July 8, 2018 | Kyle Brenon | Galatians 5:1-14
This week we remain in our sermon series “No Other Gospel” as we look at Paul’s continued plea to the Galatians not to forsake the gospel of grace that has been brought to them. It should not surprise us when we see people adding to the gospel… it is often quite obvious to spot. Other times however, it begins in our own hearts, and we unknowingly let it sneak in. In Galatians 5:1-14 Paul makes an “all or nothing” argument for the work Christ has accomplished on the cross on our behalf. Either you accept circumcision and trust in the law, or by faith you accept Christ and trust in His righteousness. There is no room to mix the two, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8.
Read: Galatians 5:1-14, Ephesians 2:8
Discuss:
1. In Galatians 5:1 Paul says, “do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” What does he mean by this, and why are we still so prone to do it?
2. What was the purpose of circumcision in the Old Testament?
3. What does Paul mean when he says, “Christ will be of no advantage to those who accept circumcision?”
4. Circumcision was a major part of the Old Testament law. How can Paul now say, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love?”
- Put yourself for a moment in the shoes of the Jews hearing this. How would you have responded to such a bold statement?
5. In verses 14-15 Paul says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Imagine together, what would our lives and our churches look like if we held tightly onto this truth?
- Why do we so often find ourselves biting and devouring one another? (Pride…the answer is pride! Sometimes sprung from an overall lack of satisfaction in our relationship with Christ.)
Memorize/Meditate: Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
