Let Us Boast in the Lord!

Paul, through our journey of Galatians has been dictating this letter the whole time… He began this letter by stating… Galatians 1:1-7

Galatians 1:1–7 NASB95

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

The one writing this must have paused for just a moment… he looks up at Paul. He sees the passion in Paul’s heart overflow as he speaks these words. As Paul will continue this is only made more evident as Paul:

Will defend his apostleship and the message that he is sending.

He is chosen by God

His message comes not from man’s ideas or customs but directly from God himself

This message is not just for Jews or just gentiles, but for all mankind

Regardless of of Gender, Status, or birthplace

Paul will argue and defend… from every angle the Judaizers could come at him with

The GOSPEL message

Salvation is through FAITH

Faith in the GRACE of God

Through the finished and complete work of Jesus Christ

NOT by man’s own works

NOT by observing the Law

Then… Knowing man’s ability and propensity to go to extremes...

Paul Defines and Demonstrates in his letter what it is to Walk In the Spirit!

Paul closes his dictation with one final and powerful sentence… Galatians 6:10

Galatians 6:10 NASB95

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Is the letter done?

His heart is heavy for the people he loves so much who are on the brink of straying from the TRUTH!

Has any of what Paul has been dictating get through?

Seeing there is a little more room left on the scroll… Paul picks up the pen, dips it in the ink… and begins to write in his own hand...

What he writes is a plea to the churches he cherishes and a personal parting blow to the ones who would dare teach this heresy!!! Galatians 6:11-18

Galatians 6:11–18 NASB95

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Paul says “see”… look at what i am going to say… Pay attention.

This is with his own hand he wants to express it’s importance and the authority it comes with…

Paul’s Parting Blow to Heresy!

Verses 12-13...

These Judaizers have no concern for the churches whatsoever!

Paul calls out the character and reasoning behind what those who are teaching this heresy!

There is a selfish reason behind their false teachings to the churches...

A good showing… good outward impression

Men pleasers, boast in numbers… a merit earning so to speak!

They desire to boast in the Galatian churches flesh and what works they could get them to do...

When even they did not keep the Law themselves (what an empty teaching!!!)

What burdens we place on others we ourselves cannot keep, yet shame and condemnation for those taught.

Paul is CALLING THE OUT! How dare you tell these things!

The other selfish thing was based in fear…

They don’t want to be persecuted for the cross...

So they teach the cross and circumcision!

If they teach both… maybe it will be less to deal with...

Christians faced persecution… Charles Swindoll writes this:

“At that time persecution could come from two sources, Jews and Romans. In both cases, retaining the practice of circumcision would help Christians avoid unwanted wrath. To the Jew, circumcision would mean that the Gentile Christians were not converting to a competing faith but were willing to submit to the old order of things under the rules, regulations, restrictions, and rabbis of the long standing tradition. To the Romans, who had accepted Judaism as a legal religion in the Roman empire, Gentiles who were circumcised would fall under the category of Judaism. They would therefore remain under the umbrella of legal toleration. To reject circumcision and take the name “Christian” would mean to sacrifice this protection and potentially face persecution.”

How often do we want the title “Christian” but we want it in a safe manner!?

Paul is stating this, challenging his readers… Do you really want something fake for this short time in order for comfort?

If all we have to boast in is the outward and now… then yeah! BUT...

We can boast in something FAR GREATER than ourselves!

To boast, show outward pride for something

What does Paul say he will boast in? THE CROSS of Jesus Christ!!!

This brought shame to these heretics infiltrating the churches, but for Paul it was his boast!

Paul boasted not in his work, in his converts, but in the Glorious finished work of his Savior!

Circumcision meant nothing to Paul… He was a new creation!

Paul saw the old things of the world as though they were dead… nailed to the cross.

The world however looked at Paul… with shame as though he had been placed on a cross.

This did not matter, Paul had been made new!!!

“walk by this rule” is salvation by grace through faith alone!

Peace and mercy is upon these Galatian gentile believers AND upon those Jews who believe as well!

Paul is not Anti-Semitic, on the contrary he has a heart for his people to know and understand the salvation Christ brought to them, Their messiah!

As Paul writes these final words he request no more trouble…

He has said all he can say

He is spiritually concerned and weary for them

Stop this trouble, I carry enough brands of Christ on me.

Do we bear the stigma of Christ?

“I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 NASB95

Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Brand-Mark = stigmata we get our word stigma from it.

“an identifying mark or characteristic”

It stands out, it is visible to those around you!

Illustrate with the Denver Bronco fan in Green Bay “Packer Country”

So many today do not want the “stigma” as one who follows Christ

The reasons are endless why

They desire to be “Covert Christians”

Paul challenges these believers reading this… be bold, be strong, stand out and stand up for the Cross of Jesus Christ!

Paul pens what he has championed throughout his letter in his closing blessing...

GRACE!!!

Grace from Christ Jesus to you “brethren” FAMILY!!!