Scripture Text: Galatians 1:1-9
Quotes for Reflection
Tim Keller, Galatians for You
This is the humbling truth that lies at the heart of Christianity. We love to be our own saviors. Our hearts love to manufacture glory for themselves. So we find messages of self-salvation extremely attractive, whether they are religious (Keep these rules and you earn eternal blessing) or secular (Grab hold of these things and you’ll experience blessing now). The gospel comes and turns them all upside down. It says: You are in such a hopeless position that you need a rescue that has nothing to do with you at all. And then it says: God in Jesus provides a rescue which gives you far more than any false salvation your heart may love to chase.
Martin Luther, Commentary on Epistle to Galatians
There is no middle ground between Christian righteousness and works-righteousness. There is no other alternative to Christian righteousness but works righteousness; if you do not build your confidence on the work of Christ you must build your confidence on your own work.
Phillip Ryken, Galatians
The Father does not love us because the Son died for us. Rather, the Son died for us because the Father loves us. The cross had its origin in our Father’s heart.
John Stott, The Message of Galatians
The church’s greatest troublemakers (now as then) are not those outside who oppose, ridicule and persecute it, but those inside who try to change the gospel.
Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of the Spiritual Life
(Those) who are not secure in Christ cast about for spiritual life preservers with which to support their confidence, and in their frantic search they not only cling to the shreds of ability and righteousness they find in themselves, but they fix upon their race, then membership in a party, their familiar social and ecclesiastical patterns, and their culture as means of self-recommendation. The culture is put on as though it were armor against self-doubt, but it becomes a mental straitjacket which cleaves to the flesh and can never be removed except through comprehensive faith in the saving work of Christ.
Application Questions
1. Why is Paul’s authority so central to his message to the Galatians? Why does his authority still matter for us today?
2. Paul warns the Galatians that they are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all. Of the false gospels discussed in the sermon, which do you find most troubling, and why? What other examples of false gospels do you see in our culture today?
3. In what ways are you tempted to add to the gospel? Share one practical way you can resist this temptation and rest more fully in the security of the gospel.