Live in Step with the Gospel: Part 1 (Galatians 2:11-16)

August 8, 2024 Nate Holdridge

Paul wanted the Galatians—and us—to fly up into a life of freedom and love, and he knew that the gospel message could take us there (Gal. 5:13). But as we’ve seen, the Galatians were in danger of destroying the gospel message by adding to it, so Paul wrote this letter to defend the message of the gospel of grace. Today’s passage details a third, less peaceful interaction of defending his message.

The Gospel Brings Divine Freedom, not Human Control (Galatians 2:4-5)

July 25, 2024 Nate Holdridge

Last week, in Galatians 2, we saw how the gospel is received, not earned. The next movement of this passage reminds us that the beautiful, acceptable gospel brings divine freedom, not human control. While Paul was in Jerusalem, false brothers were secretly brought in, perhaps even into his meeting with the apostles!

The Gospel Is Received, not Earned (Galatians 2:1-3)

July 18, 2024 Nate Holdridge

Our text today details the second time Paul visited Jerusalem as a Christian, fourteen years after his conversion (1). It took Paul three years from his conversion to finally make his first trip to Jerusalem to meet Peter and James (1:18-19). But after that visit, it took another eleven years or so for him to go back.

What Did Paul's Gospel Produce? (Galatians 1:10-24)

July 11, 2024 Nate Holdridge

Last week, we examined Paul's testimony and saw the evidence for why Paul's gospel was legitimate. The second question we will explore today from this passage is: What did Paul's gospel produce in Paul? Are there things that happened to Paul that we could hope would happen to us?

Why Is Paul's Gospel Legit? (Galatians 1:10-24)

July 4, 2024 Nate Holdridge

The book of Acts tells the story of Paul's conversion three times. He was a persecutor of the church and was on his way from Jerusalem in Israel to Damascus in Syria to imprison and kill Christians when Jesus appeared to him in a bright light, knocked him down, and confronted him with the truth. And Paul believed!

What's Wrong with Adding to the Gospel? Pt. 2 (Gal. 1:1-9)

June 27, 2024 Nate Holdridge

What's Wrong with Adding to the Gospel? Pt. 2

Galatians 1:1-9

Last week, we began studying the book of Galatians and heard Paul’s urgent message that adding to the gospel is dangerous — it is abandoning Jesus. A second reason adding to the gospel is dangerous is because it is destructive.

What's Wrong with Adding to the Gospel? Pt. 1 (Gal. 1:1-9)

June 20, 2024 Nate Holdridge

What's Wrong with Adding to the Gospel? Pt. 1

Galatians 1:1-9

The next book we’ll dive into, beginning today, is Galatians. The theme word for our study of *Galatians* is *"fly."* The end of Paul's letter to the Galatians describes a life in flight — a life that has taken off and is soaring in God's best, God's grace.

3 (More) Reasons Jesus Was Crucified (Mark 15:16-47)

May 16, 2024 Nate Holdridge

Last week, we studied three reasons from Mark 15 that Jesus was crucified: to fulfill God’s plan, to save us, and to consume our darkness. Today, we will continue looking at three more.

3 Reasons Jesus Was Crucified (Mark 15:16-47)

May 9, 2024 Nate Holdridge

In our passage today, we will observe "Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2), a stunning event. Christianity is not centered upon tenets, doctrines, beliefs, or behaviors but on the events of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. These events lead to tenets, doctrines, beliefs, and behaviors, but the events are the starting place. Without Jesus' cross, there is no Christianity. Without his resurrection, there is no hope.

God's Plans Will Succeed (Mark 15:1-15)

May 2, 2024 Nate Holdridge

In our final movement of Jesus’ trials by the Jews, the religious leaders had to pawn Jesus off on Pilate. Rome did not allow the Jews to execute people, so the Sanhedrin needed to bring a charge against Jesus to Pilate. So, early on Friday morning, they delivered Jesus to this Roman prefect.