Background on Paul

The Problem with Galatia Plants

So for these false teachers it was not about doing something good – accepting Christ. It was about not doing something bad. It was about not breaking any, single iota of any Jewish law.

Mark 3:1-6 (con’t.) Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. Would he heal the man's hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him. Jesus said to the man, "Come and stand in front of everyone."

Mark 3:1-6 (NLT) Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" But they wouldn't answer him. He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Reach out your hand." The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!

Mark 3:1-6 (NLT) At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to discuss plans for killing Jesus.

Matthew 5:17 (NLT) "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.

1. We cannot get to heaven/become a Christian by simply not doing bad stuff. (Legalism)

Galatians 2:21... if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

1.We cannot get to heaven/become a Christian by simply not doing bad stuff. (Legalism) 2.We can’t we get to heaven by doing lots of good stuff either. (Works righteousness)

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

1.We cannot get to heaven/become a Christian by simply not doing bad stuff. (Legalism) 2.We can’t we get to heaven by doing lots of good stuff either. (Works righteousness) 3.We accept Christ by receiving His grace. 4.When we accept Christ we should (super)naturally exhibit the fruits of Jesus’ presence in our lives.

Galatians 5: when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.

Galatians 5:18-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling,

Galatians 5:18-21 (con’t.) jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

Questions: Have you spent your life constantly trying not to do bad (things)? How’s that working for you? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life? Will you consider concentrating on following (and oozing) Christ?