13 April 2025

The Gentiles are Now Included, Part 2 (TMF:2595)

Friday, April 18, 2025

Peace to Live By: The Gentiles are Now Included, Part 2 (TMF:2595) - Daniel Litton
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In the New Testament, with the appearance of Jesus on the scene, we see this focus shift. It shift’s first for the Jewish people, in that they are encouraged to come into personal relationship with God through belief in Jesus as Messiah. But, first through the Apostle Peter, we see God start to offer the gift of salvation to the Gentile peoples as well. The riches that were had for Israel, then, come to the Gentiles also. Paul talks about this in Romans 9. We usually think of Romans 9 as a deep and complicated discussion on the individual salvation of people within the two groups. Many have taught this perspective, including who you’re listening to right now. Really, though, it seems more likely that Paul’s real emphasis there in Romans 9, which carries over into chapters 10 and 11, was on the whole people-group of Israel verses the people-group of the Gentiles. We know that the Israelites decided to reject the Lord Jesus Christ and had him crucified through Pontius Pilate, their Roman leader.

The Gentiles are Now Included, Part 1 (TMF:2594)

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Peace to Live By: The Gentiles are Now Included, Part 1 (TMF:2594) - Daniel Litton
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“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26, ESV). This is a big verse. A foundational summary would likely be helpful at this point. We know, in reading our Old Testaments, and going back toward the beginning of our world, that all the way back in the book of Genesis, God choose Abraham, and it was Abraham’s offspring that would become the Nation of Israel, a race of people who God choose specifically as his own from all the people groups of the world. During the times of the Old Testament then, God’s focus and dealings was with Israel as a people group. And, they would be dealt with collectively rather than individually, and by this it is meant that the focus was more or less on the group as a whole versus the individual as a whole. In the New Testament, with the appearance of Jesus on the scene, we see this focus shift.

Is the Word Presented Well? Part 2 (TMF:2593)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Peace to Live By: Is the Word Presented Well? Part 2 (TMF:2593) - Daniel Litton
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As onlookers, we are typically astonished at the latest iPhone keynote. Or the latest OSU press conference, whether we agree with the decisions or not. Does the minister present the Word of God in an astonishing way? Well, we don’t want to get too out of bounds. The minister may not have the most innovative or fired up speech, but it should bring faith and hope to the table, with some love mixed in, right? But, perhaps like Jesus, it doesn’t hurt for the minister to be as innovative as he can. We know some great Christian thinkers who have been. Rick Warren is coming to mind. What is the mystery? Actually, Paul reveals that for us in the next verse: “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (ESV). This is a big verse, a big verse. One of the biggest we’ve come across in Colossians 1. Much to discuss.

Is the Word Presented Well? Part 1 (TMF:2592)

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Peace to Live By: Is the Word Presented Well? Part 1 (TMF:2592) - Daniel Litton
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Back in verse 25: “to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.” The keynote presentation or the press conference the comes with purpose for the laborer of God. It is the make the mystery which was hidden in the past—to make that known to everyone who will listen. Jesus modeled this perfectly for us when he began his earthly ministry. We know he was doing something right, for right after he began, right after he gave his famous Sermon on the Mount, remember, the Scripture records for us, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28, 29, ESV). As onlookers, we are typically astonished at the latest iPhone keynote. Or the latest OSU press conference, whether we agree with the decisions or not. Does the minister present the Word of God in an astonishing way? Well, we don’t want to get too out of bounds.

The Freedom of Ministers & Missionaries, Part 3 (TMF:2591)

Monday, April 14, 2025

Peace to Live By: The Freedom of Ministers & Missionaries, Part 3 (TMF:2591) - Daniel Litton
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To use another example, we can think of a head coach of a football team, and how that coach makes good and effective decisions to manage the team. We can note how Ryan Day, head coach of The Ohio State Buckeyes, recently vowed to give a couple Buckeye defenders more time in games. A decision he made. So, we understand these things. It’s easy for us. But does the minister of God, or missionary for that matter, understand then the tremendous responsibility entrusted to him or her? It doesn’t mean they don’t pray. Surely, prayer can be and often is a part of decision making. The point is that just like the CEO, or the head coach, the minister and missionary is expected to make wise choices that will lead the church in the right directions, down the right paths. The freedom and responsibility is there. It takes boldness, and perhaps more leaders in the ministry need to follow their hearts and make bigger and better choices. That’s what God wants.