Let's review

Theme:

The gospel (good news) that justifies you is the gospel

that brings growth - stand firm in it!

Let's review•We lack righteousness and the ability to get it ourselves•We also lack the ability to grow in and of ourselves•Both come only by grace through faith•Others WILL try to convince you otherwise

Gal. 5 - the flesh or the Spirit?•Growth in the Christian life is only possible by the Spirit•A Christian occupied by legalism and the flesh will fail•Christians who live in the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom•We can only inherit the Kingdom by walking in the Spirit

Let's review•Just as the Spirit is necessary for individual growth, He is necessary for corporate growth•Love does not occur apart from walking in the Spirit•Failure to love leads to failure to inherit

Merit-based inheritance

Matthew 5:3, 5, 10_____________________

2 Tim. 2:12a_____________________

Rev. 2:26-27

Galatians 6:6

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with

him who teaches.

Galatians 6:6

One responsibility of each believer is to shoulder the

financial support of the pastor-teachers in the church.

(The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 661)

1 Cor. 9:7-14

Galatians 6:6

"This concept of voluntary giving to provide for the Lord's

servants was revolutionary since Jews were taxed for the

support of their priests and Gentiles paid fees, made vows, etc., to sustain their religions"

(BKC, p. 610)

Galatians 6:7

Broadened to stewardship in life.

_____________________________

When a believer sows what is displeasing to God, he reaps

God's displeasure and the consequences it brings.

Galatians 6:8

We sow to our flesh or to the Spirit.

the flesh = legalism

the Spirit = living by faith

Galatians 6:8-9

"corruption" = "destruction" or "ruin"

1. Believers can't lose EL

2. Context (5:21) involves

losing inheritance

3. 2 Tim. 2:12 - ruling with

Christ involved.

Galatians 6:8-9

4. to "reap everlasting life" is

not the same as receiving

the free gift of eternal life.

"sow" and "reap" vs. believe and receive.

Galatians 6:8-9

We can invest in our eternal experience by what we do.

John 4:31-36; 10:10

OR...

Galatians 6:8-9

...we go to heaven by taking care of pastor-teachers and traveling ministers.

(psst...pick the first one...)

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due

season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Faithfulness does not get us to heaven, but it does bring

reward.

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are

of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10

Since good works bring reward, a Spirit-filled life leading to good works is

critical.

Galatians 6:10

A believer has a measure of responsibility to all people, but

a greater one to his/her spiritual family.

Individual believers are to focus on the (spiritual) family.

Galatians 6:11

See with what large letters I have written to you with my

own hand!

Galatians 6:11

In a sense, Paul typed this letter in all "caps".

May involve his eyesight or for emphasis.

Galatians 6:12

As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh,

these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they

may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13

For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but

they desire to have you circumcised that they may

boast in your flesh.

Galatians 6:12-13

The legalists (Judaizers) insisted that circumcision was

necessary for salvation

(Acts 15:1)

Galatians 6:12-13

The legalists were:

1) men-pleasers instead of

God-pleasers

2) afraid of persecution

3) wanting to boast about the

number of Galatians they

could win over

Galatians 6:12-13

Faith + works softens the softens the "offense" of the

cross.

As for Paul...

Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of

our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been

crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:12-13

As for Paul, the cross that shame to the legalists was the

object of his glory.

Galatians 6:15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor

uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Galatians 6:15

Only being part of a new creation by new birth can we

be like Christ and love others.

Galatians 6:16

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace

and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Galatians 6:16

Paul wishes mercy and peace to those who live by the

principle of grace through faith for eternal life and growth, and

upon believing Jews.

Galatians 6:17

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the

marks of the Lord Jesus.

Paul's critics should be silenced by his clear devotion

to Christ.

Galatians 6:18

Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your

spirit. Amen.

Like so many NT letters, we are reminded of the critical nature

of grace for the believer.

When we live our lives depending on the flesh...

...we never meet God's standards of righteousness.

We can not have eternal life, we do not produce the fruit of the Spirit, and we do not

have an eternal inheritance.

Only by grace through faith...

1. ...are we declared righteous and receive the Spirit

2. ...do we walk in the Spirit and produce His fruit in our lives

3. ...do we build a better future as we walk in the Spirit

The Hole in the Gospel?•Very good to challenge people to act consistent with the heart of God•Yet, very dangerous•To try to "fix" the gospel without first embracing the gospel is the surest way to fail on many levels

The Hole in the Gospel?•A hole is not filled by making it larger•We need the Spirit, we need to be justified, we need to realize our need•The cart operates properly when the horse is in front

The Hole in the Gospel?This concept challenges Paul's

major point in Galatians._____________________

We get eternal life, justification, and the Holy

Spirit by faith______________________

That is also how we grow______________________

The Hole in the Gospel?

To minimize need and dependency is to minimize the gospel.

_______________________________

When I live by faith and do good works, it energizes me and what I believe. Encouraged

to live by faith, I do more works and so on.

We have to start at the right place to play the

game!

Without grace there is no "Go"!