Debt Free Series

Chico Alliance Church

“Debt Free”

III. Paul explains his personal ministry 1:24-2:5

A. The heart of the minister

B. The heart of the ministry

1. Christ indwells us

Paul clearly affirms that the basis of our citizenship in the kingdom of God’s beloved son is the presence of the indwelling Christ. It is the presence of Christ that differentiates us from all other religions. Other systems may have a system of thinking and behaving. Other systems may result in an indwelling presence.

Only Christianity offers revelation from the one true God rather than the thoughts of men.

Only Christianity offers the presence of the resurrected Christ.

Only Christianity offers a supernatural transformation at the very core of our being.

All other religions can only deal with the soul and the body. If anyone is in Christ (and Christ in him) he is a new creation. Only Christianity offers hope of restored glory.

6For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; 8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor. 4:6-11

2. Christ unites us

In Christ we are restored to community with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as well as with each other.

INTRODUCTION

Paul shifts from the core message of the Gospel that motivated his ministry to offering proper thinking regarding our daily walk and growth in Christ. If you fail to grasp the things taught here, you will continually struggle in you relationship with Christ. Paul seeks to encourage the hearts of these believers by reinforcing the core truths about our relationship with Christ and our daily walk. Proper thinking leads to powerful living. If we try to live the Christian life without a proper foundation, we will be sure to collapse somewhere along the way.

IV. Paul encourages proper thinking 2:6-3:4

A. The principle of the Christian’s daily walk vs 6-7

“as you received Christ Jesus, so walk in Him”

How did we receive Christ Jesus? Paul in Galatians 3 clarifies the means of our indwelling and applies it to our daily walk.

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

The answer is an obvious one. We receive Christ by putting our trust in the word of God that He would honor the work of His Son that accomplished for us what we could not do – keep the law perfectly. Rom 8 declares, “what the law could not do because of the weakness of the flesh was accomplished by Christ for us on the basis of faith.” So we receive Christ and experience the indwelling Spirit of Christ by trusting His promise to do in us and for us what we could not do. We receive sonship by reason of being in Christ and Him in us. Paul maintains here that the way to walk or live the Christian life is exactly the same process by which we initially received Christ.

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4Did you suffer so many things in vain-- if indeed it was in vain? 5Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU." 9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Galatians 3:1-9

The same way you received him (by trusting his promises) so walk or live in Him. Live your life in a continual faith and love relationship with Christ. He indwells you.

He manifests His glory to and through you. He unites you with others who were called for the same purpose. Our daily walk is based on a work already done for us and continues in us by the indwelling Christ. Our daily walk of faith in Christ rests firmly in the past and present work of Christ.