Sunday Messages

What kind of ministry does God call us to?-A ministry that breaks free from sin (v. 6)-A ministry that restores human dignity (v. 7)-A ministry that requires self-sacrifice (v. 9-10)The Promise: You will know that God is with you. 

What are the practices of a Gospel-Shaped Community?Action # 1: Restore Gently (1), “…Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness…” (1)Action # 2: Carry Burdens (2-5), “…Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ…” (2)

What are the practices of a Gospel-Shaped Community?Action # 1: Restore Gently (1), “…Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness…” (1)Action # 2: Carry Burdens (2-5), “…Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ…” (2)

How do we preserve our Gospel Freedom?- Recognize the Battle Within (vv. 16–18). “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit… these are opposed to each other” (17)- Reject the Works of the Flesh (vv. 19–21) “the works of the flesh are evident…those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (19, 21)- Reflect the Character of Christ (vv. 22–24) “…those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (24)- Remain in Step with the Spirit (vv. 25–26) “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (25)

How do we preserve our Gospel Freedom?- Recognize the Battle Within (vv. 16–18). “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit… these are opposed to each other” (17)- Reject the Works of the Flesh (vv. 19–21) “the works of the flesh are evident…those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (19, 21)- Reflect the Character of Christ (vv. 22–24) “…those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (24)- Remain in Step with the Spirit (vv. 25–26) “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (25)

How Do We Steward Our Gospel Freedom?- Distinguishing Truth from Error (6-12), “…a little leaven leavens the whole lump…” (9).- Demonstrating Obedience with Love (6, 13-15), “…but only faith working through love…love your neighbor…” (6,14).

How Do We Steward Our Gospel Freedom?- Distinguishing Truth from Error (6-12), “…a little leaven leavens the whole lump…” (9).- Demonstrating Obedience with Love (6, 13-15), “…but only faith working through love…love your neighbor…” (6,14).

How Do We Steward Our Gospel Freedom?- Standing Free (1), “…For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery…” (1)- Embracing Truth (2-4), “…for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love…” (4)- Pursuing Hope (5), “…await…the righteousness for which we hope” (5)

How Do We Steward Our Gospel Freedom?- Standing Free (1), “…For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery…” (1)- Embracing Truth (2-4), “…for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love…” (4)- Pursuing Hope (5), “…await…the righteousness for which we hope” (5)

The Story: Abraham and Hagar have a child together in an effort to receive the promises of God. Their efforts fail.The Meaning: We are either slaves of human effort or sons of divine promise. The Significance: Jesus is the only one who can take a slave and make him/her free.Our Response: Live as a son, not a slave.

The Story: Abraham and Hagar have a child together in an effort to receive the promises of God. Their efforts fail.The Meaning: We are either slaves of human effort or sons of divine promise. The Significance: Jesus is the only one who can take a slave and make him/her free.Our Response: Live as a son, not a slave.

What mindset is necessary for intentional disciple-making?- Making Disciples Is a Pilgrimage (8-11), “…but now that you have come to know God…” (9)- Making Disciples Isn't Painless (12-16), “…you know it was because of the bodily ailment that I preached the Gospel to you at first…” (13)- Making Disciples Isn't Popular (17-20), “I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you..." (19)

What mindset is necessary for intentional disciple-making?- Making Disciples Is a Pilgrimage (8-11), “…but now that you have come to know God…” (9)- Making Disciples Isn't Painless (12-16), “…you know it was because of the bodily ailment that I preached the Gospel to you at first…” (13)- Making Disciples Isn't Popular (17-20), “I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you..." (19)

Why was it necessary for God to save us from our “good works” as well as our sin?- God Sent His Son to Redeem Us (1-5), “God sent forth his Son…to redeem those who were under the law…” (4)- God Sent His Spirit to Adopt Us (6,7), “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba Father!” (6)

Why was it necessary for God to save us from our “good works” as well as our sin?- God Sent His Son to Redeem Us (1-5), “God sent forth his Son…to redeem those who were under the law…” (4)- God Sent His Spirit to Adopt Us (6,7), “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba Father!” (6)

We'll consider….- The Gravity of Prayer: To Commune with the Living God (14-16), “I bow my knee before the Father…according to the riches of his glory…” (14,16)- The Goal of Prayer: To be Conformed to Christ (16,17), “…he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts…” (16,17)

We'll consider….- The Gravity of Prayer: To Commune with the Living God (14-16), “I bow my knee before the Father…according to the riches of his glory…” (14,16)- The Goal of Prayer: To be Conformed to Christ (16,17), “…he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts…” (16,17)

Faith alone in Christ alone unites the people of God to receive the promises of God.- An Unconditional Promise- (With) an Unwavering Protection- (Leads to) a Unified People of God

Faith alone in Christ alone unites the people of God to receive the promises of God.- An Unconditional Promise- (With) an Unwavering Protection- (Leads to) a Unified People of God

Why did God give the Law?- To Manifest Sin (10,11), “…For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse…" (15)- To Magnify Jesus (12-14a), “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…” (13)- To Motivate Obedience (14), “the blessing of Abraham might come…so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (14)

Why did God give the Law?- To Manifest Sin (10,11), “…For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse…" (15)- To Magnify Jesus (12-14a), “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…” (13)- To Motivate Obedience (14), “the blessing of Abraham might come…so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (14)

When are we most vulnerable to falling away?= When we minimize the cross (v. 1)- When we mask the gospel (v. 2-4)- When we misplace our identity (v. 5-9)

When are we most vulnerable to falling away?= When we minimize the cross (v. 1)- When we mask the gospel (v. 2-4)- When we misplace our identity (v. 5-9)

Section 1: The Gospel is Real (Gal. 1:1-2:21)Section 2: The Gospel is Superior (Gal. 3:1-4:31)Section 3: The Gospel is Liberating (Gal.5:1-6:18)What doesn't save you?- You Weren't Saved by Advantage (15,16), “…we ourselves are Jews by birth ad not Gentile sinners…" (15)- You Weren't Saved by Rights (17-19), “…For through the law, I died to the law so that I might live to God…” (19)- You Weren't Saved by Works (20,21), “I am crucified with Christ…” (20)

Section 1: The Gospel is Real (Gal. 1:1-2:21)Section 2: The Gospel is Superior (Gal. 3:1-4:31)Section 3: The Gospel is Liberating (Gal.5:1-6:18)What doesn't save you?- You Weren't Saved by Advantage (15,16), “…we ourselves are Jews by birth ad not Gentile sinners…" (15)- You Weren't Saved by Rights (17-19), “…For through the law, I died to the law so that I might live to God…” (19)- You Weren't Saved by Works (20,21), “I am crucified with Christ…” (20)

How do we know we have the Holy Spirit?The Spirit's presence is confirmed in our lives as we experience…- New Life vs 12 …if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live- New Leading vs 14 …for all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.- New Liberty vs 15 …you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear- New Longing vs 23 …we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies- New Love vs 27 …the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God… those who love God.

How do we know we have the Holy Spirit?The Spirit's presence is confirmed in our lives as we experience…- New Life vs 12 …if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live- New Leading vs 14 …for all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.- New Liberty vs 15 …you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear- New Longing vs 23 …we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies- New Love vs 27 …the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God… those who love God.

How can we be sure of life beyond the grave?Five BIG Truths About the Resurrection- Jesus: The Eternal God…Became Man (Col.1:19).- Jesus: The Eternal God…Died for our Sins (1 Cor.15:3; Isa.53:6)- Jesus: The Eternal God…Rose Bodily from the Dead (Acts 1:3; Luke 24:38-43)- Jesus: Having Risen…Has All Authority in Heaven and Earth (Rom 6:9)- Jesus: Having Risen….Will Raise You Too! (Rom.8:11)

How can we be sure of life beyond the grave?Five BIG Truths About the Resurrection- Jesus: The Eternal God…Became Man (Col.1:19).- Jesus: The Eternal God…Died for our Sins (1 Cor.15:3; Isa.53:6)- Jesus: The Eternal God…Rose Bodily from the Dead (Acts 1:3; Luke 24:38-43)- Jesus: Having Risen…Has All Authority in Heaven and Earth (Rom 6:9)- Jesus: Having Risen….Will Raise You Too! (Rom.8:11)

How is our spiritual vitality sustained? (How do we not fall asleep on the job?)- The Holy Spirit Sustains Us in Trouble (37,38), “…he began to be sorrowful and troubled…remain here and watch with me…” (37,38)- The Holy Spirit Sustains Us in Isolation (39-44), “…The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak…” (41)- The Holy Spirit Sustains Us in Betrayal (45,46), “…See, the hour is at hand, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners…” (45)

How is our spiritual vitality sustained? (How do we not fall asleep on the job?)- The Holy Spirit Sustains Us in Trouble (37,38), “…he began to be sorrowful and troubled…remain here and watch with me…” (37,38)- The Holy Spirit Sustains Us in Isolation (39-44), “…The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak…” (41)- The Holy Spirit Sustains Us in Betrayal (45,46), “…See, the hour is at hand, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners…” (45)

What are the unmistakable signs of the Holy Spirit's work?- Humility (13), “Then Jesus came to Galilee…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire…” (13,14; c/f 2:11)- Submission (15), “…this is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness…” (15)- Favor (16,17), “…he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming to rest on Him…this is my beloved Son…” (16,17)

What are the unmistakable signs of the Holy Spirit's work?- Humility (13), “Then Jesus came to Galilee…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire…” (13,14; c/f 2:11)- Submission (15), “…this is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness…” (15)- Favor (16,17), “…he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming to rest on Him…this is my beloved Son…” (16,17)

The Dangers of Legalism:- Legalism Damages Gospel Unity – Vs. 11-12- Legalism Develops Contagious Hypocrisy – Vs. 13- Legalism Distorts the Gospel – Vs. 14Application: Embrace the Transformational (not Transactional) heart of the Gospel where God is changing us from the inside out by the Power of His Spirit in us.- Embrace the Gospel of Grace- Walk in step with the Spirit

The Dangers of Legalism:- Legalism Damages Gospel Unity – Vs. 11-12- Legalism Develops Contagious Hypocrisy – Vs. 13- Legalism Distorts the Gospel – Vs. 14Application: Embrace the Transformational (not Transactional) heart of the Gospel where God is changing us from the inside out by the Power of His Spirit in us.- Embrace the Gospel of Grace- Walk in step with the Spirit

How can we embrace the real gospel for a life of true freedom and unity? - Affirm the Truth (Unity in Truth)- Break away from the Chains of Gospel+ (Legalism)- Consider the Poor (Unity in Diversity)God redeemed us to be united in our commitment to the same truth while carrying out our diverse callings to accomplish the same mission for Jesus.