Leaving Without Christ

Introduction

We wish to couple the encouragement to get in Christ, with the encouragement to “stay in Christ”

Our Text

Gal 1:6 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;”

What this lesson speaks to committment

God does not mind enthusiasm but He wants ENDURANCE

God does not mind fervour but He wants FAITHFULNESS

God does not mind happiness but He wants you to HOLD ON

God does not mind your vibrance but He wants you to get the VICTORY CROWN

Paul uses an interesting phrase “deserting”

transfer from place to the next/change sides/to be disloyal

The grammar will suggest that this wasn’t a completed action. “They began the process of leaving”

APPL. Some of us are in the building, BUT WE’RE LEAVING! - we began the process

THE PROCESS

The process begins with what you’re feeding on

If You nderstand how good something is, it’s hard to leave!!!

Secondly, he argues for the authenticity of the message, by showing #1 what it did his life #2 where he got it from***

Paul exposes the danger of “leaving so soon”

Firstly, he says “let them be accursed”- To be left in the hands of God for retribution and for judgement APPL. - God doesn’t not take to kindly to when you mess with His word

Secondly, He lets them know there’s no perfection in a different gospel Gal 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

The Spirit like to use His own tools. - When you change the gospel He can’t work because the tool is different.

He says further:

Gal 5:1-2 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.”

Paul describes “leaving Christ” as being “severed” from Him Gal 5:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen [falling off a certain point or location] from grace.”

Gal 5:7 “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” - who tried to impede your progress/cut you off.

Paul exposes the blessedness of being in Christ

Gal 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

It is clear that the the blessings of God are locative; they are IN Christ.

You are sons of Abraham, through the gospel

You are heirs of the promise, through the gospel

You have the Spirit through the gospel

In Christ there is TRANSFORMATION

Some of us come to church but we leave the same. Christ is theological and He has not yet become practical.

So why are you leaving so soon

They leave because of mistreatment - Don’t judge everyone based on the treatment of just one

Some leave becasue of “hypocrisy” and behaviour of others - this is where the sick come for help - Maybe do like Paul and confront it

Some leave because they’re burdened - Some fight, but they fight alone, not wanting let anyone know about it.

Gal 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Some leave because they can’t see the fruit of their labour Gal 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Some leave because they’ve been ingesting a different gospel - one that is altered, it’s been tampered with and it’s not growing their faith.

1 Cor 15:1-2 “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.”