Jesus Changes People

Paul continues on with his allegory of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Hagar, and Ishmael. Ken and Mike discuss which people in this passage are pictures of the things that Paul has been writing about in this letter. From understanding the who’s who, they then discuss the physical versus spiritual realities and what the implications and applications are for us. And would you do anything God asked you to do...

In the next verses Mike and Ken discuss, Paul, a spiritual parent, shares his broken heart over the Galatians. He longs for Jesus to be formed in them, which reveals his pastor’s heart for these congregations. Following this concern, he uses more of Abraham’s story as an allegory to illustrate the issues of law and grace. Ken and Mike discuss the two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, as well as an introduc...

As Paul has done in this letter, he continues to show concern for the Galatians. But he fears that his work with them has been in vain. Ken and Mike discuss Paul’s warning to the Galatians to not return to their old ways; he reminds them of how their relationship began when he was in need; and warns them about how legalists act. A listener wants to know about weather delays and how God has used th...

Mike and Ken venture into chapter 4 of Galatians and they bite off a sizeable chunk of verses, seven in all. Paul has used many illustrations in Galatians and he includes another one here. It’s the picture of an underage child who is no different from a slave. But when the child comes of age, his status changes. Ken and Mike discuss our status pre Jesus, what had a set time that was being waited f...

You’ve been treated to four volumes of Best of Listener Questions, now it’s time for a new series of best of volumes. These will be from the Did You Know segments of Jesus Changes People. The time in the show when the guys share facts about the Bible, Christian History, and Christian Oddities. The Did You Knows in this volume all come from season one and are focused on Christians in history. Join...

Mike and Ken wrap up chapter 3 of Galatians. In this last section, Paul uses the illustration of a child guardian to demonstrate what life was like under the law. He then reminds the Galatians, they are not under the guardian any longer, but are now living as full heirs because of Jesus. Ken and Mike discuss life under the guardian, what changes once we are in Jesus, and what it is to live as an h...

In this next section of Galatians, Paul asks why, then, was the law given at all? Up to this point, he’s been proving that what was promised to Abraham is all that is needed. So why have the law then, would be the next logical question someone would ask. Ken and Mike discuss three things that show why the law is not greater. It’s not greater, because it’s temporary, holds second place, and is limi...

Paul returns to Abraham, and the promise made to him. According to the Judaizers, the way to receive Abraham’s blessing from the promise was by obeying the law. Paul uses an everyday example to show that the law is not attached to the promise. Mike and Ken discuss different types of agreements that exist, what was actually promised to Abraham, and how that promise overrides the law. A listener fin...

It’s been a bit since the guys released a mix tape like best of episode. Actually, the last one was at Christmas time. So it’s time for volume four of the Best of Listener Questions. They really dug in the archives for this set of questions and you won’t want to miss what they’ve pulled out. Join Ken and Mike, as they answer for us again these 5 questions from these 5 episodes: Season 1 - Episode...

After using Abraham as a witness against the Judaizers, Paul next shows how those who rely on the law aren’t blessed but are under a curse. They also aren’t living by faith. Their only hope is not through the law, but through Jesus. Ken and Mike discuss the curse which is the law, the polar opposites of law and faith, and finally how we are redeemed, purchased, to be set free from the law. A liste...

Mike and Ken tackle the next section of Galatians 3, where Paul shifts from a subjective argument to an objective one. The Judaizers held up Abraham as the standard for their religion. Paul takes Abraham and uses him as a witness against the Judaizers. Ken and Mike discuss Abraham, his background, and why he’s talked about here. They talk about why Christians are his children not by race but by fa...

Ken and Mike are back in the book of Galatians and starting chapter 3. Paul’s attention shifts from relating elements of his story to now dealing directly with the issues that exist in the Galatian churches. Verses 1-5 is a personal argument that Paul makes, challenging the Galatians to remember their personal experience with Jesus. Mike and Ken discuss how in this personal argument the whole trin...

Mike and Ken conclude their 2 week intermission from Galatians, which has focused on the Ascension and Pentecost. In Acts chapter 2, the gift Jesus promised was being sent from the Father arrives. The Holy Spirit comes with the sound of violent rushing wind, tongues like flames over people’s heads, and people speaking in different languages. There are two different responses to these events, which...

Ken and Mike take a 2 week intermission from Galatians to focus on the Ascension and Pentecost. Following His death and resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with the apostles, as is covered in the opening verses of Acts chapter 1. During this time, Jesus showed them convincing proofs he was alive, told them to wait for the Holy Spirit, and that they would be His witnesses. Then He ascends to heaven a...

Mike and Ken wrap up Paul’s confrontation with Peter over his separation from the Gentile Christians in Antioch. In these three remaining verses, Paul repeatedly uses forms of death, life and the personal pronoun I. Ken and Mike discuss what died, what we died to, Jesus living in us, what we’re living for, how we’re living now, living in the body, and living by faith. A listener is wondering what...

The confrontation Paul has with Peter continues in these next four verses. Peter had been separating himself from the Gentile Christians, which was to say they weren’t right with God. It also said the Jews were better than the Gentiles. But the truth is, everyone is dead spiritually and does acts of sin and needs the saving of Jesus. Ken and Mike discuss what it means to be saved by faith and to b...

Paul’s narrative of how his message was approved and everyone was together shifts to a scene where Peter pulls back from associating with the Gentiles. Peter’s actions as a leader draw even Barnabas, Paul’s close friend, to separate from the Gentiles as well. Paul doesn’t stand for it and opposes Peter to his face in front of everyone. His main message: Why is your behavior inconsistent with who y...

Mike and Ken tackle the next 5 verses of chapter 2. In these verses, Paul continues his narrative, which he started in verse 1, about what happened during the meetings in Jerusalem. In them, we learn that the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem add nothing to Paul’s message and bless him and Barnabas to continue on sharing the message with the Gentiles. They also ask that Paul remember the poor, whi...

Ken and Mike are back in the book of Galatians after their Easter intermission. They begin in chapter 2, which in Paul’s account was fourteen years since the end of chapter 1. And Paul is back in Jerusalem, along with Barnabas and Titus. He’s setup a private meaning with the leaders in the Jerusalem church, which then will lead to a public meeting. The question to be settled is, can someone be sav...

Mike and Ken finish the last episode in their Easter intermission from Galatians. They focus in on Jesus’ last words “It is finished” recorded in the book of John. They are the 3 most important words in scripture. But what exactly was finished? To understand what was finished requires us to understand the problems that needed to be fixed. Mike and Ken look at the issues that existed because Adam a...

Ken and Mike continue their intermission from Galatians to focus on Easter. In this episode, the focus is Jesus’ crucifixion, which is the focus for many churches on the Friday before Easter. Historically, this Friday has been called Good Friday. Mike and Ken recount the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. They also discuss two key elements that Jesus’ death saves us from. And how these eleme...

Mike and Ken take an intermission from Galatians to focus on Easter. Up first, Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, a week before His crucifixion. This is celebrated by churches on the Sunday before Easter and is called Palm Sunday. During Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, some are confused and others think they are in control. But there is someone who isn’t confused and is in complete control of wha...

Following Paul sharing how his life was changed by Jesus, he turns to share how others were affected by his new life. Who were these others? The church in Jerusalem, Peter, James, and the churches of Judea. The churches in Judea had never seen Paul in person, but knew of his changed life. And his story led them to praise God because of his conversion. Ken and Mike discuss Paul’s life change and it...

Paul continues on in his letter, telling the Galatians how everything was going his way as an unconverted rabbi. But then a sudden change happened. Paul had an encounter with Jesus, which showed him his outward work hadn’t brought inner change. Through this interaction with Jesus, he learned God was pleased to have Jesus dwell in him. From this inner change came a ministry to the Gentiles. Mike an...

Immediately following his reprimand, Paul wants to know if the Galatians think he’s out to win people’s approval. He quickly answers that popularity is not his goal because that would negate him being a slave of Jesus. He then lets the Galatians know that not only is his ministry from God and Jesus, but also his message. Ken and Mike discuss these transitional verses and how even here in Paul’s wr...