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The Book of Galatians (5 things)
- 1st – The author of Galatians…
- Paul – the same Paul who whose life we followed from Acts chapter 13 to 28…
- Paul who wrote the book of II Corinthians (14 total epistles in the New Testament)…
- He opens the letter with his greeting – “Paul, an apostle…”
- The first two chapters are a biography of Paul life – corresponding to the book of Acts…
- 2nd – Written to the churches in Galatia…
- Galatia was not a city – it was a geographical region…
- It was a Roman province in the southern region of what is today – Turkey…
- So the book was not written to one particular church – or even city…
- He was referring to a whole group of churches in the area of Galatia…
- It would be like writing a letter the churches of Negros Occidental (lots of churches)
- Paul had established numerous churches in the area of Galatia…
- Paul’s first missionary journey – Acts 13 & 14 – had been in the region of Galatia…
- So these churches were some of the first established by the Apostle…
- Galatia was not a city – it was a geographical region…
- 3rd – When was the book written…
- It is thought that the book was written rather early in the ministry of Paul – 48 A.D.
- Making it perhaps the first book to be written in the New Testament…
- It would have been written around the time of the counsel of Jerusalem – Acts 15…
- The counsel established you did not have to become a Jew – keep the Law – to be saved!
- 4th – Where was the book written…
- We do not know – perhaps in Antioch (Paul’s home church) or Corinth…
- There is no consensus on the location – scholars are divided – and it does not matter…
- 5th – Why was the book written…
- 6 Chapters / 149 verses – the Book of Galatians…
- All of the epistles of Paul were written to address problems in the church…
- The letter to the churches of Galatia was no exception…
- Their problem was the false teachers called Judaizers who had come into the church
- So Paul wrote this book to establish our freedom from the gospel of ‘Legalism’
- There are three main problems Paul addresses in this letter…
- 1st – His authority – because the Judaizers were discrediting Paul…
- 2nd – Grace for salvation…
- The Judaizers added works to salvation – you had to keep the Law of Moses…
- These men believed in Jesus Christ – they believed in the work of the cross…
- But – they added good works as part of how we are saved!
- 3rd – Grace for growing – maturing in Jesus Christ…
- They were adding works to sanctification – how to mature in Jesus Christ
- Not only did they believe you had to do good works to be saved…
- They taught that AFTER you were saved – you still had to have good works…
- The only way to grow in your faith was by keeping the Law…
- Placing the heavy burden of ‘legalism’ on those who were already saved!
- There are so many Christians who are under the bondage of legalism…
- Thinking the more they do for God – the more they will grow in God…
- The more they read their Bible / go to church / pray / give…
- The more God will accept them / bless them / love them!
- But it is God’s Grace that saves us – AND matures us in our walk in Jesus!
- The letter to the churches of Galatia was no exception…
- Outline – we will TRY to cover about ½ a chapter each week…
- Chapters 1-2 – Paul personally deals with Grace and the Gospel…
- Chapter 3-4 – Paul address the doctrine of Grace in light of the Law of Moses…
- Chapter 5-6 – Paul practically deals with Grace in the daily life of the believer…
- The theme of the book…
- It is a book that is all about the Gospel of Grace – it is the Theme of the whole book…
- The words grace simply means – gift – meaning something we did not earn…
- The idea being we cannot pay for it – we cannot earn it – we do not deserve it…
- Grace is free to us – but it cost Jesus everything – it was paid for in the blood of Jesus…
- If you went to buy a TV and it cost P100 – what kind of TV would it be…
- If you went to buy a TV and it cost P100,000 – what kind of TV would it be…
- The more expensive something is – the more valuable it must be…
- God loves us so much there was nothing – even His life – He was not willing to give!
- Romans 8:32 – “Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?”
- Key Verse:
- Galatians 3:3, 5:1 – “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? …Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
- Our salvation – and our growth in Jesus – is not based on our good works…
- It has nothing to do with us – it is all about what God has done for us!
The Gospel of Grace… vs. 1-10 (4 things)
We will naturally grow and become a better Christian – as we will grow in His Grace!
1st – Paul as an example of Grace… vs. 1-2
The word ‘apostle’ simply means someone who is ‘sent out’ to preach the Gospel…
The picture is that of an ambassador – a representative of God to the world…
Sent out to share the Good News – the hope of salvation through Jesus!
We call them missionaries – those who are ‘sent out’ to tell others about Jesus!
Not just to other countries (the Apostles went to their own people)…
Certainly Paul was ‘sent out’ from the church in Antioch – Acts 13:1-5
The calling of an Apostle is still alive in the church today – Ephesians 4:11…
God ‘sends us out’ to tell others – our family – friends at work/school about Jesus!
Paul was not appointed by men – but by Jesus Himself – Acts 9…
Jesus came to Paul on the road – as he was going to imprison and kill believers!
Chosen by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentiles – I Timothy 1:11
Chosen to be an example of the power of the Grace of God!
* I Timothy 1:16 – “But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”
Paul was used by God as a personal example of how Grace works!
If God can choose to save a sinner as bad as Paul – murdered Christians…
Then no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace – God can save/use anyone!
2nd – The message of the Gospel – Grace and peace… vs. 3-5
The Grace of God…
Judgment is getting what I deserve – mercy is not getting what I deserve…
But Grace is getting what I do not deserve – a free gift from God…
We earned the right to go to hell through our sin and rebellion – judgment…
Instead God gave us the incredible gift of righteousness and heaven – through Jesus!
Peace with God…
Before we were saved – we lived in certain expectation of God’s wrath and judgment
There was no peace in our lives – only the fear of death – and punishment…
When we have the Grace of God – the free gift of salvation – we have peace with God!
You cannot have true peace – rest in the knowledge we are forgiven – without grace…
Who gave Himself – to deliver us from this present evil age…
The message of Grace – is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ…
Without the cross – there would be no hope of salvation for us – heaven…
We should have been the one to pay the price for our sin – but God paid it for us!
The message of Grace – deliverance from this evil world…
We are either the Children of God – or the children of this world (satan)…
Once we are born again – saved – we have been delivered from this evil age!
We no longer belong to this world – we have changed our citizenship!
The message of Grace – is according to the will of the Father…
In other words – God did not choose us because we were so wonderful…
We did not earn his favor – we deserve to receive the gift of salvation…
God choose us simply because He choose to love us – it was His will!
3rd – Rejecting the Gospel of Grace… vs. 6-7
Paul was amazed at how quickly the churches had turned away from the Gospel…
They had rejected the Gospel of Grace – and embraced a gospel of good works…
They thought it was the ‘same’ Gospel – they thought they followed the same Bible…
But there is only one true Gospel – the Good new of Jesus Christ…
Salvation by grace alone – through faith alone – in Jesus alone!
There is nothing else we can add to the work of Jesus – He did it all on the cross!
The gospel they had embraced was gospel of Legalism…
What these Judaizers were teaching was not the same Gospel!
Acts 15:1 – “Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’”
They taught in order for Gentiles to go to heaven – they had to become a Jew!
They had to follow and keep all 613 commands of the Law!
In order to be blessed by God you must – go to church / read your Bible / give…
Rule – lots of rules – that we have to keep in order to be accepted by God…
That is not good news – that is a heavy burden/weight to carry around…
The Gospel of legalism brings death…
It is easy to think rules will keep us out of trouble – make us righteous…
Like a fence – that keeps us safe from the temptations and evils of the world…
This seems to be a good idea – and most people (and churches) take this approach…
But here is the danger – it can only control your actions – not change your heart…
* Colossians 2:21-23 – “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch. Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion… But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts & desires.”
In the end these believers think their rules make them strong in the Lord…
When in reality their rules make them ‘weak’ – taking their eyes off of Jesus…
Because they trust in their rules – rather than looking to and depending on the Lord
The Gospel of Legalism takes us away from the Lord – makes us depend on ourselves…
The Gospel of Grace drives us to the Lord – making us more like Jesus!
4th – Reject any other Gospel… vs. 8-10
Paul commanded the churches to reject anyone who came with a different Gospel…
Even if it is an Angel – they are accursed – separated from God for all eternity…
Mormons believe the angel Moroni – where they get their name – gave a new gospel…
Cursed because they are teaching/following a Gospel that cannot save you from sin!
The warning is very clear – there are a lot of other gospels out there…
And like the churches in Galatia is easy to quickly turn away…
To forget that the Gospel of Jesus is all about Grace – a relationship with God…
And turn to works – thinking what we do somehow makes us right with God!
But having a Bible – going to church – these things do not make us a Christian…
It is the Grace of God that saves us – and as we spend time with Jesus…
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