Good morning … Great is His faithfulness …
Psalm 98.9,1
Exalt the Lord our God. Verse: The Lord reigns; let the people tremble.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So, with us, when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
- I talked about (v. 22) – which we did not read but was vital to our teaching this morning … According to the Orthodox Study Bible commentary “faith in” should be translated “faith of” – I know I have shared this before this app is also great in helping understand scripture: https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/gal/3/1/t_conc_1094022 - Two faiths are cooperating with each other: Most importantly our faith in Christ is foremost; secondarily the faith of those who believe … People of the OT had faith, they could not participate in Christ’s faith because He had not yet come …
- In (v. 27) St. Paul directly relates saving faith as being baptized …
- (vv. 28-29): We share one human nature in Christ … We aren’t to value people based of opinions or even ethnicity – (neither Jew nor Greek), not pride or even social status – (neither slave nor free), or gender – (neither male nor female), none of these should have place in the Church, because all are one in nature, as well as being equal in dignity as well as respect towards one another …
Galatians 4: Notes:
- Child is not referring to age but to understanding Guardians and stewards are the ones who provide special protection required for spiritual growth, salve refers to one under a taskmaster, in this case it’s referring to the Law …
- Elements of the world is referring to philosophies and traditions developed by all of humanity without any regard to God – (Colossians 2:8) …
Colossians 2:8: 8 Beware lest anyone [a]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
- See this morning’s video for the rest of the study, the last part was mostly read from my Orthodox Study Bible commentary …
The Gospel According to Luke 20:1-8
At that time, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to Him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority." He answered them, "I also will ask you a question; now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?" And they discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet." So, they answered that they did not know whence it was. And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
- See this morning’s study video – it talked about “What is Jesus’ authority??? And talked about His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which He referred to THESE THINGS …
VIDEO TOTAL TIME 22:34 – I also let it flow and spoke about the importance of being one in Christ, and how we are to do our part bringing more to Christ, and how we are live as good stewards, guardians of the truth of His words, and be great ministers of His greatness, the true definition of minister is serving someone’s else’s will …
Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
In Christ love Jared W Campbell
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