Introduction to Galatians

Context:

Author is the Apostle Paul

Written in late AD 40’s-AD 50 (Different views on when it was written, some believe it was written around AD 54)

Some believe Galatians is the first book Paul had written

It was written to the Region of Galatia (Multiple churches)

The purpose of this letter was to correct false teaching in the church

The Problem: (False teaching)

These false teachers came into the church teaching faith plus work of maintaining the Jewish law

These false teachers came into the church teaching faith plus work of maintaining the Jewish law

Acts 15:1 “While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.””

Galatians 2:4 “Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations.”

How does this book apply to you personally?

The temptation is turn away from God

Maybe some say, faith alone doesn’t seem to be enough. Faith + Works

Others may be enticed to take grace for granted and think you have a licenses to sin

Some may turn completely away from God and turn to the world because sin is so appealing

***The message is clear, don’t turn away from the Gospel the Bible clearly teaches.

1. (V1) Paul is establishing his authority

This emphasis on Paul’s apostolic credentials is important. Paul had strong words for these Galatians, and they had to understand that he wrote with authority; indeed, apostolic authority. Paul expected that Christians would respect his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

His critics appear to have been Jews who claimed to be Christians and who wanted Christians to submit to the authority of the Mosaic Law and its institutions.

2. (V3) Paul’s greeting

A) Grace to you and peace:

This was Paul’s familiar greeting, drawing from the traditional greetings in both Greek culture (grace) and Jewish culture (peace). Paul used this exact phrase five other times in the New Testament.

3. (V4) Jesus gave His life for our sins

Matthew 20:28 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

A) He gave His life because we cannot save ourselves, so why turn away after a false hope?

The OT is an example of God’s Children, who were not capable of maintaining right standing with God through keeping the law

B) Jesus rescued us

I can remember the moment when I allowed Christ to rescue

After we have been rescued, the temptation is to tell God, “Thanks God, but I will take it from here

4. (V6) Shocked that you turned away so soon from God

A) God rescues them and delivered them from their sinful ways, yet now they turn away from God

It breaks my heart to see the exodus of the youth

Kids that were once excited by the things of God seem to be distant

Guys, sometimes I look around the room and I get the feeling that some of you are not interested in the things of God

The youth turns away for many different reasons such as, friends lead them away, the pursuit of popularity, the appeal of sin, etc

Remember, you are at a crossroads and if you go the way of the world, it can be tough to get back to the path of righteousness