Sermons

Have you ever wondered why God gave the Law? What is its purpose? What is it good for? Can it give us life? Can it show us anything? This week we will answer these questions as we see the relation of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. They are two good mountains iin God's landscape, but there is one mountain that stands as Everest. It is Christ. As we fix our eyes on Jesus today we will see God's plan for the Law and its relation to His promises as we continue our journey through Paul's writing to the churches in Galatia.

How do you live your everyday life? Whose reliance are you leaning on through the activities or your day? What about when it comes to your job? What about your marriage? The answer reveals whether we live under the blessing of God or under the curse of God. Today we will look at what Paul says in the book of Galatians as he addresses the terror of that which brings divine curse and the comfort of that which brings one under divine blessing.

Have you ever sat in traffic for a long time due to an accident or construction? You most likely have. The roadblock is usually due to some problem on the road that needs to be cleaned up or fixed. This week we look at Paul as he addresses a gigantic roadblock in the plan of God. God intended to bless the whole world through Abraham's family, but Israel, the promise-bearers, were not only themselves failing, but getting in the way of the wider fulfillment. This is what is still continuing in Paul's day and specifically in Galatia. Let's be honest. We miss out on God's blessings because we get in the way. We cause many roadblocks to the blessings of God due to trying to do things on our own. Paul writes to the Galatians concerning this problem and how God dealt with it. God is still faithful to His promises. The question is, will we trust Him?

Sometimes Christians can be foolish. Let's be honest it is true. Paul addresses the foolishness in the churches of Galatia longing for the spell to be broken. As we continue our study today of Galatians we venture into chapter three. We pray that the spirit of God would be awakened in your life.

We live in a selfish age absorbed with self-esteem, self-improvement, self-fulfillment, and self-indulgence. It is all about what you want. Paul denounces such a mindset and life in one verse found in the book of Galatians. In this message we continue our study in the book of Galatians as we look into the issue of self and identity.

As we continue our study in the book of Galatians we answer the following question: how can one be made right before God? We find the answer in what is called the doctrine of justification. Martin Luther claimed that if the doctrine of justification is lost, the whole of Christian doctrine is lost. Justification remains a vital doctrine today, even if many are not sure what it means. May we know and understand what it means to be justified.

We continue to look at the opposition between Paul and Peter. This was so important to the church at Antioch, to the Galatians and the advancement of the gospel of grace. Today we also deal with conflict, opposition and being stand-offish, which were all present in Galatians 2. This is important for us and the advancement of the gospel of grace just as it was then.

The scene changes from Jerusalem to Antioch and the mood also changes as Paul confronts Peter. The reason for the public opposition is Peter's double-mindedness and double standards. He would regularly eat and fellowship with Gentiles (the uncircumcised), but as some Jewish leaders from Jerusalem arrive in Antioch Peter withdraws from the Gentiles. His hypocrisy causes others to wear mask as well including Barnabas. Andrew Peterson has said in one of his great songs, the church is the second coming of the Pharisees. At times, that is very true and so it was on this day in Antioch. May we apply and live what we profess to belileve. The gospel of grace, the soul of man and the glory of God is at stake. So, let's throw off the masks.

Paul recounts his journey with Barnabas and Titus to Jerusalem to meet with the council there. We see Paul on a mission for freedom. He is a freedom fighter fighting for the gospel of grace. The faith that is gifted to one to believe produces works. It is faith that touches the lives of others.

The gospel is literally a joyful message. Paul encounters this joyful message on the road to Damascus. God called Him and revealed Jesus to His heart. In a moment the mystery of the cross and the empty tomb of Jesus was unveiled to Paul. Paul never recovered from that. He was changed. He was now a disciple. He was commissioned to preach, to make disciples. We are all called and commissioned as Paul was. Sure it looks different on how we have the Son revealed to us, but the story line is the same. We are chosen and called as the Son of God is revealed to our heart. God also calls us to a particular service for the equipping of saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ. We are all called to be a disciple and to make disciples.