People Of Grace Series

This morning we begin a series on the Book of Galatians. We are calling this series, “People of Grace.” In the next seven weeks we are going to gain an appreciation for grace. God’s amazing grace!

This is how the series is going to be preached. Today we are going to look at an overview of what it means to be people of grace from looking at several verses from different chapters of the book of Galatians. It’s like looking at the big picture. When you get a family portrait done professionally you are offered the same picture in different sizes. Today we will look at an 8 by 10 portrait of what it means to be people of grace.

Here is a quick background to the book of Galatians. The author of the book is the Apostle Paul. He founded a number of churches on his first missionary journey in the province of Galatia which is now modern day Turkey. After establishing the churches as people of Grace Paul moved on to establish more churches.

No sooner had Paul left when false teachers came and through their false teachings changed the churches into people of rules, rituals and religion. So Paul writes this letter to try and turn his readers back to grace.

Today we are going to look at seven answers to the question “Who exactly are people of grace”?

Answer 1. People of Grace are people saved by God. (1:3-5)

“Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

A. Every person needs to be saved from two enemies.

1. Their sins.

Every lack of conformity to, or violation of the moral will of God is a sin. It is our sins which prevent us from spending eternity with God.

2. The present evil age.

You and I can only be saved from our sins and this present evil age through God’s intervention of Grace.

You are I are saved by the will of the Father and the work of the Savior.

It is God’s will to save us from our sins and from this present evil age. If it were not his will no one could be saved.

We are saved also by the work of the savior who gave himself for our sins.

When you allow Christ to rescue you; the result is grace and peace from God. We receive Grace and Peace and God receives the Glory forever.

Answer 2. People of Grace are People who are Sons and Daughters of God. (3:26-29)

“You are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for you were baptized into Christ, having clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

1. You are sons and daughters of God

Is not everyone already a son or daughter of God? No! Only those who have put their faith in Christ can become sons or daughters of God. The moment you put your faith in Christ you are baptized into Christ and God’s family by the work of the Holy Spirit. You are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. You are now more than Irish, European, Indian, Asian or North American. You are citizens of heaven.

2. You are also sons and daughters of Abraham.

Answer 3. People of Grace are People set apart by God (1:15)

“But when God who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles.”

Grace not only saves us; it also sets us apart for God. We are set apart by grace. We are set apart for the pleasure of God. And what is the pleasure of God? To reveal his son in us! God reveals his son in us that we might reveal him to others. We receive firsthand in order that others reveal secondhand. Grace sets us apart. It is not religion, rituals or rules that set us apart.

Answer 4. People of Grace are People sent by God (1:1)

“Paul, an apostle- sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father- who raised him from the dead-and all the brothers with me.”

Paul starts his letter with the statement “I am sent by God.” Imagine the difference it will make if we began each day with the same thought. I am sent by God. Who is this God who sends us? He is the God who gives life to the dead. We are sent by God to bring life to those things that are dead. How do we do this? By Grace! Grace brings life to dead things.