Call to Grace

Introduction

It is great to see each and everyone of you here for StayCation. Let’s give Bro. Drew a hand for leading us in worship this evening. Wasn’t that awesome?!

As we shift gears and direct our attention to the Word this evening, open your Bibles up to Galatians 1. We are going to be breaking down Galatians 1 over the next few days.

Paul is the writer of the book of Galatians and he writes to churches in Galatia that had messed up and been drawn to a differing gospel. False teachers had entered into the Galatian church and were known as Judaizers. What the Judaizers would teach is that Christians still had to live up to and according to the ceremonial laws of Judaism. In that, these Judaizers were calling for Gentile believers to be circumcised as well as keeping other portions of the law. This was leading to divisions within the Galatian church between the Jews and Gentiles. So, Paul writes this letter to emphasize unity in Christ and the freedom that Christians now have to love one another and serve one another while holding to God’s law out of love for God and not obligation.

Ultimately, the church in Galatia was suffering from legalism. I am reminded of a time in my life that I was errant and struggled with legalism. Growing up in church, I spent my entire life around people at the church, and I came to understand all these different practices that the church does that are unwritten but faithfully followed. For instance, I would get offended if someone came to church wearing shorts and sandals on a Sunday morning. That was just something that I was always taught that you did not do. However, I had been around church people and culture to where I knew the expectation. That being said, I do suggest that we seek to honor God with how we dress each and everyday especially on Sunday. However, I was looking down upon others who would enter the church wearing something deemed unacceptable. This is legalism. Legalism takes place whenever a person places laws or rules that are outside of the Bible and then looks down upon those who do not uphold them.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “There cannot be a greater difference in the world between two things than there is between law and grace.”

This is exactly what was taking place in the churches of Galatia. Paul writes to address this in the Letter to the Galatians. Tonight, we will be diving in to take a look at probably one of the most overlooked sections of the Letter to the Galatians which is the Salutation or introduction from Paul. Even in this salutation, Paul packs these verses full of theology as well as an address to the Judaizers.

Galatians 1:1–5 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Pray.

As we have read Paul’s introduction, initially, it does not seem as though there is much to glean from this passage of Scripture. However, Paul gives us details regarding his apostleship as well as how to extend grace to one another as we are reminded of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He then ends with a doxology praising God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As God called us to salvation, we are to seek God’s approval above humanity’s.

Paul begins with a defense regarding his apostleship. The troublemakers that had entered into the churches of Galatia were calling for the disproval of Paul as an apostle. These Judaizers were seeking to discredit Paul and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ which he proclaimed to them.

Luther’s Commentary on Galatians Chapter One

He had planted among the Galatians the pure doctrine of the Gospel, and the righteousness of faith; but by and by after his departure, there crept in certain false teachers, which overthrew all that he had planted and truly taught among them. For the devil cannot but furiously impugn this doctrine with all force and subtlety, neither can he rest so long as he seeth any spark thereof remaining.

As they discredited Paul, he writes and the very first thing he mentions and reiterates with these believers is his position as an apostle. Look back with me at verse 1.

Galatians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

An apostle is one who is sent with a commission (MacArthur 2). As we look back within Scripture, an apostle is also one who saw Jesus Christ risen from the grave. Therefore, it was widely accepted that the 11 disciples (excluding Judas) were apostles since they had seen Christ and Him resurrected. However, Paul could claim his position as an apostle because he did see Christ risen again on the road to Damascus.

Acts 9:3–5 ESV

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

This is Jesus after He has been raised from the dead and ascended back to heaven calling out to Paul. Later, God would commission Paul to be his apostle to the gentiles.

Acts 9:15 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Paul was God’s chosen man to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, and Paul did just that. He took the Gospel to the Gentiles including those that were in the churches in Galatia. Paul was an apostle just as the other 11 called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and instruct the church under the inspiration of God.

1 Corinthians 15:5–8 ESV

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

The risen Christ did appear to Paul as is clearly taught here in Galatians 1. As this is not disputed, Paul is reclaiming not only his apostleship but also his authority to speak into the lives of these believers seeking to draw them back to the truth of the Gospel.

I am reminded of times within my own life where I was give one job. I had one job to do. For instance, one time my dad had left for work and my one job was to mow the back yard. I got on the lawn mower began mowing the grass and before I knew it, I ran over the water hose with the lawn mower. I had one job to do while he was gone and I blew it by getting the water hose caught around the blade of the lawn mower. Likewise, my dad was not very happy whenever he got home.

That is much like Paul. The Galatians had one job: maintain unity while living according to the true Gospel. Paul writes to them as they have fallen flat on their faces due to satan’s attack through the use of false teaching troublemakers.

Not only is Paul affirming that he is an apostle and calling these Galatians back to the true Gospel, he also points out that he is not an apostle because men have deemed him as one. Instead, Paul points out that he is an apostle because God has called him as an apostle and approved him to be one to the Gentiles. The false teachers had sought to discredit Paul as an apostle.

Luther’s Commentary on Galatians Chapter One

Here in the very beginning he toucheth those false teachers which boasted themselves to be the disciples of the Apostles, and to be sent of them, but despised Paul as one that was neither the Apostles’ scholar, not sent of any to preach the Gospel, but came in some other way, and of his own head thrust himself into that office.

He even explicitly writes that he is an apostle not from men nor through man, he is an apostle through Jesus Christ and God the Father. God has called Paul to this work as an apostle. Man’s approval does not matter to Paul; furthermore, there was no man who could have made Paul an apostle. Paul’s apostleship had nothing to do with man’s approval or commissioning. Paul’s apostleship had everything to do with God’s commissioning. It was God who saved Paul, and God who commissioned Paul to be used for His glory.

This applies to us as well. It was God who called us out of darkness and into His light. We are now called to live in accordance with God’s Word and all for God’s glory.

The Westminster Catechism states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”

As God has called us to salvation in Jesus’s finished work on the cross of Calvary, it is our duty to serve Him out of faith, love, and calling. Each and everyone in this very room is called to live for Jesus which is a call to forsake sin at every turn. This will result in you and I looking different from the world. You are called to refrain from cussing and respond with encouragement. You are called to seek God fervently while guarding your eyes and mind from the lust of your heart passionately. We must forsake every sin all for the sake of honoring God.

This may gain you scrutiny from the world; however, love others as Christ as loved you. This will also give you ample opportunity to point others to Jesus. Therefore, seek to be approved by God more than approved by man. If you are approved by humanity and culture, that could very well mean that you are not approved by a holy and righteous God. Ensure that you are seeking to please God and Him alone through forsaking sin and living submitted to His will which is for your to live for His glory and according to His Word.

Grace is to be a trademark among believers.

Galatians 1:3 ESV

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul writes extending a rebuke or correction to the churches of Galatia; however, he also extends grace to the church as well. Remember that grace is a gift that is not deserved. Therefore, Grace is only extended through faith in Jesus Christ as that is grace in and of itself.

The Galatians had turned from God’s grace that is extended through Jesus Christ and His death upon the cross for our sins. In this extension of grace from Paul, he is addressing the issue found within the Galatian churches. The troublemakers had pushed the churches towards legalism calling for believers to upon hold the law that Christ had fulfilled. So, Paul calls out that grace is to be extended to this church. He is called the churches back to grace. This legalistic system in with the Judaizers had introduced was creating a judgmental and arrogant church. Those who were circumcised and continued to uphold the law were looking down upon those who did not. Likewise, this was diminishing grace.

The legalism of the Judaizers was seeking to add extra laws and rules upon the Gentile believers as to continue to exclude them from full blessing. However, Paul writes to dismantle this false teaching with a call back to grace. John MacArthur points out that Paul mentions both grace and peace here because grace is the means of salvation while peace is the result.

The grace of God is Jesus Christ, the perfect and holy Son of God, delivered up on a cruel cross to bear our sins and the very wrath of God. Then, God raised Him from the grave after three days with victory. Faith in the crucified Christ produces peace. No longer are we bound for hell because of our sin. Instead, we have peace knowing that our eternity is secure in Jesus Christ our Savior.

Ephesians 2:6 ESV

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

We have a guaranteed seat in heaven with Christ. That bring us peace as we walk through this dark and sinful world. That brings us peace when we fall to sin or feel as though we are not good enough. The truth of the matter is that no one is good enough to enter the presence of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross as God’s Son. He was good enough when we can’t be. Therefore, it is grace that saves us and peace that sustains us to walk with Christ knowing that eternity in heaven is secure for the saint.

We must remind ourselves of the Gospel that grants us peace. This leads us to grant peace to others.

Tell story of breaking my glasses. Drew granted grace which resulted in peace.

As Christians, our call is to be like Jesus Christ. Whenever we did not deserve grace because of our sin, Jesus granted grace through His death of the cross. For us, there will be times when you are at school, home, or in the community in which someone does not deserve forgiveness or grace; however, as we are reminded of the grace and forgiveness extended to us, we must grant that to others.

Legalism cheapens Jesus’s death, while grace redeems.

Galatians 1:4–5 ESV

4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul now turns his attention to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and reminds these Galatian believers of Christ’s death on the cross to free them from the evil age which is this sinful world in which we currently live as well. Paul reminds these believers that Jesus Christ gave Himself up all for us. He even uses the words us in that particular verse. Jesus gave Himself up to save us from our sins.

The false teaching that these Judaizers had introduced cheapens Jesus’s death on the cross. By calling for these Galatian believers to follow the law such as circumcision, Sabbath law, and the Mosaic Law, these Judaizers were saying the Jesus’s death upon the cross was not enough to save us from our sins. They were calling out and adding these laws as means of salvation. Focusing upon the law lessens the death of Christ because Jesus fulfilled the law by living according to the law perfectly and then dying on the cross for our sins.

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

He bore our sins. Every law that we broke and dishonored God, Jesus took that upon Himself and paid for those sins on the cross. It is by His wounds that we are truly healed. These wayward Galatians are being brought back to grace by the apostle Paul. It is the grace of God in Christ Jesus that saves us from our sins, not external works.

At this point, the Galatians reading this letter more than likely would have wanted to run and hide as their sin was being revealed (R. Kent Hughes). They were being rebuked for forsaking the true Gospel which we will see tomorrow. Their inclination would be to run and to hide because of their sin. This legalism had called for them to cheapen Christ’s death on the cross. This legalism had called for the law to be held above the Gospel.

Paul comes in and provides this rebuke to the Galatians that would have shook them to the core.

This is much like us today. You and I have seen in happen time and time again. Oftentimes, a Christian may fall to sin, and they immediately do not come back to church or run and begin to distance themselves from other believers. They begin to hide because they feel as though they have messed up to bad. This is the oftentimes the result of legalism.

Likewise, this is the natural sinful response of humanity. From the very beginning, Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden against God. This caused for them to run and hide.

Genesis 3:8–10 ESV

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

Naturally, whenever we mess up and sin, our inclination is to run and hide; however, all of Scripture point to the grace and mercy that is found in Christ Jesus. Whenever we make a mess and sin against God, the call is to go back to the Word. Be reminded of the Gospel. When we mess up and sin, we need grace and mercy which is found only in Christ Jesus. Likewise, all of us sin. In that, we must all return to the Gospel daily in which we repent of our sin against God. I have to repent daily of sin because I recognize that I am depraved and unable to honor God on my own. It is only through faith in Christ Jesus that I am able to honor God. The same goes for you. Apart from Christ you are desperately sinful and condemned. However, Jesus died to make you alive and able to honor God through repentance and faith in Him.

For those who are Christians in the room, R. Kent Hughes points out, “We embraced the gospel with great enthusiasm at first, but we’ve found that living the Christian life isn’t what we expected.” This may describe many of you in this room. You have repented and believed in Christ. At first you were on fire and eager to serve, read the Word, and follow Jesus. However, over time, maybe you have been discouraged by sin or bogged down in the daily spiritual battle against temptation. Return to the Word and be reminded of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus has reconciled you to God the Father and you can honor Him by living faithfully to Him. You are free from sin and free to live in Jesus. Maybe tonight you need to repent of sin and relish in the grace that is the cross of Jesus Christ.

For those who do not know Jesus as Lord, you may wonder, “Is there a way to break free from this sin that so easily entangles me? (R. Kent Hughes) How can I overcome this guilt? How do I stop lusting? How do I stop cussing? How do I fight these temptations to stop looking at inappropriate things? “Paul’s answer is a resounding yes! There is. But the answer is not the path of the law; it’s the path to the cross of Jesus Christ” (R. Kent Hughes).

Understand that Jesus has paid for your sins on the cross. His blood was poured out and He bore the wrath of God to save you from those sins. While the temptations may not go away immediately, the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus will cover your sins all the while you will have peace that your eternity is secure in Christ Jesus. Will you trust Him today?