WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:01.743 Hello church family. 00:00:01.743 --> 00:00:07.661 Perfect segue, mike, All right. 00:00:07.661 --> 00:00:10.551 So tonight we are looking at the Book of Galatians. 00:00:10.551 --> 00:00:15.191 It is the fourth book as far as the canon order. 00:00:15.191 --> 00:00:17.245 It's actually Paul's first book. 00:00:17.245 --> 00:00:18.850 It's his first one. 00:00:18.850 --> 00:00:21.327 He would write a total of 13 books. 00:00:21.327 --> 00:00:23.283 And you've got Romans. 00:00:23.283 --> 00:00:31.408 And you've got the two letters to Corinth preceding this letter, likely written in 49 AD. 00:00:31.408 --> 00:00:39.454 Okay, shortly after Paul's first missionary journey and shortly before the Jerusalem Council. 00:00:39.454 --> 00:00:43.829 Okay, and this is all covered in Acts 13, 14, and 15. 00:00:43.829 --> 00:00:46.045 To whom is it written? 00:00:46.045 --> 00:00:50.250 It is written to the churches plural churches in Galatia. 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:53.488 Galatia is a province, not a city. 00:00:53.488 --> 00:00:56.329 It is largely a Gentile region. 00:00:56.329 --> 00:00:58.826 Why did Paul write? 00:00:58.826 --> 00:01:04.819 Well, apparently his brand new Christians have come under the influence of false teaching. 00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:08.456 Well, apparently his brand new Christians have come under the influence of false teaching. 00:01:08.456 --> 00:01:15.844 The teachers were undermining the central New Testament doctrine of justification by faith. 00:01:15.864 --> 00:01:19.552 These agitators were described by Paul as false brothers. 00:01:19.552 --> 00:01:35.099 They identified themselves as Jewish Christians and taught that the new Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and needed to follow certain ceremonial customs of the Mosaic law. 00:01:35.099 --> 00:01:38.990 Paul rightfully saw this as a big problem. 00:01:38.990 --> 00:01:45.775 The apostle needed to re-educate them in their understanding of the true gospel. 00:01:45.775 --> 00:01:51.570 Anything added to the true gospel nullifies the gospel. 00:01:51.570 --> 00:02:00.000 So he writes a persuasive letter in the form of an argument Paul is attacking. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:01.063 Error. 00:02:01.063 --> 00:02:04.804 It's Paul versus the agitators. 00:02:04.804 --> 00:02:10.639 What is at stake is the gospel. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:14.213 It's important to note here. 00:02:14.213 --> 00:02:17.342 What is not at stake the souls of the Galatian believers. 00:02:17.342 --> 00:02:18.224 They are scared and dwelled. 00:02:18.224 --> 00:02:20.731 They are saved and they always will be. 00:02:20.731 --> 00:02:29.231 However, as new disciples, their witness for Christ had to be true and accurate. 00:02:29.231 --> 00:02:32.868 False witness will not grow the church. 00:02:32.868 --> 00:02:42.689 Paul is well aware that this letter is going to be read aloud in a public forum, typically in a synagogue, a marketplace perhaps. 00:02:42.689 --> 00:02:48.447 So not only are the new Gentile believers listening, but so are the agitators. 00:02:50.200 --> 00:02:54.372 The primary theme here is justification by faith. 00:02:54.372 --> 00:03:04.212 The secondary theme freedom in Christ versus slavery and obligation to the law. 00:03:04.212 --> 00:03:11.508 Paul must convince the Galatians of one the dangers of legalism. 00:03:11.508 --> 00:03:13.384 What is legalism? 00:03:13.384 --> 00:03:15.445 It's a system. 00:03:15.445 --> 00:03:19.431 It's a religious system of rules, regulations, traditions. 00:03:19.431 --> 00:03:26.450 Adherence to the Mosaic law will cast them into religious slavery. 00:03:26.450 --> 00:03:33.393 Adherence will take their focus off of the person and work of Christ. 00:03:33.393 --> 00:03:45.468 And two, he must convince the Galatians that because they are spirit and dwell, they have freedom in Christ and unity in Christ. 00:03:47.151 --> 00:03:48.454 There's five sections to the book. 00:03:48.454 --> 00:03:59.949 The first three sections, an introduction, a narrative and a transition section set up the fourth and most important section of the book, which is the argument. 00:03:59.949 --> 00:04:03.582 And lastly, there's a concluding section. 00:04:03.582 --> 00:04:07.712 So before we open God's word, let's go to him in prayer. 00:04:07.712 --> 00:04:14.072 Heavenly Father, we are so grateful to be opening your word. 00:04:14.072 --> 00:04:17.387 Please illuminate your word for us. 00:04:17.387 --> 00:04:28.108 Please help us to observe, interpret and, most importantly, father, help us to apply your precious word to our lives. 00:04:28.108 --> 00:04:31.110 In Jesus' name, we pray Amen. 00:04:31.110 --> 00:04:37.612 So the introduction is the first nine verses of the letter. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:39.665 Let's look at verse 1-1. 00:04:39.665 --> 00:05:07.928 Paul, an apostle, not from men or by men, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead, and all the brothers who are with him to the churches in Galatia, raised him in peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. 00:05:07.928 --> 00:05:12.449 To him be all the glory forever and ever. 00:05:12.449 --> 00:05:13.612 Amen. 00:05:13.612 --> 00:05:16.406 You guys notice anything missing here? 00:05:16.406 --> 00:05:21.471 What is typical of a letter that Paul writes to the churches? 00:05:21.471 --> 00:05:28.483 There's no commendation, there's no offer of thanksgiving to God the Father for the spiritual growth of readers. 00:05:29.266 --> 00:05:34.709 Paul is going to plunge straight into the rhetoric, verse 6. 00:05:34.709 --> 00:05:46.007 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are turning to a different gospel. 00:05:46.007 --> 00:05:53.149 Not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 00:05:53.149 --> 00:06:03.966 But even if an angel, even if we are an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse, be on him. 00:06:03.966 --> 00:06:14.648 As we have said before, I now say again if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse, be on him. 00:06:14.648 --> 00:06:15.540 Now. 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:18.870 Remember, this letter is going to be read in a public forum. 00:06:18.870 --> 00:06:27.088 So with this shocking statement, paul is both shaming the Galatian believers and cursing the agitators. 00:06:27.088 --> 00:06:34.473 In Paul's view, turning to a different gospel is tantamount to turning away from God himself. 00:06:34.473 --> 00:06:38.810 One thing is for sure Paul has everyone's attention. 00:06:40.661 --> 00:06:41.906 Next is our narrative section. 00:06:41.906 --> 00:06:46.451 This starts in verse 111 and runs through verse 214. 00:06:46.451 --> 00:06:57.711 So in the next 27 verses, paul provides one, a narrative account of what has happened leading up to this letter and two, an explanation of the nature of his argument. 00:06:57.711 --> 00:07:09.644 In this section, paul presents his life and his actions as an example for the Galatians to imitate. 00:07:09.644 --> 00:07:12.353 Let's look at verse 111. 00:07:12.353 --> 00:07:27.970 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin, for I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:07:27.970 --> 00:07:34.531 Paul is saying I received the gospel from the Lord Jesus himself. 00:07:34.531 --> 00:07:39.487 How could this message I conveyed to you have anything missing? 00:07:39.487 --> 00:07:43.790 How could it not be 100% accurate and truthful? 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:57.911 In this section, paul is going to provide different types of behavior Behavior that he wants the Galatians to adopt and behavior that he wants them to shun, to avoid. 00:07:57.911 --> 00:08:08.151 The apostle explains his former life as a Jewish zealot entrenched in the customs and traditions and rituals of Judaism. 00:08:08.151 --> 00:08:10.627 This behavior is to be shunned. 00:08:10.627 --> 00:08:18.490 He then writes of his commission to preach to the Gentiles, as well as his actions over a three-year period. 00:08:18.490 --> 00:08:23.190 This is the behavior to be adopted, to be imitated. 00:08:23.190 --> 00:08:26.569 What was Paul doing during this three-year period? 00:08:26.569 --> 00:08:31.649 He wasn't consulting with the other apostles or the leaders of the Jerusalem church. 00:08:31.649 --> 00:08:33.426 He wasn't listening to people. 00:08:33.426 --> 00:08:35.907 Paul was in a barren wilderness. 00:08:35.907 --> 00:08:41.442 Paul was preparing himself for ministry with no distractions being made. 00:08:41.442 --> 00:08:46.087 Ready to be a messenger to the Gentiles by the Lord Jesus himself. 00:08:46.087 --> 00:08:49.167 Did Paul get the gospel right? 00:08:49.167 --> 00:08:52.187 Verse 123,. 00:08:52.187 --> 00:09:02.030 They simply kept hearing he who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy. 00:09:02.030 --> 00:09:05.910 And they glorified God because of me. 00:09:05.910 --> 00:09:08.783 Yeah, he got it right. 00:09:10.948 --> 00:09:20.211 14 years go by, paul, barnabas and a Greek named Titus go up to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the church. 00:09:20.211 --> 00:09:25.163 Why the same problem had arisen in Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas were pastoring the church. 00:09:25.163 --> 00:09:28.408 Why the same problem had arisen in Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas were pastoring the church. 00:09:28.408 --> 00:09:30.552 Let's look at verse 2-2. 00:09:30.552 --> 00:09:40.653 I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. 00:09:40.653 --> 00:09:44.865 I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running in vain. 00:09:44.865 --> 00:09:51.073 But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 00:09:51.073 --> 00:10:01.947 This matter arose because the false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. 00:10:01.947 --> 00:10:10.091 But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you. 00:10:10.091 --> 00:10:11.240 Now. 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:13.889 This is obviously an example for them to adopt. 00:10:13.889 --> 00:10:16.461 Don't give in. 00:10:16.461 --> 00:10:18.663 Don't give in. 00:10:18.663 --> 00:10:26.210 Then did the leaders of the Jewish Christian church compel Titus, the newly converted Gentile, to get circumcised? 00:10:26.210 --> 00:10:29.158 No, so neither should they. 00:10:29.158 --> 00:10:40.336 Paul is showing him that these men who are claiming to be Jewish Christians are nothing but agitators, spies, infiltrators. 00:10:40.336 --> 00:10:41.077 They are false. 00:10:41.077 --> 00:10:43.253 Don't listen to their distorted gospel. 00:10:43.253 --> 00:10:44.570 Don't add works to faith. 00:10:44.570 --> 00:10:45.316 Don't add to their distorted gospel. 00:10:45.316 --> 00:10:46.283 Don't add works to faith. 00:10:46.283 --> 00:10:50.235 Don't add anything to the gospel of saving grace. 00:10:52.326 --> 00:11:01.010 The last part of this narrative section presents a shocking story that takes place in Antioch, verse 2, 11. 00:11:01.010 --> 00:11:14.917 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned, for he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. 00:11:14.917 --> 00:11:22.999 However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself because he feared those from the circumcision party. 00:11:22.999 --> 00:11:26.595 Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy. 00:11:26.595 --> 00:11:44.615 But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone if you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews? 00:11:46.924 --> 00:11:48.971 Cephas is Peter, the Apostle. 00:11:48.971 --> 00:11:49.955 That is his Greek name. 00:11:49.955 --> 00:11:52.229 Let's take a step back here. 00:11:52.229 --> 00:11:54.215 Okay, this is Peter. 00:11:54.215 --> 00:11:58.176 This is arguably the leader of the apostles. 00:11:58.176 --> 00:12:01.687 When we read the Gospels, whose name is first Peter? 00:12:01.687 --> 00:12:05.184 Okay, paul is going right after Peter. 00:12:05.184 --> 00:12:10.071 Paul certainly doesn't feel inferior to Peter, Not at all. 00:12:10.071 --> 00:12:13.708 So at first Peter shows unity and fellowship with the Gentiles. 00:12:13.708 --> 00:12:18.630 But when the Torah observers show up, he ditches the Gentiles and joins them. 00:12:19.092 --> 00:12:20.176 The circumcision part. 00:12:20.176 --> 00:12:23.350 Is Peter a good witness for Christ? 00:12:23.350 --> 00:12:31.057 No, the Apostle Peter has been entrusted with the gospel message for the Jews. 00:12:31.057 --> 00:12:35.456 His actions are in conflict with the character of his calling. 00:12:35.456 --> 00:12:43.698 His actions are an example of what the Galatian believers are to shun, to avoid, to steer clear of. 00:12:43.698 --> 00:12:46.712 So Paul opposes him to his face. 00:12:46.712 --> 00:12:59.932 Paul wants the converted Gentiles to not be afraid to confront these false teachers, to not only reject the agitators but confront them to their face. 00:12:59.932 --> 00:13:06.815 If Paul wasn't afraid to confront Peter, they shouldn't be afraid to confront the agitators. 00:13:08.985 --> 00:13:11.913 Next we have our third section, which is the transition. 00:13:11.913 --> 00:13:12.976 It's only seven verses. 00:13:12.976 --> 00:13:15.894 It begins in 2.15. 00:13:15.894 --> 00:13:22.014 So the next seven verses sum up the content in the previous section and they look forward. 00:13:22.014 --> 00:13:29.451 They look forward to the verses, the central theme, okay, which is justification by grace, through faith. 00:13:29.451 --> 00:13:32.918 And let's go to verse 215. 00:13:32.918 --> 00:13:36.244 Verse 215. 00:13:36.745 --> 00:13:39.331 We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners. 00:13:39.331 --> 00:13:50.014 And yet, because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Christ Jesus, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. 00:13:50.014 --> 00:14:02.658 This was so we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. 00:14:02.658 --> 00:14:05.152 What do we observe in this passage? 00:14:05.152 --> 00:14:13.994 Justified three times Faith in Christ juxtaposed with works of the law. 00:14:13.994 --> 00:14:24.297 There it is Justified, not guilty, saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. 00:14:24.297 --> 00:14:26.532 Nothing more needs to be done. 00:14:28.267 --> 00:14:29.471 Now Paul gets personal. 00:14:29.471 --> 00:14:31.692 Let's look at verse 219. 00:14:31.692 --> 00:14:39.653 Verse 219, for through the law I die to the law so that I might live for God. 00:14:39.653 --> 00:14:45.485 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live the life. 00:14:45.485 --> 00:14:46.830 I now live in the body. 00:14:46.830 --> 00:14:51.653 I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:14:51.653 --> 00:15:00.193 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. 00:15:00.193 --> 00:15:07.054 Paul dies not only to the law but to the customs and traditions he had previously served. 00:15:07.054 --> 00:15:14.018 The apostle is saying here that in order for him to live for God, he had to die to the law. 00:15:14.018 --> 00:15:18.274 Paul is saying Jesus died for me. 00:15:18.274 --> 00:15:25.438 He wants them to see the intimacy of the connection between the Savior's death and the believer's life. 00:15:25.438 --> 00:15:34.052 It is Paul's complete and total identity with Christ that must be imitated by the Galatian believers. 00:15:36.368 --> 00:15:37.092 Section 4. 00:15:37.092 --> 00:15:40.110 This is the argument in seven parts. 00:15:40.110 --> 00:15:45.890 This is going to encompass chapters 3, 4, and 5, as well as half of chapter 6. 00:15:45.890 --> 00:15:51.756 So part one of the argument an appeal to the faith of Abraham. 00:15:51.756 --> 00:16:17.465 In the next 18 verses, paul introduces his audience to the following very important words for this entire argument Spirit, righteousness, son, heir, blessing, seed, promise, covenant and inheritance. 00:16:17.465 --> 00:16:22.384 Let's look at verse 3-1. 00:16:25.845 --> 00:16:28.792 You foolish Galatians who cast a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 00:16:28.792 --> 00:16:33.707 I only want to learn this from you Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 00:16:33.707 --> 00:16:42.131 Are you so foolish, after beginning by the Spirit and now finishing by the flesh, do you experience so much for nothing? 00:16:42.131 --> 00:16:53.836 If in fact it was for nothing, so then does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 00:16:53.836 --> 00:17:09.349 The point of this appeal is that Paul takes the reception of the Holy Spirit as irrefutable evidence that God has accepted these Galatian believers, these Galatian Gentiles. 00:17:09.349 --> 00:17:13.255 In other words, you have the Spirit indwelling you. 00:17:13.255 --> 00:17:16.575 Why are you thinking of submitting to the Mosaic law? 00:17:19.425 --> 00:17:27.415 Verse five just like Abraham, who believed God and it was credited to him for righteousness? 00:17:27.415 --> 00:17:32.395 What is true of Abraham is true of the Galatians? 00:17:32.395 --> 00:17:40.028 Right standing with God comes through faith alone Verse 7,. 00:17:40.028 --> 00:17:46.173 You know that that those who have faith, these are Abraham's sons. 00:17:46.173 --> 00:17:58.355 Now, the scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaim the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying all the nations will be blessed through you. 00:17:58.355 --> 00:18:04.897 Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith. 00:18:04.897 --> 00:18:10.297 So in this passage, in the next several, he's going to go to the Old Testament seven times. 00:18:10.297 --> 00:18:27.397 Paul uses Abraham to make the positive point that the Galatians already received and will continue to receive the divine blessings, the divine blessings they need on the basis of faith, just as Abraham did. 00:18:29.386 --> 00:18:30.490 Let's look at verse 14. 00:18:30.490 --> 00:18:43.317 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised spirit through faith. 00:18:43.317 --> 00:18:49.536 Part two, an appeal to family ties. 00:18:49.536 --> 00:18:52.373 You're a son and an heir. 00:18:52.373 --> 00:18:55.730 Let's look at verse 319. 00:18:57.134 --> 00:18:58.036 Why then was the law given? 00:18:58.036 --> 00:19:06.676 It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the seed to whom the promise was made would come. 00:19:06.676 --> 00:19:14.258 Paul is saying that the law served as a temporary measure to set apart God's chosen people. 00:19:14.258 --> 00:19:22.849 The purpose was to keep them under custody until the arrival of Jesus the sake of transgressions. 00:19:22.849 --> 00:19:23.532 What does that mean? 00:19:23.532 --> 00:19:29.813 Ultimately, the law will cause everyone who is subject to it to recognize their inability to keep it. 00:19:29.813 --> 00:19:41.685 This negative effect of the law should convince the transgressor, the rebel, the sinner, of their need for God's mercy, their need for a savior Verse 322. 00:19:41.685 --> 00:19:47.585 A Savior Verse 322. 00:19:48.484 --> 00:19:57.550 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin's power so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ for those who believe. 00:19:57.550 --> 00:20:05.410 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 00:20:05.410 --> 00:20:12.055 The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. 00:20:12.055 --> 00:20:20.636 But since faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for through faith, you are sons of God in Christ Jesus. 00:20:20.636 --> 00:20:32.917 So this designation in Christ Jesus, so this designation sons of God, was seen in Jewish circles as something that should be solely predicated for Israel, israel alone. 00:20:32.917 --> 00:20:38.111 They were the physical descendants of Abraham, making them sons of God. 00:20:38.111 --> 00:20:43.050 Okay, the point that Paul is making in this passage is that the Gentiles. 00:20:43.050 --> 00:20:57.109 The Gentiles can now enjoy a title that was exclusively for the Jews, and this status as sons of God is solely based on faith in the finished work of Christ. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:02.458 Look at verse 4-4. 00:21:02.458 --> 00:21:16.298 When the time came to completion, god sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoptions as sons. 00:21:16.298 --> 00:21:29.347 And because you are sons, god sent the spirit of the son into our hearts, crying Abba Father, so you are no longer a slave but a son. 00:21:29.347 --> 00:21:33.972 And if a son, then God made you an heir. 00:21:33.972 --> 00:21:39.031 Notice the word sent, the word sent. 00:21:39.031 --> 00:21:46.232 Sending of the Son and sending of the Spirit of the Son were two parts of one purpose. 00:21:46.232 --> 00:21:51.075 Both are part of God, the Father's saving grace. 00:21:51.075 --> 00:22:00.355 Both, in both instances, the Father is the sender, the Holy Spirit is the one who forms Christ in the believer. 00:22:00.355 --> 00:22:10.549 The Holy Spirit conforms the believer to the image of the Son, because the believer is an adopted son, like the begotten son. 00:22:10.549 --> 00:22:23.213 The believer is part of the family, not a slave, but a son, and if a son an heir, and if an heir an inheritance awaits. 00:22:25.366 --> 00:22:27.835 Part three, an appeal to emotions. 00:22:27.835 --> 00:22:30.289 Let's look at verse 4-8. 00:22:30.289 --> 00:22:39.694 But in the past, since you didn't know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not God's. 00:22:39.694 --> 00:22:49.336 But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? 00:22:49.336 --> 00:22:52.773 Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 00:22:52.773 --> 00:22:56.654 You are observing special days, months, seasons, years. 00:22:56.654 --> 00:22:58.349 I'm fearful for you. 00:22:58.349 --> 00:23:02.174 So perhaps my labor for you has been wasted. 00:23:04.226 --> 00:23:06.915 Fear is perhaps the most powerful motivator. 00:23:06.915 --> 00:23:16.039 Paul is telling the Galatians that conforming to Jewish customs is as worthless as their former worship of pagan gods. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:20.490 It will enslave them again Two times. 00:23:20.490 --> 00:23:24.076 In this part of the argument, paul shames the Galatians. 00:23:24.076 --> 00:23:26.119 Let's look at verse 11 again. 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:30.549 Perhaps my labor for you has been wasted. 00:23:30.549 --> 00:23:33.515 Let's go down to verse 20. 00:23:33.515 --> 00:23:35.017 Verse 20. 00:23:35.017 --> 00:23:42.817 I'd like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don't know what to do about you. 00:23:42.817 --> 00:23:48.711 So, mixed in with these negative emotional appeals, he has a positive appeal. 00:23:50.445 --> 00:23:51.127 Verse 12,. 00:23:51.127 --> 00:24:02.971 I beg you, brothers and sisters, because, as I am, become as I am, for I also have become as you are, you have not wronged me. 00:24:02.971 --> 00:24:10.807 Paul is emphatically calling on the new believers to imitate him. 00:24:10.807 --> 00:24:13.230 Imitate him. 00:24:13.230 --> 00:24:15.213 It's an appeal to unity. 00:24:15.213 --> 00:24:20.586 Like Paul, they must reject the seduction of the agitators. 00:24:20.586 --> 00:24:28.599 Without unity between Paul and the churches of Galatia, the unity in the Galatian churches will disintegrate. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:35.218 Most importantly, their unity through their love of Christ becomes totally compromised. 00:24:35.218 --> 00:24:44.674 Adding works of the law to saving grace dilutes grace Works, weaken the believer's love for Jesus. 00:24:44.674 --> 00:24:49.936 Also, it would be detrimental to their loving relationship with Paul. 00:24:49.936 --> 00:24:52.590 Let's look at verse 19,. 00:24:52.590 --> 00:24:53.694 Verse 19. 00:24:53.694 --> 00:25:03.994 My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 00:25:03.994 --> 00:25:09.135 This is called rhetorical impersonation. 00:25:09.135 --> 00:25:19.875 He is presenting the Galatians as his children and himself as his mother, as their mother, who gave them spiritual birth. 00:25:19.875 --> 00:25:25.856 He wants the Galatians to understand just how much he cares for them. 00:25:25.856 --> 00:25:37.917 His labor pain should have ended when they accepted the gospel and were born again, but due to their confusion, he has to go through these labor pains all over again. 00:25:39.986 --> 00:25:42.994 Part four an appeal to freedom. 00:25:42.994 --> 00:25:46.820 An appeal to freedom, verse 421. 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:51.596 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don't you hear the law? 00:25:51.596 --> 00:25:59.880 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:03.714 Here Paul is going to reach back into the Old Testament again. 00:26:03.714 --> 00:26:12.055 Using figurative language, he contrasts two covenants the Mosaic covenant and the Abrahamic covenant. 00:26:12.055 --> 00:26:21.855 The child of Hagar the slave woman represents slavery under the law, which is the foundation of the Mosaic covenant. 00:26:21.855 --> 00:26:31.255 The child of Sarah, abraham's wife, represents freedom through the promise, which is the foundation of the Abrahamic covenant. 00:26:31.255 --> 00:26:45.557 Paul is stressing to the Galatians that they received the promise and the inheritance in the same way that Isaac did, through divine intervention, not by submitting to the law. 00:26:45.557 --> 00:26:56.756 Paul has identified the agitators in Galatia with Hagar the slave woman, and himself with Sarah the free woman. 00:26:56.756 --> 00:26:59.934 Let's take a look at verse 431. 00:26:59.934 --> 00:27:01.805 431. 00:27:01.805 --> 00:27:07.169 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave, but of the free woman. 00:27:07.169 --> 00:27:08.529 431. 00:27:09.972 --> 00:27:15.663 This secondary theme of freedom versus slavery has been well announced and introduced. 00:27:15.663 --> 00:27:17.998 Now Paul's going to pursue this. 00:27:17.998 --> 00:27:28.037 Paul must explain what freedom amounts to in the Christian life, how freedom should be used, and we're going to see this in part five. 00:27:28.037 --> 00:27:34.579 Part five All you need is love and appeal to the law. 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:39.275 Well, because Jesus fulfilled the law, let's look at five. 00:27:39.275 --> 00:27:41.953 One For freedom. 00:27:41.953 --> 00:27:43.740 Christ set us free. 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:45.775 Stand firm, then. 00:27:45.775 --> 00:27:49.057 Don't submit again to a yoke of slavery. 00:27:49.057 --> 00:27:56.873 Take note I, paul, am telling you that if you get yourself circumcised, christ will not benefit you at all. 00:27:58.036 --> 00:28:03.733 Again, I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 00:28:03.733 --> 00:28:08.549 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ. 00:28:08.549 --> 00:28:18.464 You have fallen from grace, for we eagerly await, through the spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. 00:28:18.464 --> 00:28:25.222 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything. 00:28:25.222 --> 00:28:30.301 What matters is faith working through love. 00:28:30.301 --> 00:28:33.416 What's Paul's message? 00:28:33.416 --> 00:28:36.578 Don't listen to these men who are trying to make you Jewish. 00:28:36.578 --> 00:28:39.797 Jewish customs and rituals don't matter. 00:28:39.797 --> 00:28:44.117 What matters Faith working through love. 00:28:44.117 --> 00:28:52.604 The consummation of faith is found in doing loving works of charity, servitude, sacrifice. 00:28:52.604 --> 00:28:57.211 These loving works are evidence of salvation, not the means of it. 00:28:58.835 --> 00:29:01.078 Let's look at verse 13, 513. 00:29:01.078 --> 00:29:11.058 For you will call to be free, brothers and sisters, only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 00:29:11.058 --> 00:29:19.239 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement love your neighbor as yourself. 00:29:19.239 --> 00:29:21.958 And who is the greatest example of this? 00:29:21.958 --> 00:29:23.957 The Lord Jesus, christ himself. 00:29:23.957 --> 00:29:29.230 The life and teaching of Christ is the ground of Paul's teaching. 00:29:29.230 --> 00:29:36.796 At this juncture of the argument here he is saying to the believers Jesus fulfilled the entire law. 00:29:36.796 --> 00:29:41.676 Focus on him, follow his example, love like he loves. 00:29:41.676 --> 00:29:44.236 Love like he loves. 00:29:45.871 --> 00:29:49.381 Part six, an appeal to the Holy Spirit. 00:29:49.381 --> 00:29:51.800 Verse 516. 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:57.218 I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 00:29:57.218 --> 00:30:04.858 Paul's greatest fear, his greatest fear, is that the Galatians are in danger of submitting to the Mosaic law. 00:30:04.858 --> 00:30:09.078 They're right on the cusp, which is why this letter is so incredibly urgent. 00:30:09.078 --> 00:30:16.201 The apostle is saying here that they don't need the law to marshal their behavior. 00:30:16.201 --> 00:30:16.784 Why? 00:30:16.784 --> 00:30:18.513 Because the spirit indwells them. 00:30:18.513 --> 00:30:23.084 The spirit will guide you, but only if they yield to the spirit. 00:30:23.084 --> 00:30:32.358 In the spirit-led battle against the sinful inclinations of the flesh, the Galatians have all the direction they need with the spirit. 00:30:32.358 --> 00:30:33.962 They simply need to yield. 00:30:36.570 --> 00:30:48.082 In verses 19 through 23, we have the 19 vices that Paul refers to as the works of the flesh, contrasted with the nine virtues that Paul calls the fruit of the spirit. 00:30:48.082 --> 00:30:51.438 Let's look at verse 24. 00:30:51.438 --> 00:30:53.153 Let's look at verse 24. 00:30:53.153 --> 00:30:58.584 Now, those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 00:30:58.584 --> 00:31:03.198 If we live by the spirit, let us also keep in step with the spirit. 00:31:03.198 --> 00:31:10.282 Paul is saying you belong to Christ, bear his image, yield to the spirit. 00:31:10.282 --> 00:31:15.550 The spirit will empower you and you will not capitulate to the desires of the flesh. 00:31:15.550 --> 00:31:18.797 Let's look at verse 18. 00:31:18.797 --> 00:31:20.058 Let's go back to verse 18. 00:31:20.058 --> 00:31:24.471 But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 00:31:24.471 --> 00:31:27.775 In other words, walk in the spirit. 00:31:27.775 --> 00:31:29.336 Model Jesus. 00:31:29.336 --> 00:31:31.078 He has already fulfilled the law. 00:31:33.701 --> 00:31:37.925 And then, lastly, an appeal to the law of Christ. 00:31:37.925 --> 00:31:41.236 The law of Christ, verse 6-1. 00:31:41.236 --> 00:31:55.141 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you, who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves, so that you also won't be tempted. 00:31:55.141 --> 00:31:58.259 Carry one another's burdens. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:32:03.281 In this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 00:32:03.281 --> 00:32:10.701 What Paul has in mind here is that Jesus is the ultimate burden bearer. 00:32:10.701 --> 00:32:18.881 A pattern of burden bearing and self-giving is seen as the essence of what our Lord was all about. 00:32:18.881 --> 00:32:24.957 This is at the heart of what Paul means when he speaks of the law of Christ. 00:32:24.957 --> 00:32:31.498 To bear one another's burdens was a fulfillment of Christ's law. 00:32:31.498 --> 00:32:32.401 Why? 00:32:32.401 --> 00:32:48.525 Because this amounted to taking up one's cross and following the pattern of Christ's life, in other words, being a good disciple, heeding his teaching, self-sacrificial behavior. 00:32:51.231 --> 00:32:51.974 Verse 9. 00:32:51.974 --> 00:33:10.598 Verse 9. 00:33:10.598 --> 00:33:13.840 Argument complete. 00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:15.942 Now for Paul's summary. 00:33:15.942 --> 00:33:22.144 There's no final greeting here, no prayer requests, no expression of joy. 00:33:23.065 --> 00:33:25.066 This was not a friendly, lighthearted letter. 00:33:25.066 --> 00:33:27.287 It was a polemic. 00:33:27.287 --> 00:33:29.188 It was an attack. 00:33:29.188 --> 00:33:33.923 It was an attack against false teachers. 00:33:33.923 --> 00:33:36.673 It was an attack against hypocrites Verse 13,. 00:33:38.696 --> 00:33:46.602 For even the circumcised don't keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about their flesh. 00:33:46.602 --> 00:34:01.760 It is interesting to note in Paul's concluding message, there is no mention, no mention at all, of the two themes that ran throughout the entire argument Justification by faith and freedom versus slavery. 00:34:01.760 --> 00:34:04.156 So what are Paul's parting words going to be? 00:34:04.156 --> 00:34:06.315 Verse 14. 00:34:06.315 --> 00:34:16.284 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:34:16.284 --> 00:34:19.574 The world has been crucified. 00:34:19.574 --> 00:34:23.503 To me through the cross and I to the world. 00:34:23.503 --> 00:34:28.681 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing. 00:34:28.681 --> 00:34:33.230 What matters instead is a new creation. 00:34:33.230 --> 00:34:37.570 What matters instead is a new creation. 00:34:37.570 --> 00:34:43.152 The apostle wants the Galatians to envision Christ hanging on the cross for them. 00:34:43.152 --> 00:34:47.322 Paul believes that the death and resurrection of Jesus changed the world. 00:34:47.322 --> 00:34:51.009 The new age has dawned, the age of grace. 00:34:51.009 --> 00:34:54.153 What matters is that new creation. 00:34:54.153 --> 00:35:03.639 The Holy Spirit that indwells them testifies to it. 00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:07.958 Adherence to Jewish customs is the past. 00:35:07.958 --> 00:35:09.461 It is irrelevant. 00:35:09.461 --> 00:35:11.554 It's a new age. 00:35:15.751 --> 00:35:22.559 Job once asked the question how can a person be justified before God? 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:29.282 Every false religion has the same wrong answer Human effort. 00:35:29.282 --> 00:35:35.041 Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians to attack this falsehood. 00:35:35.041 --> 00:35:47.675 About 1500 years later, a Catholic priest, an Augustinian monk, named Martin Luther, would come to salvation. 00:35:47.675 --> 00:35:51.376 While teaching the book of Galatians, luther knew he was a sinner. 00:35:51.376 --> 00:35:53.521 While teaching the book of Galatians, luther knew he was a sinner. 00:35:53.521 --> 00:35:59.954 He failed at every attempt to please God through his own efforts. 00:35:59.954 --> 00:36:06.193 Believing in church tradition, he had become a religious slave. 00:36:06.193 --> 00:36:11.159 Purgatory was his future, if that exists. 00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:14.375 Feelings of depression were his present reality. 00:36:14.434 --> 00:36:22.880 One day, while teaching Galatians, the most famous reformist uncovered the answer to Job's question. 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:30.757 We are justified by God's grace through faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:36:30.757 --> 00:36:34.161 For Luther, good news at last. 00:36:34.161 --> 00:36:41.635 He would write this the epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. 00:36:41.635 --> 00:36:44.460 I have betrothed myself to it. 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:46.184 It is my Katie. 00:36:46.184 --> 00:36:48.411 Katie was his wife's name. 00:36:50.295 --> 00:36:54.503 Luther would lecture on Galatians many times throughout his life. 00:36:54.503 --> 00:37:06.681 In 1535, he wrote this we have taken it upon ourselves, in the Lord's name, to lecture on the epistle of Paul to the Galatians once more. 00:37:06.681 --> 00:37:10.440 This is not because we want to teach something new or unknown. 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:29.195 It is because, as I often warn you, there is a clear and present danger that the devil may take from us the pure doctrine of faith and may substitute for it the doctrines of works and of human traditions. 00:37:29.195 --> 00:37:36.405 The clear and present danger that Luther speaks of is ever present today. 00:37:37.666 --> 00:37:48.557 Sadly, in spite of Paul's efforts and the efforts of so many throughout the centuries, the true gospel is not the message that is being preached in most pulpits. 00:37:48.557 --> 00:37:52.625 Today, we, as Christians, are truly blessed. 00:37:52.625 --> 00:37:59.293 Today we, as Christians, are truly blessed. 00:37:59.293 --> 00:38:01.356 God saw to it that the gospel of saving grace somehow, in some way, got to us. 00:38:01.356 --> 00:38:03.963 We received it and everything changed. 00:38:03.963 --> 00:38:08.150 Like Paul, we were crucified with Christ. 00:38:08.150 --> 00:38:12.358 We no longer live, but Christ lives in us through the spirit of Christ. 00:38:12.358 --> 00:38:18.108 We no longer live, but Christ lives in us through the spirit of Christ. 00:38:18.108 --> 00:38:18.929 So let's do as Paul suggests. 00:38:18.929 --> 00:38:20.411 Let's walk in the spirit, by yielding to the spirit. 00:38:20.411 --> 00:38:28.164 This will enable us to follow the example of Christ, to love like Jesus loved, to bear each other's burdens. 00:38:28.164 --> 00:38:35.807 This will show the heart of Jesus to a lost world that truly needs to experience him. 00:38:38.110 --> 00:38:40.715 Let's pray. 00:38:40.715 --> 00:38:54.137 Oh Father, thank you for your word, thank you for Paul, thank you for his servitude, thank you for all of his letters, thank you for this amazing letter that we could so easily apply to our lives. 00:38:54.137 --> 00:38:55.403 Father, there are so many out there. 00:38:55.403 --> 00:39:00.197 Our ministry field, our missionary field, is right outside this door. 00:39:00.197 --> 00:39:14.119 Help us, father, please open doors for us so that we could share the gospel with so many that are just stuck in this religious slavery that Paul and Luther speak of and knew. 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:16.891