Treasured Truth

In Galatians chapter 4, Paul takes the Old Testament story about Abraham, Sarah, and Isaace and allegorizes it.  Today we’re going to dig into this passage and see what timeless truths Paul is trying to get us to understand by giving this old story a new meaning.

The Law and Grace don’t mix.  But the Apostle Paul was having a hard time communicating that fact to the Galatian believers and convincing them it was the truth.  So, he took a story from the Old Testament and allegorized it, giving it a new twist that helped them to understand.  To hear how Paul used an old story with a new meaning in his letter to the Galatians, join us for today’sTreasured Truth.

Jesus practiced incarnational ministry.  We’ll see today how Jesus went to where He knew the woman at the well would be, so He could meet her in her place of need. He didn’t tell her to come to church, or come to synagogue….He took church to her!  And that’s what we have to do in our own communities—take church to the lost people around us.

The Apostle Paul set an example for us when he was addressing the Galatian believers about the errors of their doctrine.  He equated the process to the “travails of childbirth” as he struggled to help them understand.  His ultimate goal was see the likeness of Christ formed in them. So, we can learn from Paul as we seek to assist our own fellow believers who may have accepted false doctrines that don’t line up with the truth found in God’s Word.

How do you reach someone with the truth of God’s Word, when they are confused about a doctrinal issue and believing an error?  You have to start by showing them your genuine concern for them and allowing them to sense your heart of compassion for them.  If you don’t start there, then they may confuse you with the “doctrine police” and you may miss the opportunity to help them understand the truth.

As we consider the importance of having sound doctrine, Pastor Ford will explain that we have to concerned about the truth of the gospel and that we maintain the clarity and truth of it. But we also have to have a heart. And we have to lovingly correct those around us who may have been duped by doctrinal error.

Pastor Ford will remind us today that we need to become familiar with the truth.  Why?  Because there will be people who will come to us with errors in their teaching.  They will come with heresy and lies.  And we have to be able to distinguish between the God’s truth and man’s errors.

As believers, we sometimes can get bogged down in our journey toward maturity, daunted by the perception that we need to abide by a lot of rules. But Pastor Ford will remind us today that we should concentrate on remembering how it was when we first got saved.  Do you remember the freedom that you felt and the burden that was lifted off of you?  Do you remember when you realized your sins were cast into the depths of the sea?  Remember those things and you will remember the true liberty you have in Christ.

When you consider going beyond the walls of your church to reach your community, you may not feel ready to engage the people you will encounter.  And that’s okay, because readiness can take time.  But those who are ready to go still need your support through prayer.  Your prayers will be the umbrella of protection over them, so that you can also be involved in the effort to reach those who need Christ.

As we seek to understand our motivation to love and serve God and our fellow believers,  we must realize that the Devil’s going to shoot at us to try and prevent us from striving to reach our goal.  And according to Pastor Ford, if the Devil can’t mess your church up from the outside, then what will he do? He’ll join it!  So, we don’t need to give him the bullets to shoot at us. He already knows that if he can divide us, he can defeat us.