Galatians 2 concludes with a story about Paul confronting Peter in his hypocrisy followed by a dense explanation of a core tenet of Paul’s theology: justification by faith. Galatians 2 and Romans 3 are the clearest and most compact explanations of justification by faith in all of Scripture. We will spend at least two weeks on this because it is such an important doctrine, not only for understanding Paul but for understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus, its implications, and what that means for us today.
Galatians (Week 4)
Galatians 2 continues with Paul’s biographical recollection of a time he took Barnabas and Titus to Jerusalem. This wasn’t just a bro-trip to see the sights and do all the touristy things. Paul was on a mission. After fourteen years of Jesus following, he went down to Jerusalem to meet the leaders there, to exchange ideas, to test his gospel message against theirs, and to walk away with the assurance that the whole Jesus mission was all on the same page. Today we discuss the importance of this event, what it meant for the Galatians, and what it means for us today.
Galatians (Week 3)
As we continue our journey through the book of Galatians, today we finish chapter 1. In it, we discover quite a lot about the man writing the letter. Paul’s biography is a remarkable one. Not only do we know of his life through his letters, but we also have the book of Acts to fill in some gaps. Perhaps no event is more consequential in his life than his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Today, let us remember Paul and the work done in him and through him. And let that spur in us a remembrance of the way God has worked in our lives too.
Galatians (Week 2)
As we turn again to Galatians to continue our series on the book, you might notice something. Paul is angry! Not just a little frustrated, he is upset and calling down curses upon anyone who distorts the gospel. What has Paul most upset is that outside teachers have convinced the Galatians that the death of Jesus is a minor part of the gospel story and that the law still in effect. Paul will say that, not only is the crucifixion central to the gospel, but through it, the world is being redeemed, that the old age is passing away and the new has come.
Gratitude
As we prepare for Christmas, we prepare for the incarnation of God—God putting on human flesh and dwelling in our midst. It is easy to overlook the radical nature of such a claim. Behind such a claim, however, sits three important truths. 1. God comes into this world because there is good in it worth saving. 2. God loves this world deeply like a father loves a child. 2. Sin is real and redemption is necessary, but praise be to Christ with whom salvation has come!
Anticipation
The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of “Joy,” and because of our shared devotional, we approach joy in terms of “anticipation”. Anticipations is a version of joy that makes promises, even if they are yet unfulfilled. It is a joy before the joy of fulfillment. Children experience this kind of joy every December in the days leading to Christmas, and adults would do well to watch and learn. The anticipation and joy experienced in Christ’s first coming is only heightened and fulfilled in the second coming when Christ sets the world right and establishes joy and peace as a way of daily life.
Preparation
On this second Sunday of Advent, we read about John the Baptist shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Advent is a season of preparation in more ways than one. We are all preparing for Christmas morning, whether that is through buying presents, decorating the house, or as my kids do, creating a “paper countdown chain” where they daily tear off one link in the chain until Christmas finally arrives. How do you prepare? And, more importantly, what should we be doing with our spirit and soul to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ? It is these questions that we turn ourselves to today.
Expectation
The season of advent is upon us! Today is the first of four weeks preparing ourselves for the coming of Jesus. That’s what advent means: “coming” or “arrival". We prepare in retrospect, for the king who we know was born in a manger in a few short weeks. This is an act of remembrance, not all that different from eating the bread and drinking the cup at communion. We remember the birth of the savior, and we prepare our hearts for his advent into the world. But there is a second advent or second “coming” that we await too. The return of the king. When all things shall be put right in their finality. When all hearts shall be judged. When Christ will open the gates to the city of the New Jerusalem and people of all tongues and tribes in every nation shall enter in.
Thank God
It is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and, therefore, it is only appropriate to talk about giving thanks. To possess a posture of thankfulness on a daily basis is many things. To be thankful is to be (gratefully) looking at what one already has rather than what one longs for or desires. To be thankful is to be thinking about others first rather than thinking about oneself. To be thankful in the context of your relationship to God means adopting a posture of praise and adoration for the goodness of God and the many and varied gifts he so often gives. Today, let us give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.
The Encouraging Word Series: Jeremiah 29
Jeremiah 29 is one of those passages that many point to as an inspiring passage about the way God is at work for our well-being. However, it’s also one of those passages that is often misunderstood. It is indeed inspiring and encouraging, just maybe not in the way you think it is. God promises a “future and a hope”, but it needs to be said that it is not exactly the future that Judah was hoping for. This is a stark reminder that our future and hope is best placed in God’s hands, not our own, and come what may, the peace of being part of God’s plan far outweighs whatever future we might try to make of our own accord.
The Encouraging Word Series: Hebrews 12
The series that we have been walking through has been wonderful for my soul and I hope for yours too. The source of encouragement and inspiration over these weeks has been twofold: the Word of God and the witness of God's church. Hebrews 12 encapsulates well what has been happening over these months. In it, the author writes about the “great cloud of witnesses” that encourage us to run with endurance the race that is set before us. May you continue to be encouraged by remembering God’s goodness in your life and in the lives of all who bear witness to God’s goodness.
The Encouraging Word Series: Proverbs 3
When push comes to shove, what is it that you trust in? Who do you rely on? Yourself? A parent? A friend? Proverbs 3:5 reminds us that, above all else, our trust should be in the Lord. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” The outcome of a life led in full-hearted trust of God is not necessarily an easy life, but it is a good life. May you learn today what it means to truly trust in God.
The Encouraging Word Series: Lamentations 3
The inspiring hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, was written as a reflection on Lamentations 3:22-23, where the author writes, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” While this passage and the song inspired by it are relatively well-known, what is perhaps less appreciated is the dark canvas on which this beacon of light is found. The whole of Lamentations is, as its name suggests, a lament. It is a dark and desperate work because of the destruction and desolation that Judah has faced. But in the sadness of Lamentation the author finds hope and possibility as he recognizes God’s faithfulness, even in the darkest of times. Let us look to God with that same hope.
The Encouraging Word Series: James 3
James 3 is most known for its call to tame the tongue and its remarkable insight on all the various ways that our mouths and words can get us into trouble. The chapter ends, perhaps appropriately, with a call to wisdom and to peace. Neither wisdom nor peace, it seems, are possible with an untamed tongue. Today, as we study the final verses of James 3, may we seek a wisdom that is not of this world but is from on high, a wisdom that is, in the words of James, "pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, fully of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
The Encouraging Word Series: Isaiah 43
There is so much to love about this passage from Isaiah 43. In it we find that though Israel is in a place of exile, God is still for them; and if God is for them, who can be against them? These same truths hold for us today. We should not fear because we have been redeemed by God through Christ. He has called us by name. And even though we may walk through fire and water, God will be with us. What, then, is left to fear?
The Encouraging Word Series: Romans 12
Throughout this encouraging word series, we have discussed passages that you, South Run Baptist Church, turn to when you need encouragement. It has been beautiful to dig into the promises of Scripture that we can hold to as we weather the storms of life. Today’s passage from Romans 12 is walking map, of sorts. Rather than focus on what we should “think,” Romans 12 reminds us of what we should “do.” When the terrain of life gets difficult, Romans 12 offers a series of steps to take as we walk our way out of it.
The Encouraging Word Series: Isaiah 40
As we continue to hear encouraging words from the Word, this week we turn our attention to the last verses of Isaiah 40. It is another popular passage, this time because of the imagery supplied by the verse—namely, that of an eagle soaring over the heights, escaping whatever trouble and storm that may lay below, and flying effortlessly to its destination. Oh that God may renew our strength that we too may mount up with wings like eagles.
The Encouraging Word Series: Philippians 4
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture, in part because of the hope that it holds out. Paul says that it is Christ’s strength that gets him through the lows and the highs of life, through plenty and hunger, abundance and need. This morning we fix our eyes on the truth of Christ’s strength for any and all circumstances.
The Encouraging Word Series: Psalm 20
What is a passage of Scripture that encourages you and lights your way forward? A week or so ago, a friend passed along today’s passage, Psalm 20, as a form of encouragement. I found it deeply meaningful, and I hope you do too. In the weeks to come, I plan to preach through passages that inspire us and guide us. Whether in times of peace or in times of difficulty, these are passages that you have found fill your soul and act as a compass. As you feel comfortable, please share such passages with me that I might be able to encourage others as you have been encouraged.
Regarding Hope
Today’s message is about the edges of hope. Not the hope we have when all is well, but the hope we cling to with white knuckles when life is not going how we think it should. Paul certainly shows us the way when he describes his own life as a frail, clay jar. He says that he is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, but in all of this, the imperishable life of Christ shines forth all the more. Christ’s presence and life sustains Paul in his dark hours. Let us cling together to the hope we have in Christ our Lord.