I’m very excited to begin our new series in Galatians, “God’s Good News for EVERYONE”! We’ll explore in depth, just how good God’s good news really is and how it really is intended for EVERYONE.
Paul’s letter really begins by extending the themes we discussed on Easter – the good news of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, and the implications of that good news for transforming our dark and hurting world. Paul’s opening verses introduce the major themes of the letter, which has as much to say to us in the 21st century as it did to the Galatian churches in the 1st century.
Scripture Reference
Galatians 1: 1-5
Sermon Audio
Sermon Notes
The Authority of Jesus (verse 1)
- Paul writes as a messenger of God and Christ, not any man or men
- For this reason, his words are authoritative then and now
The Gifts of Jesus
- Grace and Peace from God & Jesus (verse 3)
- Paul’s standard greeting describes gifts uniquely available from God and Jesus – unmerited grace and transcendent peace
- Jesus gave Himself for our sins (verse 4)
The Deliverance of Jesus (verse 4)
What does it mean for us to be “delivered from this present evil age”?
- Delivered from slavery to sin and death into eternal life (Galatians 5: 1, 6: 8)
- Delivered from loneliness and isolation
- Christ in us (Galatians 2: 20), Adopted by God (Galatians 4: 4-7), into community (Galatians 6: 1-2)
- Delivered from selfishness into loving others (Galatians 6: 9-10)
While our hearts break for this present evil age, as Christians our hope lies in “ages of ages” – eternity in the presence of God’s glory! (verse 5)