Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Focusing on 3:1-5
- Background:
- Paul is burdened for the Churches in Galatia
- As Christians we live with great joy
- He had the care of all the Churches on his heart
- Examples - inc the Judeisers
- Paul preached that the gospel was by faith, not by doing the works of the law
- God intended inward circumcision (of the heart)
- The Christian gospel is about inward faith and the heart - not about external religious
- Not Christ plus, but only Jesus Christ
- The response to Paul
- They initially treated Paul like an angel (4:14) and would have given him their eyes to help his visual problem (4:15)
- They changed to treat Paul as an enemy (4:16)
- Paul is so burdened for the people that he has a short introduction to this book and gets straight to his message - 1:6-7
- Are we burdened for those around us?
- Paul is so burdened he uses strong language
- 3:1 - O foolish Galatians
- How would we respond if a pastor said this to us?
- 3:1 - who has bewitched you?
- Paul's questions are designed to make the people think
- Do we really think, consider and meditate?
- Think about your beginnings?
- What does implications does this have for your ongoing life?
- Think of the ongoing miracles
- Overview:
- Their Beginnings
- Their Ongoing Life
- The Super Natural element of Christianity
Their Beginnings (v1-2)
- Paul went on a long journey from Cyprus to Perga in Pamphylia to Antioch Pisidia
- He preached a powerful message
- He referenced the Old Testament
- He preached Christ risen and resurrected from the dead
- He preached faith in Jesus Christ
- Paul continued his journey and went to Iconium
- He preached the Holy Spirit and not the works of the law
- How did you begin your Christian life?
- Are you a Christian?
- Do you remember how you came to faith?
- Was it about you?
- Was it about faith alone in Christ?
- Do you know that you are in Christ? - examples
- Paul was clear on how he began his Christian life
- 2:19 - he died to the law
- 2:20 - Christ lives in him
- Cry out to Jesus today - He will not turn you away
Their Ongoing Life (v3-4)
- If you have begun in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit
- Colossians - If you have begun in the Lord Jesus, continue in Him
- A Christian is accepted through what Christ has done, not what he does
- About faith in Jesus Christ
- Not about performance
- We are fully accepted in Christ - we cannot ever be more accepted
- We must not go back to the law
- Quote from Paul
- Quote from Spurgeon and example of a life of faith
- Not about doing away with the Ten Commandments or conformity to the law - we are to live in the Spirit, we will be made perfect in the Spirit
- We are not to boast
- Example of Blondin walking across the Niagara Falls
- v4 - a warning
- Hebrews - 'be very careful'
- Paul is not doubting their salvation
- He is railing against false teachers
- We have false teachers today
- Paul reasons with the people
The Super Natural element of Christianity (v5)
- Example of the miracle cure of the crippled man in Lystra
- By the power of the Holy Spirit
- Not to do with the works of the law
- Miracles to confirm the truth of the word of God
- Paul urges them to consider their experience [of God's miracles]
- We can look at revival
Closing Remarks
- Beware of false teachers
- Christianity is about knowing Christ
- Be confirmed to Christ's death but know His resurrection life
- Live in the Spirit
- Live by faith