All the Difference

Paul uses recent history to display the pain and price of independence. Both the Acts 11 events and the confrontation with Peter illustrate his theme of freedom found in faith alone.

Paul asserts his choosing and calling apart from any human pressure or tradition.

Paul asserts his choosing and calling apart from any human pressure or tradition.

Paul desires people know the challenges of spiritual liberty and remember that grace is the only means of relationship with God.

Paul desires people know the challenges of spiritual liberty and remember that grace is the only means of relationship with God.

Living by the Spirit is possibly the most difficult skill to explain, and certainly one of the hardest to master. Our insane pride makes yielding difficult, but when we recognize our paltry lack of power we are positioned to embrace God's grace expressed in His present Spirit. Yielding to that Spirit we are readied for lasting impact.

Living by the Spirit is possibly the most difficult skill to explain, and certainly one of the hardest to master. Our insane pride makes yielding difficult, but when we recognize our paltry lack of power we are positioned to embrace God's grace expressed in His present Spirit. Yielding to that Spirit we are readied for lasting impact.

God calls us to establish genuine community with the Lord, family, the church, and society. In each case, this requires to great capacities that are sadly rare: to love and to discern.

God calls us to establish genuine community with the Lord, family, the church, and society. In each case, this requires to great capacities that are sadly rare: to love and to discern.

The first Christians stood on the truth despite serious opposition and cultural upheaval. They held/devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching. This becomes a hallmark of servant-leadership, listed in 1 Timothy 3 as a character quality needed in Elders.

The first Christians stood on the truth despite serious opposition and cultural upheaval. They held/devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching. This becomes a hallmark of servant-leadership, listed in 1 Timothy 3 as a character quality needed in Elders.

Jesus establishes His church and the believers who comprise it. He expects and encourages all His church to build upon His words so that all is constructed for permanence. In the very first moments of the church's birth, we see a powerful combination of scripture, solidarity, and the Spirit. This combination is the plan for continuing to establish Christians and churches that are built to last.

Jesus establishes His church and the believers who comprise it. He expects and encourages all His church to build upon His words so that all is constructed for permanence. In the very first moments of the church's birth, we see a powerful combination of scripture, solidarity, and the Spirit. This combination is the plan for continuing to establish Christians and churches that are built to last.

God rescues Israel through the Red Sea. They are different after this baptism – no longer slaves. It's a narrative and music score centered on the most important thing – glorifying God.

God rescues Israel through the Red Sea. They are different after this baptism – no longer slaves. It's a narrative and music score centered on the most important thing – glorifying God.

God here prepares Israel for the critically important work of memory. Particularly, His provision in past, future, and present are celebrated in His presence with His people.

God here prepares Israel for the critically important work of memory. Particularly, His provision in past, future, and present are celebrated in His presence with His people.

The Passover changes Israel from slaves into God's people's army (His divisions.) It also becomes a major type of Jesus and an example lesson for the New Covenant community.

The Passover changes Israel from slaves into God's people's army (His divisions.) It also becomes a major type of Jesus and an example lesson for the New Covenant community.

The last four plagues totally break and plunder Aegypt. They especially expose the folly of trust in Pharaoh and the pantheon of Egypt. It is significant for Israel's future that Isis & Osiris are laid bare, given their future hold on Israel in the form of Asherah & Baal.

The last four plagues totally break and plunder Aegypt. They especially expose the folly of trust in Pharaoh and the pantheon of Egypt. It is significant for Israel's future that Isis & Osiris are laid bare, given their future hold on Israel in the form of Asherah & Baal.

The first six plagues prove God's authority over all Egyptian authority, physical and spiritual. In particular, all the idols of Egyptian life are exposed as worthless.

The first six plagues prove God's authority over all Egyptian authority, physical and spiritual. In particular, all the idols of Egyptian life are exposed as worthless.

God shows amazing patience with Moses, continuing his development in a serious reset. Doing so, God reveals more fully than ever His sovereign, covenant relationship with those who trust Him.

God shows amazing patience with Moses, continuing his development in a serious reset. Doing so, God reveals more fully than ever His sovereign, covenant relationship with those who trust Him.