Returning to Grace: A Call to Faithfulness
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we celebrate the baptisms of Jeffrey and Michael, who have publicly declared their faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is an act of obedience and identification with Jesus and the church. We also have several upcoming events, including a men's breakfast and a new discipleship class called "Christians in Action."
Our main focus today is on Galatians 4, where Paul addresses the Galatian church's drift from the gospel of grace to legalism. Paul is heartbroken as he sees the church he loves being led astray by false teachers, the Judaizers, who are corrupting the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul reminds the Galatians of their past bondage to false gods and their current danger of returning to legalistic practices. He emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Paul's message is deeply personal and emotional. He recounts his initial ministry among the Galatians, where despite his physical ailment, they received him with joy and love. Now, however, they are turning away from him and the true gospel. Paul pleads with them to return to their first love, Jesus Christ, and to reject the false teachings that are leading them astray.
Paul outlines three stages of backsliding: devotion, decision, and desertion. He urges the Galatians to remember their initial devotion to Christ, to make a firm decision to reject false teachings, and to avoid the final stage of desertion, where they completely turn away from the gospel. He uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe his anguish and desire for Christ to be formed in them.
Paul's heartfelt plea is for the Galatians to return to the simplicity and purity of the gospel. He reminds them that the only remedy for backsliding is to return to Jesus through repentance and rededication. No matter how far they have drifted, God is always waiting with open arms, ready to welcome them back.
### Key Takeaways
1. Baptism as an Act of Obedience: Baptism is a public declaration of faith and an act of obedience to Jesus Christ. It signifies our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection, and our commitment to follow Him. This act not only identifies us with Jesus but also with the church community. [13:30]
2. The Danger of Legalism: The Galatian church was being led astray by false teachers who promoted legalism over the gospel of grace. Paul emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Legalism enslaves us, while the gospel sets us free. [47:26]
3. Stages of Backsliding: Paul outlines three stages of backsliding: devotion, decision, and desertion. He urges believers to remember their initial devotion to Christ, make a firm decision to reject false teachings, and avoid the final stage of desertion. Backsliding is a gradual process that can be reversed through repentance and rededication. [50:50]
4. The Importance of Returning to Our First Love: Paul pleads with the Galatians to return to their first love, Jesus Christ. He uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe his anguish and desire for Christ to be formed in them. Returning to our first love involves remembering the joy and transformation we experienced when we first met Jesus. [56:24]
5. God's Open Arms: No matter how far we have drifted from God, He is always waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us back. The only remedy for backsliding is to return to Jesus through repentance and rededication. God's love and forgiveness are always available to those who seek Him. [01:15:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:30] - Baptism of Jeffrey
[14:13] - Baptism of Michael
[14:43] - Prayer and Announcements
[43:09] - Men's Breakfast and Prayer Call
[44:28] - New Discipleship Class
[45:19] - Introduction to Galatians 4
[46:27] - The Trend of Falling Away
[47:26] - The Danger of Legalism
[48:21] - Reading of Galatians 4:8-20
[50:50] - Stages of Backsliding
[56:24] - Returning to Our First Love
[01:00:10] - The Stage of Decision
[01:09:56] - The Stage of Desertion
[01:15:28] - God's Open Arms
[01:16:39] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 4:8-20
- Luke 15 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)
- James 4:8
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul remind the Galatians about their past before they knew God? ([48:21])
2. How does Paul describe his initial reception by the Galatians despite his physical ailment? ([49:15])
3. What metaphor does Paul use to describe his anguish and desire for Christ to be formed in the Galatians? ([49:33])
4. What are the three stages of backsliding that Paul outlines in his message to the Galatians? ([50:50])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of returning to their first love, Jesus Christ, and what does this imply about their current spiritual state? ([56:24])
2. How does Paul’s recounting of his initial ministry among the Galatians serve to highlight the severity of their backsliding? ([49:15])
3. What does Paul mean when he says, "I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you"? How does this reflect his pastoral concern? ([49:33])
4. How does the metaphor of the prodigal son in Luke 15 relate to Paul's message to the Galatians about returning to God? ([54:47])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced a time when you drifted away from your initial devotion to Christ? What steps did you take to return? ([50:50])
2. Paul speaks about the danger of legalism and how it can enslave us. Are there any legalistic practices or beliefs in your life that you need to let go of to fully embrace the gospel of grace? ([47:26])
3. Paul urges the Galatians to remember their initial joy and transformation when they first met Jesus. Can you recall a specific moment when you felt closest to God? How can you rekindle that passion in your daily life? ([56:24])
4. The sermon mentioned that God is always waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us back. Is there an area in your life where you feel distant from God? What practical steps can you take this week to draw near to Him? ([01:15:28])
5. Paul’s plea is deeply personal and emotional. How can you support someone in your life who may be drifting away from their faith? What actions can you take to encourage them to return to their first love, Jesus Christ? ([49:33])
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of repentance and rededication. Is there something specific you need to repent of and rededicate to God? How will you go about doing this? ([54:09])
7. Reflect on the metaphor of the prodigal son. Is there a "Bethel" moment in your life that you need to revisit to restore your relationship with God? How can you make this a regular practice? ([54:47])
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Public Declaration of Faith
Baptism is a significant act of obedience and identification with Jesus Christ. It symbolizes our union with His death, burial, and resurrection, marking our commitment to follow Him. This public declaration not only identifies us with Jesus but also integrates us into the church community, affirming our shared faith and mutual support. Baptism is a powerful testimony of our faith journey and a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. [13:30]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: Have you publicly declared your faith in Jesus through baptism? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step of obedience and identification with Christ?
Day 2: The Danger of Legalism
Legalism poses a significant threat to the purity of the gospel of grace. The Galatian church was being misled by false teachers who promoted adherence to the law over the grace offered through faith in Christ. Legalism enslaves us by imposing a set of rules and regulations that we must follow to earn God's favor, which contradicts the essence of the gospel. Salvation is a gift from God, received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Embracing legalism undermines the freedom and joy that come from living in the grace of God. [47:26]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts to earn God's favor? How can you shift your focus back to the grace of God and the freedom it brings?
Day 3: Stages of Backsliding
Backsliding is a gradual process that can lead believers away from their initial devotion to Christ. Paul outlines three stages of backsliding: devotion, decision, and desertion. It begins with a weakening of our initial fervor and love for Christ, followed by decisions that compromise our faith, and ultimately, a complete turning away from the gospel. Recognizing these stages is crucial for preventing spiritual decline. Through repentance and rededication, we can reverse the process and restore our relationship with God. [50:50]
Hebrews 2:1 (ESV): "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. Are there signs of backsliding in your life? What steps can you take today to renew your devotion to Christ and prevent further drift?
Day 4: Returning to Our First Love
Returning to our first love, Jesus Christ, is essential for maintaining a vibrant and authentic faith. Paul pleads with the Galatians to remember the joy and transformation they experienced when they first met Jesus. This involves rekindling our passion for Christ and rejecting any false teachings that lead us astray. By focusing on our relationship with Jesus, we can experience the fullness of His love and the transformative power of the gospel. [56:24]
Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
Reflection: Think back to when you first encountered Jesus. What was your relationship with Him like? How can you rekindle that initial passion and love for Christ in your daily life?
Day 5: God's Open Arms
No matter how far we have drifted from God, He is always waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us back. The only remedy for backsliding is to return to Jesus through repentance and rededication. God's love and forgiveness are always available to those who seek Him. This assurance of God's unwavering love encourages us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is eager to restore and renew our relationship with Him. [01:15:28]
Isaiah 55:7 (ESV): "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel distant from God? Take a moment to repent and seek His forgiveness, trusting that He is ready to welcome you back with open arms.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When we drift from Jesus, it is a gradual drift. As it was once said, you do it slowly. And then suddenly, you don't even realize that it's happening. And what we learn here today is that there are three stages to backsliding. We need to be aware of." [50:50] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do you know what God's remedy for backsliding is? To slide back. Come on back. Come back to God. He's waiting. Read Luke chapter 15 about the prodigal son. Jesus told that story. One of the most beautiful parables in the Bible. And it represents all of us. That when we find ourselves in a pig pen, and we realize how far we have drifted from God, that we have a God who is on the lookout. He's waiting for us, and he's willing to run to us." [54:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If the living knew what the dead know, the whole world would come to Jesus Christ. Amen. It's our job to tell them. It is our job. We are custodians of the gospel. These jars of clay, we have this wonderful treasure and we need to get out and we need to tell other people about it." [01:04:37] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The only remedy for backsliding is returning through repentance and rededication to the Lord Jesus Christ. And the beautiful thing is no matter how far you've gotten away from God you can always come home again. That old Motel 6 commercial. We'll leave the light on for you. God's left the light on for you and he's looking for you to come back." [01:15:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If the Spirit of the Lord is speaking to you and you'd like to ask Jesus to forgive you, the Bible says He is faithful and just. Heaven is simply a prayer away. Repent. Turn from your sins and turn to the Savior. He will give you that cleansing that nothing else can." [01:18:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul wants to remind these Galatians of the God and the gospel that they are sliding away from. We'll be reading out of Galatians chapter, it's up on your screen, it's on page 974. And if you would, if you're able, I'd invite you to stand for the reading of God's word." [48:21] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can be diligent in your religion, and you can be distant in your relationship. You can be full of religion on the outside and empty of God on the inside." [56:51] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul's passion is that he wants them to be conformed into the image of Christ. Friends, that is my passion for you. That's a passion for myself, for my family, and for my church family. I love you all. And that is not flattery. That's honest. That's sincere. I want nothing better than to see you grow in the Lord Jesus because then I will know that I am doing my job appropriately in helping you and leading you into a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus." [01:14:01] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul wants desperately for Galatians to continue going upward and forward in Christ. And friends, if you're drifting from God if you've gotten away from God the only way forward is backwards. You've got to get back to Bethel. You've got to get back to where you started. Back to the beginning where you first met the Lord where you first gave your heart to God. To Jesus Christ. Your life, your soul, your awe." [01:15:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You need to go back to Bethel each and every single day. Listen, there's a place where we go from being a sinner to being a saint. There's a place where we go from being a sinner to being a saint. And you may not remember the exact date or the exact time, but you will remember the exact moment. Because when you ask Jesus into your life and you repent, it changes you. It changes who you are. It starts to transform you and conform you into the image of Jesus Christ." [56:51] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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