The Believer's Boast
Notes
Transcript
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Turn to Galatians 6:11
!! Open in prayer !!
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Introduction: The Movie Trailer & The Age to Come
Introduction: The Movie Trailer & The Age to Come
I’m sure all of us… if we’re interested in going to see a movie… watch the trailer first. Right?
Commercial
Hear & Seek it out
Problem: SOMETIMES TRAILERS DO a POOR JOB…
SOMETIMES JUST NOT GREAT…
Bigger Problem: GIVE AWAY ALL the GOOD PARTS
2 FUNNY MINUTES in WHOLE MOVIE…
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Analogy: CHRISTIAN LIFE on EARTH… LIKE a TRAILER.
Truths:
NEW AGE has BROKEN INTO PRESENT…
KINGDOM INTO KINGDOMS of MEN…
LIVING HOPE
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
GROWTH in GRACE
Point: CHRISTIAN LIFE—WHILE GOOD—DOESN’T EVEN BEGIN to DO JUSTICE to the REAL THING…
Focus: CLOSING OUT GALATIANS— WE’LL SEE DAWN of NEW AGE
WE EXPERIENCE PRESENTLY…
BUT ONLY PARTIALLY…
& we’ll SEE the PROPER GROUNDS for THAT HOPE…
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Transition ➡ LOOK @ PASSAGE…
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Passage Reading:
Passage Reading:
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
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Church this is God’s Word for us this morning.
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Context Recap: Harvest Time
Context Recap: Harvest Time
The Shift: Transition from theology to ethics
CLARIFYING GOSPEL — TO LIVING in LIGHT of THAT GOSPEL
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Last Week: Salvation by grace doesn't overturn sowing and reaping. GOD is NOT MOCKED!
FLESH—CORRUPTION
SPIRIT—ETERNAL LIFE
Takeaway: Future reaping motivates present sowing.
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Passage Idea: Sow good things while you can, trusting that you will reap at harvest time.
Christian Mission: DOING GOOD— WHENEVER, WHEREVER—ESP. to CHURCH…
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Transition ➡ PAUL WILL SUM UP LETTER.…
FINAL CLARIFYING WORD
GROUNDS of OUR HOPE & BOASTING
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 11
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Passage Exposition: Galatians 6:11–18
Passage Exposition: Galatians 6:11–18
1. Transition to Close (v. 11)
1. Transition to Close (v. 11)
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
TRANSITIONS to CLOSE…
HERE: PAUL WRITES “LARGE LETTERS” — A.B.C.’S — NOT EPISTLES…
Background: PAUL FREQUENTLY USED a SECRETARY & CLOSED LETTERS PERSONALLY
SIGNIFICANCE of CLOSING COMMENTS
PASTORAL CARE/PERSONAL TOUCH
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Transition ➡ CLOSING in MIND…
WRAP a BOW on SOME MAJOR THEMES…
CLOSING the CASE on FALSE TEACHERS…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 12-13
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2. A Show in the Flesh & Unkept Law (vv. 12–13)
2. A Show in the Flesh & Unkept Law (vv. 12–13)
12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Addressing “THOSE WHO FORCE/COMPEL THEM TOWARDS CIRCUMCISSION”
Motives of the False Teachers:
A. Desired “to make a good showing in the flesh”
CIRCUMCISION = FLESHLY (NATURALLY)
SINFUL FLESH — FOCUSING on NATURAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS… CONVERTS to THEIR RELIGION…
Exhort: NUMBERS are EXCITING...BUT NUMBERS REPRESENT REAL PEOPLE.
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B. SEEKING to AVOID JEWISH PERSECUTION
Background: CIRCUMCISION = KEY JEWISH DISTINCTIVE... (GEN. 17 COVENANT W/ ABRAHAM)
OVERTURNING CIRCUMCISION & WORKS of the LAW = HUGE DEAL…
**BUT COMING of CHRIST = HUGE DEAL!**
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Relate: HARD for PEOPLE to HUMBLE THEMSELVES to ACCEPT CHRIST…
… WE WANT CREDIT.
Illustration: Helpless… Stuck in trunk door??
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Takeaway: The Gospel isn’t “do” but “believe” or “trust.”
CHRIST’S WORK = FINISHED
SALVATION ISN’T DEPENDENT UPON OUR WORKS.
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(v13) The Irony of Legalism:
(v13) The Irony of Legalism:
“FOR/BECAUSE”.… at the end of the day… the CIRCUMCISED DON’T EVEN KEEP the LAW!
Background: CIRCUMCISION WAS a SUBMISSION to JEWISH LAW as WAY of LIFE…
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Exhortation: NO ONE WANTS LAW.
Sad Irony: WANTING a WORKS-BASED GOSPEL & NOT BEING GOOD ENOUGH…
Problem: HOW GOOD is GOOD ENOUGH?
PASSING GRADE?
99%?
Truth: God’s Standard is Perfection.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
Challenge: WHAT SINS COULD GOD IGNORE & STILL BE JUST?
LITTLE ONES?
LITTLE ONES.… YOURS?
EASY to JUSTIFY OURSELVES
=> => BUT GOD’S WORD REVEALS WE’RE SINNERS TOO.
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Illustration: God’s Word as a Mirror
TEACHING PASSAGES & STORIES.… REVEALS WHO WE TRULY ARE
I SEE ME in the PROBLEMS of the BIBLE…
**ALSO REVEALS WHO GOD IS— & HIS POWER to SAVE!
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Returning to Context:
Returning to Context:
BAD MOTIVES of FALSE TEACHERS
BOASTING in CONVERTS
Problem: CONVERTS to WRONG THING…
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Transition ➡ CONTRASTING THIS—A BETTER PLACE to BOAST...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 14
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3. The Believer’s Cause for Boasting (v. 14)
3. The Believer’s Cause for Boasting (v. 14)
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
False Teachers Boasting in Converts (Self)
Paul Boasts in the Cross
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Background: MN GENOITA
Background: MN GENOITA
Powerful, Background: “FAR BE it FROM ME” = MAY IT NEVER HAPPEN…
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
ABSOLUTELY NOT
GOD FORBID
MAY IT NEVER HAPPEN
BY NO MEANS
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Exhort: THIS is PAUL.…
PERFECT PEDIGREE
ZEALOUS
Background: PHIL 3… PAUL TRASHES HIS HERITAGE
PEDIGREE/BIRTH
ZEAL & ACTS…
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THINK of SAVED PAUL…
3 MISSIONARY JOURNEYS
STARTING DOZENS of CHURCHES
LEADING HUNDREDS to CHRIST
13 LETTERS in the BIBLE
HE SAYS “I’VE GOT NOTHING BUT the CROSS!”
Charge: IF PAUL HAS GOT NOTHING… WHAT DO WE HAVE???
ALL I HAVE is JESUS CHRIST & HIM CRUCIFIED.
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The Harsh Reality of the Cross:
The Harsh Reality of the Cross:
Background: MORE WILD in 1ST CENTURY.…
Modern Believers:
REMOVED from HISTORICAL EVENT
PRETTY CROSSES in CHURCHES & as NECKLACES…
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Background: NO REASON to GLORY in a CROSS
Background: NO REASON to GLORY in a CROSS
Scholar, C. Arnold: “the cross a symbol of shame and unspeakable horror.”
Background: ROMANS WOULDN’T TALK ABOUT CRUCIFIXION in NORMAL CONVERSATION— LIKE a CURSE WORD!
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Transition ➡ CROSS is a HORRIFIC THING…
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Gospel Presentation:
Gospel Presentation:
**FOR THIS REASON—SOME INCREASINGLY TRY to DE-CENTRALIZE the CROSS from CHRISTIANITY**
Relate: VIDEOS on DIFFERENT THEORIES of ATONEMENT
Response:
FOR ONE—NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE
FOR TWO: P.S.A. is WHAT the N.T. TEACHES.
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Natural Mind: HATES the CROSS
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.
Biggest Problem: HORROR of the CROSS REVEALS the SEVERITY of OUR SIN.
JESUS DYING as an EXAMPLE of INJUSTICE DOESN’T MAKE ME FEEL BAD…
**BUT WHAT DOES the BIBLE TEACH??**
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N.T. Authors: SAW JESUS as a SACRIFICE.
Challenge: IF WE MAKE the CROSS WHAT IT IS NOT…
… WE LOSE SIGHT of the COSTLINESS of OUR SALVATION
Gospel: CHRIST DIED FOR US...ON OUR BEHALF… IN OUR STEAD…
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
FOR — IN PLACE OF/INSTEAD OF
=> WE CANNOT REFRAME the CROSS as SOMETHING IT IS NOT.
=> => INSTEAD WE MUST BOW in HUMBLE THANKSGIVING.
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Redemption Via Blood = INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR… BUT IT’S BIBLICAL.
JESUS DIDN’T JUST COME as OUR GOOD EXAMPLE...BUT as a SACRIFICE for OUR SINS…
HE DIDN’T COME MERELY as TEACHER—BUT RESCUER.
HE DIED a SUBSTITIONARY DEATH in OUR PLACE
Gospel Invitation: TRUSTING in HIM, BELIEVING in HIS DEATH & RESURRECTION—WE CAN BE SAVED
**TALK to ME AFTER SERVICE**
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Paul Concludes:
THROUGH the CROSS:
DEAD to the WORLD—
WORLD = DEAD to HIM.
=> ALL THAT MATTERS is JESUS CHRIST & HIM CRUCIFIED…
BRAND NEW MAN— W/ BRAND NEW METRICS…
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Transition ➡ UNPACKING FURTHER the GLORY of the CROSS—
IRRELEVANCE of WHAT WE BRING…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 15-16
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4. Circumcision as Irrelevant & The Israel of God (vv. 15–16)
4. Circumcision as Irrelevant & The Israel of God (vv. 15–16)
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
ONLY GLORY in the CROSS—
“FOR/BECAUSE” WHAT WE BRING to the TABLE = IRRELEVANT!
MY MERIT DOESN’T MATTER.
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WHAT MATTERS is BEING the NEW CREATION…
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Powerful Truth: NEW CREATION HAS BROKEN INTO the PRESENT—ALBEIT in PART…
Exhort: Christianity is not simply a set of rules... it’s a supernatural rebirth by the Holy Spirit of God.
Takeaway: THE BELIEVER BELONGS to the AGE to COME… NOT the PRESENT AGE & ITS FLAWS & SIN.…
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(v16) TO ALL WHO FOLLOW this “RULE”
GOSPEL— OUR DOING DOESN’T ESTABLISH our RIGHT-STANDING W/ GOD…
....peace & mercy...
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&& The Israel of God:
&& The Israel of God:
UNUSUAL— ONLY PLACE PAUL USES THIS…
SOMETIMES ISRAEL = PLAINLY ISRAEL
SOMETIMES ISRAEL = ISRAEL “ACCORDING to the FLESH”
IMPLIED— ISRAEL BY the SPIRIT
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APPARENTLY—PAUL = REFERRING to CHURCH, JEW & GENTILE…
Scholar T. Schreiner: believers in Christ, members of the new creation, are the true Israel
**DOESN’T MEAN GOD DOESN’T STILL HAVE PLANS for ETHNIC ISRAEL** — ROM. 9-11.… **
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Context of Letter:
Context of Letter:
CIRCUMCISION ISN’T the TELL-TALE SIGN of PEOPLE of GOD
CROSS of CHRIST IS.
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Remember: IT WAS NEVER ETHNICITY ALONE .…
Ref: ROMANS 2… JEW ISN’T ONE OUTWARDLY —
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GENTILES GRAFTED IN
BUT JEWS WILL NOT BE SAVED APART from FAITH in CHRIST.
**AGAIN—NEW AGE— NOW SALVATION GOES to JEW & GENTILE— ALL WHO WILL TRUST in CHRIST**
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Transition ➡ PAUL WILL CLOSE THIS LETTER…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS 17-18
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5. Closing Thought: No More Trouble & Benediction (vv. 17–18)
5. Closing Thought: No More Trouble & Benediction (vv. 17–18)
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
PAUL’S CLOSE—DESIRING NO MORE TROUBLE in GALATIA
**LETTER SHOULD STRAIGHTEN OUT THEIR THEOLOGY**
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Takeaway: PAUL HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE ALREADY—PHYSICAL MARKS/SUFFERING for CHRIST.
BEATINGS
IMPRISONMENTS
STONING
**Contrast w/ False Teachers**
PAUL BELIEVED HIS GOSPEL WAS WORTH DYING FOR—BECAUSE IT WAS the TRUTH!
(v18) PAUL CLOSES WITH a WISH for GRACE—ACKNOWLEDGES GALATIANS as BROTHERS…
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Transition ➡ ALL in ALL…
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Application & Closing
Application & Closing
Passage Idea: The believer’s boast must rest in the cross of Jesus Christ... through which a new creation has dawned.
I Hope: TIME in GALATIANS HAS MADE the HOPE of HEAVEN ABUNDANTLY CLEAR BASED UPON TRUE GOSPEL of GRACE…
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OUR RIGHT STANDING BEFORE GOD,, DOESN’T DEPEND UPON US—BUT UPON CHRIST.
IT’S EITHER CIRCUMCISION or its THE CROSS—IT CAN’T BE BOTH
You cannot come to God,,, on your own terms...
… and then hope Jesus takes you across the finish line.
EITHER ALL of GRACE or NOT AT ALL.…
HOPE in SELF—DISMAY
HOPE in CHRIST—SECURE
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**DOESN’T MEAN OUR LIVES DON’T MATTER,, BUT ALL OUR “DOING” = RESPONSE of THANKS to the GOD WHO RANSOMED US BY GRACE…
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
LET US BOAST in the CROSS, TODAY.
IN CHRIST & HIM CRUCIFIED WE CAN HOPE…
ONE DAY WE WILL ENJOY ETERNAL BLISS—ALL BECAUSE of GRACE.
!! Close in Prayer !!
