Sermon Central
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Galatians: Free To Live For Christ
Contributed by Robert Leroe on May 4, 2014 (message contributor)
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1. Only One Gospel
Contributed on May 4, 2014
Paul defines and defends the Gospel message against all counterfeit gospels.
One of the early Church Fathers said that, when reading Paul’s letters, he could hear thunder! Galatians is a thunderous epistle, filled with passion and warning. Martin Luther declared it his favorite book of the Bible. The German Reformer said that the message of Galatians would ...read more
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2. In Step With The Spirit
Contributed on Jul 27, 2014
We live in opposition to the world, and we're engaged in an internal struggle between the old and new natures, a clash of opposites described as the fruit of 2 trees--the works of the flesh & the fruit of the Spirit.
Introduction: How’s your walk with the Lord? God doesn’t demand perfection, but He does expect some progress. If we’re walking in step with the Spirit, our lives will demonstrate an on-going devotion to God, His word, His church, and His people. Liberty or License, 16-18: ...read more
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3. Boasting In The Cross
Contributed on Aug 17, 2014
Paul concludes his Epistle by summarizing his arguments and by glorying in the Cross, which makes us free.
Free at last! Galatians is all about freedom…but if we’re not careful we can abuse it. Freedom is not a license to sin. Nor is it a lack of responsibility. New Hampshire’s motto is “Live free or die.” Our motto as Christians should be “Live holy or ...read more
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4. Sowing & Reaping
Contributed on Aug 10, 2014
-Sowing to the flesh means being self-absorbed, living according to our sinful/fallen nature. -Sowing to the Spirit means living for God, abiding in our regenerate nature. Which nature wins? The one we feed the most.
Introduction: A comedian said, “Why am I always getting blamed for things I do?” In this passage, Paul reminds us: choices have consequences. This is a fixed law of human nature. “Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a ...read more
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5. Fulfilling The Law
Contributed on Aug 3, 2014
Paul gives 6 characteristics of successful churches. We should not keep our burdens to ourselves. We are part of a caring community of faith, and we’re to help when people are hurting, we respond.
Introduction: People dislike accountability. They prefer to go their own way without answering to others. Among Christians, this attitude breeds self-reliant “Lone Ranger” believers and independent churches. Yet life works better when there is a “chain-of-command”, when ...read more
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6. From Persecutor To Apostle
Contributed on May 4, 2014
Paul had a unique conversion, yet every coming-to-Christ is a miracle.
Introduction What was the origin of Paul’s religion? Paul’s been called “that rascal who messed everything up”, the “angry theologian”, and the “inventor of Christianity”. I believe he is none of these things, and I contend that there is a harmony ...read more
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7. Two Pathways
Contributed on Jun 2, 2014
Performance-based religion is not the Gospel. In both the OT & NT redemption comes via grace apart from works.
Introduction: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I took the one less traveled by” wrote Robert Frost. There are two roads before us and only one leads to Heaven. Which one is it--the road of good works or faith? Works will get us lost in the woods. When we realize that none of ...read more
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8. The Law And The Promise
Contributed on Jun 16, 2014
Being “in” Christ means we live in the One who is the driving principle of our lives, and we’re brought together into a new family as heirs of God’s promise through the adoption of grace.
Introduction: Promises, promises--do you keep your promises? Probably better than some politicians. Will Rogers quipped, “If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in acceptance speeches there wouldn’t be any inducement to go to Heaven.” Or how about this employee ...read more
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9. Slave Or Son?
Contributed on Jun 22, 2014
Do we embrace the status of slaves or sons? Our relationship to God gives us the courage to take a stand for truth.
Introduction: Last time we were faced with a choice: Do we trust the Law to save us, or the Promise of God? Today we have a similar decision: Do we embrace the status of slaves or sons? Verses 1-10 On the way to the Promised Land, the Israelites grumbled and wished they had stayed in ...read more
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10. The Two Sons
Contributed on Jun 29, 2014
Performance-based religion is a dead-end. We’re faced with a choice: -Slavery or freedom; -Righteousness by keeping the law, or righteousness by faith in God’s promises.
Introduction: A man asked Jesus how to get to Heaven. In typical Jewish fashion, Jesus answered the question with a question: “What do you think?” The man suggested, “By keeping the law,” and Jesus said (with a smile), “Fine, do that and you’ll make ...read more
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11. The Only Thing That Matters
Contributed on Jul 6, 2014
If we try to be justified by keeping the Law, we’ve abandoned grace as our means of salvation. And having been set free, liberated by Christ, what will we do with our freedom? Jesus grants us an opportunity to live and love like never before!
Introduction: According to news reports, criminal gangs have tried to infiltrate the ranks of Scotland's police force, to obtain information and undermine law enforcement. You can just imagine the awful consequences. Paul was also dealing with infiltrators--in the church--people who insisted ...read more