The Gospel for Christians
Galatians
Grace in Galatians
July 31, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What are the marks of Jesus? • How have you suffered because of being a Christian? How do you view suffering in light of 2 Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted"? • In what ways does God minister grace to your spirit? • Paul ends Galatians referring to his audience as "brothers." What significance does this term carry?
Cross-Centered New Creation
July 24, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What is the significance of Paul writing in his own hand? • Can you say, "The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world"? What lifestyle evidence shows it? • Describe what it means to be a "new creation." • Who is the Israel of God in Galatians 6:16?
Well Doing in Community
July 17, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What does "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches" mean in the local church? • How much time, effort, and money are you investing in the flesh? How much time, effort, and money are you investing in the Spirit? Compare the two. • What area of your spiritual life wearies you the most? How does the hope of reaping encourage your perseverance? • Why is there a distinction between everyone and household of faith in Galatians 6:10?
More Than One Burden
July 10, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Who are the spiritual in Galatians 6:1? • When have you observed a case of restoration in a church following Galatians 6:1? Why is church discipline often negligible? • What is the law of Christ? • How do you interpret "Let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone" (Gal. 6:5) in light of "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse" (Gal. 3:10)? Is there a distinction between "works"?
Evade the Vices of the Flesh
July 3, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What patterns and consistencies exist in the list of vices of the flesh? • Can a Christian live according the flesh? Can a Christian commit the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19? • How does a person inherit (or not inherit) the kingdom of God? • What exercises do you regularly practice to put to death the flesh (vs. 24)?
Walk by the Spirit
June 26, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Does the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh discourage you or encourage you? Why or why not? • What is the one thing commanded of Christians in Galatians 5:16-24? • Can a Christian reach perfection in moral behavior? • Which of the nine spiritual virtues listed in Galatians 5:22-23 come natural to you? Which ones are naturally difficult for you?
Christian Liberty
June 19, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Is freedom absolute and autonomous in Galatians 5:13-15? • How have you practiced self-denial recently to resist opportunities for the flesh? • Have you experienced a disagreement in which Christians "bite and devour" and "consumed" one another? What lessons did you learn? • What role does love play in evangelism?
Two Covenants Separated by Christ
June 5, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • How does a person “listen to Scripture” (vs. 21)? • Define allegorical interpretation? How does Paul apply Genesis 16 to the Galatian Church? • What is freedom? How is freedom more complex than doing what you desire? • How does the human propensity to addiction govern the use of Christian freedom?
Christ is the Way Forward
May 22, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Give modern examples of the observance of days, months, seasons, and years in Galatians 4:10. Why does Paul reject such observances? • Ask yourself Paul’s question, “What then has become of your blessedness?" (Gal. 4:15) Why is joy a significant indicator of a healthy church? • Have you been sick recently? How did God use the illness to bless you through friendships (Gal. 4:13-14)? • What are three signs of Christ being formed in you?
Heirs of God the Father
May 15, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What is the similarity between a son and a slave in Galatians 4:1? How does this illustrate a spiritual reality for Christians? • What does “enslaved to the elementary principles of the world” (vs. 3) mean? Who does it apply to? • Describe the roles of each member of the Trinity at work in the Christian life according to Galatians 4:1-7. • When was the “fullness of time”? What was accomplished through the incarnation? What priority is the incarnation in God's plan for salvation? Hint: see Ephesians 1:9-10.
The Coming of Faith
May 8, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What are the two metaphors for bondage in this passage? In what way does the law restrict? • Who is the “faith” in Galatians 3:25? Why is faith personified here? • How should the unity of "you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28) influence the membership and ministry of a local church? • Is the resurrection necessary for Paul’s view of justification?
Justification by Faith: God’s Promise All Along
May 1, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
**OUR APOLOGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM CAUSING US TO MISS THE FIRST MINUTE OF THIS MESSAGE. Application Questions: • What was God’s promise to Abraham? Where would you find it in the Old Testament? • Since covenants cannot be changed after being ratified (vs. 15), how does this affirm God’s promise to Abraham? • What is the purpose of the law? Does the law oppose God’s promise? • If “the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin” (vs. 22), how does that influence your view of the world? Discuss how this truth is at odds with current culture.
The Curse, Then Christ
April 24, 2016 • Michael Wilburn
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What assumption does Paul make with the words "now it is evident" in Gal. 3:11? What does it say about OT saints? • What is the curse? How did Jesus become a curse for you? • What is the blessing of Abraham evidenced by the coming of the Spirit? • Discuss double imputation in Gal. 3:13-14 (see also 1 Peter 3:18). Sing a hymn of the faith that affirms the doctrine of imputation.