Galatians 3:1-3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
 
GALATIANS 3 is an expression of Paul’s great frustration with the Galatian churches. At first, they seemed to have received the Spirit, accepting the gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. But then false teachers caused them to believe salvation came through their own efforts to keep the law. This self-works way would nullify Jesus’ crucifixion as necessary for salvation. “Who needs Jesus if I can save myself?”
    This self-determination has plagued the church from then until now. The established universal church would ultimately develop into a works-oriented culture. To reach heaven, one had to meet the Church’s laws. Sins were even forgiven when one paid indulgences to the church. The universal Church needed to change.
    Many faithful to God’s Word attempted to reform the church. Many were silenced. Some tragically martyred. But a significant change began when the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of Galatians to Martin Luther. As a monk, Luther spent hours daily in repentance. He lived in despair of his relationship with God. But then the Holy Spirit opened Galatians’ truth to Luther. He came to understand and know that salvation is through faith in Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Salvation is not in man’s work or countless confessions of sin. Salvation is in the Lord’s work of grace.
    That began a great change in the established church in 1517 called the Reformation. Amid much opposition, a widespread movement developed to preach Christ redeemed us, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (from Galatians 3:14)
    The truth should be clear to all. But it’s not. There have remained after the Reformation many churches who advance the works message. God’s authority is still human self-determination among some churches. And there are many cults that have added to the Bible to promote a man-made way to heaven. Instead, they are turning people toward hell.
          The first sin was a works sin, wasn’t it? Genesis 3:5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The only way to become as God is to follow his salvation path is through faith in Jesus. It requires dying to self and living for Christ. 

Galatians 2:19-20 “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”   
 
WHEN Paul writes of the law, he refers to the commands and laws of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. God gave numerous laws to Israel to define their worship system, their relationship with him and their relationship with each other. He commanded they obey his laws, so they could be his people.
    But the human heart born into the sin nature is not capable of perfectly obeying each law. Of course, God knew that. The law was one step in the LORD’s redemption plan for mankind. Israel needed the law to reveal their sin. They then needed the Savior to redeem their sin. That’s what Paul means when he says, “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.”  
    Paul then connected his new life with God to Jesus’ crucifixion. “I have been crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live.” This is an often-quoted scripture. Let’s stop to consider what this means.
    Crucifixion was a death for the worst criminals, especially for those who rebelled against Rome. The first-century readers would have a picture of great suffering. In our rebellious sin, we are the ones worthy of such a tortuous death. But the Lord was crucified in our place. Jesus’ death takes us graciously through a horrible death into a glorious life.  
    That’s why the entire verse is essential to know. “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Yes, Jesus loves you. He gave himself to the cross for you, so he cold live for you. Now you need to live for him. This is the gospel message and the gospel obligation.
    Our death in Christ is a crucifixion of the heart, mind and soul. To be crucified with Christ is not an easy confession of your sins; it is a painful release of your sin nature and your former way of life. Crucified with Christ, your soul dies into the Savior’s death. As Jesus’ crucifixion was the means to his resurrection, your crucified soul is resurrected into a new life in Jesus’ saving power. That’s why we can then faithfully live into Jesus’ suffering: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” We can trust that by grace we are saved through faith because God made it happen.  
 

Galatians 2:11-13 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
 
PETER had committed a serious breach in the church in Antioch. He had at first appropriately eaten meals with Gentiles because God had clearly told  him to do so in Acts 10. But then some Christian Jews, who rejected this dietary freedom, came from Jerusalem, Peter stopped his association with the Gentiles to eat with the Jews. In essence, this created two bodies in the church. Antioch, one of the largest churches of the day, almost became a divided church.
    It is difficult to understand Peter’s motives. Peter’s error opposed what both Peter and Paul had taught and experienced. For example, Paul wrote much on the unity of the church. An example is Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. And Peter was the first apostle to minister to the Gentiles when the Spirit led him to baptize the Roman Centurion Cornelius and his household in Acts 10. Note Peter’s understanding of God’s worldwide mission: Acts 10:34 “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Then Peter defended his actions to the other apostles as he testified how God directed him to this work. (Acts 11) Being a good leader, Paul rebuked Peter for neglecting the Gentiles and threatening church unity.
    In the rebuke, Paul was loving his Lord and loving his brother in Christ. When we sin we need people such as Paul to judge – to discern – our sin and tell us. Defining godly love, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love corrects sin. But it seems the church in general has redefined godly love as allowing people to live in error. We don’t want someone to feel bad about their sins. But this is not God’s way. It is the devil’s deceit. To ignore sin is to approve of it. The church is called to lovingly, patiently, and gently correct it.
    Consider how God so loved the world. He did not come to say, “I love you just the way you are.” He did say, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) That means Jesus came to seek the sinners – all of us. He came to rebuke, admonish and correct our sins, so we would not delight in evil but rejoice in the truth. The church can be one body in Christ only if we love the Truth and keep it safe in our hearts and minds.
    Paul was Peter’s loving brother. He protected Peter from his error, and he promoted church unity under Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19a)
 

Galatians 2:2-3, 8-9 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek…8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.
 
ONE reason fo Paul’s letter to  the Galatian churches is to defend his calling to preach the gospel. He wants the churches to understand all he has done has been under Jesus’ authority. His ministry is not of his own choosing or own theology. Why does this matter to us today?
    First, Paul’s writings are the core of New Testament teaching to expand Jesus’ teachings summarized in the gospels. Second, Paul’s ministry continues to be challenged. We need to know his letters are under the inspiration and authority of the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus. Many in the church today do not like Paul’s definitive teachings of sin. To many, Paul seems to overextend his authority.
    Here, though, is one place he confirms God has called  him. This is about his second visit to Jerusalem that occurred about 20 years into his ministry. He had been on two missionary journeys to establish churches in Asia Minor and along the Mediterranean coast. At some point God revealed to Paul to go to Jerusalem for this meeting. He took with him Barnabas, his constant helper and encourager, and Titus, who was a Gentile.
    The result of the meeting with James – Jesus’ half brother – Peter and John was a confirmation of Paul’s work. The three pillars of the church approved of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. They recognized Jesus had appointed Paul just as Jesus had chosen them.
    This helps confirm Paul. Peter, John and James had spent considerable time with Jesus. They had witnessed his resurrected life and his ascension. The Spirit anointed them to preach the Good News. If these three confirmed Paul’s ministry, surely the Galatian churches would understand Jesus had also appointed Paul to minister the gospel.
    We can know this for our own faith today. Paul wrote and taught under the Spirit’s authority. We must reject those who reject Paul’s teaching. The Lord prepared him, called him and empowered him to reveal the gospel.
    Yes, we must have faith that the Bible is God’s inspired Word to reveal the gospel. Such faith is not based on a theory or good feelings. But true faith is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20) What we know of Jesus has come directly from those who witnessed his life. God has given us what we need to know, so we can know him.  

Galatians 1:18-20 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles – only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
 
THE Bible says little of the lives of God’s chosen prophets and apostles. For example, we know only a few days or months of the prophets’ lives. Their visions, prophetic utterances, etc. are for the most part but a few moments in their lives. In the same way, we have very brief accounts of only two apostles, Peter and Paul. We know more of Paul’s ministry because of Luke’s record of his work in Acts. And his letters reveal more details of his ministry. In God’s providence Paul’s voice has become a primary means to help us know some early church history and how to live the Christian life. But we still know little of the time required for Paul and his companions to evangelize, preach, teach and encourage new belilevers in the early church.
    Time is an essential ingredient of ministry. Reading Acts, we may believe Paul and his fellow evangelists moved quickly from place to place. But consider that when Paul went to Jerusalem for the first time as an apostle, three to seven years could have passed since his conversion. And then he met only with Peter and James and stayed only 15 days. We do not know where the other apostles were. They could have been in Jerusalem or on their own evangelism journeys. This tells us that some seven years after Jesus’ ascension the church was still a fringe movement. God’s work is a very difficult work. It takes time, faith and persistent, right effort to move the gospel forward because all the world is opposed to the truth.
    Paul continued to define his travels in Galatians 1:21-2:1 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me. Galatians 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
    When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he had ministered the gospel for a minimum of 20 years. We know from other accounts that he suffered much for his devoted work. He taught, debated, preached, healed and wrote in obedience to make disciples of the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.
          The lesson here is to understand ministry takes time and persistent effort. Many new churches begin with high hopes of being a certain size within three to four years. We set our timetable not knowing God’s schedule. We feel we’ve failed if the church doesn’t form and grow as we desire. But let’s remember that Paul’s and the apostles’ work was under Jesus’ authority. Even so, many churches began and ended. Some remained faithful. Faithful leadership is needed to help a church reject the lies and remain in Jesus. God has his time to complete his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We must work while we wait. 

Galatians 1:11-17 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.
 
 SOME of you reading this can testify to the way Jesus has powerfully changed your life. You were living a depraved life far from Jesus when the Holy Spirit touched your heart to recognize your sin and to know your Savior. Your testimony is true and can be verified with evidence from those who knew you before your salvation.
    Personal testimony is indisputable evidence of God and his saving grace. Perhaps one of history’s greatest testimonies is the apostle Paul’s life. He defended his apostleship with a summary of God’s great change on his life. Paul was a Jew and a citizen of Rome. He was very intelligent, a child of privilege who became a highly respected Pharisee. Passionate for Judaism and its law, he was hateful toward Christians. His purpose was to persecute and destroy the newborn church.
    But then God revealed his eternal plan for Paul. The Lord had set apart Paul for this work. By his grace, the Father revealed the Son to Paul, and Jesus commissioned Paul to preach to the Gentiles. Paul testified to Jesus’ call: Acts 26:15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them.’”
    No one in the church went to Paul to recruit him to be an apostle. And he did not learn the gospel from any other apostle. Only God can call an apostle, and only Jesus can train an apostle. Paul testifies, “I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.
    His time in Arabia, a desert-like environment, was time with the Lord through prayer, meditation, and study of the Scriptures. It seems, too, Jesus appeared to him there to teach his appointed apostle. Paul returned to Damascus from that solitary time reformed from a man of law to an apostle of grace. It seems he ministered in Damascus, the site of his conversion, for about three years.
          Paul wanted the Galatian churches to know God himself had sent Paul to proclaim the gospel. They needed to listen to him because he had come directly from God’s command. When the Galatians would decide, “Who do we believe?” Paul earnestly hoped his testimony would influence the churches to hold his teachings above all others who attempted to change the gospel. 

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
 
PAUL asked two essential questions: (1) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, (2) or of God? They are questions with one right answer: A true servant of Christ always seeks God’s approval. Paul was affirming his faithfulness to God’s Word and to the Galatian churches. He ws not a self-pleasing, self-directed teacher seeking his own glory.
    These two questions are good markers for our daily lives and our churches. What choices do we make each day? Will our decisions please nan or God?  
    The Christian way is to walk the way of righteousness – the road toward Jesus. Is that what we choose? We want to answer, “Jesus’ way.” But there seems to be a fork in the road with each decision. How do we respond to a challenge at work or in our personal lives? What is the best way to discipline a child? Do we speak to encourage or to discourage? How do we resolve conflict? What is the best use our time? Each decision will be approved in heaven or in the world. Indeed, a righteous road is a difficult pathway: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)   
    A mindset to please God begins with your choice to serve Jesus. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) he was directing his disciples to the essential road they would soon walk. Jesus had told them he was leaving them, returning to the Father. His chosen 11 at that moment were very confused about Jesus’ words and the life ahead of them. What would they do? How would they choose the right way to live?
    Jesus answered their fears with himself. The only way to choose is Jesus’ way. The only truth to know is Jesus’ truth. The only type of life to choose is to live through the power of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
    We are born into a mindset that chooses our own desires first. But when we are saved from sin, we are born again. This is not simply a phrase to describe our spiritual rebirth. It is a truth that defines our new role to serve Jesus. It describes a new life with a new mind set toward heaven. A servant of Jesus obediently chooses the Master’s truth.   
    Why be a Christian if your purpose is to please the world? A Christian is to serve Jesus, pleasing God as you follow the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3b) And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

Galatians 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 

IN most of his letters, Paul begins by praising the church he for their faith. Even as he will address certain problems in the church, the apostle still wants the church to know he is pleased with some positive aspects of their faith.
This is not true here. Apparently the Galatian churches were abandoning the gospel so quickly Paul could only express his astonished grief. He cannot believe what has happened. How could they so quickly turn from the gospel of grace? How could they believe teachings that added to Jesus’ saving work? 
What was the false teaching? As in each challenge to the Christian faith, this other “gospel” would have required some form of works for salvation. It may have been new converts from Judaism insisting one must follow all Levitical law to be in Jesus’ church. Paul emphasized that even if he or angels from heaven were to come with a different message, the church should not listen. 
This is an eternal matter. Twice he warned: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! He warned the church, and he warned the false teachers. The penalty of denying Jesus’ gospel message is death. Changing God’s Word into man’s philosophy or opinions will corrupt the truth and deny people God’s salvation. 
Our sin nature continually challenges the gospel. We want to put eternal life into our own hands. The world teaches us to, “Find your own way to happiness.” “Truth is what you want it to be.” Thousands of false religions and cults deceive people to follow one’s inner self or some person who has long since died. Each false teaching requires work of some kind to enter into a “better” life. When we think we are as God, with power to choose our way to heaven, we will only face eternal condemnation.
Only Jesus, the Living Lord, offers himself to pay for your sin. Confess his message is true. Faithfully hold to it. This is the only good news to believe. 

​Galatians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead – 2 and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 
GALATIA is a region of Asia Minor where Paul established churches at Antioch, Derbe, Lystra and Iconium on his first missionary journey. This is a circular letter addressed to these churches and likely others that were formed.
    Paul begins with an affirmation of his ministry credentials. He needs to affirm he is God’s messenger to the church. After all, there were many who attacked Paul’s gospel message by criticizing the messenger. This is one tactic to defeat the truth. The Pharisees continually attempted to oppose Jesus’ message by denying his authority as the Son of God. Paul confirmed he is one sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.
    Paul apostolic authority could be verified. Acts 9 records the details of Jesus’ call on Paul’s life. The Scriptures – the Old Testament – also testify Jesus of Nazareth is God’s Son. Jesus’ work on earth, the empty tomb and the hundreds of witnesses who saw the resurrected Lord add to the clear evidence that Jesus has come to earth. He is risen to sit at God’s right hand. Paul’s apostleship is based an historical fact.
    With this affirmation, Paul begins to return the Galatian churches to the gospel. Reminded they are hearing from God’s messenger, the churches would begin to focus on his teachings. This should alert them to listen closely to the rest of the letter.
    The first thing they will read is a blessing: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace from God is his magnificent gift to forgive sins and welcome us into his Kingdom. God’s peace soothes our souls to comfort us in all circumstances. Jesus is God’s gracious gift of peace to us. The Son of God gave himself for our sins. Jesus is Savior, who has rescued us from the present evil age. Jesus did this according to the will of our God and Father. Because of his eternal gift, God the Father will receive glory for ever and ever.  “Amen” emphasizes this is the truth.
          Emphasizing the truth is always essential, isn’t it? External and internal influences can quickly affect our faith if we lack true teaching. Be deaf to those who attempt to discredit him. Listen to the Truth. His name is Jesus. History records he has come in the Father’s will and the Spirit’s power to extend God’s grace and peace to the world. Are you prepared to listen to Jesus’ message? 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
 
WHY would Paul write may God himself sanctify you in this benediction to the Thessalonians? Why did he not simply say may God sanctify you?
   We have just concluded a study of 11 directives Paul has given to the church. These are typical, foundational teachings to help Christians live a sanctifying, a more holy life. But these foundation blocks of the Christian life are impossible to live out unless God himself is actively engaged in the church and each believer’s life.  
   As a final encouragement, Paul emphasized a remarkable truth: God himself, the sovereign God of the universe, the one who is Father, Son and Spirit, has come in grace to re-birth sinners into a sanctified life. He has called the church to an active faith.
   God himself will continue to sanctify them through and through. Each aspect of their Christian life will become stronger as God himself protects and guides them. The church is under the care of the Supreme God. There are no other gods before him. In that knowledge, the Thessalonians should rejoice in a deep, abiding love for their Lord.
   Paul also prays their whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To be blameless before God is to be devoted to his truth. We will always deal with sin. But a blameless soul and body exhibits a desire to live for God. Paul teaches the church that God himself is their authority to help them live the Christian life as they prepare to meet Jesus. He is the God of peace to reconcile the saved into his Kingdom. He is faithful, and he will do it.
    Then Paul reminds the church of his, Silas’ and Timothy’s need for prayer. The evangelists must live a sanctifying life, too. God himself has called them to a great work that is far beyond human ability. We must always pray for church leaders and pastors who teach and lead us.
   This letter, too, is to be read to all the church and to others. These epistles were read to the entire church at one reading, then passed delivered to another church.
   Paul concludes with a customary blessing: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. This is truly a blessing of hope and promise isn’t it? What a miracle to have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with us! Wherever we go, the Holy Spirit indwells us. He is the blessing of Jesus’ saving grace. He is the blessing of power and authority to resist the devil. The Spirit is the blessing of Jesus’ way to sanctify our lives.   
   God himself has created you to be his own. How do you respond to him?