The Finale

Introduction

Anyone want to take a guess at the most important letter ever written in the history of the world?

MLK Jr’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail”

MLK wrote this letter from a jail cell in Birmingham after being arrested for participating in non-violent protests against segregation. He wrote this letter on fragments of news paper, toilet paper, and anything else he could get his hands on.

“Injustice anywhere is a treat to justice everywhere.”

It became an important element in the American Civil Rights Movement.

This is how he ended the letter...

“Yours for the cause of peace and brotherhood”

Tonight, I want to look at another letter that I believe, among a few others, is pivotal in the lives of the “Big C” church and our personal lives today...

I think very well that MLK’s signature statement is relevant for us in this room today… and might have even been the heart of Paul regarding the letter written to Galatia.

Galatians 6:11–18 ESV

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon 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. Amen.

I call this portion of the passage “The Finale.”

It is the finish line of the letter and essentially sums up an important point that Paul is warning the church of at that time.

Let me note this- in every other letter written by Paul, he finishes with a statement. In this letter, he finished with a paragraph.

Based on the opening line, it is kinda a big deal!

Paul is stressing the difference between those who are marked by the Spirit of God and those who are legalist.

The believer that is living under the law and the believer that is living under grace are very much opposed to each other.

They are very two different ways of life!

Just to give you a little comparison before we dive in, Paul is comparing people who...

Live in bondage or liberty

Live by the flesh or by the spirit

Live for self or for others

By using the end of this letter, my desire is that we use this passage to do a self evaluation regarding our motive...

We all know what we are doing...

But do we know why we are doing it?

A good work can be spoiled by a bad motive.

4 Marks of a Legalist

1. Legalist are Conceited

Galatians 6:12–13 ESV

12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

These people are all about completing what starts as a good work.

In this case, they were winning people to Christ. Some were even discipling!

What is wrong with this picture then?

The converts they were making were being marked as personal wins. It was all about impression.

They (Legalist) were wanting the glory of the work of Christ instead of resting in the Glory of Christ.

How do we reach people for the cause of Christ while avoiding pride in our own ability?

I think it begins with understanding this...

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Marks of Freedom (Galatians 6:11–18)

We want to see more people sharing in our ministries, not so that we can count people, but because people count.

2. Legalist are Compromisers

Galatians 5:11 ESV

11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Those who were teaching the old law still were teaching the old law to escape persecution.

A trend we see among people who are legalist is their desire to stay in the good graces of everyone for personal gain, even at the expense of the truth...

How many of us have abused the truth for personal gain, whether that be for our reputation, to degrade others, etc.

3. Legalist are Persuaders

God’s truths are not bricks to throw at people, they are bread to feed people.

Galatians 2:14 ESV

14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Legalist tend to be forceful salesmen instead of people who bring the truth with sincerity.

4. Legalist are Pretenders

Matthew 23:3 ESV

3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

They are hypocrites...

Galatians 6:13 ESV

13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

So what does it look like to be a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led believer?

Paul is a great example.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Why was it easy for Paul to boast in the Cross of Christ?

1. He knew the person of the cross

In this letter alone, Jesus was mentioned 45 times...

When we know Jesus, we can’t help but to live for Jesus.

There is a moment in our lives when we are saved that our desire is to shift our desire for personal glory to a desire that is centered around Jesus receiving the glory...

Galatians 1:13–14 ESV

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

Remember… He once was this… and now He is a Spirit-filled believer. This is what happens!

His life was evidence of this!

2. He knew the power of the cross

The cross, a symbol of shame and defeat, was now a symbol of Liberty!

Without the cross, there is no freedom from...

SELF

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

FLESH

Galatians 5:24 ESV

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

THE WORLD

Galatians 6:14 ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

3. He knew the purpose of the cross.

The whole purpose is to redeem something that has been working, both creation and US.

Paul knew that God’s plan was the answer to this messed up world. In that plan was the redemption of our souls...

Acts 15:14 ESV

14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.

Conclusion

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Marks of Freedom (Galatians 6:11–18)

Beware of that religious leader who lives in his ivory tower and knows nothing of battling against the world, the flesh, and the devil, who has no “marks” to show for his obedience to Christ. Paul was no armchair general; he was out in the front lines, waging war against sin, and taking his share of suffering.

At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves who am I, what am I doing, and why am I doing this?

Are you marked by Legalism or by the Spirit?

It is the Christian leader who has suffered for Christ who has something to offer...

What sacrifice have you made for Christ recently?

*Prayer.