Sermon Outlines for
the book of Galatians

Rev. David P. Horrocks, Th.M., Pastor
Christ Community Church

Galatians 1:1-5 (9/7/08)                                                                      Galatians 4:1-7 (2/8/09)
Galatians 1:6-9 (9/14/08)                                                                    Galatians 4:8-11 (2/15/09)
Galatians 1:10-12 (9/28/08)                                                                Galatians 4:12-20 (2/22/09)
Galatians 1:13-17 (10/19/08)                                                              Galatians 4:21-31 (3/1/09)
Galatians 1:18-24 (10/26/08)                                                              Galatians 5:1-6 (3/15/09)
Galatians 2:1-10 (11/2/08)                                                                  Galatians 5:7-12 (3/29/09)
Galatians 2:11-16 (11/9/08)                                                                Galatians 5:13-15 (4/5/09)
Galatians 2:17-21 (11/16/08)                                                              Galatians 5:16-18 (4/19/09)
The Christology of Paul in his autobiography (11/23/08)                   Galatians 5:19-21 (4/26/09)
Galatians 3:1-9 (11/30/08)                                                                  Galatians 5:22-23 (5/3/09)
Galatians 3:10-14 (12/7/08)                                                                Galatians 5:24-26 (5/10/09)
Galatians 3:15-18 (12/14/08)
Galatians 3:19-22 (12/28/08)
Galatians 3:23-29 (1/4/09)

 

 

Galatians 1:1-5

Introduction:  “The first American”

What is a holy life?

Suggestions
The model is Jesus Christ

Why should you desire a holy life?

It is the message of the Bible (1:1)
It is the concern of the Church (1:2)
It is a blessing from heaven (1:3)
It is the will of the Trinity (1:4)

It is the reason for Christ’s crucifixion
It is the desire of God the Father
It is the work of the Holy Spirit

            It fulfills the eternal plan for our lives (1:5)

MESSAGE:
|“OUR HOLY LIVING IS THE CONCERN OF BOTH HEAVEN AND EARTH
FOR TIME AND ETERNITY.”

 

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Galatians 1:6-9

Introduction:  “Holiness is not a DIY project”

Purpose:  To promote holy living God’s way

Three questions

            How are we saved?
            Who can be saved?
            How are we sanctified?

The occasion

            The problem (1:6)

                        Christians are turning from God
                        Christians are turning from the Gospel of grace

            The process (1:7)

                        There are enemies of the Gospel of grace

                                    Satan (Spiritual warfare)
                                    Sinners (Cultural warfare)

                        The conflict is real

                                    Sinners distorted the Gospel of grace
                                    Sinners promoted the distorted gospel
                                    Christians became confused and captive
                                    Paul’s defense of the gospel met with slander

            The prescription (1:8-9)

                        Always judge the message first
                        Always reject the messengers of rejected messages

MESSAGE:
“HOLINESS WILL BE LOST IF YOU FORSAKE THE LORD
 AND FORGET HIS INSTRUCTIONS.”

 

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Galatians 1:10-12

Introduction:  “Young and fast, old and…”

Context:  Self-identification

Content:  What you should know about the apostle Paul

            Paul’s pleasure in life is found in God and Christ

                        He is devoted to God by his faith in God’s Word
                        He is a servant to Christ by obeying His will

            Paul’s message for life transcends flesh and blood

                        His message is not from man’s reason

                                    His message is beyond traditions (Culture)
                                    His message is beyond the classroom (Philosophers)

                        His message came by divine revelation

                                    He came to know Christ personally
                                    He came to understand Christ practically

            Five questions

            What we learn from revelation

MESSAGE:
“DEVOTION TO GOD AND SERVICE TO CHRIST
MEANS CHOOSING REVELATION OVER REASON
AND CHOOSING JESUS OVER OTHERS.”

 

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Galatians 1:13-17

Introduction:  “A change in government”

God revealed Jesus as Lord and Savior to Paul (13-16a)

            Divine encounter 1:15
            In hostile territory 1:13
            In “religious” territory 1:14
            A divine prerogative 1:15-16

                        Timing is God’s
                        Selection is God’s
                        Grace is God’s
                        Benefit is ours

Paul responded to Jesus as Lord and Savior (1:16b-17)

            Personal event
            Not a social accomplishment
            Not a religious accomplishment
            A retreat from an old approach to life (Acts 9:20-22)
            An advance into a new approach to life (Acts 9:23)

MESSAGE:
“GOD REVEALS JESUS TO SINNERS
SO THAT WE MIGHT ACCEPT HIM
AS THE GOVERNMENT OF OUR L IVES.”

 

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Galatians 1:18-24

Introduction:  “No one accepts blame any more…”

Paul’s gospel is from God through Christ for us (1:11-2:21)

            Statement 1:11-12
            Proof 1:13-2:21

                        Paul testified that his gospel was God’s gospel (13-17)

                                    Inconsistent with my former manner of life

                                                Persecutor of the Church
                                                Zealot for Judaism

                                    Consistent with my spiritual manner of life

                                                Meeting Christ on the road to Damascus
                                                Learning from Christ in the desert of Arabia

                        Jerusalem concluded that Paul’s gospel was God’s gospel (18-20)

                                    Paul visited there 3 years after his conversion – too long
                                    Paul met with Peter and James for 15 days – too short

                        Judea acknowledged that Paul’s gospel was God’s gospel (21-24)

                                    No residence – No recognition
                                    Approved reputation – Great influence

Paul’s example is for us

            Personal encounter with Jesus Christ
            It takes time for change
            A true message of salvation and sanctification
            Honesty before God and man
            Reputation which favors God

MESSAGE:
“THE GOSPEL IS FOR US FROM GOD
THAT WE MIGHT LIVE FOR GOD THROUGH CHRIST.”

 

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Galatians 2:1-10

Introduction:  “The choice for president…”

In defense of the Gospel Paul preached 1:11-2:21

            Paul did not produce it; God did 1:11-17
            Jerusalem did not produce it; God did 1:18-20
            Judea did not produce it; God did 1:21-24
            Apostles did not produce it; God did 2:1-10

                        Paul, Barnabas, Titus and the apostles

                                    When:  14 years later 2:1
                                    Why:  Famine relief visit 2:2a
                                    What:  Symposium on world missions 2b-10

                                                The conference was private 2b
                                                The topic was the unity of world missions 2c
                                                Conclusion:  Gentiles too are righteous by faith 3
                                                Opponents were discovered and dismissed 4-5
                                                Paul’s Gospel was received 6
                                                Paul’s apostleship was received 7-9
                                                Paul’s help was enlisted 10

                        Paul’s apostleship and Gospel are from God

In response to the Gospel Paul preached

            It must not be modified
            Many want to change it
            Sinners still need to believe it

MESSAGE:
“THE GOSPEL FROM GOD WILL SAVE US,
BUT THE GOSPEL FROM MAN WILL SURELY ENSLAVE US.”

 

 

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Galatians 2:11-16

Introduction:  “The fight of his life…”

Paul’s Gospel is God’s Gospel (1:11-2:10)

            Not from Paul, but from God
            Not from Jerusalem, but from God
            Not from Judea, but from God
            No from the apostles, but from God

Paul defends God’s Gospel (2:11-16)

            The battle of Antioch 2:11
            The events prior to the battle 2:12-14a

                        The Jew and Gentile were one in Christ
                        Christian fellowship was broken by Peter

                                    Social pressure (bigotry) was on Peter
                                    Peer pressure (hypocrisy) came through Peter
                                    Leadership pressure (faith) was wavering in Peter

            The battle 2:14b-16

                        The charge:  Peter distorts God’s Gospel
                        The case:

                                    There are two peoples

                                                Jews – Law holders
                                                Gentiles – Sinners

                                    There is one means of justification

                                                Not by the works of the flesh
                                                But by faith in Jesus Christ

                                    In Christ there is one equally-justified people

 

MESSAGE:
“THE GOSPEL FROM GOD BRINGS UNITY TO THE BODY;
THE GOSPEL FROM MAN BRINGS DISUNITY TO THE CHURCH.”

 

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Galatians 2:17-21

Introduction:  “The White House was in confusion…”

Introduction 1:1-10

            Greeting (1-5)
            Problem (6-10)

Paul preaches God’s Gospel 1:11-2:10

            Statement (1:11-12)
            Proof (1:13-2:9)
            Conclusion:  Paul’s Gospel is from God (2:10)

Paul defends God’s Gospel 2:11-21

            Setting (2:11-14a)
            Summation (2:14b-21)

                        There is but one equally justified people (14b-16)

                                    Equal in need:  All have sinned
                                    Equal in means:  Justified by faith in Christ
                                    Equal in results:  Righteous before God

                        To be IN CHRIST is to be OUT OF THE LAW (17-19)

                                    Out from under the Law is not always sin

                                                The Law leads to Christ
                                                Once IN CHRIST the Law is discarded
                                                A death (separation) has taken place

                                    IN CHRIST but UNDER THE LAW is always sin

                        IN CHRIST I am ready to live (20-21)

                                    Position:  Dead to the Law, alive to Christ
                                    Experience:  Physically alive for Christ
                                    Spiritually:  Trusting the indwelling Christ
                                    Publically:  The gracious God is glorified

MESSAGE:
“BY FAITH IN CHRIST, I AM RIGHT WITH GOD;
WITH CHRIST IN ME, I AM READY TO LIVE.”

 

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Selected from Galatians 1 and 2
Topic:  The Christology of Paul in his autobiography

Introduction:  Will Jesus forgive me? 

The person of Jesus Christ

            He is God and the Son of God (1:16, 19)
            He had at least one brother (1:19)
            He loved with a sacrificial love (2:20)
            He died in place of you and me for our sins (1:4, 2:20)

                        Substitution
                        Vicarious
                        Volitional

            He was raised from the dead by God (1:1)
            He lives in heaven – Transcendence (1:1)
            He is a living force within each Christian – Imminence (2:20)

The purpose of Jesus Christ

            He seeks to draw individuals to Himself (1:4)
            He is the thrust of God’s will for this age (1:4, 6, 12)
            He is the source of a contented life (1:3)
            Personal faith in Him is the only way to justification (2:16)
            Daily faith in Him is the only way to sanctification (2:20)

The pattern of Jesus Christ

            Structured communities meet in His name (1:22)
            He calls all to serve; He appoints some to lead (1:1, 10)
            Meeting Him is a life-changing event (1:16)

                        Apart from Christ, I am dead to God
                        In Christ, God sees me as already judged for sin
                        In Christ, God sees me as resurrected to life
                        I must see myself as God sees me

            Meeting Him involves the divine and the human (1:12, 16)
            Identification with Jesus is a responsible position (2:4)
            He will not direct His own into sin (2:17)
            What is true about Him may be distorted in our teaching (1:7)
            What is true about Him may be distorted in our living (2:21)

MESSAGE:
“THE LIFE THAT IS WRAPPED UP IN JESUS CHRIST
IS THE LIFE THAT IS FULFILLING THE WILL OF GOD.”

 

 

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Galatians 3:1-9

Introduction:  “Life’s new beginnings…”

Context

            Biographical (1:1-2:21)

                        Paul’s apostleship is from God through Christ
                        Paul’s Gospel is through Christ from God
                                    Paul the preacher of the Gospel
                                    Paul the policeman of grace

            Doctrinal (3:1-4:31)
            Application (5:1-6:18)

Content:  The Gospel of God is under attack

            Problem of the Galatians

                        Different gospel
                        Altered gospel
                        Conflicts:
                                    Works versus faith
                                    Law versus grace
                                    Passions of the flesh versus power of the Spirit
                        The Galatians are wrong (3:1)

            Proofs of their problem (3:2-9)

                        The Galatians are witnesses against themselves (2-4)
                                    How did you become Christians?  By faith! 
                                    Why change now to works?
                                    Have you learned nothing? 

                        God is a witness against the Galatians (5)
                                    How does God give His Spirit?  By faith! 
                                    How does God give blessings?  By faith!

                        The Old Testament is a witness against the Galatians (6-9)
                                    Abraham was justified by faith.
                                    Abraham’s type are people of faith.
                                    Abraham is God’s model for faith.
                                    Abraham’s blessings are to all through faith.

MESSAGE:
“THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST WE ARE APPROVED BY GOD;
THROUGH FAITH IN GOD WE ARE IMPROVED BY CHRIST.”

 

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Galatians 3:10-14

Introduction:  “Bad behavior leads to bad results”

The Galatians are wrong

            Faith has faded into a routine of laws
            Heart has been set aside for flesh
            Relationship has been replaced with rituals

Why the Galatians are wrong

            Experience
                        Conversion by faith
                        Blessings through faith
            Old Testament example of faith
            The nature of law (3:10-12)

                        It condemns all who live by it (10)
                                    All failures are sin
                                    All have failed

                        It cannot justify any sinner seeking salvation (11)
                                    Justification is not by works
                                    Justification is by faith

                        It does not meet the standard for forgiveness (12)

            The nature of grace (3:13-14)

                        Forgiveness is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus (13)
                                    Jesus redeemed us through substitution
                                    Jesus redeemed us through His death

                        Blessings are by God’s grace through faith in Jesus (14)
                                    Salvation comes to the Gentiles by faith in Jesus
                                    Spiritual promises come to the Jews by faith in Jesus

MESSAGE:
“LIVE UNDER GOD’S LAW AND FACE CONDEMNATION AND DEATH;
LIVE UNDER GOD’S GRACE AND FIND APPROVAL AND LIFE.”

 

 

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Galatians 3:15-18

Introduction:  “Twenty-two years in storage…”

Historical section (1:1-2:21)

Doctrinal section (3:1-4:31)

            Galatians were converted through faith (3:1-4)
            God blessed them in their faith (3:5)
            Old Testament taught justification by faith (3:6-10)
            The Law condemns, but faith approves (3:11-14)
            The Abrahamic covenant and the Law (3:15-18)

                        Human covenants (3:15)

Particular
Binding
Unalterable

                        God’s covenant with Abraham (3:16-18)

                                    What is it?

Promise of special blessings
Promise of national blessings
Promise of universal blessings

                                    What about it?

                                                Particular people

Abraham and Christ
Only for people of faith

Binding promises

Have not been set aside
Law is not a replacement

                                                Unalterable assurance

Law is not a condition
Promises are still a blessing of faith

MESSAGE:
“YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER
GOD SURELY BLESSES ALL WHO LIVE BY FAITH IN HIM.”

 

 

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Galatians 3:19-22

Introduction:  “Self-talk…”

Historical section (1:1-2:21)

Doctrinal section (3:1-4:31)

            Galatians were redeemed through faith
            God blessed them in their faith
            Old Testament taught justification by faith
            The Law is not of faith
            God’s promises are for people of faith
            The nature of the Law

                        The Law conflicts with the promise

                                    The Law is fulfilled by works, the promise by faith
                                    The Law speaks to the flesh, the promise to the spirit
                                    The Law produces wages, the promise offers a gift
                                    The Law condemns, the promise approves
                                    The Law is bi-lateral, the promise is uni-lateral

                        The Law was dated material:  1400 BC to Jesus Christ
                        The Law was a useful but now partially obsolete tool

                                    The Law was a useful tool

                                                It revealed God’s nature
                                                It identified sin as sin
                                                It was an external influence

                                    The Law is an obsolete tool

                                                The best revelation of God’s nature is Christ
                                                The best standard of holiness is Christ
                                                The best internal control is Christ

                        The Law is third hand, the promise is personal
                        The Law kills, the promise gives life
                        The sinner who believes will be saved

FAIL IN GOD’S LAW – you need to be saved!
Need salvation – TRUST IN GOD’S SON!

 

 

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Galatians 3:23-29

Introduction:  “All people grow old, but not all Christians grow up”

Historical section (1:1-2:21)
Doctrinal section (3:1-4:31)

            God’s approval and blessings are by faith
            The Old Testament taught justification by faith
            The Law is not of faith
            God’s promise is yours by faith
            The Law pointed to faith to correct a life of sin
            Stages of maturity and the cycles of life (3:23-29)

                        As a child – Life under the Law (external) 23-25

                                    The Law was a restraint on children from sin
                                    The Law was a nurturing influence towards faith
                                    The Law was a teacher of Christ and justification by faith
                                    The Law was dismissed when faith in Christ came

                        As an adult – The faith life of Christ (internal) 26-29

                                    Faith in Christ characterizes the SONS of God
                                    All of God’s SONS are viewed as expressions of Christ
                                    There is no tiered level of SONSHIP
                                    Union with Christ means heir to the promised blessings

“WHEN RITUALS TURN TO REALITIES,
WHEN RULES GIVE WAY TO RELATIONSHIPS,
WHEN TOMORROWS’ HOPE BECOMES TODAY’S MOTIVES,
THEN YOU HAVE COME OF AGE IN JESUS CHRIST.”

 

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Galatians 4:1-7

Introduction:  “The Gospel Is…”

Galatians outline

            Autobiographical
            Theological
            Applicational

Galatians 4:1-7

            Context

                        God approves and blesses faith
                        The law revealed that faith was necessary
                        The faith relationship supersedes the law relationship
                        The faith relationship is God’s will for us in Christ

            Content

                        An illustration to explain the use of law

                                    Laws are given to control or educate
                                    Relationship determines the purpose of the law
                                    Laws which educate are temporary

                        The application to Christians

                                    We have known laws as enslavers
                                    Our relationship to the Lawgiver has changed

                                                This was God’s doing (grace)
                                                Our redemption was through Christ (love)
                                                No longer as slaves but as “sons” (adoption)
                                                The law as a teacher has ended (faith)

                                    We are God’s sons with the spirit of God (Indwelling)
                                    We are God’s sons with the language of Christ (submission)
                                    We are God’s sons with the blessings of eternity (promises)

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
WE ARE THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD
WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY.

 

 

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Galatians 4:8-11

Introduction:  “Missing adults…”

Problem:  Underdevelopment

Passage 4:8-11

            Before salvation (4:8)

                        Strangers to the true God
                        Strangled by sin and its consequences
                        Seeking answers through religious rituals
                        Serving nothing that was divine

            Since salvation (4:9-10)

                        Knowledge of God by God’s grace
                        Positioned for a life of increasing faith
                        The surprise of disappointment

                                    Seeking blessings through religious rituals
                                    Serving nothing that was divine
                                    Serving it by choice
                                    Scheduling God by appointment

            Question of salvation (4:11)

                        Fear enough to question
                        Not all who hear will be saved
                        Our labor is for God’s glory

WHERE THERE IS SAVING FAITH,
THERE SHOULD BE SANCTIFYING FAITH!
IF THERE IS NO SANCTIFYING FAITH,
CAN THERE BE SAVING FAITH?

 

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Galatians 4:12-20

Introduction:  “Evidence That Demands a Verdict”

Context

            Introduction (1:1-10)
            Autobiography (1:11-2:21)
            The evidence (3:1-4:11)

                        They exchanged the gospel of God with a message from man
                        They exchanged faith in Christ with the works of man
                        They exchanged grace with law
                        They exchanged God’s Spirit with flesh
                        They exchanged freedom with bondage
                        They exchanged the new with the old

            The verdict (4:12-20)

                        A call to have a heart for God (4:12a)
                        A call to practice mutual forgiveness (4:12b)
                        A call to return to sacrificial service (4:13-15)
                        A call to combine truth and love (4:16)
                        A call to active cautious discernment (4:17-18)
                        A call to let Christ live through you (4:19-20)

Common lessons

            The goal of our fellowship is the example of Christ.
            We expect our efforts to meet opposition. 
            Godliness means forgiving others often.
            Telling the truth can hurt more than the truth that is told.
            Person to person ministry is exhausting. 
            We appreciate those who faithfully serve us and our families. 

THE MEASURE OF A MINISTRY IS THE DEGREE
TO WHICH CHRIST IS BEING FORMED IN ITS MEMBERS.

 

 

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Galatians 4:21-31

Introduction:  “This is an allegory…”

Historical (1:1-2:21)
Theological (3:1-4:31)

            Summary of Abraham’s life (4:21-23)

                        Abram at 75
                        Abram at 86
                        Abraham at 99
                        Abraham at 100
                        Abraham at 103

            Two covenants and Abraham’s two wives (4:24-31)

                        Hagar represents the Old Covenant (Judaism)

                                    Life of faith in the flesh (Ishmael)
                                    Life of laws of Sinai
                                    Life of bondage
                                    1st century Jerusalem is in slavery

                        Sarah represents the New Covenant (Christianity)

                                    Life of faith in the spirit (Isaac)
                                    Life of faith in God’s promises
                                    Life of freedom from bondage
                                    Heavenly Jerusalem is free

            Hagar (Judaism) and Sarah (Christianity) cannot live together

WE WERE BORN INTO THE BONDAGE OF SIN,
BUT WE WERE BORN AGAIN INTO THE FREEDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

 

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Galatians 5:1-6

Introduction:  “Defective instructions”

Autobiographical (1:1-2:21)

            Paul is god’s apostle
            Paul’s gospel is God’s gospel

Doctrinal (3:1-4:31)

            Faith in Christ brings salvation
            Faithfulness to Christ brings sanctification

Applicational (5:1-6:18)

            Summary statement of freedom (5:1a)
            Goal:  Progressive and practical righteousness (5:1b)
            The way of certain failure (5:2-4)

                        Underestimating your blessings in Christ
                        Thinking of God as your Master instead of your Father
                        Thinking of Jesus as your Lord, but not your Brother
                        Seeing yourself as a slave instead of a son
                        Trusting in rituals instead of relationships

            The way of sure success (5:5-6)

                        Treasure the cross that has set you free
                        Cultivate living in the power of the Spirit
                        Relate to Jesus as your sanctifying older brother
                        Believe that you can be and will be changed
                        Walk in faith and serve in love

I PROGRESS AS A CHRISTIAN THROUGH AN ON-GOING
RELATIONSHIP OF FAITH IN CHRIST WHOSE SPIRIT
EMPOWERS MY LIFE AND CAUSES ME TO RESPOND
TO HIS GRACE IN LOVING SERVICE TO OTHERS.

 

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Galatians 5:7-12

Introduction:  “Lost on the highways of life”

Autobiographical
Doctrinal
Applicational

            Summary:  We progress as Christians through an on-going relationship
            of faith in Christ whose Spirit empowers our lives and inspires our hearts
            to respond to His grace in loving service to others. 

            Progress report

                        Good start
                        Weak race
                        Uncertain ending

            Progress protected

                        God’s charge

                                    Over Christians
                                    Over the ungodly

                        My control

                                    Keep the gospel pure
                                    Recognize and reject false teachers

WE WILL STALL IN OUR PROGRESS AS CHRISTIANS
IF WE ADOPT ANY PERSUASION WHICH MAKES LITTLE
OF THE CROSS OR THE CROWN OF CHRIST.

 

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Galatians 5:13-15

Introduction:  “Looking for loopholes”

Autobiographical:  The gospel of the apostle Paul (1:1-2:21)

Doctrinal:  Salvation and sanctification are by faith (3:1-4:31)

Applicational:  Freedom in Christ (5:1-6:18)

            Freedom was attacked by the church (Legalism) 5:1:12

                        Law as revelation:  Yes
                        Law as regulation:  No

            Freedom was attacked by the flesh (License) 5:13-15

                        Flesh is fall     humani
                                          e                t
                                            n               y

                        When “not under the law” means lawlessness:

                                    Selfishness results
                                    Sin results
                                    Self-destruction results

                        When “Not under the law” means above the law:

                                    Holiness becomes a desire not a demand
                                    Flesh is mastered in loving service to others

WHEN MY FREEDOM IS SPENT SERVING MYSELF ALONE, IT IS SIN;
BUT WHEN MY FREEDOM IS SPENT SERVING OTHERS ALONE, IT IS LOVE.

 

 

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Galatians 5:16-18

Introduction:  “Master the possibilities”

Know the possibilities

            Living by the Law – Christ is no benefit (Failure of the law)

                        Severed from Christ
                        Fallen from grace
                        Stumbling over the cross

            Living by license – Holiness is no product (Failure of the flesh)

                        Conflict of the soul
                        Selfishness in service
                        Brokenness in fellowship

            Living by love – Positioned to receive blessings (Victory of faith)

                        Changed by their faith in Christ
                        Empowered by the Spirit within
                        Lawless but without license

Choose the best possibility

            Make a choice
            Know why you made this choice

                        Freedom was made for:

                                    Law – external human standards?  NO
                                    Flesh – fallen social standards?  NO
                                    Faith – internal holy standards?  YES

                        The indwelling Holy Spirit
                        The example of Christ and others
                        The purpose of the Christian life

Cultivate the choice that you make

CHRISTIANS OVERCOME OPPOSITION TO GODLINESS
AS WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT FOR GOD’S GLORY
AND NOT BY THE FLESH FOR OUR OWN.

 

 

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Galatians 5:19-21

Introduction:  “Happy face – sad face”

Freedom in your life is:

            The position of faith
            The condition of forgiveness
            Lost through laws
            Abused through the flesh
            Used through the Holy Spirit

The test for abused freedom in your life

            Flesh defined by Paul
            Flesh described by Paul
            Flesh tested by God:

                        1…immorality:  Marriage bond is violated
                        2…impurity:  Intimacy without marriage
                        3…sensuality:  Indecency gone public
                                                      Family
                        4…idolatry:  Living for anything but God
                        5…sorcery:  Seeking spiritual in unholiness
                                                      Worship
                        6…enmities:  Failure to love others
                        7…strife:  Self-love at the expense of others
                        8…jealousy:  Competition instead of love
                        9…anger:  Love replaced by hate
                        10…disputes:  Campaigning against another
                        11…dissensions:  Promoting isolation of others
                        12…factions:  Permanent barriers established
                        13…envying:  Wishing loss of life or property
                                                      Church
                        14…drunkenness:  Escape from responsibilities
                        15…carousing:  Excesses in physical appetites
                        16…etc.
                                                       Society

            The way of the flesh is not the way of heaven

ALLOW FLESH TO RULE ONCE – YOU SIN AGAINST GOD;
ALLOW FLESH TO RULE ALWAYS – YOU LIVE WITHOUT GOD.

 

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Galatians 5:22-23

Introduction:  “You cannot hide the truth”

Context:  Godliness through freedom properly used

Content

            The Spirit’s power in my life… (Galatians 5:22-23)

                        Character traits by divine power

                                    The ability to show God’s love (I Corinthians 13/John 3:16)
                                    Inward joy regardless of outward events (John 15:11)
                                    Being at peace in a persecuting world (John 14:27)

                        Conduct traits by divine power

                                    Patience with difficult people (I Timothy 1:16)
                                    Kindness shown in being just (Ephesians 2:7)
                                    Goodness beyond what is required (Nehemiah 9:27)
                                    Faithfulness as a reputation (Romans 3:3)
                                    Gentleness as observed by others (Matthew 11:29)
                                    Self-Control when tested in life (Isaiah 53:7)

            The Spirit’s place in my life… (Galatians)

                        Begins at salvation (3:2)
                        The guarantee of divine approval (3:14)
                        The active influence for worship (4:6)
                        The active influence for righteousness (5:5)
                        The active influence for holiness (5:16)
                        The active influence against self-centeredness (5:17)
                        Surpasses the influence of the law (5:18, 23)
                        The indwelling power for Christian living (5:25)
                        A discipline to be developed (6:8)

THE HOLY SPIRIT TRANSFORMS YOUR CHARACTER AND YOUR CONDUCT
AS YOU SUBMIT TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST.

 

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Galatians 5:24-26

Introduction:  “Preserved for godliness”

Context:  Our freedom in Christ

            Autobiographical

                        Paul is God’s apostle
                        Paul’s gospel is God’s gospel

            Doctrinal

                        Salvation is by faith in Christ
                        Sanctification is by faithfulness to Christ

            Application:  Freedom is ours in Christ

                        Freedom is lost in the maze of laws
                        Freedom is abused by the power of the flesh
                        Freedom is used by walking in the Holy Spirit

Content:  Our freedom in daily living

            Break the power of the law – say no to legalism
            Break the power of the flesh – say no to selfishness

                        Say no to the flesh for it is the opponent of personal holiness
                        Say no to the flesh for it is the enemy of our church unity

            Break loose the power of the Spirit – Walk in the Spirit

                        Make certain that the Spirit is in you
                        Do not ignore the Spirit’s presence
                        Do not resist the Spirit’s influence
                        Make certain the Spirit rules over your rules
                        Make certain the Spirit rules over your personal desires
                        Cultivate your being in touch with Christ
                        Give others the freedom to live freely

GODLINESS IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WROUGHT IN THE LIVES
OF ALL WHO CHOOSE TO WALK WITH CHRIST.

 

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