"Galatians--God's Answer to Jesus-Plus_______Christians"

TEXT: Galatians 1:1-5

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- {2} and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: {3} Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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INTRODUCTION: There's a ridge in the Rocky Mountains called the CONTINENTAL DIVIDE. At the top of that ridge, two drops of water can land very close to one another...If one lands on one side of the top of that mountain, it will eventually make its way to the Gulf of Mexico...

If one lands on the OTHER side of the top of that mountain, eventhough it's only a FRACTION OF AN INCH away from the other drop, it will end up in the Pacific Ocean.

That's where the term WATERSHED comes from...You can be SO CLOSE to the TRUTH at one point, but because it's OFF, you end up THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY from the truth at some point...

Your and my understanding of GALATIANS is a WATERSHED ISSUE....If you understand Galatians, you'll be on the right side of the mountain--with IMMEASUREABLE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS...

If you FAIL to understand GALATIANS, you'll end up under a CURSE, as Paul himself said! IT'S JUST THAT IMPORTANT!

S.P.S.: Today we are going to begin a new series of studies in Paul's letter to the Galatians.

In this book we will see the apostle Paul as a controversialist who demonstrates his love for the truth of justification by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Paul loved truth but he also hated error and Galatians shows just how much he did hate any tampering with the gospel of grace.

ILLUSTRATION: In the days of the reformation Martin Luther chose Galatians as his most effective weapon in overthrowing the mass of error which had been piled on the simple foundations of the Gospel.

Luther's commentary on Galatians was written and rewritten.

It cost him more labor, and was more highly esteemed by him, than any of his works.

He said of Galatians: "The epistle to the Galatians is my epistle; I have betrothed myself to it: it is my wife."

Today the climate has changed. Controversy is frowned upon and compromise is approved.

Today some would advise Paul to sit down and enter into dialogue with the Judaizing teachers.

But I am confident that Paul would reply with those same words he penned in Galatians 1:8,

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

We need church members today who have imbibed the Pauline spirit of Galatians and who will vigorously defend an unadulterated Gospel.

I. The GOALS of this series on Galatians...

There are several things that I would like to see accomplished through these studies:

(1) I would like to see a greater appreciation for doctrinal accuracy developed.

If we accept the Bible as God's Word and believe in verbal inspiration, we should be careful to state the truth as accurately as possible.

This cannot be done with out diligent study of books such as Galatians and Romans.

(2) I trust that we will learn some of the ways that enemies of the truth attempt to distort the truth.

Sometimes they seek to discredit the messenger and other times they attempt to dilute the truth with just a trifle of error.

(3) I would like to see the Holy Spirit give us the conviction to stand for the truth and the courage to stand fast against error.

(4) I hope that we will appreciate the relationship between doctrine and practice.

The Christian life must be built upon Christian doctrine.

Today it is fashionable to play down doctrine and emphasize performance.

But no matter how you look at it our pattern of life is based on our platform of beliefs. What we believe will determine the way we live.

(5) I trust that we will realize anew that the kind of life God requires of us can only be experienced as we "walk in the Spirit."

II. The Background of the Book of Galatians

There are a number of background matters that could be discussed and which are well considered in most commentaries. However I don't believe we will detain ourselves with too many problems of introduction this time.

One matter of importance to us concerns the purpose for writing the letter to the Galatians.

After Paul had preached to the Galatians a number had accepted his message and adhered to it up to the time that Paul left them.

Soon after there appeared those who troubled the Galatians (1:7) and bewitched them with their specious reasoning (3:1).

GAL 1:7 NIV which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

GAL 3:1 NIV You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

These trouble-makers are known as Judaizers because they were Jews who tried to mix the Gospel of grace with the observance of the Old Covenant.

They taught that circumcision was necessary (5:2-6), the observance of "days, months, and times, and years" was required, and that perfection could only be had through keeping the ceremonial laws (3:1-5).

GAL 5:2 NIV Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. {3} Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. {4} You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. {5} But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. {6} For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

GAL 4:9 NIV But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? {10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! {11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

GAL 3:1 NIV You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. {2} I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? {3} Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? {4} Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? {5} Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

Not only did the Judaizers attack Paul's Gospel but they attacked his personal ministry.

His opponents accused him of not being a true Apostle.

They said that he had not been one of the Lord's personal followers and he got all his knowledge of the Gospel second hand.

They tried these two approaches: Discredit the messenger and pervert the message.

Discrediting the messenger is a very WEAK approach...called an ad hominem attack...

How did Paul answer these opponents' charges?

The book of Galatians is composed of 6 chapters and is divided into 3 sections of 2 chapters each.

Chapters 1 and 2 are biographical in nature and they deal with personal matters. Here Paul defends his apostleship and his message as originating with God. A defense of his AUTHORITY..

In chapters 3 and 4 the material is theological in nature as Paul deals with doctrinal matters. Here Paul gives one of the clearest presentations and defenses of the doctrine of justification by faith apart from the works of the law. A defense of JUSTICATION BY FAITH...

Chapters 5 and 6 material is highly practical for in these concluding chapters Paul's Gospel is applied to daily life. A defense of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY...

Now turning to the text of Galatians we will take a look at Paul's salutation which includes verses 1-5.

III. Paul's SALUTATION to the Galatians...The GROUND of LIBERTY presented...

The ground of liberty presented...

A comparison of this salutation with other New Testament letters written by Paul will show that this letter is not going to be a friendly letter filled with personal commendation.

Here we find no qualifying phrase that identifies the Galatians as "saints" (cf 1 Cor. 1:2), "beloved of God", (cf. Rom. 1:7), or "faithful in Christ Jesus" (cf. Ephesians 1:1).

The reason for such an abrupt opening is given in Galatians 4:11 and 20, where he says, "I stand in doubt of you."

Paul was in no mood for words of commendation when he penned this letter.

Neither do we find any opening prayer recorded in this letter.

This was no time for prayer either. His spiritual muscles were flexed...Warm blood was surging through his veins.

God's Gospel of pure grace was being perverted.

Paul's converts were confused and lapsing from the faith...

There are two threads which run through this epistle in an attempt to answer Paul's opponents.

One thread has to do with the defence of Paul's apostleship because the Judaizers said he was nota true apostle.

The second thread has to do with Paul's clear and persistent teaching of the doctrine of grace.

Both of these threads are knotted together in the opening salutation.

By referring to his apostleship he meets the personal attack.

By reference to the work of Christ, he protests against the doctrinal errors of his enemies...

IV. The Apostleship of Paul--the ORIGIN of his Mission...

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--

Saul was his Jewish name and Paul was his Roman name.

Since his ministry was primarily to the Gentiles, the name Paul was used.

The word "apostle" is a combination of the preposition from and the verb to send.

Therefore, the word apostle basically means "one who is sent from."

Our nearest equivalent English would be the term ambassador.

Since the Judaizers had claimed that Paul was not a true apostle, he immediately adds a statement concerning the origin of his call as an apostle.

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--

He begins with a negative statement declaring that his apostleship did not have a human source ("not of men") and neither did it have a human channel ("neither by man").

In other words, Paul was not commissioned as an apostle by any group of authorized men such as the twelve apostles.

Neither did any single pillar of the church lay hands upon him and commission him.

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--

The negative statement is followed by the positive assertion that apostleship originated with Deity.

The source of his office was "Jesus Christ, and God the Father."

Paul conceded the two persons as the joint source of his call.

The one preposition governing both names also indicates that Paul regarded Jesus Christ equal in essence with God the Father.

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--

Verse one concludes with the statement that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

Attention is called to Christ's resurrection because it was only by that he could receive his apostleship, (cf. Acts 1:22-27; 1 Cor. 9:1;).

ACT 1:22 NIV beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." {23} So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. {24} Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen {25} to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." {26} Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

1CO 9:1 NIV Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?

His appointment was by the risen Head of the Church.

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- {2} and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia:

In verse 2 mention is made of the brethren that were with Paul.

Some hold that these brethren had come from the churches of Galatia as a duly commissioned delegation (Lenski, pp.13,14, 25).

Others believe that they were probably a small band of Paul's fellow travellers (Lightfoot, p. 72).

The little word "all" might suggest that these brethren had discussed the whole matter about which Paul was writing and they were all in agreement.

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- {2} and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia:

"The churches of Galatia" (v.2) indicates the people to whom the letter was being sent.

The plural "churches" would suggest that the letter was to be carried from church to church by different representatives.

I follow the view of Ramsay who sets forth the idea that Paul refers to the province of Galatia, (the south Galatian theory).

In verse 3 Paul expresses his wish for the Galatians in that grace and peace might be their portion.

These are the twin benefits of the Gospel of grace preached by Paul.

The SOURCE of Salvation is GRACE....

The NATURE of Salvation is PEACE....

Instead of reveling in grace the Galatians were being bound with the cords of legalism.

Instead of resting in peace they were backsliding in confusion.

It is important to note that grace and peace come from the same two persons from whom Paul's apostleship came.

Grace and peace are only dispensed from the Father and the Son.

The Judaizers can offer then neither.

V. The Deliverance of Christ--the CONTENT of his Message...

Having anchored the first thread that Paul will weave through the fabric of his letter, he now anchors the second thread, namely, the deliverance of Christ which comes through the Gospel of grace.

ACT 13:1 NIV In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. {2} While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." {3} So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. {4} The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

ACT 13:13 NIV From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. {14} From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. {15} After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." {16} Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!

ACT 13:26 NIV "Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. {27} The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. {28} Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. {29} When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. {30} But God raised him from the dead, {31} and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. {32} "We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers {33} he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. ' {34} The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' {35} So it is stated elsewhere: "'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' {36} "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. {37} But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. {38} "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. {39} Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. {40} Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: {41} "'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'"

The DELIVERANCE Paul speaks of CANNOT BE HAD through the LAW OF MOSES!

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- {2} and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: {3} Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Paul strikes at the very core of the problem by referring to the substitutionary death of Christ and its results.

Any distortions of Gospel truth or Christian life truth must ultimately be traced back to defective views of the work of Christ on the cross.

Christ died that WE might be delivered from the world, the flesh and the devil.

If we are in bondage in any of these areas, it is because we do not fully understand what Christ did or we refuse to appropriate the benefits of His death in our lives.

GAL 1:1 NIV Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- {2} and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: {3} Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observe some of the aspects of this deliverance as Paul unfolds it in

verses 4 and 5:

1.) The price paid for it - "gave himself"

Deliverance could never be known apart from the sacrifice of Christ.

Christ did not give something from himself but He gave himself.

The little word "gave" indicates something of the nature of His sacrifice in that it shows that it was a gift of grace.

So many of our problems in the Christian life stem from the fact that we look at what we have instead of Who we have.

He gave himself in death that we might have life, (cf. Eph. 5:25; Gal. 2:20).

GAL 1:4 NIV who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2.) The problem solved in it - "our sins"

The death of Christ was made necessary because of the problem of sin that separated man from God, (cf. Isa. 59:2).

Sin was the barrier that stood between God and man and it had to be removed before man could be brought into a saving relationship to God, (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 John 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21).

The only place that God deals with our sins is at the cross of Calvary.

Jesus settled the issues of sin and has broken down the barrier separating us from God.

Consequently, there is only one sin that keeps a man from God today - the sin of unbelief.

GAL 1:4 NIV who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

3.) The purpose achieved by it - "that he might deliver us"

"The Gospel is a rescue, an emancipation from a state of bondage," (Lightfoot, p.73).

In the New Testament several purposes are assigned for the death of Christ.

In 1 Timothy 2:6 Paul says, "who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

In other words he died that the testimony of the cross should be proclaimed in this age.

A second purpose is found in Titus 2:14 which says, "who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity an( purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

That is, He gave himself for us that we might be a possession for him.

The third text is this one in Galatians 1:4. He gave him-self that He might rescue His own from this present evil age.

Here Paul means that Christ's death is the basis for the believer's victory over this wicked world system of which we are a part.

GAL 1:4 NIV who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

4.) The praise ascribed because of it - "to whom be glory"

There are two things to notice here.

First that this death and deliverance is according to the will of God.

The cross is God's way of deliverance over sin.

Second, whenever this Gospel of rescuing grace is preached and people are being delivered from sin, there is only one person who will receive the glory.

The Judaizers took all the glory for what they were doing; God received all the glory for what Paul was doing.

It is always a good test to apply to Christian doctrine or Christian life - who gets the glory?

If you do, it is highly probable that the flesh is behind your efforts.

If God does, then Christ is being exalted.

CONCLUSION: Do you know anything about this deliverance that Christ has wrought for you in his death? Have you entered into that glorious liberty that

Christ has made possible?

John said, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be indeed free."

True freedom and liberty are found in Christ and through the cross.

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SCRIPTURE READING:

JOH 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." {13} The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid." {14} Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. {15} You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. {16} But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. {17} In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. {18} I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me." {19} Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." {20} He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come. {21} Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." {22} This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?" {23} But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. {24} I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be , you will indeed die in your sins." {25} "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. {26} "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." {27} They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. {28} So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. {29} The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." {30} Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. {31} To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." {33} They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" {34} Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. {35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. {36} So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Acknowledgement: I gratefully acknowledge the help of Pastor David W. Haines
of Palisades Community Bible Church, Revere, PA, who has graciously shared his notes from over 40 years in ministry