Living the Gospel -- The New Temple Galatians 2:17-21

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Bethany Bible Church May 28, 2017 Dr. Ted Wueste

Living the Gospel -- The New Temple Galatians 2:17-21 Does grace alone encourage sin? “...is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! (v. 2:17) Adherence to the law can only _______________ us to our sin. “...I prove myself to be a transgressor/” (v. 2:18) As we die to the law, we are able to live with _______________. “... died to the law so that I might live to God.” (v. 2:19)

The reality of our lives in Christ is that we are... “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live...” (v. 2:20a)  dead to _______________, and...  alive with _______________.

We live by _______________ as we trust that He... “And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith...” (v. 2:20b)  _______________ in us, and...  _______________ us.

Resting in grace demonstrates that _______________ is enough. “... if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (v. 2:21)

Temples of God Built by Grace Grace is a free gift with no strings attached. God’s grace is sufficient for everything. We need to die to the law; die to living by rules. Most spiritual growth can actually feel like we’re going backwards. We don’t have to do anything to become more acceptable to God. For the power of the gospel to be unleashed in our lives, we have to let go of law. The good news for Christians is God dwelling inside of us. God’s temple is now inside of us. How often do we go through our day unaware of this truth, of not living in this reality? Slow down and live in the midst of His indwelling presence. Nothing in our world prepares us to live like this. Even though Christ dwells within us, He will not force Himself on us. We have to stop and make ourselves present to Him. Don’t wrestle with your obedience/disobedience - wrestle with His love and grace. Wrestle with the fact that Christ is enough. Loved people are transformed people. We are called to love and relationship. Take time to slow down and be quiet, to just be with Him.

Questions for Discussion and Further Reflection 1. Why does living with God by a set of rules place our relationship with God in a box? 2. What is the difference between living by grace and living by rules or law? 3. Why is the law not a part of the gospel of Christ? 4. In what ways does the world make it difficult to live in the grace of God? 5. Will you take time every day this week to slow down and just be quiet with God?

5/30/2017

“Paul had a difficult time explaining the gospel to a world that had never known anything like it.” Leon Morris

Does “grace alone” encourage sin? “…is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!” v. 2:17

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5/30/2017

Adherence to the law can only show us our sin. “…I prove myself to be a transgressor.” v. 2:18

As we “die” to the law, we are able to live with Christ. “…died to the law so that I might live to God.” v. 2:19

The reality of our lives in Christ is that we are: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live …” v. 2:20a

The reality of our lives in Christ is that we are: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live …” v. 2:20a

• dead to sin, and …

“Most significant spiritual growth is often discerned by the believer as backsliding.” Thomas Dubay

The reality of our lives in Christ is that we are: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live …” v. 2:20a

• dead to sin, and … • alive with Christ.

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5/30/2017

We live by faith as we trust that He … “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith…” v. 2:20b

We live by faith as we trust that He … “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith…” v. 2:20b

• lives in us, and …

We live by faith as we trust that He … “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith…” v. 2:20b

• lives in us, and … • loves us.

“When I am not present to myself, then I am only aware of that half of me, that mode of my being which turns outward to created things. And then it is possible for me to lose myself among them. Then I no longer feel the deep secret pull of the gravitation of love which draws my inward self to God.” Thomas Merton

Resting in grace demonstrates that Christ is enough. “…if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” 2:21

“We must silence every creature, including self, that in the deep stillness of soul we may perceive the ineffable voice of the Bridegroom. We must lend an attentive ear, for his voice is soft and still, and is only heard of those who hear nothing else! Ah, how rare it is to find a soul still enough to hear God speak!

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5/30/2017

“The slightest murmur of our vain desires, or of a love fixed upon self, confounds all the words of the Spirit of God. We hear well enough that he is speaking, and that he is asking for something, but we cannot distinguish what is said … Let us recognize, then, the fact that God is incessantly speaking in us.” Francis Fenelon

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