10-16-11 Find Glory In The Cross = Galatians 6:11-18

Find Glory In The Cross

Galatians 6:11-18

Where Do You Get Pride.

Where Paul Says People Have Pride: (Galatians 6:11-18)
* Glory in the Flesh (11-13)
- Religious Pride and Persuaders (12a)
- Cowardice and Compromising (12b)
- Hypocrisy (13)

* Glory in the Cross (14-18)

Why Paul Took Glory in The Cross:

- The Person Crucified Made The Cross Central.
- The Power to Free Men From the World's Bondage. (14b)
- The Purpose of The Cross. (15)
- The Power to Bring Salvation (16)

What You Should Think As We Round out the Galatians Study.
* In our do-it-yourself society, salvation by grace is easily rejected.
* In God's plan, the only way we are saved is through Christ's finished work on the cross.
* Repent and change your focus and truly be converted to Christ.

10-9-11 Fruitful Life of The Spirit = Galatians 5:19-26

Fruitful Life of The Spirit

Galatians 5:19-26

Focus of Transformation.

Actions of the flesh are obvious. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Immorality
Impurity
Sensuality
Idolatry
Sorcery
Enmities
Strife
Jealousy
Outbursts of anger
Disputes
Dissensions
Factions
Envying
Drunkenness
Carousing
Things like these

The Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control

Application: The self-denying cross carrying life.
Live by the Spirit
Walk by the Spirit


The Spirit's provision of fruit might be compared to a man standing on a ladder in an orchard, picking the fruit and dropping it into a basket held by a helper below. No matter how much fruit is picked and dropped, the helper will not receive any unless he is standing under the ladder with his basket ready. 

10-2-11 Limiting Liberty With Love = Galatians 5:13-21

Limiting Liberty With Love

Galatians 5:13-21

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.


Gaining Liberty Through Death. (Galatians 5:13-21)

Liberty & Love Means:

The Spirit enables me to oppose the flesh. (13)
The Spirit enables me to serve others. (13)
The Spirit enables me to fulfill God's morals. (14)
The Spirit enables me to avoid harming others. (15)

Command & Conflict:

The command (16)
The conflict (17-18)
The contrast (19-21)

Giving Liberty and Life Through Balance.
When my liberty could hurt a fellow Christian, I should yield. (15)
When my liberty could hinder God's work, I should yield. (16-17)
When my liberty creates unrest in my conscience, I should yield. (22-23)

9-25-11 Really Falling From Grace = Galatians 5:1-12

Really Falling From Grace

Galatians 5:1-12

* The Beauty of Grace.


* The Blessings of Grace. (Galatians 5:1-12)

Grace Gives You:

* As A Slave -- Spiritual Liberty (1)
* Transitional passage

* As A Debtor -- Spiritual Riches (2-6)
* Christ is of no benefit. v 2
* Obligated to keep whole law. v 3
* Fallen from grace. v 4
* Excluded from righteousness. v 5-6

* As A Runner -- Spiritual Direction (7-12)
* Hinder the truth v 7
* Not of God v 8
* Contaminate other Christians v 9
* Will be judged v 10
* Hassell & agitate true teachers v 11
* They should self destruct and be ignored v 12


* The Benefits of Grace.

Questions Worth Asking Today:

* How highly do I value my grace in Christ?
* How strongly do I resist having my freedom stolen?
* How tolerant am I of other Christians and their exercise of freedom?
* How fully do I enjoy the benefits of Christ's grace?

9-18-11 Meet Your Mother = Galatians 4:19-31

Meet Your Mother

Galatians 4:19-31

* Mothers Are Important -- The Shape Our Lives.



* Spiritual Mothers Determine our Freedom: Galatians 4:19-31
The Historical Facts. (19-23)

The Spiritual Truths. (24-29)
Isaac illustrates the believer in some areas:
1. He was born by God's power. (4:29)
2. He brought joy -- His name means "laughter."
3. He was persecuted (Genesis 21:9)

Hagar represents
1. She was Abraham's second wife. (Genesis 16:15)
2. She was a slave. (4:22-23, 30-31)
3. She was not meant to bear children.
4. She gave birth to a slave. (Genesis 16:12)
5. She was cast out. (Genesis 21:9-10)
6. She was not married again.

The Practical Applications. (30-31)
Conflict in relationships between promise and bondage:
1. We can try to change things that oppose freedom in Christ.
2. We can try to compromise with the things that oppose freedom in Christ.
3. We can reject those who oppose freedom in Christ.

9-11-11 God's Timing -- God's Way = Galatians 4:1-18

“God’s Timing – God’s Way”

Galatians 4: 1-18

The Impatience of Human Beings Does Not Change God’s Plan.


Trust in God’s Timing & Way. (Galatians 4:1-18)

Focus On Christ Helps Your Spiritual Growth:

Remember Who You Are. (vs. 1-7)
1. What we were:  children in bondage (vs. 1-3)
2. What God did:  redeemed us (vs. 4-5)
3. What we are:  sons and heirs (vs. 6-7)

Remember How You Ran Ahead of God.  (vs. 8-11)
1. In idolatry (vs. 8-9)
2. In making own spiritual calendar (vs. 10-11)

Remember Your Purpose Through Pain.  (vs. 12-18)
1. Paul’s appeal to them (v. 12a)
2. Paul’s remembrance of them (vs. 12-16)
3. Paul’s warning to them (vs. 17-18)

The Results of a Christ-focused Faith.

• You have confidence that God will see you through.
• You have assurance in God’s word.
• You have conviction about God’s plan for you.

9-4-11 The Promise and Purpose of the Law - Galatians 3:15-29

The Promise and Purpose of the Law

Galatians 3:15-29

There Is Great Hope In Anticipating The Fulfillment of A Promise.


The Promise And Purpose of the Old Testament Law. (Galatians 3:15-29)
The Superiority of the Promise (15-18)
* Its Confirmation (15)
* Its Christ-centeredness (16)
* Its Chronology (17)
* Its Completeness (18)

The Inferiority of the Law (19-22)
* Its purpose was temporary (19a)
* Its mediators (19b-20)
* Its accomplishments and Limitations (21-22)

The Purpose of the Law (22-29)
* Under Law: Bondage (23-24)
1. The Law as a prison (24)
2. The Law as Guardian and Guide (24)
* In Christ: Freedom (25-29)
1. Sons of God (26-27)
2. One with other Christians (28)
3. Heirs of the promise (29)

The Christians Response To God's Covenants
* Understand the Law's desire is to lead you to Christ.
* Accept the superiority of Christ to the Old Testament Law.
* Realize Christ wants unity in Christ.
* Experience Christ in immersion by faith not by works.

8-28-11 A Compelling Call & Convincing Commitment - Galatians 6:2, 5; Romans 12:1-2

A Compelling Call & Convincing Commitment

Galatians 6:2, 5; Romans 12:1-2

My humor on church attendance.

Introduction:
Lady's story behind song Take My Life and Let it Be.


Burden Bearing
Galatians 6:2, 5
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. V 2
For each will have to bear his own load. V 5

Convincing Commitment
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV

Looking Within
Consecration V. 1 (What is going on around us) (About our Bodies)
Transformation V. 2 (What is going on in us) (About our Minds)
Evaluation V. 3

Serving Others
In Principle Vv. 4-5
In Practice Vv 6-8

8-21-11 Spiritual Living Galatians 6:1-10

Spiritual Living
Galatians 6:1-10

Defining Spirituality.


Demonstrating Spirituality:
(Galatians 6:1-10)
* Bearing Burdens. (5:26-6:6)
    * How not to treat one another (5:26)
    * How to treat one another. (6:1)

Spiritual Family Support:
1. Who should do it? (6:1a; 5:22-23)
2. How should it be done? (6:1)
3. What is the goal? (6:1)

Intentions of Spiritual People:
1. Pick up rather than put down. (6:1)
2. Build up rather than enable. (6:2, 5)
3. Look up rather than look down. (6:3-4)
4. Hold up rather than tear down. (6:6)

* Sharing Blessings. (6:6-10)
God's Harvest Laws:
1. Reap what you plant.
2. Reap in different season than you plant.
3. Reap more than you plant.
4. Last years harvest is done -- plan for next year's planting.

Paul's Point About Spiritual Blessings:
* The Divine Law Stated (6:7b)
* The Divine Law Explained (6:8)
* The Divine Law Fulfilled (6:9)
* The Divine Law Applied (6:10)

8-14-11 Backsliding Into Legalism Galatians 3:1-14

Backsliding Into Legalism

Galatians 3:1-14

The Instinct to Work Your Way into a Positive Relationship.

The Problem of Working for God's Relationship. (Galatians 3:1-14)
Paul's Argument for A Faith Relationship:
* People's Experience (vs. 1-5)
1. The Believer's Experience with Christ. (v. 1)
2. The Believer's Experience with the Holy Spirit. (v. 2-4)
3. The Believer's Experience with the Father. (v. 5)
* God's Scripture (vs. 6-14)
1. Positive Proof from the Old Testament. (vs. 6-9)
2. Negative Proof from the Old Testament. (vs. 10-12)
3. Positive Hope in Jesus Christ. (vs. 13-14)

The Christ-follower's Efforts to Prevent Deception.
* Remember the Cross
* Remember the Beginning and Think About It.
* Remember True Experience
* Remember the Scripture
* Remember the Cleansing

It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone.

8-7-11 Christ In Me Galatians 2:11-21

Christ Lives In Me

Galatians 2:11-21

There is a Need to be Focused on Christ.
Proverbs 15:14 (NIV) The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Paul is Sure of his Emphasis on preaching Jesus. Galatians 2:11-21

The Aspects to Paul’s Confronting a “Super Apostle”:

Peter’s Deviation (vs. 11-13)
1. The Clash (v. 11)
2. The Cause (v. 12)
3. The Consequence (v. 13)

Paul’s Doctrine (vs. 14-21)
1. His Reaction (vv. 14-15a)
2. His Statement (vv 15-16)
3. His Defense (vv. 17-21)

The Believer’s Response.
* Have I been saved by the grace of God?
* Am I trying to mix Law and Grace?
* Am I rejoicing in the fact I am justified by faith in Christ?
* Am I walking in the liberty of grace?
* Am I willing to tell the truth of the Gospel?
* Am I living daily according to the truth of the Gospel?

“Faith is only as good as its object. The person in the jungle bows before an idol of stone and trusts it to help him, but he receives no help. If faith is not directed at the right object, it will accomplish nothing. The big question is, ‘in whom do you believe?’”

7-31-11 The Value of Acceptance and Affirmation -3- Galatians 2:1-10

The Value of Acceptance and Affirmation

Galatians 2:1-10

There is Great Power in Positive Affirmation.


Paul Serves Well As An Example of… Galatians 2:1-10

The Aspects to Paul’s Affirmation & Acceptance:

* Private Consultation (vs. 1-2)
* Public Criticism (vs. 3-5)
* Primary Commission (vs. 6-9a)
* Popular Confirmation (vs. 9b-10)

Encouraging The Encouragers.
* Become a Barnabas yourself.
* Realize there will always be critics and deal with the poor ones.
* Give more encouragement than you get.
* Build up those who carry out God’s commission.
* Be eager to share the Good News.

7-24-11 Greater Faith Than Fanaticism -2- Galatians 1:11-24

Greater Faith Than Fanaticism
Galatians 1:11-24

Paul's Spiritual Journey

• He was set apart before he was born. v. 15a
• He was a religious fanatical law enforcer - "sheriff." v. 13
• He began as a true believer. v. 14
• He was converted by grace and Christ. v. 15b-16a
• He found purpose in preaching Jesus Christ. v. 16b
• He sought God first before he seeking others perspective. v. 17-22
• He preached faith in Christ that resulted in glorifying God. v. 23-24

A Practical & Spiritual Response for us today

• Prospects are everywhere to teach God's will.
• Power to change is in God and from God.
• Put your faith in God by knowing Him and His will for your life.
• Purpose of conversion is to share that relational faith in God.

Reflect On This Thought:
“Defined in psychological terms, a fanatic is a man who consciously over-compensates a secret doubt. Live by faith in Jesus Christ.”

Sermons on Galatians

Sermons on Galatians

by John Wheeler
Freedom in Christ - Galatians 1
Freedom in Christ - Galatians 2
Freedom in Christ - Galatians 3
Freedom in Christ - Galatians 4

Freedom in Christ - Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ - Galatians 6

by Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D.
Recovering From Religion

7-10-11 Christ's Gospel -1- Galatians 1:1-10

Christ’s Gospel

Galatians 1:1-10

The Magnitude of The ...

Man = Paul, like any preacher should, knows where the authority is.

Message = The “Good News” is really only “truly good” if it is God’s original undenominational message.

Motive = Pleasing God should and no yourself.

“It seems that some people have gotten you all mixed up. They are trying to twist the good news about Christ.”