Don’t Turn Back to Works!

Galatians is the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It’s a powerful little book. We’re studying it this year at Church of the Open Door. When Peter tried to appease the legalists, Paul got in his face with grace.

You’ll only confuse other and fail miserably.

In the first section of the epistle proper (1:11-2:21) Paul defends his apostleship. He begins by vindicating his gospel. The source of the gospel he taught was divine, not human. Paul received his gospel and the commission to preach it directly from the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (1:11-24). When Paul did consult with the apostles fourteen years into his ministry (2:1-10), they affirmed his refusal to circumcise Titus to make Judaizing legalists happy. That would have undermined the Gentiles’ understanding of the gospel. He then tells them about the time he confronted Peter’s hypocrisy and uses that report to introduce the theme verse of the letter (2:16) and one of the most concise statements of sanctification by grace in the New Testament (2:20):

Here’s the link to the sermon, study notes, and discussion notes from my exposition of  the passage:

“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” (Galatians 1:8).

In 49 AD a delegation of Judean religious teachers came to the predominately Gentile church at Syrian Antioch and started teaching the Christians that those who were not circumcised as followers of the law of Moses could not be saved from their sin by simple belief in Jesus (Acts 15:1). They were part of a conspiracy to undermine the Gospel of grace sending emissaries of the lie to the daughter churches planted by the church at Antioch (Acts 15:23).

The most vulnerable to the lie were the fledgling assemblies of the Roman province of Galatia. Paul and Barnabas had planted these churches on their first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). One historian describes the inhabitants of Galatia: “Fickleness is the term used to express their temperament. Their religious tendencies were marked by passion, ritualism, and mysticism.” (Lightfoot, The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians)

Paul’s response is swift and strong. He will not tolerate this false gospel—that works are essential to salvation—to take root in the lives of these new Christians and churches. On the eve of the Jerusalem Council, Paul writes his most passionate letter, reminding the church of the real basis of our salvation.

The Apostle begins his epistle uncharacteristically. After a customary salutation, there’s no thanksgiving or commendation. The denunciation of the Galatians for deserting the gospel he had preached contains the strongest words from Paul’s mighty pen:

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Galatians 1:1-5

Galatians is the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It’s a powerful little book. We’re studying it this year at Church of the Open Door.

Five Fiery Verses

If you don’t think the gospel of Christ is important, think again. Paul introduces his letter to the Galatians in a way that let them know he wasn’t going to stand for this legalism.

Here’s the link to the sermon, study notes, and discussion notes from my exposition of  Galatians 1:1-5:

This Is Serious!

Is Galatians antinomian?

Galatians is the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It’s a powerful little book. We’re studying it this year at Church of the Open Door. But the first charge that will come against those who teach Galatians is, “You’re antinomian!”

No, Galatians is pro-nomian!

Those who fear an emphasis of grace may lead to antinomianism, don’t understand the gospel of Christ taught in the New Testament. Grace doesn’t encourage believers to live without the Law. Grace invites the full impact of the Law into our lives so that we can be set free to live by another law–the law of Christ!

Here’s the link to the sermon, study notes, and discussion notes from my exposition of  the passage:

Galatians, Overview

Galatians is the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It’s a powerful little book. We’re studying it this year at Church of the Open Door.

Free At Last!

Galatians is the Magna Carta of Christian liberty, settling the issue of the Gospel: Salvation is by grace, through faith, plus nothing!

Here’s the link to the sermon, study notes, and discussion notes from my overview of  Galatians .

Free At Last!