May I have a WORD with you?

John
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

  1. 10h ago

    Ep 138 (S8E6) Galatians: Pt 4

    References: Quick ReviewGal 2:1-10The question?The ill-intentioned skeptics who want others to miss the goal (see Phil 3:14)The right hand of fellowshipRecalling Acts 10Gal 2:11-21 - the core and foundation of the Gospel2:11-15 - Paul fights for Peter. (?)Opposing him to his face - ἀνθίστημι (anth-is'-tay-mee)This was the fourth of the five smooth stones series. (Ep 055 (S3E11) Five Smooth Stones - Pt 4 Our Fighting Stance)I am planning to reprise this series this fallMat 5:39 - don’t resist an evil person, but offer the right cheek as wellMt 16:23 - Jesus opposing PeterActs 11:2 - criticised - διακρίνω (dee-ak-ree'-no)Even Baranabas was led astray2:16 - justified - made right with Godδικαιόω (dik-ah-yo'-o) verb - to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to beThe faith of Jesus Christ (?) - His faithfulness or our faith in Him and His faithfulness2:17-21This begins to show us why I call this a “thick” book, a weighty book, a challenging bookThink baptism - Romans 6:3-11 ESV

    32 min

  2. May 29

    Ep 137 (S8E5) Galatians: Pt 3

    References: Quick ReviewFormer Saul - Gal 1:13-14See Acts 7:57-8:1See Acts 26:9-11Redeemed and restored Paul - vss 15-16aSee Eph 1:3-14Compare 1:Pet 1:18-20The Christians in Judea praised God because of Paul (1:22-24)Paul receives acceptance and recognition 2:1-10Pre-2:1-10 backgroundSaul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-25)Saul sent to Tarsus (9:26-31)Barnabas and Saul team up (Acts 11:19-30)2:1-3 - Fourteen YearsIn Syria and CiliciaCircumcision vs Titus (THE question)In vain - κενός (ken-os')empty, vain, devoid of truthof words/ideas which contain nothing (Eph 5:6; Col 2:8; 1 Cor 15:14)of men (recall the parable of the vineyard)empty handedwithout a giftmetaph. destitute of spiritual wealth, of endeavours, labours, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effectJas 2:201 Cor 15:582:4-5 - ill intentioned skepticsTo spy - κατασκοπέω (kat-as-kop-eh'-o) only here in the NTfrom κατά - against, and σκοπός - mark or goalSee Phil 3:14 and compare to these intentionally contrary skeptics who want others to miss the mark2:6-8 - nothing to addJames, the brother of JesusCephas (Peter)John the elder (1, 2, 3 John)2:9-10 - an important handshakeThe right handOf fellowship (koinonia)

    35 min

  3. May 22

    Ep 136 (S8E4) Galatians: Pt 2

    References: Quick ReviewThe churches of Galatia to whom Paul was writing are the subject of Luke’s telling of Acts 13 & 14Antioch of Pisidia - near modern day Yalvaç, TurkeyIconium & Lystra - near Konya, TurkeyDerbe - near Karaman, TurkeyPaul starts the letter with both barrels blazingI’m shocked! You are abandoning the true Gospelfor a twisted one, a false GospelCurses! Anathema!1:11-24 - The Gospel is God’s, not ours to adapt to our likingThe Gospel’s source and Paul’s testimony - vss 11-16aNot human - οὐκ ἔστιν      κατὰ                  ἄνθρωπον                     not | is | according to, after, by |  manRevelation - ἀποκάλυψις (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis)laying bare, making nakeda disclosure of truth, instructionconcerning things before unknownused of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to allmanifestation, appearanceFormer Saul - vss 13-14See Acts 7:57-8:1See Acts 26:9-11Redeemed and restored Paul - vss 15-16aSee Eph 1:3-14Compare 1:Pet 1:18-20Paul’s early years before his 1st missionary journeyHe was in no hurry for affirmation from others - vss 16b-17Arabia? What scholars do with silence.Did Paul travel as far as the Sinai PenninsulaMt Sinai? (see 4:25)Moses, Elijah and now maybe Paul?Damascus? - remember Acts 9:19b-30Jerusalem and beyond - vss 18-24

    35 min

  4. May 15

    Ep 135 (S8E3) Galatians Pt 1

    References: Geographical and Ethno-Historical ContextWho were the Galatians?The cities of GalatiaAntioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, etc.Modern day TurkeyThe people of GalatiaStereotyped as brave, impulsive and superstitiousFoolish - ἀνόητος (an-o'-ay-tos) 3:1Acts 13-15 - a new world for God’s Chosen people.13: Consider Saul’s (Paul’s, vs 9) command of the ScripturesActs 13:10 - Gen 3:15Pay attention to the footnotes. Paul references or quotes from Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim TaNaK14: Consider the works of power through the SpiritVs 3 - God proved their message by the signs and wondersVss 8-12 - Paul heals a man crippled from birth and the people think he and Barnabas are Greek gods!15: I side with Galatians written before CouncilBefore Acts 15 (Early Date, c. AD 48-49)The Council’s decision aligned with Paul’s argument in GalatiansGalatians 1:1-10 - Greetings and the GospelVss 1-5Vs 1 - Paul’s credentialsVs 2 - the community who careVss 3-5 - Blessing, truth and praiseVss 6-10Vss 6-7 - Paul’s dismay at the actions of the GalatiansTurning away - μετατίθημι (met-at-ith'-ay-mee)Gospel - εὐαγγέλιον (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on)Twist - μεταστρέφω (met-as-tref'-o)Vss 8-9 - ἀνάθεμα (an-ath'-em-ah)Vs 10 - Paul is not pulling punches

    37 min

  5. May 8

    Ep 134 (S8E2) What Is the Gospel: Power for Salvation

    References: Romans 1:16-17Gospel - εὐαγγέλιον (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on)A reward for good tidings - see 2 Samuel 4Good tidings - 2 Samuel 18Mark 1:14-15 - the good news aboutPhilippians 1:5-27 - 7X in 22 vssNot Ashamed - ἐπαισχύνομαι (ep-ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee)The world’s opposition to the GospelUnashamednessGalatians 1-2Another Gospel?False Gospel μεταστρέφω (met-as-tref'-o)turning 2X - Acts 2 quoting Joel, James 4:9Corrupted, twisted, distorted - Gal 1:7 1 Thess 1:4-7Power in sufferingvs 6 - joy with trouble, affliction, severe sufferingJustification - Article 4 of the Augsburg Confession“We teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who by His death has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God accounts as righteousness in His sight, Rom. 3 and 4.”Solas - by grace alone, through faith alone, according to the Word of God alone (two others)Grace - God’s Riches At Christ’s ExpenseMercy - not to receive what I deserveGrace - to receive what I don’t deserve

    34 min

  6. May 1

    Ep 133 (S8E1) A Daily Word from the Lord

    References: The Command - Isaiah 55:6-7Seek - imperative (command)Call - also imperativeSteps of repentanceThe urgency of “while you can find Him,” and “while He is near.”If you feel far from God, who moved?He will never leave or forsakeForsaking of wicked ways - see ESVBanishing of evil thoughts - see NLTReceiving the abundantly generous forgivenessOur Transcendant God - Isa 55:8-9Reality Check - don’t project your constraints, opinions or hurts onto GodThoughts - מַחֲשָׁבָה (makh-ash-aw-baw')Gen 6:51 Chron 28:9Ps 94:5-12 MSGHigher - גָּבַהּ  (gaw-bah')Exalted - God’s waysHaughty - human waysThe Majesty of MysteryWe squirm when God and God’s ways don’t make sense to us.But rejoice that God’s mercy and forgiveness are so far above our ability to be merciful and forgivingGod’s Word is Powerful!Agricultural exampleAs rain and snow are to physical lifeSo is God’s word to spiritual lifePromised PowerIt produces fruitIt accomplishes God’s intended purposeGod is not into idle talkHis words are intentionalPurposeful SendingIt is prosperousApplication Challenge:This week, identify one "thought" or "way" that you need to surrender to God's "higher way." Spend one minute each morning reading these six verses slowly, asking God to let His Word "water" your heart like rain on dry ground.Then spend another four minutes reading a paragraph or two in the New Testament. See what fruit comes in your life from the practice

    34 min

  7. Apr 24

    Ep 132 (S7E17) Hope in Grief: God is Good

    References: Grief, suffering, hardship, pain… These are not signs of God’s abandonment or condemnation.Romans 8:35, 37-39Counter cultural The promise that allows people of faith to grieve differentlyPaul’s last letter, near the end of his life (martyrdom)2 Timothy 2:1-14The reality of discipleshipWhat witness do you bear when you are suffering?Endurance - κακοπαθέω (kak-op-ath-eh'-o)to suffer (endure) evils (hardships, troubles), to be afflictedUsed 4 times in NT3X in 2 Tim1X in James 5:13Three images, metaphorsSoldier - command and obedienceAthlete - coach and trainingFarmer - bearing fruit and receiving the blessingVs 7 - Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.The trustworthy saying - vs 11-13If we die with Him… - baptism?If we endure hardship… - the Christian witness?If we deny Him… - a full comprehension of and rejection of grace?If we are faithless… - even when I can’t trust Him, He remains trustworthy.2 Tim 2:14’s words!λογομαχέω (log-om-akh-eh'-o) logomachyLogomachy - a dispute, argument, or "war of words" centered on the meaning, usage, or interpretation of words rather than on substantial issues.A compound of logos (words) and machomai (strive or fight)A NT hapax legomenonκαταστροφή (kat-as-trof-ay') catastropheIn 2 Timothy 2:14 and2 Peter 2:62 Timothy 4:9-18Paul is sufferingBut not despairingWhat about you and me?

    35 min

  8. Apr 17

    Eph 131 (S7E16) Where the Power Lies

    References: Still being in the season of Easter I wanted to share with you some powerful insights the Lord laid on my heart that I shared with people at our late Good Friday Service.Reading the Passion According to St John 18:1-19:42Three images of powerJohn 18:3-9John 19:5-11John 19:25-27The display of worldly power met by True PowerAs the contingent arrived with torches, clubs and weapons, Jesus “stepped forward.”Jesus interrogated this group, “who are you looking for?”When they said Jesus the Nazarene, Jesus said “I Am.” - Ἐγώ εἰμι - ego eimiMoses asking God at the burning bush “Who should I say sent me?” God responded with “I Am that I Am. Tell them ‘I Am’ sent you.”At Jesus’ declaration of the divine name, the one’s who thought they had all the power were defeated, knocked over.The person who had the worldly power in that entire region is corrected by the I Am with all the real power.Pilate brings the scourged, abused, bloodied, thorn crowned Jesus out to the people following the strong-arming of the soldiers.The religious leaders say Jesus deserves to die because He claimed to be “son of god.”I put son and god in lower case to suggest how Pilate may have heard these words.That would have reminded him of how the Roman Emperor would take the name “divi filius,” Latin for son of god.Pilate plays his last power card.Don’t you realize I have the authority to set you free or crucify you?Jesus corrects Pilate. You have no authority except what has been given to you from My Father.In Jesus’ final sayings from the cross He demonstrates the power to still obey His Father by keeping the 5th of the 10 commandments.Honor your father and mother.Jesus saw to the completion of His obedience by entrusting John with it’s fulfillment.He calls us to fulfill His love for others by the new commandment to love others as we’ve been loved by Jesus.

    34 min
See All (138)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

Information

  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 May I have a WORD with you?
  • Show Website
    May I have a WORD with you?

You Might Also Like