Summary: The opening of Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches reminds us that we have been rescued from the snares of sin.

Rescued

Galatians 1:1-5

April 25, 2007

Background

• Paul and Barnabas had just completed their first missionary journey

• Visited cities in Galatia (modern day Turkey)

• Paul had been accused of diluting the gospel to make it more appealing to Gentiles

• Galatians was written to respond to these accusations

Galatians 1:1-2 (HCSB)

Paul, an apostle – not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead – and all the brothers who are with me.

To the churches of Galatia.

Under What Authority?

• Paul was an apostle

– Not by his own creation

– Not by the vote or election of any body

– By the selection of Jesus himself

• Your authority

– Found in Christ

– Given by God

Galatians 1:3 (HCSB)

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

Recognizing the Source

• Grace

– The unmerited favor of God towards man

• Revealed in Christ Jesus

• Peace

– To be complete

• Only possible through the redemptive work of Christ

Galatians 1:4-5 (HCSB)

Who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.

Rescued

• Jesus gave Himself

– Willingly

– Sacrificially

– To pay the price of sin

– According to God’s eternal plan

• The rescue

– From this present age

• Not a removal from

• A removal of the bondage

– Saved to serve