Galatia's Call By His Grace Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Galatia’s Call By His Grace

Introductory Remarks.

1. This is part-one of a sermon-series entitled: “When it pleased God.” In this lesson, we will discuss Galatia’s Call By His Grace. Paul wrote: How God called the Galatians by grace. This sermon is the most comprehensive lesson I have ever delivered on the topic of: “Salvation by Grace.” We must appreciate the truth outlined in the scriptures, that salvation is procured: “by grace through the faith,” Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9. It is not possible by the works of the law, or by works of human merit, Ephesians 2:9; Galatians 3:11-12. Grace is solely bestowed upon us through our, “faith and obedience” to the gospel of Christ, Romans 1:5; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:16-18. In Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, he firmly and confidently defended this truth of God. I pray you will continue to read and study this lesson and all of our sermons regarding: “The Pattern of Conversion," now available on SermonCentral.com: to understand further: “God’s calling by faith into His grace,” through the gospel of Christ! This lesson is another sermon-series by me for an in-depth study on the grace of God.

2. First, we will consider how God called the region of Galatia by His grace. Paul wrote: “When it pleased God,” these Galatians were called by His grace, into the fellowship of Christ and the saints, like the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 1:9. However, their faith was being troubled by some Judaizers preaching another gospel, attempting to turn these babes away from the grace of Christ! Paul’s Letter begins, by affirming that he was an apostle, (not of men, neither by (the will of) man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;)…And from all the brethren…unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen,” Galatians 1:1-4.

3. He, then immediately attended to their present state of affairs: “I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ,” Galatians 1:6-7. He continued, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say, I now again, If any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed. For now, do I persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ,” Galatians 1:8-10. With this brief introduction, let’s consider part-one of the sermon-series: Galatia’s Call By His Grace.

BODY OF LESSON

I GALATIA’S CALL BY HIS GRACE

A. Paul’s salutation. Paul’s Letter begins, by affirming that he was an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;)…And from all the brethren…unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen," Galatians 1:1-5. We have collapsed this text for brevity. Observe--

1. An apostle. Paul introduces himself in this Letter to the Galatians as: “An apostles, (not of men, neither by [the will of] man,” Galatians 1:1a; Titus 1:1-3. This was Paul’s answer to the Judaizing preachers, alleging that he was not an apostle (like the 12). We will speak of his apostleship later in the lesson. For now, it is sufficient to say, he was not called by any man, neither appointed by men; but, by God the Father, and Jesus Christ, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He goes further,

2. Appointed not of men. “But by Jesus Christ, and God the Father,” Galatians 1:1b. He was granted the “revelation of Jesus Christ,” Galatians 1:11-12. God had revealed His Son unto Paul, that he might preach Christ and the gospel unto the heathens, Galatians 1:15-16. He was divinely granted by God the revelation of the "mystery of Christ” and the “stewardship of the grace of God,” Ephesians 3:1-6; Romans 16:25-27.

3. To the brethren. He brought greetings: “And from all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia,” Galatians 1:2. We can only conjecture who made up this salutation of Paul unto the Galatians. We should also note that there was more than one church (assembly) in the region of Galatia. As elsewhere, Galatians 1:21-24; Romans 16:16; Titus 1:5.