galatians 5

Last week, thanks to Paul, we read Galatians 4 aloud during class, and talked about various verses as we went through....those we had questions about or wanted to go deeper in to. It went pretty well, so we'll do the same thing next week with Galatians 5. To get prepared, go ahead and read Galatians 5 during the week.

Here are some topics that came up during our class time last week (Galatians 4). Ponder them as you continue to read...

v9 - "But now that you know God--or rather are known by God"
We had two different reactions on this:

1) the question: Weren't we known by God before we were believers? Isn't he all-knowing?
After some discussion, we agreed that because of the sin that separated us from God, we couldn't be fully known by God, because he wasn't able to be around it...in a sense of relationship or communion. After doing some digging around the original language, I found that this is most likely the case. The original Greek is ginosko, which means "allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand." That kind of says to me its not a 'know' in a strictly knowledge sort of way...but 'know' in a relationship sort of way, which we know is made possible only by the blood of Jesus. So, that, when we do become believers, God is able to know us in a way that wasn't possible before.

2) the emotion: We are known by God? WHAT?!? That's crazy and amazing, seeing how all of us desire to be known...for someone to understand everything that is in us.

Both result in praise....and actually the first, after understanding it, results in the second. He is amazing.

v21-31
For these verses, we talked about the analogies Paul used to make his point. There is the free woman (Sarah, heavenly Jerusalem), who has free children (believers); then there is the slave woman (Hagar, earthly Jerusalem), who has slave children (people under the law). The difference between them is only that one is by the promise of God, the other by human effort. But we are CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE. There is, of course, more to understand here, but for summary purposes, there you go. If you like, go back and read about Sarah and Hagar and God and Abraham and the promise in Genesis 15-18, 21.

There was more talk of more things, but for now, think about those things. See you next week!

LOVE and the promise...

Come higher...

After watching Bullhorn (Rob Bell, Nooma), we had some discussion about the most effective way to reach people for the kingdom of God.

Although we are generally and collectively brilliant, we did not reach any definative conclusions. We did agree that God is the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). That is to say, that He alone can reach people. And yet, by some inexplicable means, He chooses to use each of us, His children.

So...let's go higher together, as one.

Check out these scriptures, beginning with the cross:
John 12:32 "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself"
Hebrews 4:16
Isaiah 6:1-8
Acts 7:54-60
Revelation 4-5 (can you stop there?)

Pray for God to open the eyes of your heart (not just a somewhat hokey song, but the very words of God--Psalm 119:18)

Back...

Since last week we went into the adult class to listen to Pastor Alvin talk, let's go back to what we've missed over the course of the past two weeks. Let's dig into Galatians 3, and talk about freedom, God's love...and anything else on your mind.

Pray for Pauly....he's at the Passion conference in Atlanta.

Peace out and see you soon.....

and yet still...

I'd like to start off with a confession. Today I've come to realize that at many points in my life I don't believe that God loves me. I KNOW it, but I don't KNOW it. How can it be? Does anyone struggle here with me? How can I understand his grace, have knowledge of him and the word, even believe that he loves other people so deeply, yet when it comes to believing his heart for me, I have trouble. Forgive my unbelief, Lord.

Today, I broke. I was listening to a message on the iPod, troubled by my lack of emotion, lack of desire and passion for Him, and yet out of nowhere (or shall I say seemingly somewhere), the message was over, and I sat there, with silent earbuds still placed in my ears, hearing only the birds singing outside. The message was still echoing in my mind and suddenly, arose a spirit of indignance that looked like this: "Oh HELL no...those birds are not going to outpraise me...uhh, no way are the angels and heavenly beings going to sing louder than me today...I am the one who's been redeemed!" And so it began. Worship...that somehow brought me out of my funk and into his marvelous light, out of darkness, out of shame...my dead heart now is beating, now I'm free, now I'm free...

And why do I tell you this? I have no idea...but if this sounds like any part of you, ask him to stir you up...revive the fire. Only he can. Freedom awaits you. So does his mighty love.

And take a moment to linger on Donnie's questions below. We'll discuss whatever you want on Sunday. Read Galatians 3 if you haven't...heck, read the whole book. Its about freedom, and what could be better than that??