Tuesday, August 13, 2013

GALATIANS Class Week #1 Master Copy Handouts!


GOSPEL ~ GALATIANS 1:6-10


§  Galatians 1:6 ~ Adhering to law is deserting Jesus and HIS plan
§  Galatians 1:10 ~ You cannot please both men and Christ

DEFINING the GOSPEL


§  The good news is the blessing of what we received because of the gospel story.
§  We must NOT desert God’s grace for our effort.
§  God’s grace is what saves us and sustains our Christian life.
§  The gospel is ALL about what God did for us.

FOCUSING


§  We will focus on the authentic because it is then easier to spot the counterfeit
o   LOVED – The gospel of grace declares that God’s love is greater than your sin and that there is nothing you can do to earn it. All you can do is receive it by faith.

o   FORGIVEN – the gospel is not an invitation to engage in soul-searching and fault-finding. The gospel is the emphatic declaration that you have been completely and eternally forgiven through the blood of the Lamb.

o   SAVED – The gospel s not just a promise of a ticket to heaven and a distant salvation. The gospel is the power of God to bless you with his saving and abundant life here and now.

o   UNION – For those who believe it, the gospel is the joyful declaration that right now and forever more, you are in perfect union with Jesus. In Christ you have ALREADY found eternal rest.

o   ACCEPTED – The gospel is not an invitation to accept Jesus; it is the stunning announcement that HE accepts you!

o   HOLY – Many Christians still struggle with sin despite their best efforts to avoid it… they are patients who won’t leave the hospital. The gospel is the definitive announcement that in Jesus you are holy and whole.

o   RIGHTEOUS – The gospel is not a list of things you must do to inherit eternal life. It is the blessed announcement that the righteousness you need to enter the kingdom of heaven – the righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees – comes to us as a free gift through faith.

o   DIED – The gospel is not a reform program for bad people; it is the liberating declaration of new life for those who have already died. On the cross the “old” went and now the new has come. Religion says die to self… gospel says you’re already dead.

o   NEW – the gospel is not a half-baked hope that you can extend your old, broken life indefinitely. The gospel is the joyful announcement that in in Christ the old has gone and the new has come.

o   ROYAL – the gospel is not a vague notion that you get to rule and reign after you die. It is the glorious announcement that the reign of the King is right here within the reach of faith. The Kingdom of God is at hand now!

GOD CALLS’ PAUL


§  Galatians 1:11-24
§  Man’s Revelation v. God’s Revelation

PAUL and the GOSPEL


§  God did the work.
§  God did it by grace.
§  God did it through Christ.
§  God did it for the sake of others
§  God did it for His glory.

SCRIPTURES


§  Romans 1:16
§  1 Corinthians 15:1-11
§  Ephesians 1:13
§  Galatians 2:2
§  Galatians 2:5
§  Galatians 2:7
§  Galatians 2:14
§  Galatians 3:8
§  Galatians 4:13

PERSONAL NOTES



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.     Grace is God’s unearned favor and activity in our lives. How does Galatians 1:4 reflect God’s grace?





2.     You cannot mix grace and works. How does one exclude the other?





3.     Paul’s experience of conversion was by grace through and through. In your own process of coming to faith in Christ, where was (and is) grace at work?





4.     If someone came to you with what he or she said was further revelation that is from God, NOT man, how would you determine the truth or falsity of that person’s claim?




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