Jesus Changes People Ken Hensley and Mike Roncaglia

The confrontation Paul has with Peter continues in these next four verses. Peter had been separating himself from the Gentile Christians, which was to say they weren’t right with God. It also said the Jews were better than the Gentiles. But the truth is, everyone is dead spiritually and does acts of sin and needs the saving of Jesus. Ken and Mike discuss what it means to be saved by faith and to be justified by Jesus. They also explore how, although we are saved and justified, we can still fall back into external measures, motivators, and laws. A listener shares they are a new Christian and are thinking about baptism. They have some questions concerning baptism and ask for the guys’ help. Also, what would a leaning pulpit help us determine about a church? And are the guys marked as safe from the eclipse on social media?

Passage: Galatians 2:15-18

Paul’s narrative of how his message was approved and everyone was together shifts to a scene where Peter pulls back from associating with the Gentiles. Peter’s actions as a leader draw even Barnabas, Paul’s close friend, to separate from the Gentiles as well. Paul doesn’t stand for it and opposes Peter to his face in front of everyone. His main message: Why is your behavior inconsistent with who you know you are as a Christian? Mike and Ken discuss this powerful confrontation. They look at the fear and peer pressure involved, the fact that Paul says it was hypocrisy, not heresy, and what it means for our actions to be inline with the truth of the Gospel. A listener wants to know about what are some of the best concerts/festivals the guys have ever been to. Also, what Christian history do the guys unearth in Santa Fe, New Mexico?

Passage: Galatians 2:11-14

Mike and Ken tackle the next 5 verses of chapter 2. In these verses, Paul continues his narrative, which he started in verse 1, about what happened during the meetings in Jerusalem. In them, we learn that the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem add nothing to Paul’s message and bless him and Barnabas to continue on sharing the message with the Gentiles. They also ask that Paul remember the poor, which he’s eager to do. Ken and Mike discuss how ministry is divvied up, what brings unity between everyone, and what a grace changed life looks like. A listener wants to know if there are Bible names that make the guys chuckle. Also, what causes one of the guys to complain about back pain and the other to commit a blooper?

Passage: Galatians 2:6-10

Ken and Mike are back in the book of Galatians after their Easter intermission. They begin in chapter 2, which in Paul’s account was fourteen years since the end of chapter 1. And Paul is back in Jerusalem, along with Barnabas and Titus. He’s setup a private meaning with the leaders in the Jerusalem church, which then will lead to a public meeting. The question to be settled is, can someone be saved without coming under the Mosaic law? The Judaizers think no, Paul thinks yes. What will the council decide? Mike and Ken discuss the characters, the dispute, and what it means to preserve the gospel, then and now. Also, it’s April Fool’s Day. Will the guys even acknowledge it? And is that the James Bond Theme song? Who’s outed as a secret spy?

Passage: Galatians 2:1-5

Mike and Ken finish the last episode in their Easter intermission from Galatians. They focus in on Jesus’ last words “It is finished” recorded in the book of John. They are the 3 most important words in scripture. But what exactly was finished? To understand what was finished requires us to understand the problems that needed to be fixed. Mike and Ken look at the issues that existed because Adam and Eve snacked on fruit from a tree they shouldn’t have. With that background, they discuss what Jesus finished and how that brought a remedy to our situation, changing who we are and how we live. A listener wants to know what Easter traditions the guys enjoy. Also, where are some of the great and not so great places to hide Easter eggs? And Hot Cross Buns banned, say it ain’t so? Is there any hope for these tasty treats to live on?

Passages: John 19:1-30, Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:5, Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 5:1b-3, Romans 5:12-19, 1 Peter 1:20, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 1:13, Romans 6:3-8, Romans 8:28-29

Ken and Mike continue their intermission from Galatians to focus on Easter. In this episode, the focus is Jesus’ crucifixion, which is the focus for many churches on the Friday before Easter. Historically, this Friday has been called Good Friday. Mike and Ken recount the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. They also discuss two key elements that Jesus’ death saves us from. And how these elements fit into the communion meal. Their discussion helps us find our place in Jesus’ story. Finding ourselves there changes us in the here and now. A listener wants to know what Holy Week activities have the guys taken part in and what they thought of them. Also, are Hot Cross Buns a cure all and protector from all calamity?

Passages: Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:3b, Ephesians 1:7-8a, Isaiah 53:6a, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3, Romans 6:6a, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 22:14-22, Matthew 26:26-29