Free at last!  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1 what is christian freedom?   Free at last!  “The common sense definition of freedom is to be able to do what you most want to … Continue reading →

Saturday: John 12:1-8 – When I really thought about this gathering what struck me was that Simon the leper (this probably means a former leper whom Jesus had healed) and Lazarus, a dead man Jesus had raised, were both gathered … Continue reading →

GRACE TO THE BARREN – “BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”   An allegory is a narrative in which people and events teach a lesson and Paul used Genesis 16 to illustrate our … Continue reading →

IDOLS OF THE HEART- “you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” gALATIANS 4:8   Once again Paul is telling the Galatians that trusting in the law after their salvation in Christ is no different from pagans … Continue reading →

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 →