ensuring that no one thinks he is subordinate to or a disciple of Peter. He was simply there to get to know the man a little bit and to test the waters. Would Peter trust him after knowing him as a persecutor? Would Paul even be safe in Jerusalem since he failed to complete his mission as that same persecutor? It was wise of him to wait three years before returning.
Those fifteen days were probably spent discussing the Lord. Can you imagine the stories that the two of them shared? He also met with James, the brother of Jesus, who was in charge of the church in Jerusalem.
Paul finishes this thought by stating that he was not lying. Why? He needed to assure his readers that he had received his message from Christ and ordination from God and also that he was not dependent on the Jerusalem disciples for his ministry.
From Jerusalem, Paul began his ministry in the region of Judea. His former job now comes into play as those who knew of him as a persecutor of the Christians recognize the power of the faith that he is preaching. God is praised for his transformation.
Paul needs to let the Galatians know who he is and why he is qualified to bring the word of God to them.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.
Paul spent three years in Arabia and only fifteen days with Cephas (Peter). It could possibly be that with this statement, Paul is ensuring that no one thinks he is subordinate to or a disciple of Peter. He was simply there to get to know the man a little bit and to test the waters. Would Peter trust him after knowing him as a persecutor? Would Paul even be safe in Jerusalem since he failed to complete his mission as that same persecutor? It was wise of him to wait three years before returning.
Those fifteen days were probably spent discussing the Lord. Can you imagine the stories that the two of them shared? He also met with James, the brother of Jesus, who was in charge of the church in Jerusalem.
Paul finishes this thought by stating that he was not lying. Why? He needed to assure his readers that he had received his message from Christ and ordination from God and also that he was not dependent on the Jerusalem disciples for his ministry.
From Jerusalem, Paul began his ministry in the region of Judea. His former job now comes into play as those who knew of him as a persecutor of the Christians recognize the power of the faith that he is preaching. God is praised for his transformation.
Paul needs to let the Galatians know who he is and why he is qualified to bring the word of God to them.
March 3 - Galatians 1:11-12
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3 – Galatians 1:11-12
Paul Called by God
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
This passage fascinates me … and it’s only in the last couple of sentences. You see, in the book of Acts, we read about Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, his time that was spent there with some disciples and then there is the story about how he had to live Damascus by being lowered via basket through an opening in the city wall. (Acts 9:20-25)
The very next paragraph in Acts tells of his arrival in Jerusalem, trying to join the disciples who were afraid of him and refused to believe that he had become a disciple of Christ and then of Barnabas who finally dealt with the situation.
Not a single word of Paul heading into Arabia.
It wasn’t until I read an aside in one of my Church History textbooks that I dug into the scriptures to discover this little tidbit of information. I was quietly reading along one evening and came upon this news and recognized immediately that I was unfamiliar with this trip of Paul’s. I went first to the chapter in Acts (Acts 9) and couldn’t find it anywhere. A little bit of digging and research and voila, there it was in his letter to the Galatians.
Paul’s intention is to remind the Galatians that he didn’t spend time learning about Jesus Christ from others … he got it directly from Jesus and he was set apart by God. His ministry is not something that was anointed by a human being, he was called by God’s grace to preach among the Gentiles.
Do you know that you have been called by God? We all have. It may be that you are called to be a beacon of light in your workplace, maybe you are called to travel to China or even to San Diego to share the Gospel of Christ. But, as a child of God, you are to be salt and light in the world. He has set you apart.
Paul Called by God
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
This passage fascinates me … and it’s only in the last couple of sentences. You see, in the book of Acts, we read about Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, his time that was spent there with some disciples and then there is the story about how he had to live Damascus by being lowered via basket through an opening in the city wall. (Acts 9:20-25)
The very next paragraph in Acts tells of his arrival in Jerusalem, trying to join the disciples who were afraid of him and refused to believe that he had become a disciple of Christ and then of Barnabas who finally dealt with the situation.
Not a single word of Paul heading into Arabia.
It wasn’t until I read an aside in one of my Church History textbooks that I dug into the scriptures to discover this little tidbit of information. I was quietly reading along one evening and came upon this news and recognized immediately that I was unfamiliar with this trip of Paul’s. I went first to the chapter in Acts (Acts 9) and couldn’t find it anywhere. A little bit of digging and research and voila, there it was in his letter to the Galatians.
Paul’s intention is to remind the Galatians that he didn’t spend time learning about Jesus Christ from others … he got it directly from Jesus and he was set apart by God. His ministry is not something that was anointed by a human being, he was called by God’s grace to preach among the Gentiles.
Do you know that you have been called by God? We all have. It may be that you are called to be a beacon of light in your workplace, maybe you are called to travel to China or even to San Diego to share the Gospel of Christ. But, as a child of God, you are to be salt and light in the world. He has set you apart.
March 2 - Galatians 1:6-10
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2 – Galatians 1:6-10
No Other Gospel
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Those poor Galatians … it obviously hadn’t taken them long to move away from God. He was the one who had called them to live in the grace of Christ, but they were quickly and easily distracted by false teachers and a false gospel.
They were easily confused by all of the new information coming at them and just allowed these false teachers to enamor them with their stories.
I think about the old-time snake oil salesmen. We laugh at the naiveté of people who believed in their tales of wondrous healings and life-changing ointments, but we still run into those things today. We want life to be easy and have quick responses to our needs. We buy diet pills and rub oil on balding scalps while hoping and praying for an easy fix.
We want the same thing to happen in our lives. I heard an advertisement on the radio today for hypnosis that would stop someone’s addiction to cigarettes in just one session.
Christians are just as susceptible. When my father left a church, we kept hearing from people that the new pastor wasn’t ‘feeding’ them … they just weren’t being ‘fed’ by his messages. Dad was so distraught. He finally told them that they dishonored his ministry there – he had hoped that they learned to feed themselves. It wasn’t about that – it was about the easy Sunday morning fixes that they wanted. They wanted him to spoon-feed the gospel to them week after week rather than live their lives throughout the week according to the Gospel that they knew and the same Gospel that they could read and share.
We have been given the Gospel of Jesus Christ … God calls us to live in His grace. Do it!
No Other Gospel
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Those poor Galatians … it obviously hadn’t taken them long to move away from God. He was the one who had called them to live in the grace of Christ, but they were quickly and easily distracted by false teachers and a false gospel.
They were easily confused by all of the new information coming at them and just allowed these false teachers to enamor them with their stories.
I think about the old-time snake oil salesmen. We laugh at the naiveté of people who believed in their tales of wondrous healings and life-changing ointments, but we still run into those things today. We want life to be easy and have quick responses to our needs. We buy diet pills and rub oil on balding scalps while hoping and praying for an easy fix.
We want the same thing to happen in our lives. I heard an advertisement on the radio today for hypnosis that would stop someone’s addiction to cigarettes in just one session.
Christians are just as susceptible. When my father left a church, we kept hearing from people that the new pastor wasn’t ‘feeding’ them … they just weren’t being ‘fed’ by his messages. Dad was so distraught. He finally told them that they dishonored his ministry there – he had hoped that they learned to feed themselves. It wasn’t about that – it was about the easy Sunday morning fixes that they wanted. They wanted him to spoon-feed the gospel to them week after week rather than live their lives throughout the week according to the Gospel that they knew and the same Gospel that they could read and share.
We have been given the Gospel of Jesus Christ … God calls us to live in His grace. Do it!
March 1 - Galatians 1:1-5
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March 1 – Galatians 1:1-5
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers and sisters with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul, is a Greek word that means ‘little.’ He was from the tribe of Benjamin, who was the youngest and smallest of the twelve tribes of Israel. He would have been proud of his name – Saul. The first king of Israel was also a Saul of the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul was his Greek name and would have been accepted by both Greeks and Romans throughout the region. His identification at the beginning of this letter is that of an apostle. He was sent out by God.
An apostle is a messenger. Look at that word again. Sometimes we ignore the parts of these words that relate to our own time. Do you see the word ‘post’ in there? Yes, Gus Vardalos from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” would agree with me. Words all lead back to Greek. (well, most of the good ones, anyway.) Our ‘post’al service is a messenger service. Like the apostles … they deliver messages and news.
However, Paul declares that his authority comes from Jesus Christ and God the father. No man has given him authority … God gave it to him.
The church in Galatia may not have known all of the people that were working with Paul, but they knew and loved those that Paul knew and loved. The greetings come from Paul and from those who work with him and believe in the things that he is about to write.
Before he begins dealing with these churches in Galatia, he reminds them that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who has done the work to save them from sins. This sacrifice is great and not to be taken lightly. As we move through this letter, Paul has some harsh things to say, but he begins with the Lord’s peace.
So we will as well. Grace and peace to you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers and sisters with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul, is a Greek word that means ‘little.’ He was from the tribe of Benjamin, who was the youngest and smallest of the twelve tribes of Israel. He would have been proud of his name – Saul. The first king of Israel was also a Saul of the tribe of Benjamin.
Paul was his Greek name and would have been accepted by both Greeks and Romans throughout the region. His identification at the beginning of this letter is that of an apostle. He was sent out by God.
An apostle is a messenger. Look at that word again. Sometimes we ignore the parts of these words that relate to our own time. Do you see the word ‘post’ in there? Yes, Gus Vardalos from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” would agree with me. Words all lead back to Greek. (well, most of the good ones, anyway.) Our ‘post’al service is a messenger service. Like the apostles … they deliver messages and news.
However, Paul declares that his authority comes from Jesus Christ and God the father. No man has given him authority … God gave it to him.
The church in Galatia may not have known all of the people that were working with Paul, but they knew and loved those that Paul knew and loved. The greetings come from Paul and from those who work with him and believe in the things that he is about to write.
Before he begins dealing with these churches in Galatia, he reminds them that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who has done the work to save them from sins. This sacrifice is great and not to be taken lightly. As we move through this letter, Paul has some harsh things to say, but he begins with the Lord’s peace.
So we will as well. Grace and peace to you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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