Freedom is found in Grace

In , Paul begins his letter - not with an encouraging word but with an authoritative address. He separates himself from those who had been leading this church astray.

Galatians 1:1–5 KJV 1900

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 1:105

Notice first he identifies himself not as a servant or slave but as a Apostle of Jesus Christ. To be an Apostle meant that Paul was an Ambassador, one who was sent with a message and a purpose by another and to clear up any confusion he shows in verse 1 the source of his apostleship.

“Not of men” - Paul is not a representative of a delegation from Jerusalem. He does not get his authority from some board of elders who he now speaks on the behalf of.

“Neither by man” - Just in case that last statement was not enough - Paul goes another step and says that the source of his message and authority is not from any single Man who they could point to.

“But by Jesus Christ” - Here he gives the one who they can look to for the confirmation of what He is about to say.

Today we are beginning a series on the freedom that we find in Christ. Free At Last. I realize that this message is targeted to our Wednesday Night Crowd. The Faithful. Those who are dedicated to Growing in Christ. As such - we must be vigilant in looking for the adversary working in our midst. God is doing some amazing things here in the lives of His people and you can count on one thing - Our Adversary does not like it. And He will do what he can to cause division, to cripple us, to make us of none effect and one of the ways that he does this is by causing us to forget the freedom that we have in the Gospel. He seeks to bring us into bondage and in doing so to negate our witness and the testimony of God’s power and love that is so evident here today. We must be the point men - prayerfully going before and looking for ambushes, looking for the working of the enemy while we hold up the Standard of the Gospel of Christ.

The Message of Grace

Galatians 1:6–10 KJV 1900

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-

To help us understand what Paul is referring to here we must look back at . Here we are introduced to a group of people called the Judeizers. These men were teaching that In order to be saved, you had to follow the law of Moses, particularly the part about circumcision. They had added something to Grace. This is what is referred to as another Gospel. Paul is using some pretty strong language and I think that we can get an idea of just how important the true Gospel is.

He accuses them or “Perverting” the message of the gospel. That word means to change into something else. You can almost see Paul as he recoils from the idea that anyone would take the beautiful message of Grace that we find in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ, in his atoning sacrifice and freely offered redemption, take it a change it - pervert it - turn it into something it was never supposed to be.

He goes on to say that if anyone, even an angel were to attempt to preach a different Gospel, A gospel that includes anything other than the free gift of salvation through the finished work of Christ - let him be Anathema! Something that is delivered up for divine wrath - set aside for destruction. Paul is saying that if anyone tries to take the message of Grace in the gospel and pervert it then may the wrath of God descend upon that person!

Freedom is found first in the the Grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Back in when Peter and the leaders in Jerusalem were considering this idea of adding the Law to the Gospel - Peter described as placing a Yoke on a person - a burden on them. The Gospel is not a burden - it is Freedom!

Today we add things like Baptism to the Gospel. We add Church Membership to the Gospel. We add tithing to the Gospel. Is there anything wrong with any of these things. No - each are good things that we should do but not for salvation - they are each a product of the Grace that works in us. We should be baptized - but as a picture of Christ work in our hearts and a testimony of his grace in our lives. We should join and participate in the ministries of a local bible believing church but not for salvation - we do this for the fellowship, the accountability, and to use the gifts that are given to be a part of the body and build up and minister. We should give - but not for salvation - but as a outpouring of the grace that God has bestowed on our lives.

Grace “and” brings bondage while Grace alone brings Freedom

The Source of Grace

Galatians 1:11–12 KJV 1900

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:11-

Paul continues with his teaching and emphasizes the truth that this message does not find its source in Man. The world is full of religions that were invented in the minds of men and there is a common thread that courses through each of them. Redemption comes through effort. Salvation must be earned. Man in and of himself will add works every time.

That is why Paul adamantly declares that the Gospel that he preaches came from one source only - the Lord Jesus.

As we point others to the Grace and Mercy that is found in Christ we must understand our natural resistance to Grace. We desperately need the Grace and Mercy of Christ but we have this idea within our sinful flesh that somehow we need to earn it.

Grace earned ceases to be Grace. At that point it becomes a wage.

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We so desperately want to do something to earn what God freely offers, but the scripture tells us that the only thing we earn - the only thing our efforts bring us is separation for God.

Paul tells us that the source of the Gospel is Jesus.

John 1:12–13 KJV 1900

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:

Look at what verse 13 says

Not of Blood - this is not a natural thing - it is of God

Will of the flesh - It is not something that man would look for

Will of Man - it is not something that man could accomplish

John 1:17 KJV 1900

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John

The Result of Grace

Galatians 1:13–24 KJV 1900

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

Galatians 1:13-

These are things that we can look in our own live as evidence of Grace working within us.

A life Changed

Paul pointed them back to his past. If anyone understood the dangers of legalism it was Paul.

The Savior Revealed

God Glorified.