JUSTIFIED BY
FAITH
GALATIANS
MEET PAUL
THE
APOSTLE:
THE
AUTHOR OF
GALATIANS
The Story
Paul completed his 1st Missionary (48-49 ad)
and heard a group of Jews –who became
Christian –mandated the Galatian Christians
(non-Jews/Gentiles) to follow all the Jewish
laws before they could truly be saved.
This group of Jewish-Christian were called
Judaizers. Were they really Christians?
Paul’s response … “No! This legalism negates
God’s grace.”
Chapters 1 & 2
•I have been called by Jesus to preach the
gospel to the Gentiles
•Jesus revealed Himself to me
•I persecuted the Church to strengthen
Judaism and the Law
•3 yrs in Arabian desert then to Damascus
•Stayed with Peter 14 days and met with James
•Went to Syria and Cilicia –no one knew me
•After 14 yrs, went to Jerusalem with Barnabas
•First Missionary journey (2-4 yrs) –returned
to Jerusalem for Acts 15 Council
•Had a conflict with Peter –hypocrisy
•“You are justified by faith not works!
Paul Defends himself…
Paul declares (2:20-21):
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I
now live in the body, I live by faith in the
Son of God, Who loved me and gave His
life for me… for if righteousness could be
gained through the law, Christ died for
nothing!”
•1: 6-10 “I am astonished how quickly you strayed from the truth!”
•3:3 “Are you trying to finish (your salvation) by human efforts?”
•V6-16 Look at Abraham! It was his faith that was credited as
righteousness
•God gave Abraham a promise that his seed would bless all the
nations
•Abraham’s seed – not seeds: Seeds = the Jewish Nation; Seed =
one individual = the Messiah Jesus Christ
•The Law was given to us as guardians –setting boundaries to
guide our relationship with God until the Seed/Messiah came to
pay our debt of sin once and for all
Chapter 4
V9 As God’s children, heirs to His Kingdom, why are
you returning to slavery?
V11 Have I wasted my efforts with you?
V15 What happened to your joy?
V16 Am I now your enemy because I speak the truth?
V21-31Look at Hagar and Sarah…Hagar represents the
Law and human efforts – Sarah represents God’s
promises!
Chapter 5 & 6 Practice faith and your freedom
•Legalism alienates from grace and is slavery
•5:13 You are called to be free –not to indulge in satisfying sinful
nature…but free to serve others in love
•5:15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or
you will be destroyed by each other! –STOP back biting!
•Acts of Sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like…those
who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
The acts of the Spirit = the Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…there are
no laws against these!
***Now put your name in front of each: _________has love;
_____has joy; ____has peace; ______has patience….etc… how
did you do??
V24 If you belong to Christ, your sinful nature has been crucified
in Him!
Chapter 6 Practice your Faith and Fruit
V 1 If someone is caught in sin, gently restore them. Watch
yourself that you do not fall into same sin
V2 Carry one another’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ
V4-6 Test your own actions! Do not compare yourself to others!
Carry your own load!
V7 People reap what they sow: sow sin = reap destruction; sow
to please the Spirit = reap eternal life
V9-10 Do not become tired of doing good! Let us continue to do
good especially to those in the household of faith
THE BIG ROCKS: •Paul, an apostle, was
called by Jesus to preach
to the non-
Jews/Gentiles
•We are justified by faith
in Jesus –not by works
•As true followers of
Jesus, our lives should
produce the fruit of the
Spirit
•This fruit in us will
develop a love for one
another and desire to
serve Him and each
other.
