Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis

I am the resurrection and the life—Jesus Christ, John 11. I.    The Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus A.    Unique among religions of the world; one religion based on the resurrection of its divine founder B.    The resurrection in Jesus’ teaching: he promised it several times C.    Atonement requires resurrection Herein we see the organic connection between Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. God’s raising Jesus from the dead is not only a ratification to us of the efficacy of Christ’s atoning death; it is a necessary consequence of it. For by his substitutionary death Christ fully satisfied divine justice. The penalty of death having been fully paid, Christ can no more remain dead than a criminal who has fully served his sentence can remain imprisoned. Punishment cannot justly continue; justice demands his release. Thus, Christ’s resurrection is both a necessary consequence and a ratification of his satisfaction of divine justice [Craig, William Lane. Atonement and the Death of Christ (p. 229). Baylor University Press. Kindle Edition.] II.    Theism and the Resurrection A.    Natural theology increases the probability of the resurrection B.    Argument for God from science and philosophy. See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, chapters 9-19 III.    Are Miracles Credible? A.    What is a biblical miracle? 1.    Not a violation of natural law 2.    Supplementation of nature by divine agency B.    David Hume’s argument against miracles: In-principle argument: irrational to believe in miracles  1.    If it always more likely that a supposed miracles is really a misinterpreted natural event 2.    Response a.    General probability of miracles is low b.    Conditional probability (given theism) is another matter; consider NT reliability and natural theology c.    Miracles are not delusions of pre-scientific fools; they presuppose some knowledge of the natural workings of nature.  Moreover, if there ever were men who did not know the laws of nature at all they would have no idea of a miracle and feel no particular interest in one if it were performed before them. Nothing can seem extraordinary until you have discovered what is ordinary—C. S. Lewis, Miracles. IV.    Minimal Facts and Maximal Result: Resurrection A.    The minimal facts method: find undisputed facts from which to argue for a biblical claim (such as the resurrection) B.    Four minimal facts 1.    Death by crucifixion; no possibility of swooning2.    Burial in a known tomb 3.    The empty tomb; a necessary, but not sufficient condition for the resurrection; women Jews and Romans would have had a vested interest in producing dead body of Jesus, but we have no record of it. 4.    Postmortem appearances of Jesus  a.    In the Gospels, women see Jesus first; unexpected, given low status of women’s testimony at that time b.    Paul’s early witness (I Cor. 15:3-8) C.    Other well-established facts 1.    Transformation of the disciples 2.    The early worship of Jesus by monotheistic Jews (Larry Hurtado) 3.    Circumstantial evidence (part of historical reasoning) a.    Baptism presupposed resurrection (Romans 6:4-5). b.    Lord’s supper or Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) V.    Alternative Naturalistic Theories A.    Need several different naturalistic theories to cover all the known facts. B.    No good naturalistic explanations for four minimal facts. C.    Disciples had neither the means nor the motive to steal the body. D.    The Jewish establishment and Roman government would not take the body, leave the tomb empty and let the story of Jesus’ resurrection become popular because they conspired to crucify Jesus. E.    Hallucination theory 1.    Too many appearances for hallucinations 2.    Hallucinations are not group a phenomena.  VI.    Jesus Christ is Risen Indeed! A.    13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God—2 Cor. 4:13-15. B.    Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain—I Cor. 15:58.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor

He alone had to produce a great people, elect, holy and chosen, lead them, feed them, bring them into the place of rest and holiness, make them holy for God, make them the temple of God, reconcile them to God, save them from God’s anger, redeem them from the bondage of sin which visibly reigns in man, give laws to his people, write these laws in their hearts, offer himself to God for them, sacrifice himself for them, be a spotless sacrifice, and himself the sacrificer, having himself to offer up his body and blood, and yet offer up bread and wine to God (608/766). Blaise Pascal, Pensées. I.    Controversy over Jesus A.    Christ the controversialist (John Stott) B.    Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13-16) II.    New Testament Record A.    Most reliable reports B.    Good to read the stories, but we will select certain aspects of his life and teaching. III.    Master Teacher and Philosopher A.    Taught all manner of people in different situations. Was creative and responsive.  B.    Used philosophy, parables, prophecy, questions, condemnation IV.    Jesus’ Worldview (see also Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus) A.    God and his Kingdom: “Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)B.    Humanity 1.    Created (Matthew 19:4-6) 2.    Fallen (Mark 7:20-23) C.    Ethics: Greatest commandment: Love God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39) Extraordinary ethics of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) 1.    Don’t sin in your heart with anger (murder) or lust (adultery)2.    Love your enemies3.    Pray for those who hurt you4.    Go the second mile5.    Turn the other cheek D.    Salvation found in him (Matthew 11:27-28; John 6:28-29; 14:6; Acts 4:12) V.    Miracle Worker A.    Over nature: calmed storm, walked on water, cursed the fig tree B.    Over sickness: blindness, insanity, leprosy, crippling diseases, flow of blood C.    Over death itself: raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11) D.    Purpose: Demonstrate the Kingdom of God has come with new power and urgency (Matthew 12:28) VI.    Exorcist: Demon Duster A.    More demonic activity seen in Gospels than any other books of Bible B.    Jesus exposed the demonic realm; they feared him, talked to him, and he overcame them with a word (Matthew 12:28-29). VII.    Man of Compassion A.    Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots (Luke 23) B.    Touched lepers, ate with the down and out “sinners” and up and out (Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10) VIII.    Jesus’ Authority A.    Never admitted fault, but was not arrogant or a bully B.    Judge of history (Matthew 7; 25:31-46) C.    Had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18-20) IX.    Christhood A.    The meaning of the title: the uniquely anointed one B.    Not a state of consciousness (New Age idea) or a proper name, but a title fit only for Jesus X.    Uniqueness and Supremacy A.    Jesus’ unique knowledge of God (Matthew 11:27) B.    Mediator (John 14:6; 1 Tim 2:15) C.    Jesus was God himself (Mark 2; John 8:58); the Incarnation. XI.    Other Testimony about Jesus Christ A.    Paul: the divine servant (Philippians 2:5-11) B.    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5; see also 14, 18). XII.    Jesus and Other Religious Leaders. See Ken Samples, God Among Sages: Why Jesus is not Just Another Religious Leader (Baker, 2017) A.    Sages: Buddha, Lao Tze, Mahavira, Confucius. Jesus was a sage, but more than a sage. B.    Avatars: Hinduism. Jesus was nothing like an Avatar, but an historical figure. C.    True biblical prophets: Isaiah, Malachi, etc. Jesus was a prophet, but also the divine Messiah. D.    Other prophets: Zoroaster, Mohammad, Joseph Smith. Jesus was a true prophet and divine Messiah. E.    Contemporary gurus: these are imposters. Jesus was who he said he was and stands alone as Lord. Other Resources 1.    Douglas Groothuis, On Jesus (Wadsworth, 2003).2.    Douglas Groothuis, Jesus in an Age of Controversy (Harvest House, 1996).3.    Douglas Groothuis, Christian Ap

I.    The Death of Christ  A.    Active work of Christ in obeying the law without sin through the Holy Spirit. Giving God the honor due him on our behalf B.    Passive work of Christ on the Cross, taking our punishment, paying our debt C.    Atonement: to cleanse, make right, and restore (Isaiah 53:4-6) Surely he took up our pain    and bore our suffering,yet we considered him punished by God,    stricken by him, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,    he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,    and by his wounds we are healed.6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,    each of us has turned to our own way;and the LORD has laid on him    the iniquity of us all. Substitution (vicariousness) 1.    Propitiation: shrine (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10) 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:23-26, KJV).a.    Made by God for God and for us b.    Enmity or alienation between God and us taken away through the work of Christ c.    Jesus pays our debt (Luke 7) d.    Jesus Bears our sins and takes our punishment 2.    Expiation: disinfects us of results of sin, our uncleanliness is taken away: the cleansing bath “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) 3.    Redemption: marketplace (Galatians 3:13-15) 4.    Justification: courtroom (Romans 5:1-2) 5.    Christus victor (Col. 2:14; 1 John 3:8) II.    Applying the Atonement A.    Come to Christ for atonement and new life (John 3:16-18) B.    Tell the world about his amazing atonement (Matthew 28:18-20) Bibliography 1.    William Lane Craig, Atonement and the Death of Christ (Baylor, 2020).2.    Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity-Academic, 2022).3.    John Stott, The Cross of Christ (InterVarsity, 1986).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Men are so inevitably mad that not to be mad would be to give a mad twist to madness—Blaise Pascal.[1]Topics covered:1. Who are You? (The Who)2. Roots of Identity Revolution and Gender Ideology 3. Who You Are 4. The Bible on Gender5. A Christian Response (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)[1] Pascal, Blaise. Pensées (Penguin Classics) (p. 120). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition. Resources1. “John Money and the Origins of Gender Theory” (five-minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBGrP3AP0_Y. 2. Douglas Groothuis, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022). On critical race theory, but relates to gender ideology.3. Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay (InterVarsity Press, 2000). Explains the decline in the idea of truth, which is a key feature of gender ideology. 4. Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (InterVarsity Academic, 2022).5. Francis Schaeffer, The God Who is There, signature edition (1968; InterVarsity, 2020).6. Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? (Crossway). The big picture on Western culture and its decline. Also a film series, which is on YouTube.7. Nancy Pearcey, Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life and Sexuality (Baker Books, 2017).8. Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (Crossway, 2020).9. Carl Trueman, Strange New People (Crossway, 2022).10. Matt Walsh, What is a Woman? (Daily Wire Press, 2022). See also the film, “What is a Woman?” which is excellent. Walsh often covers gender theory in his daily podcast, “The Matt Walsh Show.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a way of playing safe, there's a way of using tricks and there's the way I like to play, which is dangerously, where you’re going to take a chance on making mistakes in order to create something you haven't created before—Dave Brubeck, jazz pianist.I. Christianity and CultureA. Case study: jazz and Lutheran Pastor Smith1. Jazz and worldliness2. Abstention from jazz3. Restoration to jazzB. Creation mandate (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8)C. The fall (Genesis 3; Romans 3)D. Christians in culture1. Reject and condemn; identify the fall (1 John 2:15-17)2. Affirm, conserve; recognize common grace (Philippians 4:8)3. Redeem, transform; extend the kingdom of God (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). See Andy Crouch, Culture Making4. Culture care: a. Tending the garden (Genesis 2). See Makato Fujimura, Mark Labberton, Culture Care (InterVarsity Press, 2017). b. Salt and light “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.5. Common grace: non-saving grace given to cultures and individuals. See work of Abraham KuyperII. What Is Jazz That We Should be Mindful of It?A. It is no longer a “jazz age”B. I do not mean “smooth jazz” (sickly pseudo-jazz)C. Origins: Africa, slave songs, New OrleansUniquely American art formD. Originators: Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll MortonE. Nature of jazz1. Swing: “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” Duke Ellington 2. Syncopation: the offbeat as the right beat3. Improvisation: “Chops” developed through “time in the woodshed”4. Collaboration: “big ears”5. Mastering tradition: “standards”6. Virtuoso soloists: Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Pat Martino7. Jazz culture in Denver1. Jazz studies at Metro State, directed by Ron Miles, a trumpeter and Christian2. Dazzle Jazz: Jazz most days of the week and national acts about 3-4 times a monthF. Receiving jazz for what it is. 1. See C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism on “receiving,” not “using”2. Behold and receive: John Coltrane, “Alabama”III. How Jazz Can Shape Christian WitnessA. “Time in the woodshed” means developing your chopsDo your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.—2 Timothy 2:15B. ImprovisationC. “Call and response”—dialogue Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord—Acts 19:8-10D. Syncopation: “the sound of surprise” (Whitney Balliet) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).How to Cope in Crisis and Chronic sadness?A. My conviction: Christianity is true, rational, and pertinent to whole of life. See Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics; see especially, “The Problem of Evil” chapterB. Yet there is evil, pain, suffering, and lamentC. But, we can smelt, squeeze, and sculpt meaning out of suffering through divine loveI. Lament: A Tonic for Suffering A. A tonic, not a cure (in this life)What is biblical lament?1. The anguished cry of sorrow, grief, and often anger made before God and with hope of resolution. Lament is caused the loss of a something good or by the fear of the loss of a good thing, such as justice, health, or a loving relationship. One may lament over oneself, others, or the creation itself.a. Negro spirituals, “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child,” and the blues, “Motherless Children.”b. Sixty Psalms of lament (6, 13, 22, 39, 88, 90, 137, etc.)c. Book of Job: We are “born for trouble as the sparks fly upward” (5:7)d. Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV)I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.2. Christ’s absolute suffering on the Cross for redemption: lament of all laments redeems the cosmosa. “My God my God, why have you forsaken me”? (Matthew 27:46; from Psalm 22)b. “Come lift up your sorrow and offer your pain. Come make a sacrifice of all your shame. There in your wilderness, he is waiting for you to worship with your wounds for he’s wounded, too.” Michael Card, from “The Hidden Face of God” recording (2006)c. Jesus: “It is finished” Not finished for us, though—yetd. Participating in Christ’s suffering through lament: Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.Lightening the Load of SufferingA. Let grief take its course: Said to a mother grieving the suicide of her 19-year-old son: “It’s been six weeks”B. Let yourself and others weep; accept their tears; listen to their tearsYou have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in your bottle Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8; see Revelation 7:17).C. Don’t give cheap answers; don’t try to read God’s mind in the whys of sufferingWhen I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night—then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17; see also Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36).D. Don’t try to cheer people up out of seasonLike one who takes away a garment on a cold day,or like vinegar poured on a wound,is one who sings songs to a heavy heart (Proverbs 25:20).E. Don’t make promises you cannot fulfill; keep your wordIt is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it (Ecclesiastes 5:5).F. Prayer as a way of life (Ephesians 6:10-19).G. Remember that lament for the redeemed is not forever (Revelation 21-22)Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show Notes: A Theology of CultureDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.Culture is where humanity shapes nature according to a worldview. Humans are to develop creation for the glory of God, since they bear God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8). All cultural activity should be performed for the glory of God under the Lordship of Christ. As Abraham Kuyper said:There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, “Mine!”Francis Schaeffer further emphasized that all legitimate activities are spiritual.True spirituality covers all of reality. There are things the Bible tells us as absolutes which are sinful- which do not conform to the character of God. But aside from these things the Lordship of Christ covers all of life and all of life equally. It is not only that true spirituality covers all of life, but it covers all parts of the spectrum of life equally. In this sense there is nothing concerning reality that is not spiritual.We find three biblical themes for cultural engagement under the Lordship of Christ.I. Separation/antithesis: Against the world, for the world, under God. Recognize the radical fallenness of the world and its systems (Psalm 1; 1 John 2:15-17). When everything is moving at once, nothing appears to be moving, as on board ship. When everyone is moving towards depravity, no one seems to be moving, but if someone stops he shows up the others who are rushing on, by acting as a fixed point.” Blaise Pascal, Pensées.A. Paul at Athens: One transcendent creator; no idols; resurrection of the dead (Acts 17:16-43)B. Danger: legalistic separatismC. Don’t compromise with the squalor of popular culture: “Game of Thrones,” etc. Ken Myers, All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture.D. Bearing witness philosophically against postmodernism. See Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay (IVP, 2000)1. Defend a biblical view of truth2. Revealed/authoritative—not constructed or contingent all the way down3. Objective—not merely subjective4. Absolute—not relative, conventional5. Universal—not provincial, parochial6. Antithetical—not synthetic, irresponsibly eclectic, ad hocII. Conservation/common grace: “He Shines through all that’s fair” A. Matthew 5:45: Sun shines and rain falls on just and unjustB. Be discerning and relentless scavengers for common grace; philosophical detection of truth and rationality outside the fold; put back material where it belongs (James Orr)C. Plunder the Egyptians but don’t worship their idols (Augustine)D. Dangers: accommodating the worldly (James 1:27; 1 John 2:15-17)E. Common grace: The American system of government. See Douglas Groothuis, Fire in the Streets1. Separation of powers: sin and reform2. Representational and constitutional government: ordered liberty under law3. Five radiant freedoms of the first amendment: law giving room for religion and the preaching of grace in ChristFirst Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.III. Transformation: “Crown him with many crowns,” crown rights of King Jesus: Psalm 2; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-5A. Permeate society and claim as much as possible for Christ and his Kingdom.B. Danger: triumphalism, zeal without knowledgeC. The “humble prophet,” neither dogmatist, nor relativist; regaining a resonate, prophetic and intelligent voice in the public square1. Knows, exegetes the culture (I Chron. 12:32; Tribe of Issachar)2. Knows, exegetes the...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Christian Ethics and the BibleA. The Bible and ethics. See J. Douma, Responsible Conduct (Presbyterian and Reformed, 2003)Bible at completely true in all it affirms, the standard for truth (sola Scriptura), and applicable to all of lifeBible as a guide (Psalm 119; 2 Tim. 3:15-16), the ultimate authority.Bible as a compass, provides and orientation, but not specifics on some matters; a way of life (Proverbs [wisdom and folly], Ecclesiastes, Deuteronomy 30)Bible as a source or moral and immoral examples, narratives (Historical books of OT; Jesus in Gospels, Hebrews 11)Two errors in appealing to the Bible for ethics:1. Biblicism: the letter of Scripture without context and sense of placement in redemptive history. 2. Latitudinarianism: Scripture shorn of authority, diluted, distorted by contemporary tastes, preferences, orientations. Theological liberalism. See Nadia Bolz-Weber, Shameless, “progressive Christianity.”II. Three categories of lawCeremonial lawCivil law - When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof (Deuteronomy 22:8)Moral law: Ten CommandmentsIII. Three Uses of the Law (Calvin, Institutes, book 2, chapter seven)A. Constraint on evil (1 Tim. 1:9-10): barricadeB. Condemnation of sinners, pedagogical use (Galatians 3:24): mirror Lutherans emphasize this as the primary function.C. Guidance for the godly (Jer. 31:33; Romans 15:4; Heb. 10:16): yardstick IV. Uniqueness of Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-18; Deut. 5)A. Sinai Event itself occasioned by special signs (Exodus 19)B. Torah within the Torah: “summarily comprehends” the moral law (Westminster Larger Catechism)C. Emphasis on the Ten Commandments throughout Scripture D. Justification and sanctification V. Understanding the CommandmentsA. View in light of (1) original situation and (2) larger canonical setting, particularly the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)B. Two tables of the Law (see Matthew 22:37-39)C. Eight principles for interpreting the Ten Commandments: Westminster Larger Catechism.Consider three1. What are the duties required?2. What at the sins prohibited?3. What are the blessings of obedience?VI. Pursue virtue; avoid vice (Matthew 5:1-16)A. Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:22-26)B. Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12-14)C. Don’t let the gifts get ahead of the fruits: God’s work in you is prior and more important than God’s work through you (ministry)D. Works of the flesh (Galatians 5)19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).VII. ConsequencesA. Do as much good as you can for as many as you for as long as you can without breaking God’s law or grieving the Holy Spirit.B. Blessings for obedience to covenant (Deuteronomy 8, 28, etc.)C. Be zealous for good works in the power of the Holy Spirit; zeal and knowledge, not one without the other D. For we are God's handiwork,...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.