Freedom From This Evil Generation

Introduction

We live in troubling times...

Sin is ever-present with immorality seemingly on the rise.

There are many religions seeking to address the problem, but their solutions are amiss.

Christians in the first century A.D. found themselves facing similar circumstances...

Immorality was rampant, moral virtue was scarce.

Religions were many, yet ineffective in saving and sanctifying souls.

In his letter to the churches of Galatia = (gal-at-ee’-ah) Paul addressed such concerns...

His letter to the Galatians was dealing with false gospels and false hopes.

Providing guidance for salvation and godly living Paul’s epistle to the Galatians remains a powerful and relevant guide for Christians today.

Paul’s greeting to the churches of Galatia (verse 3) contains words of grace and peace... From God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ

1. The Evil of this Present Age

A. Evil in Paul’s Day…

Paul described the sins of those in his day we can see that record in Romans 1:18-32.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32

Unrepented sins will keep one out of the kingdom of heaven.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Paul and the early Christians found themselves living in an evil time.

B. Evil in Our Day

Today, many think lightly of such things as: fornication, adultery, divorce.

One is considered enlightened when they support abortion, homosexuality, and same-sex marriage.

More and more our culture is accepting: lasciviousness, pornography, drug abuse.

All of which reflect a worldview impacted by: humanism, evolution, selfishness and today we find ourselves living in a very evil time.

These things are not much different today than they were in Paul’s day.

Yet Jesus gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil age (verse 4).

Consider therefore...

2. The Deliverance the Lord Provides

A. Deliverance from the Guilt of Sin…

Sin is a transgression of God’s law - 1 John 3:4

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

All have sinned, for which the punishment is death - Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus’ blood frees us from the guilt of sin - Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7

We receive remission of sins when we are baptized - Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16

Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38