Galatians

“Drift” is a continuous, slow movement from one place to another. It’s getting off course, almost imperceptibly, from your aim. We drift by nature apart from intentional focus. It happens in our work, our family life, and it happens in our faith. 

The foundation and fuel of our faith is the gospel, the good news that we are justified by God through faith in Jesus Christ. But we can easily drift from the true gospel and toward other false “gospels.” We can put our trust in our efforts instead of Christ alone. We can live for certain results we want to see in our lives instead of God’s glory. We can ignore the gospel and become enamored by other spiritual interests or fascinating claims. 

That’s what happened in the churches in Galatia. They were “bewitched” (3:1) by counterfeit teachers and abandoned the true gospel. It can happen in our churches too. Paul addresses this drift with his most ardent letter, calling us to renewed fidelity to the gospel of Christ, living by the Spirit of Christ. 

Join us for this 14-week series as we explore what it means to “live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Messages

 

Part 1 – Embrace God’s Grace and Peace – Kevin Rogers. Paul introduces us not only to himself and his original readers but to the main theme of the entire book: Christians are free from the tyranny of sin through faith in Christ and through faith in Christ alone.

Part 2 – Warning Against a Fake Gospel – Jose Troche. All people, even Christians, tend to turn to fake gospels. Paul has strong warnings for those who preach and embrace them.

Part 3 – God Himself is the Source of the Gospel – Kevin Rogers. Paul uses his life story to prove that he was not the source of his message. Four things in his conversion demonstrate that God is the source of the gospel. God is the one who consecrated Paul, called him by grace, revealed the Son to him, and commissioned him for a purpose.

Part 4 – The Authenticity of the Gospel – Kevin Rogers. The true gospel will always be consistent with its apostolic foundation and the broader Christian congregation.

Part 5 – Confrontation and Justification – Robin Boisvert. Paul would not budge on his conviction that justification is by faith in Christ and not works of the law. This conviction, and his willingness even to confront Peter over it, protected the purpose of the death of Christ and the gospel itself.

Part 6 – Justified by Faith – Kevin Rogers. Paul shows that justification is by faith alone through each Christian’s experience, Abraham’s example, and Christ’s exoneration.

Part 7 – Life Comes Through the Promise – Kevin Rogers. You cannot find life in simply keeping the law, so you must believe God’s promise.

Part 8 – Sons and Heirs of God – Robin Boisvert. We were held captive under the law until faith came. In Christ, we are captive no longer, but we are sons and heirs now that the time has fully come.

Part 9 – A Personal Appeal – Robin Boisvert. Paul makes a personal, fatherly, and pastoral appeal for the true gospel with three questions: 1) How can you turn back? 2) What became of the blessing you felt? and 3) Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Part 10 – God's Free Children – Kevin Rogers. We are God’s free children. And as such, we should not rely on our flesh but rely on the promise and power of God.

Part 11 – Christ Has Set You Free – Kevin Rogers. Christ has set you free, so persist in your freedom by serving one another in love.

Part 12 – The War Within – Kevin Rogers. Yield to the Spirit, resist the flesh, and enjoy the spoils of war won by Christ.

Part 13 – The Way You Live and Treat Others Matters for Today and Eternity - Jose Troche. Living by the Spirit means bearing one another’s burdens and persevering in doing good.

Part 14 – Final Words – Robin Boisvert. The cross is offensive, but it is also glorious and sufficient for salvation.

 

Helpful Resources

 

Video: Galatians – The Bible Project. Galatians teaches that believers are justified by Jesus alone. They are a part of a diverse family and equipped by the Spirit to love God and others.

 

Galatians for You – Tim Keller. For personal and small group study. Available at the church bookstore. 

 

ESV Scripture Journal – Journal through this sermon series alongside the text. Available at the church bookstore. 

 

Galatians – Martin Luther. Dig deeper into Galatians, the gospel, and church history all at the same time with this classic commentary.