Galatians: The Gospel of Grace and Freedom

Devotional

Day 1: The True Gospel Is Jesus Plus Nothing

The heart of the gospel is that Jesus alone is sufficient for salvation—nothing needs to be added, and nothing can be taken away. The temptation to add our own efforts, performance, or religious rituals to the finished work of Christ is as old as the church itself, but the gospel proclaims that grace is a gift, not a reward for the qualified. Resting in this truth frees us from striving and fills us with worship, because the work is finished and the freedom is real. [03:05]

Galatians 1:3-4 (NKJV)
"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father."

Reflection: Where in your life do you find yourself trying to add to what Jesus has already done for you? What would it look like to rest in His finished work today?

Day 2: The Gospel’s Authority Comes from God, Not Man

The message of the gospel is not a human invention or a committee’s idea—it is divine revelation, given by God Himself through Jesus Christ. Paul’s apostleship and the gospel he preached were not derived from human authority, but from the risen Christ who called and commissioned him. This means we do not need to edit, soften, or modernize the gospel; we simply proclaim it as God’s unchanging truth, trusting its power and authority. [12:33]

Galatians 1:1 (NKJV)
"Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)."

Reflection: Are there areas where you feel pressure to change or soften the gospel message to fit in? How can you stand firm in the authority of God’s Word this week?

Day 3: Grace and Peace Are Gifts, Not Achievements

Grace is God’s unearned favor, and peace is the reconciliation He brings—both are gifts that come through Christ’s self-giving sacrifice. The gospel is not a self-help program or a call to moral improvement, but a divine rescue from sin and the present evil age. When we receive this grace, we are freed from fear, striving, and the need to prove ourselves, and we can live in the assurance that God’s love and acceptance are ours in Christ. [15:34]

Galatians 1:3-4 (NKJV)
"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father."

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to accept God’s grace as a gift rather than something to be earned? How might you let His peace steady your heart today?

Day 4: The Gospel Frees Us from Fear and People-Pleasing

The gospel of grace sets us free from the fear of judgment, the opinions of others, and even the fear of death. When we know that God sees us clothed in the righteousness of Christ, we are released from the need to please people or to be anxious about the unknown. This freedom allows us to live boldly, speak truth gently, and rest in the assurance that God is working all things for our good, both now and forever. [20:29]

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Reflection: Is there a fear or a need for approval that is holding you back? What would it look like to trust God’s acceptance and live in the freedom of His grace today?

Day 5: The Only Response to the Gospel Is Worship

The ultimate goal of the gospel is not our boasting, but God’s glory. When we truly grasp what Christ has done for us, our striving ceases and our hearts are filled with worship. Grace leads us to praise, not performance; it re-centers our lives on God and His glory. Let the truth of your freedom in Christ move you to live and worship as one who has been rescued, declaring with your life and lips: to Him be the glory forever and ever. [16:37]

Galatians 1:5 (NKJV)
"To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: How can you intentionally turn your gratitude for God’s grace into worship today—whether in song, prayer, or an act of service?

Sermon Summary

The book of Galatians opens with a powerful declaration: Jesus plus nothing. The true gospel is a divine rescue, not a self-improvement project or a religious system of earning God’s favor. In these first five verses, Paul wastes no words—he proclaims grace, peace, and the glory of God as the very heart of Christianity. The temptation to add to Jesus, to supplement faith with our own efforts or religious performance, is as real today as it was for the Galatians. But the gospel is not about what we bring to the table; it’s about what Christ has already accomplished.

Paul’s authority as an apostle comes directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, not from any human institution. This divine commission means the message he brings is not up for revision or improvement. The gospel’s authority is rooted in God’s revelation, not human opinion. And this same gospel that called Paul also unites believers into a fellowship that transcends background, status, or ethnicity. Our community is built not on our achievements, but on our shared dependence on Christ.

At its core, the gospel is grace—God’s unearned favor—and peace—reconciliation with God through Christ’s self-giving sacrifice. Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, all according to God’s will. This is not advice for better living, but news of a finished rescue. We have nothing to add, and nothing to prove. The result is not pride or self-congratulation, but worship. When we see what Christ has done, we are freed from self-reliance and self-centeredness, and our hearts are drawn to praise.

This freedom is practical. Grace saves us, peace steadies us, and God’s glory re-centers us. The gospel liberates us from fear—fear of people, fear of the unknown, and even fear of death—because in Christ, we are secure, beloved, and destined for joy in God’s presence. Yet, the temptation to add to the gospel persists in every generation. Like those who remained in slavery after the Emancipation Proclamation, we sometimes live as if we are not free, striving to earn what Christ has already given. But the chains are broken, the debt is canceled, and the verdict is in: we are free. Let us rest in Christ’s finished work and worship as those who have been truly rescued.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Plus Nothing Equals Everything The gospel is not Jesus plus our efforts, traditions, or religious performance. Any attempt to add to Christ’s finished work is to subtract from its sufficiency. True freedom and assurance come when we rest in what Christ has done, not in what we can do. This is the heart of grace: we are accepted, loved, and secure because of Jesus alone. [03:05]
2. The Gospel Is a Divine Rescue, Not Self-Help Christianity is not a system of moral improvement or self-betterment. It is the announcement that Jesus has already accomplished what we could never do—he gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age. Our hope is not in our progress, but in Christ’s finished rescue. This truth humbles us and fills us with gratitude. [15:34]
3. Grace Frees Us from Fear and Striving When we truly grasp the gospel of grace, we are liberated from the fear of people’s opinions, the anxiety of the unknown, and the terror of death. God’s favor rests on us because of Christ, not our performance. This freedom allows us to live with courage, honesty, and deep peace, knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love. [19:41]
4. The Goal of the Gospel Is Worship The end of the gospel is not self-improvement or self-glory, but the glory of God. When we see the beauty of Christ’s sacrifice and the completeness of his work, our hearts are drawn to worship. Grace leads us away from self-centeredness and into a life centered on God’s praise and purposes. [16:37]
5. The Gospel Must Be Defended and Treasured Every generation faces the temptation to distort or add to the gospel. We must vigilantly guard the truth that we are justified by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone. To forget this is to live as if we are still enslaved, striving for what has already been given. Let us cling to the gospel and live as those who are truly free. [23:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - The Big Idea: Jesus Plus Nothing
[02:33] - Paul’s Powerful Introduction
[03:05] - The Temptation to Add to Jesus
[03:41] - Grace and Peace: The Gospel in Miniature
[04:48] - Why Galatians Was Written
[05:53] - False Teachers and the Judaizers
[07:26] - The Danger of Adding to Christ
[08:56] - Paul’s Urgency and the Reformation
[09:37] - The Gospel’s Authority
[12:54] - The Gospel’s Fellowship
[13:57] - The Gospel’s Essence: Grace and Peace
[16:37] - The Goal: Worship and Glory
[17:48] - Applying the Gospel: Grace for Today
[19:41] - Freedom from Fear and Striving
[23:16] - Defending and Treasuring the Gospel
[27:14] - Living as Freed People
[28:37] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Galatians 1:1-5 (NKJV) — 1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Observation Questions

According to Paul’s introduction in Galatians 1:1, where does his authority as an apostle come from? Why does he emphasize this? ([09:37])
In verses 3-4, what two gifts does Paul say come from God through Jesus Christ? How does he describe what Jesus did for us? ([13:57])
What is the main problem Paul is addressing with the Galatian churches in these opening verses? ([06:53])
In verse 5, what is the ultimate goal or result of the gospel, according to Paul? ([16:37])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Paul insists his message and authority come directly from Jesus Christ and not from any human source? How does this affect how we view the gospel message today? ([09:37])
The sermon says, “The gospel is not advice for how to live better. It’s news that Jesus already lived and died and rose for us.” How does this distinction change the way someone might approach Christianity? ([15:34])
The Galatians were tempted to add requirements to faith in Jesus. What are some modern ways Christians might be tempted to “add to Jesus” today? ([03:05])
The sermon describes the gospel as a “divine rescue” rather than a self-improvement project. What does it mean to be rescued by Christ, and how is that different from trying to earn God’s favor? ([15:34])

Application Questions

The sermon warns that we often try to “add to Jesus” by relying on our own efforts, traditions, or religious performance. Are there specific ways you find yourself trying to earn God’s approval or prove your worth? What would it look like to rest in Christ’s finished work instead? ([03:05])
Paul says Jesus “gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age.” In what areas of your life do you still feel like you’re living in “slavery” rather than freedom? What would it mean to live as someone who is truly free? ([27:14])
The sermon says, “Grace saves us, peace steadies us, and God’s glory re-centers us.” Which of these do you most need to experience right now—grace, peace, or a renewed focus on God’s glory? Why? ([18:11])
The gospel frees us from the fear of people’s opinions, the anxiety of the unknown, and the fear of death. Which of these fears is most real for you? How does the truth of the gospel speak to that fear? ([19:41])
The goal of the gospel is worship, not self-improvement. How can you make worship—both in your heart and in your actions—a more central part of your daily life this week? ([16:37])
The sermon compares forgetting the gospel to living as a slave after being declared free. Are there areas where you’re still “striving to earn what Christ has already given”? What practical step can you take this week to remind yourself of your freedom in Christ? ([27:14])
Paul’s message unites believers into a fellowship that transcends background, status, or ethnicity. How can our group or church better reflect this kind of gospel-centered community? ([13:19])

Sermon Clips

The big idea of our time together this morning is I want us to see the true gospel is a divine rescue that gives us grace, peace, and freedom, all for God's glory. And my hope for all of us this morning is that we will rest in the unchanging gospel of grace, a gospel that frees us from self-reliance and fills us with worship. [00:00:47] (31 seconds) #DivineRescueGrace

The churches in Galatia were struggling with a temptation that is still haunting us to this very day. The temptation to add something to Jesus. A little more effort. A little more performance. A little more proof that I belong in this group. But the church, as one has said, is the only club in the world where the only qualification for joining it and staying in it is that one be unqualified. [00:03:05] (35 seconds) #UnqualifiedBelonging

That's not a polite greeting, it's a proclamation. The work is finished. The grace is real. The freedom is yours. This morning, we're not just studying an old letter. We're standing on the same foundations that set the reformers' hearts on fire and still set sinners free today. It's the gospel that needs no addition. Jesus plus nothing equals everything. [00:04:12] (30 seconds) #JesusPlusNothing

The problem was, they weren't denying Jesus. They were adding to him. See, it's not only a problem to deny Jesus. It's a problem to add to Jesus. Grace plus law. Faith plus hard work and effort. But Paul's response is this letter. Father, he writes with urgency and fire in his bones. He, this is the most emotionally charged letter that Paul writes. It's full of harsh language against the false teachers. It's full of pleading language to the believers that he has brought to many of whom he preached the gospel to and saw come to faith himself. [00:07:05] (58 seconds) #NoAdditionsToJesus

Grace, God's unmerited, unearned favor upon us. Grace to you and peace, reconciliation. God has ended the warfare between man and God. There's a mediator, one mediator. Who's that mediator? Christ, who gave himself for our sins. Right there, gave himself for our sins. That's the substitutionary atonement. Our sins required payment. Our sins gave us a sin debt, and he gave himself for our sins. Why did he do this? To deliver us, to save us, to deliver us from this present evil age according to the will of God. It's all of God and not of us. [00:14:38] (60 seconds) #SubstitutionaryAtonement

The gospel is not a self-help or moral improvement. It's a divine rescue. This verse here, these two verses capture the heart of one of the mottos of the Protestant Reformation, sola gratia, grace alone. The gospel is not advice for how to live better. It's news that Jesus already lived and died and rose for us. We have nothing to add to it, and we dare not take away from it. [00:15:39] (41 seconds) #SolaGratiaTruth

Now, I'm not pure in and of myself. Amen. But in Christ, I've been made righteous. Not because of anything I've done, but because of what Christ has done, who gave himself to deliver me from this present evil age. And he's made me pure, so I get to see God. So when I die, I'll be in his presence where there is, what? Fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. So death is not scary anymore. Death is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. So we are freed from the fear of death by the gospel. [00:22:38] (45 seconds) #RighteousByFaith

Every other religion in the world is a system of working hard to gain the favor of whatever deity or spiritual force or whatever it is out there that you want to get on the good side of. Every one of them. Because Satan's goal is to destroy this truth of this gospel and to get us distracted from it, that it's by faith alone, in Christ alone, that we are made right with God. And we cling to him by faith. And we turn to him by faith. And we are made right by faith, by his grace. [00:25:40] (51 seconds) #GraceNotWorks

That's what happens when we forget the gospel of grace. Christ has already signed our freedom, not with ink, but with his very blood. He gave himself for our sins to deliver us. And he has delivered us in a very real and tangible way. Yes, we still live in this age, but we have been set free from its bondage and we have been set free from our own efforts. The chains are broken. The debt is canceled. The verdict is in. You are free. [00:27:30] (38 seconds) #RestInFinishedWork

So why live as though we have something to prove? Why do we keep trying to earn what's already ours? God's favor rests on us. The gospel says stop striving and start resting in the finished work of Christ. When that truth finally sinks in and grace replaces guilt and peace silences fear, the only one thing left to say is just as Paul said it, to him be the glory forever and ever. To live like freed people. Let's worship like rescued people because the gospel is complete. [00:28:09] (49 seconds)

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