Galatians -- Set Free for Godliness
A Fourteen-part Study for Small Groups
Lesson 12: Walking According to the Flesh or the Spirit?
January 12, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 5:19–26
Deeds of the Flesh Are Evident. Paul shows believers the fruit emerging from their life if they walk by the Spirit. These things are not automatic for believers, and perhaps more uncommon than common. If We Live By the Spirit, Let Us Walk By the Spirit.
Lesson 9: Cast Out the Bondwoman!
January 9, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 4:19–31
Have You Failed to Hear the Law and its Demands? Abraham’s sons were a picture of slavery and freedom – why select slavery? Since you are a child of God by faith in the promise, you have more in common with Isaac, the child of the free woman.
Lesson 7: The Law Did Not Rule Out the Promise
January 7, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 3:19–29
Here Paul teaches that all those in Christ are of Abraham’s seed, descendants of his by faith in the promise, and heirs with him of the promises of God. What does that mean? The meaning here is that just as Abraham receives certain inheritances as a result of his faith, so those with faith in Christ share in his inheritances.
Lesson 6: The Law Did Not Rule Out the Promise
January 6, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 3:15–18
For those who abide in Him and walk in the Spirit, We will have peace like the world does not have We will share in reigning with Christ We will not shrink away from Him in shame when we see Him We will have a special name known only by Christ and us We will be rewarded.
Lesson 5: Begun by the Spirit, Completed by the Flesh?
January 5, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 3:1–14
Dr. Don Campbell’s commentary on Galatians (from The Bible Knowledge Commentary): In the first two chapters of the epistle, Paul established the divine origin of his apostleship and his message. Then he turned to the Galatians who were being urged to add works to faith, to keep the Mosaic Law in addition to placing faith in Christ, as the grounds of acceptance before God. The Judaizers believed the Galatian Christians would receive a more complete salvation and a greater sanctification if they obeyed the Law. But Paul argued that to supplement the work of Christ is to supplant it. There can only be one way of salvation, and that is by faith in Christ alone.
Lesson 4: Even Inside the Church We Must Defend the Gospel
January 4, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 2:11–21
You actually can’t add to the gospel without destroying the gospel, because the gospel is all about justification by faith alone in Christ alone. The whole gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead in order that whoever believes in Him will be given eternal life by God’s grace. Anything added to that detracts from and actually destroys the whole. If you add to the basic gospel, you are reconstructing a law you already have learned you can’t keep and which can’t justify anyone.
Lesson 2: This Message Came From God
January 2, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 1:11–24
Summary of Galatians chapter 1: - God – not a group of men – has directed me to write this letter to you. - This is the same God whose Son Jesus died for your sins and was raised from the dead. - How could you drift away from the gospel of grace by which you were saved? - Whoever has distorted the gospel we gave you is under a curse of God. - I do what I do to please God and not to please men. - I got this gospel from a direct revelation from Christ. - Remember – I hated the church and was trying to destroy it when He visited me. - Barnabas and I explained who Jesus is when we first visited. We told you that you are “freed and forgiven” when you believe on Jesus, not when you do certain things people want you to do. - This message I gave you came from Jesus, was confirmed by the Holy Spirit and by leaders in the church and has born God-glorifying fruit wherever it is preached.
Lesson 1: Are You Really Leaving the Gospel of Grace?
January 1, 2021 • John Morrison • Galatians 1:1–10
Paul is “on a mission from God.” He is not coming with a message from men. He comes in the full authority of Jesus Christ who died for their sins to rescue them from this evil age and of God the Father who raised Him from the dead. Implies they need to listen because of God’s demonstrated grace and authority. Although he has a message for them which might not “feel like grace and peace,” he wants them to know that he bears grace and peace for them from God and Jesus. He reminds them that the goal of his instruction is God’s glory. He can’t believe you would turn from the gospel of grace for a false gospel. Whoever teaches that faith in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus to forgive our sins and to give us eternal life is not enough to save, let him be under a curse from God.