EXPERIENCING WHAT THE GOSPEL PROMISES – SONSHIP VERSUS “EARNSHIP” – RELATIONSHIP VERSUS RULES   Law and grace are stages in God’s plan of redemption and also stages in a person’s journey to salvation. The law serves as a tutor that … Continue reading →

“What, then, was the purpose of the law?” Galatians 3:19   “God in his grace gave it (justification by faith) to Abraham through a promise.” (v.18) Paul argues with the Judaizers that a promise (from God in this case) is … Continue reading →

“FOR IN THE GOSPEL, A RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM GOD IS REVEALED, A RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT IS BY FAITH FROM FIRST TO LAST.”  ROM. 1:17   Paul continues to call the Galatians (and us) to repent of works righteousness (or performance based acceptance) … Continue reading →

HOW PERSONAL IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD? PAUL’S APPEAL TO OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF GOD AT CONVERSION AND THEREAFTER TO KEEP WALKING IN THE SPIRIT   Before we move on to Paul’s brilliant theological vindication of the gospel (3:6-4:31) … Continue reading →

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH AND SANCTIFICATION (SPIRITUAL GROWTH) BY FAITH – GALATIANS 3:1-5   In chapters 1 and 2 of Galatians Paul gives a personal defense of the gospel and in 3 and 4 he gives a theological defense of the … Continue reading →

 “acting in line with the truth of the gospel”  – CHRISTIANS NEED THE GOSPEL TOO   The very unity of the church through faith in Christ alone for salvation which Paul went to Jerusalem to confirm (2:1-10) and Peter, James … Continue reading →

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" —which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23   "God with us."   Each Christmas, we celebrate the amazing coming of God … Continue reading →

After 14 years of preaching the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone and planting many churches in the Galatia area, Paul went up to Jerusalem (because God directed him –v. 2) to confirm with the church … Continue reading →

A GOSPEL-CHANGED LIFE   When people try to discredit the message of the gospel they try to discredit the message itself or the messengers. The Judaizers tried to discredit the gospel by adding Jewish ceremonial laws (last week’s lesson) and … Continue reading →

LIVING IN LINE WITH THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL   “Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.” (Why did God do this?) “according to the will of our God and Father”- (because He … Continue reading →

David said, “let him (god) do to me whatever seems good to him."  2 samuel 15:26; jesus said, nevertheless thy will be done.    “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart— These, O … Continue reading →

Pleasing God is the ultimate pleasure.  david repents – Genuine repentance brings genuine life-change – psalm 51 Psalm 51-To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. … Continue reading →

“Therefore, the sword will never depart from your house.”  count the COST before you SIN- 2 samuel 12; romans 6:23   Even before Nathan confronted David and spoke God’s words of severe chastisement for his sins, David was a miserable … Continue reading →

“Then it happened – in the spring when kings go out to battle. but david stayed at jerusalem.” 2 samuel 11 The last time we looked at David he was at the pinnacle of his life as a powerful and … Continue reading →