Oct. 15, 2023

“THE ROAD TO FREEDOM”

“INTRODUCTION”

GALATIANS 1:1-2

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

When the Holy Spirit takes over, there will be liberty, not bondage, cooperation, not competition, glory to God, not praise to man. The world will see true Christianity, and sinners will come to know the Savior. 

*Author And Date:

*Who wrote it? 

The writer of this letter identifies himself as the apostle Paul:

Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).”

Galatians 6:11 “See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!”

*Where was it Written?

From Antioch, Paul and Barnabas’ home church in Syria:

Acts 14:26-28 “From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. 27Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.”

*To whom was it written?

To newly established churches in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia, including Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

Galatians 1:2 “And all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia.”

*When was it written?

About A.D. 48 shortly after Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-14:28 and just before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35).

*Why was it written?

Judaizers were trying to convince new Gentile believers that they had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved.

Galatians 6:11-18 

*What is its basic theme?

Grace, not law, is both the way to life and the way of life.

Galatians 5:13-14 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

*Paul Explain His Authority:

Paul lets them know his authority is from the Lord.

Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead).”

“through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead.” vs.1

The word “apostle” is used in a two-fold sense:

1. One of the twelve (Acts 1:21-26)

*With Jesus during His three year ministry- vs.21

*Witness of His posrresurrectionr ministry- vs.22

*Chosen by Christ- vs.22, Acts 9:15, 26:16-17

2.   One sent forth

Acts 11:22 “Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.”

Paul was commissioned by Jesus:

Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

1 Corinthians 9:1 “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?”

Galatians 1:2 “And all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia.”

Christ has set us free! We are free fro the shackles of legalism, we are free to love and live for Him. We are free to love and serve others.