We continue our study through Galatians this week in Galatians 4:1-20.

We continue our Freedom study this week in Chapter 3 in the book of Galatians.

"Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Not a bunch of rules to be followed." 
- Dr. David Jeremiah 
Paul's letter to the Galatians is proof that this problem that plagues Christians today is as ancient as the first-century Christians.  God calls us to live under and according to biblical grace.  In today's message, we'll define three terms that will help us understand the context of Paul's letter a bit more, biblical grace, legalism, and cheap grace.

In Galatians 1-2 we get to hear Paul's personal story.  How he found freedom in Christ and his journey of becoming a "freedom fighter."  We also see how people doubted his calling to preach the Gospel because of his past.  Scripture tells us that Paul was moved by the direction of God.  He was moved by "revelation" from God.  He did not need assurance from anyone but God and he preached the gospel he received from God.  He didn't change or add anything to it.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ saves and redeems...it needs nothing else. 

In Galatians 1-2 we get to hear some of Paul's personal story.  How he found freedom in Christ and his journey of becoming a "freedom fighter."  This week we outline his story from persecutor to preacher.  One thing we want to take away from today's message is, "Like Paul, God saved you, by grace, through Jesus, for the sake of others and for His glory."

We're in week one of a nine-week series through the book of Galatians.  As we begin this study today we first want to look at the big picture.  What is Paul's tone?  Who are the key people?  What's the problem with the churches in Galatia and why is Paul writing this letter.  We're excited to dive deep into God's Word with this series.

In the culture that we're living in a lot of things can weigh us down and keep us from standing upright.  We no longer have to weigh ourselves down.  The grace of God can help us stand upright and unchain us from the things that are weighing us down.   

It's Senior Sunday at Collective today!  We're honored to have the chance to not only recognize them today but also to serve the Lord alongside them.  What a joy and privilege it is to be part of their stories and watch God work in their lives.  
We draw our message from Psalm 139:16 today.  It tells us that our lives are a story recorded in God's book.  It is a story tightly tethered to a much larger Story.  No matter what was in our past story, in our present story, or what's ahead in our future His heart for us is filled with goodness.  

Part 3 of 4

Four Common Grave Clothes
1. Self Rejection
2. Fear
3. Guilt
4. Disappointment

Part 2 of the Messy Spirituality series:
Four Messy Questions About Spiritual Transformation...
1. Why does Jesus sometimes make us wait when we seem to need Him the most?
2.  What tombs are you failing to face?
3. Why do you run from the stench of transformation?
4. Have you allowed God to lighten the load of your "grave-clothes"?