TakeNote

Key Points to remember in today's message from God's Word

Set Free: From Confusion To Clarity
Part 1 of the series Set Free
Galatians 1:1-24

Senior Pastor Shawn Thornton
April 23 & 24, 2016


A false gospel is Jesus plus something.
The true gospel is Jesus plus nothing.


Concepts in Galatians:

Gospel – Good News (sin is the problem; Jesus is the answer)

Grace – God’s goodness we don’t deserve

Judaizers/Legalists – God’s grace comes through Jesus plus keeping a religious code


#1: The Confusion
You have to add something to what Jesus did to experience God’s forgiving grace

-Doing something to be forgiven makes sense

-Meeting God part way seems reasonable

-Valuing demonstrated sincerity is commendable

Key #1: Reject any and all false gospels constantly!


#2: The Clarity
God’s forgiving grace comes by faith in Jesus and in Him alone

-God’s grace is scandalous

-God’s grace is hard to believe

-God’s grace is amazing

Key #2: Embrace the true gospel completely!

All Things New Radio Ministry

All Things New Radio is a half-hour broadcast of the ministry of Shawn Thornton, Senior Pastor and Bible Teacher at Calvary Community Church, Westlake Village, California. It is hosted by Mark Davis and is currently heard on stations in California, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas. Listen on your radio, from your computer at the station website, or download the All Things New app and listen anytime.

Sirius/XM Radio, Channel 131
5:00 pm Weeknights
99.5 KKLA – Los Angeles, California kkla.com
6:30 pm Weeknights
98.3 KDAR – Oxnard, California kdar.com
5:30 am & 9:30 am Weekdays;
Saturdays at 7:30pm;
Sundays at 3:30pm
107.9 KNJR - Thousand Oaks, California knjr.org
9:00 am Saturdays and Sundays
107.9 WEMM – Charleston, West Virginia wemmfm.com
6:30 pm Weeknights
550AM WAYR – Jacksonville, Florida 550.wayradio.org
11:30 pm Weeknights
90.9 FM KCBI - Dallas, Texas kcbi.org
8:30pm Weeknights

Take5 for the Week of April 25-29, 2016

Biblical Insights for the Coming Week.
Just 5 Minutes a Day for 5 Days.

From Hypocrisy to Authenticity
By Pastor Brian Field


MONDAY
Hypocritical Chia Pets
Galatians 2:1-5, Romans 2:29

The power of the Gospel transforms us from the inside out. Our thoughts, attitudes, motivations and love for Him, and others, are what concerns God. Yet, the seeds of hypocrisy grow from the “outside-in” as we become more concerned with our appearance of righteousness, than righteousness itself. Hypocrisy is like a spiritual Chia Pet--lots of activity happening on the outside, but no growth on the inside!

Paul understood that the “false believers” were still focusing on outward circumcision, while God was concerned with the circumcision of their hearts. He knew that hypocrisy leads to slavery. When we understand the freedom we have in Christ, we can stop performing and fully love God and others.

FOR TODAY: Ask God to highlight the ways you have projected holiness, then ask for His forgiveness.


TUESDAY
You Are Called
Galatians 2:6-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 10:15

Do you have a clear sense of purpose for the things God has called and entrusted you? The beauty of the body of Christ is that God uses all parts of the body to help fulfill His Great Commission. You may be passionate about reaching foster children. Others may feel called to reach those in the entertainment industry, or the elderly. Parents are entrusted first and
foremost with the discipleship of their children! All of it is necessary and from God.

If you don’t have a clear sense for whom God has called you to reach, pray for eyes to see the people and needs around you through a new lens. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

FOR TODAY: Save the Date: May 21, 2016--One simple way to serve is through Serve Day. Sign-up for a project at www.calvarycc.org/serveday.


WEDNESDAY
The Cool Crowd
Galatians 2:11-13, Proverbs 29:25, Romans 12:16

Have you ever watched a movie where the lead character is forced to choose which crowd she will sit in the high school cafeteria? Will she sit with the social outcasts or the cool crowd? Her character, reputation, and identity are all on the line. She usually ends up picking the cool crowd but, in the end, realizes that it’s not everything she thought it would be.

The same sort of high school drama was played out when Peter had a sudden change of heart by sitting to eat with the Gentiles, after “certain men who came from James” arrived in town. He let the opinions of the “cool crowd” affect his love for those on the outside. He was more concerned with his status than loving fellow brothers in Christ. Paul would have none of it and he called out Peter for his hypocrisy.

How often do you let the opinions of others influence your decisions and affect how you live out your faith? Do you struggle with the fear of man? Hypocrisy thrives on our fear of what others will think of us.

FOR TODAY: Find a way to “sit at the un-cool table” today, whatever that looks like for you.


THURSDAY
Justified
Galatians 2:14-18

For many, the idea of being justified by Christ is too good to be true. Can we really be saved by faith alone? When we fall short in an area of our life, we may feel the need to make amends by doing good works to regain God’s favor.

The truth is, we can never work hard enough. We are God’s beloved sons and daughters because of what Christ did for us, not because of anything we have done. Placing our faith in what Christ has done is what justifies us before our Father.

FOR TODAY: Meditate on the reality that you are a beloved son or daughter of the King.


FRIDAY
Crucified
Galatians 2:19-21, Romans 7:15

I sometimes feel discouraging when I read Paul’s words, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” It is discouraging because there are days when my selflife feels very much alive, so I have trouble relating to Paul’s words.

In those times, it is good to remember that Paul also had his struggles. He told the church in Rome that the things he wants to do he doesn’t do, and the things he doesn’t want to do, he does. Yet, It was in those weaknesses that continually brought Paul back to the foot of the cross, and back to reliance on God’s strength instead of his own.

FOR TODAY: Set aside time to listen to worship music and praise Jesus for His work on the cross.