The Garage Door

Galatians 2: 11-21

These verses start out with a bang with Paul telling Peter he was clearly in the wrong.  What did Peter do?  Peter basically tried balancing works with grace.  He also didn't want to be with the Gentiles when the Jews showed up.  It is classic scenario like when you are with someone and talking with them and then the "cool" people show up so you ditch the person you were talking with because you didn't want to deal with the grief.  Peter didn't want to deal with the grief he would receive from the Jews from being with the Gentiles.  In Peter's defense though, for the entire history of the Jews, the message of God has been primarily for the Jews and now since Jesus death, the gentiles can be part of the kingdom of God as well.  Now both Jew and Gentile are both asking the same question we ask every day, "What does it look like to be a Christian?"  What do you think a Christian looks like?

The other issues here is grace verse the law.  Do we still need the law because of grace?  Here is a classic theological answer.  Yes and No. No in the fact that the law does not save us.  We are saved by grace and grace alone.  We do need the law though to convict us of our sin and point us to living a more Godly life.

I love verse 20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."  Again the question is who do you live for?  Think about it.   

Galatians 2: 1-10

We have run into the same battle we have seen through the first chapter of Galatians.  It is Paul defending not only his right as an apostle, but his right and calling to preach to the gentiles.  There were still many people who believe that Paul didn't belong in the same boat with Peter, James, and John.  To be an apostle meant you had to see Jesus and many people didn't believe Paul did.  They also believe that the message of Jesus Christ was only for the Jews.  It was huge for Peter, James, and John to accept Paul, believe his call was from God, and in a way say we are all on the same team even though we may not fully agree and have different missions and calls.

I think that is a great example for all of us.  There are so many different churches, denominations, etc., but too many times we see only disagreements between each other, not the common bond of Jesus Christ.  Even though we may have different missions and calls, we still answer to Jesus Christ.  How can you create a spirit of unity within our youth group?  How can you create a spirit of unity between the different Christian Churches you know?  We can disagree with SOME things and still realize we are all in this together.  I think one of the sad things is that the church of Jesus Christ is so fragmented and argues with itself so much instead of doing what Paul suggests in this passage.  That is to bring the Gospel to people who don't know Jesus.  Notice what they were also concerned about:  the poor!  How concerned are you about the poor?

Galatians 1: 11-24

The Galatians church was giving Paul a hard time.  He was wrestling with the face that many people believed he made up the story of Jesus Christ and they were starting to serve other gods.  Paul is like, "Look, I had it all in Jerusalem before God chose and converted me.  I was up and coming and was a rising star in Jerusalem.  Why would I throw that all away and make up a story like this."  Paul was forced not only to defend himself, but more importantly defend Jesus Christ. 

Many times we find ourselves in the same boat.  We have to defend our actions because we are Christians.  Why didn't you go to that party?  Well, because I serve Jesus Christ.  Why don't you want to have sex?  Well, because I serve Jesus Christ.  Why don't you swear? Well, because I serve Jesus Christ.  But look at verse 24.  My prayer is that verse can be said about all of us.  May we be people who bring praise to God because when people see us they can see God. 

Galatians 1: 6-10

Paul is giving a very stern call to make sure that his church is following the true gospel of Jesus Christ.  I think that many times we follow the gospel plus.  What do I mean by gospel plus?  What are things we add to what Jesus told us to do.  We follow the gospel plus (what I want to do). We follow the Gospel plus (What makes me happy, popular, or feel good).  And what Paul is telling us is that is not the gospel at all.  You can't add or take away from Jesus Christ.  You are either following him or you are not.  There is not a whole lot of middle ground.  So who are you following?

Galatians 1: 1-5 - Greetings

I think when most people read the first few verses of these letters we blow right through them.  However, there is something really cool and rich about them.  Greetings in the New Testament church where not like we do today.  There was no "What's Up" or "Word" or "Hi".  Greetings were a powerful statement about the world they lived in and who they were going to serve.  When someone offered you grace and peace it meant that they knew that today, by serving Jesus Christ, they might lose their life.  So I am offering you grace and peace and we pray the God will do the same for all of us.  Serving Jesus Christ in the New Testament church was risky business.  It was truly a matter of life and death so when they greeted people it was a statement of encouragement to each other.  It was the part of their day people looked to because they realizes they were not alone in serving God.  The Lord be with you.  How much do you risk for God?  Take a few minutes and look at your life and the areas in which you could risk a little more for God. 

Oops - Colossians 3: 1-17, Colossians 3: 18-25

Well, we had a slight mix-up on who was writing this week, so I will take care of it.  It is P- Lance so I will be a little behind, but I will see if we can catch up.

1.  I really like the first few verse of Chapter 3.  Where do your thoughts and dreams rest?   Are you thinking and dreaming about stuff here on earth, or do your thoughts go to where God would want them to go?  Would God be happy with your thought life?  What are some of those thoughts which cause us problems?  Well there is a list in verses 5-11.  How much of your day is spent focusing on God and what you can do for him and how much of it is spent on things for you?  What are some good things to think about?  Well there is a list in verses 12-17.  I love those verses.  How good are you at clothing yourself with Christ?  Or on other words, being Christ to other people?

2.  What are these crazy rules in verses 18-25?  These verses have causes a lot of controversy over time in and outside the church.  Without getting too deep the best way to describe these verses is about being a servant.  WE are to love people as Christ loved us and he loved us by serving us.  Whatever relationship we are in, we need to be humble servants and put other peoples needs and wants ahead of your own.  Whether that is in a marriage or in a family, we need to lead by serving.

Colossians 2:6 - 23

Hey sup everyone, so we made it to the end of the week and after today we can take a break for a little bit and then jump back into His word. But if you don't want to take a break, don't feel like you have to stop keep going if you like. I actually encourage you to do so and pray as you continue to read His word He will continue to change your life and open up your eyes. 

So again I'm going to pull a few things out of the many things that this is talking about. 

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." v6 - 7

Overflowing with thankfulness is what we need to have towards God. We need to be thankful what He has done in our lives and think about the good things He has given us despite are current circumstances. Phil. 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about sure things." 

So in everything think about these things and thank Him for the good things He has done in your life. 

"Every good and perfect gift if from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Colossians 2:1 - 5

Aahhh another day to read and reflect on God's word. I want to thank and congratulate you guys for sticking through this and welcome those who are join us in the reading and studying of God's word that brings about life change in our lives and those around us. I pray that you will be enlightened by His word and that it will change something in your life.

Sweet so lets get started. With this passage I just want to pull out one thing out for the many thing that is hidden in these few verses. That is verse 4 "I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments." Here Paul wants us to know that it is in Christ that all wisdom and knowledge is hidden and that Christ is the mystery of God (which the mystery is Christ sent into the world to redeem us to Himself as well as when we accept Christ to have Him dwell in us through the Holy Spirit) which is mentioned in the verses before this verse. But his reasoning in wanting us to have understanding and maturity in Christ is so we can stand firm in our faith and not be easily deceived by find-sounding arguments (which are arguments that seem true but are not.) So this is the importance in spending time in the word of God, so that we may have an understanding of the truth, filter through the lies, stand firm in our faith and defend it and grow mature in Christ as we implement the truths, wisdom, and understanding we get from being in His word.

Colossians 1:24 - 28

Welcome back and thanks for join us for another day to look and see what God wants to say to us through His Word. 

I find it interesting that Paul talks about how he rejoices in the suffering he had endure in order to present to the church the word of God in its fullness in order for them and now us to come to a mature understanding and growth in Christ. Which if you look at 2 Cor. 11:16 - 33 Paul talks about some of the things he had endure and overcame while preaching the gospel and for the sake of preaching the gospel. In order that for us now who are here in the 21 century can know the truth and love of God that can set us free and save us. 

Makes me wondering if it was Paul maturity as well as Christ power working in him that allowed him to rejoice during times of sufferings. Because he had understand and was able to hold on to the promises the truths of Christ through those times. Which if you look at verse 28 you see that Paul was concerned about our maturity in Christ. (In some translations it say maturity and others it says perfection which both come from the greek word teleios.) Not only is God concerned that we have a relationship with Him but He is also concerned if we grow in Him if we mature in Him and not just stay spiritual infants for most of our lives. So as we mature in Him, by reading His word, gaining understanding and wisdom, and living out the life He has called us to live through the wisdom and understanding we gain. We begin to become a pro on how to live life and get through situations through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. So not that life becomes easier we just know how to get through it thriving off the truths and promise that God gives us. 

Colossians 1:15 - 23

Hey Guys and Gals,

Thanks for join us as we go through the book Colossians. This is a great section to go through because it is so rich and I pray God will open your eyes to see and perceive and hear and understand that promises and truths that comes from this because if can change and shape your life. 

This is the one thing I want to point out but there is much more than this.

v16 "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

"All things were created by him and for him." You were created for God, to be with Him. So many times we have this sense of wanting to belong somewhere. But we hardly turn to the one whom we were created to belong to first. So we go through life hearing about God and His love, doing all these hurtful things that could have probably been avoid if we just turn to the one who gave us the desire in the first place, and the only one who can truly fill the desires to it's fullest. We were created for Him and find our identity and purpose in Him, that's why the desire we have to belong is so strong because it was meant to be fulfilled by Him and He will take care of the rest.

That's some of the things I got out of it. Hope it helps and that you have an awesome day!!!

If you have time watch this, this has to do with what this section is talking about as well and it's really cool!!! Talks about v16 - 17.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4