Ins & Outs of the Gospel

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in-who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery-to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (Galatians 2:4-5 ESV) There are moments in your life that are turning points. At the time they may feel insignificant or even scary, but quite often, the weight of them is undetectable until later. On a global scale these moments exist too. We might think of them as decisive battles won in war, or we might recall later, sweeping movements culturally or politically that forever altered life. One of these moments happened in Jerusalem as the church was growing and Christianity was moving beyond being merely an offshoot of Judaism. This week we take a personal look at that meeting. They were asking the questions. What does it mean to be saved? Does God intend for Christians to be Jewish, even Gentile Christians? The answers to these questions would shape the doctrine, the church, and her mission forever. In some ways, the answers to these questions explain how and why today we can worship this Jewish teacher, Jesus. I want to encourage you to read through Galatians 1-2 before gathering for corporate worship on Sunday. It will set the scene for what we will explore. At the same time, I want to encourage you to continue to extend yourself to those who are a regular part of Hope (maybe some you haven't seen in a while due to sickness or vacations). Also, don't forget to warmly greet those that God brings through our doors. Keep on displaying God's love and grace to all!