Gary Gleans

                                                                                  Ephesians 1:1-2 Paul,   an apostle of Christ Jesus   by the will of God. To the saints who are in Ephesus, and   are faithful in Christ Jesus:   Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings are an important part of any letter as they let us know important information about the author, recipients, and the content of the book.  We know that this letter was written by Paul to the believers of the church in Ephesus.  Paul has spent over two years in this city and saw God move in astounding ways.  The city was a hub for commerce in Asia Minor so many people traveled to and from this port...

                                                                                  Galatians 6:11-18 See with what large letters I am writing to you   with my own hand.    It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh   who would force you to be circumcised, and only   in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.    For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.    But far be it from me to boast   except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world   has been crucified to me, and I to the world.    For   neither circumcision counts for anyth...

                                                                                  Galatians 6:6-10 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.    Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for   whatever one sows, that will he also reap.    For   the one who sows to his own flesh   will from the flesh reap corruption, but   the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.    And   let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,   if we do not give up.    So then,   as we have opportunity, let us   do good to everyone, and especially to those who are   of the household of faith.   T...

                                                                                       Galatians 6:1-5 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,   you who are spiritual should restore him in   a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.    Bear one another's burdens, and   so fulfill   the law of Christ.  For   if anyone thinks he is something,   when he is nothing, he deceives himself.    But let each one   test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.    For   each will have to bear his own load.   It is not easy to deal with sin and its effects. ...

                                                                                       Galatians 5:24-26 And those who belong to Christ Jesus   have crucified the flesh with its   passions and desires.    If we live by the Spirit,   let us also keep in step with the Spirit.    Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. It is helpful to understand the identity as well as the activity of true believers.  Every believer belongs to Christ.  Belonging to Christ implies that many things are true about our lives.  Certainly, the most impactful of those truths is that the Spirit of God lives in us.  This chapter concludes with Paul thre...

                                                                                  Galatians 5:19-23 Now   the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,   idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,   divisions,   envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that   those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.    But   the fruit of the Spirit is   love, joy, peace, patience,   kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,   self-control;   against such things there is no law.    The contrast between the flesh and the Spirit could not be more stark....

                                                                                       Galatians 5:16-18 But I say,   walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify   the desires of the flesh.    For   the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other,   to keep you from doing the things you want to do.    But if you are   led by the Spirit,   you are not under the law.     Man is both physical and non-physical.  Sometimes the non-physical part of man is called the spirit (small “s”), soul, heart, or mind.  This passage talks about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and t...

                                                                                       Galatians 5:13-15 For you were called to freedom, brothers.   Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love   serve one another.    For   the whole law is fulfilled in one word:   “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”    But if you   bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.   Love is the basic value of the Christian life.  We are called to a life where we prioritize the well-being of others over our own.  Freedom in Christ means to have freedom from sin not freedom to sin.  Clearly loving o...

                                                                                  Galatians 5:7-12 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying   the truth?    This persuasion is not from   him who calls you.    A little leaven leavens the whole lump.    I have confidence in the Lord that you will   take no other view, and   the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.    But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision,   why am I still being persecuted? In that case   the offense of the cross has been removed.    I wish   those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!   There are consequences to every type of teaching. ...

                                                                                       Galatians 5:1-6 For   freedom Christ has   set us free;   stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to   a yoke of   slavery.  Look: I, Paul, say to you that   if you accept circumcision,   Christ will be of no advantage to you.    I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that   he is obligated to keep the whole law.    You are   severed from Christ,   you who would be justified by the law;   you have fallen away from grace.    For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly   wait for the hope of righteousness.   ...