Paul wrote, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1) These powerful words represent the essence of Paul's letter to the Galatian churches. Over the next eight weeks we will explore this letter and the message of freedom contained therein.
Who were the Christians of Galatia and why did Paul start his letter off with such a stern warning against those who preach counterfeit gospels? In this introductory sermon, we will set forth the occasion of Paul's letter to Galatia and his attempt to convince the Galatians to celebrate their life of freedom in Christ.
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God's roadmap for mankind includes everyone even those who the Jews saw as unfit for God's love. Paul explains that his calling was from God to minister to the Gentiles and even opposed one the earliest and most prominent leaders of the early church, the apostle Peter. It also sets the stage for Paul's discussion of the yoke that Jews desired to place on Gentile believers.
The Galatians church was inundated with teaching that tried to syncretize Christianity with Judaism. As such, the Christians believed that their salvation would be the result of their performance of rituals and rules and not God?s work of Justification. Paul will make the strong case using the story of Abraham that salvation is a matter of Justification in Christ.
To many, this dichotomy is the core message of Paul's letter. He marvels that the Galatians have seemingly made preference to the Law (Rules & Regulations) over God's extravagant Grace. Paul makes a compelling case and puts the recipients of this letter in the position to make the better choice.
Being heirs of God is the ultimate declaration of freedom. By comparing Old Testament figures Sarah and Hagar, Paul again compels the Galatians to choose freedom over bondage.
In all of Paul?s letters, Paul commits time and space to speak to the relationship Christians have with one another. In Galatians, he urges the disciples to use their freedom to deal with the hardships of others. Freedom in Christ is not freedom to disregard brothers and sisters. It is all the more the reason to engage and help carry loads that were never meant for one person to bear.
Primary text(s): Galatians 6:1-10
In the conclusion of this series in Galatians, Paul makes his final plea against those who are insistent on teaching circumcision. Paul's final appeal takes us to the core of the gospel message - the Cross of Christ. It is the Cross that makes us new creatures, not circumcision (or any other ceremony).