The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Galatians 1-3
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: Galatians 1-3
The churches in the region of Galatia, modern day central Turkey, were facing a theological crisis. Gentile converts to Christianity were being told that they must become circumcised before they could become Christians. Implied in this was that they must obey all of the Old Testament law. In other words, they were required to become Jewish converts first, then they could follow Christ. This belief completely destroys the gospel, and Paul came against it with everything he had. Even if angels from heaven came with a different “gospel,” they would be wrong, and in fact cursed. The gospel Paul preached came directly from God. There would be no updates, no gospel 2.0. To go back to the requirements of the law is like going back to jail after having been set free. Paul was amazed that anyone would think this is a good thing; what could possibly be driving them to this madness? Evidently they were trying to avoid persecution for their faith and were seeking to live as people pleasers rather than God pleasers. Jewish believers had a special dispensation in the Roman Empire that allowed them to worship their God and not the emperor. As long as Christians were seen as a subset of Judaism, they were “grandfathered” in. If they were a different religion, then they did not get this exemption and would be persecuted. This is exactly what would eventually happen, but these “Judaizers” wanted to try and live in two worlds. They wanted to have Christ as well as the approval and protection of the Jews. Paul would have none of this. He said that he was not trying to please people because if he was, he would no longer be a servant of Christ. We cannot have it both ways. We should not be intentionally offensive, but we cannot live seeking the approval of others if we are to live for Jesus. Many have tried to “soften” the gospel over the years and make it more palatable, but to make the gospel less offensive for human sensibilities is an offense to God. The Cross of Christ is a stumbling block for human pride, but what is foolish to man is the wisdom of God. This exclusive message has always been, and will always be, offensive to some. Better for us to look foolish to other people than to be foolish in the eyes of God.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for the people living at the Timbers, especially those who attend River. Ask God to strengthen those that know him in their faith. Ask God to bring people in that community to saving faith in Jesus.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.