Living the Gospel -- The Unrivaled Gospel Galatians 1

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Bethany Bible Church April 30, 2017 Dr. Ted Wueste

Living the Gospel -- The Unrivaled Gospel Galatians 1:1-10 We can build our lives around the realities of _______________ and _______________. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (verses 1-3)

This way of life is grounded in His _______________ in our lives. “...who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age...” (verses 4-5)

Amazingly, we can _______________ _______________ from this gospel. “...you are so quickly deserting him who called you...” (verses 6-7a)

The gospel gets distorted through... “...there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel.” (verses 7b-9)

...appealing to the _______________ nature of grace.

...applying old _______________ to our relationship with God.

We grow in grace as our hearts _______________ in Christ. “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” (verse 10)

The Gospel of Grace and Peace The book of Galatians is a glorious defense of the gospel of the grace that is from God. The gospel is the good news that God Himself is present with us. God is present with grace and peace. Grace is the lovingkindness of God who is always with us. Peace is wholeness, the result of living in right relationship with God. Galatians was also written to warn against living a lifestyle that changes and distorts the gospel. The gospel is distorted by such things as: living a lifestyle that ignores God; acting in a certain way in order to receive God’s grace; shifting from a spirituality of receiving God’s blessing to trying to achieve God’s blessing; and expecting God to bless us with the components of our own small and limited life-stories. How do we know whether or not we are currently resting in Christ? - by asking ourselves if there are places in our lives where we are not experiencing peace and wholeness.

Questions for Discussion and Further Reflection 1. What do the phrases “God’s grace” and “God’s peace” mean to you? 2. How does our present evil age try to distort God’s grace and peace? 3. Why does it seem so easy to subtly shift from a lifestyle of receiving from God to one of achieving for God? 4. Is there currently a place in your life where you are not experiencing peace and wholeness? Talk to Jesus about this.

4/27/2017

We can build our lives around the realities of chesed and shalom. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” vv. 1-3

“It is being included in the eternal life of God that heals all wounds and allows us to stop demanding satisfaction. What really matters, of a personal nature, once it is clear that you are included? You have been chosen. God chooses you. This is the message of the kingdom.” Dallas Willard The Divine Conspiracy

“The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history. Yet … thousands of professing Christians live their entire lives without clearly understanding it and experiencing the joy of living by it.” Jerry Bridges

This way of life is grounded in His work in our lives. “…who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age…” vv. 4-5

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“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wideopen, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!” 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 MSG

The gospel gets distorted through … “…there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel.” vv. 7b-9

“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Amazingly … we can turn away from this gospel. “…you are so quickly deserting him who called you…” vv. 6-7a

The gospel gets distorted through … “…there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel.” vv. 7b-9

… appealing to the confusing nature of grace.

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“We tend to think of grace as the concession of a polite God who says, ‘Well, that’s all right, Sweetheart; please try not to do that again.’ Grace is whatever it takes for God to come and get us. It can be confrontational, frightening, disruptive, and demanding, but in the end it saves our life.” Craig Barnes, When God Interrupts

The gospel gets distorted through … “…there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel” vv. 7b-9

… appealing to the confusing nature of grace.

The gospel gets distorted through …

“Since we have fashioned this persona to ensure that our life brings what we want and need most, we cling to it long past its value to us. We rely on this image we’ve created, yet the outcome of letting it rule us is not so desirable … basically, the fruit of our made-up persona is selfcenteredness, self-reliance, and self-protection.” Marilyn Vancil

We grow in grace as our hearts rest in Christ. “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God…?” v. 10

Desire

“…there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel” vv. 7b-9

… appealing to the confusing nature of grace. … applying old narratives to our relationship with God.

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Desire the life

Desire the life Discern places of resistance Dwell

Desire the life Discern

Desire the life Discern places of resistance Dwell with Him in those places

Desire the life Discern places of resistance

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