Sermon Central
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Study In Galatians
Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 5, 2026 (message contributor)
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1. A Convincing Salutation
Contributed on Jan 5, 2026
Paul sought to address the challenges within Galatia regarding false teaching and many of the believers there being tempted to move away from the truth of the gospel, being influenced by the Judaizers who refused to accept the gospel by grace through faith alone.
A Convincing Salutation Galatians 1:1-5 Today, I want to begin our journey through the book Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia. Many scholars agree that Galatians was one of the earliest of Paul’s letters, likely written somewhere around 49-50 AD. This early date assumes Paul was writing to ...read more
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2. Challenged With The Truth
Contributed on Jan 8, 2026
Paul was well aware of the presence of false teachers among them and the real dangers their teaching posed to the churches and those within their communities. This wasn’t an issue that Paul could ignore – the souls of people within Galatia hung in the balance.
Challenged with the Truth Galatians 1:6-12 I think you will agree that Paul offered a very encouraging and gracious greeting to the Galatians. However, having greeted them, he got right to the point regarding his concern for them. Paul was well aware of the presence of false teachers among them ...read more
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3. The Birth Of A New Man
Contributed on Jan 15, 2026
Paul is very candid about the man he was prior to Christ, and the miraculous transformation he experienced through coming to Christ in salvation. One who hated the Lord and His church, was brought to saving faith and called to be an apostle in order to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
The Birth of a New Man Galatians 1:13-24 In our text today, Paul is very candid about the man he was prior to Christ, and the miraculous transformation he experienced through coming to Christ in salvation. One who hated the Lord and His church, was brought to saving faith and called to be an ...read more
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4. Confirmed In Jerusalem
Contributed on Jan 25, 2026
Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been working against the plans and purposes of God regarding humanity. As one reads the Scriptures, a pattern of resistance and opposition is prevalent against those who sought to proclaim the truth. He continues to oppose the Word and the faithful.
Confirmed in Jerusalem Galatians 2: 1-10 Since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been working against the plans and purposes of God regarding humanity. As one reads the Scriptures, a pattern of resistance and opposition is prevalent against those who sought to proclaim the truth. The prophets of old ...read more
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5. Justified By Faith
Contributed on Jan 29, 2026
Within this passage, Paul beautifully defends salvation by faith in Christ alone, apart from any works of man. Many seek to add to the gospel, but Paul argues biblically that salvation is based in personal faith in the finished work of Christ.
Justified by Faith Galatians 2: 11-21 Our text today reveals Paul’s continued struggle with the legalistic Judaizers and their expectations regarding salvation. The Judaizers refused to accept salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Unfortunately, their influence affected the early ministry of ...read more
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6. Paul’s Defense Of Justification
Contributed on Feb 4, 2026
As I think back over my Christian walk, and the twenty years I have served in pastoral ministry, many have come and gone within the church. While some moved on to faithfully serve in other churches, others abandoned the church altogether.
Paul’s Defense of Justification Galatians 3: 1-5 As I think back over my Christian walk, and the twenty years I have served in pastoral ministry, many have come and gone within the church. While some moved on to faithfully serve in other churches, others abandoned the church altogether. Several of ...read more
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7. Faith Like Abraham
Contributed on Feb 12, 2026
As one considers Abraham, and all the saints of the Old Testament, the question is often raised – how were they saved and made acceptable to God? While it may seem difficult to fully comprehend, Scripture is clear that they were justified by faith, like all who believe.
Faith like Abraham Galatians 3:6-14 Over the past few weeks, we have discussed the doctrine of salvation by faith in Christ alone. Paul has clearly argued that this biblical doctrine is central to the gospel. The Galatians had been influenced by Judaizers, those who taught works of the law were ...read more
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8. The Covenant Of God
Contributed on Feb 19, 2026
There are two views regarding justification – one based by faith in the promise of God to provide justification through the promised Messiah, and the other based on man’s ability to keep the law through absolute obedience. One is of grace; the other is of works.
The Covenant of God Galatians 3: 15-22 As Paul confronted the false doctrine of the Judaizers, he defended Abraham’s justification being based on faith rather than works in the preceding passage. It appears that Paul anticipated the natural response of the Judaizers to his claims. He felt they ...read more
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9. The Law Or Christ?
Contributed on Mar 5, 2026
God desires His people to live uprightly before Him. We are expected to seek the ways of God, fleeing the lusts of the flesh, and resisting the temptations of the enemy. However, our salvation is not dependent upon our ability to do these things.
The Law or Christ? Galatians 3: 23-29 Our text today continues the theme Paul has discussed throughout the letter. He continues to argue against the doctrine of the Judaizers. Granted, some who embrace this doctrine would argue that faith in Christ was essential for acceptance to God and ...read more
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10. The Children Of God
Contributed on Mar 12, 2026
Those apart from Christ remain under the law, condemned in their sin. Those in Christ have been adopted into the family of God, (and being children of God,) are now liberated from the law. The law was not given to save, but to reveal the holiness of God and our desperate need for salvation.
The Children of God Galatians 4: 1-11 Our text continues the line of thought from the previous passage as Paul further argues that salvation is a gift of grace received by faith in Christ, not obtained through personal merit or works of the flesh. He again uses the illustration of children, here ...read more
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11. A Challenge To Conform
Contributed on Mar 19, 2026
The approach in the text we are considering is much more personal and compelling for the Galatians. It appears that Paul wanted them to understand why he had been so adamant in exposing the Judaizers – he genuinely loved the church and wanted her to be settled in the faith.
A Challenge to Conform Galatians 4: 12-20 As we come to the passage before us, we discover a clear and distinctive shift in Paul’s approach. Up until now, Paul has boldly defended and argued for the truth of the gospel, presenting one doctrinal argument after another to expose the false doctrine ...read more
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12. The Contrast Of The Covenants
Contributed on Apr 2, 2026
Our text today reveals a pointed argument which faithfully challenged the doctrine of the Judaizers. Using an Old Testament example, of which the Judaizers would have been very familiar, Paul continues to argue for salvation by faith in Christ, apart from works.
The Contrast of the Covenants Galatians 4:21 – 5:1 Up until this point in the letter, Paul has vigorously defended salvation by faith in Christ alone, apart from any works of the flesh. While these truths are relative, regardless of the context, we must bear in mind that Paul is arguing against ...read more
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13. Grace, Not Of Works
Contributed on Apr 9, 2026
Paul knew the church must understand true doctrine, but if they failed to put the doctrine into practice, then they had done nothing more than received beneficial knowledge. It was necessary to allow the doctrine received to guide and shape one’s life.
Grace, not of Works Galatians 5: 2-12 We have discussed much up to this point in the Galatian letter. Paul has defended his apostleship and spoken at length about being justified by faith in Christ alone, apart from any works of the flesh. As was often his practice, following a thorough discourse ...read more
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14. Love One Another
Contributed on Apr 16, 2026
Genuine liberty is desired and sought after by millions around the world. Those who lack liberty are kept in bondage. Such bondage can be the result of many influences and agencies in life.
Love one Another Galatians 5: 13-15 Genuine liberty is desired and sought after by millions around the world. Those who lack liberty are kept in bondage. Such bondage can be the result of many influences and agencies in life. Some seek liberty from oppressive, tyrannical governments; some seek ...read more
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15. Called To Walk In The Spirit
Contributed on Apr 23, 2026
As we proceed in the Christian journey, we are under the influence of being sanctified – being conformed to the image of Christ. The work of sanctification is accomplished through the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit.
Called to Walk in the Spirit Galatians 5: 16-18 In the preceding verses of this chapter, Paul has been dealing with living a Spirit-filled life. This is the only way a believer is able to walk in a way that pleases the Lord. He will continue to offer guidance on the Spirit-filled life throughout ...read more
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16. The Flesh Verses The Spirit
Contributed on May 14, 2026
We are well aware that the flesh is strong. We deal with temptation on a consistent basis. We cannot walk in the Spirit while seeking to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
The Flesh verses the Spirit Galatians 5: 19-26 In our previous study, Paul challenged believers to walk in the Spirit. While this is what the Lord desires, and we are unable to walk pleasing to Him apart from the Spirit, there is another significant purpose for walking in the Spirit – in so doing, ...read more
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17. Encouraging The Weak
Contributed on May 14, 2026
There is a continual battle with the flesh. When one does stumble in sin, missing the mark God has set, those who are strong have an obligation to respond in a manner consistent with the grace and love they have received in Christ.
Encouraging the Weak Galatians 6: 1-6 Paul had spoken at length about the dangers of false doctrine and the need for believers to carry themselves in a way that honors the Lord and encourages other believers in the faith. He was well aware that some would succumb to temptation or find themselves ...read more