Radical Resurrection: Faith Working Through Love

Bible Passage: Galatians 5:2-6

Galatians 5:2–6 “2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

Teaching: This sermon teaches that faith cannot be separated from love; genuine faith produces actions that reflect the love of Christ. It outlines the importance of living out faith through service to others and challenges the idea of faith as merely intellectual or passive.

Big Idea: True faith in Jesus manifests itself through radical love and service, revealing a life transformed by the power of the Gospel.

Illustration: Every year in the Spring thousands of men and women function out of faith and do some very incredible faith walking out of a love for something that is exciting and provides an incredible source of happiness.

Turkey Season.

Up early, preparing, out listening, running across ridges, getting covered in ticks, and hopefully making it happen.

Thats a passion being lived out, and no hunter in any season goes out without some degree of good faith that they will harvest a bird.

There are rules that apply, and we understand them, and have good faith also that those laws sustain a heathy population…

They also become an evangelist for the sport, and will typically offer wisdom as they were instructed by a parent or grand parent and want to pass down that heritage.

see where I am going here?

Nobody just hands a person an MDC manual and says read that and hope for the best!

1. Breaking Bonds of Bondage

Galatians 5:2–3 “2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.”

Paul is not attacking circumcision itself—he is attacking trust in religious performance.

Connection to Palm Sunday:

The crowds wanted a Messiah who would affirm their system. But Jesus came to replace it.

They trusted their heritage

Their law-keeping

Their identity as God’s people

Paul says: if you trust in anything besides Christ—even something God once commanded—you lose Christ altogether.

Application:

You can be:

Religious

Moral

Church-going

…and still be trusting in yourself instead of Christ.

Palm Sunday asks: Are you welcoming Jesus as King—or trying to make Him serve your system?

Perhaps you could begin by explaining how Paul stresses the futility of returning to old legalistic practices. Highlight how even observing the law, like circumcision, cannot grant righteousness before God. This point might communicate that true faith elevates beyond mere ritual and tradition, challenging believers to assess what they rely on for spiritual validation today. You could encourage people to look beyond their works and see the liberty Christ provides, suggesting freedom from guilt and unnecessary burdens.

2. Falling from Grace

Galatians 5:4 “4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.”

This is strong language.

To “fall from grace” doesn’t mean losing salvation like dropping something fragile. It means abandoning grace as your only hope.

Illustration: Grace as your only hope looks like recognition that stepping away from that person who absolutely has had your back always and you just stop answering the calls.

Ever been there?

Abounding sin is the terror of the world, but abounding grace is the hope of mankind.

A. W. Tozer

Palm Sunday Parallel:

The same crowd that shouted “Hosanna” would soon cry “Crucify Him.”

Why?

Because Jesus did not meet their expectations.

They wanted:

A conquering king

They got:

A suffering Savior

And they rejected Him.

Application:

We “fall from grace” when:

We start with Jesus but move to self-effort

We believe the gospel but live like it depends on us

We trust Christ for salvation but ourselves for standing

Grace is not step one. Grace is the whole path.

You could consider focusing on Paul's warning about falling away from grace by relying on the law. This might emphasize the danger of legalism and how it creates a separation from the grace offered through Christ. Highlight how a return to law signifies a rejection of the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant established through His resurrection. You might inspire the congregation to cling to grace, understanding that it is not earned but given freely.

3. Faith Fueled by Hope

Galatians 5:5 “5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.”

This is the true Christian posture:

Not striving → but waiting

Not earning → but trusting

Not performing → but hoping

When the Holy Spirit looks like this:

CONVICTION OF SIN AND TRUTH

John 16:8 “8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”

John 16:13 “13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

EMPOWERMENT AND NEW LIFE

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

REGENERATION AND NEW LIFE

John 3:5 “5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

INDWELLING AND SANCTIFICATION

1 Corinthians 6:19 “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”

INTERCESSION

Romans 8:26 “26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Palm Sunday Connection:

Jesus rides in not on a war horse, but on a donkey.

Why?

Because He comes in humility to accomplish righteousness for us, not demand it from us.

The crowd missed it:

They wanted immediate glory

God was bringing eternal righteousness

Application:

Your righteousness is not:

Your obedience

Your discipline

Your performance

It is Christ’s righteousness received by faith.

CHALLENGE.

congregation to lean into the Spirit's guidance, cultivating a life marked by patient trust in God's promises.

4. Love as Faith's Fruit

Galatians 5:6 “6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

Paul simplifies everything:

Not rituals. Not identity markers. Not external religion.

Only faith working through love.

Palm Sunday Fulfillment:

John 12:13–16 “13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.”

Jesus demonstrates this perfectly:

He comes in love

He goes to the cross in love

He saves by grace

He produces love in His people

The kingdom He brings is not built on outward signs—but transformed hearts.

Application:

Ask yourself:

Is my faith producing love?

Or am I just maintaining religious habits?

True faith:

Trusts Christ alone

Overflows in love toward others

illustrate that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision holds value; what matters is faith expressed through love. This passage might suggest that love is the outward expression of an inward faith. You could propose that the practice of love confirms faith and impacts the world around us. Encourage the church to let love be the defining mark of their faith, prompting action that embodies the love of Christ to everyone they encounter, particularly in a divided world.

Conclusion: Which King Will You Receive?

Palm Sunday forces a decision.

The crowd had Jesus in front of them—but misunderstood Him.

You have the same choice today:

Will you:

Trust in your works?

Or rest in Christ’s finished work?

Will you:

Follow a King who affirms you?

Or surrender to the King who saves you?

Final Call

Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing:

The cheers would fade

The cross was coming

And He came anyway.

Why?

So that you would not have to earn righteousness— but receive it by grace through faith.