Galatians

"Jesus + nothing"

What was the church in Galatians like?

Paul wrote this letter probably after the first mission journey maybe in 49 AD. Acts 9 equals to Gal .1-2. It was a church of mostly Gentiles (Acts 14.11-12, Gal.4.8,) but also some Jews. (Acts 13.4,14.1) They had a synagogue. The Gentile believed in several gods before they heard about Jesus and they thought that Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14.12 were Greece gods. Then after they have received the message of God’s grace and the freedom in Jesus, they fell back to putting on extra regulations/ the law and circumcision – maybe pressure from the Jewish group. Paul rebukes them because they have forgotten the Good News and that they should live by Spirit and in the grace of Jesus work on the cross. 5.25, 3.1-5.

What is the main idea in is this letter?

Grace and faith in Jesus and nothing else is the main idea. The believers in Galatia had been influenced by some Jews, or believers with Jewish background about that they needed to be circumcised. But Paul really press on in this letter about God fulfilled Grace and freedom.

Christ has set us free – and we are sure not to let anything come in addition to this. To watch out so we are not tied up in doings or remnants of the Law. All is by grace and the work Jesus died for at the cross. 5.1, 4.12, 3.22

What does this letter show about the Character and Nature of God?

The nature of the Holy Spirit is to produce fruit in our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 5.22.

God willingly gives His peace and mercy upon all who lives by this principle; to be a transformed creation by believing in Jesus – not by being circumcised or not.

He gives the same blessing as he blessed Abraham with to all whom put their faith in Christ.

Personal Application:

This has been such a good repetition – The Grace of God and nothing else!   - And the freedom this results in us! We have a pastor who has been stressing this so much – like I always became a little irritated on the repetition – but I see now again how we disgrace Jesus work on the cross when we don’t keep this as the most important issue! All is by grace! Amen

Point of Passion:

Sharing the new or confirmed revelations in this season, with the Parents of teenagers/ Youth Workers in Church.

I think this as said above, this "Jesus +nothing= His Grace" is a focus we never must stop preaching. Jesus and nothing! And that the Holy Spirit in us, its nature in us is to produce fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 5.22. I have always sees this as seeds planted in us when we receive Jesus – and as we live in and with Him they grow.

And as parents and youth worker it is so important to remember this – that The Holy spirit works both in us in our teenagers – and I think I will suggest to work on – how can we encourage our teenager and ourselves in making this fruits grow. God willingly gives His peace and mercy upon all who lives by this principle; to be a transformed creation by believing in Jesus – not by being circumcised or not.

Sources: Source View Bible (SVB), Nelson Maps and Charts (NB), Faith in Action Study Bible (FSB), notes form Scott Contivals teaching