Jesus Changes People

In this next section, Paul uses visual descriptions to drive his point home to the Galatians. One about running, one about baking, and one about a surgical procedure. From these, Mike and Ken discuss running well, what keeps us on track and gets us off track. What yeast is and the influence it has in our own lives and the life of our Christian communities. And the importance of sharing the pure Gospel, and the persecution that comes when we do, and the penalty when we don’t. A college student asks the guys for help in finding Christian community while they’re at school. Another Bible misprint could have caused a lot of confusion. And which of the guys doesn’t like to go out for a nice jog?

Passage: Galatians 5:7-12

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Galatians 5 starts off with a bang. Paul declares, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. And for that reason he says stand firm and don’t be burdened with a yoke of slavery. Ken and Mike discuss being free, how that’s possible through Jesus’ death, and how we’re to stand, hold, and resist in our freedom. They also discuss Paul’s negative description of those who don’t stand, and his positive description of those who do. A listener wants to know if the guys have any travel hacks they might be willing to share. And is basketball really talked about in the Bible? Who’s fallen and can’t get up? And how in the world do Weeble Wobbles find their way in to the conversation? 

Passage: Galatians 5:1-6

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Paul concludes his allegory by telling the Galatians who they are in the story. And based on who they are, how they are to live and act both personally and as churches. Mike and Ken discuss what it means to be children of promise; that we can’t change or reform the flesh; the incompatibility of flesh and spirit; how a person lives free; and how our understanding of identity affects our behavior. The guys have uncovered another Christian theme park. It’s called Bible Land. They want to know if it’s still around and want picture proof. Also, a church staffer emailed and asked the guy’s help to plan a team building outing for their staff. The guys have some good and not so good ideas.

Passage: Galatians 4:28-31

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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? There’s something in this episode that might give you cause for pause. Also, a listener wants to know the guy’s thoughts or opinions on verse by verse preaching, topical preaching, or any other approaches they’ve seen or used themselves.

Passage: Galatians 4:24-27

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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 introduction to the comparison Paul will make in the verses to follow. A listener asks the guys what unsolved mysteries, religious or otherwise, they would love to have solved. And how do Lamaze and bouncy houses find their way into the episode?

Passage: Galatians 4:19-23

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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 them in the guy’s lives. How do bugs and terrors of the night make it into this episode? And is this podcast a vaudeville show?

Passage: Galatians 4:8-18

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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 for, and how we are no longer slaves but sons. It’s a retro episode with 1970s music and an Atari game finding their way into the episode. Also, what holidays are recognized on July 15th, and would the guys consider any of them celebration worthy?

Passage: Galatians 4:1-7

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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 Ken and
Mike, as they share these facts with us again. The 6 Did You Knows came from
these 6 episodes:

Season 1 - Episode 2 - January 13, 2022 - Come And See
Season 1 - Episode 6 - February 9, 2022 - Becoming Less
Season 1 - Episode 7 - February 16, 2022 - Putting It Into Practice | John 1-3
Season 1 - Episode 31 - August 1, 2022 - Betrayal and Denial
Season 1 - Episode 21 - May 23, 2022 - Putting It Into Practice | John 6:16-8:11
Season 1 - Episode 43 - October 24, 2022 - As The Father Has Sent Me

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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 heir. What genre classification would you give to a band named Candle? A listener asks the guys a question that really stretches them. And the guys venture into DIY projects.

Passage: Galatians 3:23-29

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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 limited in what it can offer a person. A listener asks the guys to rate their favorite cheeses. What church holiday is celebrated on June the 24th? And the guys add a 9th studio to their repertoire. Who’s got the new digs for this episode?

Passage: Galatians 3:19-22

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