OrthrosGnosis

In Ephesians 4:7-13, Paul explains how Jesus' descent into death and ascension above all the heavens is foundational to Christian faith and practice. It is as we emulate him that the world becomes a better place. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2023/01/08/epistle-reading-for-sunday-january-8-2023/

In Colossians 2:8-12, Paul warns his readers of the danger of the influence of those who are not following Jesus Christ. It is only in Christ that a full life is found. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2023/01/01/epistle-reading-for-sunday-january-1-2023/

In Galatians 4:4-7, Paul talks about how the incarnation took place at a deliberate time, in a deliberate place and for a deliberate reason. The celebration of Christmas is far more than Jesus’ birthday. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/12/25/epistle-reading-for-sunday-december-25-2022/

In Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40, Paul talks about how the faithful people of God, through all history suffered for their faithfulness at the hands of the cultures in which they lived. Our holiness is a gift for ourselves, to prepare us for eternity, and is a gift to the culture in which we live, to make it a better place. Faithful Christianity is not Americanized moralism. This episode is also available...

In Colossians 3:4-11, Paul reminds the church in Colossae that because Jesus Christ restored us to life, we should respond by pursuing holiness and not looking back and living according to the ways of our old nature. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/12/11/epistle-reading-for-sunday-december-11-2022/

In Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5, Paul explains how those who are baptized into Jesus Christ are the people of God and do not have the Old Covenant law as an authority over them. Jesus Christ fulfilled what the law required and has moved man from childishness to adult maturity, calling his people to love. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/12/04/epis...

In Ephesians 2:14-22, Paul reminds the church in Ephesus how Jesus’ redemptive work changed reality and made obsolete everything within the Old Covenant. Jesus Christ is the Lord over all creation, not just a small group of people in the land of Israel. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/11/27/epistle-reading-for-sunday-november-27-2022/

In Ephesians 2:4-10, Paul reminds us that our salvation is completely and wholly the work of God through Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our own works, but our works are the fruit of being saved. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/11/20/epistle-reading-for-sunday-november-20-2022/

In Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2, Paul explains how everything of the Old Covenant was images and stories. But the reality of what God was to do through Jesus Christ only became real with the incarnation. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/11/13/epistle-reading-for-sunday-november-13-2022/

In Galatians 2:16-20, Paul talks about the fallacy of seeking justification in good works and the reality of restoration only in Jesus Christ. As part of the people of God, we are called to turn away from trying to save ourselves but instead, to live according to love. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/11/06/epistle-reading-for-sunday-november-...

In Galatians 1:11-19, Paul reminds the church in Galatia that the truth and power of the gospel is found in the apostolic faith, not in Paul’s oratorical skills or remarkable passion. That which Paul thought was so great in himself was actually his weakness. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/10/23/epistle-reading-for-sunday-october-23-2022/

In Titus 3:8-15, Paul emphasizes the importance of believing and practicing that which the Church has always believed and practiced. And at the same time, our lives are to be a practical living out of loving one’s neighbor. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/10/16/epistle-reading-for-sunday-october-16-2022/

In 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1, Paul reminds us that God is with us, that he loves us, and that it is our responsibility to aim for holiness. The Christian should be different from the world. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/epistle-reading-for-sunday-october-9-2022/

In 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Paul explains how the Church and the faithful Christian who is part of that Church see life in very different terms from the world. Holiness and loving one’s neighbor is to be pursued at any cost. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/10/02/epistle-reading-for-october-2-2022/

In 2 Corinthians 4:6-15, Paul explains how the life of the Christian is not like the life of the Israelite. While we may suffer in our faithfulness, we can know that as part of the body of Christ, eternal life is ours. It is our responsibility to pursue holiness. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/09/25/epistle-reading-for-sunday-september-25-20...

In Galatians 2:16-20, Paul shows that Jesus’ work of restoring mankind is wholly on him and given to us as a gift. We do not earn eternal life but we are to respond to that gift with thankfulness and maturity. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/09/18/epistle-reading-for-sunday-september-18-2022/

In Galatians 6:11-18, Paul argues that the Old Covenant is no longer valid and the people of God are those who worship the one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The crucifixion is that which defines our reality. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/09/11/epistle-reading-for-sunday-september-11-2022/

In First Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul talks about understanding who Jesus is, what he has accomplished for us and our responsibility of constantly and consistently pursuing holiness. Jesus died, physically rose from the dead, and defeated death so as to restore mankind. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/09/04/epistle-reading-for-sunday-september-4...

In First Corinthians 9:2-12, Paul addresses the issue of money and the one who is preaching the gospel. His point is simple, do nothing that will hinder or negatively impact our preaching of the Gospel. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/08/28/epistle-reading-for-sunday-august-28-2022/

In First Corinthians 4:9-16, Paul reminds the Church that even though the apostles suffered greatly as the Gospel was being established, the Church since that time is operating from a position of strength. We have the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the apostles upon which to build. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/08/21/epistl...

In First Corinthians 3:9-17, Paul uses the imagery of construction to describe the Church and the responsibility of men to do good works. Good works are not a means to earn salvation but a right response to being saved. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/08/14/epistle-reading-for-sunday-august-14-2022/

In First Corinthians 1:10-17, Paul reminds the Church that it is only because of who Jesus is and what Jesus has accomplished in his death, resurrection, and ascension that we are the Church. And as the church we are called to unity, not differing labels. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/08/07/epistle-reading-for-sunday-august-7-2022/

In Romans 15:1-7, Paul teaches the Church in Rome to imitate Jesus Christ by being an encouragement to others, building them up and not seeking to please ourselves. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/07/31/epistle-reading-for-sunday-july-31-2022/

In Roman 12:6-14, Paul explains how everyone has abilities that they are called to use to help others in their growth toward holiness. Even as we are persecuted, we are called to love everyone. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/07/24/epistle-reading-for-sunday-july-24-2022/

In Titus 3:8-15, Paul reminds Titus of the importance of good works in the life of the follower of Jesus Christ. Doing good is not about salvation but is a response to the love God has given us. We are called to love all men. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://orthrosgnosis.wordpress.com/2022/07/17/epistle-reading-for-sunday-july-17-2022/