September 3, 2023

GALATIANS: PUTTING JESUS FIRST

September 03, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today we begin a new series, lasting until fall, concentrating during Sunday sermons on Galatians, Philippians, and Colossians, with Ephesians being studied throughout the week within groups. This study of these four books in the NT, written by the Apostle Paul, will give us an overview of the gospel of Christ, as Paul encourages the churches he established to be single-minded in their focus of what he taught about Him. Our prayer is that everyone will be impacted by this teaching series, loving Jesus Christ—and our neighbors—more than we love ourselves and serving Him daily in all we do.

Focal Passage: Galatians 1.

Paul’s Purpose:

  • Read Gal. 1:1-2. Why did Paul feel he had to emphasize how he had received his apostleship? Why would some people have doubted that Paul’s ministry was from God? Who were the ones he was addressing?
  • Read vv. 3-5. Paul opens with a gracious salutation; what does he tell them that should encourage or convict them? What is the “will” of God here? What is the hope in it? Do we also hope for deliverance from this present evil age? If not through death, how?
  • Read vv. 6-7. What is Paul upbraiding the Galatians for? When he had started the churches, what doctrine had he built it on? Who had since then come along and infiltrated the churches? What were they doing to the doctrine of salvation by grace?
  • Do we still have this problem today? Can you give some examples of legalism within churches?

God’s Promise:

  • Read Gal. 1:11-14. Why did Paul say that the gospel he was preaching was “not from man”? What is a common denominator in all religions that have originated by man? What are some of those religions, and how are they centered on works?
  • In vs. 14, why had Paul (Saul, at that time), thought he was zealous for God by condemning salvation by grace? What did he mean by “traditions?” How many laws did God give Moses? How many laws did the Jewish leaders have at the time of Christ?
  • Read vv. 15-17. When Jesus called Paul to Himself, did Paul resist? What did he do? How long did he possibly spend in the desert of Arabia, learning from God?

Paul’s Training:

  • Read Gal. 1:18-24. Why did Paul feel it necessary to explain how he received his “marching orders” to preach? Can you understand Peter and James (half-bro. of Jesus) being willing to see Paul after three years, when (apparently) none of the others would?
  • What could he have been doing during those three years, as you look back at his training? Is it possible God gave Paul that time to diligently go through the Scriptures (which he knew well, being a Pharisee), reconciling the prophecies with Jesus of Nazareth?
  • Why was it to Paul’s benefit that those in Syria and Cilicia did not know him by face?

Paul’s Confrontation:

  • Reference Gal. 2:1-10. How many years later did Paul see the apostles, and was able to tell them what results he was having as he established churches among the Gentiles (vv. 1-2)? What was their response (vv. 7-9)?
  • Read vv. 11-12. What happened to Peter, in Antioch, when Jews came from Jerusalem? Why did Peter fear their reaction to his eating with Gentiles who were saved by grace? Can someone rephrase Paul’s confrontation with Peter? What do you think the Gentiles were thinking? Why would it seem as though they could be confused?
  • Read vv. 19-21. How are believers made right with God through salvation in Jesus Christ? Do we need to do anything else? What about the thief on the cross—did he have time to do good works, or be baptized? Are you sure he was saved?
  • How do we know how to live our lives, if we are saved by grace, and not by works?
  • What are some of the actions God desires of us, to show the world that we are His “bondservants”?

Close:

If you have seen the Sight & Sound production of “Jesus,” you may recall two of the Sanhedrin Council members who followed Jesus, Pharisee Nicodemus and Councilman Joseph of Arimathea. They both closely scrutinized the Biblical prophecies concerning Jesus, diligently studying each of them, and displaying the utmost regard for His fulfillment of them. It is an amazing production.

In reality, Paul himself, a former Pharisee, knew the scrolls and the prophecies probably more clearly than any of the learned theologians in today’s world. Paul was called by God to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, using his years of training to convince people outside of Judaism the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as He fulfilled the prophecies regarding the first coming of the Messiah, and the only One who can provide salvation by grace alone. Salvation is not based on works—it is by grace and grace only. However, if you have been saved, and believe in the life, death, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your life will reflect your love for Him by obeying what He has commanded in the Bible (1 John 2:3,4.)

Have you committed your life to Him, ensuring your eternal destiny, and knowing that your last breath on earth will be your first breath in Heaven? Do so today if you have not! We are not promised tomorrow.

                                                                                                                                  

By Sandy Day

September 03, 2023

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