The Ministry of Grace and Peace Text: Galatians 1:1-10
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Galatians derives its title (pro Galatas) from the region in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) where the churches addressed were located. It is the only one of Paul’s epistles specifically addressed to churches in more than one city. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city not far from Galatia. Under the famous rabbi, Gamaliel, Paul received a thorough training in the OT Scriptures. Paul, was one of first-century Judaism’s rising stars. Paul’s whole course for life took a turn as he was traveling to Damascus from Jerusalem to persecute Christians, he was confronted by the risen, glorified Christ.
Paul turns from Christianity’s chief persecutor to its greatest missionary. Galatians is one of 13 inspired letters he addressed to Gentile congregations or his fellow workers.
Paul wrote Galatians to counter judaizing false teachers who were undermining the central NT doctrine of Justification by faith.
These judaizers taught that ‘one’ had to submit to all Mosaic law before they could become Christians. Shocked by the Galatians’ openness to that damning heresy, Paul wrote this letter to defend justification by faith.
Verse 1, Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Christ Himself appointed Paul to be an apostle. An apostle is one sent forth" as an ambassador of the Gospel. An apostle is a minister sent directly by God to do a specific work.
Has Christ called you? Three ways to be sure: 1. An inward witness. 2. Signs and wonders. 3. God’s word bringing enlightenment.
Notice in verse 1 through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
The greatest evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15: 12-20NLT But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.
I think it’s safe to say that, Paul is convinced!
Verse 2, and all the brethren who are with me, Paul’s evidence of being authentic comes with his followers.
None are treated bad or chained, these are free men who took note of genuineness.
Verse 3, Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Paul first words comes as, grace to you and peace from God... Paul’s greeting attacked the Judaizers’ legalistic system.
If Salvation is by works as they claimed, it is not of grace and cannot result in peace, because no one can be sure they have enough good works to be eternally secure.
James 1:17NLT Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Seek the ‘One’ who gives us every good and perfect gift!
Verse 4-5 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
No one can avoid sin by human effort or law keeping. Romans 3:20NLT For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Galatians 1:4... that He might deliver us from this present evil age, (The current world system is ruled by satan)
John tells us in I John 2:15-16NLT Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins,
The sacrifice of Christ for salvation was the will of God designed and fulfilled for His glory.
Listen to 2 Corinthians 5:19-21NLT For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7NKJ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Why would these turn away? 1. Not saved 2. Influence 3. Half truths 4. Belief system
The Mentally Insane have one thing in common, they don’t feel forgiven.
Verse 6 say’s ...Why are you turning away- A better translation is deserting.
Verse 6,... who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
This could be translated, “who called you once and for all”
The Judaizers’ added requirements, ceremonies and standards of the old covenant as necessary prerequisites to salvation.
Philippians 3:2NLT Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.
Galatians 1: 7NKJ ...want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:8-9NKJ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Objects of destruction! John 8:44NLT For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Titus 1:16NLT Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Both verse 8 &9 says, Let them be accursed- this refer to devoting someone to destruction because of their damning heresy!
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Paul was a willing slave of Christ, which cost him a great deal of suffering from others, and even death.
Prayer:
