Proper Pursuit
Notes
Transcript
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Turn to Gal. Ch. 4…
THANK— MOVING VOLUNTEERS—GREAT JOY!
PITCH BAPTISM AGAIN
**ALSO SHIFTING GEARS on WEDNESDAYS—SERMON RECAP—SIMILAR TEXT** = COME WHENEVER YOU CAN
!! OPEN in PRAYER !!
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II. Introduction:
II. Introduction:
Quote, Zig Ziglar: “IF YOU AIM @ NOTHING—YOU’LL HIT IT EVERY TIME”
HELPFUL—VISION for YOUR LIFE
WITHOUT GOALS/PLANS—PEOPLE COAST.
VOCATION
PERSONAL HEALTH
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**3. CONSIDER: APPLIES to SPIRITUAL LIVES**
Challenge: SOME PEOPLE = VERY DISCIPLINED in MANY AREAS—BUT LAZY SPIRITUAL GROWTH…
NEVER MISS a WORKOUT—BUT SELDOM READ THEIR BIBLE
NEVER MISS a TRAINING for WORK—BUT FREQUENTLY MISS CHURCH
🤔🤔 BUT HOW DO YOU AIM for SPIRITUAL GROWTH??🤔🤔
Answer: CHRIST — KNOWING CHRIST & BECOMING MORE LIKE HIM.
Focus: THIS TRUTH WILL BE MADE CLEAR TODAY…
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Transition ➡ INVITE YOU—LOOK W/ ME @ PASSAGE
V12-20 TODAY
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II. Passage Reading
II. Passage Reading
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.
13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,
14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,
19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
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Transition ➡ Church this is God’s Word for us this morning...
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III. Context Recap: Staying the Course
III. Context Recap: Staying the Course
Larger Context: PAUL—MADE it CLEAR,, ONLY ONE GOSPEL — SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH in CHRIST—NOT WORKS of the LAW
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Last Week:
GALATIANS REVERTING BACK to OLD WAYS
Scandal: NOT PAGANISM—BUT JUDAISM!
Explanation: WORKS-RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS the COMMON DENOMINATOR!
SABBATH, SPECIAL FEASTS, HOLY DAYS— TRYING to EARN YOUR WAY = MISSING GRACE!
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Conclusion: WE ARE NOT SAVED BY GRACE & KEPT BY WORKS!
SAVED, SANCTIFIED, ONE DAY GLORIFIED—ALL of GOD’S GRACE!
Passage Idea: We cannot return to earning our way if we are saved by grace.
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Transition ➡ THIS WEEK—PAUL CHANGES HIS APPROACH, BUT KEEPS SAME MESSAGE
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 12
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IV. Passage Exposition
IV. Passage Exposition
Thought 1: Paul’s Request (v12a)
Thought 1: Paul’s Request (v12a)
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.
**Note: DRASTIC CHANGE in TONE**
From FOOLISH & BEWITCHED— to BROTHERLY APPEAL
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Exhortation: Family of Faith
Exhortation: Family of Faith
“BROTHERS” REMINDS US—WE ARE a FAMILY of GOD!
IF YOU ARE a CHILD of GOD
& I AM a CHILD of GOD
WE’RE SIBLINGS—IN GOD.
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Why, Change in Tone:
Why, Change in Tone:
PAUL = TRYING EVERYTHING to GET GALATAINS TURNED AROUND
Sobering Reality: GOSPEL HAS ETERNAL IMPLICATIONS
BELIEVING “SAVED BY WORKS” = DAMNABLE
GALATIANS’ ERROR = ABANDONING GRACE && GOD!
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Recap: Ch. 1
Recap: Ch. 1
“DESERTING HIM WHO CALLED YOU in GRACE of CHRIST”
DIFFERENT GOSPEL = NO GOSPEL AT ALL!
PROCLAIMING a DIFFERENT GOSPEL? — ACCURSED!
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(v12) Paul’s Appeal:
(v12) Paul’s Appeal:
“BECOME as I AM”
1st IMPERATIVE/COMMAND in LETTER!
🤔meaning ????🤔
Meaning: BECOME as I AM—NOT DEPENDENT UPON the LAW—BUT DEPENDENT UPON CHRIST
Problem, Recap: GALATIANS RETURNING to WORKS-RIGHTEOUSNESS
REMEMBER—JEWISH PRACTICES = GOD-INSTITUTED
BUT GUIDELINES for GODLINESS/HOLY NATION—
— BECAME a LADDER of SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS...
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Paul’s Background:
Paul’s Background:
PAUL = NO LONGER OBSERVING LAW for RIGHT-STANDING W/ GOD.
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Two Key Takeaways:
RIGHT HERITAGE
JEWISH —TRIBE of BENJAMIN—CIRCUMCISED 8TH DAY
DEVOUT LIVING
PHARISEE
ZEALOUS—PERSECUTING
RIGHTEOUS
Response: PAUL—COUNTED “GAIN” as “LOSS”
TAKING RESUME—THROWING in FIRE => NEED CHRIST!!
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Transition ➡ Problem: PRIDEFUL PEOPLE = HARDEST TIME BOWING THEIR KNEES to CHRIST…
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Gospel Invitation
Gospel Invitation
PAUL INITIALLY THOUGHT HE WAS RIGHTEOUS & GOOD to GO!
Problem of Sin & Curse of the Law:
TO BE RIGHTEOUS in GOD’S SIGHT—BY YOUR WORK/RIGHTEOUSNESS—MUST BE PERFECT…
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
IF WE COULD HAVE SAVED OURSELVES—
— CHRIST WOULDN’T HAVE HAD to COME & DIE…
21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
CHRIST CAME to DIE—BECAUSE WE COULDN’T SAVE OURSELVES
PROUD PERSON BELIEVES THEY’RE GOOD to GO—
— BUT WE ALL KNOW DEEP DOWN WE AREN’T PERFECT…
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Only One: JESUS CHRIST PERFECTLY OBEYED the LAW.
& HE SUFFERED the LAW’S CURSE—
— TO REDEEM THOSE TRAPPED UNDER the LAW’S WEIGHT & BONDAGE
OUR ONLY HOPE is CHRIST
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Paul’s Desire: GALATIANS PURSUE CHRIST & RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH ALONE
My Desire: FOR YOU the SAME
YOU NEED JESUS CHRIST—
— PUTTING YOUR TRUST in HIM as SAVIOR
& CONFESSING HIM as LORD = ONLY HOPE of SALVATION
Invitation: TALK to ME AFTER SERVICE…
OUR ONLY HOPE is BEING FOUND “IN CHRIST”
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Transition ➡ GALATIANS TURNING to WORKS— PAUL PLEADS…
… NOW,, PAUL WILL RECAP THEIR INITIAL MEETING,,
LOOK W/ ME @ NEXT PT of VS 12-14
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Thought 2: Recapping the Past Meeting (v12b–14)
Thought 2: Recapping the Past Meeting (v12b–14)
12b You did me no wrong.
13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,
14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
PAUL APPEALING— “BECOME as I AM”
Now: RECAPPING HIS INITIAL VISIT—ACTS 13-14
THEY DID HIM NO WRONG—ACCEPTED HIM & HIS MESSAGE GLADLY!
**TRUE EVEN DESPITE HIS AILMENT**
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Paul’s Sickness:
Paul’s Sickness:
PAUL’S AILMENT/SICKNESS = WIDELY DEBATED
GK WORD: “a state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease”[1]
SOME BELIEVE:
MALARIA
EPILEPSY
MIGRAINE HEADACHES
EYE ISSUES
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Addressing the Prosperity Gospel:
Addressing the Prosperity Gospel:
SOME CHURCHES BELIEVE—GOD WANTS YOU “HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS & HAPPY”
ALL SICKNESS = OUTSIDE of the WILL of GOD
Two Thoughts:
AN EASY LIFE DEVOID of TRIALS = NOT PROMISED to the BELIEVER
FASCINATING—MAN WHO RAISED the DEAD GOT SICK.
GOD WORKS THROUGH TRIALS in UNIQUE WAYS…
**Essential Takeaway: IT WAS BECAUSE of PAUL’S ISSUE THAT HE ARRIVED in GALATIA.
SOMETIMES—HARDSHIPS = AVENUES for GOD’S GLORY— SEE MORE on THIS IDEA WEDNESDAY…
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@ PRESENT: NOTICE GALATIANS WELCOMED PAUL
Scandal: A SICKLY DIVINE MESSENGER
GOSPEL = BACKWARDS
EMISSARY FROM HEAVEN SHOULD BE ELITE—NOT WEAK???
**GLORY of GOSPEL = FOUND in ITS MESSAGE—NOT ITS MESSENGERS**
GLORY of GOSPEL = ESTABLISHED BY its AUTHOR—NOT ITS MESSENGERS**
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
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PAUL’S SICKNESS = a TRIAL FOR THEM to OVERCOME & BELIEVE—
— YET THEY RECEIVED HIM as AN ANGEL// AS CHRIST HIMSELF!
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Transition ➡ BUT @ PRESENT—THEIR TUNE HAD CHANGED…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 15-16
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Thought 3: An Enemy from Truth; Clarifying Folly (v15–16)
Thought 3: An Enemy from Truth; Clarifying Folly (v15–16)
15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Harsh Contrast: INITIALLY—GALATIANS WOULD’VE GIVEN HIM THEIR EYES!
Background: ** POSS. EYE CONDITION—POSS. DRASTIC OFFER**
@ PRESENT—HE WAS an ENEMY?? —ALL BECAUSE of SPEAKING TRUTH?!
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Exhortation: An Enemy for Truth:
Exhortation: An Enemy for Truth:
IT’S ALWAYS BETTER— TO BE an ENEMY “FOR” the TRUTH” … RATHER THAN,, ENEMY “OF” the TRUTH
Challenge: SOMETIMES GOD’S TRUTH WILL OFFEND US
Quote, T. Keller: Only if your god can outrage and challenge you will you know that you worship the real God and not a figment of your imagination. . . .
If your god never disagrees with you, you might just be worshiping an idealized version of yourself.
Exhort: **WHEN WE DON’T LIKE SOMETHING in GOD’S WORD—WE NEED to CHANGE,, NOT the BIBLE**
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Returning to Context:
Returning to Context:
GALATIANS’ ISSUE WASN’T PAUL’S PERSONALITY—PAUL’S WEAKNESS — BUT TRUTH!
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Transition ➡ PAUL — SHIFTS GEARS SLIGHTLY—
— ADDRESS THOSE WHO TROUBLEED the GALATIANS…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS 17-18
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Thought 4: Making Much Of (v17–18)
Thought 4: Making Much Of (v17–18)
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,
GALATIAN “AGITATORS” HAD BAD MOTIVES
“MAKING MUCH OF” Meaning: = COURTING FAVOR—WINNING THEM OVER
KINDNESS NOT ROOTED in LOVE—BUT GREED
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Contrast w/ Paul:
Contrast w/ Paul:
PAUL NOT WINNING DISCIPLES to HIMSELF—BUT to CHRIST
REF. 1 COR. 3…
“SOME FOLLOW PAUL”
“OTHERS APOLLOS”
Paul’s Conclusion: WE’RE MERELY SERVANTS THROUGH WHOM YOU BELIEVED.
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THUS FOR US ALSO:
WE’RE NOT TRYING to BUILD a BRAND—BUT a KINGDOM
NOT TRYING to WIN PEOPLE to G.C. OVER ANOTHER
I’M MORE WORRIED ABOUT the STATE of a PERSON’S SOUL…
THAN WHAT GOSPEL-PREACHING CHURCH THEY ATTEND on SUNDAY.
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PAUL CONCLUDES: “BEING MADE MUCH of” FOR GOOD PURPOSE = GOOD.
Meaning: TRYING to WIN PEOPLE to TRUTH = GOOD THING!
**COMES DOWN to WHAT YOU’RE WINNING THEM TO**
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Transition ➡ PAUL HAS ONE FINAL WORD…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 19-20
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Thought 5: Paul’s Pastoral Concern (v19–20)
Thought 5: Paul’s Pastoral Concern (v19–20)
19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
PAUL’S MINISTRY—LETTERS—ROOTED in GREAT PASTORAL CARE
PAUL LIKENS THEIR COMING to FAITH W/ MOTHER BEGETTING CHILDREN
Recap: HARSH “LABOR” of MISSIONARY WORK
PERSECUTED
STONED
BEATEN
SHIPWRECKED
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(v19) AGAIN—PAUL “IN ANGUISH/BIRTH PAINS” UNTIL CHRIST BE FORMED in THEM
Meaning: CHRISTIAN MATURITY—BECOMING LIKE CHRIST
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Goal of Sanctification:
Goal of Sanctification:
GOAL of SANCTIFICATION “HOLYING” — CHRISTLIKENESS
HOW to LIVE?? LOOK to CHRIST.
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
IF YOU ARE “IN CHRIST” YOUR LIFE SHOULD LOOK SOMETHING LIKE HIS!
** WE ARE GIVEN a PICTURE of a PERFECT LIFE**
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Exhort: GOSPEL DOESN’T INVITE LAWLESSNESS
Exhort: GOSPEL DOESN’T INVITE LAWLESSNESS
SAVED BY GRACE 110%
KEPT BY GRACE 110%
BUT GRACE THAT SAVES = GRACE THAT TRANSFORMS…
GAL. 1-4— SALVATION/GRACE/GOSPEL… GAL. 5-6—LIVING it OUT// IMPLICATIONS/ETHICS
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IN SALVATION— GOD WORKS in OUR HEARTS—MAKING US NEW—MAKING US LIKE CHRIST.
(v19) CHRIST “BEING FORMED” = PASSIVE IDEA.
YET WE WALK it OUT in NEWNESS of LIFE…
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Christian Life: Pursuit Rooted in Grace
Christian Life: Pursuit Rooted in Grace
NEWNESS of LIFE—ROOTED in GRACE
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.
CHRIST LIVES in ME
I LIVE BY FAITH
GOD WORKS IN US—WE WORK OUT:
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
PAUL’S PASTORAL HOPE— PURSUE CHRIST (RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH) & CHRISTLIKENESS ((CHRISTIAN MATURITY))
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(v20) UNFORTUNATELY—AT PRESENT— PAUL WAS DISTANT & PERPLEXED—WISHING HE COULD BE THERE WITH THEM…
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Transition ➡ ALL in ALL…
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V. Application
V. Application
Passage Idea: The Christian life is a pursuit of Christ and Christlikeness.
Foundational Teaching: “BECOME” as PAUL —
— NOT DEPENDENT UPON the LAW—BUT DEPENDENT UPON CHRIST.
“BEING FOUND in HIM” — NOT HAVING a RIGHTEOUSNESS of OUR OWN (PHIL. 3:9
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
FOUNDATION of OUR HOPE: CHRIST-CRUCIFIED.
SAVED BY WHO CHRIST IS & WHAT HE’S DONE
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BUT for THOSE SAVED— OUR DESIRE SHOULD BE to SEE CHRIST FORMED IN US…
REFLECTING MY SAVIOR MORE
WWJD = BEST DECISION MAKING PARADIGM.
BECOMING LIKE JESUS—A LIGHT in the DARK//MODEL for OTHERS…
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT in OUR PURSUIT of CHRIST & CHRISTLIKENESS…
… UNTIL the DAY WE MEET HIM in PERSON
… & HE FINISHES the WORK HE BEGAN IN US...
!! Close in Prayer !!
