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“FREEDOM FROM…and FREEDOM TO…” Taking to heart the “encouraging words from Paul to the Galatians & Ephesians…and to us! Let me thank Neal Windham once more, along with our other pastors who are contributing writers for our Finishing Well devotionals. I love to hear from those who have a heart for the Kingdom and our age group! And we have several more we’ll hear from as we move into the fall season of the year. Now this week, we continue w/the epistles of Paul, & you’re stuck with me! What I’d like to do this week is take a breath and a “spiritual pause” …..before we glance at highlights of Galatians & Ephesians. I love the Psalms. You can hear David’s heart and almost see his “chord changes” on the guitar (or harp) as you imagine the melodies of his musical prayers. One of the neat “behind the scenes” things about the Psalms is that David puts in what’s called a SELAH occasionally. It’s like a silent moment in the song. Not a bridge between the verses & chorus. Not a full blown 15-minute intermission. But a moment that breathes, reflects, and disconnects from the “lyrical engaging” of the soul to gain perspective. The real meaning of that musical/literary term is a “spiritual pause”. I think I need one this week. Our family has just finished a great summer with all the grandkids here for nearly 3 months! We had an incredible time. I could go on about all the memories we made, but in all honesty, I just need a nap. Naps help. They give our souls time to catch up with our bodies…or is that the other way around? But naps can’t solve things. Whatever was going on before you kicked back will most likely still be there when you wake up. And sometimes you can have a nap that you feel worse than you before you fell asleep! What helps is that “selah” kind of moment where we reflect spiritually. Sometimes it’s a discipline. Sometimes it’s a necessity because of overwhelming blessings or challenges….and many times you & I know it can be a mixture of both. The Lord “pours out blessings from the floodgates of heaven” as Micah tells us in chapter 3. But He also prompted James to write in the New Testament in chapter 1:2-4 that we should consider it pure joy when we face various trials because the testing of our faith develops perseverance.” It’s always both/and. After a blessed summer with family, last week was a sad week for me & perhaps was for many of you. This past Wednesday night we said “goodbye for now” to a dear lady at her Memorial service, who has been with us at not only Finishing Well events, but so many church and community moments of ministry it would be hard to begin to list. And she leaves behind a faithful husband of 62 years and an incredible family. To Ed Guilford and his daughter Julie Collings and all their family we celebrate with tears in the loss of Virginia. And yet, what blessed assurance she lived with sharing her faith and love in Christ with so many around her. To all those this past summer who might have lost a loved one, we speak blessing over you in the name of the Lord, praying His peace & comfort to be very real in your heart right now. Someone once told me that many times “deaths come in 3’s & 7’s”. this week has been somewhere in between those numbers. As I write here on Friday the 5th, I just received word that another one of our Finishing Well crowd finished well. And so now we tearfully celebrate with the family of Dallas Richards, who has been a joy since I met him & his sweet wife way back at our “Generations Parties” in the Centrum @ Northside. They were a delight from the first “holy hug”. And yesterday I got the call that a dear pastor friend in Newburg, Mike Claypool had finished his race. He and his wife Cindy were in the church in Danville, IL when we served there in the 80’s. They worked with our High School ministry until Mike at age 30 felt called to “do this kind a thing full time”! And he didn’t take any shortcuts. He quit his job as a printer and went to Bible College with his wife and small children close to our kids’ ages, bought a mobile home, and started AND finished his spiritual education. Mike got an opportunity after an internship at the Scottsburg church under our friend Phil LaMaster to come on full time as an associate, but rather felt led to go help a small church preaching to less than 100 people on the weekend in Newburg. He retired due to health reasons, but not until they had grown to over 1500 people. And even a couple years after retiring when his health seemed to improve, he began another church that grew from 0 to 900 in 3 years. He retired again a couple of years ago at the age of 67 but left a “double legacy” at least in my mind. Mike was a guy that was “a slow train comin’ ”. But when he & his loving wife, Cindy decided to follow the Lord WHEREVER He would lead them, they were unstoppable. Cindy continued to work in church with high school kids since 1984 until last year 2024, when she decided to “graduate” and began working with College Age! What a faithful couple! Some of the best “unsung heroes” Sue Linn & I have ever known. This losing friends at my age is harder than I thought. I know where they are. And just as in the loss of pastor friends like our beloved Tom Franklin and most recently, Phil Miller, we grieve. Not as “those without hope”, but we still grieve. And we pause, spiritually. And we listen for the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit in our life in many ways. Maybe it’s through a verse of Scripture that comes to mind….. “I will never leave or forsake you” from Hebrews 13:5. Or a text or call from a friend. Or a phrase from a weekend message at church. But we listen and let God speak during the “reflective time” that we seem to be in but didn’t necessarily ask for at this time. No matter what kind of summer you’ve had or what valley perhaps you’re going through…. may the Lord be close by with His arms open wide! OK. I had to let you know where I am today before we can look at Galatians & Ephesians the rest of the week. We’ll look at Galatians with a theme of “Freedom FROM things” and Ephesians with a theme of “Freedom TO Things”. Now a fun time for me is to sit at a restaurant & go thru the Bible wondering how to title or re-title paragraph divisions into sermons or sermon series. Coffee in the late morning or chips, salsa, & diet Coke from lunchtime on work for me. And I seem to think in terms of brief impressions or observations to condense what Scripture is implying or teaching, which is kind of a “play by play / color commentary” blend if you will. For me I try to make it memorable, because that’s where the struggle is for me…..to remember, recall & re-present spiritual truth in bite-size form to encourage someone else. So here goes with some brief highlights of these 2 challenging letters from the apostle Paul in the New Testament….. And please note…. IT’S BEST TO SIT DOWN WITH YOUR BIBLE…. READ THE PASSAGE as you go thru my brief commentary…. AND WRITE YOUR OWN NOTE OF EACH ONE….. And away we go…… In Galatians, Paul confronts the church with their walking away so quickly from the truth of the gospel, which is salvation by faith, not by our attempts to keep the Law. A group called the “Judaizers”, who were Galatians 1:1-2 “Freedom from THIS PRESENT AGE” Paul defends his apostleship time after time and mentions that we’ve been rescued from this present evil age. No matter where you get your news from, we’d all have to agree that these times are changing and not so much for the better. 1:6-10 “Freedom from INTIMIDATION” This group called the “Judaizers” were Jewish Messianic believers, who tried to impose their culture upon Gentiles by preaching that they now had to become Jewish to be saved. Paul lets them know, not only is it a bad idea, but it is bad THEOLOGY, and they actually are deserting “grace” itself. 1:11-24 “Freedom from SPECULATION ABOUT YOUR CALLING Paul was attacked left & right by people who resented his anointing & appointing. He was zealous from birth for the things of God. Just got a little mixed up on Jesus fulfilling prophecy as the Messiah and fought it tooth & nail! So, he let them personally know about his time in Arabia before his return to Damascus & 3 years in Jerusalem. He had the rightfully earned reputation of being an abuser of Christian folks. But now people were getting on board in “vouching” for his new character and heart. 2:1-10 “Freedom from INHERITING SOMEONE ELSE’S MISSION Paul documents his “becoming formally accepted” among the apostles and the confirmation of his calling to the Gentiles as Peter’s was to the Jews. It would become obvious in time it was the Spirit’s leading seeing that the Jews wanted to kill Paul every time they saw or heard him. Notice their agreeing (unity in the church is never overrated) and their shared compassion for the poor, which was at the forefront of Paul’s heart. 2:11-21 “Freedom from PREJUDICE” You wouldn’t think this would have been an issue, but we must understand the DEPTH of cultural bias and preferred loyalty. Peter has a 2-facedness with the Gentiles. Eating pork chops when it’s just them and catering to the Jewish believers when they are around. Paul calls him out on that. Peter became “reluctant relationally” in verse 12 when it came to the Gentiles and their arrival. Paul, who needed the GRACE of God desperately defended it passionately! Even now that when he is running with the “big dogs on the spiritual porch”. 3:1-14 “Freedom from GETTING FOOLED AGAIN” I know. “the Who” (rock band in the 70’s and even prior) would be proud of that musical reference. Paul spanks the Galatians pretty good in this paragraph of the chapter. He calls them “bewitched”, foolish and misled. Spiritual bullies do that to young believers sometimes. Especially if they are more “tribal” than “Kingdom” oriented. Again, faith alone is defended as the way we receive God’s amazing grace, rather than any works of our own. He powerfully points out that Jesus “took the curse” for us all, to redeem us as Gentiles now getting a chance to enter the Family of God. But you can hear in Paul’s voice that he doesn’t want to have THIS discussion again! 3:15-25 “Freedom from THE LAW” Now the detach comes to the surface and here is where it got really difficult for the Jewish folks. He tries to explain that we no longer need the “supervision” of the law, now that we are under grace. The LAW had its place and it’s time, but now we move to another covenant. Righteousness is no longer thru the keeping of the Law but in the receiving of God’s grace thru faith in Christ. It was hard for many to respectfully move beyond that point. 3:26-4:7 “Freedom from ALL THE LABELS” Here the Bible “levels the playing field” drastically. If you’re baptized into Christ, you have PUT ON (or been clothed by) Christ. That identity “trumps” all others! In Christ > ethnicity. In Christ > economic status. In Christ > gender distinction Make sure you read that one right….it’s not confusing gender identity, but letting our identity in Christ be dominant. We were created male or female by God in Genesis 1, but our SPIRITUAL UNITY is to go beyond all God-given differences. In verse 4, Paul mentions that when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, which ushered in another new identity/relationship with the Father, one in which we can call Him, “Abba”, which is the endearing term used by a small child. This is a further opportunity for unity. 4:8-20 “Freedom from IMMATURITY & DIVISION” In this passage, Paul likens his work of their “spiritual formation” to that of “labor pains in childbirth”. He says he’s perplexed by them and wishes he could be there with them. Seems that new followers of Jesus need more attention than sometimes we think they do in getting off to a good spiritual start! 4:21-31 “Freedom from the SLAVERY OF THE LAW Paul uses the illustration of Hagar vs. Sarah in the Old Testament to point out that there is a difference between the l.aw & the Promise. The legalistic Jews preferred the familiar Law, because they had control over things. With grace, you lose your “one-up-manship” (if that even is a word)! 5:1-15 “Freedom from ANIMOSITY” Arguing always leads to division and hatred of sorts and Paul wants that to stop. The believers had quit standing for truth and allowed themselves to be bullied. In verse 12 he gets pretty madat the opposition and in verse 13, he teaches that we are to not indulge in this destructive behavior, but rather we’re called to love and SERVE one another, which this is not promoting. 5:16-26 “Freedom from SINFUL BEHAVIOR” Here is the classic passage of the juicy “FRUIT of the SPIRIT”. But before Paul gets to the famous “9 fruit list” (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and coming in last place as always “self-control”) he mentions to naughty list of sexual immorality, idolatry, selfish ambition, etc. In our lives as believers, there is no room for any of those things, and Paul gives a stern warning that the folks who continue down that path won’t make it to heaven! 6:1-10 “Freedom from TEMPTATION, DECEPTION, & FATIGUE” The temptation we are to avoid is in our attempt to restore a brother “overtaken” in a fault, which is many times a minefield. Don’t come harshly accusing and don’t get sucked into their pathology and manipulative efforts to control the narrative. But learn how to bear one another’s burdens and in doing so you will fulfill the law of Christ! The deception piece is about God not being mocked, because you “reap what you sow”. And the fatigue part is Paul’s admonition to not grow weary in doing good, because in the proper time, God will bring about a spiritual harvest in your life. So, if you feel worn down, hang in there and see the mighty Hand of God! 6:11-18 “Freedom from BOASTING” Many scholars think Paul was losing his eyesight at this point as he mentions the FONT SIZE he has to write with in order to see. I think he refers to this to show his contentment & humility in his circumstances. He ends his letter to this church by reminding them there is only one reason to boast, and that is because of the cross of Jesus. What matters is what’s done in your heart, not BY your flesh or TO your flesh. So, the message of Galatians is don’t listen to the wrong people. While some groups were telling the early church to,,, “do this, do that, and do this again and again…..” Paul was saying “trust Him, trust Him and while you’re at it, trust Him some more”! Now the Ephesian letter was more “Freedom TO”….let’s look at those passages…. 1:3-14 “Freedom to be ADOPTED, CHOSEN & INCLUDED” The first 3 chapters of this book are about God, their identity, and their security in Him. Gentiles need to know the adoption is final, that “they, too” are now the chosen people, and that are sealed with the Holy Spirit, which lets them know they are fully included in the Family of God! 1:15-23 “Freedom to KEEP ON PRAYING” Paul has never let up on the discipline of praying that they would be enlightened and fully know the incredible hope they now have by the powerful work of Jesus. Side question…..are we fervent in our prayers? 2:1-10 “Freedom to BE HIS WORKMANSHIP” One of the best single passages explaining our salvation is in this paragraph in verses 8-10. Paul says we are saved BY grace, THRU faith, and FOR good works. Prepositions matter in this case. If we mix those up it comes out wrong. It’s not by good works it’s FOR good works. So don’t let up! Our purpose is to represent Jesus and re-present Jesus to a fallen world. And we get to do those good works together and help each other “finish well”! 2:11-22 “Freedom to BECOME CITIZENS” Paul tells the believers at Ephesus that they once were far away from God, but now have been brought near by the blood of Christ. And that cleansing makes them full-blown citizens with green cards plus! Fellow-citizens is the phrase he uses. Members of God’s household. It reminds me of the old principle that “sometimes people need to BELONG before they can BELIEVE”, and that is partly true. Welcoming others into HIS Family is a birthright & responsibility we are given! 3:1-13 “Freedom to EMBRACE THE MYSTERY” Paul needs to remind them from time to time about his miraculous revelation that he received from the Lord, Himself. The “mystery” is that the Gentiles are now included, and God meant to do that all along! It was the last thing any Jewish person had on their mind! And with that mystery comes a new twist on the ministry! 3:14-21 “Freedom to BELIEVE GOD CAN DO MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE” This is a benediction paragraph as Paul seems swept up in the holy moment! It’ a beautiful prayer that ends with a declaration that God is able to do “IMMEASURABLY more than we can ask or imagine”! And haven’t you seen that to be true in your life? Might be a good idea to make a list of “things He’s done that we could never have done” … 4:1-16 “Freedom to GROW TO MATURITY & UNITY” Now Paul gets after it and reminds the people to humbly grow and make every effort in getting along because this is a TEAM SPORT in the Kingdom of God! He mentions the “tag team” of apostles, prophets, evangelists & pastor/teachers. And the 2 reasons given for this spiritual team is so we might PREPARE God’s people for works of service…..and so that we might BE BUILT UP to maturity. The exhortation and the imagery in this passage is beautiful. And the classic verse 15, which is the reconciliation & prevention strategy of every encounter…. “SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE”. That alone would take care of most every problem we encounter! Paul understood what I have come to learn in church life thru the years….God blesses unity! 4:17-5:21 “Freedom to PUT THE PAST IN THE PAST” The admonition to QUIT doing some things and START doing other things is strong in this paragraph! Please take the time at some point to read this one slowly! There is so much good stuff to hold on to! This is a moment when Paul very patiently and gently says to “cut the crapola”. I hope it’s OK to say that since I put an “ola” on the end of it. But he really mentions extensively the “nonsense” (yeah, that’s a better word) we are to stop doing. And like every bad habit, it’s easier to quit that habit if you can incorporate a new behavior in its place. And he gives us a long list of those as well. They are the things that God wants us to replace that old behavior with. Yep, God pretty much is saying “put the past in the past” so we can move on to a holier present! Scripture mentions we are to keep in step with the Spirit. The dangers can be 3 different things. One is to BLASPHEME the Holy Spirit. Another in 1 Thessalonians is to QUENCH the Holy Spirit. But in this passage it mentions another violation…..to GRIEVE the Holy Spirit. Just as we would “hurt one another’s feelings” in a friendship, we can do that here as well. 5:22-33 “Freedom to BUILD A GODLY MARRIAGE” Here is an incredible passage you’ll hear at weddings. Notice in verse 21, just prior to the paragraph distinction that is most likely in your Bible, this whole idea of marriage begins with MUTUAL SUBMISSION to one another! The one thing husbands need is HONOR (wives are to show respect). And the one thing wives need is LOVE (husbands are to do this sacrificially). It’s amazing how God coordinates “needs with commands”! 6:1-4 “Freedom to RAISE GODLY KIDS” Based on one of the Big 10 Commandments….honor in this context is spelled “O-B-E-Y”. And the climate control for Dads as they bring their kids into training, is a NO EXASPERATION commitment! The accompanying benefit is appealing…”that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”. 6:5-9 “Freedom to BE GODLY BOSSES & EMPLOYEES” Although the context is slaves & masters in the Biblical culture at the time, it’s parallel is the workplace for us today. Obedience, sincerity, and whole heartedness are mentioned for good reason. And “no threats” is added to the bosses’ agenda. But notice how our motivation transcends the earthly relationships, and our intent is to do this “as unto the Lord”! Therein lies the secret. 6:10-20 “Freedom to FIGHT SPIRITUAL BATTLES SPIRITUAL ARMOR” Load up the armor! Identify each piece! Notice the correlation of protection. And make sure you can handle the only WEAPON mentioned, the Word of the God…the Sword of the Spirit! You know the devil isn’t just playing “paintball”, don’t you! 6:21-24 “Freedom to LET THE PERSON I SEND TO YOU REPRESENT ME” And Paul ends with a great appeal, asking them to accept who he sends in his representing role. He’s mentoring Timothy, Titus and now it appears Tychius as well to an extent. He was sent for “an update” and “to encourage the Philippians”. Everyone knew why he came. And the baton is passed….and more players get in the game…and the Kingdom grows! Sorry…..made you drink from a firehose again! Reminds me of Psalm 1…. “but, his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night”! Love you Finishing Well Friends…..may His Word dwell in us richly this week! george
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