Gal, Phil, 1+2 Thes, 1+2 Cor, Phlm, Eph, Col, Rom, 1+2 Tim, & Tit

We heard about Paul from a humble guy named Robert Henneser. He emphasizes the fact that Jesus fulfilled the law, He didn't replace it. Paul didn't replace his heritage with this new belief rather he tried to scout out this new idea through the lens of his heritage. Paul didn't struggle with a world that didn't believe rather he ministered to a world struggling with idolatry (disobedience). We think history is headed to the end (eschatology), but Paul didn't. Paul saw history going somewhere. He looked to the future of the world. The Old Testament emphasizes the importance of physical circumcision but in the New Testament Paul emphasizes that the real importance is circumcision of the heart. Paul translates faith into loyalty. Prove your allegiance by obeying.

As you get older you should realize that nothing is black and white. Be more weary of someone who’s rigid and unwilling to change than someone willing to admit they don’t know anything. You will encounter rejection if you follow God and want to do something significant for Him. Every biblical message should sound like freedom if not then someone should rethink how they are saying it. People don't have to like it but the underlying message should always be freedom. We must believe in the power of love and transformation instead of fearing what trouble someone might get into as a free person. Loving God and loving others should be our number one daily goal. Notice that loving yourself is not up there, that comes when the first is prioritized.

Righteousness is a declaration, not a description. We have a duty to our society, to think about what will be the most loving and convenient for others rather than what’s convenient for ourselves. Sometimes things are permissible but not beneficial. Don’t argue if it’s not worth it. With God, there aren’t many green lights but many red ones. Just get moving. Just go. God will direct you. Don’t worry about it. God will let you know. Often you might want to do something but God might say no. You may not understand in the moment but most likely later on you will thank Him and see in hindsight what He was doing and how He was protecting you. During his second missionary journey, Paul would have seen the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.

Paul realizes in Corinth that his preachings don’t make sense. He’s talking about a victor who lost (this king dies), a lord who was crucified (most shameful death), crucified yet raised from the dead (this doesn’t happen), He’s alive but you can’t see him (brother what?). (1 Thessalonians 1:3) We can take away faith, hope, and love but also recognize the work, labor, and endurance it took. Paul doesn’t care how you pray, teach, or worship. It matters more how you live. If you want to do something worthwhile, you will pay. If you ever want to do something significant know that you will struggle. But don’t worry, Jesus is in control, it’ll work out in the end. You will receive an even bigger reward on earth and in heaven. Work hard. Focus on the small and simple things, those are the things that tend to make the most difference.

The meaning of Parousia is the return of Messiah. This isn't the idea that we leave and go up somewhere to Him but that we go out to greet Him to bring Him in. If an important person arrives at your house you go out to meet them to bring them in. You don't welcome them in and then leave as they show up. You also don't bring someone to a messy house. You clean up before they arrive. Now apply this to Parousia. Heaven isn't just a place to look forward to as if you go up there after death. It's a place to live out here and now. Heaven can be acquired in your daily life. It's now but it's also coming, it is confusing but it doesn't matter. What matters is the application of these lessons. Do not sit around waiting to escape to some other reality but think what are we doing with this reality here and now? Where is this history heading? Belief shapes action. If your action isn't right then something about your belief is wrong.

Make what's important to God important to you. Get dressed for the day even when you look outside and it's still nighttime. 'Fake it till you make it' is quite biblical in what Paul is saying. Do you believe the kingdom is coming, are you ready? If you do drugs, you make Jesus do drugs too. If you get into bad stuff you're taking Jesus with you. He is in you. It's the same concept as, if you would take your grandma with you. What are you dealing with and trying to do on your own that causes you to feel like you need to do that? Give your burdens to Jesus and act in righteousness. If you think you're free to drink alcohol, consider who you are influencing. We are meant to be the light of the world. How are you acting when you drink? Have maturity and self-control, given to you by God if you ask. Doing the right thing will cause you to feel better about yourself. Set aside that shame and regret from the enemy.

Don't go out to be served but to empty yourself. Follow your higher calling. We need missionaries in all areas of the marketplace. It's not what you do on Sunday that matters, but what you do Monday through Saturday. In whatever place you are, ask God what He wants you to do there. Jesus doesn't speak of some good ideas, He speaks on nonnegotiables. God = Jesus, biblically and mathematically that means, Jesus = God. Believing in the love that Jesus has for me also means living a life of integrity. Don't attend an amazing worship night to go home and steal from your siblings again. Keep making small changes in your life to continue your personal growth. When you wash your dishes, you're doing it for God, do a good job.

Sharing the gospel is not for more people to go to Heaven but for more Israel. Israel is God's people, His chosen, the kingdom of God here on earth. I honestly could care less if I go to Heaven, I care more about living this life right, which is living for Jesus. Don't get jealous if God blesses the idiot and not you. Paul struggled throughout his life, yet he was still happy for those God had blessed. The Bible isn't about Heaven. It is about living your life right here and now! Culture isn't evil or beyond God. Christ says He comes to transform culture. Culture is rotten and wrong but not too far gone for God. Don't let culture shape you. Allow God to shape culture through you. It's called the upsidedown gospel because people typically go for the flashy guy but the gospel says pay attention to the poor and the ugly. Go against the norm. Challenge tradition. Stand out. Don't conform.

As Paul writes Romans, he is fearful that as he explains how they need to renew their faith, it might come off as a whole new faith. Paul didn't want a disconnect between old and new. He saw it as one, as the church should incorporate Jesus into their Jewish heritage rather than dropping their history and starting again. When you catch a flight, you enter into 'predestination'. Suppose you are not on the flight, you are not predestined. It is the plane that is predestined not you. You aren't going anywhere unless you are on the flight. The ticket is free, all you have to do is get on the plane. There are plenty of seats. Say you have a shiny new mirror and it's left out for a while. It will get dusty, but the mirror isn't dirty, it has just got dirt on it. All you have to do is wash it off through repentance. Repentance is a simple sincere apology. Set aside pride and do this daily.

Stop asking what you might do after. Ask, who do you want to be? How do you want people to remember you? How do you want to build your character? We are all different. You will never become exactly like someone else, but you can learn how to express yourself through high moral standards. Someday we have to give ourselves to a greater purpose and endure what comes of that charge whether it's joining the army and reporting to your higher up, pursuing a sport and having to work hard in that, or dying for Christ and giving up selfish desires for something better.