Pastor s Wednesday Night Bible Study Galatians: Why God Accepts Us Lesson 1: Galatians 1:1-10 Good & Bad News Rev. Kevin Henley, Sr. Introduction Paul is challenged and defends both the gospel and his standing against those who opposed him. All opposition is not always outside the church. What is our response when we are forced to defend our faith? We must in all times, in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect Overview 1
At its origins, the church grew out of conflict. Ethnicity was one of the biggest areas of conflict within the early church. The letter was directed to a district of Asia Minor as opposed to a single city or church. Paul probably visited the country during his 2nd missionary journey around A.D. 51. The church was mostly Gentiles. Purpose To defend his apostolic authority, To counter the evil influences of the Judaizers, To show that their doctrine destroyed the very essence of Christianity and To point them again to the true Gospel and faith in Christ alone. 2
I. Paul s Introduction and Greetings This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. NLT, Galatians 1:1 Paul writes with a sense of urgency but also with a tone of sadness. He starts off by addressing the main issue at hand The Judiazer teachers were teaching that Paul s doctrine was corrupt. Even in his opening greeting he points the people back to Christ and His work on the cross. Paul proclaims Christ and Him crucified. Therein lies our justification. All the brothers and sisters[a] here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. NLT Galatians 1:2 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ[b] give you grace and peace. NLT. Galatians 1:3 3
4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. Galatians 1:4-5 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. NLT Galatians 1:4-5 II. Paul s Chastening and Reproof of the Church 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.[c] You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News Galatians 1:6-7 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. NLT Galatians 1:6-7 Sometimes a lie is more attractive than the truth. (v.7). 4
Distort means to reverse. Paul preached Christ and then Christ-like behavior. The Judiazers taught righteous living and then righteousness in Christ. 8 Let God s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 10 Obviously, I m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ s servant. NLT Conclusion There is only one gospel, one truth and one way to the truth. Anything that deviates from that is not from God but from the devil. No matter who brings the message. 5