One More Thing

Hi Five Oakers, The weekend is coming and I have a few things I want to share with you.

The Weekend

There aren’t many Bible passages that start like our text for the weekend. Here it is in the Message translation. It’s really quite accurate in capturing the meaning and emotion in the opening words of Galatians 3.

You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened… (Galatians 3:1)

Paul is incredulous. And we’re going to see why.

FYI

Jeni Carlson on "Kid's Edition of Story of God Wraps Up with a Kid-Created Movie!"

Dear Parents of Saturday Night KidsROCKERS, We are coming to the end of the Story of God Curriculum. It has been a pleasure teaching your kids this amazing story. We will be working on our final movie on May 10th and 17th.

Tim Challies on "7 Things a Good Dad Says"

I have found myself thinking back to the many models of fatherhood I have seen and admired through the years. What made these fathers admirable? What set them apart? What was it that they said to their children? From these models I have drawn seven things a good father says.

One More Thing

One of my personal favorite Far Side cartoons comes in two panels. I hadn't seen it in a long time, so I had to look up someone else's description. But here it is:

Top half of the cartoon: "The Names We Give Dogs" (Two men standing in a yard with a dog.) Man says to other man:  "This is Rex, our new dog."

Bottom half of the cartoon: "The Names They Give Themselves" (Rex talking to two other neighborhood dogs.) Rex says:  "Hello.  I am known as Vexorg, Destroyer of Cats and Devourer of Chickens." Other dog: "I am Zornorph, the One Who Comes By Night to the Neighbor's Yard, and this is Princess Sheewana, Barker of Great Annoyance and daughter of Queen La, Stainer of Persian Rugs."

When Jesus spoke of building his church, he spoke of a church so strong and so mighty that not even the gates of hell could hold back its offensive (Matthew 16:18). He spoke of it as a church so mighty it would attack hell's stronghold and break through with grace and liberation to the captives.

When Jesus talked about this kind of church, he was talking about our church and other churches that hold to the gospel. What looked like Fido to the world was Vexorg (destroyer of Satan’s strongholds) to God. Even the crazy Galatians were Vexorg, as long as they didn't abandon the gospel of God's grace.

The church isn't a club or association. It's God's means of accomplishing his purposes in the world. When God looks at us, I assure you, he doesn’t see the surface. He sees a force ready to go out and daily invade Satan’s domain. A bunch of gatebusters. That's who we are. That's what you do.

One More Thing

Hi Five Oakers, The weekend's coming and there are a few things I want to share with you.

The Weekend

A confrontation between the two most celebrated Apostles. A simple definition of the gospel. And a soaring declaration: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." All this and more this weekend as we look at Galatians 2:11-21.

FYI

C. Michael Patton on "Christianity, the World's Most Falsifiable Religion"

The central claims of the Bible demand historic inquiry, as they are based on public events that can be historically verified. In contrast, the central claims of all other religions cannot be historically tested and, therefore, are beyond falsifiability or inquiry. They just have to be believed with blind faith.

One More Thing

Do you have a tough conversation on your to-do list? How do you play it out in your head? Here's Paul's instructions on how to have one kind of tough conversation:

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." (Galatians 6:1)

Earlier in Galatians (in the passage we're covering this week), he describes one of his own tough conversations.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. (Galatians 2:11-12)

Doesn't seem very gentle. This is Peter, the Apostle, he's talking about. He confronts him to his face. He says he's condemned, motivated by fear and acting hypocritical.

There situation is different than Galatians 6:1. The stakes are enormous. But one Galatians commentator suggests reading this passage differently than we might on first glance.

Try Galatians 2:11-14 in a gentler tone; it can be done. And when done, the entire emotion of the passage changes. I ask if it is not possible to read this with tears in Paul's eyes and a thankful, but repentant, response on the part of Peter. We do know that Peter did not ultimately part company with Paul. This tense situation may have been an important growing experience for both apostles. (Scot McKnight, Galatians: The NIV Application Commentary)

Now think back to your tough conversation. What if you took Paul's advice in Galatians 6? What if when you played it out in your head, your tone was not only gentle but demonstrated how much you care about this person? What if instead of anger there were pain and tears? And what do you think might happen as a result of that kind of tough conversation? How might this be a growing experience for you and the other person?