Live Free! Sermon Series on Galatians (13 weeks) Series Theme As Americans, the idea that we are meant to live free is almost hard-wired into us. This is why we might be surprised to learn that all too often Christians struggle with what it means to live free. St. Paul address this topic in his letter to the Galatians when he warns that, without a faith that is centered squarely on Christ, all too often Christians slip off one side or the other. On one side, living as if there are no rules, on the other, as if we are still bound by things from which God has freed us. The Good News of God s unconditional love for us in Christ is a life changing message and the only real way to Live Free! Please use this during the sermons and for your weekly devotional to follow along with this Galatians Sermon Series. Additional Resources: Martin Luther - Commentary on Galatians NT Wright Galatians Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians NT Wright - Galatians (N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides)
Week 1 No Other! - Galatians 1:1-10 Sermon Theme Paul makes it clear that it is hard to overstate this truth: the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be the focus. Apparently, Jewish-Christian teachers have shown up in Galatian since Paul s departure and lead the church to believe that Paul s message was incomplete. But Paul leaves no doubt about it, we need only the Gospel of Jesus Christ and No Other! Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 4:32-40 Epistle Reading - Galatians 1:1-10 Gospel Reading John 14:1-7
Week 2 Called by His Grace - Galatians 1:11-24 Sermon Theme The Jewish-Christians who have followed behind Paul to Galatia have apparently also called into question Paul s credentials. The basic idea seems to be, Paul was one of the last to turn to Christ. Listen to us who have actually seen and heard Christ preach! And Paul s answer is as simple as it is important for 2000 years later; we are ALL Called by His Grace. Old Testament Reading Genesis 12:1-3 Epistle Reading - Galatians 1:11-24 Gospel Reading John 1:14-18
Week 3 Truth of the Gospel - Galatians 2:1-10 Sermon Theme Paul was certainly willing to have what he taught judged by the Apostles. In fact, he was eager to do so that all the church might rejoice in the work of God. That Christian freedom was to be shared with both Jew and Gentile for it is the very Truth of the Gospel. Old Testament Reading Malachi 2:1-9 Epistle Reading - Galatians 2:1-10 Gospel Reading John 7:14-18
Week 4 Justified by Faith - Galatians 2:11-21 Sermon Theme Justification by faith is the heart of what we believe and it has been the heart of Paul s message. But even Paul himself acknowledges that our lives still remain messy and the temptation MIGHT be to clean things up with the law. But the hope of every person remains the same, that even in the mess of our lives, we are justified by faith and not what we do. Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Epistle Reading - Galatians 2:11-21 Gospel Reading John 7:19-24
Week 5 Just Like Abraham - Galatians 3:1-9 Sermon Theme It is something with which we all struggle, and the Galatians were no different, Should we stick with what we know or follow a new idea. But according to Paul the struggle in this case is purely fiction. The old and the new are the same, we have come to faith Just Like Abraham, by believing the promises of God. Old Testament Reading Genesis 15:1-6 Epistle Reading - Galatians 3:1-9 Gospel Reading John 8:31-40
Week 6 The Promised Spirit - Galatians 3:10-14 Sermon Theme However, even as Paul has shown that this Gospel is not new but has always been part of the faith of Abraham s descendants, he does admit that something is new. God s people are no longer guided by the Law for that way is cursed. Now all, both Jew and Gentile, have received the promised Spirit by faith. Old Testament Reading Joel 2:28-29 Epistle Reading - Galatians 3:10-14 Gospel Reading John 14:25-27
Week 7 One in Christ - Galatians 3:15-29 Sermon Theme All of this is not to say that the law had no purpose, because its job was to act as a guardian. But now faith has come and we are ALL children of God. In fact, Paul says that in our Baptism, we have put on Christ and ALL the old distinctions that separated us are gone, we are now One in Christ. Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34 Epistle Reading - Galatians 3:15-29 Gospel Reading John 17:20-26
Week 8 No Longer Slaves - Galatians 4:1-7 Sermon Theme Being In Christ means a radical and amazing change for each and every one of us. The desire of every descendant of Abraham has come true, to truly be children of God. So why would anyone want to leave the position of heir and return to slavery? Yet that is what happens when we try to live by the law and forget that we are No Longer Slaves. Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 7:7-9 Epistle Reading - Galatians 4:1-7 Gospel Reading John 1:9-13
Week 9 Christ Is Formed in You - Galatians 4:8-20 Sermon Theme Paul s genuine hurt is clear as he struggles to understand how the Galatians have so easily returned to their old ways. The Jewish-Christians have somehow convinced them that the observances of tradition are more important than the Gospel! Still, Paul is not ready to give up as his desire is to see: Christ Formed in You. Old Testament Reading Isaiah 43:1-7 Epistle Reading - Galatians 4:8-20 Gospel Reading John 14:18-24
Week 10 Children of Promise - Galatians 4:21-31 Sermon Theme To make his point even clearer and to show that what he writes is consistent with the Old Testament, Paul uses the example of Hagar and Sara. Both give Abraham a son, but only one of those sons was from God s promise. Even today the question is worth asking, Do we live as if we are children of slavery or Children of Promise? Old Testament Reading Genesis 17:15-21 Epistle Reading - Galatians 4:21-31 Gospel Reading John 8:39-47
Week 11 Set Free - Galatians 5:1-15 Sermon Theme The very heart of Paul s concern is expressed here, that when it comes to our freedom in Christ it is an all or nothing situation. If we trust in the law or what we do even a tiny bit, then we obligate ourselves to keep ALL of it. Paul again exhorts all Christians everywhere to know and believe that in Christ they have been Set Free. Old Testament Reading Leviticus 19:9-18 Epistle Reading - Galatians 5:1-15 Gospel Reading John 13:31-35
Week 12 Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26 Sermon Theme Paul is not unaware of the other side into which many Christians might slip, that because we are set free from the law we now live as if everything is permissible for us. But the truth is that while we do not keep the law so that God will love us, there are still many things that negate the Spirt of the Gospel. In fact, this new Spirit leads us to live life for the benefit of our neighbor and the glory of God; the very Fruit of the Spirit. Old Testament Reading Isaiah 32:15-18 Epistle Reading - Galatians 5:16-26 Gospel Reading John 15:12-17
Week 13 Bear One Another s Burdens - Galatians 6:1-18 Sermon Theme Finally, in Paul s closing to the Galatians he reminds us that our Christian life is one that is lived together, in community. Each free Christian is a gift to one another that we might help Bear One Another s Burdens. Old Testament Reading Numbers 11:16-17 Epistle Reading - Galatians 6:1-18 Gospel Reading John 14:8-14