Thanks for supporting the Rogue Table Talks community for the past couple of years! It has been a blast! Chad and I have loved talking to you! I want to invite the RTT audience to a new thing I am doing. I have a newsletter that will be launching mid-April or so and a podcast that goes with it.  I would love all of you to be a part of that community as well. The newsletter is called The Embassy - at theembassy.substack.com - you can subscribe for free and get some content that will always be free and there is a paid option for all the content (it is pretty cheap, I think).  The podcast is free and is called On Culture (that link is for Spotify, but it is available everywhere - including Apple Podcasts). The tone will be similar to Rogue Table Talks and we'll assume the same sort of audience, but it won't be based on a single scripture passage as much as cultural issues (and we'll reference scripture along the way). On Culture will feature Chad along with other friends ... so if you have enjoyed RTT, I would love to have you subscribe to On Culture (and I would love to have you subscribe to The Embassy also!). Love you all, Mike --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

RTT 132 - Blessing, Good News, Light, Presence, and Fulfillment Genesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Blessing to the world … in God’s plan - promise Luke 2:13-20 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Good News of Great Joy … fulfillment Matthew 5:13-16 “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. Light of the world … blessing / fulfillment through us Ephesians 2:19-22 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. God’s presence and dwelling in us, His church … fulfillment Final fulfillment in heaven … --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

Not Circumcision but the New Creation 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

Galatians 6:1-10 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

Keep in Step with the Spirit Galatians 5:16-26 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. We are free - but are commanded and encouraged to walk by the Spirit The flesh and the Spirit - competing desires How do we understand this? Under the Spirit or under the law? Works of the flesh Works of the Spirit Belonging to Christ - crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires Denial of Self … Living Sacrifice ... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

No episode this week - we'll catch you next week --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

Galatians 5:1 ff - What does Freedom mean? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

Chad and Mike discuss Galatians 4:21-31 ... an obscure sounding passage with a couple of profound points to ponder. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

Galatians 4:3-20 From the elementary principles (or spirits) of the world to son or daughter of God From ESV Study Bible: “Gal. 4:3 elementary principles. Both here and in v. 9 the expression refers to the elementary principles the Galatians previously followed, which for Jews would be the Mosaic law and for Gentiles the basic concepts of their pagan religions. But the additional overtones of demonic bondage in this phrase should not be ignored; they were, in terms of their mind-set and life situation, under a legalistic system and enslaved, and Paul explains in v. 8 that this enslavement was “to those that by nature are not gods.” Legalistic superstition and demonic domination are closely linked.” From slave to son or daughter to heir … destiny “But now that you have come to know God, or rather be known by God” you want to turn back to the “weak and worthless elementary principles (or spirits) of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more”? (People of Israel on shore of Red Sea) They make much of you, but for no good purpose … (being manipulated in a culture war … isn’t that a version of what is happening here?) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message

The Big Story Has Been the Plan All Along ... 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. ... 21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. C.S. Lewis - Man or Rabbit Mere morality is not the end of life. You were made for something quite different from that. J. S. Mill and Confucius (Socrates was much nearer the reality) simply didn't know what life is about. The people who keep on asking if they can't lead a decent life without Christ, don't know what life is about; if they did they would know that 'a decent life' is mere machinery compared with the thing we men are really made for. Morality is indispensable: but the Divine Life, which gives itself to us and which calls us to be gods, intends for us something in which morality will be swallowed up. We are to be re-made. All the rabbit in us is to disappear - the worried, conscientious, ethical rabbit as well as the cowardly and sensual rabbit. We shall bleed and squeal as the handfuls of fur come out; and then, surprisingly, we shall find underneath it all a thing we have never yet imagined: a real Man, an ageless god, a son of God, strong, radiant, wise, beautiful, and drenched in joy. ' 'When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.'2 The idea of reaching 'a good life' without Christ is based on a double error. Firstly, we cannot do it; and secondly, in setting up 'a good life' as our final goal, we have missed the very point of our existence. Morality is a mountain which we cannot climb by our own efforts; and if we could we should only perish in the ice and unbreathable air of the summit, lacking those wings with which the rest of the journey has to be accomplished. For it is from there that the real ascent begins. The ropes and axes are 'done away' and the rest is a matter of flying. Children of God 23 Before the coming of this faith,[j] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/roguetabletalks/message