Galatians
Pastor Chris walks us through Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 18
September 13, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 6:11–18
Over the past four months, we have walked through the book of Galatians and seen that what these first centuries Christians struggled with was not so different from the struggles of today. We struggle in our world with false teachers twisting the truth to suit their own desires. We see believers enslaved to works of the law rather than living in the freedom purchased by Christ, and we struggled to be known by the Fruit of the Spirit rather than the that of the flesh. This week we close out the book of Galatians as we have reached, the conclusion.
Galatians 16
August 30, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 5:16–26
Paul had just reminded us that with great freedom comes great responsibility. That Jesus did indeed die to set us free from the law of sin and death, but that this freedom was not given that we might spend it on our own pleasures, rather it was given that we might be able to fulfill the greatest commandments of “Loving God and Loving people.” Now, I do not know about you but when I hear such things, I can become concerned, concerned that I do not know enough, that I cannot accomplish such a thing. I mean, what does it even look like to be free in this way? Thankfully, we are not left wonder as Paul now shows us what it is (and is not) to be free as we…Walk in the Spirit
Galatians 15
August 23, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 5:1–15
When last we met, Paul, gave us an illustration surrounding the birth of Abrahams's two sons. Ishmael, his firstborn, was conceived not because of the fulfillment of the miraculous promises of God being born to Abrahams elderly wife, a woman who had been barren her entire life, rather he was born as a result of humans (Sarah and Abraham) stepping in to attempt to assist God with His plan. We were reminded of the importance of waiting on God, waiting on His promises, and allowing Him to bless us, rather than attempting to force things, to manipulate things to meet our timelines. That in the end, “God’s promises are not dependent on our understanding or our desired timeline.” This week we look to the fulfillment of God’s promise which leads to freedom, but a freedom that comes with great responsibility.
Galatians 14
August 16, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 4:21–31
When last we were in the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul had reminded the Galatians of their former slavery to false god’s and that now they found themselves falling into old habits, to a different spiritual master, to be sure, but one that leads to the same end…bondage. This then begged the question, why would someone who had tasted freedom willingly choose to go back to bondage? This week Paul further illustrates that there are only TWO PATHS!
Galatians 13
July 26, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 4:8–20
Last week we allowed the Bible to speak into our current social issues regarding race and were reminded that there is only “One Race” the human race. That there are no greater or lesser races, that we all descend from a single human parentage, Adam, and Eve. We saw that for those of us who are in Christ that we are Heirs to the Kingdom, that is the Kingdom of God, that the heirs of the kingdom come from all walks of life, from every tribe, nation and tongue, regardless of gender (of which Paul only named two, in case you missed it), regardless of socioeconomic status. All who place their faith hope and trust in Christ are welcome and have a place in God’s Kingdom, not merely as servants, but as His children. This week the Apostle Paul, considering all that he has just laid out, asks this question…WHY GO BACK?
Galatians 12
July 19, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 3:26—4:7
The world around us seems to be coming apart at the seams. Ethnic and cultural divides are widening by the day. How are we as a Church to respond? What can we do to assist in healing a nation torn by so much anger? The answer begins when God’s church remembers that they are…Heirs to the Kingdom.
Galatians 11
July 12, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 3:19–25
Over the past couple of weeks, we have learned a few important points. 1) That salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. 2) But that works have an important role to play in the life of a believer as they are evidence, fruit if you will, of a healthy faith. 3) We learned last week that the law did not supersede the promise that God made to Abraham some 430 years before the law was given. Yet through all this, the question has remained, “what is the purpose of the law? Why was it even given? Please understand that everything that God does has a purpose. God “wastes” nothing. Not a moment. We waste moments all the time. I know I do. God does not. He is perfect in Purpose.
Galatians 10
July 5, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 3:15–18
This past week we more closely looked at works and the role they can play in evidencing one's faith as we stepped into James chapter 2 to see that both faith and works “working together” in the justification process (that is in the process of making one right with God). With Faith leading to justification and works evidencing faith. This week Paul continues by clarifying that just because the Law came after God’s promise it in no way replaced it or superseded it.
Galatians 09
June 28, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 3:10–14
Last week we continued our discussion in the book of Galatians with the Apostle Paul not being so subtle calling out the foolishness of the Galatians for abandoning the faith that they had received. He challenged them as from where the Holy Spirit had come, from works of the law or from faith in Christ. He then reminded his readers (and possibly the Judaizers, those responsible for the Galatian confusion) of the heritage of faith to all nations found in Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation and as it turns out many others as Paul reminds them that,”…only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” This week we drill down deeper into the relationship between Works of the Law and Faith.
Galatians 08
June 21, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 3:1–9
Over the past few weeks, we have been on a journey, one that has brought us face to face with religion that is either centered on works of the law or by faith alone in Christ. The Galatians and others had been fooled into believing that Christianity was a mere add-on to the Jewish faith. What we have seen, however, is that Christ alone is enough. That we died to sin (were Crucified with Christ) and that now we are His and His alone. The good works, good deeds that we do are not because we “have to do” them, but rather we “want to do” them. As we learned last week both in Galatians and Romans 6 (and 8) we are “No longer Slaves” to Sin, but we are coheirs with Christ. This week we enter into chapter three and Paul, having set the stage by reminding the Galatians of the true gospel in the previous chapter are going to call them to a decision, while reminding the Jews (Judaizers) of their true heritage.
Galatians 07
June 14, 2020 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Galatians 2:17–21
Over the past couple of weeks we have heard Paul describe the struggle within the early church regarding the place of the law within the life of the believer. For the Judaizers, they saw Christianity as basically an add-on to the base “game” of Judaism. Meaning that to be a Christian, one must follow the totality of the 613 Jewish laws. At the Jerusalem council this issue appeared to have been settled by the Apostle Peter, yet last week we saw that Peter himself would eventually “bow” a knee in fear of the Judaizers when it came to eating unclean foods with the gentile believers. Paul would call Peter and those following in his hypocrisy to account. Yet there is a piece of the puzzle that has not been addressed. A concern put forth by the Judaizers that Paul must now address. A concern that relates well with us today for we still struggle with it, albeit in different areas of how we live out our faith. Paul will indeed address this issue as we see today what it is to be…