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In Galatians Paul is arguing for and pleading for the integrity of the gospel of Jesus Christ – the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Saviour, the Redeemer, the Lord, the King.

That reminds us of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.

Speaking of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in these present times is becoming increasingly dangerous. It was in the first Century and it is becoming more so in the twenty first Century. How do you stand with regard to the reality?

Paul realised that the truth and purity and integrity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was at stake and that is…  ( Click for more )

When we come to Galatians Chapter 5 and verse 1, we read further and deeper about our freedom in Christ. This is basically what Paul has been wrestling with in this profound, if not exciting, letter.

Some people like to be excited and thrilled when it comes to the Christian Faith - all the time - but there is a need for being serious and profound and biblically sound.

Those who like simply to receive the bread can disappear when there is no more bread. We learned some weeks ago in John Chapter 6 that Jesus is the bread.

What a day to preaching and teaching on freedom…  ( Click for more )

We have arrived at these closing verses of Galatians Chapter 4, where Paul speaks about being ‘persecuted’. What does the Bible say – verse 29 - "It is the same now!" All this has arisen because of his references back to Ishmael and Isaac in the times of Abraham and Sarah.

Going back to the Middle East situation - Ishmael should never have been born. As we look at the situation from the viewpoint of the Word of God this birth was not part of the plan of God, and, since he was born there has been tension and antagonism. Since he was born…  ( Click for more )

We are reading in the second half of Galatians Chapter 4. It is another difficult passage, but enlightens the eyes of believers in Jesus Christ to the present world situation, particularly with regard to what is called the ‘Middle East’.

Paul goes on to explain to these disciples of Jesus Christ what this means, and we need to know the meaning and significance of this. These verses are currently relevant.

We are actually dealing with danger and disaster of the present ‘Middle East’ situation. Only Almighty God will be able to resolve this dilemma…  ( Click for more )

We have seen this real deep caring concern and passion within the heart and mind and ministry of Paul, as we make our way through Galatians Chapter 4, as he learned of those who had an experience of Jesus Christ - and who had tasted something of the power of the Holy Spirit - and he is seeing them on the verge of falling away.

They had been misled - duped - deceived. They were changing sides - and almost becoming an enemy of Paul - and so becoming an enemy of the Cross. This is more than just circumcision creeping in - legalism. This is more than just sitting at separate…  ( Click for more )

When people draw you away - or try to draw you away - from Jesus Christ - joy begins to go. Then you lose your peace - and then you try to keep their miserable rules and regulations which are inevitably introduced - and you realise you can't keep them - and you feel guilty and unworthy and unrighteous. All this was beginning to happen in the Church of Jesus Christ in Galatia. We are reading Galatians Chapter 4. Paul could discern what was going on. He would notice the change. He could spot what was happening, and they were not the changes of maturing disciples but…  ( Click for more )

In Galatians Chapter 4 verse 12 - what a courageous thing to say. He pleaded with these brothers in Christ to be like him. Paul was humble and bold. You can only say that to brothers. It would have been totally misunderstood otherwise. Sometimes we may say things to people thinking they are brothers and sisters in Christ, and they are not, and we reap the misunderstanding!

This man’s heart and life and ministry exudes and demonstrates such love and compassion and concern – as well as such superb instruction and teaching – which is flowing from the…  ( Click for more )

Those who appear with false teaching can present themselves as respectable and so tolerant and may not even be aware of what they are up to – and who sent them!

This was the situation Paul confronts and wrestles with in the Galatian letter and in Chapter 4 verse 9 he writes – “Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” That is strong writing. Mention that type of thing in certain ‘church circles’ today and you are not likely to be appreciated. People want to do their own thing. People want to be open to new thinking and new ideas…  ( Click for more )

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul is dealing with some of the most serious, vital, and central questions, which were confronting the Church of Jesus Christ in its very early days.

These disciples of Jesus Christ were on the point of being misled on some of the most crucially important matters. Paul confronted the situation when he learned about it. Paul faced up to Peter. Paul spelled out what the issues were - and he explained why these believers must not allow themselves to be sidetracked and diverted.

Today we are facing a very similar dilemma - the issues may…  ( Click for more )

We are dealing with a profoundly serious issue in this letter to disciples of Jesus Christ and it happens to be a matter not readily read and understood today. We are in Galatians Chapter 3 and verse 21 and moving on into Chapter 4.

Do you see what would have happened if circumcision had come back into the Church of Jesus Christ - and then sitting at separate tables had come back in – and then other legalistic behaviour and rituals had been allowed to creep in? This has actually happened and many are totally unaware of the dangers.

Do not think this to be so very…  ( Click for more )

We are reading and studying Galatians Chapter 3 verse 21 and moving on into Chapter 4. Paul is writing to believers in Jesus Christ who are facing that temptation which comes to us all - to compromise - to change what God has given us through Jesus Christ - to use that morsel of pride that might have remained within - and try to work our passage to heaven or to be regarded as righteous in the eyes of God, in some way, by what we do or achieve.

The law had imprisoned, and there were those who had come into Galatia seeking to re-imprison liberated released believers in Jesus Christ…  ( Click for more )

Do we not wonder sometimes just what God is doing? We are in this challenging Chapter 3 of the letter to the disciples of Jesus Christ in Galatia. Paul is seeking to answer this difficult question – what is the place and purpose of the Commandments and where does the mercy and grace and love and forgiveness of God fit into all this?

It became a real problem then and for many it remains a serious issue today. False teachers had thrown and shaken these disciples of Jesus – and wherever they appear they continue to throw and shake and even undermine. There are…  ( Click for more )

Galatians 3 verses 19 to 29 - Is this not one of the most difficult sections of Paul's letter to these believers in Jesus Christ, but we can get the feeling of what he is saying as well as the meaning.

None of us could keep all the Commandments in the Old Testament, and that is why many wonder, "What do we do with the Old Testament?"

It has been described as like a flex with two strands twined together - one linked to Abraham and one linked to Moses, and these two strands of promise and the law, lead us right through to Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.…  ( Click for more )

We are reading Galatians Chapter 3 and we have focused on verse 6. When dealing with this crucial issue of legalism and licence in the Church of Jesus Christ Paul takes these believers in Jesus back to the Scripture. We looked at Genesis Chapter 15. Experience and fads and fashions and whatever is new - no matter who brings them and no matter where they come from - is not good enough. Everything in the Church of Jesus Christ has to be based and grounded upon The Word of God. Paul refers these disciples to Abraham. There are only two religions if we dare use that…  ( Click for more )

We are reading the letter to Galatians but in Chapter 3 verse 6, Paul writes – “Consider Abraham” – and there is a significant reference to what happened in Genesis Chapter 15. We looked at the first part of Genesis 15 last week.

"Do not be afraid, Abraham. God calls him by name. I am your very great reward."

These kings had been fighting, and had offered him material goods - possessions - riches - and Abraham had refused them. He knew when to say ‘NO’.

And now GOD is reassuring him. I am your very great reward. …  ( Click for more )

In Galatians Chapter 3, we are reading of how to avoid some of the greatest dangers which can confront believers in the Church of Jesus Christ - legalism - carnality - and witchcraft. Men like to make rules and regulations - even believing that if you keep these, these could make you right in the eyes of God - righteous in the sight of God.

How did you begin asks Paul - was it by keeping the law - the laws of the Old Covenant - or was it when you came to believe in Jesus Christ? Was that how you were filled with the Holy Spirit - by doing and striving and keeping and sacrificing?…  ( Click for more )

We come to Galatians Chapter 3 verse 2 - these people were Pentecostals or ‘charismatics’ - people who were born again - filled with the Holy Spirit - and birthed into the Kingdom of God under the ministry of Paul, but they had lost their vision of the Cross. They had been influenced in a negative way. They had been bewitched - it was as if they were a spiritual daze. Someone had looked at them as if to say - don't think Jesus Christ is enough - you need the law - circumcision - you need to keep the Ten Commandments, for righteousness in the eyes of God. …  ( Click for more )

Galatians 3 and verse 1 - what a verse! Paul is writing to those fairly new believers in Jesus who have been duped and deceived. It is a tragic situation - a situation which is presently confronting the visible church. This letter is so relevant to what we are currently facing today. These Christian Fellowships had turned away from their initial desire to serve Jesus Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit, and flow in that anointing of living water. They were slowly turning to rules and rituals and regulations. Trivial matters were becoming important. Irrelevant…  ( Click for more )

In Galatians Chapter 2, Paul has been pleading with Peter - and more than that - confronting Peter - "Peter, don't slip back into legalism".

Think of what is at stake - the Gospel of Jesus Christ - our freedom in Christ. We are saved - rescued - forgiven - shown mercy and love - we receive peace from God - and we do not have to do anything to merit all that. It is a GIFT from GOD - yes, a very costly gift. Let me define Legalism - "Legalism is an attempt to achieve righteousness with God by keeping a set of rules. Legalism is adding requirement for righteousness…  ( Click for more )

In Galatians Chapter 2 and verse 11, we read of Peter coming to Antioch, and Paul opposes him, face to face. Why? Because he was in the wrong. What was the problem? Peter had been set free from eating only with Jews, but now he would not sit down at the table of the Gentiles - non-Jews - and have a meal with them.

Somebody came to him and tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Peter, you should not be eating with Gentiles. They are not of our denomination. Peter withdrew. Peter stopped eating with the likes of us Gentiles, and had his meals only with Jews, which…  ( Click for more )

We are in Galatians Chapter 2 and verses 11 to 21. In this letter, Paul is dealing with a question which is facing the Church of Jesus Christ today. It is not a new question. This is not a new problem. In fact, there are very few new problems!

It is the question of Legalism and Licence - whether or not we are under laws or whether we are free in Christ.

These are places where Paul had preached and taught and founded fellowships, and he is seeing his work undermined, but more importantly - he is seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ undermined.

We know these believers…  ( Click for more )

In Galatians Chapter 2 and verse 2, Paul is deeply concerned that these disciples did not take a stronger stand where it was necessary to do so - and in Jerusalem he did all this, privately, among those who seemed to be leaders. Then God had it all written down, that we might read and learn and understand. A massive danger was avoided.

Paul defends his calling. He wanted what he was preaching and teaching to be protected, and not just validated.

If the leadership had buckled under, on this matter of circumcision, or on any other issue of legalism, he felt he would…  ( Click for more )

Following that incident outside Damascus when the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, apprehended and arrested Saul of Tarsus, the exciting adventure and narrative continued.

We are in Galatians Chapter 1. The apostle Paul spent some three years in the wilderness. Jesus spent His first 30 years in obscurity. Moses was 40 years in the desert looking after sheep.

These can be dark days, but there are treasures in the darkness. Sometimes to find the real treasures we have to go through days of darkness, whatever they might be for you.

God had His…  ( Click for more )

We have spent some time considering the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians Chapter 5. I return to the opening Chapter of Galatians before going to further studies in Paul’s profound letter.

In Galatians Chapter 1, God is saying to us through the opening words of this amazing letter - Do not mess with the message and do not mess with the messenger”. It is all there, and it is so relevant today, because there have been those, and there are those, who are tampering with the content of the Gospel and various messengers of the Gospel.

Paul, the servant of Jesus…  ( Click for more )