Galatians Part 01: In Need Of A Rescue

This sermon begins a series on the Book of Galatians, stressing that the type of gospel one believes determines the kind of disciple one becomes. The preacher encourages the audience to reflect on whether they are living by the true gospel of grace or turning to a different, works-based gospel. Two main realities are presented: the world’s need for rescue and the church’s need to remain in the true gospel.

Key Points

1. The World Needs Rescue
   1. The human condition is one of bondage to sin and death, illustrated through Exodus 3:7–10, where God expresses concern and intent to rescue Israel from Egypt.
   2. This points to the larger biblical narrative of God rescuing all humanity through Jesus Christ, fulfilling His compassionate promise.
2. The Gospel in Galatians 1
   1. Galatians 1:1–5 summarizes the gospel: Jesus gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to God’s will.
   2. Sin is not merely bad actions but rejecting God; the result is separation and the just judgment of God (Romans 6:23).
   3. Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice, bore our punishment, satisfied God’s justice (Romans 3:25), and made forgiveness possible by His atoning death and resurrection.
3. Jesus’ Rescue: More than Forgiveness
   1. The rescue Jesus offers is freedom from sin’s dominion and new life in God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13–14).
   2. This new life is available now, not only in the future, and involves living as free people under Christ’s kingship.
4. God’s Motivation: Grace and Love
   1. God’s actions are not out of need or self-interest, but pure love and grace—He desires relationship, not obligation (Ephesians 2:8–9 is alluded to).
   2. The impression of God as distant or self-seeking is a distortion; He is fundamentally self-giving and loving.
5. Warning Against a Different Gospel
   1. Paul warns the Galatians about turning to a “different gospel,” which promotes reliance on law-keeping and self-effort alongside or instead of Christ’s grace (Galatians 1:6–9).
   2. Legalism is described as an attitude and lifestyle of earning God’s favor, leading to self-righteousness, striving, and spiritual bondage.
   3. The opposite of grace is “earning”—trusting in personal effort rather than Jesus’ completed work.
6. Call to Live by Faith, Not Self-Effort
   1. True Christian living is by faith, not works—“The life I now live… I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20, key verse).
   2. Faith means trusting God’s word regardless of feelings or circumstances and daily choosing to depend on Christ.
   3. By grace through faith, believers gain a new identity as children of God, experience true freedom, and are empowered by the Spirit for godly living.

Key Scriptures Mentioned

• Galatians 1:1–9 | Gospel of grace, warning against another gospel 
• Exodus 3:7–10 | God hears, cares, and acts to rescue 
• Romans 6:23 | The wages of sin is death 
• Romans 3:25 | Jesus as sacrifice of atonement 
• Colossians 1:13–14 | Rescue from darkness, redemption in Christ 
• Galatians 2:20 | Living by faith in the Son of God 

Application and Reflection

• The sermon points to the necessity of self-examination: Are believers living by the true gospel or by self-effort?
• Faith is practical daily trust in Jesus, resulting in a secure, free, and transformed life.
• The speaker ends with an invitation to respond in faith and surrender, opening the way to ongoing transformation by the Holy Spirit.