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What does Gal. 5:16-18 tell us about the source of genuine spirituality?

1. Genuine Spirituality is Not Self-Produced. (Gal. 5:16)

- Dominant theme in N.T. = “live…walk…keep in step with…be controlled…be filled with the Spirit”.

- To “live” or “walk” by the Spirit is to live under the guidance and influence of the Spirit.

- “Live by…” = “go on living” (lifestyle; “habitual conduct”)

- “Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to conquering sinful desires.” (Mounce)

- To “walk” is basic to living physically and spiritually.

- Only the Holy Spirit living, controlling, and working in us and through us can produce genuine spiritual life.

2. Genuine Spirituality Operates in an Atmosphere of Conflict. (Gal. 5:17-18)

- The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

- Genuine spirituality is something we become conscious of due to the inner conflicts we experience.

- The Spirit controlled/empowered life is the only way to experience genuine spirituality.

Paul begins to describe what freedom in Christ leads to and results in:

1. Freedom in Christ Leads to the Pursuit of Holiness. (Gal. 5:13)

- Christian freedom is not the licence to practice evil.

- Important spiritual truth: All people are servants to something.

- Freedom is living as God created us to live.

- The “true grace of God” (1 Peter 5:12)…but there’s also a false grace of God (note Jude 4).

- Freedom in Christ isn’t a licence to sin but an opportunity to serve.

- Freedom in Christ leads us in pursuit of holiness (not spiritual and moral chaos), and that holiness is demonstrated in relationships with people.

2. Freedom in Christ Results in Harmony. (Gal. 5:14-15)

- Was “faith expressing itself through love” “fighting tooth and nail…cat fight”?

- Where legalism dominates, factions and cliques form and poor relationships become the norm.

- Real freedom in Jesus Christ results in harmony, unity, and people consumed with wanting to serve others.

Conclusion:

- Does our life show that we’re letting “freedom rise” (pursuing holiness, moral transformation, serving others in love, seeking to know God more)?

- Or does our life demonstrate we’re pursuing a “false grace” (excuse for sinful behaviours and attitudes), or any form of legalism is expressing itself in poor relationships, a critical spirit, etc.)?

Gal. 4:21-31 most puzzling for modern Christians because it’s an allegory.

Paul teaches to be “free at last”, we need to have two birth certificates.

1. The Historical Facts. (Gal. 4:21-23)

2. The Spiritual Truths. (Gal. 4:24-27)

3. The Practical Responses. (Gal. 4:28-31)

Gal 5:1-12 Does God’s grace lead to license?

Paul describes what’s a stake in the conflict between legalism and grace:

1. Genuine Freedom is at Stake. (Gal. 5:1)

The whole purpose of Jesus Christ is to free us.

It was always God’s purpose to set His people free.

2. Genuine Spirituality is at Stake. (Gal. 5:2-6)

Paul makes four profound statements to describe how high the stakes

are in the conflict between legalism and grace (Gal. 5:2-4).

“It is bad enough that legalism robs the believer of his liberty, but it

also robs him of his spiritual wealth in Christ. The believer living

under the Law becomes a bankrupt slave.” (Wiersbe)

We cannot mix legalism and grace.

We cannot be justified with God in two ways at once.

3. Genuine Guidance is at Stake. (Gal. 5:7-12)

Judaizers had “hindered…cut in on…obstructed” them and sent them on a “wild goose chase” and a “spiritual detour”.

The stakes in the conflict between grace and legalism are very high.

Paul wants them to know that:

1. Wrong Theology Leads to Slavery. (Gal. 4:8-11)

They were reverting to “elemental things” that are “weak and bankrupt”.

They were giving up the power of the Gospel for the weakness of Law, and the wealth of the Gospel for the poverty of Law. (Wiersbe)

Paul’s heart heavy as he saw faulty beliefs propel the Galatians from freedom to bondage, from power to weakness, and from God’s riches to spiritual poverty.

2. Wrong Theology Ruins Personal Relationships. (Gal. 4:12-18)

Thorn in the flesh = stake thrust into my body.

What has happened to all your joy?

Judaizers wanted “to lock-out” Paul and Paul’s liberty from the Galatians.

3. Wrong Theology Produces Painful Confusion. (Gal. 4:19-20)

Can we see the cry of a pastor’s heart?

Paul’s heavy burden: was to see signs of growth in Christlikeness in them.

He wants believers to become mature, responsible, to become free, and focused upon Christ.

Belonging to the “right family” can make a huge difference in life.

Belonging to God’s family makes the greatest possible difference because it means:

1. We Have a New Status. (Gal. 4:1-5)

2. We Have a New Life Source. (Gal. 4:6)

- In Christ we have the complete working of the Triune God in our lives to assure and confirm to us we are members of God’s family.

- “Abba” = informal term of affection, warmth, closeness, intimacy.

3. We Have an Amazing Future. (Gal. 4:7)

- We are heirs…

- God has made available to us as His heirs the:

Riches of his grace. (Eph. 2:6-7)

Riches of His glory. (Phil. 4:19)

Riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience. (Rom. 2:4)

Riches of His wisdom and knowledge. (Rom. 11:33)

Conclusion:

If we are fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ we belong to Gods family.

Be comforted and encouraged by the amazing future promised by Jesus, and that the best is yet to come!

What’s the difference between God’s grace and God’s Law?

1. The Law Cannot Replace the Promise. (Gal. 3:15-18)

It’s impossible to add to God’s grace or subtract from God’s promises.

2. The Promise is Superior to the Law. (Gal. 3:19-20)

No mediator was needed with God’s promise, for it was all up to God.

3. Law and the Promise Have a Working Relationship. (Gal. 3:21-26)

While Law and grace seem to be contrary to one another, if you go deep enough, you will discover that they actually complement one another. (Wiersbe)

Conclusion:

Through the work of Jesus at the cross and from the tomb, the Law was done away with, and it’s righteous demands are now fulfilled in us by the Holy Spirit.

What can we learn from Abraham that will set us free?

1. God Has Always Dealt with People in the Same Way. (Gal. 3:6-9)

Faith has always been the vehicle for people to know God personally.

God does not change the rules in mid-stream.

Faith puts us in the blessed “footprints” of Abraham.

2. Trying to Earn God’s Favour is a Spiritual Dead-End. (Gal. 3:10-12)

What does the Law bring? (Note Gal. 3:10, “curse”)

The 10 Commandments are not the 10 Suggestions.

The Law says, “Do”, but grace says, “Done”.

No one is justified before God by the law, "The righteous will live by faith."

3. Jesus Paid the Price. (Gal. 3:13-14)

“Redeemed” = “to recover from captivity by a ransom”.

When Jesus redeemed us at the cross, what did it accomplish?

A. He broke the curse of the Law – He “purchased us from slavery in order to set us free.”

B. He made it possible for us to receive God’s promises.

Conclusion:

Let’s celebrate the freedom of the faith-generated life (“Done”; “Believe and live!”)

How could people ever be convinced that legalism is a better choice than grace?

What makes legalism so appealing? What is the spell that legalism casts?

1. Legalism Appeals to Our Human Nature. (Gal. 3:1-3)

We are attracted to “religion” = “the human search for God”.

Genuine Christianity = “God’s search for people”.

2. Legalism Encourages False Comparisons. (Gal. 3:3-5)

The person who depends on religion can measure himself and compare himself with others. (Wiersbe)

If we are comparing ourselves with others, then we are spellbound by legalism and driving down a spiritual “dead-end”.

Conclusion:

Let’s reject any fascination we may have with legalism.

Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to break any spell of legalism in our lives by making us “Christ-focused”.

What produces real life? What is the source of and power for real living?

People who are “born free” in Jesus experience “real living” because of:

1. The Truth of Justification. (Gal. 2:15-18)

· Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ.” (Wiersbe)

· Justification is not simply forgiveness…it is not a pardon.

· It establishes the future.

2. The Superiority of Faith.(Gal. 2:19-21)

· I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…

· Faith is the key…faith in a Person (not laws, rules, or rituals).

· We can be completely dependent on Jesus, who “loves us and gave Himself for us” (Gal. 2:20).

3. The Power of God’s Grace.(Gal. 2:21)

- The Law shouts to us, “Do”, while grace reassures us, “Done”.

- Grace provides us with genuine freedom (to do and be, and “to not do”…to no longer be in bondage to legalism and sin).