THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2005

GALATIANS 6:15-18

PAUL’S CONCLUSION TO THE GALATIANS

 

 

 

 

I.     All of the Christian’s benefits come because we are “in Christ Jesus.”   (15)

 

     A.     Our standing “in Christ Jesus” is emphasized throughout Paul’s epistles. In Christ:

 

          1.     we are blessed (Ephesians 1:3)

          2.     chosen (Ephesians 1:4)

          3.     accepted (Ephesians 1:6)

          4.     redeemed (Ephesians 1:7)

          5.     forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)

          6.     have an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)

          7.     sealed (Ephesians 1:13)

          8.     washed, sanctified, and justified (I Corinthians 6:11)

 

     B.     There is no reason for Christian boasting when all that we are is a benefit of being “in Christ Jesus.”

 

          1.     Circumcision did not avail anything.

          2.     Any outward work or inner feeling should not be an object of boasting.

 

II.     Christians have a new walk.   (16)

 

     A.     “Peace” and “mercy” are given to those who are in Him.

 

               -     Paul is referring to the daily doses of peace and mercy needed to face the world as Christians.

 

     B.     “And as many as walk according to this rule.....”

 

          1.     Realizing our standing “in Christ Jesus” will cause us to walk as Jesus walked.

          2.     The word “walk” refers to our lives under the control of the Lord Jesus.

 

     C.     What did Paul mean by “the Israel of God”?

 

          1.     Paul has proven that Gentiles are saved by faith, and are the spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).

          2.     This was a pointed way for Paul to say that those who are God’s children are “in Christ Jesus.”

          3.     The Children of Israel are PHYSICALLY the Jews, but SPIRITUALLY, all who are “in Christ Jesus” are “the Israel of God.”

 

III.     Paul’s final words to the false teachers in Galatia (17).

     A.     “From henceforth” means “from now on.”

 

          1.     Paul has grown weary with false compromisers trying to sow corrupt seeds into the true Gospel.

          2.     He doesn’t want to be faced with this problem anymore.

 

     B.     Paul refers to the expense that he has physically paid to establish the Gospel of Christ.

 

          1.     “...for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”

          2.     Paul had been ostracized by his own people; his words had been twisted, and he had been whipped and beaten by haters of the Gospel.

          3.     While the false teachers were searching out ways of compromise to avoid persecution (12), Paul had been severely persecuted for refusing to compromise.

 

IV.     Paul ends his epistle positively, even though he has had to deal harshly with them (18).

 

     A.     He reminds them that they are “brethren.”

 

     B.     He desires that God’s grace minister to their troubled spirits.

 

     C.     Paul is making sure that that his dislike of doctrinal error is not mistaken for a dislike of the people who are in error

 

 

Conclusion:      And so ends Paul’s defense of Salvation by Grace Alone.