Galatians (2)

Introduction: We are reminded in Jude verse 3, it has fallen upon every generation of Christians since the birth of the church to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” It remains a task for us today as members of the body of Christ at Hillcrest to continue to contend for the faith, the gospel, the truth about the good new of Jesus Christ.

Transition: In order to help us do that, today, we are going to continue our journey through the book of Galatians. The book is found in the New testament portion of your Bible entitled general epistles, which simply means letters to a general audience. For example, we have the letter to the Romans, the first and second letters to the Corinthians, then this letter to the churches of Galatia. Last week, we were introduced to the human author, the Apostle Paul. Today, turn there as we read the introduction, the first 5 verses of chapter one.

Prayer

Follow along with me as we move through these verse and make some observations about the whole letter from this introduction.

Verse one introduces the human author, Paul.

Notice that he offers insight into the authority of his apostleship. Why?

Those who were influencing the churches were adding to the gospel and discrediting Paul’s original message. In doing so they were also discrediting his authority as an apostle. So from the start Paul is identifying his official role as an apostle of Christ Jesus.

Notice that while he makes the clear point that his apostleship was through Christ and not through man that he references the resurrection of Christ. Why would he do that? Perhaps several reasons but let me suggest at least one. One of the qualifications for apostleship that we find in Acts 1:15-26 that one of the qualifications for an apostle was that He must have been with Jesus through His ministry and be a witness to His resurrection. As you may remember from last week’s visit, Paul meets the qualification of witnessing the resurrected Christ. So much so that he was blinded. This doesn't mean that Paul was not unaware of some of the discrepancies. He certainly didn't draw the right straw like Matthias did when replacing Judas as the 12th disciple. As a matter of fact he writes later on in his great defence of the resurrection in I Corinthians 15:8-11 (read)

1 Corinthians 15:8–11 ESV

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

We will go into more detail on this later because this is a theme that continues in 1:11-2:14.

Transition: Then is verse two he recognizes the recipients of the letter. Churches of Galatia. See map. Offer little background to the Galatians churches.

2. In verse 3-5 , the apostle offers a Christian greeting and pointed reminder of the gospel. (read)

a. An important observation to notice is the connection between what seems like a casual normal greeting and the emphasis that Paul will put on the gospel in the rest of the letter. For example in verse 4 makes the clear point that Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins. This is at the heart of the gospel message.

b. But he also offers the reason why this deliverance and rescue is so important. It is so we will be rescued from this present evil age. He is emphasizing the hope of a future glory beyond the evil age that the Galatians are living in. (and so too we need reminded of a future glory that whatever we experience of the evil in this season of history, Jesus is our great Deliverer and according to the desired purposes of God, and for His glory, Jesus’ church will be rescued!)

c. Why did God use Paul, and the other New Testament writers for that matter, to write down His words? I want to help answer that question by reading you a chapter from “The Big Picture Story Bible”. Have children come up and listen. So to the main goal of Galatians is to tell the new Christians not to be tricked by false additions to the gospel.

Goal of Galatians

Do not be tricked by false additions to the gospel.

c. How will this main goal be unpacked? Verses 1-5 are offering an Overview for the rest of the letter. Paul will go on in verses 6-10 to identify the problem. It was because they were quickly deserting the gospel and adopting false addition to the clear message of justification. Then, he offers his Defense of apostleship in 1:11-2:14. In chapter 2:15-21 he will give a very clear definition of the gospel. In chapters 3 and 4 he will offer an explanations to his definition of the gospel. And finally in chapters 5 and 6 Paul will instruct the churches about the implications the gospel should have on the way they live.

Overview

1:6-10 The problem

Overview

1:11-2:14 Defense

Overview

2:15-21 Definition

Overview

Chapters 3&4 Explanations

Overview

Chapters 5&6 Implications

Transition: The truth of Galatians will teach, reprove, correct, and train us in righteousness so that as those who belong to God, we might be equipped for every good work He has prepared for us to do. I want to close with four key questions to help us along as we study this letter?

What does the truth of Galatians teach us about God?

For example: God is the ultimate authority above and behind apostolic authority.

God is powerful in that He raised Christ from the dead.

God is the source of grace and peace. No true unconditional favor or rest of soul can satisfy like God.

It as according to God’s desired purposes that Christ died for our sins.

God is to be praised and worshiped forever.

How does the truth of Galatians reprove our view of humanity, of myself?

a. For example: We are not the ultimate authority. This critiques the false notion that I am the master of my own domain. No, we all must and will answer to the supreme authority.

b. We have a sin problem that we need to be rescued from.

c. That rescue plan that caused us to be born again occurred not according to our will. Rather as we are told in John 1:12-13

John 1:12–13 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

In what way does the truth of Galatians correct my understanding of Christ?

a. For example: God the Father, and Christ Jesus are unified in their authority. As seen in Paul’s apostolic authority was only through Christ and God the Father. And as seen in that grace and peace come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord!

c. Jesus Christ died, and was raised to life from death.

d. Jesus gave His life for our sins, so He might rescue us from this present evil age.

e. He did this in obedience to the will of His Father. As Jesus tells us in John 6:35-40

John 6:35–40 ESV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

How does the truth of Galatians train us to be right with God?

a. For example: By the grace of God, Jesus gave himself for our sins, so that we might have peace with God. As Romans 5:1 tells us…

Romans 5:1 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

b. There is no other way except by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for sinners to be in a right relationship with God. His sacrificial death was the perfect atonement for our sin and as a result of His bodily resurrection we can be rescued from our own evil nature and corruption of this present age. Christ's work is enough to save us.

c. Do I belong to Christ? Am I in Christ? Am I in a right relationship with God through Christ? Or am I trusting and depending on some other means or work to rescue me?