Title: The Flattery of Performance
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01:33 - Recap of Galatians Thus Far
05:45 - Reading Galatians 4:8-20
07:24 - Paul Reminds the Galatians of Their Love
08:18 - The Galatians Were Enslaved
08:57 - Both Gentiles and Jews Were Enslaved
13:47 - Don't Pervert God's Grace as Another Form of Slavery
15:48 - Paul Worried he Labored in Vain
16:36 - We Are Known by God
19:09 - The Idols We Worship Cannot Know Us
21:18 - We Are Known AND Loved by God
22:43 - God Intimately Loves You
24:46 - The Galatians Embraced Paul in Spite of Physical Ailments
27:12 - Where Did the Love of the Galatians Go?
28:20 - The Flattery of False Teachers
31:40 - Paul's Motherly Love
33:04 - The Gospel Transforms Us to Be Like Christ
35:21 - How Can We Keep from Turning to Slavery?
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Galatians 4:8–20
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. (ESV)
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Jed Gillis preaches Galatians 4:8–20 as Paul’s plea to a church drifting from grace back into a new slavery. Once captive to idols, the Galatians are now “known by God,” yet false teachers flatter them into rule-keeping and calendar observances as a way to secure standing. Paul appeals to their shared history: how they welcomed him despite his illness, and asks why truth now makes him their enemy. He exposes the agitators’ praise as self-serving and contrasts it with his own costly, mother-like labor “until Christ is formed” in them. The sermon stresses that even good practices like prayer, Scripture reading, and gathering can turn into performance if they’re used to manage God rather than enjoy his favor. The remedy is to return to the gospel, rest in the Father’s love, and live from being known and loved by God, not from achieving.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.