135 Stand Firm Galatians 1:1-9
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Intro
Intro
Today we are beginning a new series in Galatians.
We are calling it “Stand firm.” That comes from the key verse in the book of Galatians.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
According to the apostle Paul, Christ saved us so that we might have freedom.
The gospel is about freedom.
The struggle with Judaizers
Who are the Galatians
Paul’s authority
I know some are thinking, “I’m not a slave and I’ve never been a slave so what’s the big deal? Slavery doesn’t always look as you might expect.
Commissioned by God
Let me ask you a question: should Christ return today or you meet God at the end of your life, how would you know you are saved?
I have no idea
Maybe you haven’t considered it.
I’m a good person, at least I’m better than some.
I try to do the right thing
I go to church
I read my Bible.
Each of those statements started with “I” and “I” was never intended to be a savior. Galatians is going to talk to us about freedom.
Each of those statements started with “I” and “I” was never intended to be a savior. Galatians is going to talk to us about freedom.
The gospel is about freedom. So over the next few months we’ll talk a lot about the gospel.
Why the gospel?
The gospel is about freedom. So over the next few months we’ll talk a lot about the gospel.
Contrasts by agitators
We’ll talk about the ways that it changes our lives. The gospel isn’t relegated to our salvation (past-tense). The gospel changes everything, everyday. Freedom looks different than slavery.
Turn of the ages
What time is it? New phase of salvation history
This is the purpose of Paul’s letter to Galatians.
The true Gospel
The undoing of the Gospel
No thanksgiving
Transition
Transition
rebuke for listening to the agitators
What we call “Galatians” was a letter written churches in an area called Galatia.
Galatians were Celtic people from the area that is now France (called Gauls) who migrated around to modern day Turkey.
The Apostle Paul planted churches then corresponded with them to make sure they were healthy. The letters would be circulated amongst the churches. Antioch was one of the Galatian churches.
The was Paul’s letter. It was written 48-49. That’s only 15-16 years after the resurrection. Some think it was written on the eve of the Jerusalem council.
The was Paul’s letter. It was written 48-49. That’s only 15-16 years after the resurrection. Some think it was written on the eve of the Jerusalem council.
Now Judaizers have come in and are indicating that Paul has only given them part of the gospel. After all, Paul isn’t a real Apostle.
There is a very different tone in Galatians.
Can we trust the messenger? What is his message? What is the mistake?
Exposition
Exposition
Galatians 1:
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia:
The Messenger
The Messenger
Paul is an Apostle (provide background info)
Not sent from man or by a man
Sent by Jesus Christ raised from the dead and God the Father
Paul had a personal encounter with the risen Lord Jesus that changed everything about his existence.
2 Ptr 3:15-16. Peter recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Message
The Message
Paul begins his letter with a different sort of greeting; grace and peace. He’s underscoring the gospel from the beginning. Grace and Peace are the cause and effect of the Gospel.
Grace = God’s unconditioned good will toward people that comes through the saving work of Jesus.
Peace = state of life - peace with God and peace with others - enjoyed by those who have effectively experienced diving grace. I don’t have to worry about eternity because Jesus has covered me. I don’t have to worry about today because Jesus has that as well. Don’t talk to me about trusting Jesus with forever if he can’t be trusted with today.
The Lord Jesus Christ has rescued us. Car illustration
Jesus is our rescue. He gave himself for our sins.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
He gave himself to recuse us from the present evil age (advent to advent). Jesus not only provides freedom from sins I’ve committed in the past, he saves us from this present evil age where sin seems to be irresistible. His salvation secures our place in the age to come. (plane ticket)
He gave himself to recuse us from the present evil age (advent to advent). His salvation secures our place in the age to come.
According to the will of our God and Father.
This was his plan.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
We didn’t ask for it.
We didn’t deserve it.
We didn’t deserve it.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
He simply does it out of love.
He simply does it out of love.
According to the will of our God and Father. Jesus said, “My Father and your Father, my God and your God.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
If we didn’t ask for it and we didn’t deserve it; then we can take no credit for our salvation.
Here is the place where freedom in found. Stand firm on this one!
Application
Faith is a matter of heart and mind.
Galatians 1:6-9
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
The Mistake
The Mistake
Another gospel is no gospel at all. A slave cannot have partial freedom. To change Paul’s message is to lose the gospel. To add something to the gospel is to deny Jesus! Jesus + nothing = everything!
Evidently some people are confusing you.
Judaizers
If the message changes…if I or an angel...
We don’t judge whether or not the Bible is relevant; the Bible judges whether or not we are faithful.
There is no middle ground between Christian righteousness and works-righteousness. There is no other alternative to Christian righteousness but works-righteousness; if you do not build your confidence on the work of Christ you must build your confidence. Martin Luther
3 Ways we change the message:
We ruin the gospel when we become extremely intolerant of small differences of dress or custom. Least likely
Spurgeon\Moody meeting
We are saved according to Jesus’ work and our performance
God loves everyone and we don’t know everything about him. It doesn’t really matter as long as you’re a good person.
If “good” people come, what chance do “bad” people have? This contradicts a biblical gospel.
It encourages people to think if they are “tolerant” they don’t need grace.
If Jesus didn’t need to die, God would be the most awful father ever!
Close
Close
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Gal
Gal
It’s only by grace
It only comes from God the Father, through Jesus, applied by the Holy Spirit
It’s Jesus who gave himself for our sins to rescue us
This was God’s plan
Glorify him!
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