Real Talk - Beyond My Boundaries Acts 11:1-18

Getting away from religious business God brings about revival and introduces our Redeemer. Take a moment to see what God does in places that we consider harsh and inhospitable. It will help us not to waste our wilderness. Listen in!

Matthew turns his attention from the narrative about how Jesus entered the world to how He entered ministry. To give his readers a good view of the good news about how Jesus ministry began the former tax collector tells about the work of the forerunner - John the Baptist. The mention of those days (ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις - v1) is, broadly speaking, a reference to the period of time when Jesus was living in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). During that time Archelaus had come to reign over Judea instead of his father Herod (Matthew 2:22). Jesus earthly father, Joseph, was warned by God in dream about the danger posed by the son of Herod. So Joseph, in returning from Egypt to the land of Israel (Matthew 2:19-21), chose to keep some distance between his family and crazy dictators; the carpenter took up residence in Nazareth. More specifically those days were in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1). During this time “the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias” in the wilderness (Luke 3:2; John 1:31-33).

When John the Baptist arrives on the scene (παραγίνεται) he is preaching and baptizing in the wilderness. What is he preaching? He is saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was an in-your-face message to the people who are supposed to already know God. Hmmm. Where was he preaching? In the wilderness. Interesting.

In the message (Repent) and location (wilderness of Judea) we have no small amount of significance. By preaching and baptizing in the wilderness John’s ministry fulfills a prophesied location requirement for the ministry of the Messiah’s herald - it would be in a place that is underdeveloped and uninhabited. Isaiah, 700 years earlier, had prophesied that the coming of the Lord would be preceded by someone calling people to repentance. Indeed, says Isaiah, the preaching will happen not in the relative comfort of an urban environment but in an uncomfortable and remote region regarded as wilderness or desert. Why is John in the boonies with a call to get right? It was not John’s idea. Matthew says it was sign ordained by God (v 3):

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 

“Prepare the way of the Lord; 

Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. 

(Isaiah 40:3, NKJV)

His call to repentance is preparing the way of the Lord. That fact that he is doing it away from the city and synagogue shows that the call is away from a broken religious system that was chiefly concerned with appearances.

Should it matter that over two thousand years ago a camel-wearing young man was preaching and baptizing folk in the wilderness of Judea? Is it relevant that John the Baptist came on the scene in fulfillment of prophecies (1) calling people to turn back to God and (2) promising that the kingdom was at hand? It does matter, my friend?

In the ministry of a wily prophet in the wilderness is a message of hope for us:

God keeps his promises, has a solution for what ails us most, and cares enough to make us uncomfortable with life saving Truth.

Listen in!

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

Why It Matters that There Is One God

Does the evangelical belief that there is one God really matter? Is it a doctrine that does anything or just a dogma used to justify separatist behavior and condescending views of other cultures.

The monotheism of our faith is more than a mindset; it is missional. With the revelation of His oneness comes responsibility. The same God who said that He alone is God has also said in both covenants that those who have this truth are His witnesses (Isaiah 43:10, 12; Acts 1:8). With the belief that there is one God is the call to love Him above all (Deuteronomy 6:5) and the blessed burden of bringing the truth to the world. Does the evangelical belief that there is one God really matter? It is part of the basis for being a witness and the behavior of witnessing.

Why It Matters That God Created The Heavens and the Earth

   Does it matter that we believe that God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them? If we accept the record provided in Genesis… if we believe the Bible it matters.

    It matters because with this faith we see human life as what it really is: sacred and by nature bearing a special resemblance to our Creator. Creeds like this make men treat women, also created in the image of God, with the dignity that comes with being imago dei. With this belief we cannot be without compassion when we see his image bearers lacking basic needs.

    It matters because with this faith we realize that our God has given a great and gracious gift to us in this planet. With this belief we show our gratitude for the gift by leading the way in good stewardship of the garden. Christians, bolstered by the belief that the earth is a blessing, have a special zeal in recycling, protecting the environment, and showing respect for animals.

    It matters because when we walk under the wonder of the sun and the moon and the stars and the trees and birds and the bees next to the river and by the ocean we cannot help but to be struck by wonder and break into worship to the One who is worthy.

    Does it matter that we believe that God created the heavens and the earth? This kind of faith begets a better world by moving those who have it us to love more, lead in caring for the environment, and launch into genuine worship. Yeah, it matters.

Revealing the Real Reasons (Galatians 6:11–13, NKJV)
12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
The Judaizers wanted the Galatians to believe the lie of legitimizing their salvation through the works of the law. A lot of the pressure from the legalists can be summarized as a push to be circumcised (Galatians 5:2-6; 6:12). With large letters Paul now writes to reveal the real reasons behind the pushing.

Here is the deal, guys: They are obsessed with good optics. They are fixated on fine showings in the flesh. They are consumed by conceited concerns for currying favor that will lessen . Why? These men-pleasers (Galatians 1:10) are calling you to cut yourselves to for two reasons: (i) to minimize the scandal of the cross and (ii) for their boasting before (1 Samuel 18).

F Bruce, scholar among scholars, promotes a travel-to-stop-tribulation theory in his commentary on Galatians. I stand among those who believe this to be far fetched.

If the trouble-makers could persuade the Gentile Christians to accept circumcision, that might preserve the Jerusalem church and its daughter-churches in Judaea from reprisals at the hands of Zealot-minded militants for being linked with uncircumcised Gentiles. To such militants the cross of Christ, as it was proclaimed by Paul and those who agreed with him, was a σκάνδαλον (cf. 5:11) because it excluded the principle of salvation by adherence to the law of Moses. Those who refused to require circumcision from Gentile converts (a refusal enshrined in the Jerusalem decree of Acts 15:28f.; 21:25) were liable to be persecuted—persecuted in fact, as Paul says, for the cross of Christ.
Bruce, F. F. (1982). The Epistle to the Galatians: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 269). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

Without prompting I wondered if it were really plausible that the Judaizers would have traveled so far to prevent problems at home; we would have to credit them with being extremely forward, altruistic, and broad in their thinking; this is not how they are characterized in Galatians. Further, we would have to assume that remote Gentile circumcision would be effective in placating the angst of anti-church Zealots back home in Jerusalem. That is conjecture.

The text is more readily understood when the reader recognizes that the false brethren are where Paul was. There are where he was when he was thrown out of Antioch, when he was ousted from Iconium, and when he was stoned in Lystra. Why would they fare any better if they came with the same message? Paul had run afoul with the local Jewish synagogues with his message of salvation by grace alone, through faith lone, in Christ alone. His offense was the scandalous declaration that the cross of Christ, for those trusting in Jesus work on Calvary, had made Gentiles right with God apart from the law. His odious message of Jews needing Christ's cross work as much as the Gentiles was too much to bear.

Real Talk with Roderick
To The End of the Earth: Irreconcilable Differences (Acts 15:36-41)

Introduction
Some days have passed (Μετὰ δέ τινας ἡμέρας) since the conflict concerning circumcision was resolved with a word from Jerusalem (Acts 15:30-31). The contention was settled with a letter from leadership delivered by four men: Barsabas, Silas, Barnabas, and Paul. The former two, Barsabas and Silas, are leading men from among the disciples of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22); they were selected by the Jerusalem apostles, elders, and brethren to accompany the letter. The latter two, Barnabas and Paul, are leading men from among the brethren of the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26). They had been sent earlier to Jerusalem to get clarification concerning the circumcision question (Acts 15:1-2).

The letter revealed that the commotion-causing men who came trying to compel the Gentiles to be circumcised were not official. They had not been sent - they just went (Acts 15:24).

Not Sent, Just Went (Acts 15:24, NKJV) — 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment

Sent vs Went (Deuteronomy 13:13; Acts 15:24; 1 John 2:19)
More important than the going is the order to go (Matthew 28:18-20). Those that went because they were sent were apostles and the effect of the Spirit through them was apostolic; foundation was laid through their labors. Those that went without being sent were authors of confusion, antagonists of the faith, and always advancing an agenda that ultimately did not bring the kingdom.

And so it is today. There are some whose going is an obedient response to the mission given by the Master. They are surrendered to the Spirit and examine everything in light of His word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Their program is not their own; They are sent.

And there are some who have not been called or dispatched. For all their fine-sounding words they are false prophets. There is no anointing on their preaching and no power in their service. Though they use many self-given titles they are without authority and work assiduously to undermine the will of God in favor of their own program. Who are they? Those that just went.

Just Went (1 John 2:19, NKJV) — 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

But now the commotion has been removed and thoughts of missions and discipleship begin to take precedence again.

Missing / Not Missing Mark (Acts 15:36-38)
Having fought successfully against the false doctrine that threatened their fellowship Paul now proposes something in line with the mandate to make disciples: "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." After all of the distraction brought on by the legalists, the trip required to quell the trouble, and the glad resolution to have the Gentiles remain as they are in Christ, the idea of going on a plain old missionary journey sounds pretty good. Barnabas is in support of this idea and was determined to take with them John called Mark (Acts 15:37). He is a young man that had accompanied them on their first missionary journey out of Antioch on the Orontes; Mark is Barnabas' cousin (Colossians 4:10).

Paul's determination to not take Mark is as strong as Barnabas resolve to have him in their company. I can imagine Paul's words:

"When we were in Pamphylia this young man left us. He did not continue beyond the island of Cyprus for the real work that would lay ahead. Don't want him on the trip. Can't use a man like that." (Acts 13:13)

Luke is careful not to give his readership a side in the relating of the history. No indication is given that he favored Barnabas' position or Paul's position.

The Better Plan (Acts 15:39-41, NKJV)
39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Although Barnabas is characterized as being Spirit-filled and meek he is not week. The suggestion that Mark not make the trip was not okay with him and the old friend of Paul stuck to his position - Mark should go! The former pharisee was not a weak-willed man either; even stoning could not break his commitment to preaching the word of God. He stuck to his position - Mark should not go! And the disagreement (παροξυσμὸς) between godly men became discord. And at last it led to a decision to part ways.

The story of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas does not make pleasant reading, but Luke’s realism in recording it helps us to remember that the two men, as they themselves said to the people of Lystra, were “human beings with feelings like” any other. Luke does not relate the dispute in such a way as to put Paul in the right and Barnabas in the wrong. In view of Luke’s restraint, it is idle for the reader to try to apportion the blame.
Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 301). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Barnabas would take Mark and go back to Cyprus. He would hold on to Mark return to the place where formerly the young man had not been able to hold up. Paul would choose someone else to travel with him in the work of strengthening the churches: Silas. His traveling companion would preach with him, be beaten for doing right with him, go to jail with him, and sing songs with him as they sat in the shackles of a jail in Philippi.

But who was right? The fellowship that heard the matter did not have a problem supporting Paul and Silas on another journey. And Barnabas' decision to keep discipling Mark would later become a blessing to the body of Christ.

Conclusion
Mark was probably not ready for the rigors of another journey with Paul. It was the right decision, in light of recent history (Acts 13:13) and subsequent trials (Acts 16:16-24), for the Pharisee-turned-Jesus-follower to cut him from the team. And yet John Mark was not a lost cause; he was a young man who was yet to bear much fruit. Under the encouraging tutelage of Barnabas and Peter the apostle he would eventually be used by God to make the gospel of Jesus Christ easier to share. Mark's reoccurring name in the New Testament is an ongoing reminder of what can happen when we stay the course in walking with someone who has fallen short.

• Mark is Regarded as Worthy of Welcome (Colossians 4:10, NKJV)
• Mark is Mentored toward Maturity (1 Peter 5:13, NKJV)
• Mark becomes Useful for Ministry (2 Timothy 4:11, NKJV)

The differences between Paul and Barnabas concerning John Mark could not be resolved. But if I learn anything from this passage I am made to see this: The irreconcilable differences of important individuals cannot derail discipleship, dispense with disciples, or distract from the mission of making Jesus known. And we must not overlook the fact that when Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways the number of experienced missionary teams going out of Antioch was doubled. What looked at first like a setback was actually a setup for the springing forward of Christian mission. In the irreconcilable differences of Paul and Barnabas was birthed the indisputable benefit of a division of labor for a vast harvest (Matthew 9:37).

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The New King James Version. (1982). (Matthew 9:35–38). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Real Talk with Roderick
Fulfill the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-5)

Introduction
Galatians has a readily discernible approach to arguing against legalism and for faith-based living. Paul goes from simple truths about Christianity to the consequences of those truths in the conduct of Jesus followers. He goes from orthodoxy to orthopraxis, from principles of the Way to the practice of wayfaring, from learning about the Lord to living life in His service. He is not trying to merely refute false teachers he is also working with each word of the epistle to promote Christ-centered, Spirit-led living.

The point of Paul's preaching and penning of letters was always to move his reader into an attitude and understanding that would help in the day-to-day of actual Jesus following.

With this in mind our reading of Galatians must culminate in a practice of Christianity that honors God. There can be no half-hearted attempt to understand the truth in this book. Though it may take a while we should always be searching the Scriptures and seeking in earnest to understand the basis of our faith (Acts 17:11). Yes, in these Scriptures are some things hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). But the Spirit of Truth will lead us into a right doctrine. Second, it must never be the case that we are content to camp around the doctrines of Galatians. If we just collect understandings and don't use them in following Jesus we are spiritual truth hoarders. Ultimately, having sat at the feet of the Lord (Luke 10:38-42), we must get up and follow Him in the truths we have been graciously given.

Let us get into this word daily. As individuals and in our gatherings let us study, meditate, and memorize Galatians. As individuals and in fellowship let us dialogue, discuss, debate, and even disagree about what it looks like to live the truth of Galatians. But then, in the power of the Holy Spirit, let us get off our duffs to do Galatians! May there be a parting of ways between our pants and our pews to practice what has been preached. Otherwise, brethren, we become hearers only (James 1:22). We are called to so much more.

(Galatians 6:1)
It is best to regard the trespass in which a person may be overtaken as one of the works of the flesh enumerated earlier (Galatians 5:19-21). Why? That list is not orthogonal to the surrounding work and is certainly helpful to Paul's readership. They are equipped by the lineup of lusts of the flesh to identify the overtaken brother in their midst. Further assisting the saints to whom the missive was sent in recognizing regression into carnality is the second inventory. Whether or not they find someone in a sin specifically mentioned, if it is a trespass, it will certainly be inconsistent with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The general teaching of 5:13–26 is now given life application. Going beyond the renouncing of mutual envy and provocation (negative) there must be a move into the restoration of our fellow man (positive). We cannot be satisfied with seeing sin, saying it is sin, and endeavoring to cease from sinning. We are called to serve the Savior by helping the fallen brother, by helping the failing daughter to find their footing, by helping the overtaken to become the overcomers they have been called to be.

(Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:2; James 1:22)
The offender cannot be simply regarded as reprobate and rejected from the body. There must be an earnest and gentle attempt to see the one overtaken in a trespass come out of the sin: rehabilitated. Where it is so much easier to cast out the criminal we are then contrary to God's heart of saving flawed people (Luke 5:32; 15:10). Where it is so much easier to forsake the felon and stand against their return to fellowship it is inconsistent with the example and exhortation of Jesus. Peter was not put out because he was found failing in His faith. He was pushed to reaffirm his commitment (John 21:15-19) and given the larger purpose of using his own restoration for the strengthening of his brethren (Luke 22:32) and serving the Shepherd's sheep (John 21:17).

Habitual or Just Happened
A παράπτωμα is not a settled course of action but an isolated action which may make the person who does it feel guilty. The rehabilitation must be undertaken by those who are truly πνευματικοί, whose life and conduct alike are controlled by the Spirit of Christ. Paul uses the same verb (καταρτίζω) in an ethical sense when he begs the Corinthian Christians to be joined (κατηρτισμένοι) in unity of mind (1 Cor. 1:10) and, more generally, to mend their ways (καταρτίζεσθε, 2 Cor. 13:11).
Bruce, F. F. (1982). The Epistle to the Galatians: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 260). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

Paul calls upon those that consider themselves spiritual to prove it out. "If you are spiritual, if you are walking in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, if you are letting the fruit of love and gentleness be produced in you through His Spirit, then do what Christ did and gently restore the fallen." This small verse matters much because with it we can examine ourselves. Using it as a plumb line we are able to assess the quality of our spiritual in relation to the people who need us most.

• Stick and Move Spirituality - I show up to call you out and then get as far away from you as I can to protect my own sanctification.
• Star Trek Spirituality - When I realize that there is sin in your life I just label your life as primitive and invoke the prime directive. "Enterprise, one to beam up."
• Star Wars Spirituality - It is just you and Jesus that are going to take on this fallen brother and train him to do the right thing against the admonition of the whole Jedi Council. People like this usually get mauled.
• Holy Spirit Based Spirituality (1 Corinthians 10:12; Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18) - A cavalier handling toward sin issues when helping others is an indicator of eminent moral failure and an index to an attitude of spiritual arrogance. A right regard for my own weakness makes me wary and wiser when working to help my fallen brother; his giving in to temptation must be treated as my own course of action if I become self-confident.

One way of validating of spirituality is a willingness to work with someone who has fallen by the wayside to see them regain their gait on the straight and narrow path. This is the mind of Christ and in doing this we are following Jesus.

(Galatians 6:2)

While the “spiritual” do the work of restoring, all believers are to become involved by prayer and encouragement. This, wrote Paul, will fulfill (anaplērōsete) the law of Christ, that is, the principle of love (cf. 5:14; John 13:34).

Campbell, D. K. (1985). Galatians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 609). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 

Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV) — 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

(Galatians 6:5)

The Christian does in fact test himself by carrying his own load. This does not contradict verse 2 because the reference there is to heavy, crushing, loads (barē)—more than a man could carry without help. In this verse a different Greek word (phortion) is used to designate the pack usually carried by a marching soldier. It is the “burden” Jesus assigns to His followers (cf. Matt. 11:30). There are certain Christian responsibilities or burdens each believer must bear which cannot be shared with others. Jesus assured His disciples that such burdens were light.
Campbell, D. K. (1985). Galatians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 609–610). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Galatians 6:6–10 (NKJV) — 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Dr. Bob Rowley brought a stirring message to Three Rivers Community Church. He challenged us to think seriously about church in terms of the call to make disciples. It was a message that looks beyond church as a ritual and more as the most relevant thing we can do to promote a better world, honor the Lord, and love others. Listen in!