To You from GodGalatians 1:1 – 2:10

(p. 1074)

Galatians

Set freefor Freedom

Galatians ...

Emphases:• Work of Christ• Life in the Spirit• The People of God

, Title “Set Free ... for Freedom” from Gal 5:1

Will & Kate – the Royal Wedding, What is the gospel, how do we live it, how do we

present it?

Issue at the heart of the letter:, Jewish missionaries – gentile Christians must be

circumcised

1. Christianity & Culture

What do people have to do to be Christians?• Come to Church?• Read their Bibles?• Stop Drinking?• Can they still live together?

Was Paul trying to get people’s approval? (v 10)

2. What is the Gospel (Good News)?

We must Get it right! (v 8-9), What gospel do you preach and live?

The Jewish missionaries were earnest and sincere, Circumcision: the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant

(Gen 17:11)

, It was an “everlasting” covenant (Gen 17:13)

, Circumcision was an honour !

, Suggested: Paul was anti-Jewish ... ... or didn’t understand the

Gospel (cf. Gal 1:13-14)

2. What is the Gospel (Good News)? ...

Paul was against circumcision because the gospel

didn’t require it

The Good News can’t be changed by human decision, Jesus gave himself for our sins

, To rescue us from the present evil age

, According to the will of the Father (v 4)

No supplement was required for righteousness!

3. Where is the Gospel from?

He was an apostle (sent one) of God – not man! (v 1)

His message was directly from God – not man! (v11-12)

He had almost no contact with other apostles, They did not send him

, They did not teach him

He went to Jerusalem eventually, Because of revelation; They didn’t summon him (2:1)

, They recognized his ministry & welcomed him (2:9)

Getting it Right

Temptation – make the story of Jesus more palatable

We must know what the gospel is – , What is central ... What is peripheral / optional?

Modern Spirituality: won’t worship God alone, Offer blessing & comfort with no demands on us

Eugene Peterson: The Jesus Way, People worship Jesus ... Not many follow him

Getting it Right ...

We should know God’s Good News as God Intended

We have no right or authority to adapt it in any way