This week, Pastor Luke launched our nine week Summer series on the book of Galatians.

Paul wrote the book of Galatians:

1. Paul the missionary

Paul had a radical conversion through an encounter with Jesus Himself. Paul was tri-cultural; a Jew, a Greek, and a Roman, and this influenced the way he went about his ministry. He operated in all three cultures, which made him perfect for the job of planting churches.

It’s important to recognize that we will have the greatest influence within our own culture, and if the Lord calls us to minister within another culture – it’s extremely important that we learn it. Paul is famous for becoming all things to all people so that he might win some, and we should do the same.

Paul strategically changed his name from Saul to Paul to reach more people. Saul was his Hebrew name, and in Roman culture it meant to prance, or to waddle. He changed his name in order to be more effective – he was not about his preference, but instead he did everything he needed to, to reach as many people as possible for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Galatia is a region that Paul visited on his first missionary journey, and thus the book of Galatians is not written to one church but a region of churches.

2. Paul the Apostle

Apostles plant churches, go to the nations, and never want to sit still. They are ones who want to go. As part of the Antioch network, we are an apostolic people.

We are all called by God to go and be His witnesses wherever and through whatever we are doing. We all have a holy vocation to be His representatives wherever we are. We are a sent people.

3. Paul the defender

In the book of Galatians, Paul is defending himself, his apostleship, and the church in Galatia. Paul’s Gospel message is that it’s Jesus alone who comes on a rescue mission to free the world and bring them to salvation.

4. Paul the light in an evil age

Just like Paul, we too are living in an evil age. The spirit of the age is always going to push us away from Christ.

Pastor Luke ended his message by giving us five questions to think through and answer:

Have you actively and intentionally put your faith in Jesus?
What’s your mission in life?
We are a product of what we read and what we watch. Assess it. Is it sinking you?
Our behaviors are reinforced by our beliefs. What do you really believe? Do your behaviors reflect Jesus, His Kingdom, and His values? Trace them to the root.
What things do we love and hope for? Is it what matters to Jesus or not?