Do you enjoy magic tricks? Are you left amazed by how the magician manages to get the right card every time, pull the rabbit from a hat or make his assistant disappear. Of course, no one really thinks that it’s real magic. We know that the magician relies on slights of hand and diversion tactics… Continue reading Bewitched
Tag: Galatians
Terms and conditions
Paul reminds the Galatians in chapter 3 of what they’ve seen, heard and received, They’ve seen the Gospel clearly presented, that Christ was crucified for them. They’ve received the Spirit. They know that their new life in the Spirit is founded entirely on Christ’s crucifixion and has been received by faith. So how can they… Continue reading Terms and conditions
Infiltration
One big question that comes up as we read through Galatians is “How were the agitators able to be so successful?” It seems that they had already managed to infiltrate the Jerusalem church quite significantly when Paul and Titus visited (2:1-10). They also were able to get Peter to cooperate with them, even though it… Continue reading Infiltration
Saving Titus
One of the striking things in Galatians 2 is the pivotal role that Titus plays in the drama. Titus is part of Paul’s team and he goes to Jerusalem with him. Paul tells us that Titus is not compelled to be circumcised. We can skim read it as an incidental extra but actually, the point… Continue reading Saving Titus
Is Racism a Gospel issue?
This issue became controversial following the death of George Floyd and the resulting #BlackLivesMatter protests. Quite a few churches sought to take the issue of racism and prejudice seriously with pastors publicly repenting from sin. Significant thought leaders such as Tim Keller had been arguing for some time that racism is a gospel issue. Whilst,… Continue reading Is Racism a Gospel issue?
No U-Turn
In the musical, The Phantom of the Opera, towards the end, the Phantom makes his move to bring Christine fully under his power. He commits murders and then she removes his mask on stage exposing him. He sings “Past the point of no return” arguing that there is now no going back, they are fully… Continue reading No U-Turn
Does it matter who I eat with?
The other day, a group of us were talking about what a meal with Jesus would be like. We were asked two things The answer to the second question tells us a lot about ourselves. I went with Alexander the Great and Judas. Alexander because he makes an interesting juxtaposition with Jesus, another renowned historical… Continue reading Does it matter who I eat with?
Face to face
Would you draw a connection between who you had round for dinner and whether or not you really believed the Gospel? Paul did. A look at the text: Read Galatians 2:11-14 When Paul had visited Jerusalem, he had found himself in agreement with Peter but at a later date, Peter had reason to visit the… Continue reading Face to face
What about the smallprint?
I frequently receive offers that look too good to be true and the usually are. I’m told that if I sign up to this or that offer then it will be totally free. Of course at some point the free trial runs out and the hope of the organisation making the offer is that by… Continue reading What about the smallprint?
One Gospel only
Here are my notes from a sermon I preached a few years back on Galatians 1:6-2:10. I think it may have been for Nueva Vida. Introduction Nakhi Wells –footballer offered better deal at rival club –seen as a traitor How do we know that a better religious offer is not out there? Christian faith may… Continue reading One Gospel only
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