Let's review Theme: The gospel (good news) that justifies you is the gospel that brings growth - stand firm in it!

Let's review We lack righteousness and the ability to get it ourselves We also lack the ability to grow in and of ourselves Both come only by grace through faith Others WILL try to convince you otherwise

Gal. 5 - the flesh or the Spirit? Growth in the Christian life is only possible by the Spirit A Christian occupied by legalism and the flesh will fail Christians who live in the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom We can only inherit the Kingdom by walking in the Spirit

Let's review Just as the Spirit is necessary for individual growth, He is necessary for corporate growth Love does not occur apart from walking in the Spirit Failure to love leads to failure to inherit

Merit-based inheritance Matthew 5:3, 5, 10 _____________________ 2 Tim. 2:12a _____________________ Rev. 2:26-27

Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Galatians 6:6 One responsibility of each believer is to shoulder the financial support of the pastor- teachers in the church. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 661) 1 Cor. 9:7-14

Galatians 6:6 "This concept of voluntary giving to provide for the Lord's servants was revolutionary since Jews were taxed for the support of their priests and Gentiles paid fees, made vows, etc., to sustain their religions" (BKC, p. 610)

Galatians 6:7 Broadened to stewardship in life. _____________________________ When a believer sows what is displeasing to God, he reaps God's displeasure and the consequences it brings.

Galatians 6:8 We sow to our flesh or to the Spirit. the flesh = legalism the Spirit = living by faith

Galatians 6:8-9 "corruption" = "destruction" or "ruin" 1. Believers can't lose EL 2. Context (5:21) involves losing inheritance 3. 2 Tim. 2:12 - ruling with Christ involved.

Galatians 6: to "reap everlasting life" is not the same as receiving the free gift of eternal life. "sow" and "reap" vs. believe and receive.

Galatians 6:8-9 We can invest in our eternal experience by what we do. John 4:31-36; 10:10 OR...

Galatians 6:8-9...we go to heaven by taking care of pastor- teachers and traveling ministers. (psst...pick the first one...)

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 Faithfulness does not get us to heaven, but it does bring reward.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10 Since good works bring reward, a Spirit-filled life leading to good works is critical.

Galatians 6:10 A believer has a measure of responsibility to all people, but a greater one to his/her spiritual family. Individual believers are to focus on the (spiritual) family.

Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!

Galatians 6:11 In a sense, Paul typed this letter in all "caps". May involve his eyesight or for emphasis.

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Galatians 6:12-13 The legalists (Judaizers) insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1)

Galatians 6:12-13 The legalists were: 1) men-pleasers instead of God-pleasers 2) afraid of persecution 3) wanting to boast about the number of Galatians they could win over

Galatians 6:12-13 Faith + works softens the softens the "offense" of the cross. As for Paul...

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:12-13 As for Paul, the cross that shame to the legalists was the object of his glory.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Galatians 6:15 Only being part of a new creation by new birth can we be like Christ and love others.

Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Galatians 6:16 Paul wishes mercy and peace to those who live by the principle of grace through faith for eternal life and growth, and upon believing Jews.

Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Paul's critics should be silenced by his clear devotion to Christ.

Galatians 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Like so many NT letters, we are reminded of the critical nature of grace for the believer.

When we live our lives depending on the flesh......we never meet God's standards of righteousness. We can not have eternal life, we do not produce the fruit of the Spirit, and we do not have an eternal inheritance.

Only by grace through faith are we declared righteous and receive the Spirit 2....do we walk in the Spirit and produce His fruit in our lives 3....do we build a better future as we walk in the Spirit

The Hole in the Gospel? Very good to challenge people to act consistent with the heart of God Yet, very dangerous To try to "fix" the gospel without first embracing the gospel is the surest way to fail on many levels

The Hole in the Gospel? A hole is not filled by making it larger We need the Spirit, we need to be justified, we need to realize our need The cart operates properly when the horse is in front

The Hole in the Gospel? This concept challenges Paul's major point in Galatians. _____________________ We get eternal life, justification, and the Holy Spirit by faith ______________________ That is also how we grow ______________________

The Hole in the Gospel? To minimize need and dependency is to minimize the gospel. _______________________________ When I live by faith and do good works, it energizes me and what I believe. Encouraged to live by faith, I do more works and so on.

We have to start at the right place to play the game! Without grace there is no "Go"!