The Amazing Message

Galatians 1:1-7

46-48 AD, 1st missionary journey

• Acts 13:14- Antioch, nearly the whole city assembled to hear, P&B driven out

• Acts 14:1- Iconium, great multitude believed, spend long time there, had to flee

• Acts 14:8- Lystra, called P&B gods, then stoned Paul and left him for dead

• Acts 14:20- Derbe, made many disciples, then turned and went back through earlier cities strengthening, encouraging, appointing elders

• 46-48 AD, 1st missionary journey

• 49-52- re-visited Galatia on 2nd miss. journey

• 53 AD- visited again on 3rd miss. journey

• Then wrote the Galatian letter

Paul was visiting with an amazing message

• V. 1- “apostle”, one under orders, one sent with a message

• Message was from God, therefore amazing

The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or

from man?” (Matthew 21:25 ESV)

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you

received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as

the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in

you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV)

World Likes to Think of Itself as Self-sufficient

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know

God through wisdom, it pleased God through the

folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For

Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, (1 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV)

World Likes to Think of Itself as Self-sufficient- ACTUALLY…

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise,

having no hope and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2:12 ESV)

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14 ESV)

Delivered one is never alone

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for

words.(Romans 8:26 ESV)

  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also

provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ESV)

Delivered one is never alone

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should

restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one

another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.(Galatians 6:1-2 ESV)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin,

we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.(1 John 2:1 ESV)

Delivered one is delivered into Light, Col. 1:13

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was

raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

(Romans 6:4 ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the

new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Jesus modeled real love and sacrifice

…who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

(Philippians 2:6 ESV)

Unselfish with His pride

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7 ESV)

Unselfish with His possessions

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a

cross. (Philippians 2:8 ESV)

Unselfish with personal considerations

Jesus modeled real love and sacrifice

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

(Philippians 2:5 ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

(Romans 12:1 ESV)

Jesus gave Himself to deliver us from this world

who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the

will of our God and Father, (Galatians 1:4 ESV)

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save

yourselves from this crooked generation.”(Acts 2:40 ESV)

Why is this message amazing?

• Because it’s new and different? No• Because it’s hard to understand? No• Because so many are heeding it? No• Because so many in need are refusing it!

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning

to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to

distort the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7 ESV)