Wayside Bible Chapel

We return to a key verse in the last sermon to mine the riches in it.

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? What does it mean for Christ to live in me? This sermon goes into depth on this key passage and challenge to the Galatians and to our lives today.

The legalistic Jewish Christians were insinuating that Paul was sinning by eating with the Gentile believers. They had missed the wonder of the new covenant in Jesus' blood making Jew and Gentile one.

The old covenant and its demands along with pride in keeping the rules Paul declared crucified with Christ on the cross. Now, in place of the law, the Spirit reigns in us, the very life of Christ! His life in us helps us to live in the Spirit, which is something the laws of Moses could never do.

Peter had previously agreed with Paul that salvation was by grace alone. But when Peter went to visit the mostly Gentile church in Antioch and Jews came up from Jerusalem, he separated himself from the Gentiles and ate with the Jews. Paul called out his hypocrisy. It was an essential turning point for the church. If Paul had not confronted Peter, we would have a very different church trying to obey the laws of Moses.

Paul attempted to resolve the conflict with some of the false teachers that came from Jerusalem to Antioch in a discreet manner. He made sure he and the leaders of the church were on the same page regarding salvation by grace alone. Later it would require a public meeting because the false teachers couldn't let go of their traditions. The sermon addresses the issues that we as followers of Christ must contend for and what things are debatable. You will also learn about the cultural issues that affected this confrontation.

The Apostle Paul received his gospel of grace through a revelation of Jesus. The sermon explains the process and why it was important for him to mention it. The text has a number of references to back the opinion.

The sermon also looks into the difference in translation regarding Christ being revealed to Paul or in Paul and why the traditional translation is more powerful.

In this passage, Paul makes one of the harshest statements in any of his letters. It shows the ferocity with which he would go to defend the gospel of grace delivered to him to proclaim to the world. He also defends himself by declaring he isn't a people-pleaser. It challenges us to check our motivations and devotion to the truth he taught.

Paul's introduction to his letter to the Galatians not only reminds us that Jesus is more than a mere man and the conqueror of death, but that grace and peace are ours in Him. He delivers us from the present evil age. Without some knowledge of Jewish thought, the concept is hard to grasp. It is the truth that the Galatians and all who doubt the wonder of grace need to understand.

Our first sermon in Galatians explains the problem in the churches of Galatia and why Paul so fiercely opposed the teaching that had infiltrated the church there. It also takes a deep look at the first verse which is a compact defense of Paul's ministry and a rebuttal to the error in doctrine.

Joshua's last words to the new nation of Israel reminded them of all God had done for them. Then he told them what their response should be. It is the same for us today. God has sent His Son to die the death we deserved that we might have life. How should we respond to such love? And what should He do if we turn our backs to that love and serve other gods? That challenge and warning Joshua gives are just as relevant today.

In one of Joshua's last messages to the nation, he told them how important it is for them to cling to God (23:8). We first find that word in the Bible when Adam is told to cling to his wife so that they are one flesh (Gen 2:24).

The relationship of God with His people was always meant to be a love relationship. It is no wonder then that Paul describes the relationship of marriage as a picture of Christ and the church. Everything that would interfere in that relationship then is idolatry which the prophets refer to as an adulterous act.