The Danger of Leaven
Notes
Transcript
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Turn to Gal. Ch. 5…
!! Graduate Sunday !!
Open in Prayer…
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II. Introduction:
II. Introduction:
PROBABLY ONE of YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THINGS to SEE WHILE DRIVING IS… DETOUR SIGN.
FRUSTRATING to GET OFF TRACK.
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Story: CHURCH HIKE— DETOUR on 642
SO POORLY MARKED—WE THOUGHT THEY WERE TRYING to GET US LOST.
FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU END UP OFF COURSE…
FRUSRATING WHEN IT SEEMS THEY’RE TRYING to MESS W/ YOU…
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Focus: TODAY’S TEXT—WE’LL SEE THIS PROBLEM in GALATIA…
DETOUR WASN’T ACCIDENTAL—BUT INTENTIONAL
ETERNAL RAMIFICATIONS…
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Transition ➡ LOOK W/ ME @ PASSAGE… GAL. 5:7-12
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III. Passage Reading:
III. Passage Reading:
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
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.
12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
Church this is God’s Word for us this morning.
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IV. Context Recap: Staying the Course
IV. Context Recap: Staying the Course
Setting: PAUL = DEFENDING HIS GOSPEL
Problem: GALATIAN JUDAIZERS
Larger Context: END of BOOK— TURNING CLOSER to “RESPONSE” & CHRISTIAN ETHICS
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Last Time: CALL— STAND in FREEDOM
CHRIST SET US FREE to BE FREE!
FREE FROM SIN
FREE FROM LAW (CONDEMNATION)
➡ HE DIDN’T SET US FREE…
… to RE-ENSLAVE US to EARNING OUR WAY…
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Issue in Galatia:
Issue in Galatia:
JUDAIZERS ADVOCATING WORKS-RIGHTEOUSNESS
WORKS of the LAW
CIRCUMCISION
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Paul’s Argument:
Paul’s Argument:
CHRIST = NO ADVANTAGE,, to ONE STRIVING to EARN THEIR WAY
CIRCUMCISION vs. CHRIST = MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE as APPROACHES to GOD…
➡ DOESN’T MEAN WORKS DON’T MATTER— BUT THEY’RE FRUIT, NOT ROOT…
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Passage Idea: We must stand firm in the freedom of the gospel of grace... against salvation by works.
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Transition ➡ TODAY—SAME CONCEPT “STANDING FIRM”
WE’LL SEE a NEW METAPHOR
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 7-8
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V. Passage Exposition:
V. Passage Exposition:
Thought 1: Galatians 5:7
Thought 1: Galatians 5:7
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
Metaphor Shift: “RACE” of the CHRISTIAN LIFE
Problem: SOMEONE HURT THEIR RACE
GK WORD:
§ to make progress slow or difficult, hinder, thwart[1]
§ to use strong measures in causing someone not to do something[2]
Two Examples:
OBSTACLES DETRACTING
OTHERS “CUTTING IN” — LOSING STRIDE.
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NOT ONLY PLACE—CHRISTIAN LIFE = LIKENED to a RACE
Helpful Metaphor: FINISH LINE of HEAVEN…
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Exhortation: Finishing Well
Exhortation: Finishing Well
Key Takeaway: The goal of the Christian life is simply to finish well.
Personal Running analogy— PERSONAL GOAL—FINISH WELL
**NOT GOING to WIN**
Exhort: CHRISTIAN LIFE ISN’T a COMPETITION… IT’S SIMPLY an ENDURANCE RACE.
Encourage: THERE ISN’T LIMITED SEATING in HEAVEN!
➡ ➡ WE JUST NEED to RUN OUR RACE W/ ENDURANCE…
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Problem in Galatia: FALSE TEACHERS in GALATIA LEADING THEM OFF COURSE
Illustration: USATF Half Marathon Championships...
Illustration: USATF Half Marathon Championships...
March 1, 2026…
JESS MCCLAIN—COMMANDING LEAD—LOST HER LEAD 2 MILES OUT— ENDED UP in 9TH PLACE…
😱DIDN’T CRASH & BURN— WAS LED OFF COURSE BY PACE CAR 😱
“WINNER” WAS ACTUALLY in FIFTH PLACE UNTIL the INCIDENT
COST HER the RACE
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Exhortation: PROBLEM W/ FOLLOWING FALSEHOOD—
— SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON’T GET BACK on TRACK…
GALATIAN AGITATORS
➡ DIFFERENT GOSPEL
➡ ➡ RESULTING in DIFFERENT DESTINATION…
Paul asks: “WHO HINDERED/CUT IN ON YOU— TO KEEP YOU FROM OBEYING the TRUTH (Gospel)
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Exhortation: ABSOLUTE TRUTH EXISTS…
GOD as CREATOR DETERMINES TRUTH…
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Transition ➡ Problem: ABANDONING TRUTH = ABANDONING GOD
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 8
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Thought 2: Galatians 5:8
Thought 2: Galatians 5:8
8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
THIS OTHER DOCTRINE — NOT from GOD…
-> AGAIN, SALVATION BY GRACE & WORKS = MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE…
Recap: Gal. Pt. 1… Gal. 1:6
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
ABANDONING GOSPEL = ABANDONING GOD
“THE ONE WHO CALLED THEM” — MEANING HE APPOINTED & DREW THEM to SALVATION
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GOD DRAWS SINNERS to FAITH in SAVIOR — BY MEANS of HIS MESSAGE
😬BY IMPLICATION—THIS WORKS-RIGHTEOUSNESS MESSAGE CAME from HELL😬
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Transition ➡ DIFFERENT MESSAGE IN VIEW… W/ DIFFERENT SOURCE…
APOSTLE WILL GIVE a WARNING
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 9
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Thought 3: Galatians 5:9
Thought 3: Galatians 5:9
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Common Metaphor: LEAVEN = YEAST of BIBLE DAYS
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Historical Background: CONNECTION W/ PASSOVER— BEGAN to BE USED NEGATIVELY—CONNOTATION of INFECTIOUS EVIL
Explanation: RISING BREAD = GOOD… INFECTIOUS SPREADING —OFTEN BAD
Jesus Himself—WARNED of “LEAVEN” of PHARISEES & SADDUCEES
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False Teaching in Galatia = INFECTIOUS — WATCH OUT!
➡➡ YOU CAN’T MESS W/ LEAVEN & NOT BE LEAVENED…
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Challenge: Influence Audit
Challenge: Influence Audit
BE CAREFUL W/ WHO INFLUENCES YOUR LIFE.
BIBLE TEACHING
LIFE ADVICE
EVIL = INFECTIOUS
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Illustration: I WOULDN’T RUN W/ SOMEONE… AIMING to TRIP ME UP…
**BUT PEOPLE DO THIS ALL the TIME**
FRIENDS WHO DOWNPLAY YOUR FAITH
FRIENDS WHO DISCOUNT YOUR MARRIAGE
FRIENDS WHO ENCOURAGE BAD HABITS
🚩🚩WHY WOULD YOU RUN W/ PEOPLE WHO TRIP YOU UP??🚩🚩
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Consider Teaching Influences:
BEYOND SUNDAY—WHO DO YOU LISTEN TO?
INNUMERABLE RESOURCES ONLINE & ON T.V.— DO THEY SPEAK TRUTH?
-> ALL TEACHING, ALL ADVICE— MUST BE FILTERED THROUGH the WORD of GOD <-
BE LIKE BEREANS—SEARCH the SCRIPTURES—KNOW TRUTH.
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Transition ➡ SITUATION = DARK in GALATIA—BUT PAUL HAD HOPE
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 10
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Thought 4: Galatians 5:10
Thought 4: Galatians 5:10
10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
REAL OBSTACLE in GALATIAN RACE
REAL ENEMIES
REAL LEAVEN
➡ YET PAUL WAS CONFIDENT… THEY’D STICK to the TRUTH…
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PAUL’S CONFIDENCE— ROOTED in “THE LORD”
Encourage: WE DON’T RUN the CHRISTIAN RACE ALONE—
GOOD SHEPHERD DOESN’T SAVE SHEEP & LEAVE THEM GO.
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Understanding Eternal Security:
Understanding Eternal Security:
The same God who saves is a God who keeps.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
HE BEGINS the WORK
HE FINISHES the WORK
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Conclusion: Christians DO Persevere
Conclusion: Christians DO Persevere
THERE is a GENUINE NEED for PERSEVERENCE/ENDURANCE
➡ BUT the GENUINELY BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN WILL PERSEVERE UNTIL the END
GOD KEEPS US—BY HIS POWER—THROUGH FAITH (1 PET. 1:5)
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Paul = CONCERNED ABOUT — ERRORS in GALATIA...
Paul = CONVINCED ABOUT — COVENANT-KEEPING FAITHFULNESS of HIS GOD.
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Great Contrast: Bearing Penalty
Great Contrast: Bearing Penalty
Contrasting:💀 “TROUBLER” BEARS PENALTY💀
Background: GK WORD— “A CONDEMNATORY JUDICIAL VERDICT”
It is a serious thing to perpetuate false teaching…
Exhort: The Weight of Christian Ministry
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
BIBLICAL TEACHING/PREACHING—DEALS W/ CARE of SOULS— ETERNAL MATTERS— HUGE DEAL.
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Illustration: HAD BAD TEACHERS in HIGH SCHOOL…
Illustration: HAD BAD TEACHERS in HIGH SCHOOL…
ALGEBRA II— NO GOOD — HOPELESS in PRE-CALC & CALC…
**BAD SHOP TEACHER** = MISSING FINGERS.
=> YOU CAN STILL GET to HEAVEN W/ BAD MATH & MISSING FINGERS…
Problem: FALSE TEACHERS— FALSE TEACHING—TAKES YOU AWAY from TRUE GOD
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PAUL CONCLUDES: “BEARING PENALTY” … WHOEVER HE IS.
NONE ARE EXEMPT — NO FAME PLEADS YOUR CASE…
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Transition ➡ APPARENTLY— FALSE TEACHERS TRIED to APPEAL to PAUL…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 11
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Thought 5: Galatians 5:11
Thought 5: Galatians 5:11
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.
Line of Thought = A BIT HARD to TRACK…
FALSE TEACHERS MUST HAVE APPEALED to PAUL:
PERHAPS PAUL HADN’T GOTTEN FAR ENOUGH W/ TEACHING
PERHAPS MENTIONING TIMOTHY
PERHAPS JUST LIES...
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Essential Note: ISSUE is HOW WE APPROACH GOD.
WORKS??
FAITH??
**CIRCUMCISION —MEDICAL PRACTICE—ISN’T AT ISSUE. **
-> WHAT BASIS DO WE HAVE B4 GOD?
MY RIGHTEOUSNESS??
CHRIST’S??
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CIRCUMCISION//WORKS of LAW— STRIVING to REACH GOD…
VS...FAITH — TRUSTING GOD’S WORK FOR US.
GRACE VS. WORK
PROMISE VS. STRIVING.
EFFORT VS. BLESSING.
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Paul Concludes: PREACHING CIRCUMCISION— NO PERSECUTION!
Background: JEWS WERE PAUL’S BIGGEST ADVERSARY from TOWN to TOWN
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Transition ➡ WHAT WAS the ISSUE??
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Gospel Invitation: The Offense of the Cross
Gospel Invitation: The Offense of the Cross
CROSS = OFFENSIVE…
For One: TO JEWS— HANGED on a TREE = CURSED —SEEMS BACKWARDS…
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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2nd Issue: CROSS = OFFENSIVE to HUMAN SELF-ESTEEM…
Quote, T. Schreiner, “The world despises the cross, for the cross pronounces a thunderous no to all human goodness.”[1]
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The Gospel is not that “Good People Go to Heaven”
The Gospel is that, “A Good God Has Made a Way for Sinful People to Go to Heaven”
THE WAY is JESUS CHRIST.
THE CROSS REMOVES HUMAN BOASTING ENTIRELY
21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
WE WERE HELPLESS to SAVE OURSELVES— CHRIST RESCUED US.
I DON’T BRING ANYTHING to the TABLE…
MIGHT BE OFFENSIVE—BUT IT’S the GREATEST MESSAGE…
I SIMPLY HAVE to RECEIVE SALVATION as a FREE GIFT—PUTTING MY TRUST in CHRIST…
Invitation: QUESTIONS—SEE ME AFTER…
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Transition ➡ PAUL HAS a FINAL WORD for the GALATIAN AGITATORS…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 12
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Thought 6: Galatians 5:12
Thought 6: Galatians 5:12
12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
DON’T YOU LOVE the BIBLE?
PAUL is DOING a FEW THINGS HERE…
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#1 SHOWING SERIOUSNESS of MATTER
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUTH & ERROR
BETWEEN HEAVEN & HELL
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#2 MAKING a SARCASTIC COMMENT:
IF a LITTLE OFF the TOP is GOOD—CUT the WHOLE THING OFF.
BE SUPER-SAVED!
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#3 MAKING a POWERFUL CONCLUSION ABOUT WHERE the AGITATORS STOOD…
Background: **ACCORDING to O.T. LAW—EUNUCHS WERE FORBIDDEN from TEMPLE ASSEMBLY— SEE DEUT. 23:1**
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Paul Shows: THEY WERE SEPARATED from GOD’S ASSEMBLY
Tragic Irony: STRIVING for SALVATION BY WORKS SEPARATES YOU FROM GOD.
SOME HOLINESS CHURCHES—LEGALISTIC— MISS HEAVEN.
THEY’RE EARNING THEIR WAY. THERE’S NO GRACE.
**DOESN’T MEAN WE DON’T CARE ABOUT HOLY, DISTINCTIVE CHRISTIAN LIVING**
=> BUT the ISSUE of ROOT & FRUIT CANNOT BE DOWNPLAYED…
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WE DON’T MAKE OURSELVES HOLY—EARNING OUR WAY
WE RECEIVE CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS—GROW BY HIS INDWELLING SPIRIT
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Transition ➡ ALL in ALL… SCRIPTURE is TEACHING US…
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VI. Application:
VI. Application:
Passage Idea: Stay the course, for a false gospel results in eternal condemnation.
PAUL WASN’T GOING to BE GENTLE—THIS HAD ETERNAL RAMIFICATIONS
UNSETTLER—WOULD BEAR the PENALTY
WISHED THEY’D SUPER-CIRCUMCISE THEMSELVES
PAUL’S PASTORAL CARE SHINES THROUGH...
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CLOSING: REVISIT V9
CLOSING: REVISIT V9
Challenge: DO an INFLUENCE AUDIT.
TEACHERS YOU LISTEN TO
FRIENDS’ ADVICE YOU TAKE
THINGS YOU WATCH/LISTEN TO…
**ALL of THESE THINGS SHAPE US**
Ask: 🤔ARE THEY TRIPPING ME UP in MY CHRISTIAN RACE?🤔
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WE HAVE to BE “IN THE WORLD” to REACH the WORLD…
BUT WE CANNOT IGNORE the POWER of NEGATIVE INFLUENCES—WE MUST BE WARY
I’D RATHER CUT OFF a NEGATIVE RELATIONSHIP
or CANCEL a SUBSCRIPTION
THAN BE CUT OFF FROM CHRIST.
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
IF WE TRULY BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST is THE WAY, TRUTH & LIFE…
& OTHERS ARE PUTTING OBSTACLES in OUR WAY, DETRACTING US—
WE OUGHT to TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY…
For we cannot go down the road of another gospel…
and expect to arrive in the abode of God.
!! Close in Prayer !!
