Introduction

Some of you walked in today with a steady stride and a smile. Others arrived with a limp in your soul—a weary heart, a worried mind, a weight you can’t quite name. If that’s you, you’re in good company. The church isn’t a museum for the shiny; it’s a meeting place for the messy. And the gospel speaks straight to us—clear, kind, and strong.

Paul writes to people who started well and then got sidetracked. Have you ever felt that? You were running strong, and then something—or someone—tripped you up. A sharp word. A subtle lie. A soft compromise that grew into a hard chain. The Galatians knew that feeling. And by the Spirit, Paul hands them something we all need: a fresh grip on grace, a sturdy step in the Spirit, and a warning about anything that steals our freedom in Christ.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said, “The ultimate test of our spirituality is the measure of our amazement at the grace of God.” Friend, are you still amazed? Does grace make your heart sing, your feet move, your faith rise? Or has a slow fog settled in—rules without relationship, performance without peace, effort without affection?

This passage is a pastor’s wake-up call and a shepherd’s embrace. It says, “You were running well.” It asks, “Who hindered you?” It promises, “Walk by the Spirit.” It points us to the One who began a good work in us and will carry it on. Today, let’s let the Word steady our steps, soothe our scars, and stir our spirits. Let’s listen as if our life depends on it—because it does. Let’s receive with open hands what Christ alone can give—freedom that is real, love that is active, and power that is present.

Hear now the Word of the Lord.

Galatians 5:7-19 (KJV) 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Opening Prayer Father, thank You for calling us to freedom in Your Son. Some of us are tired, some tangled, some tempted. Speak with clarity that cuts through confusion. Steady our steps where we’ve stumbled. Heal the places in us that feel raw and restless. Holy Spirit, quicken our hearts to love Jesus, to cherish the truth, and to walk in Your strength. Guard us from voices that pull us away, and give us courage to obey what You reveal today. Let the seed of Your Word find good soil, bear good fruit, and bring great glory to Your name. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

Guard Your Race From Those Who Obstruct the Truth

Paul says they were running well and then someone cut in. That picture helps. Races have lanes. Runners watch their line. A bump can throw a stride off. A voice on the sideline can cause a head to turn. That is how it works in the soul. A teacher adds pressure. A friend spreads doubt. A story spreads that sounds wise and kind and safe. It sounds close to truth. It moves your feet a little to the side. Paul asks who did that. He also says the sway that pulled them did not come from the One who called them. So we learn to ask hard questions. Who is shaping my steps. What is shaping my steps. Does this voice lead me to obey the truth or to stall. Does this counsel lead me to clear faith in Jesus or to a haze. God calls with peace. He calls with truth. He does not twist arms. He does not bait and switch. So test the tone. Test the fruit. Test the finish line it points to.

Then Paul gives a kitchen image. A little leaven works through the whole lump. That is how error spreads. It starts small. A word here. A rule there. A tiny push toward pride. A quiet shrug at the cross. It looks harmless at first. It feels smart and mature. In time it fills the dough. Soon the whole church talks the same way. People carry a new weight they cannot name. The gospel gets thin in the mouth. Love grows cold at the table. So we guard the mix. We keep short accounts with what we hear and what we pass on. We ask, does this teaching make Christ clear. Does it keep grace free. Does it match the Scriptures read in context. Does it help weak people come to Jesus. If it smuggles in fear or bragging or a ladder to climb, we set it down. If it shrinks the cross to avoid offense, we set it down. We do this in our homes. We do this in groups. We do this as leaders. We do this as members. We keep the dough clean so the bread can feed.

Paul also shows a steady heart and a firm hand. He trusts the Lord to keep them. He also warns that the troublemaker will face judgment. That is sober. Love tells the truth about harm. He brings up persecution and the cross. If he preached circumcision, he would not be hunted. The cross brings pushback. The cross says we cannot save ourselves. The cross strips our pride. That message will sting some ears. So expect pressure when you hold to it. Do not be shocked when people call you harsh for saying grace alone. Do not be swayed when a teacher offers an easier badge to wear. Paul’s sharp words about the agitators show how high the stakes are. Souls are at risk. Churches are at risk. Leaders carry weight for what they teach and who they platform. Set clear lines. Name false gospels with care and courage. Refuse to give harmful voices a stage. Do this with humility. Do this with tears. Do this for the good of many.

Freedom sits in the center of this section. It is a gift. It serves a purpose. Paul says use freedom to serve one another through love. That is how truth stays clear in a church. Love keeps hands open. Love meets real needs. Love keeps the whole law by seeing a neighbor and seeking their good. False teachers stir the flesh. They stir rivalry and scorekeeping. They stir talk that bites and eats people alive. Watch for that fruit. When you hear words that pit saints against saints, step in. When you sense a flash of envy, stop and pray. When you want to win an argument more than win a brother, lay the weapon down. Speak slow. Act kind. Carry burdens. Share meals. Pray names. The cross will stay bright in a house like that. The truth will run free when love takes the lead.

Hold Fast to Christ the Truth Who Alone Sets Us Free

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