hft winter 04/05 - american baptist association baptist association ... winter spring summer fall...

December5—There Is Only One True Gospel! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

12—The Gospel Is a Revelation from God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 819—The Gospel Is for All People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1326—The Gospel Enables a Life of Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

January2—The Gospel Is Justification by Faith Apart from the Law! . . . . . . . . . . . . 239—The Power of Christ Redeems from the Curse of the Law . . . . . . . . . . . 2816—The Purpose of the Law Is To Bring Us to Christ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3323—Grace Enables Believers To Be Heirs in God’s Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3830—Law and Grace Cannot Be United! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

February 6—Serve One Another by Love! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

13—The Work of the Flesh Versus the Fruit of the Spirit! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5220—Christian Living Requires Individuals To Be Responsible! . . . . . . . . . . . 5627—Christians Should Glory Only in the Cross! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

HELP FOR THE TEACHER, Sunday School, Vol. 66, No. 1, issued December 1, 2004, is publishedquarterly. Prepared by Charles Swilling; Cover designed by Jeff Allen; Larry E. Clements, Editor in Chief,<[email protected]>; Wayne Sewell, Business Manager, <[email protected]>.

© Copyright 2004, BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE of the American Baptist Association, 4605N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503-2928.

The Gospel of GraceThe Book of Galatians

QUARTERLY AIM: By the end of this quarter the students will understandthe concept and uniqueness of salvation by God’s grace alone.

HHeellpp ffoorr tthhee TTeeaacchheerrSUNDAY SCHOOL WINTER QUARTER, 2004-05

Genesis 1—11Job

Exodus

Genesis 12—50

Romans

Luke 13:22—24

Isaiah 40—66

1 Timothy2 Timothy

Titus

DanielEzekiel

NehemiahMalachi

Matthew 1—13

LeviticusNumbers

Deuteronomy

Hosea, Amos, Micah, Jonah,

2 Kings 14—16,2 Chronicles 25—28

PhilemonPhilippiansColossians

Jeremiah2 Kings 24, 252 Chronicles 36

1 Peter2 PeterJude

Revelation 1—7

Matthew 14—28

Hebrews

2 Corinthians

2 Kings 21—232 Chronicles 33—35

ZephaniahLamentations

Habakkuk

John 1—12

ZechariahEzra

Haggai, Esther

Revelation 8—22

Luke 1—13:21

Isaiah 1—392 Chronicles 29—32

2 Kings 17—20Nahum

Ephesians

John 13—21

1, 2, 3 John

2012

American Baptist AssociationThrough-the-Bible Series Sunday School Lessons

Acts 1—14

2 Samuel 5—241 Chronicles 11—29

1 Kings 1, 2

1 Kings 3—222 Chronicles 1—24

2 Kings 1—13Joel, Obadiah

Acts 15—28

James1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

1 Corinthians

1 Samuel2 Samuel 1—4

1 Chronicles 1—10

Psalms

ProverbsEcclesiastes

Song of Solomon

JoshuaJudges

Ruth

Mark

Galatians

Winter Spring Summer Fall

2013

2014

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Sunday DevotionalThe Gospel Message of God’s

Only Savior, Acts 4:12.

Paul defines the gospel in 1 Corin-thians 15:3, 4, “For I delivered untoyou first of all that which I also re-ceived, how that Christ died for oursins according to the scriptures; andthat he was buried, and that he roseagain the third day according to thescriptures.” The gospel is defined asthe death, burial and resurrection ofJesus Christ according to the Scrip-tures. The gospel message is all aboutthe Lord Jesus Christ. It is not aboutworks or ceremonies.

The people, the priests, the captainof the Temple and the Sadducees were

grieved that Peter and John taughtthe people and preached throughJesus the resurrection from the dead(Acts 4:2). It seems strange that thesereligious people were grieved that theapostles preached about Jesus. Itshould not be strange to us becausethe religious world in the main is oneof the most defiant enemies of thecross and the gospel message. Thistruth is verified by those who con-fronted Jesus in His ministry and theapostles in their ministries.

Peter answered the question ofthese leaders. He was filled with theHoly Spirit and answered them inpower and boldness (verse 8). Peteridentified Jesus as the stone which thebuilders had rejected that is become thehead of the corner (verse 11). While itwas our sins that caused the crucifixionof Jesus on the cross, it was the Jewishleaders who cried out for the Romans tocrucify Jesus. Peter said that they hadcrucified Jesus, and God had raisedHim from the dead (verse 10).

In plain yet strong language, Peterin the text said, “Neither is there sal-vation in any other” (verse 12). Jesusis the one and only Savior of the world.There is no question about the truththat Peter presented to these men.Paul identified Jesus is the oneMediator between God and man in 1Timothy 2:5. Jesus can represent Godto man and man to God. Only He qual-ifies to do this.

3

There Is Only One True Gospel!

Galatians 1:1-9

Daily DevotionalsSee Daily Devotional Quarterly

M. —God’s Plan for Paul’s Ministry, Acts 9:10-16.

T. —The Gospel Committed to Paul, 1 Timothy 1:11-17.

W. —Paul’s First Mission Work in Galatia, Acts 13:13—14:23.

T. —Christ’s Sacrifice as Our Shepherd, John 10:11-18.

F. —Christ’s Sacrifice Reveals the Love of God, 1 John 3:16.

S. —God’s Righteousness Only Comes Through Christ, Romans 10:1-4.

1 December 5, 2004

Application: The true gospel ofJesus Christ is always the good newsof salvation by grace through faith inChrist and is never the result of amixture of Law and grace.

The true gospel is the death, burialand resurrection of Jesus according tothe Scriptures according to 1 Corin-thians 15:3, 4. The gospel is the goodnews of salvation by grace throughfaith in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “Forby grace are ye saved through faith;and that not of yourselves: it is the giftof God: not of works, lest any manshould boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9).

The gospel message is good newsbecause the gospel message is foreveryone. Whoever calls on the Lordshall be saved (Rom. 10:13). No oneperson has to die and go to hell. If hedoes, he does so in spite of everythingthat the Lord has done to save him.Jesus said, “But as many as receivedhim, to them gave he power tobecome the sons of God, even to themthat believe on his name: which wereborn, not of blood, nor of the will ofthe flesh, nor of the will of man, butof God” (John 1:12, 13).

It is difficult to understand thereligions that teach you are saved byworks completely or by faith in Jesusplus works. Paul teaches us that it isall grace and no works because thetwo do not mix (Rom. 11:6). Paulwrote, “Not by works of righteous-ness which we have done, but accord-ing to his mercy he saved us, by thewashing of regeneration, and renew-ing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

I. THE DIVINE APPOINTMENT (Gal. 1:1)Paul’s apostleship was by divine

appointment. By implication that alsomeant that his message was of divineorigin.

II. ALL THE BRETHREN AND ALLTHE CHURCHES (Gal. 1:2, 3)For the apostle Paul, salutations

were more than mere words. The factthat he included others in his greetingto the Galatian churches underscoresthe importance of Christian fellow-ship.

III. THE SUPREME SACRIFICE (Gal. 1:4, 5)He suggested that any attempt to

detract from the efficacy of Jesus’ sac-rifice by adding works to salvationwould be an insult to the sufferingsand death which Jesus experienced.

IV. NO OTHER GOSPEL(Gal. 1:6, 7)The true gospel is the good news of

the death, burial and resurrection ofJesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

V. ACCURSED EVANGELISTS (Gal. 1:8)God is greatly displeased with

those who preach a distorted or cor-rupted gospel. Paul underscored thisall important principle by stating thatneither he nor one of the holy angelscould make a distorted gospel pure.

VI. THE CURSE REITERATED (Gal. 1:9)Paul wanted to underscore for the

Galatian churches the gravity of thematter which he was addressing. Hereiterated the curse.

4 There Is Only One True Gospel!

ON TARGET COMMENTARY OUTLINE

1 LESSON FOCUS

ADULT QUARTERLYGalatians 1:1-9

A First LookUnderstanding the nature and

message of the gospel of Jesus Christis essential to understanding the bookof Galatians. The gospel is anannouncement of the good news of themessage of salvation.

A Closer LookI. PAUL’S CALLING

(Gal. 1:1, 2)Paul identifies himself as an apos-

tle. An apostle had to be personallychosen by Jesus and he had to be aneyewitness of the resurrection (Acts1:22).

II. PAUL’S GREETING(Gal. 1:3-5)The preaching of the gospel never

tires those who truly believe it. It is aspring of living water that continuallynourishes and refreshes the souls oftrue believers.

III. PAUL’S PROBLEM(Gal. 1:6-9)

Paul expresses a kind of surprisethat these folks were so quicklyremoved from the truth he hadpreached to them. Someone had comealong preaching another gospel. In ashort time they lost their appreciationand wonder at the true grace of God inthe face of another message thatclaimed to be the gospel.

A Final WordWhen the gospel is made a message

about men instead of a message aboutJesus, then it is a perverted gospel.

2 LET’S BE PRACTICAL

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRISTRomans 1:14-16

I. THE PERSON OF THEGOSPELPaul defines the gospel in 1

Corinthians 15:3,4. The gospel is thedeath, burial and resurrection ofJesus according to the Scriptures.Paul wished those who preached anyother gospel be accursed (Gal. 1:8).

II. THE POWER OF THE GOSPELThe gospel is the power of God

unto salvation to everyone whobelieves. This gospel is for all meneverywhere. There is only one Saviorand there is only one gospel.

III.THE PARDON OF THE GOSPELThose who believe the gospel are

forgiven of their sins. Paul definesredemption as the forgiveness of sinsin Ephesians 1:7. The Lord demandsthat man repent of sins.

IV. THE PEACE OF THE GOSPELMan and God are not in harmony

and can have no fellowship with oneanother in man’s natural lost state.Those who believe the gospel of Jesuscan be justified by faith and havepeace with God (Rom. 5:1).

V. THE PROVISION OF THEGOSPELThe gospel is to the Jew first and

then to the Greeks (Rom. 1:16). Paulconsidered himself a debtor to theGreeks, Barbarians, wise and unwise(Rom. 1:14). The invitation to thewhole world is to call upon the nameof the Lord (Rom. 10:13).

Text: Galatians 1:1-9 5

(The following exercises are a review of the lesson. These are quotations fromthe Adult Quarterly with significant words missing. Use them as a closingreview as time permits.)

—Understanding the nature and message of the ________________________ ofJesus Christ is __________________to understanding the book of Galatians.

—They went so far as to teach that, to be a ______________________, a personfirst had to become a Jew.

—First, Paul identifies himself as an ________________________.

—An apostle had to be personally chosen by Jesus, and he had to be an_____________________ of the resurrection.

—The apostles knew that Jesus was real and that He had really _____________from the __________________________.

—Salvation begins with the ______________________ of God.

—The ________________________ and ___________________________ of God areavailable through Jesus Christ.

—The purpose of Jesus is to provide _______________________ from this worldand a ______________________ in a better world to come.

—He wants us to come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and He wantsus to possess the new and abundant ______________________ that Jesusgives ________________________.

—But then someone had come along preaching another ____________________.

—Paul was confident that he had ________________________________ the only_______________________ gospel to these people.

—The gospel “is the ________________________ of God unto salvation” (Rom.1:16). A _______________________ gospel cannot bring about the power tosave anyone.

—The __________________________ was that someone would die and go to hellbecause he had ________________________ a false gospel.

—When the gospel is made a message about men instead of a message aboutJesus, it is a ________________________ gospel.

—The gospel is about the death, burial and ________________________ of Jesus.

—We should be certain to ___________________ the true gospel of Jesus Christand we should be careful never to take anything away from it or__________________________ anything to it.

6 There Is Only One True Gospel!

LESSON REVIEW


“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other nameunder heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. How important is it that churches be clear when presenting the gospel?

2. What are some current examples of the gospel being perverted?

3. If the gospel is so important that nothing, including an angel fromHeaven can change it, what does that say about the importance of Hischurches proclaiming it?

4. What can churches do to more effectively share the saving gospel ofChrist with others?

5. Is there such a thing as absolute truth? Or is all truth relative? Thetruth of the gospel is absolute and unchanging!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR LESSON APPLICATION

Sunday DevotionalSharing the Gospel Means

Telling It Like It Is,1 Thessalonians 2:4-6

The time had come for Jesus to re-turn to His Heavenly Father. He said,“But ye shall receive power, after thatthe Holy Ghost is come upon you: andye shall be witnesses unto me both inJerusalem, and in all Judaea, and inSamaria, and unto the uttermost partof the earth” (Acts 1:8). This messagewas directed to His first church madeup of individual members. The GreatCommission was given to His church-es (Matt. 28:19, 20).

As His witnesses we are to sharethe gospel with others. The gospel is

the death, burial and resurrection ofJesus according to the Scriptures (1Cor. 15:3, 4). Paul said he was notashamed of the gospel of Christ be-cause it was the power of God unto sal-vation to everyone who believes (Rom.1:16).

God had entrusted Paul with thegospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was calledof God to preach the gospel. This is awonderful calling. This message is onthe heart of God’s men and people.There is only one gospel of JesusChrist, and it should be declared withpower and boldness.

Paul was not called to be a comedi-an to entertain and make peoplelaugh. Paul was not called to be apolitician to get along with all peopleand try to please them. Paul was notcalled to be a great speaker who wouldimpress people. Paul was called to de-clare the simple, plain gospel of JesusChrist.

Paul wrote, “For the preaching ofthe cross is to them that perish fool-ishness; but unto us which are saved itis the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). Thismessage should be a great joy to every-one. The gospel has made it possiblefor all people to be saved. Paul sufferedmany things for preaching the gospel.

Paul was not preaching the gospelto please men. He was not preachingthe gospel for what he could get out ofit. He did not use it as a cloak of cov-etousness.

8

The Gospel Is a Revelationfrom GodGalatians 1:10-24


M. —Seek To Please God—Not Men! 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.

T. —Our First Allegiance Is to God! Acts 5:26-32.

W. —The Bible Definition of the TrueGospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

T. —Paul’s Experience of Saving Grace, Acts 9:1-9.

F. —The Power Behind Paul’s Ministry, 1 Corinthians 15:8-11.

S. —Paul’s Testimony of His Conversion, Acts 26:1-20.

2 December 12, 2004

Application: The gospel involvesa personal relationship with Christthat must be communicated to others.

There is a great difference be-tween being religious and being re-deemed. We are living in a religiousworld. Our towns and cities are filledwith religions and different beliefs.Paul referred to some as the enemiesof the cross. There are many whowould stand up and deny the gospelmessage with convincing words.

Jesus taught that people must beborn again (John 3:3, 5). People mustbe born from above. Jesus also said,“Which were born, not of blood, nor ofthe will of the flesh, nor of the will ofman, but of God” (John 1:13). Thosewho are in Christ are new creatures(2 Cor. 5:17). Peter said that we arebegotten again unto a lively hope bythe resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Peter 1:3). Do you know Jesus asyour personal Savior? There is a per-sonal relationship with Jesus andeach one who has been born again.

What we have in Jesus makes usricher than any millionaire or billion-aire. There is no dollar amount thatcan be placed upon what we have inJesus as heirs of God and joint heirsof Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:16, 17).

The gospel should be declared toothers. The Lord’s people shouldshare the gospel. The preachershould preach the gospel. Thechurches should support men whopreach the gospel. The gospel hasbeen shared by radio, television andthe printed page.

I. THE GOSPEL IS FROM GOD (Gal. 1:10-12)As an apostle, Paul was a messen-

ger for and from God in the fullestsense of the term. God chose him andentrusted him with the message hewas to deliver.

II. PAUL’S ZEAL FOR JUDAISM (Gal. 1:13, 14)It was possible that Paul’s reputa-

tion as a zealous Pharisee who hadturned from Judaism to Christianitywas known in Galatia since it was onlyabout eighty-five miles from Derbe.

III. GOD’S GRACIOUS CALL(Gal. 1:15-17)Paul explained that his call to be an

apostle was among the sovereign pur-poses of the omniscient God.

IV. PAUL’S VISIT TO JERUSALEM (Gal. 1:18, 19)After he was saved and called to be

an apostle, Paul did not visit Jerusalemin which the first church, as well as theTemple, were located until some timehad elapsed.

V. PAUL’S MINISTRY IN SYRIAAND CILICIA (Gal. 1:20-22)As Paul continued with his over-

view of his early ministry, he contin-ued to underscore the fact that hisauthority to preach was not from anyhuman source.

VI. PAUL’S DRAMATIC TURN-AROUND (Gal. 1:23, 24)The proud Pharisee who had perse-

cuted Jesus had humbly submitted toHim and acknowledged Him as hisLord (Acts 9:4-6).



1 LESSON FOCUSADULT QUARTERLY

Galatians 1:10-24

A First LookSince some of the false teachers in

Galatia had questioned Paul’sauthority and credibility, Godinspired him to write this account ofhow he received the gospel and howhe grew in grace and knowledge tothe point where he could preach toothers.

A Closer LookI. PAUL BELIEVED THE GOSPEL

(Gal. 1:10-14)Paul gave his heart to the Lord,

and the gospel became a reality tohim. He became an eyewitness to hisown salvation.

II. PAUL RECEIVED INSTRUC-TION (Gal. 1:15-19)

Paul went to Arabia for three yearsand allowed God to prepare his heartfor the work of preaching the gospel.

III.PAUL PREACHED THE GOSPEL (Gal. 1:20-24)Paul abandoned his career as a

Jewish lawyer. He gave up his ambi-tion to be wealthy or powerful. Hesought instead to please Jesus and topreach the gospel to those in his life.

A Final WordPaul knew that he was not saved

as the result of a philosophical searchfor the truth. He was not saved bykeeping all the laws and rules of thePharisees. His salvation and his mes-sage came from Heaven.


DECLARING THE GOSPEL1 Corinthians 15:1, 2

I. THE PREACHING BY MANPaul teaches us that the preach-

ing of the cross is to those who perishfoolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). The preach-ing of the cross to those who aresaved is the power of God (Rom.1:16).

II. THE PRESSURE OF MANThe pressure and stress of our day

is causing a lot of preachers andchurches to give over to the socialgospel. Paul said the time wouldcome when the people would notendure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3, 4).

III. THE PERVERSION BY MANPervert means “to change or water

down the pure truth of the gospel.”Many change or try to change thegospel by adding to it. They mixworks in with grace.

IV. THE PERSUASION OF MANPaul was not ashamed of the

gospel nor did he apologize forpreaching the gospel. He had a heartconviction that the gospel was thepower of God unto salvation (Rom.1:16).

V. THE PATIENCE OF MANWe have been made the stewards

of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May wepreach it and teach it diligently andpatiently for the glory of the Lord.

10 The Gospel Is a Revelation from God


—God inspired him [Paul] to write this account of how he _____________________the gospel and how he grew in grace and knowledge to the point that he couldpreach to others.

—The biblical command to witness . . . ___________________________ the gospelto others who need to hear it.

—It ________________________________ the faith of the one doing the witnessing.

—He [Paul] desired that they ____________________ and ______________________the truth of the gospel.

—The gospel is a message of ________________________. It does things and itchanges people.

—Not only did Paul _____________________________ to the teachings of the OldTestament, he was also an expert in the many ___________________ that hadbeen added over the years to these teachings.

—God saved Paul for a ___________________, just as He saves us for a purpose.

—The purpose of God for Paul was that he would fill the ___________________calling possible. He was to be a ________________________.

—When problems arose in the churches of Asia Minor, Paul went up toJerusalem and had a _________________________ with Peter and the otherapostles, and the matter was _______________________ satisfactorily.

—Paul . . . received what he preached from _____________________, not frommen.

—Paul had gone home to __________________ the gospel with his own family andfriends.

—He [Paul] sought instead to __________________________________ Jesus and to___________________ the gospel to those in his life.

—The people of Judea did not know who Paul was. They . . . had heard how Godhad ________________________ this man from a ____________________into a_________________________.

—The only thing that could help Paul was a ______________________ meetingwith Jesus.

—If you are truly saved, you _______________ that your works did not save you.

—You may not understand all that has happened, but, if you know Jesus, youknow that He alone is responsible for your ________________________.


LESSON REVIEW

12 The Gospel Is a Revelation from God

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how thatChrist died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried,and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 5:3,4).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. In what ways do you seek to please people instead of pleasing God? Bespecific.

2. What difference does it make that the gospel had its origin with God?

3. In what ways may you have been an enemy of the gospel in your life?

4. Why was it important that Paul received his gospel message indepen-dently from the other apostles?


Sunday DevotionalThe Jerusalem Council Refuted

False Teachers, Acts 15:1-30.

The Lord and His Word have al-ways had enemies. Satan and his ser-vants will try with all their power todeceive people about the truth. He canconvince men that everyone who doesevil is good and that the Lord delightsin them (Malachi 2:17). John wrote,“Beloved, believe not every spirit, buttry the spirits whether they are of God:because many false prophets are goneout into the world” (1 John 4:1).

In Acts 14:19 some Jews came fromAntioch and Iconium and persuadedthe people, and they stoned Paul andleft him for dead. Now Paul had re-

turned to Antioch and some came fromJudea and taught the disciples thatthey must be circumcised and keep theLaw of Moses to be saved. Paul andBarnabas argued and debated withthese men. They disagreed with whatthey were teaching. The truth is thatcircumcision never saved anyone.

The decision was made to sendPaul and Barnabas and others toJerusalem to the apostles and eldersabout this matter. The apostles andelders came together to consider thisquestion. Acts 15:7 tells us that theyhad a healthy debate over this sub-ject. Peter stood up and told themthat God had purified their hearts byfaith (verse 9). He also said that menare saved through the grace of theLord Jesus Christ (verse 11).Barnabas and Paul then gave a re-port on what God had done amongthe Gentiles by them. After this,James stood up and told what theprophets had said (verses 14-18).

The result of the discussion and de-bate was given by James. He said,“Wherefore my sentence is, that wetrouble not them, which from amongthe Gentiles are turned to God” (verse19). The apostles advised them to ab-stain from pollutions of idols, fornica-tion, things strangled and from blood(verse 20). This decision about thetruth was made by the apostles, eldersand the whole church (verse 22).

13

The Gospel Is forAll People

Galatians 2:1-10


M. —Adapting To Reach the Lost Where They Live, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

T. —The Danger of False Apostles, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

W. —The Test of False Prophets, 1 John 4:1-3.

T. —Warning: Do Not Change God’sMessage of Grace! Jude 3-5.

F. —In Christ and His Word There Is True Freedom! John 8:31-36.

S. —Use, Do Not Abuse, Christian Liberty! 1 Peter 2:13-17.

3 December 19, 2004

Application: All people regard-less of time, place or circumstancemust be saved by faith alone throughgrace alone.

The gospel is the death, burial andresurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor.15:3, 4). The gospel is the power ofGod unto salvation to everyone whobelieves (Rom. 1:16). How were peo-ple saved in Old Testament times?Were they saved differently thanthose who are saved in New Testa-ment times? The question of Law andgrace came up in the times of theapostles and even comes up in ourday. Paul wrote extensively about thetruth of Law and grace.

Paul got to the heart of the matterwhen he wrote about Abraham. Hewas the father of the Jewish people.Paul tried to convince those who stilllived by the Law how Abraham wassaved. Paul wrote, “But to him thatworketh not, but believeth on himthat justifieth the ungodly, his faithis counted for righteousness” (Rom.4:5). Paul also wrote, “For we saythat faith was reckoned to Abrahamfor righteousness” (verse 9).

All people are saved by gracethrough faith regardless of whatcountry they live in or in what gener-ation they live (Eph. 2:8). The reasonwhy men are condemned before Godis they do not believe in Jesus Christ(John 3:18). God’s grace offers salva-tion to all. Men are saved by believingin Jesus to save them. God accountstheir faith as righteousness. It is sosimple that whosoever believes shallbe saved (Acts 16:31).

I. ANOTHER VISIT TO JERU-SALEM (Gal. 2:1, 2)The reason for Paul’s visit four-

teen years later was related to thegospel, but it was not to certify Paulas a preacher of the gospel. Instead,it was to clarify for everyone theessence of the gospel.

II. THE LESSON FROM TITUS (Gal. 2:3)Titus was a classic example of the

fact that salvation is entirely bygrace without any requirement forcircumcision.

III. CHRISTIAN LIBERTY (Gal. 2:4, 5)In Jesus Christ, there is freedom

from the inflexible demands andrequirements of the Law.

IV. HUMAN REPUTATION MINI-MIZED (Gal. 2:6)He recognized that human advan-

tages and accomplishments are of noavail in gaining God’s favor orapproval.

V. THE SAME GOSPEL FOR EVERYONE (Gal. 2:7, 8)Even though Peter and Paul were

chosen to witness primarily to differ-ent nationalities, the message of sal-vation would remain the same.

VI.AN AGREEMENT AMONG GEN-TLEMEN (Gal. 2:9, 10)Peter and James were the primary

speakers during the discussion of thecouncil in Jerusalem and their publicendorsement of Paul and Barnabascertainly would have been signifi-cant.

14 The Gospel Is for All People


1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookNo one has an exclusive right to

the truth. Truth is truth for everyone.It is as true for those who do notbelieve it as it is for those who do.

A Closer LookI. PAUL DEFENDS HIS MINISTRY

(Gal. 2:1-4)For fourteen years he had been

preaching without direct contact withthe brethren in Jerusalem. To avoidconfusion or to keep his work frombeing in vain, he went to Jerusalemto defend the things he had preachedand his apostleship itself.

II. PAUL DEFENDS PETER’S MIN-ISTRY (Gal. 2:5-8)We please God when we believe

what the Bible teaches and then putthose lessons into practice in ourlives. We do not please God when weoffer Him our wonderful personali-ties but then refuse to accept whatHis Word teaches us.

III.THE APOSTLES APPROVE PAUL’S MINISTRY (Gal. 2:9, 10)

These brethren, who were the lead-ers of the church in Jerusalem, sawthat Paul had received the samegrace that they had.

A Final WordThe great lesson here is that the

gospel is the same, no matter whoyou are or where you are. God doesnot show partiality to anyone. TheJews needed to be saved and theGentiles needed to be saved.


THE UNIVERSAL GOSPELActs 1:8

I. ALL HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD (Rom. 3:23) All have sinned and come short of

the glory of God. That is why all needto be saved. The fact of sin in thelives of all is seen in all will diebecause of sin (Rom. 5:12).

II. ALL NEED TO BE SAVEDThere is a Heaven to go home to or

there is a hell where lost sinners willbe punished eternally. Study Luke16:19-31.

III.ALL HAVE ONLY ONE SAVIOR (Acts 4:12)Only Jesus qualifies as the

Mediator between God and man (1Tim. 2:5). Only Jesus is capable ofinterceding with God for man (Heb.7:25). Only Jesus is the advocate andpropitiation for the sins of the wholeworld (1 John 2:1, 2).

IV. ALL HAVE ONLY ONE WAY OF SALVATION (John 14:6)Jesus told His disciples that He

was the way. Those who believe onthe name of Jesus are not condemned.Those who do not believe are con-demned already.

V. ALL ARE SAVED TO SERVE THE LORD (1 Thess. 1:9).The Thessalonians turned from

idols to serve the living and true God.Paul called on the Romans to presenttheir bodies a living sacrifice to theLord.



—The _______________________ teachers in Galatia had ____________________Paul and the message that Paul preached.

—We see in these verses that Paul emphasized the communication of the___________________________.

—Every human being is a ___________________________________ and needs to_______________________ the message of salvation.

—Paul was emphasizing that his ministry and his ______________________came from Jesus.

—Paul preached among the ______________________. This angered the Jewishbelievers who taught that Christians had to keep Jewish rituals and evenbe circumcised.

—Every believer has the ____________________ and _________________ tostudy the Bible and determine for himself what the Word teaches.

—________________________ teachers usually insist that they have some spe-cial insight and that what they say should not be _______________________.

—No matter what preacher you may _______________________, and no matterhow much you love and trust that person, _____________________ the Biblefor yourself.

—True believers will ____________________________ on certain issues; yet,they will unite in important issues for the sake of the work of the Lord.

—We ________________________ God when we believe what the Bible teachesand then, put those teachings into ________________________ in our lives.

—Ultimately, Jesus will _____________________ what everyone of us has doneto help or to harm His kingdom work here on earth.

—Everyone of us has _____________________ abilities and talents that we canuse in the service of the Lord.

—The _______________________ in Jerusalem needed to hear the gospel, butso did the _____________________ in Samaria and the people in Galatia and

those in the uttermost parts of the earth.

16 The Gospel Is for All People

LESSON REVIEW


“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . ” (Matt. 28:19).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. In what ways has the gospel brought liberty and freedom to your life?

2. Is the gospel to the Jew and the gospel to the Gentile the same gospel? Is the gospel the same, no matter what nationality or language?

3. What are some falsehoods that threaten the true gospel of Christ?

4. Does God call some people to minister to certain people and not to oth-ers? (Discuss the call of God to missions and missionaries.)

5. Is God concerned with all the lost people in the world? What about thelost people in your city and neighborhood?

6. If God is concerned for lost people, in what specific ways does yourchurch show concern for the lost?


Sunday DevotionalForgiveness and Justification

Are Only in Jesus, Acts 13:38, 39

All have sinned and come short ofthe glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We areguilty of sin against God and stand inneed of forgiveness. Forgiveness ispossible. It is a joy to know and un-derstand that our sins can be forgiven.A principle is stated in 1 John 1:9 thatcan apply to the sins of the sinnersand saved people. John wrote, “If weconfess our sins, he is faithful and justto forgive us our sins, and to cleanseus from all unrighteousness.” John

the Baptist came preaching, “Repentye: for the kingdom of heaven is athand” (Matt. 3:2). This is the samemessage that Jesus preached inMatthew 4:17.

In true repentance of sin, peoplemust confess their sins. We have theforgiveness of sins in Jesus (Eph. 1:7).Confession of sin must come from theheart, not the head. There is a differ-ence between confessing with themouth and confessing with the heart.When you confess your sins, yourheart is grieved and bothered by yoursins.

We can only be forgiven of our sinsthrough Jesus Christ. Jesus died forour sins. He paid our sin debt (1 Peter3:18). He satisfied the justice of God bybearing the full weight of our sins anddying on Calvary (Isa. 53:11). Whenwe repent of our sins and trust Jesusto save us, we are born again and oursins have been cleansed. God forgivesus for Christ’s sake (Eph. 4:32).

When we repent of our sins and putour faith in Jesus Christ, we stand be-fore God the Father justified. Justifiedmeans “to prove or show to be just orright.” Paul wrote to the Romans,“Who was delivered for our offences,and was raised again for our justifica-tion” (Rom. 4:25). We are justified byfaith (Rom. 5:1). This is the faith thatwe put in the Lord to save us.

18

The Gospel Enables a Life of Faith

Galatians 2:11-21


M. —The Real Purpose of the Law, Romans 3:19-28.

T. —Abraham’s Example of Salvation Apart from Works, Romans 4:1-5.

W. —Loving Confrontation Can Aid Spiritual Growth, Proverbs 27:5, 6.

T. —Jesus Makes Up for Our Failure To Keep God’s Law, Romans 8:1-9.

F. —God’s People and the Ministryof Reconciliation, 2 Corinthians

5:17-21.S. —Not By Our Works—But By His

Mercy! Titus 3:5.

4 December 26, 2004

Application: We can only live alife of faith as we allow Christ to livethrough us.

The saved are to live and patterntheir lives after Christ. The discipleswere called Christians first at Antioch(Acts 11:26). We often use the wordssaved and Christian interchangeably.There is a difference between beingsaved and being a Christian. Thesaved are those who are born again.They have repented of their sins andhave trusted Jesus as personal Savior.A Christian is one who is striving tolive like Christ.

There is a conflict between theflesh and the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). Pauldescribed the inner conflict in his ownpersonal life in Romans 7:14-25.

He concluded there was not anything good about the flesh (verse 18).Paul also said that the carnal mind isnot and cannot be subject to the Lawof God (Rom. 8:7).

We are to trust the Lord to help uslive for Him. We must allow Him tolive through us. We are to allow themind of Christ to be in us (Phil. 2:5).It is impossible to please the Lordwithout faith (Heb. 11:6). Many couldtestify that they are helpless to livefor the Lord in their own strength andability. When we confess our inabilityand weaknesses to the Lord, He thencan make us strong and give us graceto live for Him. Only the Lord canmake weak people strong (2 Cor.12:9). His strength is made perfect inweakness. Jesus told His disciples,“For without me ye can do nothing”(John 15:5).

I. PETER’S INCONSISTENCY (Gal. 2:11, 12)Peter, the apostle who denied

Jesus despite having boasted that hewould never do so, stumbled onceagain in his Christian life. What hesaid in Jerusalem was not consistentwith how he acted in Antioch.

II. REACTIONS TO PETER’S INCONSISTENCY (Gal. 2:13, 14)Some otherwise decent people acted

inappropriately because of Peter, andPaul had to censure an apostle pub-licly who was widely regarded as aChristian leader.

III.JUSTIFIED BY FAITH ONLY (Gal. 2:15, 16)Paul turned his attention in this

epistle to an extremely pressing mat-ter, which is that justification is byfaith only without any works of theLaw.

IV. A CONSISTENT LIFE(Gal. 2:17, 18)In these verses Paul underscored

a vital principle, the essence of whichis that genuine faith in Jesus Christleads to a life-style that is consistentwith one’s profession of salvation.

V. DEAD, YET, ALIVE(Gal. 2:19, 20)In salvation, Paul passed from a

state of spiritual death to one of spir-itual life.

VI.FRUSTRATING THE GRACE OF GOD (Gal. 2:21)Those who pursued a legalistic

life-style were frustrating the graceof God.



1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookOne of the most insidious applica-

tions of hypocrisy is to teach thatthere is one set of standards for onegroup and another set for the elite.This was the attitude of many Jewsin the first century.

A Closer LookI. AN INCONSISTENT WAY TO

LIVE (Gal. 2:11-14)When Peter arrived, he enjoyed

fellowship with the Gentiles. TheJews scolded Peter and he changedhis habits and withdrew from theGentiles.

II. A WRONG WAY TO BUILD ALIFE (Gal. 2:15-17)We cannot build a life of service to

Jesus on the works of the flesh.

III.A RIGHT WAY TO BUILD A LIFE(Gal. 2:18-21)When we are saved, our old man is

crucified with Christ. It is nailed toHis cross and taken out of the way.The principles of the new life isallowing Jesus to live in us and tocontrol our behavior.

A Final WordLegalism has not gone away. It is

as present now as it was in the firstcentury. It is still having an evilinfluence on many saved people. Thepressure to please others can influ-ence our behavior.


A LIFE OF FAITHGalatians 2:20

I. A LIFE OF FAITH IN THE LORD’S WORDThe wise man teaches us to trust

in the Lord with all our hearts andlean not to our own understanding(Prov. 3:5, 6). His Word teaches usthat we cannot please Him if we donot have faith in Him (Heb. 11:6).

II. A LIFE OF FAITH IN THE LORD’S WILLJesus prayed to the Father in the

garden, “nevertheless not my will,but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). TheLord has a purpose for everyone of usin this life, and we are to put ourfaith in Him and His will for ourlives.

III.A LIFE OF FAITH IN THE LORD’S WAYThe new or inner man is created in

true holiness and righteousness (Eph.4:24). As new creatures in Christ, allthings become new (2 Cor. 5:17). TheLord’s way is manifested in the fruitof the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23).

IV. A LIFE OF FAITH IN THELORD’S WALKWe are to walk in the light as He is

in the light to have fellowship withHim (1 John 1:7). We are to conductour lives in accordance to the Word ofGod.

V. A LIFE OF FAITH IN THE LORD’S WORKThe greatest work on earth is the

work of the Lord. He saved us to doHis work in His absence.

20 The Gospel Enables a Life of Faith


—Jesus sternly condemned the Pharisees for preaching one thing and______________________ another.

—Every child of God should begin his study of the Bible with a ______________that God will lead him into truth.

—We should go on from there to build our belief system on the firm_______________________ of the truth that is Jesus Christ.

—When Peter arrived, he enjoyed fellowship with the ______________________brethren there. He ate with them and made no difference in those who wereJews and those who were Gentiles.

—When the Jews in Antioch saw this, they scolded Peter for his behavior, andPeter _________________________ his habits.

—Paul pointed out that the Jews were ______________________ from the samesin that they saw in the Gentiles.

—What we do in our _______________________ does not save us, and it cannotbe a ________________________ for a spiritual life after we are saved.

—Now we observe of the clearest explanations in the Bible of the ____________between the flesh and the spirit.

—We see that we cannot build a new life on an _________________ foundation.

—When we are saved, our old man is _________________________ with Christ.

—The foundation for living is not human behavior; it is the________________________ change and eternal __________________________of the Holy Spirit of God in the believer.

—Jesus ____________________________ in us, and we should simply do ourbest to ________________________ that indwelling presence to find anexpression in our daily lives.

—We are ________________ by the love of God, and we are _______________ bythe Spirit of God.


LESSON REVIEW

22 The Gospel Enables a Life of Faith

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

LESSON ASSISTANCE


1. How do pressures to please people affect your stand for the truth? Whenwas the last time you gave in to popularity on praise in a hypocritical way?

2. How important is it that your beliefs and behavior agree? Why?

3. How much does it mean to you that Christ lives within you?

4. In light of Christ’s indwelling, what kind of lives should we be living?Are we?

5. Are there limits to Christ and liberty? If so, what are the limits?(Discuss answers in light of 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14.)

Sunday DevotionalFaith Comes by Hearing the

Word of God, Romans 10:12-17

Whosoever calls on the name of theLord shall be saved. In all of Paul’swriting, he debates and verifies thatsalvation is by grace through faith inthe Lord Jesus Christ. The Law neversaved anyone. The Law was used ofGod to bring men to Christ to besaved. All of the sacrifices pictured thesupreme sacrifice, Jesus Christ. John

the Baptist declared, “Behold theLamb of God, which taketh away thesin of the world” (John 1:29).

Paul asked four questions thatshow the need of men to hear theWord of God to exercise faith in theLord. Faith comes by hearing andhearing by the Word of God. TheHoly Spirit convicts men of the truth.

Jesus said the Comforter will re-prove the world of sin, righteousnessand judgment (John 16:8). Reprovemeans “to convict” and convict means“to convince.” Without the work ofthe Holy Spirit a person could not besaved.

How shall they hear without apreacher? God calls men into theministry to preach His unsearchableriches. How shall they preach exceptthey be sent? The call to preach God’sWord is difficult to explain, but theexperience is real. Those who arecalled know they are called.

God’s men are called and sent ofGod to preach the Word of God. God-called preachers have a great love forthe Word of God. Paul instructedTimothy to preach the Word (2 Tim.4:1, 2). We are to preach Jesus andHim crucified (1 Cor. 1:23). Romans10:14 states, “How then shall theycall on him in whom they have not be-lieved? and how shall they believe inhim of whom they have not heard?”

23

The Gospel Is Justification byFaith Apart from the Law!

Galatians 3:1-9


M. —The Righteousness of God Is Revealed in the Gospel, Romans 1:16, 17.

T. —The Holy Spirit Indwells at the Point of Faith, Ephesians 1:13,

14.W. —Abraham’s Example of

Salvation by Grace Through Faith, Genesis 15:1-6.

T. —Abraham’s Faith Became Visible in His Works, James 2:21-24.

F. —Full Righteousness Is Imputed to Believers in Christ, Romans 4:9-25.

S. —Through Christ God Will Bless All Families of the Earth,Genesis 12:1-3.

5 January 2, 2005

Application: Our salvation expe-rience is the basis for everything wedo as Christians.

Several years ago a womanentered a race and won it. A questioncame up about where she started therace. After examining the facts, it wasdetermined that she did not start atthe starting place, but entered it atsome other place. As a result, she wasdisqualified and someone else wonthe race.

When it comes to the Lord’s ser-vice, you start at the starting placewhich is being born again. If you tryto do everything that a Christianshould do and you do not start outright, everything you do is meaning-less to our Heavenly Father.

There will be more religious peoplein hell than people who care not forGod, His Word or His work. Jesussaid, “Many will say to me in that day,Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied inthy name? and in thy name have castout devils? and in thy name donemany wonderful works? And then willI profess unto them, I never knewyou: depart from me, ye that workiniquity” (Matt. 7:22, 23).

The saved become new creatures inChrist Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). Old thingsare passed away and all thingsbecome new to the saved. “The love ofGod is shed abroad in our hearts bythe Holy Ghost” (Rom. 5:5). Thisdivine love moves us to love the Lordand do what He taught us to do (John14:21-23). Only the saved person cando the godly thing for the godly rea-son. Our affections are to be on thingsabove (Col. 3:2).

I. BEWITCHED BY ERROR (Gal. 3:1)Sometimes those who have em-

braced the truth become so deceivedthat they accept teachings which theyshould know are false.

II. CONTINUE IN THE SPIRIT (Gal. 3:2-4)Believers receive the Holy Spirit

through faith, and they are to contin-ue to live the Christian life by theguidance and assistance of the Spirit.

III. MINISTERING THE SPIRIT (Gal. 3:5)How could a pastor minister the

Spirit to a congregation? He did so byteaching and preaching as the Spiritdirected him.

IV.THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM (Gal. 3:6)Paul recalled the example of the

faith of Abraham. Abraham became abeliever in the true God.

V. THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM (Gal. 3:7)One of the most prominent fea-

tures of the Abrahamic Covenant wasthat he would have numerous descen-dants. His seed would be as the dustof the earth.

VI. THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM (Gal. 3:8, 9)The greatest blessing for Abraham

was the fact that he was regarded asthe friend of God (Isa. 41:8; James2:23).

24 The Gospel Is Justification by Faith Apart from the Law!


1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookThese verses set forth the plain

truth that men are justified beforeGod by their faith in Jesus Christand not be any works that they maydo.

A Closer LookI. RECEIVING THE SPIRIT

(Gal. 3:1, 2)Those who are truly saved have

the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. TheHoly Spirit comes to be a living partof us.

II. THE HEARING OF FAITH (Gal. 3:3-5)Once again Paul appealed to the

process of the hearing of faith. This isthat the preaching of the truth givesthose who hear the truth an opportu-nity to believe.

III.BELIEVING GOD FOR RIGH-TEOUSNESS (Gal. 3:6-9)Abraham was saved when he

believed God. That belief was account-ed to him for righteousness.

A Final Word Those who are saved know that

they are not saved by works. Thelegalists spin a wicked web of lies,but look into the Word of God andinto your own heart.


JUSTIFIED BY FAITHRomans 4:4, 5

I. THE FATHER IN THE TEXTPaul wrote, “Therefore being justi-

fied by faith, we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom.5:1). God was in Christ reconciling theworld unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:19).

II. THE FAVOR IN THE TEXTThe Father calls upon all people to

repent of their sins and trust Jesus tosave them. God’s grace and favor hasappeared unto all men according toTitus 2:11.

III.THE FAITH IN THE TEXTGod justifies those who put their

faith in Jesus Christ. Because of ourfaith, we have peace with God. Weare saved by grace through faithaccording to Ephesians 2:8. Beingjustified by faith is so easy and, yet, itis extremely difficult at the sametime.

IV. THE FALSE IN THE TEXTMen have always wanted to have

something to do with their standingbefore God. Many religions teach onecan be saved, but they add works tosalvation. Paul made it so plain. Noone was justified by the works of theLaw (Gal. 2:16).

V. THE FAKE IN THE TEXTThose who tried to think they

could approach God on the grounds oftheir works were fakes and counter-feits. Some of the people who arewicked and cruel are religious peoplewho are not saved.



—These verses set forth the plain truth that men are justified before God bytheir _______________________ in Jesus Christ and it is not by any worksthat they may do.

—When we are truly born again, we will do ____________________, not becauseit makes sense to us or because there is some promised reward. We will dogood because we _____________________ Jesus.

—The people of Galatia were listening to the legalists and were accepting thethings that these ______________ preachers taught without ______________or concern.

—The believers in Galatia had replaced the truth of the ____________________with the lies of the legalists.

—Those who are truly saved have the Holy Spirit _________________ in them.

—We hear the gospel, then, we can ______________________ the gospel, and,then, the Holy Spirit comes to be a living part of us.

—There is no person on earth who has eternal salvation because of the_________________________ of his flesh, and there is no one on earth who isbeing made complete or perfect by these same works.

—It is when we learn of Jesus and __________________________ what we havelearned to our lives that we can mature in Christ.

—The preaching of the truth gives those who hear the truth an______________________ to believe.

—Realize that the _____________ of salvation does not _____________________from dispensation to dispensation.

—Abraham was not ____________________________ righteousness because of hisbehavior; he was accounted righteousness because of his ________________.

—It is through the faith of _______________________ that the Gentiles have anopportunity to be saved.

—Those who are saved _________________ that they were not saved by works.

—It is ____________________ to be deceived, and the legalists still spin a wickedweb of lies, but examine the ________________________ of God and your ownheart.

26 The Gospel Is Justification by Faith Apart from the Law!

LESSON REVIEW


“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thyhouse” (Acts 16:31).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. How did you receive the Holy Spirit?

2. After receiving the Holy Spirit by faith, are you left to your own devicesfor growth?

3. What do you think God expects from you after you receive Christ?

4. What dangers do traditions and legalism pose for church work today?


Sunday DevotionalGod Looks at the Heart, not the

Works, Luke 18:9-14

Remember when Samuel was in-structed to go to Jesse’s house to findthe next king of Israel? Samuellooked on Eliab and said, “Surely theLORD’S anointed is before him” (1Sam. 16:6). The Lord responded with,“Look not on his countenance, or onthe height of his stature; because Ihave refused him: for the LORD seethnot as man seeth; for man looketh onthe outward appearance, but theLORD looketh on the heart” (verse 7).The Lord does not look on the out-ward appearance. He examines the

heart. David was chosen because hewas a man after God’s own heart.

Jesus spoke this parable to certainmen who trusted in themselves thatthey were righteous and despised oth-ers. Man is not accepted of God be-cause of his works. This parable wasgiven to convince certain men whattrue righteousness is.

Jesus gave a comparison of a reli-gious person represented by thePharisee and a sinful person repre-sented by the publican. There aremany who think being religious anddoing good works will obtain accep-tance with God. The Pharisee whowas religious seemed to be a betterman than the publican. The Phariseethanked God he was not like othermen. He even thanked God that hewas not like the publican. He boastedabout fasting and giving tithes of allhe possessed. This was a good out-ward show.

The publican was standing afaroff. He would not lift up his eyes toHeaven. He smote on his breast. Hespoke the words that revealed whatwas in his heart. He said, “God bemerciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).He confessed his sin and pleaded withGod for His mercy. Jesus referred tothe publican as humbling himself.James taught us that God gives graceto the humble (James 4:6).

Jesus said he who exalts himselfshall be abased. This is what thePharisee was doing. He was exaltinghimself.

28

The Power of Christ Redeemsfrom the Curse of the Law

Galatians 3:10-18


M. —Sin and Failure Result from the Human Condition, 1 John 1:8-10.

T. —There Is Forgiveness with the Lord! Isaiah 55:5-12.

W. —Christ Is the Perfect Remedy for Man’s Sin, Hebrews 7:25-

27.T. —Christ’s Blood Is the Only Price

for Our Redemption, 1 Peter 1:18-21.

F. —Redeemed People Should LiveRighteously, 1 Peter 2:24.

S. —Jesus Is the Perfect Atonementfor Man’s Sin, 1 John 2:1, 2.

6 January 9, 2005

Application: The life that pleasesGod will be lived by faith, not by law.

If you will study the conduct andbehavior of the Pharisees, you willfind that they were a cruel and meanpeople. Their way of worship and ser-vice was cold, formal and ceremonial.Jesus described them in Matthewchapter 23. He pronounced woesupon them for their behavior. Jesuscalled them hypocrites (Matt. 23:13).

The Christian life is more thanaccepting a rule of conduct or observ-ing the strict letter of the Law. TheChristian life is a life of faith in theLord and in His Word. The outstand-ing characteristic of a life of faith islove for the Lord and for one another.“We know that we have passed fromdeath unto life, because we love thebrethren” (1 John 3:14). All men willknow we are His disciples if we havelove for one another (John 13:35, 36).

We are to live the Christian lifebecause of the personal relationshipwith Jesus Christ. We are born againand have a love for the Lord and thethings of the Lord. God looks on thehearts and not just on the works thatwe do. If we have a wrong motive forliving for the Lord or a wrong patternthat we are following, our works willnot be accepted by the Lord.

A person cannot be saved withouta personal faith in Jesus. A savedperson will not serve the Lord accept-ably without faith. Without faith wecannot please God (Heb. 11:6). Weare to walk by faith, not by sight (2Cor. 5:7).

I. THE CURSE OF THE LAW (Gal. 3:10)Adam’s failure to obey God fully

brought a curse upon him and all hisdescendants (Rom. 5:12).

II. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH (Gal. 3:11, 12)Justification is the only way in

which people can be justified beforeGod. Justification is the basis for alife that is pleasing to God.

III.REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE(Gal. 3:13)The curse can be lifted only by

someone who could live and die with-out being under the curse. Thatwould necessitate a substitutionarydeath.

IV. GENTILES AND THE BLESSINGOF ABRAHAM (Gal. 3:14)The Jewish people have descended

from Abraham; however, believers inall races also can claim descent fromAbraham because through him all thefamilies of the earth shall be blessed.

V. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT’SINVIOLABILITY (Gal. 3:15, 16)The Abrahamic Covenant was

inviolable. Abraham had died. Godwould have acted dishonestly if Hehad changed the provisions of thecovenant following the death ofAbraham.

VI. THE INHERITANCE OF PROMISE (Gal. 3:17, 18)The inheritance mentioned in verse

18 refers to what believers havethrough Jesus Christ, the Seed ofAbraham.



1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookWe are saved by placing our faith

in the Redeemer who has come onceand is coming again.

A Closer LookI. THE CURSE OF THE LAW

(Gal. 3:10-12)Those who are under the Law are

condemned, not justified. The con-demnation of the Law is evident inthe written and unchangeable Wordof God. Anyone who does not keep allthe Law, every part in every detail, isguilty of breaking the whole thing.

II. THE REDEMPTION IN CHRIST (Gal. 3:13-16)Jesus redeems us from the curse

of the Law. The term redeem literallymeans “to buy back a slave.” Itinvolves paying a price, and Jesuspaid the price with His own blood (1Peter 1:18, 19).

III.THE COVENANT CONFIRMED (Gal. 3:17, 18)If the promise was that people

would be saved through the seed ofAbraham, which was Jesus Christ,the Law could not come along fourhundred thirty years later andbecome a substitute plan of salvation.

A Final WordThe promises of God exclude all

the efforts of men. God gave thiscovenant by promise alone.


I AM REDEEMED1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10

I. I AM REDEEMED FROM SATANTO THE SAVIORWe are really blessed when each of

us can say, “I am redeemed.” We areredeemed and we know that we are.Satan had his way in our lives beforewe were redeemed. After salvationwe were set aside for the Savior.

II. I AM REDEEMED FROM HELLFOR HEAVENIt is horrible to know that you are

lost and will go to hell if you die inyour sinful condition.

III.I AM REDEEMED FROM SIN FOR SERVICEWe were sinners lost and undone

doing the will of Satan. We were sin-ful and only regretted it when we gotcaught in sin. We are saved to be ser-vants of the Lord.

IV. I AM REDEEMED FROM GUILTTO GLADNESSThe lost are miserable as they go

to church and hear the preaching ofGod’s Word. Guilt and shame plaguethe lost in sin. When we were saved,the guilt was taken out of the wayand joy replaced it in our lives.

V. I AM REDEEMED FROM FOOL-ISHNESS TO FRUITFULNESSWhen we were lost, we did many

foolish things. When we were saved,it became a joy to serve the Lord andbear fruit for Him.

30 The Power of Christ Redeems from the Curse of the Law


—Another is to accept the grace of God by _________________________ in JesusChrist and allow Christ to be the sacrifice for our sins.

—The only plan of salvation ______________________ to God and taught in theBible is to accept the grace of God and place our faith in Jesus Christ.

—He also told us how Jesus took the ___________________________ of the Lawout of the way and made real redemption possible.

—The Law is a code of moral conduct that is completely ____________________to keep in our hearts (Matt. 5:28).

—Those who are under the Law are ________________________, not justified.

—No one is _________________________ by the Law in the sight of God.

—The curse of the Law is the ultimate effect of sin in ______________________us from God.

—He [Jesus] literally suffered in our ______________________________ andbore the punishment that properly belongs to every sinner.

—God purposes to send the Holy Spirit to be the ___________________________and _________________________ of our salvation.

—It is only through faith in _______________________ that we have access tothe indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is the gift that comes to allwho accept Christ.

—Much of the Old Testament concerns the __________________________ of thisagreement that God made with Abraham.

—Abraham was __________________________ before the Law was given and sowere countless thousands of others who lived in the time between Abrahamand Moses.

—If the inheritance, that is the ____________________________ blessing givento Abraham, is of the Law, the promises are not valid.

—If men are saved by __________________________ as the legalists claim, thismakes it necessary to cancel out the promises that God made.

—The grace of God and ________________________________ in Jesus Christcan set us free from the curse of sin and bring us under the_________________________________ and leadership of the Holy Spirit.


LESSON REVIEW

32 The Power of Christ Redeems from the Curse of the Law

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veilof the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Mark 15:37, 38).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. In what ways are we guilty of accepting God’s salvation by faith, thenattempting to live “under the law”?

2. What are some modern manifestations of legalism that hinderChristian living and effective church work today?

3. What do you think Paul meant when he wrote: “All things are lawful forme, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but allthings edify not” (1 Cor. 10:23)?

4. What can we do to eliminate or minimize the practice of legalism in ourchurch?


Sunday DevotionalRighteousness by the Law

or by Faith? Philippians 3:4-9.

There was a fierce battle betweenthe apostle Paul and the religious peo-ple of his day. The high ranking offi-cials of the Jewish religion tried to con-vince Paul that one is saved by keep-ing the Law. Religion and righteous-ness are two different things. TheJews were extremely religious, butmost of them were not saved. Manydid not understand what the new birthwas.

Paul described his life as a devoutPharisee. If anyone had a right to haveconfidence in the flesh, he did. Accord-ing to the Law, he and his conduct

were blameless. Were people saved bykeeping the Law or were they saved byrepenting of sin and trusting Jesus tosave them?

Paul wrote, “For if there had been alaw given which could have given life,verily righteousness should have beenby the law” (Gal. 3:21). Later in thissame chapter Paul wrote, “Whereforethe law was our schoolmaster to bringus unto Christ, that we might be justi-fied by faith” (verse 24). The NewTestament writings verify that theLaw was not given to bring life to theone who kept the teachings of the Law.The blood of bulls and goats could notbring about the forgiveness of sins.

Paul stated plainly that the Lawwas not of faith; yet, the just shall liveby faith. A good personal study on thissubject would be to examine what wehave by faith. Use a good Bible concor-dance and look up the word faith andsee what faith obtains for us. Galatians3:26 teaches us that we are all the chil-dren of God by faith.

Paul suffered the loss of all thingsfor the excellency of the knowledge ofJesus Christ. Paul counted what hesuffered loss of as dung. He did thisthat he might win Christ. In Jewishlife, when a Jew received Jesus asSavior, his family turned their backson him and treated him as if he hadnever lived or was ever part of theirfamily.

33

The Purpose of the Law Is To Bring Us to Christ!

Galatians 3:19-29


M. —Jesus Came To Fulfill, Not Destroy the Law, Matthew 5:17-20.

T. —The Law Helps Us See Sin as Sin, Romans 7:7-13.

W. —It Is Impossible To Please God Without Faith! Hebrews 11:4-6.

T. —The Consequences of Being Under Sin, Romans 3:9-18.

F. —How To Become a Son of God,John 1:11-13.

S. —God’s Plans for His Children, Philippians 2:14-16.

7 January 16, 2005

Application: When we understandthe purpose of the Law, we will realizethe blessings brought by our faith inChrist.

The Law did serve the purpose ofGod. Men may misinterpret the pur-pose, but the purpose is real andstands. The Law was set forth toprove the guilt of all men. “And allthe world may become guilty beforeGod” (Rom. 3:19). The Law provedand manifested to man that he was asinner. The sacrifices of the Law wereto show men that there is forgivenessin Jesus Christ. To violate one part ofthe Law was to be guilty of all theLaw.

We are truly blessed in JesusChrist. Jesus said, “The thief comethnot, but for to steal, and to kill, and todestroy: I am come that they mighthave life, and that they might have itmore abundantly” (John 10:10). Thelost can only look for temporary ben-efits in this life, condemnation for sinand the wrath of God being pouredout on them (John 3:36). The savedare blessed with all blessings. Paulwrote, “But as it is written, Eye hathnot seen, nor ear heard, neither haveentered into the heart of man, thethings which God hath prepared forthem that love him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

Paul describes those who put theirfaith in Jesus as new creatures inChrist Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). Old thingsare passed away and all thingsbecome new. He also describes thesaved as heirs of God and joint heirsof Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). Godowns everything, and we are heirs toeverything by faith in Jesus Christ.

I. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW (Gal. 3:19)The Law was a temporary mea-

sure, given to expose the true natureof sin.

II. HOW THE LAW WAS GIVEN (Gal. 3:19, 20)The Law was altogether good and

valid for its purpose, but it was notgiven to supplant or replace theAbrahamic Covenant.

III.THE LAW AND THE PROMISE (Gal. 3:21, 22)If the Law and the promise were

properly interpreted and applied,there would be no contradictionregarding them.

IV. THE LAW AS A SCHOOL-MASTER (Gal. 3:23-25)The Law and the period of time

which it governed helped to preparethe Jews for the coming of theMessiah.

V. IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST (Gal. 3:26, 27)Since salvation cannot be seen,

believers should give visible testimonyof the inner experience which theyhave received. One way is by baptism.

VI.BELIEVERS ARE ONE IN CHRIST (Gal. 3:28, 29)Having considered that believers

are to be identified with Christthrough baptism, Paul then pointedout that in Jesus Christ there are noranks or status distinctions of anykind.

34 The Purpose of the Law Is To Bring Us to Christ!


1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookThe legalists taught that, if a per-

son did the best he could and honest-ly tried to obey the laws of God and ifthat person would submit to whatev-er religious rituals were present,then that person would be justifiedbefore God.

A Closer LookI. THE REASONING BEHIND THE

LAW (Gal. 3:19-22)The Law was a part of the process

that concluded that all men are sin-ners and that all men need the sav-ing grace of Jesus Christ.

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW (Gal. 3:23-25)The Law was our schoolmaster,

literally our child conductor. It hadthe purpose of bringing us to Christ.

III.THE RESULT OF FAITH IN CHRIST (Gal. 3:26-29)Jesus taught that we must be

born again, and through the spiritualbirth we become children of God. Thebest anyone could hope for under theLaw was to be a servant. In Jesus webecome the children of God.

A Final WordWe see that faith offers us what

the Law could never provide.


LET’S STUDY THE BIBLE2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17

I. THE BIBLE AND THE TRUTHOur lessons focus is on what is

true and what is false or error. TheBible is a harmonious book and itsdoctrines harmonize. You may seekto teach anything by the Bible, butyou cannot do so and it be in harmo-ny with the rest of the Bible.

II. THE BIBLE AND THE TENDEN-CYIf we are not careful, we can look

at the Bible in light of the traditions.The Jews were trying to teach theway to be saved was influenced bywhat they had been taught by others.

III.THE BIBLE AND THE TROUBLEThe Bible is inspired of God and

profitable for mankind (2 Tim. 3:16,17). There are many religions in ourworld today, and they all cannot beright.

IV. THE BIBLE AND THE TRYINGJohn teaches us not to believe

every spirit, but try the spirits andsee whether they are of God or not (1John 4:1). We are to try the spiritsbecause many false prophets havegone out into the world. God’s Wordand the truth can stand the test ofmen.

V. THE BIBLE AND THE THINK-INGWe must rightly divide the Word

of God. It does matter what God saysin His Word.



—The legalists . . . taught that, if a person did the best he could and honestlytried to obey the ____________________________ of God, if that person wouldsubmit to whatever religious __________________________ were present . . .that person would be __________________________ before God.

—We are justified before God by our ______________________________ in JesusChrist.

—When we understand the real ____________________________ of the Law, wecan also understand the blessings that can only come from our faith inJesus Christ.

—The Law also served the spiritual purpose of showing men that they had___________________________ the standards of God.

—He [Jesus] died in our place, and, in so doing He _________________________all the requirements for justification before God.

—The Law could never give ________________________.

—The Law was our _________________________, literally our child conductor.

—The Law brings us to Christ as lost sinners, and Jesus then _______________us by faith.

—The Law was the instrument that God used to show us the _______________for a Savior.

—The ________________________________ taught in this Law have become thefoundation for nearly all the legal systems of earth, this Law was given toa specific nation.

—Jesus taught that we must be born again, and through spiritual__________________________, we become children of God.

—We are saved by _________________________ in Jesus.

—When we are saved and become the ___________________________ of God,we attain the position of being heirs of Christ and we are Abraham’s________________________.

—Faith in Jesus places us in a new relationship with God. We become His_____________________.

—When we ______________________ in Christ, we will desire to follow Him.

36 The Purpose of the Law Is To Bring Us to Christ!

LESSON REVIEW


“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, thatwe might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. In what ways does God’s Word convict you of sin?

2. What does it mean to you to be a part of the family of God?

3. In what specific ways are you identifying yourself with Christ?

4. What are some earthly distinctions that may be the source of disunityin your church?

5. What can you do to overcome barriers between members in your churchfamily?


Sunday DevotionalGod Sent His Son to Manifest

His Love for the World,1 John 4:9, 10

John 3:16 is the golden text of theBible. God loved the world so muchthat He gave us His beloved Son.Isaiah prophesied of the virgin birthof Jesus in Isaiah 7:14. The NewTestament reveals the plan of God forJesus to be born of a virgin. Read theaccount recorded in Luke 1:30-35 ofthe angel’s announcement to Mary.The birth of Jesus by Mary manifeststhe love that God has for mankind.

John wrote in 1 John 4:19, “Welove him, because he first loved us.”

When you realize what the Lord hasdone for you out of love, it will causeyou to know that you are loved great-ly of the Heavenly Father. Jesus said,“Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for hisfriends” (John 15:13). Certainly Jesusproved His love for us by living a per-fect life and dying a sacrificial death(1 Peter 3:18).

God’s love for us is revealed by Hissending His Son into the world thatwe might live through Him. Johnused several terms to describe theLord. In John 17:5, Jesus prayed tobe glorified with the glory that Hehad with the Father before the worldwas. God spoke from Heaven at thebaptism of Jesus and identified Himas His beloved Son (Matt. 3:17). Johnalso referred to Jesus as God’s onlySon. There is no one else like Jesus.There are not many sons of God asthe religious world has proclaimed.These are false Christs. Jesus is theonly begotten Son of God. We recog-nize the triune God, God the Father,God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

The Ephesians were in time pastdead in trespasses and sins. Theywere made alive (Eph. 2:1). Theywere lifeless to God before they weresaved. Then, they became alive byfaith in Jesus Christ. In our lost con-dition we did not love God, but Godloved us.

38

Grace Enables Believers To BeHeirs in God’s Family

Galatians 4:1-7


M. —The Time Predicted for Christ’sFirst Coming, Daniel 9:24-26.

T. —The Perfect Time for Christ’s Ministry To Begin, Mark 1:14, 15.

W. —God’s Love Cost God’s Son, John 3:16-18.

T. —God Sent His Jesus To Be Savior of the World, 1 John 4:14, 15.

F. —From the Start Jesus Fulfilled the Law, Luke 2:21-24.

S. —The Condemnation of the Law Was Nailed to His Cross, Colossians 2:14,15.

8 January 23, 2005

Application: The purpose ofChrist’s coming is to redeem andadopt believers into God’s family.

The Jews thought that Jesus cameto restore the kingdom of Israel anddeliver them from the rule of theRomans. This is evident by the disci-ples’ question, “Lord, wilt thou at thistime restore again the kingdom toIsrael?” (Acts 1:6).

Jesus said, “For the Son of man iscome to seek and to save that whichwas lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus alsosaid, “I am come that they mighthave life, and that they might have itmore abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesuscame as the Messiah. He would giveHis life for the sins of the world. Johnthe Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb ofGod, that taketh away the sin of theworld” (John 1:29).

The only way that lost mankindcan be saved is by receiving thesupreme offering that Jesus made onCalvary. Jesus died in our place andpaid our sin debt. He died for oursins. Because He died for our sins, wecan be saved by repenting of our sinsand trusting Jesus as our personalSavior. Paul said that we are all thechildren of God by faith (Gal. 3:26).When we are born again, we canaddress God as our Heavenly Father.We become a member of the family ofGod. Jesus said, “Which were born,not of blood, nor of the will of theflesh, nor of the will of man, but ofGod” (John 1:13).

God loved us so much that we arecalled the sons of God (1 John 3:1, 2).We are begotten again unto a livelyhope by the resurrection of JesusChrist (1 Peter 1:3).

I. THE TRAINING OF AN HEIR (Gal. 4:1, 2)In Bible times wealthy families en-

trusted much of the care and trainingof their children to servants. Paul usedthe training of a family’s heir as anillustration of the purpose of the Law.

II. IN BONDAGE TO THE ELE-MENTS OF THE WORLD (Gal. 4:3)It would seem as if “the elements of

the world” refers to the lessons whichthe Jewish people should have learnedwhile they lived under the Law.

III.THE FULLNESS OF THE TIME (Gal. 4:4)In the culture of Paul’s time a

father could determine when it wasappropriate for a son to attain theage of majority.

IV. REDEEMED AND ADOPTED (Gal. 4:5)Redemption was the means by

which a slave was set free; adoptionenabled one to become an heir whowas not otherwise entitled to such anhonor.

V. THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION (Gal. 4:6)Believers of this dispensation can

follow the lead of the Spirit of truthand affectionately exclaim, “Abba,Father.”

VI.AN HEIR THROUGH FAITH (Gal. 4:7)Through faith in Jesus Christ, we

are redeemed from the condemnationand guilt of sin, and having been thusset free, we are destined to becomejoint heirs with Jesus Christ.




Galatians 4:1-7

A First LookSalvation has always been through

the grace of God and by faith in Hispromises. We become the children ofGod through our spiritual birth.

A Closer LookI. CHILDREN IN BONDAGE

(Gal. 4:1-3)The child of the master would

grow up to assume a position of lord-ship and the children of the servantswould still be servants.

II. REDEEMED SONS AND DAUGHTERS (Gal. 4:4, 5)God sent forth His Son that we

could become children of God. Ourredemption requires a Redeemer tocompletely and totally pay the pricefor our sins.

III.HEIRS OF GOD(Gal. 4:6, 7)

The child will eventually be theheir. This simply means that whichthe father has will passed on to thechild. This is the great promise thatis made to all those who are childrenof God through faith in Jesus.

A Final WordWhen we accept Jesus as our

Savior, our condition changes. We areno longer lost, we are children of Godand we are destined to go to Heavenwhen we die.


CHILDREN OF GODGalatians 3:26

I. THE FATHER IN THE TEXTGod is the Father of all who are

born again. We are to address theFather in the model prayer thatJesus taught His disciples (Matt.6:9).

II. THE FAITH IN THE TEXTGod accounts the faith of the lost

sinner as righteousness (Rom. 4:5).He imputes righteousness to usbecause of our faith in His Son, JesusChrist.

III.THE FAVOR IN THE TEXTThe invitation of God is for all to

come to Jesus and be saved (Rom.10:13). The grace of God that bringssalvation has appeared to all men(Titus 2:11).

IV. THE FAMILY IN THE TEXTAll who put their faith in Jesus

Christ to save them are in the familyof God. That is why we can call oneanother brothers and sisters inJesus. The whole family in Heavenand earth are called by the name ofJesus (Eph. 3:15).

V. THE FORTUNE IN THE TEXTAs children of God we are the

heirs of God and the joint heirs withChrist.

40 Grace Enables Believers To Be Heirs in God’s Family


—The legalists in Galatia had set up a kind of _____________________ betweenthe Law of Moses and the gospel of Christ.

—We become the ______________________ of God through our spiritual birth.

—Understanding these truths should show us that we have position and priv-ileges through our ___________________________ in Christ that could nevercome from keeping a set of rules.

—We see that for a time a child and a servant are _______________________.

—The tutors and governors would rule the children of the household until atime ______________________ by the father.

—The third point is that even as _________________________ of God, we can bein bondage or under the authority of others.

—When Jesus came, the time of tutors and teachers who were represented bythe Law was ________________________.

—God sent forth His Son that we could become ____________________ of God.

—Our _____________________________ requires a redeemer to completely andtotally pay the price for our sins and bring us into a new relationship withthe Master of all the universe.

—The ________________________ for sin was the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

—Because we are the ______________________ of God, we are given a differentSpirit. This is the same spirit that Jesus had, and it lives in our hearts.

—It is the Spirit of __________________________ that allows us to be in contactwith the leadership of God.

—This is the great promise that is made to all those who are ________________of God.

—We should do our best to live in harmony with all the ________________ Godhas given for the physical and the spiritual universe.

—Christ can and will ____________________________ us through the wonder-ful message of the gospel.

—We are children of God, and we are destined to go to _____________________when we die.


LESSON REVIEW

42 Grace Enables Believers To Be Heirs in God’s Family

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; ifso be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom.8:17).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. What are the evidences of spiritual growth in a church?

2. Does your church show evidence of spiritual growth?

3. If there is no evidence of spiritual growth, why not?

4. What is hindering your spiritual growth?

5. What characteristics are demonstrated in the life of a person who is liv-ing by faith?


Sunday DevotionalDo Not Go Back Under the Law!

Colossians 2:16-23

Paul dealt at length with the sub-ject of the Law and the purpose theLaw served. He defended the faithand freedom we have by faith inChrist Jesus. He was a champion attrying to get the Jews to understandthat the time of the Law had passed,and the day of grace and liberty werethe way they were to serve the Lordin the present. The Lord fulfilled theLaw of God, and He did it for all thosewho believe in Him (Matt. 5:17).

The Jews had perverted the teach-ings of the Lord in the Law. Look at

the Pharisees and Sadducees and youwill get a picture of the Law and howpeople lived in Jesus’s day. InMatthew 23, Jesus pronounced a woeupon the Pharisees and called themhypocrites. They were acting out arole. They were professing a way oflife that they were not living.

Paul taught the Colossians not toallow any man to judge them inmeat, drink, in respect of an holy day,of the new moon or the sabbath days.Under the Law, they were to observeand practice the teachings of the Lawin this regard. All of these thingswere a shadow of the things to come.Jesus was confronted many times bythe religious people of His day.Remember the time the disciplesplucked the ears of corn on theSabbath day and the debate with thePharisees because of it (Matt. 12:1-8)? Jesus taught the inconsistency ofthe Pharisees when He instructedHis disciples not to give alms or prayas the Pharisees did (Matt. 6:1-8).

Paul instructed them not to letany man beguile them. Beguilemeans “to deceive or mislead.” Johnwrote, “Beloved, believe not everyspirit, but try the spirits whetherthey are of God: because many falseprophets are gone out into the world”(1 John 4:1). These brethren dealtwith false teachers and prophets. Youcan know the truth and the truth willmake you free according to John8:32.

43

Law and Grace Cannot Be United!

Galatians 4:8-31


M. —Righteousness Comes by Faith, Romans 9:30-32.

T. —Believing unto Righteousness, Romans 10:5-10.

W. —Jesus Is the Mediator of the New Covenant, Hebrews 9:15-24.

T. —Believers Are Not Under the Spirit of Bondage, Romans 8:10-16.

F. —Christians Have Citizenship, Hope and a Future Above, Philippians 3:20, 21.

S. —Because of Grace, Sin Shall Not Have Dominion! Romans 6:11-18.

9 January 30, 2005

Application: Our relationship toChrist is characterized by grace, notby Law.

Those who have repented of theirsins and have trusted Jesus Christ tosave them have a personal relation-ship with Jesus Christ. Paul wrote,“Therefore if any man be in Christ, heis a new creature: old things arepassed away; behold, all things arebecome new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Johntaught us that God’s love is manifest-ed by our being the sons of God now (1John 3:2, 3). Jesus also said, “Mysheep hear my voice, and I knowthem, and they follow me” (John10:27).

God’s Word teaches us that theblood of bulls and goats cannot takeaway sins (Heb. 10:4). Paul wrote,“Wherefore the law was our school-master to bring us unto Christ, thatwe might be justified by faith” (Gal.3:24).

We are saved by grace throughfaith according to Ephesians 2:8. Thesong “Amazing Grace” says it all. Thissong helps us express the blessings ofGod on our lives in a great way. Weare saved, and we serve the Lord allbecause of the grace of God. The apos-tle Paul began and ended each of hisletters with an admonition about thegrace of the Lord Jesus. We owe ourlives to the Lord. We are what we areas saved people because of our Savior.We will exalt and magnify our Saviorforever and ever because of Hismatchless grace extended to us.

The Law was cold and formal. TheLaw was ceremonial and lifeless. TheLaw could not give life. The Phariseesillustrated the short comings of theLaw.

I. DO NOT REGRESS(Gal. 4:8-11)

If they saw the Jewish believersreturning to Judaism, it was entirelypossible that the Gentiles wouldreturn to some of the practices oftheir former religions.

II. THE MESSENGER OF GOD (Gal. 4:12-14)Paul did not imply that he was

Christ, of course, but he certainly wasa messenger of God.

III.THE RIGHT KIND OF ZEAL(Gal. 4:15-18)Paul hastened to declare that it is

commendable to be zealous for truthor anything else that is good.

IV. TRAVAILING IN BIRTH (Gal. 4:19-21)The pains of a woman giving birth

are most intense, and such agony wasindicative of the heartache Paul felt.

V. AN INSTRUCTIVE ALLEGORY (Gal. 4:22-26)In the closing part of verse 21,

Paul implied that the allegory whichhe related in this passage is part ofthe Law. This allegory depicts theroots and background of the Law.

VI.THE APPLICATION OF THE ALLEGORY (Gal. 4:27-31)The Law, as illustrated by Ishmael,

was expelled from Abraham’s house-hold; grace, as depicted by Isaac,remained forever.

44 Law and Grace Cannot Be United!


1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookA common outgrowth of legalism

is the notion that a mixture of Lawand grace is necessary for salvation.This can manifest itself in manyways.

A Closer LookI. THE APOSTLE’S CONCERN

(Gal. 4:19-21)The troubles in the church at

Galatia had in no way lessened thecare and concern that Paul had forthese people. He refers to them as hischildren.

II. THE ALLEGORY: MOUNT SINAI(Gal. 4:22-25)An allegory is a story whose char-

acters are used symbolically to illus-trate or represent a greater truth. Inthis case the allegory concerns two ofthe sons of Abraham.

III.THE ALLEGORY: NEW JERUSALEM (Gal. 4:26-31)Paul compared the Jerusalem of

history to the Jerusalem that is above.This refers to the New Jerusalem thatwill literally come down from Heaven(Rev. 21:2). The present Jerusalemrepresented bondage; the new onerepresented freedom and liberty forall.

A Final WordThe Law leads us to our Savior,

but it does not in any way save us.The grace of God will lead us to sav-ing faith in Christ.


SAVED BY GRACE, NOT WORKSEphesians 2:8-10

I. THE SON OF GODPaul pointed out that we are

saved by grace through faith and notof ourselves. It is the gift of God.Jesus was born of a virgin, lived aperfect life, died a sacrificial deathand was raised from the dead to paythe price for our sins. The Son of Godhad to do this because there was noother one who could do it. As the Sonof God, He was not a sinner or sinfulin His life and could pay our sin debt(1 John 3:5).

II. THE SACRIFICE OF GRACEJohn the Baptist said of Jesus,

“Behold the Lamb of God, whichtaketh away the sin of the world”(John 1:29). Jesus is the supreme sac-rifice for sin. Jesus was made sin for usthat we might be made the righteous-ness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

III.THE SAVIOR OF THE GUILTYThere is only one Savior and His

name is Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). He is theonly one that could qualify as ourmediator. God was in Christ reconcil-ing the world unto Himself (2 Cor.5:19). John said that Jesus is ouradvocate and propitiation for the sinsof the whole world (1 John 2:1, 2).

IV. THE SALVATION OF GLORYJesus came to seek and save that

which was lost (Luke 19:10). We areborn of God, not the will of the fleshor will of man (John 1:13). We are thechildren of God and heirs of God andjoint heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom.8:16, 17).



—A common outgrowth of legalism is the notion that a _____________________of the Law and grace is necessary for salvation.

—The purpose of the Law, which is to bring us to Christ, is thwarted when wepersist in attempting to _______________________ the Law and grace.

—The Christians in Galatia were __________________________. They were notyet full-grown spiritually, and, as such, they were subject to the manypains of childhood and adolescence.

—We only grow __________________________ as we study the Word of God andfollow the ________________________ of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

—The expressed desire of Paul was that he could be present with these peo-ple to counter the ________________________ and ________________________teaching of the Judaizers.

—The people of Galatia had ___________________________ for the glamour andpersuasion of the legalists without _____________________________ all thatwas involved in the keeping the Law.

—An ____________________ is a story whose characters are used symbolicallyto illustrate or represent a greater truth.

—Then, as now, the _____________________________ disregards the certaintyof the promises of God.

—Ishmael, the son of Hagar, represents the _________________________ ofMount Sinai or the Law.

—Isaac, the son of Sarah, represents the new covenant and the _____________that is found in Christ.

—On the other hand, the system of ___________________________ and promisewas also a system of __________________________.

—The next part of this _____________________________ concerns the two citiesthat bear the name Jerusalem.

—The present Jerusalem represents _________________________.

—Law represents _____________________________ and slavery to a systemthat can never set us free.

—Grace represents _________________________ that can never be taken away.

46 Law and Grace Cannot Be United!

LESSON REVIEW


“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John8:36).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. Why do you think the Galatians desired to be back under the Law?

2. Do you find more comfort in rules and regulations and laws than in free-dom in Christ? why?

3. Do you find it easier to judge than to love? why?

4. If you are more comfortable following a list of rules and judging thosewho differ from you than loving and forgiving them, what do you need tochange to become more Christlike?


Sunday DevotionalThe Identification Badge of True

Discipleship, John 13:34, 35.

Loving one another is a character-istic that identifies believers. Jesustaught in plain language that all menwould know that believers are Hisdisciples by the identifying badge oflove. The spiritual love is not knownby the lost world. This is the agapelove of God for spiritual things andfor His people.

If you study the times in whichJesus lived, you will find that thepeople were cruel and glorified painand suffering. They got the most painand suffering out of a person beforethey killed them. The cross verifiesthis truth. Dying on a cross was ahorrible way to die, and it took sever-

al days. Even the religious peoplewere cruel and inhumane. Saul hadpeople imprisoned and killed whopreached Jesus and served Him.

In this setting Jesus taught Hisdisciples and commanded them tolove one another. All men wouldknow that they were His disciples be-cause of this love they would have forfellow-believers.

Love is the first fruit of the Spiritlisted in Galatians 5:22, 23. Love en-ables the believer to develop all theother fruit of the Spirit. Paul wrote,“And now abideth faith, hope, chari-ty, these three; but the greatest ofthese is charity” (1 Cor. 13:13). Inverses 4-8 of 1 Corinthians 13, thebehavior and conduct of charity is de-scribed. Paul stated that withoutcharity all the other gifts do notmean anything. He said people arejust a loud noise without charity.

John taught that love is the evi-dence of salvation. He wrote, ”Weknow that we have passed fromdeath unto life, because we love thebrethren” (1 John 3:14). The love forother saved people assures us thatwe are saved. When love for the Lord,others and spiritual things is lacking,there is a question about a person’sprofession of faith.

Lack of Christian love for one an-other is hindering the Lord’s church-es. Any church can be torn up by theunloving conduct of its members.

48

Serve One Another by Love!Galatians 5:1-15


M. —The Spirit of the Lord and Liberty, 2 Corinthians 3:17.

T. —In the Lord We Are Free Servants! 1 Corinthians 7:22.

W. —Consider the Needs of Others, Philippians 2:4-8.

T. —The Characteristics of ChristianLove, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

F. —Be Practical in Showing Love, James 2:14-17.

S. —Love in Deed and in Truth, 1 John 3:17-19.

10 February 6, 2005

Application: God’s people shoulddiscover ways to put Christ’s love intopractice in the home, class, churchand community.

Are you a loving, caring believer inJesus Christ? How do others see you?Do you think they would concludethat you are a loving person? Every-one of us should make a self- exami-nation and even ask the honest opin-ion of others around us. How do oth-ers see us? What do they think of ourChristian testimony?

Paul wrote these words to theEphesians. “And be ye kind one toanother, tenderhearted, forgiving oneanother, even as God for Christ’s sakehath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Oneway we can express the love of God inour lives is by telling others that welove them. Every person needs tohear loving words from others and tobe reminded that they are loved.

Another way to express the love ofGod is by helping others. Everyonecan use help. You can help in yourhome by willingly doing some tasksthat needs to be done. You can help atyour church by offering to do whatev-er needs to be done. You can helpyour class by studying your lessonand asking questions or making com-ments that let your class know youare studying. You can help some ofthe older people who cannot do whatthey use to do. There are so many dif-ferent ways that you can show youlove the Lord and you love people.Decide what you can do and put thelove of God into practice.

I. AVOID THE LAW’S ENTANGLE-MENT (Gal. 5:1, 2)As a yoke was symbolic of burdens

which had to be borne, so was theLaw an especially demanding systemwhich could be satisfied only by per-fect compliance.

II. INDEBTED TO THE LAW (Gal. 5:3, 4)Once again, Paul underscored how

it is utterly impossible for humanbeings to keep the Law.

III.THE EXPRESSION OF FAITH (Gal. 5:5-7)Justification before God is

through faith and faith alone. Suchfaith will express itself in a believer’sdaily life.

IV. ONLY A LITTLE LEAVEN (Gal. 5:8, 9)To underscore the danger of toler-

ating any error, Paul illustrated howa small quantity of yeast (“leaven”)permeates all of the lump of dough.

V. PERSECUTED FOR THE TRUTH (Gal. 5:10-12)Satan has always opposed the

truth, and at times he has done soviolently. Throughout the centuriesthere have been instances when thepeople of God have been subjected topersecution.

VI.FULFILLING THE LAW THROUGH LOVE(Gal. 5:13-15)The Galatian believers could ful-

fill one of the undergirding principlesof the Law by loving one another.



1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookSaving grace changes us from the

inside out. Our hearts are made newand our entire value system isreplaced by the value system ofJesus.

A Closer LookI. OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

(Gal. 5:1-4)When we accept Christ as our

Savior, we are given a wonderful andcomplete liberty. We are saved.

II. THE LEAVEN OF FALSE TEACHING (Gal. 5:5-11)Paul uses the illustration of leav-

en or yeast. In baking, you wouldonly use a small amount of yeast. Alittle false doctrine can do greatharm.

III. THE PRINCIPAL OF LOVE (Gal. 5:12-15)“Love thy neighbour as thyself.”

This is the love that comes as a gift ofthe Holy Spirit.

A Final WordWe should manifest our love in

two distinct ways. First, we shouldlove the Lord. Then we should loveeach other.


THE LOVE OF GODJohn 3:16; Romans 5:5

I. THE MASTER AND LOVEJohn teaches us that we love the

Lord because He first loved us (1John 4:19). When we put our faith inJesus, we were saved. When we weresaved, the Holy Spirit of God shedthe love of God abroad in our hearts(Rom. 5:5).

II. THE MINISTERING AND LOVEJesus gave the believers a com-

mandment to love one another (John13:34). As we see and work with oneanother, we are to let our conduct beloving toward each other.

III.THE MANIFESTING AND LOVEThe love that we have and express

for one another shows those aroundus some things. Our love for eachother manifests that we have passedfrom death unto life (1 John 3:14).This love also shows others that weare the disciples of the Lord (John13:35).

IV. THE MAGNIFYING AND LOVEThe love that we have for one

another as believers causes others tomagnify the Lord who gives such loveto and for people. This love onlycomes from the Lord.

V. THE MISTAKE AND LOVELove is no mistake, but not to

develop and express the love of God isa big mistake. If we do not love oneanother, we will treat each other in adifferent way other than what theLord wants us to.

50 Serve One Another by Love!


“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minis-ter, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. Does your church lean toward legalism? (Judging everything and toler-ating nothing.)

2. In what ways do you see legalism in your church and in your own life?

3. What can you do to correct it?

4. Does your church lean toward license? (Judging nothing and toleratingeverything.)

5. In what ways do you see license in your church and in your own life?

6. What can you do to correct it?

7. In what ways are your Sunday School class or church loving your neigh-bors?


52

Sunday DevotionalBelievers Are God’s

Workmanship–To Do God’s Work, Ephesians 2:1-10

In verses 1-3 Paul described thepast condition of the Ephesians. Theywere guilty due to the flesh and itsactivity. Before they were saved, theywere dead in trespasses and sins.They walked according to the courseof this world and were the children ofdisobedience. They had their conver-sation in the lusts of the flesh andfulfilled the desires of the flesh andmind. They were by nature the chil-dren of wrath.

In this dead condition, God quick-ened or made them alive. He has

quickened them together withChrist. He did this because of Hisrich mercy and great love. God wentlooking for Adam in the Garden ofEden after he had sinned. Adam didnot go looking for God. In fact, Adamhid from God. John 3:16 tells us howmuch God loves mankind. He sentHis Son to live and die for man thatman might be saved.

In the ages to come, He will showus the exceeding riches of His gracein His kindness toward us throughJesus Christ. God favors mankind byextending to him the invitation tosalvation. Ephesians 2:9 teaches usthat we are not saved by works. Whyare we not saved by works? Becausewe would boast or brag about whatwe have done instead of bragging onwhat Jesus has done. Romans 11:6declares that it is not a mixture ofgrace and works for salvation.

The redeemed are the workman-ship of God through Jesus Christ. Weare created in Christ Jesus. The re-deemed are partakers of the divinenature according to 1 Peter 1:4. Theredeemed are born again by the willof God, not of the will of man or theflesh (John 1:13).

The redeemed are created untogood works. God saved us for His ser-vice. There is a spiritual work for allof the redeemed of the Lord. Hewants the redeemed to serve Himwith their talents and abilities.

The Work of the Flesh Versusthe Fruit of the Spirit!

Galatians 5:16-26


M. —The Battle of Two Natures in the Child of God, Romans 7:15-25.

T. —Believers Are To Walk in Love, Ephesians 5:1, 2.

W. —Christ’s Words Bring Lasting Joy, John 15:11.

T. —God’s Peace Passes AllUnder- standing,Philippians 4:6, 7. F. —Long-suffering Enables God’s

People To Keep Going, Colossians 3:12-14.

S. —The Importance of Temperanceor Self-Control, 1 Corinthians

11 February 13, 2005

Application: God’s childrenshould not desire empty glory butshould motivate others to bear spiri-tual fruit.

Paul wanted to know the Lordmore intimately as revealed inPhilippians 3:10. He wanted to knowthe fellowship of the Lord’s suffer-ings. He wanted to know the power ofthe Lord’s resurrection. Paul’s desirewas a spiritual desire created in himby the Holy Spirit.

Paul wanted to address the Corin-thians as spiritual, but he could not.He could not address them as spiritu-al. Why? Because they were carnal.This means they were fleshly. Therewas envy, strife and division amongthem.

The Christian life is all about theLord and not about us. How sad it isto see the people of God desiringempty glory in this life. Some peoplewill do whatever it takes to get theirown way. They want personal recog-nition instead of encouraging thepeople of God to glorify the Lord.Paul instructed the Corinthians toglorify God in body and spirit whichare His (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).

Every saved person should en-courage others to live for the Lordand bear fruit to His honor and glory.Paul gives a list of the fruit of theSpirit in Galatians 5:22, 23. The firstfruit is love. He calls love the bond ofperfectness in Colossians 3:14. Jesuswants His people to bear fruit, muchfruit and more fruit (John 15:1-8).Fruit is born out of love for the Lord.

I. THE FLESH VERSUS THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:16, 17)The desires of the flesh and the

Spirit directly oppose each other. Theconflict that is waged between theSpirit and the devil is a constant war-fare.

II. LED BY THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:18)The primary issue which confront-

ed them was their motivation andguide for the Christian life. Theywere to follow the Spirit of truth asHe led them.

III.THE WORK OF THE FLESH (Gal. 5:19-21)The sins which the apostle listed

in this passage are extremely vile, tobe sure, but the carnal nature is noteasily contained or controlled.

IV. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:22, 23)If a believer allows the indwelling

Spirit to work freely in his life, thefruit of the Spirit will be a normal,natural development.

V. CRUCIFY THE FLESH (Gal. 5:24)He also gave the strategy for vic-

tory over the flesh. Believers them-selves have to crucify the flesh.

VI.LIVING IN THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:25, 26)Life in the Spirit rests upon God’s

saving act and the abiding presenceof the Holy Spirit.



1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookThe contrast between the Law and

grace is reflected in the contrastbetween the fleshly nature and thespiritual nature. Legalism appeals tothe flesh.

A Closer LookI. THE SPIRITUAL CONFLICT

(Gal. 5:16-18)The relationship between the flesh

and the Spirit is a constant battle.Commentators have represented it asa tug of war, with one side prevailingfirst and then the other winning.

II. THE WORKS OF THE FLESH (Gal. 5:19-21)We should note two things about

the works of the flesh. First, note thatthey are manifest. That is everyonesees them. Then notice that these areworks. They are things that we do.

III. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:22-26)In contrast to the works of the

flesh, we now have a list of the fruitof the Spirit. Fruit is produced as anatural result of the growth process.When a new nature is born in ourhearts through the grace of God andour personal faith in Jesus, then spir-itual fruit can begin to come forth.

A Final WordThose who are alive spiritually

should also live according to the lead-ership of the Spirit.


THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRITTitus 2:12

I. THE FATHER AND THE FRUITIn our lesson today, the Lord

teaches us about what kind of fruitpleases Him. The fruit of the HolySpirit is what God wants of His chil-dren. The works of the flesh are con-demned by the Father.

II. THE FAITH AND THE FRUITIt is normal and natural for the

saved to manifest the fruit of theSpirit. It is natural for the new andinner nature of the saved to do so. Wemust live by faith in the Lord and HisWord.

III. THE FLESH AND THE FRUITThere is a present and constant

conflict in the life of the believerbetween the flesh and the Spirit ofGod (Gal. 5:17). The saved person hastwo natures. One nature is complete-ly sinful and the other nature is com-pletely sinless.

IV. THE FALSE AND THE FRUITJohn taught us that you cannot

walk in darkness and have fellowshipwith God (1 John 1:6). Some justifytheir sinful ways of life by sayingwhat they do is only normal, and theyare sinners and cannot help it.

V. THE FINISH AND THE FRUITIt is impossible to live without sin-

ning against the Lord. John alsoaddressed this truth in 1 John 1:8-10.We do sin, but the Lord wants us toconfess our sins, and He will forgiveand cleanse us of sin. Walking in thelight, we have fellowship with Him.

54 The Work of the Flesh Versus the Fruit of the Spirit!


“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal.5:22, 23).

LESSON ASSISTANCE


1. Share a recent experience in your own battle of “flesh versus Spirit.”

2. As you look at the list of “works” of the flesh (verses 19-21), do you seethem in the world today? Give some examples of the effects of these workson your church.

3. In what tangible ways can you observe the “fruit” of the Spirit at workin your church?

4. Is it worthy of note in your church that Paul warns against vaingloryand jealousy?

5. In what ways does vanity or envy hurt your Sunday School class or yourchurch?

6. What practical steps can you take to deal with the problem of jealousy?

Sunday DevotionalOur Responsibility to Our

Brethren, Matthew 18:15-17

You would think that those whoare in the family of God could getalong with God and with all of Hischildren. This is not the case. TheBible gives us illustrations of brethrennot getting along. When the saved sinagainst the saved, the Lord has givenus a plan whereby there might be rec-onciliation between brothers and sis-ters in Christ. This plan is simple andplain. It will always work. The savedmay not always work the plan, but theplan works.

We are living in the sinful flesh,and we will do and say things thatmay offend our brethren. John gaveus a good way to avoid a lot of trouble

with other people. John wrote, “But ifwe walk in the light, as he is in thelight, we have fellowship one withanother, and the blood of JesusChrist his Son cleanseth us from allsin” (1 John 1:7). The principle in thispassage is true of fellowship with theLord and with His people. We sinagainst one another when we do notwalk in the light as He is in the light.

Jesus taught the disciples that fac-ing sins against one another is impor-tant. If we do not forgive those whosin against us, the Lord will not for-give our sins against Him (Matt. 6:14,15). We are to forgive others even asGod for Christ’s sake has forgiven us(Eph. 4:32). We are to forgive one an-other and forbear one another accord-ing to Colossians 3:13. The ability toforgive can only come from God whoimparts His divine love to us.

When there is a real trespassagainst a brother, these steps are tobe taken. These instructions aregiven to those who deliberately andwillfully sin against others. This pas-sage does not refer to words or waysthat are spoken or done without themotive of hurting others. Regardlessof the reason for the trespass, thesesimple steps are to be taken.

When someone offends you, go tothe person who offends you. Talkabout it. Try to get things straight-ened out between the two of you.

56

Christian Living RequiresIndividuals To Be Responsible!

Galatians 6:1-10


M. —Do Not Seek To Please Yourself! Romans 15:1-3.

T. —A Person Self-impressed Is Self-deceived, Proverbs 26:12.

W. —Brethren Are To Love One Another, John 15:12,13.

T. —Treat Others with Care, Romans 14:13-21.

F. —Brethren Must Forgive One Another, Ephesians 4:30-32.

S. —Brethren Must Encourage One Another, Hebrews 10:24, 25.


Application: Every child of Godhas a positive duty to help others.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Notforsaking the assembling of ourselvestogether, as the manner of some is;but exhorting one another: and somuch the more, as ye see the dayapproaching” (Heb. 10:25). The lastdays will be days of great trouble anddistress. This passage teaches us toexhort or encourage one anotheralong the way of life. There is an artof encouraging others.

It is a great blessing to be part ofa church where the members love oneanother and help one another. Nearlyevery church is filled with memberswho are facing many problems. Whenyou consider how many people arefacing troublous times, it saddens usand confuses us. Job’s statement inJob 14:1 is true and a reality to all ofus.

There are things that you can doto help people around you. You candetermine to be a prayer partner ofsomeone who needs spiritual help.You can call people and be a friend tothem in their time of need. You cansend a card to them reminding themof your love and prayers for them andof the power of the Heavenly Father.You can visit them and show themyou really do care for them and wantto help them.

When people are in the hospital orhave tests made, they need a goodfriend. When someone loses a lovedone, they need a friend. When a per-son cannot do what they used to do,they need a friend to help.

I. RESTORING ERRING BRETHREN (Gal. 6:1)Restore, as used here, conveys the

idea of bringing back to its formerusefulness.

II. BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS (Gal. 6:2)One of the most important reasons

to bear one another’s burdens is toprovide assistance in the restorationof a brother or sister who has beenovertaken in a fault.

III.BEARING ONE’S OWN BUR-DENS (Gal. 6:3-5)Verse 5 deals with responsibilities

which must be handled by the believ-er himself. Individual responsibilitiescannot be transferred.

IV. SHARING WITH ONE’S TEACHERS (Gal. 6:6)Even though no one should preach

or teach for material gain, those whoenjoy spiritual benefits because ofthe ministry of a Christian leadershould be willing to share in a mate-rial sense.

V. REAPING WHAT ONE HAS SOWN (Gal. 6:7-9)Paul moved from his exhortation

to share with one’s teachers to awarning regarding the principle ofsowing and reaping.

VI. DOING GOOD UNTO EVERY-ONE (Gal. 6:10)The followers of Christ should

emulate His example and do goodalso at every possible opportunityand to everyone possible.




Galatians 6:1-10

A First LookThere is more to Christianity than

being doctrinally correct and knowingthe truth. We must also allow thetruth we know to take control of ourlives.

A Closer LookI. RESTORING OTHERS

(Gal. 6:1-3)Often the reaction to the faults we

see in others is blame and criticism,but the Bible is plain here. The personis to be restored.

II. PROVING OUR OWN WORK (Gal. 6:4-6)We should prove or examine our

own work. When we honestly examineourselves and seek forgiveness of oursins from Jesus, we will have a spiritof rejoicing.

III. THE PRINCIPLE OF HARVEST (Gal. 6:7, 8)We reap what we sow. If we sow the

seeds of idle and evil communication,we will reap a harvest of idle and evilcommunication. If we sow the seeds oftruth and morality, we will reap a har-vest of truth and morality.

IV. CONSISTENT CHRISTIANITY (Gal. 6:9, 10)We can be weary as we do good, but

we can also be encouraged. We mustkeep our eyes on Jesus, the authorand finisher of our faith.

A Final WordThe ministry of restoration is an

often neglected but much needed ser-vice.


EXHORT OTHERS2 Timothy 4:1-5

I. THE CHARGE IN THE TEXTThe apostle Paul gave Timothy a

charge. Timothy was to preach theWord. All believers have a charge toput the Word of God into effect intheir lives (Matt. 28:20).

II. THE CHALLENGE IN THE TEXTPaul wanted Timothy to reprove,

rebuke and exhort those He minis-tered to. He wanted Timothy to dothis with all long-suffering and doc-trine. This challenge is not just forpreachers. God’s people also need tobe challenged to exhort others.

III.THE CAUTION IN THE TEXTPaul warned Timothy that a time

would come when the people wouldnot endure sound doctrine. Whenpeople will not accept the truth, theywill not practice the truth.

IV. THE CONFLICT IN THE TEXTThere will always be a conflict

over the truth. The devil will see tothis in life. The Lord and His disci-ples faced conflict over the truth andso will we.

V. THE CONSECRATION IN THE TEXTPaul encouraged Timothy to con-

secrate himself to the task to whichGod called him. We are to be activeservants of the Lord witnessing tothe lost and ministering to the saved.Every believer should share thegospel and encourage the saved.

58 Christian Living Requires Individuals To Be Responsible!


“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this daywhom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that wereon the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land yedwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. What is the first responsibility of a church toward a sinning brother?

2. Give some examples from your class or church of brethren bearing oneanother’s burdens.

3. Why do church members not share one another’s burdens more often?

4. In what ways can you show appreciation for your pastor or teacher forthe work they do in teaching God’s Word?

5. Name several good things you can do (Gal. 6:10) as you have opportu-nity.


Sunday DevotionalMake Sure Your Motives Are

Pure! Matthew 6:1-8.

The Lord was patient to instructHis disciples about living for Him.They were surrounded with religiousmen who were doing the right thingthe wrong way and for the wrong rea-sons. In this passage Jesus gave ussome illustrations about doing theright thing for the wrong reason.Jesus wants us to do things after Histeaching or the pattern that He gaveto us. He wants us to live for Him forthe right motive.

Paul wrote to the servants inEphesians 6:5, 6, “Servants, be obedi-

ent to them that are your masters ac-cording to the flesh, with fear andtrembling, in singleness of yourheart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but as theservants of Christ, doing the will ofGod from the heart.” Paul wrote,“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink,or whatsoever ye do, do all to theglory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Jesus taught us to be careful whenwe do things. He taught His disciplesconcerning the motive for giving almsto the poor. They were not to givealms to the poor to be seen of men.They were not to sound a trumpetwhen they gave alms. The hypocritesdid this. They did it so they couldhave glory of men. To give alms thisway would mean the Father wouldnot reward the disciples because ofthe motivation. The Lord promised tobless those who help the poor be-cause He taught them to help them.

The second illustration that Jesusused was praying to the HeavenlyFather. Jesus told them not to prayas the hypocrites prayed. They lovedto pray in the synagogues and in thestreets. They prayed that they mightbe seen of men. The disciples werenot to use vain repetitions as the hea-then did. They were to pray in theircloset. Prayer is a private experienceof a saved person talking with theLord.

60

Christians Should GloryOnly in the Cross!

Galatians 6:11-18


M. —Aim at God’s Glory! 1 Corin-thians 1:27-31.

T. —Preaching Christ and the Cross Is the Main Thing! 1 Co-rinthians 2:2.

W. —Those Who Suffer for Christ Will Be Rewarded! 2 Corin-thians 1:3-6.

T. —God’s Children Show the Death and Life of Jesus, 2 Co-rinthians 4:8-18.

F. —Paul’s Suffering for Christ’s Sake, 2 Corinthians 11:18-33.

S. —A High Level of Fellowship withChrist, Philippians 3:10.


Application: The most importantthing in life and living is our rela-tionship with Jesus Christ.

The most important thing in yourlife is to know Jesus Christ as yourpersonal Savior. This may be ques-tionable to some in this life, but,when you are looking at death, it is adifferent matter. Those who die with-out Jesus go to hell and will suffereternally (2 Thess. 1:8, 9). Your desti-nation is fixed for eternity when youdie, so it is important that you knowJesus and His salvation.

After you are saved, it is impor-tant for you to develop your personalrelationship with Him. Jesus said,“But seek ye first the kingdom ofGod, and his righteousness; and allthese things shall be added unto you”(Matt. 6:33). The priority for thesaved is putting the Lord and Hiskingdom first. There is a great con-trast between the earthly and theheavenly. The things of the earth arebrief and will not last. The things ofeternity are forever. Jesus said, “I amcome that they might have life, andthat they might have it more abun-dantly” (John 10:10).

There are some things that youcan do daily that will help you tohave the right relationship with yourSavior. Peter wrote, “As newbornbabes, desire the sincere milk of theword, that ye may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2). It is important that youread and study God’s Word. You canpray to the Lord daily as the ModelPrayer teaches you in Matthew 6:9-15. You can confess your sins daily.You can practice Bible truth daily.

I. PAUL’S SENSE OF URGENCY (Gal. 6:11)This verse gives a glimpse into the

heart of the apostle Paul, revealingthe depth of his love and concern forthe Galatian believers.

II. GLORYING IN CIRCUMCISION (Gal. 6:12, 13)The Judaizers were boasting in

the number of victims which theycould cajole into submitting to therite of circumcision.

III.GLORYING ONLY IN THE CROSS (Gal. 6:14, 15)Since the cross was to the Jews a

“stumblingblock” and to the Greeks“foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:23), it is thelast thing natural man would selectas a reason for boasting.

IV. PEACE AND MERCY(Gal. 6:16)For those who walked according to

the standard of conduct which Paulset forth, a benediction of peace andmercy was proclaimed. They wouldextend to others what they had sofreely received from God.

V. A MARKED MAN (Gal. 6:17)Undoubtedly, all the Galatian

believers knew about the thingswhich Paul had suffered during hisministry among them.

VI.PAUL’S FAREWELL(Gal. 6:18)Paul’s farewell underscored the

importance of the grace of God forbelievers as well as the unsaved.



1 LESSON FOCUS


A First LookOne of the saddest effects of any

false doctrine is that it can actuallybe perceived as truth.

A Closer LookI. A FLESHLY SHOW (Gal. 6:11-13)

One important point about legal-ism is that it appeals to the flesh.People are often willing to observerites and ceremonies, even when theyrequire sacrifice, as long as they arenot required to make any realchanges in their beliefs and habits.

II. A SPIRITUAL GLORY (Gal. 6:14, 15)Christianity is not a game that

someone wins and someone loses.Our glory is not in what we accom-plish, it is in the One who died for usall. This is why Paul refused to gloryin anything but the cross of Christ.

III.A BLESSED LIFE (Gal. 6:16-18)Paul had himself been a slave to

the Law. Now he had been delivered.He did not want to be brought againinto bondage to the Law. He was awilling servant of Jesus.

A Final WordThe cross brought peace and mercy

to the people who trusted in it. Thecross of Christ gives purpose andmeaning to the sufferings of life.


THE CROSS OF JESUS1 Corinthians 1:18

I. THE PERSON OF THE CROSSThe message of the cross centers

around the death, burial and resur-rection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:3,4). Paul wrote, “He that glorieth, lethim glory in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:31).Jesus is the person of the cross andsalvation.

II. THE PREACHING OF THE CROSSPaul preached Christ crucified (1

Cor. 1:23). True Bible preaching willcenter around the Lord Jesus. Paultold Timothy to preach the Word (2Tim. 4:1, 2). God’s people are to sharethe gospel message and the truth.

III.THE POWER OF THE CROSSThe preaching of the cross to us

who are saved is the power of God.The gospel of Jesus Christ is thepower of God unto salvation to every-one who believes (Rom. 1:16). This isthe message that the Holy Spirit usesto convict men of their sins.

IV. THE PARDON OF THE CROSSMan is a sinner and must pay for

His sins (Rom. 6:23). Jesus took ourplace and died in our stead and paidour sin debt. He satisfied the justiceof God and all can be saved and for-given who repent of sin and trustJesus (Eph. 1:7).

V. THE PEACE OF THE CROSSGod was in Christ reconciling the

world unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:19, 20).All people must meet God at the crossof Jesus to be saved and experiencepeace with God.

62 Christians Should Glory Only in the Cross!


“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; butunto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

LESSON ASSISTANCE

1. How important is it that you have pure motives for your service?

2. Discuss several examples of someone doing the right thing for thewrong reason.

3. In what ways are people called to suffer for the cross of Christ today?

4. Take a poll in your class to determine who has suffered the most forChrist during the past week.

5. Discuss ways you can be more willing to bear reproach for Christ’s sakewithout developing a martyr’s complex.


Asia

Cyprus

Galatia

Philadelphia

Colossae

CiliciaAntioch Iconium

LystraDerbe

Ephesus

Smyrna

Tyre

CaesareaJoppa

Gaza

Alexandria

Miletus

Egypt

Antioch

Laodicea

Cappadocia

Pontus

AntiochSeleucia

Tarsus

Damascus

Sidon

Seleucia

Arabia

Jerusalem

Jeru-salemDe-

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Eph.Phil.Col.

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1 Tim.Titus 2 Tim.

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DateAD 33

47-48

49-50

49-52 54

55-56

56-58 58 58-

6060-61

61-63

63-66 67 7068

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Nero—Jun. 9

Paul’s Christian Life and Epistles*EpistlesWritten

SecondMission-

aryJourney

Jeru-salem

Council

Eventsin

Paul’sLife

Conver-sion

FirstMission-

aryJourney

ThirdMission-

aryJourney

*General timeline—dates may vary.

64 Timeline/Map

hft winter 04/05 - american baptist association baptist association ... winter spring summer fall...

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