May I have a WORD with you?

John
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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. 2d ago

    Ep 148 (S9E2) A Mind Changing Parable: Pt 1

    References: A Jesus Parable and Romans 12:1-2Conformed - συσχηματίζω (soos-khay-mat-id'-zo)BLB - to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to)1 Peter 1:14Transformed - μεταμορφόω (met-am-or-fo'-o) as in Christ’s transfigurationBLB - to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure2 Corinthians 3:16-18Matthew 25:31-46 - the Sheep and the Goats parableSeparate - ἀφορίζω (af-or-id'-zo) BLB - to mark off from others by boundaries, to limit, to separateWord from which we get “aphorism” (compare proverb)Proverbs …are a traditional, popular saying rooted in folk wisdom that offers common-sense advice.focus on moral instruction, caution, or practical guidance for daily life.Aphorisms…are a clever, original observation on life usually attributed to a specific writer or thinker.aim to provoke thought, offer a fresh philosophical insight, or reveal a deeper reality.Sheep from GoatsBeing a sheep is to practice joyful generosityBeing a goat is to practice transactional kindness“Lord, when did we see you… and not help you?”Goat mindset considers self first.“How can I help” may be based on convenience, obligation, or an attention seeking righteousness (see the “hypocrites” teachings in Mt 6, esp MSG).See people through the lens of utility, measuring others by what they offer or cost.Biblical support or clarification1 John 4:20 (NLT): Our treatment of the visible "least of these" is the ultimate diagnostic of our invisible faith.James 2:15–17 (NLT): Real faith isn't abstract theoretical agreement; it has hands and feet.Judgement: “‘when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”Into eternal punishment!I don’t want to be a “Goat.” Nope, nope, no, nope.

  2. Sep 4

    Ep 147 (S9E1) Working Hard or Slaving Away: The work of being free

    References: Labor Day Weekend - back to עָבַדLabor - עָבַד (aw-vad')Work - as in till or cultivateGen 2:5, 15 - part of the 1st command of God, a blessingGen 3:23 - a part of the curse in the fall story Serve, slave - a prophetic word to AbramGen 15:13 - God describes the time of Israel in Egypt after Joseph has died and been forgottenGen 15:14 - God’s judgement upon the Egyptians who will enslave IsraelServe - working for another for compensationGen 29:15, 18, 20, 25, 27, 30 - Jacob working for LabanGen 31:40-42 - “I have עָבַד you” for 20 years and you’ve changed my wages 10 times!So עָבַד can feel like slavery or like freedom and flourishing. It all depends on who you עָבַד. God rescues the Israelites so that they can עָבַד Him through life-giving work.   Ex 3:12 - עָבַד - serve, worshipEx 20:5, 9 - 10 commandmentsThe Hebrew word עָבַד translated into NT GreekFrom Gen 2 - till, work = ἐργάζομαι (er-gad'-zom-ahee)Think of ergonomic (ergon-work + nomos-law)Mt 21:28; Mk 14:6; Lk 13:14From ἔργον - see John 17:4 “I have finished the WORK…” From Exodus - forced service, enslave = καταδουλόω (kat-ad-oo-lo'-o)Gal 2:4From δοῦλος (doo'-los) - servant or slaveSee Rom 1:1; Phil 1:1; Titus 1:1Also Rom 6:16-20So be a good ἐργάτης (er-gat'-ace) worker2 Tim 2:15-211 Peter 2:15-17

  3. Jul 31

    Ep 146 (S8E14) Gospel Lessons from Galatians

    References: The Gospel: it is not ours to adapt to our comfort or likingWhat is a “false” Gospel? - deliberately twisting the truth concerning Christ - 1:7Wanting the Gospel to align with my life choices - 2 Tim 4:3-4What might equate with circumcision today? (compare Col 2:13-23)Denominations? Or doctrinal convictions. (we are the “right” ones)Outward appearance? (black vehicles at church)Political opinions? (you can’t vote that way and be a Christian)The True Gospel - how are we sinners put in right standing before God?It is not about what I DO but about what God HAS DONE. - Gal 2:16-21Romans 3:20-31Ephesians 2:1-10Our Changing GuardiansThe Law - meant to show us our sin and need for a SaviorMirror - Rom 3:20Hammer - Rom 4:15Guide - ??? (what about the Law of Christ Gal 6:2 (Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.); 1 Cor 9:19-21; consider antinomianism (Jn 13:34; Jas 2:8))Works of the flesh (while under the guardianship of the Law?)Gal 5:16-21; 1 Pet 2:11; 1 Jn 2:16Col 3:5-17 - putting off and putting onThe Holy Spirit as Guardian - fruit bearing (fruit of the Spirit)Freedom! Gal 5:1 - for freedom Christ has set us freeFreedom from slavery to the law does not mean anything goes. That would be freedom from Christ which is bondage to sin.Freedom in Christ means–because of Christ’s completed work fulfilling the law’s demands–I can be free to be right before God and filled with the SpiritAssiduously and patiently waiting - ACTIVE not passiveAug Conf Art. 6 - the New ObedienceOn the one hand but then the OtherSpiritual WarfareIll intentioned skeptics - Gal 2:4-5Hapax legomenon - κατασκοπέω - to spyAgainst the goalOpposite of Phil 3:14Fighting for one another - Gal 2:11-15 - guarding against Acts 15:36-41προγράφω designated before hand (in the scriptures of the OT), to write before the eyes of all who can read, to depict, portray, paint, before the eyesRom 15:4Judgement on false teachers (see esp. Jude 1:4ff)Summer Break! - End of Season 8. I’ll be back with Season 9.

  4. Jul 24

    Ep 145 (S8E13) Galatians: Pt 11

    References: Quick ReviewGal 5:16-26The Spirit is our new guardian, not the LawThe desires of the sinful natureThe fruit of the SpiritStay in ranks and march with the SpiritWhat’s Next?Gal 6:1-18Vss 1-3Restoration in meekness - πραότης (prah-ot'-ace)Fruit - Gal 5:23; 1 Cor 4:21; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12Adjective two forms- meek: πρᾶος, πραΰςMt 5:5; 11:29; 21:5; 1 Pt 3:4Wisdom: see BLB on πραΰς The law of Christ and an appropriate self perceptionVss 4-6To test, prove, approve - δοκιμάζω (dok-im-ad'-zo)1 Pt 1:7Rom 12:2No codependency in the Spirit filled, Spirit led lifeVss 7-10Mocked - hapax legomenon μυκτηρίζω (mook-tay-rid'-zo)to turn up the nose or sneer atto mock, derideFrom μυκάομαι - to low, bellow, roarA sort of onomatopoeia (moo)Recall Jeremiah’s lament in Jer 20:7Selfish living as one filled with the Spirit is mocking God.Make use of καιρός to do good, for the benefit ofVss 11-18Note the large letters of vs 11 in the NLTVss 12-18 in MSGThose who walk by the standard or rule - κανώνἸσραήλ (is-rah-ale')  יִשְׂרָאֵל  JacobThe JewsThe Christian Church - grafted inWrapping Up GalatiansThe Law: you must do it The Gospel, good news: God has done itFreedom in the later, bondage in the former

  5. Jul 17

    Ep 144 (S8E12) Galatians: Pt 10

    References: Quick ReviewGal 5:1-15Paul is turning from doctrinal arguments to ethical ones. True freedom in Christ, from the law, is not license to sinImageryThe raceAssiduously waitingA little yeastCastrationBiting and destructionGalatians 5:16-26Vss 16-18The new guardian - not the law any longer, but the SpiritWalk by the Spirit - περιπατέω (per-ee-pat-eh'-o)Rom 6:4; 8:4; 1 Cor 3:3Not the weakness of the flesh but the power of the SpiritWants and desires (of the natural selfish self and of the Spirit-filled self)Think of Rom 7Read in MSGVss 19-23On the one hand19-21 - ἐπιθυμέω (ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o) the desires of the sinful natureNot an exhaustive listDon’t allow your mind to think of all the people you know who fit this list. Rather ask the Spirit to show you were you get trappedRead it in MSG for a new or different perspectiveOn the other hand22-23 - the Holy Spirit producesFruit is singularWe can’t let ourselves off the hook here either. (“I’m pretty good at kindness, but definitely not patience.”)These are not works I do to get rewarded for. Rather they reflect a life surrendered to God, filled with the Spirit, fulfilling the “word” to love others selflesslyThese cannot be legislated.Vss 24-26Crucified the flesh - σταυρόω (stow-ro'-o) a matter of surrendering - again pointing to Rom 6Walk in step with the Spirit - not περιπατέω, but στοιχέω (stoy-kheh'-o) think of soldiers marching - see MSGWhen we are living this way, it also casts out prideful comparisonsWhat’s next?

  6. Jul 10

    Ep 143 (S8E11) Galatians: Pt 9

    References: Quick ReviewGal 4:21-31Lesson from the Torah in allegorySarah, the mother of the promise, heavenly JerusalemHagar, the mother of slavery, Mt Sinai, the LawBeing children of the promise, of freedom, of the power of the indwelling of the Holy SpiritRemember the limits of allegoryWhat’s next?Gal 5:1-15Vs 1 - for freedom Christ has set us freeFreedom from slavery to the law does not mean anything goes. That would be freedom from Christ which is bondage to sin.Freedom in Christ means–because of Christ’s completed work fulfilling the law’s demands–I can be free to be right before God and filled with the SpiritThis is a transition point from the clear doctrine of grace to the ethical life in the SpiritVss 2-4 - thinking that the law can in anyway make us right before God is making Christ and His work of no benefit ὠφελέω (o-fel-eh'-o) profit nothingVs 5 - the last compact explication of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in the letter.Notice the “we.” Up till here, Paul was talking to the Galatians with “you.”Eagerly wait - ἀπεκδέχομαι (ap-ek-dekh'-om-ahee) - BLB def - assiduously and patiently waiting forAssiduously (adverb) means doing something with great care, sustained effort, and unwavering attention to detail. It describes working diligently, tirelessly, and with meticulous persistence. dictionary.comThis word in the BLB definition shows the actual “work” called forth from us by the Spirit, sanctification, what the Augsburg Confession calls the “New Obedience.”Vss 7-12Running the race - play with the imagery - 2 Tim 2:5Paul often used sports imagery for life in ChristSee also 1 Cor 9:24-27; Phil 3:13-14; 2 Tim 4:6-8“Who has held you back…”The little yeastBeware the yeast of the Pharisees - JesusRecall Jesus’ parable in Mt 13:33The Galatians make a BIG measure of flour into which this little leaven is being sewn Were “cut off,” ἀποκόπτω (ap-ok-op'-to) - amputated, in this context, castratedVss 13-15 - freedom to serveThe law in “one word,” - Lev 19:1810 commandments - decalogue deca=10, logue from logos=word thus the “10 words”Recall Jesus’ summary of all the Lawδάκνω (dak'-no) a hapax legomenonto bite with the teethmetaph., to wound the soul, cut lacerate, rend with reproaches“Beware of destroying one another.” NLT “consume” in ESV - recall James and John wanting to call down fire from heaven to destroy or consume the Samaritans who would not receive Jesus.What’s Next?

  7. Jul 3

    Ep 142 (S8E10) Galatians: Pt 8

    References: Quick ReviewGal 4:1-20Being on guard against the elemental principles that reduce us to children of the universe rather than living in the power of the Spirit as children of God.The true powerlessness and poverty that leads us to humbly receive the truthThe travail of childbirth that brings forth new children of promiseWhat’s next?Galatians 4:21-31Vss 21-23Genesis 15 through 18Ch 15 - Abram says a slave will become his heir. God says no, and promises a son. Vs 6 “Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”Ch 16 - The promised child isn’t coming, so Sarai concocts a plan B and Abram submits to the scheme. Hagar becomes pregnant and gives Abram a son, Ishmael.Ch 17 - circumcision, the sign of the covenant. Renaming.Ch 18 - the promise is renewed. A son will be given through Sarah. She and Abraham laugh. Ch 19 & 20 - other stuffCh 21 - the birth of Isaac (laughter), the promise. Abe is 100 yrs old. Vs 22-26: the allegory - two women, two covenants“These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants.”ἀλληγορέω (al-lay-gor-eh'-o) hapax legomenona story, poem, or piece of art where characters and events act as symbols. It is essentially an extended metaphor designed to reveal a hidden or broader meaning, such as a moral, religious, or political lesson. - Miriam-Webster onlineThe two levels of allegoryThe literal - what’s really happeningThe symbolic - the hidden meaning, abstract idea, or real-world concept those events and actions represent.Plato’s allegory of the caveGeorge Orwell’s “Animal Farm”Hagar - Mt Sinai, Law, Jerusalem in bondageSarah - heavenly Jerusalem, freedomVs 27 - OT Prophetic reflective interludeRelating Sarah to the childless woman who now has many childrenFoot note - Isaiah 54:1Note that this comes abruptly after the suffering servant of Is 53Vss 28-31 - casting off the bondage of the lawChildren of the “promise” - ἐπαγγελία (ep-ang-el-ee'-ah)See Acts 1:4 - the “promise” of the FatherThe Holy SpiritBeing persecuted - διώκω (dee-o'-ko)Used by Jesus 4X in Mt 5 Sermon on the MountPaul used it of himself in Gal 1Gen 21:9 - “But Sarah saw Ishmael making fun of her son, Isaac.”Vs 30 - get rid of the slave and her sonGen 21:10-21A great nation from IshmaelVs 31 - we are not children of the slave woman but of the free womanLearn the lesson of allegorythe limits of allegoryWe don’t want to miss the human lessons of the actual, or literal, story of GenesisThe allegorical reading does not negate the bad behavior of Abraham and SarahHagar in Gen 16 - called God El-roi, the God who sees me.On to Freedom in Christ!

  8. Jun 26

    Ep 141 (S8E9) Galatians: Pt 7

    References: Quick ReviewGal 3:15-29Seed vs seedsAbraham vs Moses (heir vs slave)Jesus our mediator & the law our tutorPromise vs keeping the lawWhat’s next?Galatians 4:1-20Vss 1-7Heir, child, slave, guardian, managerRemember the vineyard and tenants (Mt 21; Mk 12; Lk 20)Consider 1 Cor 13:11 - gives new meaningδοῦλος - servant, slave - very common in NTGuardian = stewardBasic spiritual principles - στοιχεῖον (stoy-khi'-on)The foundational elements of life apart from life in the SpiritABCs - Col 2:8, 20A revival - Desiderata (Max Ehrmann’s “child of the universe” philosophy)Vss 8-16Consider the weak, worthless word πτωχός (pto-khos')Compare fleshly spirituality with HS SpiritualityMt 5:3 “poor” in spirit; Mt 11:5 “poor” have the gospel preached to themGalatians are choosing the poverty of homelessnessVss 12-16 - Paul’s povertyHow he came to themTheir overlooking of his temptation (KJV) πειρασμός (pi-ras-mos') trialLead us not into πειρασμόςJas 1:2 - consider it pure joy when πειρασμός comeWould have given him their own eyes?Vss 17-20See vs 17 in MSGThe pain of childbirth - ὠδίνω (o-dee'-no)see ὠδίν - Mt 24:8; Mk 13:8 - the beginnings of the labor painscompare συνωδίνω - Rom 8:22Since he is writing rather than talking face to face Paul isperplexed - ἀπορέω (ap-or-eh'-o)John 13:22 - one of you will betray me2 Cor 4:8 - “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”He will keep trying to get through to them, though, soStay tuned!

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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.

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  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    148
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 May I have a WORD with you?
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    May I have a WORD with you?

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