Justified Through The Faith Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Who Called Galatia By His Grace

2. Who Called Paul By His Grace

3. Who Called Us By His Grace

Introductory Remarks.

1. Today's lesson will discuss “Justified through the faith.” Paul wrote: “God, who hath called the Galatians, him, and us by His grace.” He continued: “That He might reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among (all) the heathens; that they might obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 1:14-16. This sermon will be the most encouraging lesson I will have preached regarding "Saved by grace through the faith.” We must understand this truth found in the gospel message: that salvation is only possible “by grace through the faith,” Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9. It is not possible by the works of the Law or by human merit, Ephesians 2:9; Galatians 3:11-12. Grace and justification before God are solely bestowed upon all through “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 our sermons regarding “The Pattern of Conversion,” currently on SermonCentral.com, to understand “God’s call into His grace and fellowship, by the gospel of Christ!”

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 pervert their faith in 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 for ever and ever. Amen,” Galatians 1:1-4. 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 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.

3. Second, we will discuss how God called Paul by His grace. One of humanity's greatest gifts of love and grace was God’s call of Saul of Tarsus into Christ and the church. Paul was a “pattern” of God’s mercy, kindness, and grace. His transformation was from persecutor to preacher; destroyer to promoter; religious zealot of the traditions of his fathers to the servant of Christ; and from a blameless Pharisee under the Law to the prisoner of Christ under the grace of God. The call of Saul brought “rest to the saints” and the church's growth through “preaching the faith he once tried to ravish,” Galatians 1:22-24. No other disciple contributed to the gospel's spread into Asia, Africa, and Europe as did this beloved apostle. When it pleased God, He “Separated Paul from his mother’s womb, called him by His grace, to reveal His Son in him that he might preach Him unto the heathens,” Galatians 1:15-17. He did this with unswerving devotion and tireless dedication by preaching and working as an “ambassador of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

4. Lastly, we will investigate how God called us by His grace. He would continue in this Letter establishing that a man: “Is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we (Jews) have believed in Jesus Christ, that the faith of Christ might justify us, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified,” Galatians 2:16. He wrote further, in Chapter three, verse 10-12: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that the law justifies no man in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The Just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them,” Galatians 3:10-12; Matthew 19:16-22. He penned additionally, “For you are all the children of God through (the) faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ,” Galatians 3:26-27. Finally, he finishes: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; (for) ye are fallen from grace,” Galatians 5:4. What a different position of Paul to those that teach and profess: “You cannot fall from God’s grace?” With this brief introduction, let’s consider our first point. But when it pleased God, who called the whole region of Phrygia and Galatia by His grace.