A Gospel Centered Life
A Study in The Book of Galatians
A Gospel Demands (BG)
May 8, 2022 • Jon Siebert • Galatians 6
When we approach Scripture, it is important to remember that it wasn’t written solely to us, and its contents go beyond what it means for each of us specifically. Let us not forget that Galatians was written to a community of believers—not one person. This community of faith was struggling to live gospel-centered, Spirit-filled lives. As we've teased out over the last twelve weeks, this problem wasn’t unique to their situation, but continues to be a struggle for us today. In the concluding chapter of Paul's letter, we receive a beautiful picture of what a Spirit-led community could look like. A community defined by the cross is diverse, humble, gentle, gracious, burdenbearing, generous, future-oriented and—most of all—makes much of Jesus. What would it take for this to be said about Summit View Church? As we seek to emulate what Paul calls us to here, may we not grow weary of doing this good work. May we be a people, like Paul, who boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Gospel Demands (WS)
May 8, 2022 • Drew Whithorn • Galatians 6
When we approach Scripture, it is important to remember that it wasn’t written solely to us, and its contents go beyond what it means for each of us specifically. Let us not forget that Galatians was written to a community of believers—not one person. This community of faith was struggling to live gospel-centered, Spirit-filled lives. As we've teased out over the last twelve weeks, this problem wasn’t unique to their situation, but continues to be a struggle for us today. In the concluding chapter of Paul's letter, we receive a beautiful picture of what a Spirit-led community could look like. A community defined by the cross is diverse, humble, gentle, gracious, burdenbearing, generous, future-oriented and—most of all—makes much of Jesus. What would it take for this to be said about Summit View Church? As we seek to emulate what Paul calls us to here, may we not grow weary of doing this good work. May we be a people, like Paul, who boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Fruit of a Gospel Centered Life: The Spirit Pt. 2 (BG)
May 1, 2022 • Jon Siebert • Galatians 5:16–26
Growing up, most of us had role models or celebrities we looked up to and tried to emulate. These people were plastered on our walls, doodled in our notebooks, and spoken of around the dinner table. While we may no longer seek to be the greatest athlete, biggest movie star, or best writer anymore, we all should desire to become more like our Savior. Jesus perfectly modeled a Spirit-filled life, rich with its fruit. Miraculously, Jesus is not merely some celebrity, sketched in the margins of a page, but personally inserts Himself into our lives, making recompense for our failures and guiding us in our growth. He shepherds us with His Spirit, indwelling and empowering us to live in truth and life.
The Fruit of a Gospel Centered Life: The Spirit Pt. 2 (WS)
May 1, 2022 • Dave Williams • Galatians 5:16–26
Growing up, most of us had role models or celebrities we looked up to and tried to emulate. These people were plastered on our walls, doodled in our notebooks, and spoken of around the dinner table. While we may no longer seek to be the greatest athlete, biggest movie star, or best writer anymore, we all should desire to become more like our Savior. Jesus perfectly modeled a Spirit-filled life, rich with its fruit. Miraculously, Jesus is not merely some celebrity, sketched in the margins of a page, but personally inserts Himself into our lives, making recompense for our failures and guiding us in our growth. He shepherds us with His Spirit, indwelling and empowering us to live in truth and life.
The Fruit of a Gospel Centered Life: The Spirit Pt. 1 (BG)
April 24, 2022 • Jon Siebert • Galatians 5:16–26
Galatians 5:22-23 continues to be a popular passage for study and reflection among Christians. Despite its brevity, these verses provide a comprehensive overview of a life lived in submission to Christ and the resulting Christlikeness. If we were to put into practice all that Paul has taught up to this point, we would expect to see results—a tangible expression of faith. The fruit of the Spirit. It is important to remember that as we take the next two weeks to explore the fruit of the Spirit, the invitation here is not to grit it out or work harder to become something. If that's our takeaway we have missed the point and might need to reread the beginning of Paul’s letter. The next two weeks are an invitation to pause, reflect, and take stock of our lives; to ask ourselves where we see evidence of the work of the Spirit in our lives today, and to come away deeply desiring more.
The Fruit of a Gospel Centered Life: The Spirit Pt. 1 (WS)
April 24, 2022 • Kenan Stolz • Galatians 5:16–26
Galatians 5:22-23 continues to be a popular passage for study and reflection among Christians. Despite its brevity, these verses provide a comprehensive overview of a life lived in submission to Christ and the resulting Christlikeness. If we were to put into practice all that Paul has taught up to this point, we would expect to see results—a tangible expression of faith. The fruit of the Spirit. It is important to remember that as we take the next two weeks to explore the fruit of the Spirit, the invitation here is not to grit it out or work harder to become something. If that's our takeaway we have missed the point and might need to reread the beginning of Paul’s letter. The next two weeks are an invitation to pause, reflect, and take stock of our lives; to ask ourselves where we see evidence of the work of the Spirit in our lives today, and to come away deeply desiring more.
Easter (BG)
April 17, 2022 • Jon Siebert • Galatians
The word “love” has come to represent a variety of meanings in our culture. We often throw it out to describe things in which we take great delight. We love certain foods. We love a particular sports team. We love a nice quiet morning. We love our families. One could accuse us of using the word “love” too flippantly—the expectation to interpret its significance falling to our listeners. Yet, to God, “love” is not a junk drawer catch all term. Love is the heart and soul of who God is and what He has done for His people. This is put on full display Easter weekend as we remember Jesus’ act of service and love on the cross. When we consider its significance to God, Paul’s emphasis on love in Galatians is not surprising. Love is the focal point and underscored as the defining marker of a believer. As believers, we ought to be known for how we love others. In fact, Scripture tells us that our love for one another is an indication of whether we’re walking by the Spirit.
Easter (WS)
April 17, 2022 • Kenan Stolz • Galatians
The word “love” has come to represent a variety of meanings in our culture. We often throw it out to describe things in which we take great delight. We love certain foods. We love a particular sports team. We love a nice quiet morning. We love our families. One could accuse us of using the word “love” too flippantly—the expectation to interpret its significance falling to our listeners. Yet, to God, “love” is not a junk drawer catch all term. Love is the heart and soul of who God is and what He has done for His people. This is put on full display Easter weekend as we remember Jesus’ act of service and love on the cross. When we consider its significance to God, Paul’s emphasis on love in Galatians is not surprising. Love is the focal point and underscored as the defining marker of a believer. As believers, we ought to be known for how we love others. In fact, Scripture tells us that our love for one another is an indication of whether we’re walking by the Spirit.
The Struggle of a Gospel Centered Life: The Flesh (BG)
April 10, 2022 • Brad Fenison • Galatians 5:16–26
Martin Luther, the German pastor and theologian, once described the Christian situation on earth as “simul justus et peccator” meaning “simultaneously justified and sinful.” Luther was attempting to put into the words the inner tension and turmoil we all face; when our hearts and minds are drawn to two opposing and competing passions. We know that when we choose to follow Jesus we become “a new creation” in Christ. Yet we also know that freedom from sin doesn’t usually come overnight. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us and begins the slow messy work of redeeming us, eradicating sin little by little. In this week’s passage Paul refers to this sin, and its constant pull back to old ways, as “flesh.” It is because of this flesh we constantly find ourselves doing the opposite of what we want to do. This can be so frustrating! Yet there is hope. The promise found in Galatians 5 is that for those of us who are in Christ, the Spirit will do in us a work that brings forth a new way or “fruit” that pleases God. In place of old ways which seek to please the flesh, we are invited to draw near to God and His grace and from it find a new life.
The Struggle of a Gospel Centered Life: The Flesh (WS)
April 10, 2022 • Kenan Stolz • Galatians 5:16–26
Martin Luther, the German pastor and theologian, once described the Christian situation on earth as “simul justus et peccator” meaning “simultaneously justified and sinful.” Luther was attempting to put into the words the inner tension and turmoil we all face; when our hearts and minds are drawn to two opposing and competing passions. We know that when we choose to follow Jesus we become “a new creation” in Christ. Yet we also know that freedom from sin doesn’t usually come overnight. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us and begins the slow messy work of redeeming us, eradicating sin little by little. In this week’s passage Paul refers to this sin, and its constant pull back to old ways, as “flesh.” It is because of this flesh we constantly find ourselves doing the opposite of what we want to do. This can be so frustrating! Yet there is hope. The promise found in Galatians 5 is that for those of us who are in Christ, the Spirit will do in us a work that brings forth a new way or “fruit” that pleases God. In place of old ways which seek to please the flesh, we are invited to draw near to God and His grace and from it find a new life.
How the Gospel Shapes Our Liberty (BG)
April 3, 2022 • Tim Furnanz • Galatians 5:1–15
Freedom is a topic of conversation that evokes a range of responses—what does it mean? How is it best expressed? What should be done to receive or protect it? For many, freedom is the same as autonomy; the freedom of rejecting any authority but our own and ridding ourselves of restrictions we consider inconvenient or undesirable. However, when we explore the biblical definition of freedom, it contradicts this image many of us hold. In this passage of Galatians, Paul takes on a pastoral tone and provides a practical depiction of the type of life that is honoring to God and marked by freedom. Paul contends that those who have been set free by Jesus, are to live lives of freedom characterized by self-control, obedience to God's Word, and loving service to their neighbors.
How the Gospel Shapes Our Liberty (WS)
April 3, 2022 • Dave Williams • Galatians 5:1–15
Freedom is a topic of conversation that evokes a range of responses—what does it mean? How is it best expressed? What should be done to receive or protect it? For many, freedom is the same as autonomy; the freedom of rejecting any authority but our own and ridding ourselves of restrictions we consider inconvenient or undesirable. However, when we explore the biblical definition of freedom, it contradicts this image many of us hold. In this passage of Galatians, Paul takes on a pastoral tone and provides a practical depiction of the type of life that is honoring to God and marked by freedom. Paul contends that those who have been set free by Jesus, are to live lives of freedom characterized by self-control, obedience to God's Word, and loving service to their neighbors.
The Beauty of the Gospel (BG)
March 27, 2022 • Jon Siebert • Galatians 4
Regardless of your background, we all understand the power of family. Be it positive or negative, we all have family stories that leave a lasting impact. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasized the benefits of following Jesus, including the experience of gaining a new spiritual family. What's truly remarkable about the gospel of grace is that not only do we receive forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God, but we are actually adopted into the family of God, and we can call Him Father. If this is not your primary view of God, then you may in fact be slipping into the exact same error as the Galatians. Is your picture of God one of a divine taskmaster enslaving you to obey? Or is your picture of God a Father who lovingly cares for and provides for His children?
The Beauty of the Gospel (WS)
March 27, 2022 • Kenan Stolz • Galatians 4
Regardless of your background, we all understand the power of family. Be it positive or negative, we all have family stories that leave a lasting impact. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasized the benefits of following Jesus, including the experience of gaining a new spiritual family. What's truly remarkable about the gospel of grace is that not only do we receive forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God, but we are actually adopted into the family of God, and we can call Him Father. If this is not your primary view of God, then you may in fact be slipping into the exact same error as the Galatians. Is your picture of God one of a divine taskmaster enslaving you to obey? Or is your picture of God a Father who lovingly cares for and provides for His children?
The Gospel & the Word (BG)
March 20, 2022 • Jon Siebert • Galatians 3
It’s natural to feel some hesitation when we hear news we perceive to be “too good to be true.” There’s a certain level of cynicism and skepticism inside each of us that seeks to protect us from disappointment and prevents us from accepting good news at face value. The simple gift of eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and acceptance by God, for example, might elicit such a response. While the Galatians had initially embraced the gospel, they were quick to allow skeptics to deceive them. Questioning the free gift of grace from God, they determined it must require additional effort or work on their part. In response, Paul spends Galatians 3 recounting 2,000 years of Old Testament redemptive history, highlighting Abraham, the father of the faith, who was justified by faith, though no effort of his own.