2022-10-27 11:27:00 · 39

156 Thrive Deeper: Galatians

Episode Notes

Written to Christians in the Roman province of Galatia. (In the center of modern Turkey). Capital of Galatia at the time was Ancyra. Written about the same time as Corinthians or alternate view is that this was Pauls earliest letter. The Christians in this province came manly from a Gentile background. They were relatively new believers (most likely only a matter of 2 or 3 years). Paul wrote to respond to issues that had arisen after he left the Galatian church, where there were people saying that Christianity had to be a sect that sat within Judaism. Essentially Gentiles had to become Jews – and follow the Mosaic laws (circumcision, diet etc.), before they would be accepted as part of Gods people. These false teachers were called Judaizers. We don’t belong to Gods family because of our behaviour, following ‘rules’ or even good works. We can’t make ourselves ‘righteous’ with God. We can only be righteous with God because of what He did for us in sending Jesus to die for our sin and brokenness. We have to remain and grow in sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit so that we stay in step with God’s good and perfect way to live.It’s through the Spirit that Jesus can make us into the people God created us to be, we can live lives loving God and others and in this way we still fulfill the Torah of the Messiah. We need to be thankful that we are free from the burden of having to earn God’s love and approval. Love is BigHearted NOT Big Headed. Legalism condemns, whilst Grace restores. We impress others with what we know. We impact others with how we love.

Meet The Presenters

Dr Matt Jacoby

Matt is the teaching pastor at his church in Victoria, Australia, lecturer at the Melbourne School of Theology, an author, a songwriter and, a musician leading the Psalms project band Sons of Korah.

Matt has a doctorate in philosophy and theology from the University of Melbourne, and is the author of the daily Bible reading guide Thrive launched in 2005. Matt's most recent work as an author is his book Deeper Places (Baker Books USA 2013) with an expanded edition released in 2019. In Deeper Places, Matt shares a rich portrait of authentic spirituality. A gifted teacher and Bible scholar, Matthew is invited to speak at conferences and churches where he brings a fresh but foundational perspective to Scripture.

“I do a lot of teaching these days in my various roles but I always see myself more as a learner. I love learning. I enjoy academic learning and because of that I am a perpetual student of many disciplines. But most of all I love learning to live life the way God made me to live it.” MJ

DJ Paine

DJ is a podcaster, photographer and has had a number of years experience as a Christian Radio Breakfast announcer. He would consider himself a professional Christian music geek & amateur Bible nerd. DJ was raised on the Gold Coast and studied at Word Of Life Bible College in Sydney.

Devoted husband of Benita Paine and proud of their three boys: the #BrothersPaine

“If you have ever wondered if God has a place for you in His plan... or if you have ever felt you are just a round peg trying to fit into a square hole... well I want to encourage you: if God can use a goof like me then we are all in good hands! I love the scriptures and if I can leave any legacy behind it is simply to say: read the Bible, the Bible is God’s light by which we can really see the universe.” DJ

Got a question?

Submit to Matt & Stu for the next podcast.

Ask here $

Sponsor a prison subscription

Subscribe with us.

Learn more $

Subscribe to the Thrive Bible Reading Guide

Learn More $

Learn about the Church Standing Order Program

Learn More $