"Galatians: Fighting For The Gospel” Series

In Jesus Holy Name January 8, 2023

Text: Galatians Series Galatians 1:1-5 Redeemer

“Galatians: Fighting For the Gospel”

My wife, Colleen, volunteers at the Mercy Hospital Cancer Center in Merced. She greets people, helps them check in or fill out forms. She makes people feel comfortable because, they know why they are there, to receive chemo or radiation and most days they don’t feel well. She was chatting with the receptionist at the end of her shift. Colleen said: “I’m going home to start taking down our Christmas decorations.” The receptionist said, “No, the Three Kings haven’t come yet.”

Even though this is the Sunday of the Epiphany, we are beginning a brand-new sermon series thru the book of Galatians. This is a follow up from our series through the book of Acts. In Acts we saw the work of the Holy Spirit lead and empower the disciples to imitate Jesus and share the gospel of salvation. Now we are looking at the letter that Paul wrote to the new Christians in Galatia.

But do not be deceived by its size. Only six chapters. Martin Luther read it and an explosion went off in his heart that led to the Protestant Reformation. John Wesley heard a sermon based on Luther’s commentary on Galatians and was profoundly converted. Galatians is a book about freedom. It answers the question, “How can I be truly free?” Free from guilt, free from the fear of death, free from doubt, free from my broken commandments which burden my soul and keeps me awake at night. (An overview…not about the Way to God nor our Walk)

Let’s take a look at the outline in your bulletin today which is a review of our Vision, Mission and Values.

? Vision is the horizon, it tells where the ministry is and where it is going. We are a multi- ethnic ministry, learning God’s word together in Sunday School, and worship. And we are helping to support our Hmong Vicar. (Future service possibilities

? Mission is the road that is often not very straight. It addresses the path that gets you to the vision. In the coming year we will “read more in

? the bible this year than last”; sponsor a men’s retreat and women’s luncheons, and offer a Hmong language school, thanks to a grant from LWML to connect with new families.

? Values are the rumble strips along the side of the road that keeps you on target. Our guiding principle is the Bible. “Be imitators of God and live a life of love, as Jesus loved us.” Ephesians 5:1

Sermon Series- Galatians

Galatians was one of Martin Luther’s favorite books. It was a key letter used in the Protestant Reformation because in Galatians Paul emphasizes justification by faith and the grace of God. An Overview.

1. Christians in the first century A.D. found themselves facing similar circumstances to our present culture.

a. Immorality was rampant, moral virtue was scarce

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

2. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul addressed such concerns...

a. Dealing with false gospels and false hopes

b. Providing guidance for salvation and godly living

Paul’s topics in his letter deals with the relationship between faith and works, the purpose of the law, bearing the burdens of others, and living by the Spirit. Paul was an agitated apostle when he wrote Galatians. False teachers were troubling his converts. Jewish Pharisees were constantly hounding the new Gentile converts.

Paul’s argument is not always easy to follow, One passage (Gal. 3:19, 20) is so difficult that commentators have produced almost three hundred (300) interpretations of it.

A. THE REGION OF GALATIA... (you have a map in the bulletin)

1. Galatia was a name used both geographically and politically in the first century

2. Geographically, it was used to describe the northern part of central Asia minor

3. Politically, it included parts of Pontus, Phrygia and Lycaonia, i.e., more southern regions of central Asia Minor

B. THE CHURCHES OF GALATIA...

1. During their first missionary journey (45-47 A.D.), Paul and Barnabas had the opportunity to establish several churches in the Roman province of Galatia - Ac 13:14-14:23

2. On Paul's second trip (51-54 A.D.), he and Silas visited them again - Ac 16:1-5

3. On Paul's third trip (54-58 A.D.), he visited them yet again - Ac 18:23

It is quite likely that the churches of Galatia included those established on

his first journey E.g., Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Perga,

Pamplylia,

4. The home of Timothy - Ac 16:1-6

The first half of Galatians answers the question: “Who is Jesus and what has He done.” The second half answers the question: “What now is your response?”

It’s amazing how many so-called Christians don’t really “get it.” They think that the basis of Christianity is living a good moral life and doing good works. And – so long as you don’t mess up your life entirely – you’ll end up in heaven. Not true.