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Have You Fallen For a Different “Gospel”?
The Apostle Paul is the most influential Christian writer of all time, having written 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Galatians was the first, and its message about grace still reverberates throughout history.
Talking Points:
- On his first missionary journey, Paul traveled through the region of Galatia to share the gospel and plant churches. He preached about Jesus in the synagogues from a Jewish perspective. Then he expanded beyond the Synagogues and his message exploded among the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). Acts 13:14,43
- A group of false believers infiltrated the Galatian churches to bring a different message. The Judaizers’ message was that salvation = Jesus + works. They wanted to require the Gentile believers to become Torah-observant and get circumcised, eat kosher, observe the Sabbath, etc. The biblical message is clear from cover to cover: salvation = Jesus + nothing.
- Paul wrote Galatians in response to the false “gospel” of the Judaizers. The central theme of Galatians is the “sweet spot” of grace, where there is true freedom – not bondage to works on one side or to sin on the other. Galatians 1:6-8, Romans 3:22
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever been on a missions trip? If you have, share about it and how it impacted you.
- Read Acts 13:14,43. Why do you think Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue instead of somewhere else? Why did they emphasize grace in their teachings?
- Review the Judaizers equation: Salvation=Jesus + works. What’s wrong with the equation? Why would Paul call them false believers?
- Read Galatians 1:6-8. What are some modern day beliefs that twist the Good News of the Gospel? How is that impacting the Church today?
- Read Romans 3:22. What makes us right with God? Why doesn’t grace give us a license to sin?
- Have you trusted in Jesus alone for salvation? Or have you fallen for a different “gospel”?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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Do You Buy In to the Radical Message of Grace?
Galatians 2 refers to two different meetings that changed the course of the Christian church. Paul helped the early leaders to draw a line in the sand on the radical message of grace.
Talking Points:
- The early church met in Jerusalem to formalize the essence of the Christian message: Salvation = Jesus + nothing. Paul wrote Galatians either shortly before this council or shortly after. Galatians 2:1-2, Acts 15:4-5, 10-11
- The gospel of grace was a big leap for the disciples who had grown up Jewish, but it was even harder for the ex-Pharisee Paul. At a pivotal point in the history of the church, God had revealed the same gospel to both Peter and Paul. Peter carried the message mainly to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:8, Acts 9:3-4, Acts 10:34-36
- In Antioch, Paul met with Peter to call him out for not standing up for the true gospel. He was acting one way in front of the Gentiles and another in front of the Jews. Peter knew the gospel message, but he was having a hard time selling out to it. Galatians 2:14-16
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Briefly come up with a list of some “Die For” issues and some “Decide For” issues. How have you seen Christians elevate issues of lesser importance and become divisive over them?
- How have you seen false teachers turn “Die For” issues into “Debate For” issues? Why is this a dangerous thing?
- Read Acts 15:4-5 and Galatians 2:2. Why did some leaders think Gentiles should be circumcised and follow the law of Moses? How was that contradicting Paul’s grace message?
- Read Acts 15:6-11. Why was the law burdensome to the Jews? What was Peter’s point in these verses?
- Read Philippians 3:5,7. Knowing Paul’s upbringing, why do you think he was able to embrace the message of grace more quickly than the other apostles?
- Read Acts 10:11-16 and Galatians 2:11-12. After seeing the vision from God, why do you think Peter was afraid to stand for the gospel when the religious types came around? How have you seen Christians (or yourself) fail to stand up for the gospel today?
- Read Galatians 2:21. Share your insights from this verse. Will you stand for the gospel even if it costs you something?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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The Promise You Might Have Missed
In the first two chapters of Galatians, Paul argues for the gospel from a personal point of view. In chapter 3 he turns to the Old Testament to prove his point, expounding on an ancient promise given to the father of the Jewish nation.
Talking Points:
- The gospel of grace (salvation = faith + nothing) was not a divine afterthought. God gave Abraham a promise long before he gave Moses the law. Genesis 12:2-3, Galatians 3:17
- Abraham was justified back then the same way we are today: by faith. He couldn’t have worked for his salvation, because God hadn’t even given the law yet! Genesis 15:2,5-6, Galatians 3:6-7
- God’s ancient promise to Abraham belongs to the nations, not just to Israel. That promised blessing is the Holy Spirit. Jesus unlocked this blessing through the cross. Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:14
See also: A Deep Dive on the Covenant between God and Man
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you been promised a future inheritance or blessing (financial, job, property) from a family member or friend? How long are you willing to wait for it to come to fruition?
- Read Genesis 12:2-3. Identify the blessings God promised to Abraham. What do you think Abraham thought God meant when he said all families would be blessed through him?
- Read Galatians 3:17. Why did elevating the law over everything violate God’s promises in Genesis 12?
- Read Genesis 15:1-6. Abraham showed great faith by trusting in God’s future promises. How does Abraham’s faith challenge you?
- Read Galatians 3:6-7. What is Paul saying in these verses? Why would this be controversial to Jews?
- Read Ezekiel 36:25-27, Galatians 3:14 and Ephesians 1:13-14. According to Ezekiel, what does the Holy Spirit do for us? Why is the Holy Spirit the blessing for all people?
- Read Acts 2:32-41. How did the Holy Spirit show up that day? How did Peter connect the promises in Genesis to the events of that day? How did the people respond?
- How has the Holy Spirit’s work in you been a blessing in your life?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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Man-made Religion vs. God-made Religion
In Galatians 4 Paul has the imagery of sonship in mind, turning to the Old Testament one last time to drive home his theological argument. This matters deeply to Paul, because the Galatians are like his spiritual children.
Talking Points:
- The law was like a babysitter waiting for the parents to get home. Now that Jesus showed up, the sitter’s job is done. Since the goal of faith is accomplished, there’s no need to go back to the Law. The Law’s purpose was to show us our sin and our need for a savior. Now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. Galatians 3:24-25, 4:4-5
- The Judaizers were like Abraham and Hagar: trying to work for what God had promised. This is the essence of man-made religion, and it always leads to bondage. Galatians 4:23a
- True believers are like Abraham and Sarah: trusting God to keep his promise. This is biblical, God-made religion – and the only path to true freedom. Galatians 4:23b
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share some laws we have in society today. Why do we have them and how are they meant to protect us?
- Read Exodus 20:1-17 and Galatians 3:24-25. Review the 10 commandments. Why do you think God chose those as the top 10? How do those commands protect us?
- Read Galatians 4:5-6. What did Paul mean that they were “slaves” to the law? Why do you think Paul used father/child language in this passage?
- Read Genesis 16:1-4 and Galatians 4:23a. Knowing the promises God made in Genesis 12 and 15, why do you think Abraham went along with this plan with Hagar? How did Abraham create bondage for himself by going against God’s plan originally?
- Read Genesis 18:10, 18-19 and Galatians 4:23b. Who fulfilled the promises to Abraham? Why does Isaac represent a new covenant between God and his people?
- Read Romans 4:13-14. Put this passage in your own words. Why couldn’t Abraham take credit for the blessings God gave him? What does that mean for us?
- What are the marks of a man-made religion? How is that different from the God-made religion of Christianity?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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True Freedom and the Sweet Spot of Grace
In Galatians 5 Paul finally turns to the practical implications of the gospel of grace. Being saved by grace doesn’t give us a license to sin; it sets us free to live the life God wanted for us all along.
Talking Points:
- Jesus came to give us true freedom – not slavery to works on one side or to sin on the other. Seekers throughout the ages have sometimes misunderstood the gospel of grace, taking it as a license to sin. Paul addresses that error in several of his writings. Galatians 5:1, Romans 6:1-2
- True freedom is about getting back to the original intent of the Law: love God, love others. This is what Jesus modeled to his disciples, and it’s at the heart of what God is about. Galatians 5:13-14, Matthew 22:37-40
- True freedom can only be achieved from the inside-out, and it’s the product of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. The “fruit” of the Spirit is contrasted with the “works” of the flesh, and the two are constantly at war with each other. Paul teaches the Galatians to make a practice of walking by the Spirit. Ezekiel 36:26-27, Galatians 5:16-17, 25
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How have you seen Christians misunderstand or misuse the gift of grace? How do you explain why grace isn’t an excuse to live however we want?
- Read Galatians 5:1 and Romans 6:1-2. What do you think Paul means when he says not to get tied up in slavery to the law? What does it mean that we are dead to sin?
- Read Galatians 5:13-14 and Matthew 22:37-40. How have you seen people use their freedom in Christ to justify ungodly actions? How does our freedom in Christ help us to love others?
- Do you agree that the church culture in America tends more towards trampling on grace rather than being too legalistic? Explain.
- Read Ezekiel 36:26-27. How have you seen your heart change or soften since putting your trust in Jesus? How does the Holy Spirit help us to live out our faith?
- Read Galatians 5:16-17. Share how you’ve battled between your flesh and the Spirit in your life? What are some things you do to fight temptation and follow the Spirit’s leading?
- Review the lists of the flesh and Spirit. How have you seen the relational sins of the flesh do damage to yourself and others? How have you seen the fruits of the Spirit heal broken relationships?
- Which fruit of the Spirit is strong in your life right now? Which one is lacking? (See Galatians 5:22-23)
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How to Preach This Sermon:
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Real Faith is About Transformation, Not Just Information
Good doctrine should lead to measurable life change, and Paul closes Galatians by giving a couple of practical applications of what that transformation looks like.
Talking Points:
- The transformation is relational. True believers gently and humbly help people when they fall into sin. This is the “sweet spot” of grace – not being judgmental on one side or overlooking sin on the other. This, according to Paul, is obeying the “law” of Christ – the Greatest Commandment. Galatians 6:1-2
- The transformation is financial. True believers give to the needs of the local church. This is the most likely context for the law of sowing and reaping that Paul refers to in his letter. The phrase “do good to everyone” was a euphemism for giving alms to the poor. Galatians 6:6-10
- The transformation affects everything. Individuals become “new creations” who together become “the new people of God”. Jews and Gentiles alike are welcomed into this new faith movement on the basis of God’s free, unmerited grace. Galatians 6:15-16, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Describe a person in your life who is more interested in studying theology but doesn’t really live it out? What are the dangers of this imbalance?
- Read Galatians 6:1-2. Identify all that Paul says we should do in this passage. How have you seen Christians fail to help someone who has fallen into sin?
- What does it look like to share in someone’s burdens? What doesn’t it look like?
- Read Galatians 6:6-10. Why are our finances tied to our spiritual health? How have you seen money derail a person’s pursuit of God?
- Read Galatians 6:15-16. Evaluate your own life: what has changed in your behaviors, values and priorities since putting your faith in Jesus? How are you still being ruled by your old self?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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