Text: Galatians 2:11-16

Galatians 1:11-24

“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. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.”

Text: Galatians 1:6-10

“Do this and live,” the law demands,
But gives me neither feet nor hands.
A better word the gospel brings,
Bids me fly and gives me wings.

Referenced in this sermon is Thomas Chalmer’s essay, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.  The article in it’s entirety is available for download here.

Galatians 1-6

Today’s message begins our study of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians with an overview of the book.

“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:1-5 ESV)

Keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing
Romans 1-4, Luke 24:44-49

Sunday’s message lays the foundation for our theme this year:

By God’s grace we will seek to believe, understand, dwell on, live, and proclaim the gospel in such a way that it permeates everything we are as individuals and as a church.

“Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than a diamond. Its depths man will never exhaust.” -C.J. Mahaney