WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.439
 Well, thank you very much, Alice, for reading that for us.

00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:07.160
 And I just want to add my welcome to all the other welcomes that have been offered already this morning.

00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:09.960
 It's really good to have you all with us today.

00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:15.099
 As Alice said, my name is Craig, and I'm a pastor in training here at Brunsfield.

00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:19.719
 And it is a real pleasure to take us into the next part of Galatians.

00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:22.080
 So do keep your Bibles open.

00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:26.219
 We're going to keep referring to quite a few verses on the way through this passage.

00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:31.419
 But I wonder, to begin, and I don't apologize for making this link.

00:00:31.500 --> 00:00:34.539
 This is very prevalent in our minds, especially this week.

00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:39.140
 I wonder if you can imagine what it's like to be a hostage.

00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:50.500
 It must be a totally awful existence, taken into captivity violently, suffering terribly,

00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:55.739
 held against your will, and being separated from your loved ones.

00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:00.979
 Now, keep imagining with me, you are a hostage this morning,

00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:05.280
 but one day you get the news that you're going to be released.

00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:07.400
 You're going to be returned home.

00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:11.560
 And you're going to taste that sweet freedom once again.

00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:14.079
 How thrilling to get that news.

00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:17.340
 But soon after, once you've returned home,

00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:19.799
 once life is getting back to normal again,

00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:26.299
 you decide you want to return back to captivity and become a hostage again.

00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:35.120
 Returning to that same darkness, starvation, slavery, and ill treatment that you suffered before.

00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:41.620
 It would be utter madness to choose to go back into captivity, don't you think?

00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:46.460
 To throw away your freedom and to return to slavery.

00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:51.700
 Well, this is the very thing that the Galatian Christians are at risk of doing.

00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:54.400
 In this passage, Paul says,

00:01:54.980 --> 00:01:59.240
 Paul warns them that by beginning to observe the Jewish law,

00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:05.620
 adding Jewish rules and traditions to their existing Christian faith,

00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:11.640
 faith, it's as some people are encouraging them to do.

00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:15.259
 It's like choosing to become a slave once again,

00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:17.900
 returning to the hostage cell,

00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:23.140
 returning to the very things that Jesus had already rescued them from.

00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:30.200
 But it would also be like us returning to the sins that we were once enslaved to,

00:02:30.500 --> 00:02:33.319
 the things that Jesus had freed us from.

00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:41.579
 In fact, if we turn to any of the things that pull us like magnets away from Jesus,

00:02:42.079 --> 00:02:49.740
 if we give into their magnetic pull and forsake Jesus and his love for us that we've just been singing about,

00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:53.759
 it would be like us returning to our hostage cell.

00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:59.759
 So Paul is baffled that the Galatians are already starting to do this.

00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:02.879
 They're already starting to turn to a different gospel.

00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:07.780
 A false gospel where believing in Jesus is not enough to be saved.

00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:10.799
 But in our passage,

00:03:11.519 --> 00:03:15.159
 after reminding us of the tremendous privileges that we have as a Christian,

00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:17.159
 we thought about that last week.

00:03:17.739 --> 00:03:24.159
 Paul warns us that we are fools if we ever even consider throwing it all away.

00:03:25.419 --> 00:03:25.879
 Now,

00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:29.340
 I wonder if you notice the really strong language in this passage.

00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:31.099
 Paul is not holding back.

00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:33.479
 He says some things like this.

00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:36.359
 I fear I've wasted my efforts with you.

00:03:37.159 --> 00:03:38.519
 I plead with you,

00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:39.599
 brothers and sisters.

00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:44.519
 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:50.020
 I am in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.

00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:55.120
 How I wish I could be with you and change my tone because I'm perplexed by you.

00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:58.740
 Paul is really distressed.

00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:04.439
 But what is Paul seeking to communicate to readers of this letter?

00:04:04.480 --> 00:04:05.780
 And that includes us today.

00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:07.320
 It's this.

00:04:07.820 --> 00:04:15.460
 Departing from the gospel and forsaking our relationship with God will only lead us back into captivity.

00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:16.699
 Instead,

00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:19.180
 what does Paul want for his readers?

00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:22.500
 What transformation does he seek in their lives?

00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:26.560
 That we might remember what we've been saved from,

00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:29.439
 what we've been saved to,

00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:36.460
 and zealously pursue above all things the likeness of Jesus forming in us.

00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:40.560
 This is what Paul longs to take place in the lives of Galatians.

00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:42.379
 And until that happens,

00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:43.960
 until Christ is formed in them,

00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:45.159
 until Jesus,

00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:47.599
 they look more and more like Jesus.

00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:49.579
 Until that happens,

00:04:49.799 --> 00:04:51.919
 Paul waits in anguish,

00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:54.419
 like a mother giving birth to a child.

00:04:54.919 --> 00:04:58.899
 So we're going to look at how Paul seeks to persuade the Galatians

00:04:58.899 --> 00:05:00.379
 to stick with Jesus

00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:02.759
 and not return to captivity.

00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:04.799
 And we're going to do this in two parts this morning.

00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:07.740
 So we're going to look at verses 8 to 11,

00:05:07.979 --> 00:05:08.639
 first of all,

00:05:09.479 --> 00:05:11.240
 remembering our past,

00:05:12.039 --> 00:05:13.799
 and verses 12 to 20,

00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:15.899
 remembering our commitment.

00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:19.319
 So remembering our past,

00:05:19.739 --> 00:05:20.519
 first of all,

00:05:21.359 --> 00:05:22.539
 verses 8 to 11.

00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:27.159
 So Paul wants to remind the Galatians of their past,

00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:28.979
 what they have been saved from,

00:05:29.419 --> 00:05:31.439
 and what they've been saved to.

00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:33.699
 In verse 8,

00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:35.719
 Paul reminds them that formerly,

00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:39.139
 you had no knowledge of God.

00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:40.779
 Now,

00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:43.779
 it's possible to know things about God,

00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:46.120
 but to not know him personally.

00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:50.500
 That's an important distinction to be aware of.

00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:52.480
 It's possible to know things about God,

00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:54.180
 but to not know him personally.

00:05:54.180 --> 00:05:58.800
 Before they heard the good news about Jesus,

00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:03.160
 these Galatians had neither knowledge of the Christian God,

00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:06.319
 nor a personal relationship with him.

00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:07.139
 They had neither.

00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:10.460
 They had no knowledge of God.

00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:11.259
 Next,

00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:14.239
 Paul reminds the Galatians that they were slaves

00:06:14.239 --> 00:06:18.699
 to those who by nature are not gods.

00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:23.899
 He describes these things elsewhere as weak and miserable forces.

00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:25.579
 That's in verse 9.

00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:28.539
 Those who by nature are not gods,

00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:30.719
 those weak and miserable forces.

00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:31.440
 Now,

00:06:32.320 --> 00:06:35.660
 some commentators translate these spiritual forces

00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:38.180
 as demonic forces,

00:06:39.080 --> 00:06:41.720
 which I think is plausible.

00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:47.100
 Before the Galatians came to know the resurrected Jesus personally,

00:06:47.460 --> 00:06:50.640
 while they were still serving their pagan gods,

00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:54.760
 maybe the sun or the moon or the things in nature

00:06:54.760 --> 00:06:55.960
 or any other idol,

00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:00.480
 Paul explains that they were in fact serving.

00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:01.520
 Demons.

00:07:02.200 --> 00:07:02.540
 Now,

00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:06.320
 this stacks up with Paul's teaching in other places in the New Testament,

00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:08.860
 like in 1 Corinthians chapter 10.

00:07:08.940 --> 00:07:11.020
 You might want to check these places out later.

00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:12.580
 In 1 Corinthians 10,

00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:14.940
 Paul describes that offering,

00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:18.100
 pagan sacrifices are offerings to demons

00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:20.480
 and not to God.

00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:22.860
 And in Ephesians chapter 2,

00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:23.960
 he also talks about

00:07:23.960 --> 00:07:26.400
 that before we were Christians,

00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:27.440
 we were dead.

00:07:28.340 --> 00:07:30.560
 And whether knowingly or unknowingly,

00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:32.700
 we were followers of Satan.

00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:36.200
 The Galatian Christians have been saved,

00:07:36.520 --> 00:07:38.400
 not just from an ignorance of God,

00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:42.300
 but they'd also been freed from slavery to Satan.

00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:46.420
 But what have they been saved to?

00:07:47.220 --> 00:07:47.680
 Well,

00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:49.300
 Paul says in verse 9,

00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:50.980
 now that you know God,

00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:53.040
 you know him as Lord,

00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:54.639
 as your saviour,

00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:55.480
 as your father,

00:07:56.220 --> 00:07:57.240
 as your friend,

00:07:57.800 --> 00:07:58.519
 and your helper,

00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:01.420
 you're not ignorant of him anymore.

00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:04.080
 But even greater than that,

00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:06.879
 we are known by God,

00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:07.780
 he says.

00:08:08.400 --> 00:08:09.699
 We are known by God.

00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:12.480
 We've been saved into an intimate,

00:08:12.900 --> 00:08:15.120
 loving relationship with God himself,

00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:18.400
 a close spiritual union with him,

00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.639
 where we get to share in all the blessings of Jesus

00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:23.680
 and share in his spirit.

00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:25.139
 Now,

00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:26.959
 last week in verses 1 to 7,

00:08:27.099 --> 00:08:27.939
 Ian took us there,

00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:29.719
 and he reminded us that Christians,

00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:31.860
 on believing in Jesus,

00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:34.580
 have become God's very own children.

00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:37.059
 They've been adopted into his family.

00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.600
 They have received his Holy Spirit.

00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:43.840
 And this same Holy Spirit enables Christians

00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:47.340
 to call out to God as our Abba or our Daddy.

00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:49.940
 It's really affectionate language.

00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:52.860
 And because we have been made sons,

00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:56.080
 so legal heirs,

00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:59.100
 this means that we have become heirs

00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:00.420
 of a great inheritance,

00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:03.180
 which is waiting for us.

00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:06.680
 So these are all the amazing benefits

00:09:06.680 --> 00:09:09.379
 and blessings that we have been saved to.

00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:13.019
 So yes,

00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.340
 what we've been saved from?

00:09:15.060 --> 00:09:15.960
 Slavery to sin,

00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.680
 slavery to the enemy,

00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:19.659
 Satan himself,

00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:21.580
 slave to an amazing,

00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.659
 intimate connection with God himself,

00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:26.759
 a loving relationship with him,

00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:28.399
 where we know him,

00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:30.040
 and he knows us.

00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:31.440
 Now,

00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.500
 Paul asks,

00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.560
 why on earth would you throw all of this away

00:09:35.560 --> 00:09:38.040
 and walk back into slavery?

00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:38.919
 In fact,

00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:39.639
 in verse 10,

00:09:40.079 --> 00:09:41.500
 Paul criticizes them

00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:44.240
 for observing special days

00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.500
 and months

00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:46.500
 and seasons

00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.219
 and years.

00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:48.759
 And he doesn't shed any further light

00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:50.120
 on what these things might be,

00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:51.919
 what they might be referring to,

00:09:51.959 --> 00:09:54.059
 but they might be rules about the Sabbath

00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:55.839
 or about certain festival days

00:09:55.839 --> 00:09:56.459
 or months.

00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:58.340
 And there might be rules

00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.960
 about certain things you can

00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:01.420
 and you cannot do on those days

00:10:01.420 --> 00:10:03.860
 or certain things you can

00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:05.860
 or can't eat or drink or dress.

00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.980
 Whatever these things might be referring to,

00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.960
 I think it is shorthand

00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:15.860
 for following the Jewish religion to a T.

00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:17.620
 So following all the rules

00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:18.940
 and the traditions

00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:19.700
 and customs

00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:21.139
 of Judaism.

00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:23.180
 But what is really shocking

00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:25.060
 about what Paul is saying here

00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:25.960
 is that he is,

00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:28.000
 he says that adding Judaism

00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.840
 onto Christianity

00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.720
 is like going back

00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:33.399
 to pagan idolatry

00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.300
 and demon worship.

00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:35.759
 He makes that connection.

00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:38.659
 And Paul is so strong on this

00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.879
 because he realizes

00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:42.320
 that adding more stipulations

00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.720
 to our faith

00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:46.040
 implies that your faith

00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:47.160
 in Jesus' saving work

00:10:47.160 --> 00:10:47.720
 on the cross

00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.840
 is not enough.

00:10:49.640 --> 00:10:50.220
 It's not enough

00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.240
 to save us from our faith.

00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.080
 If we think that we need more

00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:55.160
 than what the gospel tells us,

00:10:55.900 --> 00:10:56.740
 it means that we think

00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.980
 that what the gospel tells us

00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:58.820
 about what Jesus did

00:10:58.820 --> 00:10:59.320
 on the cross,

00:10:59.760 --> 00:11:01.100
 we believe that it's not enough.

00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.100
 By following these Jewish laws,

00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.860
 the Galatian Christians

00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:08.040
 might as well have walked back

00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:09.900
 into their hostage cell.

00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.920
 Now, the message

00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:16.200
 of the letter of Galatians

00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.600
 is this,

00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:19.300
 and we've been thinking about this

00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:20.780
 all the way through our series so far.

00:11:21.180 --> 00:11:22.620
 What is the main message

00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:24.500
 of the letter of Galatians?

00:11:24.640 --> 00:11:25.700
 It's that justification

00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:28.160
 is by faith alone,

00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.100
 through grace alone,

00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:31.820
 and in Christ alone.

00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:32.620
 And in other words,

00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:33.160
 what that means

00:11:33.160 --> 00:11:35.280
 is that God declares us

00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:37.400
 to be righteous or holy

00:11:37.400 --> 00:11:39.180
 when we believe

00:11:39.180 --> 00:11:40.220
 in the saving work

00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.540
 of Jesus on the cross

00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:44.099
 and this is a free gift

00:11:44.099 --> 00:11:45.259
 of grace

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.439
 that he offers to us.

00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:49.319
 There are no other means

00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:52.360
 by which we'll be declared right

00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:54.039
 in God's eyes.

00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:54.959
 No other means.

00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:58.980
 So, remember your past.

00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:02.219
 Secondly, remember your commitment,

00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.539
 your former commitment.

00:12:04.099 --> 00:12:04.719
 And we're looking at

00:12:04.719 --> 00:12:05.939
 verses 12 to 29.

00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:06.060
 Now,

00:12:06.380 --> 00:12:11.260
 so Paul wants the Galatians

00:12:11.260 --> 00:12:12.940
 to remember their former commitment

00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:14.900
 in these verses,

00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:16.180
 but their commitment to what?

00:12:16.760 --> 00:12:17.380
 What commitment?

00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.720
 To Paul's gospel message,

00:12:21.260 --> 00:12:22.820
 the gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:12:24.380 --> 00:12:25.800
 Now, Paul shares a story

00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:27.600
 in verses 12 to 16.

00:12:29.160 --> 00:12:30.760
 You can scan your eyes back

00:12:30.760 --> 00:12:31.840
 over those verses again.

00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:33.960
 And in this story,

00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.420
 in these verses,

00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:37.300
 he's criticizing the Galatians

00:12:37.300 --> 00:12:39.120
 for doing a complete U-turn

00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:40.360
 on him

00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.700
 and his gospel.

00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.420
 In verse 13,

00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:44.420
 we see that they had

00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:46.540
 originally become acquainted

00:12:46.540 --> 00:12:47.160
 with Paul

00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:48.480
 when he came

00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:49.620
 to their area

00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.600
 and he first preached

00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.460
 the gospel to them.

00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:54.019
 This was when he first,

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.080
 they first met each other.

00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:58.019
 And he says that this was a period

00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:59.160
 of unspecified

00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.939
 physical suffering for him.

00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:03.000
 He was suffering

00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:04.159
 from some sort of ailment.

00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.899
 We don't know what exactly.

00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.639
 But what we do know,

00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.519
 what he says here,

00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.719
 is that it also proved

00:13:10.719 --> 00:13:11.399
 to be a trial

00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.539
 for the Galatians as well.

00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.100
 Whatever he was suffering from,

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.860
 it was a real burden on them.

00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:18.120
 But instead of despising him

00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:20.219
 or telling him to leave

00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:20.699
 or, you know,

00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.980
 you're just burdening us

00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.839
 too much here, Paul,

00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.459
 they held him

00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:25.799
 in such high regard.

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.919
 They welcomed him

00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.339
 as if he was an angel.

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.720
 They welcomed him

00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:31.660
 as if he was Jesus Christ himself

00:13:31.660 --> 00:13:33.000
 rocking up in their town.

00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.379
 They held him

00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.440
 in such high regard.

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.820
 They loved Paul

00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.040
 even when he was sick

00:13:38.040 --> 00:13:40.160
 and he had loved them back.

00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:43.100
 Such was their commitment

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.840
 to Paul

00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.240
 that they were willing

00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.000
 to give Paul

00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.420
 their very eyes.

00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.740
 It's quite a strange image,

00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:52.580
 but I think it simply conveys

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:54.259
 how committed to Paul they were.

00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.980
 They were like sports players

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:57.940
 who put their bodies

00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.399
 on the line.

00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.399
 They give everything

00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:01.000
 for their managers

00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.639
 and their fans.

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.159
 They were willing

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.879
 to give Paul

00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.340
 their very eyes

00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:06.019
 for him.

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.720
 Now though,

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.060
 in verse 15,

00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.680
 Paul questions,

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.639
 where has your love

00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.800
 and your commitment

00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:15.539
 and your blessing for me,

00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.420
 where has it gone?

00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:19.000
 It has completely evaporated.

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.159
 They've done a U-turn on him.

00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:24.039
 I wonder if you've ever

00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.240
 experienced

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.279
 knowing somebody,

00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:28.699
 spending time with them,

00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:30.100
 loving them,

00:14:30.219 --> 00:14:31.100
 just someone that you got

00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.919
 on really well with,

00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.500
 but they suddenly

00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.539
 drew back from you.

00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:37.259
 They suddenly gave you

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.000
 the cold shoulder.

00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:41.120
 It's a hurtful thing

00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.939
 to experience,

00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.939
 but it also leaves us

00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:45.899
 asking ourselves,

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.679
 why have they done that?

00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:48.699
 Why have they suddenly

00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:49.600
 drawn back from me?

00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.759
 Have I done anything?

00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.180
 Have I done anything wrong

00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.980
 to offend them?

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.440
 After loving Paul so much,

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.340
 the Galatians have drawn

00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.120
 back from him.

00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.120
 We've seen an example

00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.279
 of this behavior already

00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:05.100
 in Galatians.

00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:05.980
 I wonder if it's ringing

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.659
 any bells.

00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:08.800
 In chapter 2,

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.540
 we saw the story

00:15:11.540 --> 00:15:13.720
 of Peter suddenly drawing back

00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:15.060
 from spending time with

00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:15.920
 and eating with

00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:17.000
 the Gentile Christians.

00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:19.440
 And this was to save face

00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:21.300
 in front of those

00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:23.880
 false Jesus plus teachers.

00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:27.260
 But why have the Galatians

00:15:27.260 --> 00:15:27.980
 done a U-turn

00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:30.020
 on Paul and his

00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:31.640
 gospel message of Jesus?

00:15:32.760 --> 00:15:33.700
 Well, I think there's

00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.840
 a couple of clues.

00:15:35.640 --> 00:15:36.980
 We see the first

00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.820
 in verse 16,

00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:38.840
 he asks the question,

00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:39.920
 have I now become

00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:40.560
 your enemy

00:15:40.560 --> 00:15:42.020
 by telling you the truth?

00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.340
 Concerningly,

00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:45.960
 the Galatians

00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.880
 no longer seem

00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.419
 to be able

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.360
 to stomach

00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.059
 Paul's teaching

00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.259
 of the truth,

00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:52.399
 the hard,

00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.820
 corrective truths

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:54.600
 of the Bible.

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.360
 They don't seem

00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:57.740
 to be able

00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.439
 to handle it.

00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.340
 Now,

00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.100
 when we become

00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.600
 Christians,

00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.700
 we are not just

00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.480
 recipients of all

00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.639
 the wonderful benefits

00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.980
 of Christ

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.220
 when we're united

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:08.679
 to him,

00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:10.599
 but we are also

00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.899
 conformed

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.459
 into the likeness

00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:14.879
 of Jesus

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.719
 so that we more

00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.259
 and more

00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.379
 live like him

00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.819
 and behave like him

00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:20.939
 and are true

00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:21.539
 representatives

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.339
 of him

00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:23.459
 on earth.

00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.719
 This is an external

00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:25.379
 process.

00:16:25.859 --> 00:16:26.979
 God conforms us

00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:27.699
 into the image

00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:28.379
 of his son.

00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.219
 It can be,

00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:33.359
 but when this happens,

00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.039
 when we are conformed

00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.699
 into his image,

00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:37.460
 it can be painful.

00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.960
 It can be hard

00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.360
 to stomach.

00:16:40.920 --> 00:16:41.860
 We don't like it.

00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:44.080
 It exposes us

00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.900
 when God shows us

00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:46.340
 our sin,

00:16:46.660 --> 00:16:47.280
 when he shows us

00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.080
 the things that we,

00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:48.960
 he wants us

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.620
 to turn from.

00:16:51.640 --> 00:16:53.000
 There's a pressure

00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.700
 within us

00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.440
 to disobey,

00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.460
 to protect ourselves

00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.300
 from the exposing

00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:58.480
 truth of the gospel.

00:16:59.520 --> 00:17:00.620
 It can be a temptation

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.960
 to treat our pastors

00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.899
 or our teachers

00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:06.420
 as enemies,

00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.059
 as thrills,

00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:10.259
 thrill seekers,

00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:10.980
 not thrill seekers,

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:11.799
 the opposite of that,

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.680
 wishing to spoil our fun.

00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.299
 We can have contempt

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.559
 for those people

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.720
 that show us

00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.119
 what God wants

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.980
 to expose

00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.140
 in our lives.

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.819
 It can be tempting

00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.259
 within

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.720
 to push it away,

00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.059
 but Paul says,

00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.559
 remember,

00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.180
 your former commitment

00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.600
 to me and my gospel message,

00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:32.420
 you held closely to it,

00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.279
 you believed in it,

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.019
 you were on side with me.

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.220
 Now,

00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.039
 let us not

00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.980
 cast aside

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.740
 or withdraw from

00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.340
 those who call

00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:41.900
 on us

00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.860
 to obey the gospel

00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.140
 and walk

00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.799
 more closely

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.519
 with Christ.

00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.200
 So that's the

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.060
 internal pressure.

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.299
 There's an internal pressure

00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.779
 to not withstand

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.740
 the truth

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.279
 of the Bible,

00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.320
 but in the Galatians case,

00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.060
 there was also

00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:56.600
 an external pressure

00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:58.140
 from the so-called

00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.039
 agitators,

00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:01.519
 these are the ones

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.120
 who've come

00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:03.759
 into the Galatian churches

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.140
 and they've been

00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.240
 meddling with the gospel

00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.840
 ever since

00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.420
 Paul first visited them

00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.100
 and brought them

00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:11.840
 the good news

00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:12.380
 about Jesus.

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.600
 And these agitators

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.279
 have been throwing

00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.900
 the Galatians

00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.860
 into confusion.

00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.160
 They're the ones

00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.720
 that have been telling

00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.299
 the Galatians

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.440
 that their faith in Jesus

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.680
 is not enough

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.600
 to save them.

00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.340
 They need to add on

00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.500
 these other things,

00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.660
 these Jewish traditions

00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.539
 and rules.

00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:29.359
 Now,

00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.279
 when I was thinking

00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.359
 about these agitators,

00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:34.000
 it was reminding me

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.099
 of how I loved,

00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.379
 as a kid,

00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.720
 we had a wee dog

00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.319
 and he was fine

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.039
 to be off the lead

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.579
 and he would just

00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.079
 potter around

00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.839
 and do his own thing.

00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:41.379
 But meanwhile,

00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.819
 as I was out with the dog

00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.839
 as a wee boy,

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.599
 I would go to the puddles

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.779
 and I'd take a stick

00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.539
 and I'd love to stir up

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.180
 all the mud

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.079
 in the bottom

00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.619
 of the puddles

00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.899
 and cause the puddle

00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.759
 to be all cloudy.

00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:55.059
 And I think this is exactly

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.920
 what these agitators do.

00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.700
 They come in,

00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.879
 they stir up

00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.720
 all the good

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.960
 gospel foundations

00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:02.440
 that have been settled,

00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.460
 they've been established

00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.900
 in the gospel churches

00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.839
 and they're throwing

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:07.420
 these Galatian Christians

00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.220
 into confusion.

00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:12.000
 But Paul says a little more

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.539
 about what these people

00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.160
 are doing.

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:16.460
 He says in verse 17

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.879
 that they are zealous

00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:20.160
 to win over the Galatians

00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:21.440
 to their cause,

00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:24.680
 but for no good intention.

00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:27.540
 The ESV translation says,

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.300
 they make much of you.

00:19:30.780 --> 00:19:32.100
 It seems these agitators

00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:33.180
 might have been flattering

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.980
 the Galatians.

00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:35.500
 They've been working hard,

00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.760
 they've been working zealously

00:19:36.760 --> 00:19:38.140
 to win them over

00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.980
 to their rival cause.

00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.380
 Think of the politicians

00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.840
 on the campaign trail

00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:46.240
 in a time of election,

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:46.900
 they're going around

00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.019
 knocking on every door

00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.019
 in the neighbourhood

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.500
 and they're trying

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.440
 to persuade people

00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:52.000
 to switch allegiance

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.420
 from that rival party

00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.920
 to their party.

00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:56.940
 Paul says the goal

00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.960
 of these agitators

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.560
 is to alienate

00:19:59.560 --> 00:20:00.940
 the Galatian Christians

00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.540
 from Paul,

00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.820
 to break them away

00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.400
 from Paul,

00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.640
 to turn them away

00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.320
 from the gospel message

00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:07.420
 that he brought to them.

00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.580
 And we've seen

00:20:09.580 --> 00:20:10.720
 that their tactic is working.

00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.300
 It is already working,

00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.440
 they're already starting

00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.080
 to turn away.

00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:16.619
 And this is why Paul

00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:17.699
 is so worried about them.

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.179
 This is why he's using

00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.159
 such strong language.

00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.460
 They've begun to turn away

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:25.500
 from the true gospel message

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:25.939
 of Jesus.

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:29.639
 Now, it probably wouldn't be true

00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:30.960
 to say that we have

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.679
 this same sort of obvious

00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:34.460
 infiltration issue

00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:36.159
 affecting our message

00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.740
 at the moment

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.460
 in Brunsfield

00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.759
 and we thank the Lord

00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.919
 for that and we praise God.

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.759
 But I'd say that cautiously

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.299
 because no Christian church

00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:45.259
 is immune to infiltration

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.240
 and agitation.

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:49.279
 So we must be on our guard

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.559
 against anybody

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.900
 or anything

00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:53.420
 that wishes to drag us

00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.299
 away from Jesus.

00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.980
 For the Galatians,

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.900
 it should have been obvious

00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.119
 that these agitators

00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.220
 were not true messengers

00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.879
 from God.

00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.400
 How can we tell?

00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:06.220
 How can we tell

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.799
 if they were true messengers

00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.220
 or not?

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:10.100
 I think it's by looking

00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:11.380
 at whose kingdom

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.740
 they were seeking to build.

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.299
 Was their goal

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:17.160
 to build Jesus' kingdom

00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.960
 amongst the Galatians

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.940
 or was it to build

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.860
 their own kingdom?

00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.339
 Just like the Pharisees

00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.460
 in Jesus' day

00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.640
 who were jealous

00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:29.500
 of Jesus' influence

00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:31.079
 and his following

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.839
 that he had,

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.100
 these men wished

00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.960
 to become big

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.600
 first century influencers

00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:38.219
 like Paul

00:21:38.219 --> 00:21:39.559
 and to build up

00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:39.980
 their own

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.339
 big following.

00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.379
 They do not have

00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.159
 true intentions.

00:21:44.959 --> 00:21:45.779
 They're not seeking

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.359
 to build

00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.939
 Jesus' kingdom.

00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.599
 So,

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.919
 we've identified

00:21:50.919 --> 00:21:51.939
 the Galatians problem.

00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.379
 We've seen that

00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.019
 they're so quickly

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.599
 turning away

00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.659
 from the gospel message.

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.079
 They've been

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.859
 turned by internal

00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:00.240
 and external

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.859
 forces

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.480
 and they're picking up

00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.419
 additional laws

00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:04.099
 and rules

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.079
 that they think

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.819
 are going to truly

00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.379
 save them.

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:10.359
 And Paul has said

00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.019
 that this is like

00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.699
 going back to

00:22:11.699 --> 00:22:12.819
 pagan idolatry

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:14.199
 and demon worship.

00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.719
 But what is

00:22:15.719 --> 00:22:16.699
 Paul's remedy?

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.859
 What is his remedy

00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.159
 for these Galatians

00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:20.759
 that are starting

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.319
 to turn away?

00:22:22.719 --> 00:22:23.059
 Well,

00:22:23.159 --> 00:22:23.899
 it's to remember

00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.619
 their past,

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.779
 what they've been

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.359
 saved from.

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.179
 It's to remember

00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.699
 what they've been

00:22:28.699 --> 00:22:29.259
 saved to,

00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.899
 to remember

00:22:30.899 --> 00:22:31.539
 their former

00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.099
 commitment

00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.179
 to this gospel

00:22:33.179 --> 00:22:33.699
 message.

00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:35.460
 But more than

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.700
 that,

00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.200
 I think there's

00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.799
 one more thing.

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:37.660
 And this,

00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.580
 up to this point

00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:39.100
 in this letter,

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.680
 there haven't been

00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.600
 too many direct

00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.600
 instructions,

00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.180
 imperatives

00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.900
 for the Galatians.

00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.460
 But we see

00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.420
 a call to action

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.240
 in verse 12.

00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.860
 Paul says,

00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.380
 I plead with you,

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.860
 brothers and sisters,

00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.360
 become like me,

00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.220
 for I became like you.

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.480
 What does Paul mean?

00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.360
 Become like me.

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.539
 What does he mean by that?

00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.279
 Well,

00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.119
 I think in the same way

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.599
 that Paul has cast off

00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:06.220
 his former identity

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.980
 in this religion

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.960
 that he no longer

00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.119
 calls his own.

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.119
 He's cast off

00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.180
 his Judaism

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.559
 and become

00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.420
 like a Gentile

00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:14.960
 among them.

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.859
 So they too

00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.059
 are to cast off

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.460
 the Jewish traditions

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.339
 and the practices

00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.779
 that they have added on,

00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:23.139
 all these other things

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.940
 that they've added on,

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.779
 these things that

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.799
 cannot save them.

00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.279
 Instead,

00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:28.680
 just as Paul has done

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.480
 when he left

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.059
 Judaism behind,

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:33.799
 just as he embraced

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.899
 Jesus alone

00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.519
 when he became

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.960
 a Christian,

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.940
 they are to do

00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.619
 the same.

00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.879
 He says,

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.639
 Galatians,

00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.259
 match my

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.220
 wholehearted

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.039
 pursuit

00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.460
 of Jesus alone.

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.859
 Embrace his

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.460
 sometimes painful

00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:53.220
 conforming work

00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.379
 in your hearts.

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.119
 Seek the building up

00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.859
 of his kingdom,

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.139
 nothing else.

00:23:58.140 --> 00:24:00.600
 Now the graphic

00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.640
 childbirth image

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.060
 that we see

00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:02.820
 in verse 19,

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.980
 it reminds us

00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.900
 of how desperately

00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:06.460
 Paul wants to see

00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.100
 the Galatians

00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:08.180
 being formed

00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:10.080
 into Jesus' likeness

00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:11.740
 and he will wait

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.560
 in anguish

00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:14.340
 until that takes place.

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.480
 That is what he wants

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.580
 more than anything else.

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.180
 Now,

00:24:19.280 --> 00:24:20.360
 I'm just drawing things

00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.680
 to a finish here,

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.360
 but as we finish,

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:25.339
 I wonder if you've

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.019
 ever watched

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.000
 any films

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.500
 that are set

00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.339
 in space.

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.819
 I saw Stephen

00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.599
 smiling there.

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.219
 There are so many

00:24:36.219 --> 00:24:37.500
 great space films.

00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.339
 I'll name a few.

00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:39.979
 The Martian,

00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.639
 Interstellar,

00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.980
 2001,

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.960
 A Space Odyssey,

00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.380
 WALL-E,

00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:47.160
 and of course

00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:48.460
 the Star Wars franchise

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.660
 of which I'm a big fan.

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.380
 And I don't think

00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.580
 there are any space films,

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.100
 well there might be

00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.500
 one or two,

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.800
 but there are no space films

00:24:54.800 --> 00:24:56.140
 which don't feature

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.480
 some sort of

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.840
 gravity calamity.

00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.140
 For example,

00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:03.520
 our hero's spaceship

00:25:03.520 --> 00:25:05.040
 passes too close

00:25:05.040 --> 00:25:05.640
 to a planet

00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:07.480
 and it gets sucked

00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.400
 into its orbit.

00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:10.800
 Or our hero's spaceship

00:25:10.800 --> 00:25:11.940
 passes too close

00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.060
 to a black hole

00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:14.440
 and begins to get

00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.380
 sucked towards it.

00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:17.380
 Or our hero's ship

00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.720
 comes within range

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.740
 of a Star Destroyer

00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.580
 and gets sucked in

00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.540
 by a tractor beam.

00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.600
 More seriously though,

00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:26.980
 I wonder if there's

00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.120
 anything tugging

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.660
 on you this morning,

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.759
 trying to pull you

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.759
 away from Jesus.

00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:35.660
 Or maybe somebody

00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:37.420
 or something

00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.920
 is slowly

00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.720
 but steadily

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:41.140
 courting you

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.380
 away from Jesus.

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.820
 A real life

00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:47.300
 or a metaphorical

00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.800
 agitator perhaps,

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.880
 the pleasures

00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:52.000
 and the temptations

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.620
 of the world,

00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.060
 or maybe the worries

00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:57.160
 of our world,

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.840
 or old sins

00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.519
 that we're tempted

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.660
 to go back to.

00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.440
 We all,

00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:03.420
 whether we're Christians

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.019
 here or not,

00:26:04.080 --> 00:26:04.980
 we all feel

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.039
 the pull

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.980
 sometimes,

00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.940
 but we must

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:10.000
 resist it.

00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:12.519
 Remember Paul's remedy.

00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.740
 We must heed

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.920
 his desperate call

00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.940
 to become

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.700
 like him,

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.360
 discarding

00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:21.160
 every rival affection

00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:23.000
 and prioritizing

00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.519
 Jesus

00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:25.259
 and being transformed

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:27.099
 into his likeness.

00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:30.539
 does Jesus

00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.579
 have any rivals

00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.379
 in our hearts?

00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:35.740
 Are you zealously

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.719
 pursuing him

00:26:36.719 --> 00:26:38.599
 even when nobody

00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.079
 is looking?

00:26:40.959 --> 00:26:41.959
 Departing from Jesus

00:26:41.959 --> 00:26:42.879
 and forsaking

00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:44.459
 his tremendous

00:26:44.459 --> 00:26:45.799
 love for us

00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:47.039
 will only lead us

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.419
 back to our hostage

00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:48.779
 cell.

00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:51.079
 let us

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.599
 daily

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.740
 commit ourselves

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.240
 to him,

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.740
 asking him

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.440
 to help us

00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.759
 identify the things

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.940
 in our hearts

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:59.279
 which are

00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.879
 vying

00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.019
 to take his place.

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.460
 Let's pray.

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:08.019
 Our Heavenly Father,

00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:09.119
 we thank you so much

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.579
 for the message

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.359
 of Galatians.

00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.519
 We thank you

00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.440
 that there is no other

00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.279
 way to be saved

00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.339
 than by trusting

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:16.240
 in Jesus alone

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.180
 and his death

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.500
 on the cross

00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:20.080
 to pay for our sins.

00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:21.180
 We thank you

00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.259
 for the amazing

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.240
 sacrifice that he

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.060
 has performed

00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:24.860
 in our behalf

00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.900
 and that by trusting

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.500
 in him alone,

00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.220
 by believing

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.120
 in what he has done

00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:29.700
 for us,

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.340
 that we can be called

00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:32.340
 children of God,

00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.840
 adopted into our family,

00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:34.539
 heirs,

00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:37.039
 awaiting an inheritance.

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.580
 We thank you

00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:39.200
 that you've given us

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.940
 your Holy Spirit

00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.320
 as well

00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:41.299
 to enable us

00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.640
 to walk

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.600
 in your ways.

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.900
 We thank you

00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.440
 that you

00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:47.940
 zealously

00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.840
 try to

00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:50.200
 conform us

00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.059
 into your likeness.

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:51.559
 We thank you

00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.259
 that you're actively

00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.779
 doing that

00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.559
 by your Spirit,

00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:54.900
 making us

00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:56.180
 into Jesus' likeness.

00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.720
 Would you help us

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.700
 not to resist that?

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.259
 But instead,

00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.299
 would you help us

00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.620
 to cling to Jesus,

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.620
 to keep seeking him

00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.299
 in your word,

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.980
 to keep praying,

00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.000
 to keep walking

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.799
 in his ways?

00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:09.940
 And Lord,

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.059
 please help us.

00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.480
 Please show us

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.440
 the things in our lives

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.059
 that are vying

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:15.340
 to take Jesus'

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.320
 place on the throne

00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:16.960
 of our hearts.

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.279
 Show us the things

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.120
 that are creeping in.

00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.660
 Show us the things

00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.360
 that you want us

00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.039
 to resist

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.039
 and turn from.

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.259
 And we thank you

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:25.779
 that you've not

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.400
 left us alone

00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.880
 to fight these things

00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.120
 alone,

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.860
 but you've given us

00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:29.279
 your Spirit

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.840
 to do so.

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.279
 So please,

00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.539
 give us your strength

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.000
 this day

00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.860
 and help us

00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.740
 to commit ourselves

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.539
 to you once again.

00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.840
 In Jesus' name.

00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.360
 Amen.

00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:37.460
 Amen.

00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:37.519
 Amen.

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.519


00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.519


00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.519


00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.519