When Paul publicly confronts the apostle Peter, he’s not just being contentious, he is contending for the unity of the church and the true significance of the salvation made possible by Jesus. The gospel both demands a response to what Christ has done for us and calls us to challenge those who use man-made demands to deny the gospel.

An angel takes Ezekiel on a guided tour through the coming Temple. This temple remains empty until God sees to it that it is filled. This passage ends with the law of the temple being the promise that God will bring His spirit and His people into it.

Paul's meeting with the Jerusalem Apostles demonstrates the importance and shape of Christian unity. The Bible envisions a tremendous unity for those who are in Christ where differences are transcended in love. Because we are all in Christ we should pursue fellowship, cooperation and taking care of one another.

As Ezekiel continues to lay out a message of hope after the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people, we see that God's plan of restoration for Israel is expansive. He will resurrect and reunite the nation, and preserve them from attack as only he can do.

Paul says the Gospel is not "according to man", it does not align with man made systems of value and worth. When Paul encountered Christ it was an interruption and an intervention that made him a whole new person. When we truly encounter the gospel it does the same to us.

With the destruction of Jerusalem Ezekiel is proven to be a true prophet and turns his messages to what comes next. Whereas the book has focused on judgment, Ezekiel now begins to lay out a message of hope which culminates not just in the restoration of Israel but a veritable return to Eden.

Paul presents a severe warning about believing in other gospels (that are no gospel at all). What is it that makes the good news of Jesus Christ so unique? Here we see that when we add to the gospel we don't just dilute it, we deny it. Underneath this warning is the glorious truth of what makes the good news good.

After the long break since last we met, Pastor Justin took this first week back to review the events of Ezekiel 1-32. God has called Ezekiel to a ministry which no one will appreciate or heed, but at the fulfillment of these prophecies, no one will be able to deny that Ezekiel speaks for God. God's plan is for judgment upon Israel and Judah, but also for those who oppress Israel and Judah.

The book of Psalms closes with a work that acts as the logical follow up the every message from each of the psalms -- praising God. Pastor Andy highlights the psalm's prescription of where to worship, how to worship, why to worship, and who should worship (Psalm 150).

In this psalm, we find the writer in a time of deep despair and depression. God leads him on the surprising path of remembrance, the act of interpreting present questions/doubts through past cases to poise us for the future (Psalm 77).