Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

Alive in Christ

 

Alive in Christ - Galatians 2

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A powerful verse from Paul that delivers the pure and true gospel message. This is the climax of Galatians 1 &2, bringing clarity to the gospel and correcting all the false narratives and teaching that was happening with legalism. 

A few things stood out to me this morning reading Galatians 2. 

“Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.” - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

14 years! 14 years after Paul started preaching and teaching, he went and started pouring into church leaders. And this 14 years was after the 3 years he spent getting the full revelation of the gospel from Jesus. My math tells me that it is 17 years of preparation before Paul is writing this letter and leading leaders. 

“Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.” - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We often want influence and scope in our ministry, carrier, and live, but forget that it must start with humility, posture, and the right motive. Then, it will take time to develop the full character and grow into our calling. Andy Stanley says it well:

“Your talent and giftedness as a leader have the potential to take you farther than your character can sustain you.”

What are you striving for in your flesh and from your talent right now that needs more time for your character to develop and solidify? Are you willing to wait 14 years as Paul did?

The other thing that stood out to me this morning was how easy it was for Peter to get off course. It’s also fascinating to me that the other disciples didn’t correct him, or if they did, he didn’t respond. We do not know this to be accurate, the Bible doesn’t say...I am just curious about it. 

“When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.” - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Cephas (Peter) was influenced by the popular kids. The Jews and the Gentiles were the groups. The Jews generally were popular, educated the proper. The Gentiles were the uncircumcised ones, the edgy, outcast type. A bit general and not a full picture, but I think you get it. Peter didn’t compromise his belief, but he was influenced by the Jews and separated himself from the Gentiles. We even learn later that this decision from Peter influence another key leader Barnabas to do the same thing.

We can not forget our actions are our message. We might not be a preacher, but our preaching is the decisions we make every day. Who you sit with is your preaching. And like Peter, who you sit with influences, other leaders. We must get this right and not compromise the gospel with our actions. 

In closing, Paul drives home the gospel!

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” - ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:19-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The law can not and will not save us. Only the gospel of Christ! Paul says it three times, three different ways that he has died...this is mission-critical for us. We must die to the law, die to Christ, die to ourselves. The actual resurrection happens, and Christ lives in us. This resurrection is not a one-time event...we must repeat this as often as needed. I have to die to myself countless times per day. How about you?

Lord, may we walk into this day fully alive in you. 

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch