Upholding the True Gospel in a Challenging World

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound themes found in the opening chapter of Galatians. We began by discussing the importance of the Grief Share ministry, a Bible study designed to support those experiencing grief and loss. This ministry is not only for those who have recently lost someone but also for anyone who has dealt with grief at any point in their lives. It is an opportunity to find comfort and peace through the Word of God.

We then delved into the context of the church in Galatia, a group of sincere believers who were being led astray by false teachings. Paul, in his letter, emphasizes his authority as an apostle, not by human appointment but by Jesus Christ himself. He reminds the Galatians of the true gospel, which is based on grace and faith, not on works or adherence to the law. Paul’s transformation from Saul, a persecutor of Christians, to Paul, an apostle, serves as a powerful testimony of God’s grace and the truth of the gospel.

Paul's message to the Galatians is a call to remain steadfast in the true gospel and not be swayed by teachings that distort the message of Christ. He warns against altering the gospel to please people, emphasizing that our primary goal is to glorify God. The gospel is a precious gift, and it is our responsibility to uphold its truth and share it with others.

Key Takeaways:

- The Authority of the Gospel: Paul asserts his authority as an apostle, emphasizing that his message is not from man but from God. This reminds us that the gospel we have received is divinely inspired and should be held with utmost reverence and integrity. We must be cautious of teachings that deviate from this truth. [33:08]

- Grace and Peace: Paul’s greeting of grace and peace is a reminder of the transformative power of the gospel. Grace points us to the cross and the sacrifice of Christ, while peace assures us of God’s control over our lives. This dual focus helps us live with an eternal perspective, beyond the challenges of today. [39:17]

- Living in a Presently Evil World: Paul acknowledges the reality of living in a world opposed to Christian values. Recognizing this helps us remain vigilant and aware of spiritual dangers. We are called to be spiritually alert and to navigate life with the understanding that we are in a spiritual battle. [42:24]

- The Unchanging Gospel: Paul warns against perverting the gospel, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith alone. This is a crucial reminder that the gospel is not subject to personal interpretation or societal trends. It is a timeless truth that must be preserved and proclaimed. [46:00]

- Pleasing God Over People: Paul challenges us to decide whether we will seek to please God or people. Pleasing God may sometimes mean making difficult decisions that others do not understand or agree with. Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God, even if it means facing opposition. [53:39]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Grief Share
[02:15] - Context of the Galatian Church
[05:00] - Paul's Apostolic Authority
[08:45] - The Transformation of Saul to Paul
[12:30] - Grace and Peace in the Gospel
[15:20] - Living in a Presently Evil World
[18:10] - The Unchanging Gospel
[21:00] - Pleasing God Over People
[24:30] - The Importance of Upholding the Gospel
[27:15] - Invitation to Embrace the Gospel
[30:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[32:45] - Announcements and Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Galatians Chapter 1

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 1:1-10

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul emphasize about his authority as an apostle in Galatians 1:1, and why is this significant for the message he is delivering to the Galatians? [33:08]

2. How does Paul describe the greeting of "grace and peace" in his letter, and what does this greeting signify for the believers in Galatia? [39:17]

3. What is Paul's reaction to the Galatians turning to a different gospel, and how does he express his astonishment in Galatians 1:6? [42:24]

4. According to Paul, what is the consequence for anyone who preaches a gospel contrary to the one he delivered? [46:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul stress the divine origin of his apostleship, and how does this reinforce the authority of the gospel message he preaches? [33:08]

2. In what ways does the greeting of "grace and peace" reflect the core message of the gospel, and how might this greeting have been intended to prepare the Galatians for the rest of Paul's letter? [39:17]

3. What might have caused the Galatians to be "so soon removed" from the true gospel, and what does this suggest about the challenges faced by early Christian communities? [42:24]

4. How does Paul's warning about altering the gospel reflect the importance of maintaining doctrinal purity, and what implications does this have for contemporary Christian practice? [46:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to alter your beliefs to fit in with others. How can Paul's emphasis on pleasing God over people guide you in similar situations? [53:39]

2. How can the concept of "grace and peace" transform your perspective on current challenges in your life? Identify one area where you need to apply this perspective. [39:17]

3. In what ways can you remain vigilant against false teachings in today's world? What steps can you take to ensure you are grounded in the true gospel? [42:24]

4. Consider the role of the Grief Share ministry mentioned in the sermon. How can participating in or supporting such ministries help you and others experience the comfort and peace of the gospel? [00:30]

5. How do you discern between teachings that are true to the gospel and those that are not? What resources or practices can help you in this discernment process? [46:00]

6. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you ensure that your choice aligns with the goal of glorifying God rather than pleasing people? [53:39]

7. Identify a specific way you can uphold the truth of the gospel in your daily interactions. How can you share this truth with others in a respectful and loving manner? [46:00]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Divine Origin of the Gospel
The gospel is not a human invention but a divine revelation. Paul emphasizes his authority as an apostle, not by human appointment but by Jesus Christ himself. This underscores the divine origin of the gospel message, which is not subject to human alteration or interpretation. The Galatians were being led astray by false teachings, and Paul reminds them that the true gospel is based on grace and faith, not on works or adherence to the law. This serves as a reminder to hold the gospel with utmost reverence and integrity, being cautious of teachings that deviate from this truth. [33:08]

Galatians 1:11-12 (ESV): "For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the gospel remain true to its divine origin, free from human distortion?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Grace and Peace
Grace and peace are central to the gospel's transformative power. Paul's greeting of grace and peace is a reminder of the cross and the sacrifice of Christ, which brings grace, and the assurance of God's control over our lives, which brings peace. This dual focus helps believers live with an eternal perspective, beyond the challenges of today. By embracing grace and peace, one can navigate life's difficulties with a sense of divine assurance and purpose. [39:17]

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV): "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all."

Reflection: How can you actively seek and embrace God's grace and peace in a specific area of your life that feels chaotic or challenging today?


Day 3: Vigilance in a Spiritually Hostile World
Living in a world opposed to Christian values requires spiritual vigilance. Paul acknowledges the reality of a presently evil world, urging believers to remain spiritually alert and aware of the dangers that threaten their faith. This awareness is crucial for navigating life as a spiritual battle, where one must be equipped with the truth of the gospel to withstand opposition and remain steadfast in faith. [42:24]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Identify a specific situation where you feel your faith is being challenged by the world's values. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to face this challenge?


Day 4: Upholding the Unchanging Gospel
The gospel is a timeless truth that must be preserved and proclaimed. Paul warns against perverting the gospel, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith alone. This is a crucial reminder that the gospel is not subject to personal interpretation or societal trends. Believers are called to uphold its truth and share it with others, ensuring that its message remains unaltered and impactful across generations. [46:00]

Jude 1:3 (ESV): "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that the gospel you share with others remains true to its original message, free from personal or cultural distortions?


Day 5: Pleasing God Above All Else
The ultimate purpose of a believer is to glorify God, even if it means facing opposition. Paul challenges believers to decide whether they will seek to please God or people. Pleasing God may sometimes require making difficult decisions that others do not understand or agree with. This call to prioritize God's approval over human approval is a reminder of the eternal significance of our choices and actions. [53:39]

Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision where you felt torn between pleasing people and pleasing God. How can you align your future decisions more closely with God's will, even if it means facing misunderstanding or opposition?

Quotes



"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. And again, we won't spend too much time on this because each time that we come to one of Paul's epistles, that introduction's very similar, right? Grace and peace. And if we remind ourselves of what that means and where this is supposed to take us. Reason Paul puts us at the introduction of every letter, he says, I want your mind to be right. I want your mind to be focused in the right direction." [00:36:45] (24 seconds)


"Grace is, when we say that word grace, the first picture that comes to our mind is the cross. The first picture that comes to our mind is what Christ has done for us, that he has sacrificed himself on our behalf. And because of that, we have the power and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is that push behind us. That gives us an opportunity to do things we would not otherwise be able to do." [00:37:45] (21 seconds)


"There's not a situation that any person in this room faces today. There's no challenge in your life. There's no difficulty that God is not in control of. Now, that does not mean God's gonna wipe all your problems away. It's not mean that every hurt and sorrow just disappears. It doesn't mean that every financial problem and every health issue, just goes away because you're a Christian." [00:38:35] (21 seconds)


"There are so many who claim the name of Christ, who preach or teach the name of Christ, who do not teach what Christ, what Christ said. We teach our version of what Christ said. We teach what we think Christ should have said, or maybe what he might have said if he were in this situation. But what Paul says here, he says, you have been given the gospel, just preach the gospel." [00:46:45] (24 seconds)


"You and I don't get to decide what he said or what he didn't say. We don't get to decide what his point was, what his emphasis was, we simply take the words of Christ at face value. We understand that we've been given this gospel, whether we like it or not, whether it's socially acceptable or not, whether we want to hear it or not, this is the truth. That's how it works. Truth is truth." [00:47:13] (22 seconds)


"For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet please men, I should not be the servant of Christ. And there's so much in those three verses, but I think it's important to stop for a moment. He said, first of all, if there is anybody who preaches another gospel to you, let him be accursed. I think it speaks to what Paul, to the importance that this issue is in Paul's mind and in his life." [00:50:33] (24 seconds)


"You have to make a decision when it comes to being a Christian. And every single one of us in this room have to make the same decision. He said, when it comes to being a Christian, you have to make the decision, are you gonna follow God or are you gonna please men? Because there are going to be decisions that the Lord asks you to make that people around you disagree with." [00:53:39] (22 seconds)


"So why not make the decision? The decisions that I make, every move that I make in my life, every decision that is made, everything that I do in my life is to please and to honor the Lord. I'm here for one purpose, one purpose alone, to please God. To glorify the Lord. Not to make everybody happy." [00:54:51] (22 seconds)


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Transcript
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