Today’s sermon is based on Galatians 5:16-18.
You Can’t Even Imagine It!
1 Corinthians 2:9 says: ‘But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.’ Martin Rossol took us on a little exploration of just what these ‘unimaginable’ things might be; and then how we might be encouraged by them!
The Offense of the Cross
St Paul is coming in for a landing relative to his arguments against those trying to convince the Galatian believers they needed to perform certain acts, duties, works, in order to be certain their status with God was secure. It is in Chapters 5 and 6 that St Paul brings in “the cross”. What exactly is “the offense of the cross”? Pastor Taylor addresses that question in this sermon.
For Freedom
In Galatians chapter 5, St Paul is ‘coming in for a landing’ with his arguments about the covenant of grace vs earning God’s favor by performance or merit. Pastor Taylor points out that verse one of this chapter begins with the word “Freedom”! And then Paul explains what that freedom Christ as actually bestowed on his followers.
Two Sons, Two Women, Two Covenants
St Paul turns several events of Genesis to make his case that the gospel of Jesus Christ is actually the fulfillment of the covenant of grace; that promised to Abraham; as opposed to the covenant of the law under which the Israelites lived for millennial.
A Pastor’s Heart
In Galatians chapter 4 St Paul expresses some of his personal heart, his pastoral heart. And his focus is on the seeming inclination of the Galatians reverting to Jewish traditions, rules and laws. The gospel which Paul has preached is one of “freedom” to live in obedience to God; this opposed to being a slave to certain rules, practices and holy days. All, which St Paul says, are unable to make us right with God.
What About Adoption?
St Paul uses the analogy of adoption from a Roman perspective; not Jewish perspective, in Galatians 4. Why does he talk about adoption? What is it? How can we know we are adopted? Makes for a very packed-full sermon!
The Coming of Faith
Pastor Taylor suggests in his sermon that Galatians 3:23-29 can be understood by asking and answering three questions: 1) When is the promised salvation of the Lord coming? 2) Where is this salvation to be found? And 3) Who is this salvation for? Is it for anyone?