Why Are You Acting So Foolish?
Galatians 3:1-5
Like many children, Little Johnny had certain responsibilities and chores that his parents expected him to accomplish. He was to keep his room clean, his bed made, take the trash out daily and the yard was to be mowed each week. One Friday afternoon the neighborhood boys were out playing football and Johnny wanted to play. He knew that his father would be home soon and that his chores were not finished. He thought about it for a minute and decided he was going to play football. Around 6:00 Johnny’s father came home and noticed that the yard had not been mowed, the trash was overflowing in the kitchen, Johnny’s room was in disarray and his bed had not been made.
These chores were not new; these expectations had been in place for years. Needless to say Johnny’s father was not pleased. Around 7:00 Little Johnny returned home and as he walked in the door his father promptly addressed his foolish decision to play football instead of doing his chores. Afterward his father addressed the issue little Johnny had PLENTY of motivation to do what his father expected!
There are times in the Christian life when we make foolish decisions. And when we do, our Father will promptly address those actions! Some believers in Galatia had made some foolish decisions and here in chapter 3 the Apostle Paul vigorously addressed those actions. There may be some of you who have made some foolish decisions, if so it is very possible that they will be addressed today!
In the first 2 Chapters of Galatians Paul has defended the Gospel of Grace. He has shared with the believers at Galatia that man is “justified in Christ alone”
- This was the message he had received
- This was the message that he was called to share
- This was the message that the people needed to hear.
- This was the message that he had preached to them
- It was the very message that they had heard and accepted
And today people need to hear the message of grace through Jesus Christ. Also true is the fact that there are many who have heard the Gospel, surrendered to Christ and for one reason or another have turned away.
Some have retreated and are living a life of sin once again. Some have been deceived and have become involved in what the Word would describe as a cult. Some who were saved by grace are attempting to stay that way by personal works or obeying the Law. Some have experienced doubt and their faith has begun to waver. Regardless of the specifics, the people that I am speaking of have all returned to the bondage that they have been freed from.
Over the past couple of weeks we have examined the fact that we are free and that we possess victory through Jesus Christ and Him alone! At the close of chapter 2 Paul declared that he was “crucified with Christ and that Christ lived within him” .This should be the case for every child of God. Every person here who has been “born again” has every opportunity to live an abundant life in Christ. But we know that is not the case.
Chances are that there are some people present today who have made the foolish decision to turn from Christ and take control of their own life. Countless times I have seen people (in this church) whether during a church service, in their home or in my office, turn to Christ for salvation. We all have watched these same people stand and make a profession of faith, go through the baptismal waters, begin to walk with the Lord and join this church. We have seen them become active in their walk with Christ, begin to serve the Lord faithfully and even share their faith with others
But somewhere along the way something tragic happened... all of the sudden their church attendance begins to slip, their service for the Lord begins to suffer, they are less willing to witness to others, their personal walk is affected, they no longer read the Word, they rarely if ever pray to the Lord. Then, inevitably they begin to venture back into the sins that they have been delivered from. Just as the Galatian believers returned to the bondage of the Law, some of you have returned to the bondage of sin. This is a tragic situation, and it is far too common.
Paul describes the act of turning away from Christ as “foolish”. He is not referring to the level of intelligence; rather he speaks of a lack of obedience. If you are here and you refuse to obey the TRUE gospel and if you have returned to the bondage of sin… YOU ARE ACTING FOOLISH!
I would like examine Paul’s bold confrontation of the Galatian believers and ask this question today - “Why Are You Acting So Foolish”
Today's sermon title is taken from Paul’s description of their actions in verse one - He calls them “foolish “. Some translations use the words "thoughtless" or "senseless". But my favorite is the way it is translated in the God’s Word Translation it says “You stupid people of Galatia!”. That may be bold and blunt but it is a fitting description of those who would turn from the Gospel of grace... It’s just STUIPID!
If you are one who has returned to the bondage of sin, there are a few questions I would like for you to consider today. And the first question is:
I. HAVE YOU BEEN DECIEVED? - v1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,
Paul was concerned, confused and obviously irritated at the actions of the Galatian believers. When reading through these verses you can hear his frustration. After calling their actions foolish, Paul then asks a direct question… “Who has bewitched you?” He implies that someone had come along and “cast an evil spell on them”. Paul seems to be genuinely shocked by their departure from the truth.
It is believed that the people in the region of Galatia were very intelligent. Add to their intelligence the fact that many of them (specifically those to whom the letter is addressed) had personally experienced salvation through Jesus. The Judaizers had cunningly deceived the Galatians thus contradicting their knowledge and experiences. The definition of “bewitched” is to be charmed or misled by flattery and false promise.
Like the Galatians, some of you have been “bewitched”? Perhaps you are acting so foolish because someone has had such an influence on your life that you are now following another way instead of the way of Christ? - Paul covered this back in - Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Maybe you have been influenced by a friend or a co-worker who is an unbeliever. They are opposed to the Bible and the things of God. And you have spent so much time listening to their point of view that you begin to have questions yourself.You must understand that the enemy is using that person to plant seeds of doubt in your heart and mind.
Some of you have friends of family who are involved in a cult. You have heard their beliefs and admire their passion…Maybe you became intrigued and as a result you now have doubts about the TRUE GOSPEL!
Maybe you have been deceived by a T.V, Radio or Internet preacher who only preaches certain portions of the Bible. Because of the health and wealth gospel that you hear, you have become disillusioned with Christianity because things aren’t working the way some televangelist said it would.- I cannot stress enough how careful you should be when it comes to who you listen to concerning the things of God! Jesus said - Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Some of you may have turned to horoscopes or psychics looking for answers and direction! This is dangerous, evil and of the devil….STAY AWAY FROM IT!
* Leviticus 19:31 “Do not defile yourselves by turning to wizards or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.
* Leviticus 20:6 “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off
If you are saved you are a child of the most High God who has all power at His disposal.When you turn to Man’s opinions, Astrology, Witchcraft, Horoscopes or anything other than God you are opening the door for evil! You are no longer looking to God for guidance and direction... You are turning away from Jesus... and you are disobeying God’s Holy Word! And chances are pretty good that you will find yourself deceived and lead astray from the things of God. The fact of the matter is that some of you are already there!
And the question I have for you is “Why Are You Acting So Foolish”? Do you not remember all that Jesus has done for you? This brings to mind another question I would like to ask concerning this subject…:
II. HAVE YOUR FORGOTTEN THE GOSPEL?
The Gospel is the “good news of Jesus Christ” Involved in the gospel message is the great price that Jesus paid.
A. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE PRICE OF SALVATION? - v1b before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Paul states that Jesus has been “set forth” crucified among them” The phrase “set forth” speaks of posting an official notice in a public place. Jesus Christ’s death had been preached so bold and clear before them that it was as if they had literally seen Jesus crucified with their own eyes. (that is the kind of preaching I want to hear) They had seen, heard, understood and accepted the gospel of Christ! Now they were wavering! They were saved by faith in Christ and now they were trying to add circumcision and rituals to Jesus’ finished work at Calvary! Jesus did not need their help - Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
If you have been saved it is because of your faith in the finished work of Jesus at Calvary. Somewhere along the way someone shared with you about the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. You believed the account of the crucifixion and trusted in Jesus to save you! But if you have retreated… IF YOU ARE ACTING FOOLISH TODAY, then obviously you have forgotten the PRICE OF YOUR REDEMPTION! You were bought with a price… you were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
There is something else that you might have forgotten… consider:
B. Have You Forgotten The Process Of Salvation - v2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? - Here Paul asks (with some sarcasm) a rhetorical question - “Did you receive the Spirit by the Law of through faith”
We do not receive the Spirit of God through the Law or by keeping the Law. We received the Spirit at the point of conversion - Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.The fact is that the Law is of the flesh. Christianity is of the Spirit. But the Judaizers had deceived the Galatian believers to the point that they were trusting in the Law instead of the Spirit. Just as they returned to the bondage of the Law, some of you have returned to the bondage of sin? What a foolish choice to make!
And it could be that you have made such a foolish choice because you have forgotten the gospel! I beg you to remember what Jesus has done for you! As we move further there is a 3rd question I would like to ask you:
III. HAVE YOU SUFFERED IN VAIN? - v4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
It is quite possible that the Galatian believers faced persecution as a result of their conversion. It is also probable that the persecution referred to here came from the Jews. Paul is asking them “why did you suffer all of this ridicule and persecution to turn back now”
We live in the Bible belt and at least for now it is culturally accepted to be a Christian. You may face some ridicule in certain places but chances are that you have not experienced any physical pain as a result of your faith in Christ. Though we may not face physical persecution this verse still applies to us. In fact the word “suffer” in this verse speaks of experience. So the question that I have for you is this “why would you come so far in your walk with Christ just to retreat to the life that He delivered you from?” The Christian life is not an easy one but I have never met anyone who was truly saved who would say their life was better before they met Jesus!
One of my closest friends was born again back in 2006. Since that time he has encountered many problems. He has had health problems, he has lost several family members, he lost his job, they repossessed his car and truck almost foreclosed on his home and many other things have happened. And I have watched him praise the Lord through it all. In fact he is in church as we speak.
Many of you have faced similar struggles since your conversion and you have remained faithful to the Lord! It is disturbing to see those who have faced difficulty or even persecution just throw their hands up and walk away. Friend, when trouble comes in this life, it is easy to give up and walk away… BUT IT IS NEVER WORTH THE CONSEQUENCES!!!
And we must remember that persecution and tribulation are part of the Christian life - 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
No matter what the Christian life may bring… IT’S NOT IN VAIN! As we continue, I would like to back up and look at verse 3 and ask you one final question:
IV. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FOCUS? -v3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? ………..v5 He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
The Judaizers had not only deceived the Galatians they had distracted them. Instead of their focus being on Christ and Him alone they were now looking to the flesh! Paul again asks a sarcastic rhetorical question “you began in the Spirit, is it the flesh that is now making you perfect?” How foolish they were to give up the freedom of the Spirit and return the bondage of the law.
Maybe you are here and you began to walk with the Lord and somewhere along the way you turned away. Perhaps you, like the believers at Galatia have lost your focus. Instead of focusing on the glorification of the Savior you are more concerned with gratification of self. Maybe instead of building His Kingdom you are now focused on your own. After all that Jesus has done for you HE DESERVES YOUR DEVOTION! You are not just out of God’s will; YOU ARE TRAMPLING ON THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS! I must warn you that there severe consequences are coming! You will not get away with spitting in the face of the Savior!
In conclusion I would like to share with you a story of a man who was once extremely devoted to God. He was obedient, faithful and walked with the Lord daily, In fact God called him “a man after His own heart” God blessed him with a beautiful wife and several healthy children. After many years of devotion to the Lord he made a very foolish decision. He faced temptation and did not even put up a fight. He committed adultery with another man’s wife. Bathsheba became pregnant and David was in trouble. He arranged the murder of her husband Uriah. He spent a great deal of time away from the Lord. He had ample opportunity to repent and be restored but he continued in his rebellion. As a result of his sin, great trouble came into his life. His sins did not just impact him, they affected his entire family. Even though he made SEVERAL FOOLISH DECISIONS, the Lord still loved him!
Notice what the Lord said to David - II Samuel 12:7 …I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul.8 I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed?
Do you realize that if you are one of God’s children and you have made some foolish decisions of you own, that He still loves you as well? And there may be 2 questions that He is asking you at this very moment:
1) “Why Are You Acting So Foolish?”
2) “How Long Will You Continue To Act So Foolish?”
