Good News for You - The Presentation of the King Part II (Matthew 3:1-17)
Real Talk
Getting away from religion is little more than a facade God brings about revival and introduces our Redeemer. Take a moment to see what God does in places that we consider harsh and inhospitable. It will help us not to waste our wilderness. Listen in!
info_outline
Good News for You - The Presentation of the King Part I
Real Talk
Should it matter that over two thousand years ago a camel-wearing young man was preaching and baptizing folk in the wilderness of Judea? Is it relevant that John the Baptist came on the scene in fulfillment of prophecies (1) calling people to turn back to God and (2) promising that the kingdom was at hand? It does matter, my friend?
info_outline
What We Believe Part 1 of 3
Real Talk
Why It Matters that There Is One God Does the evangelical belief that there is one God really matter? Is it a doctrine that does anything or just a dogma used to justify separatist behavior and condescending views of other cultures.The monotheism of our faith is more than a mindset; it is missional. With the revelation of His oneness comes responsibility. The same God who said that He alone is God has also said in both covenants that those who have this truth are His witnesses (Isaiah 43:10, 12; Acts 1:8). With the belief that there is one God is the call to love Him above all (Deuteronomy...
info_outline
No Ways Tired (Acts 18:1-11)
Real Talk
Something got you feeling afraid? Starting to consider quitting? That is not new in the Christian walk. Take a moment to look at Paul's experience in Corinth. Listen in!
info_outline
Real Talk - Old Rugged Cross
Real Talk
Revealing the Real Reasons (Galatians 6:11–13, NKJV) 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. The Judaizers wanted the Galatians to believe the lie of legitimizing their salvation through the works of the law. A lot of the pressure from the legalists can be summarized as a push to be circumcised (Galatians 5:2-6; 6:12). With large letters...
info_outline
Real Talk - Our Jerichos (Joshua 5:1-15, Craig Corely)
Real Talk
info_outline
Real Talk - Irreconcilable Differences (Acts 15:36-41)
Real Talk
Real Talk with Roderick To The End of the Earth: Irreconcilable Differences (Acts 15:36-41) Introduction Some days have passed (Μετὰ δέ τινας ἡμέρας) since the conflict concerning circumcision was resolved with a word from Jerusalem (Acts 15:30-31). The contention was settled with a letter from leadership delivered by four men: Barsabas, Silas, Barnabas, and Paul. The former two, Barsabas and Silas, are leading men from among the disciples of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22); they were selected by the Jerusalem apostles, elders, and brethren to accompany the letter. The...
info_outline
Real Talk - Fulfill the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-5)
Real Talk
Real Talk with Roderick Fulfill the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-5) Introduction Galatians has a readily discernible approach to arguing against legalism and for faith-based living. Paul goes from simple truths about Christianity to the consequences of those truths in the conduct of Jesus followers. He goes from orthodoxy to orthopraxis, from principles of the Way to the practice of wayfaring, from learning about the Lord to living life in His service. He is not trying to merely refute false teachers he is also working with each word of the epistle to promote Christ-centered, Spirit-led...
info_outline
Real Talk - Giving to God (Galatians 6:6-10)
Real Talk
Galatians 6:6–10 (NKJV) — 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
info_outline
Real Talk - The Disciple Making Pathway (Bob Rowley)
Real Talk
Dr. Bob Rowley brought a stirring message to Three Rivers Community Church. He challenged us to think seriously about church in terms of the call to make disciples. It was a message that looks beyond church as a ritual and more as the most relevant thing we can do to promote a better world, honor the Lord, and love others. Listen in!
info_outlineRevealing the Real Reasons (Galatians 6:11–13, NKJV)
12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
The Judaizers wanted the Galatians to believe the lie of legitimizing their salvation through the works of the law. A lot of the pressure from the legalists can be summarized as a push to be circumcised (Galatians 5:2-6; 6:12). With large letters Paul now writes to reveal the real reasons behind the pushing.
Here is the deal, guys: They are obsessed with good optics. They are fixated on fine showings in the flesh. They are consumed by conceited concerns for currying favor that will lessen . Why? These men-pleasers (Galatians 1:10) are calling you to cut yourselves to for two reasons: (i) to minimize the scandal of the cross and (ii) for their boasting before (1 Samuel 18).
F Bruce, scholar among scholars, promotes a travel-to-stop-tribulation theory in his commentary on Galatians. I stand among those who believe this to be far fetched.
If the trouble-makers could persuade the Gentile Christians to accept circumcision, that might preserve the Jerusalem church and its daughter-churches in Judaea from reprisals at the hands of Zealot-minded militants for being linked with uncircumcised Gentiles. To such militants the cross of Christ, as it was proclaimed by Paul and those who agreed with him, was a σκάνδαλον (cf. 5:11) because it excluded the principle of salvation by adherence to the law of Moses. Those who refused to require circumcision from Gentile converts (a refusal enshrined in the Jerusalem decree of Acts 15:28f.; 21:25) were liable to be persecuted—persecuted in fact, as Paul says, for the cross of Christ.
Bruce, F. F. (1982). The Epistle to the Galatians: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 269). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
Without prompting I wondered if it were really plausible that the Judaizers would have traveled so far to prevent problems at home; we would have to credit them with being extremely forward, altruistic, and broad in their thinking; this is not how they are characterized in Galatians. Further, we would have to assume that remote Gentile circumcision would be effective in placating the angst of anti-church Zealots back home in Jerusalem. That is conjecture.
The text is more readily understood when the reader recognizes that the false brethren are where Paul was. There are where he was when he was thrown out of Antioch, when he was ousted from Iconium, and when he was stoned in Lystra. Why would they fare any better if they came with the same message? Paul had run afoul with the local Jewish synagogues with his message of salvation by grace alone, through faith lone, in Christ alone. His offense was the scandalous declaration that the cross of Christ, for those trusting in Jesus work on Calvary, had made Gentiles right with God apart from the law. His odious message of Jews needing Christ's cross work as much as the Gentiles was too much to bear.