Galatians 1-3

We have been learning from Paul's letter to Galatia. It can be read in one sitting. In it Paul writes about himself, as he is under attack, and the message he "goes to the wall" for. He connects Christianity to the Old Testament, something all Christian should be able to do.

Here are 10 outlines that we hope will help your appreciation and application of this great New Testament book. We'll post the final 10 once the preaching series by Pastor Swanson concludes. Here are the 10 outlines:

“Rescued”Galatians 1:1-5 Background:
Paul believed the churches he founded would be sustained only to discover false teachers came into town to make Christianity more Jewish than Christian. This letter responds to the threat with radical teaching. Issues in the introduction: What the cross is all about?1

a. This present evil age. What is it? Every age has made the attempt to live in defiance of God. Every age comes up with a plan… that does not involve God. = evil.

1b. Rescued.   “Christianity is a rescue religion.” J. Stott.Our rescue comes with the confession that this world, including me, is offensive to a righteous God. Those who believe in Christ’s work on the cross and Lordship are received… or rescued!   What was Paul’s life about?

2a. An apostle: Paul knew Christ and was commissioned by him.

2b. sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead Paul could say, “I have received a work and authority to do it, not through ceremony but directly through God.”

2c. and all the brothers with me,No independent living. He is one of a community.    What is the point in Galatians? Key verse: 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Free to be our best…for all who understand and accept the rescue.

Pure Gospel Galatians 1:6-11

Galatians 1:6-11 is an emotional outburst in print. Paul is “hot” …..over the gospel.How could believers be so doctrinally fickle?    The good news about Christ must not be changed.

What are today’s “different gospels?”
1. The so called, “Good News of Happiness.”from without: pleasures and possessions. from within: good mental and emotional health.

2. The so called “Good News of Life after Death.”All want to believe in it. All plans have a common approach: merit   Almost all “different gospels” are compatible with the natural mind. Romans 8:5-8

3. The Pure Gospel: We do not belong in heaven. I will never deserve heaven but I can get their with Christ.God has done all the work. With pride confessed and in humility, I accept. (Conversion)   Following conversion: Deuteronomy 6:4   “Examine yourself…” (I Corinthians 11:28)Is God’s gospel a weighty and directing influence?

A New Testament ConversionGalatians 1:13-16

Paul’s conversion is not the model. It is a model for us.

Background

1. Not a friend of God. how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

2. Accomplished. Trophies of the past. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age

3. Good. extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.Excellent reputation.

The Conversion

4. Complying to the perfect will of God.   But when God, who set me apart from birth… God wants each one to acknowledge that from the start, we have been chosen for a work… and a place in His kingdom. Set apart.

5. Grace signals the credit and the good intention.      and called me by his grace

Grace: a. The origin is God, not self.     b. Its all good. Called:     knowing God’s direction for us.

6. Residency of Christ   was pleased to reveal his Son in methe point of conversion is occupancy! He wants to live in you.

7. Ambassador so that I might. God wants to a. transform you for His kingdom and   b. Use you for His kingdom.

My Story/ God’s Story Galatians 1: 15 – 24 1.

Life has a greater agenda: Honoring the name and reputation of God.

If it was true for Moses, Daniel, John the Baptist and Paul, its also true for us! Our lives have a larger story.

2. Paul’s life was about his gospel – THE gospel. He and it were attacked.

“The law of Moses leads us to Christ. Christ liberated mankind from the penalty of sin. The Old Testament underscores our sin. There is forgiveness and hope for all who trust in Him. Religious hoops corrupt.

3. In defending the message, Paul tells his own personal story. V. 15-17. Arabia
Lesson #1 Every person needs time and space for spiritual reflection and personal adjustment. V.17b. Damascus

Lesson #2 Identifying with Christ will not make you popular. Expect trouble. V. 18,19     Jerusalem

Lesson #3: The church is not hierarchal – its a body V.21 Syria and Cilicia.

Lesson#4   Home is the place for humility (of self) and boldness for Christ.

When the Gospel is in YouGalatians 2:1-10

A. This text not about Paul’s story as much as his message. In defending his message he is explaining its source, and how it is affirmed by other leaders.

B. Most Jewish Christians had a blind spot – saw no problem and wanted to combine Temple worship with Christian worship. Then God raised up Paul.

Lesson#1    Don’t hang on to traditions as though they are gospel.

Lesson #2 Get the Gospel right!   When it comes to the gospel, I must get it right. Moses plus Jesus is no Gospel. More is not better. For us…. Salvation is not faith in Jesus plus sacrament. Salvation is not faith plus….   As important as it is to be correct, there is more at stake:

Lesson #3 To break the slavery of sin and self there must be power. The power is in the gospel: Christ alone breaks the power of sin! Nothing else will work in the non Jewish world.Nothing else will work in the Jewish world.     Result: freedom!

Moving Forward (When the Gospel is in You, part 2)Galatians 2:11-16

Review:Lesson#1    Don’t hang on to traditions as though they are gospel. Lesson #2 Get the Gospel right!   Lesson #3 To break the slavery of sin and self there must be power.

Paul discovered in Peter a conformity problem – conforming to the norms of the people around him – conforming to the world. His response: “Those who really understand the gospel…and really receive it, will have a power to go against the popular tide.”   Paul knows that Peter deep down is solid. He addresses a larger problem:

Lesson #4 Good behavior is expected.   Bad behavior can be rooted in a bad gospel. Two great personalities in confrontation. The true gospel exposes the bad behavior. Verse 16.

Lesson #5 Confrontation is good and important. Confronting division and promoting unity is even better!   Distinctive perspectives are a beautiful thing. Anything that comes to us and does not contradict Scripture is plus!
The bad gospel was resulting in people not talking with each other.    Christ is pleased when Christians extend the right hand of fellowship and friendship as He has done to us. Romans 15:9 .…It’s a celebration!

Living Receptively Galatians 2.17-21

Paul was writing to preserve the basics of Christianity. Others were adding on. “more is better.” - Jesus and Moses are better than Jesus alone. This approach sets aside the grace of God resulting in Christ dying for nothing! 2:21

Grace: Ephesians 2:7-10 Both Salvation and sanctification are God’s gifts.
Objection#1: How can Christianity ever make it without Moses’ emphasis on obedience?
Objection #2:We live by faith, not by our experiences and feelings.
Objection #3:   We all do what you want and call it “grace.”    I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2:20

Following Moses does not transform like “crucifixion with Christ!”        No one crucified with Christ will live in disobedience. We are more interested in “living by faith” which grace empowers us to do.We do not set aside the grace of God.

Greatest Event, Highest Blessing, Next Step
Galatians 3:1-14

God’s Word to us! To win believers back to the gospel Paul reminds them of their…
Greatest Event. v. 1b. Before your very eyes Jesus was clearly portrayed as crucified. Jesus was crucified 20 years earlier! The light clicked on.
Highest Blessing       v. 3. Beginning with the Spirit. Assurance Romans 8:16Fruit Galatians 5:22,23 The transforming goals of the Holy Spirit are rejected when the personal preference is to retain the requirements of religion. Major step backward. Faith activates the life giving power of the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit ALWAYS leads an assured fruit bearing believer to deny self.

Next Step:Stark contrast: Two destinies: Curse: wages of sin – Blessing: the blessing of Abraham – being put in favor with God through Christ. Two roads to reach them:Relying on works of the law v. 10    Making myself acceptable to God.Becoming a person of faith v. 9 Coming humbly to the cross where Christ bore the curse.

  Understanding “The Rules”Galatians 3:15-21
The good news from the vantage point of the Old Testament greats.

1. The History. Abraham lived in Mesopotamia and received a promise from God that he would “make him into a great nation…and make (his) name great…all people..will be blessed through you” Genesis 12.2,3. Moses, and through a series of miracles, extricated the descendants of Abraham who made a slow 40 year journey back to Canaan. En route, God gave Moses “The Law” – Ten Commandments.

2. The Role Today of Abraham and Moses:Jesus Christ is the “seed / promised descendant” of Abraham. The “will” of Abraham prevails! God gives salvation and acceptancenot on the basis of making Moses happy, but to all, who like Abraham, believe the promise!  Promise: requires faith in God’s words, Law: which requires more than obedience.

3. Options: the reward of works (better known as the wages of sin) or an inheritance promised to Abraham and Jesus Christ.

Faith alone imparts life. V. 21

Everybody’s StoryGalatians 3:23-29

Historical theology lesson turns into the story of every man and woman.

1. Most people make one of two mistakes. a. Staying with the patterns consistent with OT living:   …which always leaves the soul

unchanged, unrenewed…natural [ 1 Cor. 2.15]! Religion does not require transformation, just devotion.

b. The corner cutters: Attempting the Christian without passing through Moses. The ministry of Moses prepares us for the ministry of Christ.

2. From the ministry of Moses comes two theological words:
a. Prison. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. The old life is not fine! Life in prison is not lived well and does not end well. The prison is both an experience and a sentence.

b. Guardian. the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ The Law is a strict disciplinarian.   Clubbed for every misdeed.

3. Good news: We are “busted out” of prison by being   justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.                     The strict disciplinarian is replaced by a more wise and even “Father”:You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus . *******************************

4. Four addition matters emerging from 3:23-29. The best defense against misguided beliefs is familiarity with the truth.

a. The Fatherhood of God.   You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus

b. Salvation through baptism. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ

c. The Unity of Religions.    for you are all one. True unity happens when God first brings me and you to Himself.

d. Absense of sex related roles. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus Distinctions are no longer a barrier to fellowship.
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