THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL // If the book of Galatians could be summarized in one verse, it is chapter five verse one: "It is for freedom's sake Christ has set you free—therefore do not be entangled again in a yoke of bondage." In this week's episode of THE BETTER FREEDOM, Jeff and Steph discuss the implications of this explosive verse which we hold so dear. Listen to "For Sake of Free Freedom (Gal. 5:1)" now in the FAI App or wherever you listen to podcasts. #TheBetterBeautiful #becauseJesus...
Sep 10, 2022•35 min
In Episode 32 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, we come to the end of chapter four in Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia: "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? 'Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.' So then, brethren, we are not children of t...
Sep 03, 2022•34 min
Somehow, God deals with our unrighteousness in a way that makes Him "both just and the Justifier" of all who have faith in Him; of all who "trust" in Him. Paul had exceptional clarity to communicate the nuts and bolts of this profound message, and it is apparent throughout his letters in addition to the points he makes at the end of this Galatian chapter. Listen to Episode 31 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, "Law, Legality, & Liberty (Gal. 4:24-27)" now and buckle up—we're about to get into the grit a...
Aug 27, 2022•34 min
"For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise...." These are two simple verses, in theory. But we got lost in them—good and deep. Join Jeff & Steph for the latest conversation in THE BETTER FREEDOM: "Isaacs, Ishmaels, & Rabbit Trails (Gal. 4:22-23)," live now in the FAI App.
Aug 20, 2022•37 min
The One Wherein Jeff & Steph Park in a Singular Seventeen-Word Verse For a Whole Episode "Tell me, you who desire the law, do you not listen to the law?" Galatians puts the collision between our desires, identities, and owners (yes, what/who owns you) under a microscope, and even this short little verse sifts the human heart and exposes intentions and aspirations undergirding how we approach a life in God. Perhaps this conversation will help illuminate some of your own. Or maybe we just got ...
Aug 13, 2022•34 min
As a father in the faith, Paul was concerned for the Galatians. He was jealous for the Galatians. He was burdened for the Galatians. Yet he was, in his own words, "perplexed" by the Galatians. What can we learn and glean from this man who developed out of his own immaturity to give his life to shepherding others out of theirs? Listen to "Fatherhood & Full Formation (Gal. 4:17-20)" with Jeff & Steph now here in the FAI App.
Aug 06, 2022•41 min
Paul's tone begins to pivot in Galatians 4:10-16, and we hear him in humility, in his humanity, as he makes a heartfelt plea to the believers in Galatia. Jeff & Steph discuss these verses in this week's episode of THE BETTER FREEDOM, our (long) season exclusively devoted to Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. Listen now in the FAI App.
Jul 30, 2022•35 min
An abiding law of the universe is this: You are a slave to that which you obey, and you obey that which you desire. This is why loving Jesus is synonymous with obedience (John 15), and why Paul so often refers to himself as a bondservant. But say you break beyond the fence line of obedience; you are not then "free" from the constraints of His commands—you're enslaved within the territory of disobedience. In this week's passage, Paul addresses one way we jump the fence: by giving our minds back t...
Jul 23, 2022•30 min
When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son "to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons—and because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Here we encounter the generosity of God. Meditate with us on Galatians 4:5-7 this week in the latest episode of our journey through Galatians: THE...
Jul 16, 2022•41 min
Now firmly in the second half of the year, we are also finally getting into the second half of Galatians: sonship, slavery, and the sovereignty of God displayed in the revelation of the Son in the "fullness of time"—in your life, Paul's life, and in the nations. For Stephanie, a marked moment of "fullness" in her life involved Cutco knives and the guy who would later co-host this podcast with her. Hear the story in this episode of THE BETTER FREEDOM, our season of THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL in the boo...
Jul 09, 2022•42 min
THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL // We close out chapter 3 of Galatians exploring the implications of equality in Jesus, and the possible pitfalls of the "one new man" formed in His offering. Listen to "Unity, Diversity, and Distinction (Gal. 3:28-29)" of THE BETTER FREEDOM with Jeff & Steph now, right here in the FAI App.
Jul 02, 2022•32 min
Or, "The One Where Jeff Became a Grandpa." In Episode 22 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, we meditate on Galatians 3:27: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." In this regard, there is no other way but to be fully immersed—but what happens if we, like the Crusaders of old, withhold something above the water line? What in your life do you try to protect and preserve? But Jesus "washes us with the water of His word," and "dresses" us with Him. Ponder these things with us today...
Jun 25, 2022•34 min
We're in the meat of Galatians 3, with substantial themes to chew on: law, faith, grace, promise, slavery, sonship, and the means of reckoning against the righteousness of God. It's not for the faint of heart—but it'll lead you to the One who is "meek and lowly" inviting you to abide in Him all your days. Grab a coffee and your Bible, and maybe bookmark Romans so you can move back and forth between the two. We love meditating on the Word with you, and staring at the beauty of Jesus every week. H...
Jun 18, 2022•37 min
"What is covenant?" For as heady and meaty as the issues in this passage can be, ultimately the faith comes down to a very simple issue: children believing the promise of their trustworthy Father. Join Jeff & Steph for episode 20 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, which also happens to be the 100th episode of THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for spending the last two years staring at the beauty of Jesus with us. He is the answer to every question. We're looking forward to the next 100!
Jun 11, 2022•38 min
The most offensive elements of the Good News are the best ones. The most precious truths are the ones we most resist, most despise. Galatians 3:14 is among these; join Jeff and Steph for a meditation on the Cross as we wade into the doctrinal depths of Paul's letter to the Galatian churches.
Jun 04, 2022•39 min
Our second of two conversations with Dana Candler (IHOPKC) gets real about what to do when you don't love Jesus like you used to. If you cross the finish line without love, did you really run the race to begin with? What do you do when you test the worth of Jesus, and the worth of Jesus turns around and tests you back? Listen to "Finishing with First Love," our final conversation with Dana Candler celebrating her latest book, 'First Love: Keeping Passion for Jesus in a World Growing Cold,' now. ...
May 28, 2022•51 min
In this special two-part edition of THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL, Jeff and Steph sit down with Dana Candler (IHOPKC) to discuss her latest book, 'First Love: Keeping Passion for Jesus in a World Growing Cold.' If ever there was a manifesto for our heart behind "The Better Beautiful," it's Dana's new book. These conversations provoked us, challenged us, encouraged us, and brought us into worshipful wonder at the sustaining and sufficient beauty of Jesus. Listen to Part One now here in the FAI App, and st...
May 21, 2022•43 min
We spend this week in the five verses between Galatians 3:10-14, and it's important to hear Paul's tone in this segment. What of the curses? Why is the cross a theological checkmate? Jeff & Steph discuss these questions and more in this week's episode of THE BETTER FREEDOM, our journey through the letter to the churches of Galatia. Find yourself in these eternal truths, relevant to disciples in the first century and relevant to us now as we await the return of the slaughtered King. Maranatha...
May 14, 2022•41 min
In episode 17 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, Jeff & Steph discuss Galatians 3:8-9 and the international intention woven into God's covenant with Abraham (and by extension, Isaac and Jacob) from the very beginning. If this "Good News" was truly meant to reach the nations from its earliest expressions, what do we do with it on, say, a Tuesday afternoon? Listen to "Jesus' International Inheritance (Gal. 3:8-9)" now here in the FAI App
May 07, 2022•34 min
Paul cites "works" to describe marks of Jewish identity. James cites "works" as actions evident for faith. Paul says you're saved by grace through faith and "not by works," lest any man should boast. James says you must have works to back up your faith, or you're the walking dead. Both men build their positions on the same text: "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." How do these stand together such that we can "know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of...
Apr 30, 2022•47 min
In this episode, Jeff & Steph pull the car over somewhere around Galatians 3:5 to stretch our legs, check the map, and look at the road ahead. Paul develops a robust theology of justification, adoption, sonship, inheritance, freedom—as well as the less attractive alternatives—in just a couple of chapters in Galatians, and we're about to take a deep dive to wade through them all. And we're feeling a bit of fear and trepidation as we do. Grab some coffee, your Bible, and survey our surrounding...
Apr 23, 2022•35 min
Jeff & Steph interview Daniel Lancaster, author of the commentary 'The Holy Epistle to the Galatians: Sermons on a Messianic Jewish Approach,' and Director of Education at First Fruits of Zion. Daniel helps us wade through some of the larger questions presented by the Galatian letter, and approach Paul's words within their broader context both culturally and theologically. Find more of Daniel's resources at www.ffoz.org
Apr 16, 2022•58 min
What *wouldn't* Jesus do? Jeff and Steph ask this pertinent question as we discuss Galatians 3:1-5. How do the questions surrounding Law & Spirit, Jew & Gentile, faith & freedom bear upon us? How does staring at "Christ and Him crucified" safeguard us from the seduction of bewitching words and Gospel perversions? Listen to Part 13 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, "What *Wouldn't Jesus Do? (Gal. 3:1-5)" now
Apr 09, 2022•35 min
What must we do when we bow the knee to Jesus for the first time? How does this bear upon being either Jew or Gentile? Jeff & Steph discuss Galatians 2:17-21 in this week's installment of THE BETTER FREEDOM. Listen to "All the Law & the Prophets" now:
Apr 02, 2022•44 min
On the heels of Paul recounting how Peter had "extended the right hand of fellowship" to him and his ministry team, the "apostle to the Gentiles" publicly confronted the man Jesus nicknamed "the rock." Why was this conversation significant, and why did it have to take place publicly? As we so often find in the heart of God, the priority of table fellowship plays a central role in a much larger story. Listen to Episode 11 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, "A Confrontation with Justification (Gal. 2:11-17),"...
Mar 26, 2022•43 min
Galatians' second chapter describes two encounters and conversations between Paul and Peter: in the first (this week's episode), Peter forfeits an opportunity to lambast Paul for his blood-stained, prideful past, and extended the "right hand of fellowship" to both Paul and Barnabas. In the second (next week's episode), Paul had to publicly bring a word of correction to Peter's leadership culture. The "better freedom" Jesus brings us into has both individual and corporate ramifications and implic...
Mar 19, 2022•51 min
Not long after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the testimony of the crucified and risen Messiah is growing in Syria. A young, zealous Pharisee is on his way to Damascus to extinguish the growing church, "breathing threats of persecution," committed to silencing this spreading sect of Judaism. Then he receives his famous, blinding encounter with the Lord, changing his life forever—and then spent the next three years in Arabia. Where did he go, and why did he do that? Jeff and Steph discu...
Mar 12, 2022•38 min
The apostle Paul lived his entire life "set apart," seeking to honor the legacy of his fathers. His encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road took those ambitions, and leveraged them for a better consecration and a better Father, illuminating Paul's life and identity as a son with eternity and joy. Yet as he reflects on it, he makes a significant distinction: it was not simply that Jesus was revealed *to* Paul—what changed his life forever was God the Father's revelation of God the Son *in* Paul...
Mar 05, 2022•37 min
Allegiance to and obedience to Jesus can only be done one way: all or nothing. That's always been true of discipleship, and it'll always be true of discipleship. In Episode 7 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, Jeff & Steph spend some additional time in verses 1:6-12 to consider Paul's singular focus to face one direction and live such that God would see the apostle's life and smile. How can we do the same? Listen to "Face Face One Direction, and God Will Smile" now right here in the FAI App...
Feb 26, 2022•36 min
With the opening greeting to the churches of Galatia behind us, we move now into the meat of the letter—and Paul wastes no time telling us how he really feels. Consider Gal. 1:6: "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ." He goes on to condemn anyone who perverts of distorts the Gospel—himself included, should he be so reckles...
Feb 19, 2022•56 min
