Standing Firm in the Unchanging Gospel of Christ
Summary
In a world of rapid change, both technologically and within the church, it is crucial to hold fast to the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the true gospel, warning against the dangers of adding to it with legalistic practices such as circumcision. The gospel is simple yet profound, a message of victory and freedom through Christ, not a set of rules or laws to earn salvation. Paul reminds the Galatians that their freedom in Christ is not a license for anarchy but a call to live as they ought, in love and service to one another.
Paul's exhortation to "stand firm" is a call to be vigilant and steadfast in the face of cultural and doctrinal shifts. This standing firm is not out of hatred for the world but out of love for the gospel and the truth it represents. The danger of legalism, whether it be salvific, letter of the law, or tradition-based, is that it adds to the gospel, thereby subtracting from Christ. True freedom in Christ is not about doing whatever one pleases but living in a way that reflects the love and righteousness of God.
Paul also warns against the opposite extreme of antinomianism, where grace is presumed upon, leading to a life of sin. Instead, the freedom we have in Christ should lead to a life of love and service, fulfilling the law through love for our neighbors. Unity in the gospel is paramount, and it is through this unity and love for one another that the world will know we are Christ's disciples. This unity is not in spite of the truth but because of it, grounded in the truth of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- The gospel of Jesus Christ is unchanging and must be preserved in its pure form. It is a message of victory and freedom, not a set of rules to earn salvation. Adding to the gospel with legalistic practices subtracts from Christ and leads to spiritual bondage. [06:48]
- True freedom in Christ is not about doing whatever we want but living as we ought, in accordance with God's will. This freedom calls us to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, not out of hatred for the world but out of love for the truth and the life it brings. [10:24]
- Legalism, in its various forms, is a danger to the gospel. Whether it is salvific legalism, letter of the law legalism, or tradition-based legalism, it adds to the gospel and detracts from the grace of Christ. True Christianity is about following God's Word, not man-made rules. [22:35]
- Antinomianism, the misuse of grace as a license to sin, is as dangerous as legalism. True freedom in Christ leads to a life of love and service, fulfilling the law through love for our neighbors. This balance is crucial for a healthy Christian life. [27:41]
- Unity in the gospel is essential for the church. This unity is not in spite of the truth but because of it, grounded in the truth of the gospel. Our love for one another, demonstrated through unity, is a powerful witness to the world of the truth of the gospel. [38:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - Rapid Changes in the Church
[01:06] - The Challenge of Recommending Churches
[02:08] - The Unchanging Gospel
[02:39] - Reading from Galatians 5
[05:03] - Understanding the Gospel
[06:10] - The Simplicity and Glory of the Gospel
[08:15] - The Issue of Circumcision
[09:40] - True Freedom in Christ
[11:09] - Standing Firm in the Gospel
[13:16] - The Danger of Legalism
[14:58] - Falling from Grace
[16:59] - Adding to the Gospel
[19:19] - Confidence in the Gospel
[22:00] - Types of Legalism
[26:19] - The Spirit of Legalism
[28:17] - Antinomianism and True Freedom
[30:20] - Love and Unity in the Church
[33:16] - Walking Worthy of the Gospel
[36:50] - Unity Grounded in Truth
[40:26] - Fighting for the Gospel
[41:13] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:1-15
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "For freedom Christ has set us free" in Galatians 5:1? How does this relate to the concept of a "yoke of slavery"? [02:39]
2. In the sermon, what specific legalistic practice does Paul warn the Galatians against, and why is it significant? [08:15]
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between faith and love in Galatians 5:6? What does this imply about the nature of true Christian freedom? [17:45]
4. What does the phrase "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" mean in the context of Paul's warning against legalism? [22:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul’s warning against legalism in Galatians 5:2-4 challenge the way some Christians might view their relationship with God? [14:22]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the dangers of both legalism and antinomianism, and how do these extremes affect the church's witness to the world? [27:41]
3. In what ways does Paul’s call to "stand firm" in Galatians 5:1-15 reflect a balance between defending the truth and demonstrating love? [12:34]
4. How does the unity in the gospel, as discussed in the sermon, serve as a powerful witness to the world? What are the implications for the church today? [38:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own understanding of freedom in Christ. How might you be tempted to misuse this freedom, and what steps can you take to ensure it leads to love and service? [10:24]
2. Consider a time when you may have added personal traditions or rules to your faith practice. How can you distinguish between helpful traditions and those that might lead to legalism? [23:12]
3. How can you actively work towards unity in your church community, especially when faced with doctrinal differences? What practical steps can you take to demonstrate love and respect for others? [38:57]
4. Identify an area in your life where you might be leaning towards either legalism or antinomianism. What changes can you make to align more closely with the true gospel of freedom in Christ? [27:41]
5. Think of a person in your church or community who might feel burdened by legalistic expectations. How can you encourage them with the message of freedom and grace found in the gospel? [16:59]
6. How can you ensure that your defense of the gospel is always done in love, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14? What specific actions can you take to balance truth and love in your interactions? [31:47]
7. Reflect on the unity of the gospel as a witness to the world. How can you contribute to this unity in your daily life, and what might be a first step towards fostering this unity in your church? [36:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Unchanging Gospel of Victory and Freedom
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a timeless message of victory and freedom, not a set of rules to earn salvation. In a world where change is constant, it is crucial to preserve the gospel in its pure form. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, warns against the dangers of adding legalistic practices to the gospel, such as circumcision, which subtracts from the grace of Christ. The gospel is simple yet profound, offering freedom through Christ rather than spiritual bondage through human traditions. This freedom is not a license for anarchy but a call to live in love and service to one another. [06:48]
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: In what ways have you been tempted to add to the gospel with your own rules or traditions? How can you embrace the simplicity and freedom of the gospel today?
Day 2: True Freedom in Christ
True freedom in Christ is not about doing whatever we want but living as we ought, in accordance with God's will. This freedom calls us to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, not out of hatred for the world but out of love for the truth and the life it brings. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our freedom in Christ should lead us to a life of love and service, fulfilling the law through love for our neighbors. This balance is crucial for a healthy Christian life, where we are called to reflect the love and righteousness of God in our actions. [10:24]
1 Peter 2:16 (ESV): "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God."
Reflection: How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others today? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's love and righteousness in your life?
Day 3: The Danger of Legalism
Legalism, in its various forms, is a danger to the gospel. Whether it is salvific legalism, letter of the law legalism, or tradition-based legalism, it adds to the gospel and detracts from the grace of Christ. True Christianity is about following God's Word, not man-made rules. The Apostle Paul warns against the spirit of legalism, which can lead to spiritual bondage and a departure from the true gospel. Instead, believers are called to stand firm in the freedom and grace that Christ offers, living a life that honors God and reflects His love. [22:35]
Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV): "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch'... These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been following man-made rules rather than God's Word? How can you shift your focus back to the grace of Christ?
Day 4: The Balance of Grace and Obedience
Antinomianism, the misuse of grace as a license to sin, is as dangerous as legalism. True freedom in Christ leads to a life of love and service, fulfilling the law through love for our neighbors. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of balancing grace and obedience, where grace is not presumed upon but leads to a transformed life. This balance is crucial for a healthy Christian life, where believers are called to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world. [27:41]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: How can you ensure that you are not misusing God's grace as a license to sin? What steps can you take to live a life of obedience and love today?
Day 5: Unity in the Gospel
Unity in the gospel is essential for the church. This unity is not in spite of the truth but because of it, grounded in the truth of the gospel. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our love for one another, demonstrated through unity, is a powerful witness to the world of the truth of the gospel. Believers are called to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, living in love and service to one another, and reflecting the unity and love of Christ to the world. [38:57]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community today? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate love and unity to those around you?
Quotes
In Philippians 1, Paul encourages the Philippians in verse 27, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." That’s the pattern of Scripture. If you have the gospel, if you know Christ, then you will walk worthy of the gospel. This is what a true Christian is, by the way. [00:32:58]
Paul is giving to them such a severe warning because this type of salvific legalism is deadly. Paul, you can tell, is upset. He is angry. He is doing everything he can to warn them that if they choose the path of trying to keep the law in order to be made right with God, they are damned. [00:16:32]
Paul says, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." It’s interesting that he includes that here in the midst of this argument because Paul is dealing with a type of legalism that we can refer to generally as salvation or salvific legalism. It’s the sort of legalism that we see so often in Jesus’s ministry. [00:21:50]
Paul says, "You who would be justified by the law, you have fallen from grace." Is it possible to fall from grace? Is it possible to be severed from Christ; to be joined and then severed from Him? Is it possible to have grace and then, fall from grace? No, Paul is speaking in a matter of speaking. [00:15:21]
Paul continues, verse 5, "For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." So, here’s the equation that Paul is giving to the Galatians. [00:17:13]
Paul says, "Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another," "through love serve one another." Why is Paul, in the midst of defending the gospel, in the midst of explaining how it is we are justified by faith and faith alone...I remind you that justification by faith alone was the material cause of the Reformation. [00:28:47]
Paul is telling the Galatians to do here is to stand firm. It’s a militaristic term, saying, "You must be on guard. You must be ready to defend. You must be ready to stand your ground." And soldiers would stand even in arms as they stood their ground to defend. [00:12:05]
Paul says, "You were running well," verse 7. "Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you." The persuasion of the false teachers, the persuasion of the Judaizers is, "Not from him who calls you," because God is not a legalist. [00:18:09]
Paul says, "Stand firm," Paul says, "and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look, I, Paul, I say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you," of no value to you. "I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law." [00:13:08]
Paul says, "You were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh." "Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh." Do not abuse your freedom. Do not presume that your freedom exists for you to do whatever you want. That, my friends, is antinomianism. [00:27:02]
Paul says, "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." Now, this is fascinating to me. Why is Paul telling them to love one another? [00:30:20]
Paul says, "A Christian is someone who trusts Jesus Christ. A Christian is someone who knows Christ. And a Christian is someone whose knowledge and trust of Christ leads to a fruitful life of righteousness following Christ, loving Christ, repenting at the foot of the cross of Christ." [00:34:27]
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