Treasures from Galatia: GEMS for You from the Epistle to the Galatians
By John Zehring
()
About this ebook
Treasures from Galatia takes Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians and mines from it twelve gems that apply to your daily life today as they did to the Galatians. It is not quite the same as a bible study, nor is it a sketch about Paul or the church he founded. Rather, it is a devotional springboard for you to enrich your faith, deepen your relationships with others, discover new heights to your faith and leap further into your closer walk with God. Your life will be enriched by these gems.
John Zehring
John Zehring has served United Church of Christ congregations as Senior Pastor in Massachusetts (Andover), Rhode Island (Kingston), and Maine (Augusta) and as an Interim Pastor in Massachusetts (Arlington, Harvard). Prior to parish ministry, he served in higher education, primarily in development and institutional advancement. He worked as a dean of students, director of career planning and placement, adjunct professor of public speaking and as a vice president at a seminary and at a college. He is the author of more than sixty books and is a regular writer for The Christian Citizen, an American Baptist social justice publication. He has taught Public Speaking, Creative Writing, Educational Psychology and Church Administration. John was the founding editor of the publication Seminary Development News, a publication for seminary presidents, vice presidents and trustees (published by the Association of Theological Schools, funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment). He graduated from Eastern University and holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, Rider University, and the Earlham School of Religion. He is listed in Marquis' WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA and is a recipient of their Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. John and his wife Donna live in two places, in central Massachusetts and by the sea in Maine.
Read more from John Zehring
Hymns of Gratitude: Their Stories and Their Messages Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5, 6 and 7 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Pastoral Leadership and Church Administration Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPsalm 23: An Everyday Psalm Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHymns of Christian Commitment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHymns of Christmas: Their Stories and Their Messages Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsClergy Guide to Sermon Preparation: Including 40 Sermon Ideas and Outlines Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe One Minute Beatitude: A Brief Review of Jesus' Beatitudes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHymns: Their Stories and Their Messages New Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBe Still My Soul: Soothing Hymn Meditations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPublic Speaking for Executives, Leaders & Managers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHard Sayings of Jesus: Discussions for Curious Christians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTreasures from Proverbs: GEMS for You from the Book of Proverbs Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat the Bible Says about Homosexuality: A Bible Study for Progressive People of Faith Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Is Not This the Carpenter? A Peek at His Nazareth Woodshop Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTreasures from Mark: GEMS for You from the Gospel of Mark Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTo Know God Better And To Love God More: Messages For Your Spiritual Journey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPersuade them: Public Speaking to Convince Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEulogies, Introductions and Special Occasion Speeches: Tips for When You Are Asked to Speak Well of Another Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpiritual But Not Religious: One Minute Meditations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven Mantras to Shape Your Day: Bible Verses to Improve How You See Things Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTreasures from James: GEMS for You from the Epistle of James Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Connect with Your Audience: Public Speaking Skills Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Layperson’s Guide to Conducting Funerals and Celebrations of Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMajestic is Thy Name: Devotions from the Psalms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsClergy Public Speaking Guide: Improve What You Already Do Well Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMount Up with Wings: Renew Your Strength Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnxious? A Booklet of Bible Verses for When You Feel Anxious Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Great I AM Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDid He Hit Her? A Compassionate Christian Response to Abusive Relationships Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Treasures from Galatia
Related ebooks
Who Has Bewitched You? A Study in Galatians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShepherds in the Image of Christ: The Centennial History of St. John’S ˜ Assumption Seminary Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsVine Prayers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Grow Your Heart’S Garden for God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSin the Absence of Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Thanksgiving Sermon Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSalvation Through Jesus Christ. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Favorite Sermon Vol 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhy You?: You Are God’s Masterpiece, Designed to Succeed in His World! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsZacchaeus: The Little Man in All of Us Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod Is With Us - [Large Print]: An Advent Study Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeyond Survival: Eight Proven Techniques that Lead to Sustainable Nonprofit Growth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBy Faith Isaac Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOn Good and Evil Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Birthday Presence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFlourish: A Winning Perspective To Help You Through Tough Times Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Planting Mangoes in the Church: Economic Development, Social Enterprise, and the Global Christian Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Surprise Factor: Gospel Strategies for Changing the Game at Your Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSermons in Candles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings...And Shall Call his Name Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinding Hope in Hardship: Lessons for Life from the Book of Philippians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetters to Growing Pastors: Reflections on Ministry for Coffee-Cup Conversations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Inconvenient Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe True Vine Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExploring the Word of God: Reading Through Galatians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJourney Lesson 37 He Holds All In Unity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJoshua Called to Lead: Pursuing Exemplary Leadership Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPearls of Wisdom: Stories Based on the Book of Proverbs from the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCharismatic and Expository Preaching: A Case Study of Two Preaching Methods within the Local Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHope in Corona Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Magnolia Story (with Bonus Content) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Treasures from Galatia
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Treasures from Galatia - John Zehring
Treasures from Galatia:
GEMS for You from the Epistle to the Galatians
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.
John Zehring
Copyright 2017 John Zehring
Introduction
Reading Paul’s letter to the Galatians is like listening to one side of a telephone conversation. When you listen to someone talking on the phone, you might guess at what the other person is saying but you cannot know and often your guess would be incorrect. Paul is talking about some things that sound strange to our ears and it almost seems like he is bawling out the Galatians for something they did wrong, for not being faithful, for deserting the gospel and for disappointing Paul. I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted,
he wrote (4:11).
He appears to sound conceited: "I beg you, become as I am" (4:12). That is what he also told the Corinthians: Be imitators of me
(1 Corinthians 11:11). Who do you think you are, hotshot? Some kind of saint? Well, of course, the Apostle Paul became Saint Paul. But reading his two-century-old dictation through our twenty-first century lenses cause us to be inclined to think that there is a lot of Paul not to like. He does not sound like the kind of person you would care to invite over for dinner. But let us give Paul the benefit of the doubt. We are, after all, seeing Paul through a twenty-one-hundred year filter of knowing only one side of the conversation and a cultural evolution that no longer condones slavery, no longer requires women not to speak in church and no longer perceives people who are LBGTQ as sinners. To condone any of that behavior – all of which Paul advocated – could only be considered as not God-like behaviors.
So much of the content of Galatians has to do with the Hebrew Law and circumcision. Start reading the epistle and you might set it down after a few minutes and think Not much here for me.
Actually, there isn’t. Paul was addressing pressing and confusing issues for people just a decade or two after Jesus was crucified.
Consider: Galatians is one of Paul’s first letters to churches. This is the Christian Church on day one. There were no gospels in print, no New Testament, no historic creeds to shape orthodoxy, no test of time, no denominational structure to guide, no history and no background. People in the first churches were flying blind. Most were raised Jewish, like Jesus, Peter, Andrew and Paul. They were raised that faithfulness was defined as obedience to the Torah. Want to please God? Then keep the law. Now Jews were becoming followers of The Way, as Christianity was called before it had a name. Now what about the Law? Which is more important, to obey the Law or to follow Jesus’ way? Christianity was spreading and people who were not Jewish, known as Gentiles, were also becoming followers of The Way. In this Jewish culture, language, and land of traditions, should they also be subject to Jewish traditions as well as Jesus’ teachings? Should they be circumcised? Are circumcised men better than those who are not circumcised? There was no place to go to look up answers. It fell to Paul to interpret and that is what he has apparently done with the churches in Galatia and is now calling them on in his epistle.
Listening to Paul’s side of the phone conversation, it sounds like he is also dealing with promoters of a different take on Jesus’ teachings: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel… there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ
(1:6,7).
Remember, there are not yet any standards, printed gospels, statements of faith or creeds. It is not like they are deserting the New Testament. That does not yet exist. What Paul refers to is their understanding of the gospel according to the preaching of the disciples and Paul. It would be so easy for others to take this understanding, build on it, vary from it and give it their own spin. This is a time when anything goes and faithful worshippers could be misled. A contemporary young pastor proclaimed the Gospel of Jiminy Cricket. With a twinkle in his eye and a gleam in his smile, he sang in the middle of a sermon When you wish upon a star.
The congregation whipped out their hankies, dried their eyes, remembered the classic opening to the Walt Disney show and proclaimed Isn’t he wonderful? He is so gifted!
And