My Friends, Please Don't Follow "Them"

The Galatians are Gentiles. They have never been under the law. They were saved without become Jewish. But Jewish Legalists had showed up telling them that Paul’s preaching was not complete. They had sought to convince the Non-Jewish Christians in Galatia that they needed to come under the OT law in order to be NT Christians.

In the first 3 chapters of Galatians Paul methodically lays out a theology of the New Covenant. He turns the Judaizers every which way but loose. He argues that there is one Gospel and that is the death and burial and resurrection of Jesus. He fulfilled the law FOR us at the cross. Therefore we are free from trying to keep the law to make ourselves right with God. We are justified by faith, not the law. The law reveals that we are under a curse, but faith in Jesus brings blessing.

Starting in Chapter 4.8-20, Paul gets personal. This is why I titled the message “Friends, Please don’t go back.”

Galatians 4:8–20 HCSB

8 But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You observe special days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted. 12 I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; 13 you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. 14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. 18 Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.

Paul was concerned that the work he had accomplished was being undone

Galatians 4:8–11 HCSB

8 But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You observe special days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

Past enslavement to idols. (Works based justification) 8

Present knowledge of the true God. 9

Potential enslavement to Jewish legalism. 9b-10.

They were in jeopardy of trading one bondage for another.

This is not losing salvation, but losing their understanding of the means of grace and not living up to the freedom we have in Christ.

In verse 11 we start to see how personal Paul took their potential confusion.

He was afraid that his investment in their lives didn’t produce the faith he thought it did.

(Every pastor who has spent anytime with people, has a heart to see his people understand his message, and walk in it. He is jealous for his people that they walk in a pure Gospel-focused faith.)

Paul’s concern led him to appeal to their relationship

Galatians 4:12–16 HCSB

12 I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; 13 you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. 14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

First he calls them brothers!

Second, he commands them to become like him. In what sense? In the same way he became like them. Paul says when he came to faith in Christ, he gave up the seeking to be justified by the law. But now they needed to do the same.

Third, (and this is really where the personal appeal becomes so clear) he says that when he was with them it was a wonderful, godly, and well-received relationship.

They had not wronged him.

They didn’t look down on him even though he had a physical condition (probably his eyes)

They counted him as an “angel” or a messenger straight from God.

They counted themselves as blessed and supported Paul even to a willingness to give up their eyes for him.

Something changed as verse 15 and 16 show. And Paul is not having it. Their change in attitude toward Paul had come about because A FEW somebodies had come in trying to convince them the Paul and his doctrine was no good

Remember that in chapter 2 talks about “certain men” coming in when he was with Peter.

Note: It is a terribly discouraging thing when people you have poured your life into, and loved, and who love you, listen to the voice or voices of one or a few, who seek to lead people down their path, who sow seeds of discontent, and contention.

Paul insists his message is the same. He is the same. If something has changed, it is not him!

Paul’s concern led him to contrast his intention toward them as opposed to the troublemakers

Galatians 4:17–20 HCSB

17 They are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. 18 Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.

“They” were stroking the Galatians so that the Galatians would clamor for them.

The word here translated enthusiastic and in the KJV zealously, and in the ESV “make much of” is the root word for jealously.

In other words the troublemaking, Judaizing, Legalistic, false teachers were jealous for the Galatians, not because they wanted the best for them, but because they wanted to separate them from their beloved Paul.

In verse 18 Paul says that is is good to be enthusiastic toward people if your motives are pure.

And he sees his motive as wanting to continue in labor pains for his spiritual children until they “grow up in the faith.”

Finally, he laments in verse 20 that he desires to be there… where they are… with a change of tone…

(Texting or email… no tone)

This morning I preached about everything rising and falling with leadership based on Deuteronomy’s teaching on finding a King for Israel.

Tonight we have seen the importance of staying rightly connected with a pastor who only wants what is best for the flock.