WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.320 There is in all of us, I think, an instinct to protect what is precious to us. 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:10.279 And we can think about that in the context of family. 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:13.000 Parents want to protect their children. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:19.179 We want to protect our friendships or our reputation or our sense of independence. 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:23.059 Whatever is important to us, we want to protect. 00:00:23.059 --> 00:00:32.039 And what we see is that Paul wants to protect the precious gospel of grace in Jesus Christ. 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:43.219 Imagine with me, just for a moment, that you were to take a trip to the Louvre in Paris to go and see some fine art. 00:00:43.599 --> 00:00:49.159 And you walked up to the Mona Lisa, which is always surrounded by huge crowds. 00:00:49.599 --> 00:00:51.159 Lots of people are really impressed by it. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:54.859 But you decide that there's something missing. 00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:56.839 She looks a little bit lonely. 00:00:57.419 --> 00:01:02.859 So out of your pocket, you take the crayons that you've taken with you and you decide to draw her a cat. 00:01:03.019 --> 00:01:06.140 So she can stroke to feel a little bit better about herself. 00:01:06.239 --> 00:01:08.579 Her life looks a little bit dull, you might think. 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:11.359 Now, you might think that thing looks wonderful. 00:01:12.299 --> 00:01:16.340 I can tell you that the management would be devastated. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:25.260 The art world would be angered because you have destroyed something that everybody else considered to be a priceless work of art. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:33.439 Now, that's the kind of mindset that I want us to think about when we think about what Paul is saying here at the beginning of his letter. 00:01:33.580 --> 00:01:34.920 Paul gets this. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:37.560 We need to protect what's precious to us. 00:01:38.080 --> 00:01:41.939 He has discovered for himself the precious gospel of grace. 00:01:41.939 --> 00:01:46.500 Jesus has come and he's changed his life and everything is different. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:54.579 Now, Paul's life is dominated by this message that though I was undeserving, Jesus came and rescued me. 00:01:55.539 --> 00:02:01.479 And this letter is a passionate defense of this gospel of grace. 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:11.060 So he writes the letter sometime around about 50 AD, so maybe 15, 20 years or so after the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:16.480 And he writes it to a group of churches in this region known as Galatia. 00:02:16.860 --> 00:02:22.680 Paul was a missionary and on his first missionary journey, we can read about it in Acts 13 and 14, 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:27.819 he stopped off in this region and he established some new churches. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:37.039 And these churches that had received the gospel of grace that they heard from Paul are now turning away from that. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:41.519 And so Paul writes this letter in defense of the gospel of grace that he brought to him. 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:48.019 So the letter, as we look at it over the next few months, is going to show us, it's going to show us what is the gospel of grace? 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:54.700 Why is, on the one hand, rejecting it so dangerous for this church and for ourselves? 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:59.960 And why is receiving it and living in it so wonderful? 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:07.040 So I want to begin with the diagnosis that Paul makes on this church. 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:17.379 Because like so many of the New Testament letters, it's written to a particular people at a particular time and place addressing a particular issue. 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:22.819 So what is the issue that gets Paul's attention that makes him write this letter? 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:25.019 Read with me in verse 6. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:36.280 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel. 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:42.639 Paul is amazed and he is shocked because they are walking away from the God of grace. 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:47.259 They have become, as it were, spiritual turncoats. 00:03:47.899 --> 00:03:55.259 They have abandoned the message of God's grace for an alternative false gospel. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:04:06.479 Like spies in the Cold War who were turned by the Soviet Union to work against their nation for the Soviets. 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:12.819 So these Christians are being turned away from God and his grace. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:19.879 We see in this little section mentioned a number of times of the gospel. 00:04:20.039 --> 00:04:24.019 So let's just stop and think, what is that word gospel saying to us? 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:29.539 So for them it would be very familiar because if you lived in the Roman Empire at this time, 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:34.180 you'd be used to hearing the announcement of gospel messages, good news. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:42.840 So the emperor would have a son, a new heir to the throne, and this gospel message would go out through the empire. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:46.180 Or they would win a great victory over enemies. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:49.079 And again, a gospel message would be announced. 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:52.819 So the word gospel is all about good news. 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:57.699 It's about something that has happened that is of life-changing importance. 00:04:57.699 --> 00:05:06.579 For Paul, that good news is that God has sent his son to be our savior, that he has died on the cross to save us from sins. 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:09.279 That's the good news that he is teaching. 00:05:10.159 --> 00:05:19.300 And he's so distressed because this church is threatening to walk away from it and to exchange that teaching. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:20.079 Verse 7, 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:26.339 Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:30.979 So we're going to meet through the letter this fact that there is another group of teachers, 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:33.979 sometimes known as the Judaizers. 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:41.479 And we're going to see that throughout the letter what the problem is, this message that they are bringing. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:43.240 We'll see some of the details. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:45.740 But here's the big overview. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:52.060 Here's the crucial question that Paul brings to us and to the church in Galatia. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:54.600 Is the work of Jesus complete? 00:05:55.660 --> 00:06:01.100 Or must we add something to it in order to be accepted by God? 00:06:01.960 --> 00:06:04.740 There are presented in this letter two alternatives. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:09.840 There's the way of grace or there is the way of works. 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:15.459 And Paul is going to emphasize time and time again the way of grace. 00:06:16.099 --> 00:06:20.399 He's going to speak of the love of God to those who are undeserving, 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:23.979 to those who are unable to save themselves. 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:31.079 He's going to highlight again and again that salvation rests entirely on the finished work of Jesus. 00:06:31.719 --> 00:06:33.199 We don't add anything to that. 00:06:33.299 --> 00:06:34.719 We receive it by faith. 00:06:35.299 --> 00:06:38.500 But then there's this other group and there's this other philosophy. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:44.139 There's this way of works, which is saying, yes, trust in Jesus, absolutely. 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:50.360 But there's also some stuff that you need to do if you want to be accepted by God. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:55.339 So in their context, trust in Jesus and keep certain Jewish rituals. 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:56.959 Watch what you eat. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:06:58.339 Be circumcised. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:06:59.240 Those kind of things. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:05.900 That can play itself out in our day as messages like, yes, trust in Jesus, 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:11.579 but that your quality of faith, your quantity of faith, your moral goodness, 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:17.439 reaching some kind of standard to be acceptable to God matters. 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:22.379 So we can hear this message ourselves, not take on Jewish rituals, 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:29.100 but there is a bar, there is some kind of level that you need to reach if God's going to welcome and accept you. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:36.300 So what's the difference between these two ways of thinking, ways of salvation? 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:42.819 The way of grace is thoroughly God-centered, where Jesus is the only Savior, 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:50.659 whereas salvation by works is always going to be man-centered and performance-based 00:07:50.659 --> 00:07:53.879 because it's asking us to contribute. 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:59.719 Now at this stage, you might be thinking, but is this really such a big deal? 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:02.219 I'm hearing that they're trusting in Jesus. 00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:05.539 Okay, they're adding some extra things, but is that such a big deal? 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.680 Well, let's go back to Mona Lisa. 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:12.079 Let's go back to Mona and her new crayon cat. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:18.060 You know, by adding to that masterpiece, we haven't enhanced it. 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:22.279 We have destroyed and devalued it. 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:26.879 And it's the same when we add anything to the gospel. 00:08:27.539 --> 00:08:31.959 As soon as we say to someone, you need Jesus and anything, 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:36.439 we lose the gospel, which is grace from beginning to end. 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:40.000 It's grace that saves and it's grace that sustains. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:45.679 We don't begin in grace and then move on to earn our way into God's kingdom. 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:47.559 It's grace from beginning to end. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:50.919 Somebody has helpfully put it like this. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:54.519 There is a gospel equation that says, 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:59.919 Jesus plus nothing equals everything. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:02.959 And we need to hold on to that. 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:08.139 And we need to recognize that Paul is also showing us there is a false gospel equation. 00:09:08.839 --> 00:09:13.419 And he's going to say that if you have Jesus plus anything, 00:09:13.979 --> 00:09:16.559 you end up with nothing. 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:24.879 Verses eight to nine show us just how much holding on to this gospel of grace matters. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.840 Let's hear these words again. 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:34.340 Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:38.679 let him be eternally condemned. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:44.559 To leave behind the gospel of grace. 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:53.239 To present to the world a different gospel other than salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone 00:09:53.239 --> 00:09:56.399 is to become anathema. 00:09:57.359 --> 00:10:02.299 To be under the eternal judgment of God. 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:09.979 In short, what we do with this gospel of grace is a life or death thing. 00:10:10.819 --> 00:10:12.539 It's not a small thing. 00:10:13.199 --> 00:10:18.039 It's not something that we are free to trifle with or play around with. 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:20.500 It's life or death. 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:25.659 So while it might seem small to us at a surface level, 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:30.559 trust Jesus, but also keep some Jewish food laws and add some circumcision, 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:38.139 the effect is to rob God of his glory and to lose grace and the gospel. 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:45.259 And notice this isn't just deserting an idea or a theory. 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:47.839 This is not a philosophy that we're batting around. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.599 Verse six, 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:55.639 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ. 00:10:55.639 --> 00:11:00.659 Following a false gospel is to walk away from God himself. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:08.199 If we think that we have to add something, bring something to the table in order to be saved, 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:13.699 then we are putting further distance between ourselves and the God who saves by grace. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:16.399 The God who calls people by grace. 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:22.179 So that to reject that gospel of grace is to reject God and to reject Jesus, 00:11:22.319 --> 00:11:25.240 the son he sent to be our rescuer. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:32.459 So I hope that we're seeing already just how crucial this is to our personal and our spiritual well-being. 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:38.039 That if it is true that I am saved by grace and grace alone, 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:42.459 then that means it's possible for me to have peace with God. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:47.639 That it's possible for me to have a sense of security. 00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:52.139 That there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:53.980 even when we sin. 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:59.399 Because we look to the cross and we realize Jesus has paid for all of our sin. 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:04.620 God won't demand from us what he's already demanded from his son, Jesus. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:13.299 There is the possibility of true joy and true hope through being united to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:16.080 and trusting in what he's done for us on the cross. 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:21.539 But if our way of saving ourselves is about my works, 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:25.039 there's going to be constant anxiety. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.379 Have I done enough? 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:30.680 Have I reached God's standard? 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:33.000 And if I reach it today but I mess up tomorrow, 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.679 where does that leave me in God's eye? 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:39.639 It's going to lead us to competition and comparison 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:42.980 where we're not looking at Jesus and his perfect standard 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:46.779 and recognizing that I need to be trusting in that alone because I'm a sinner. 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:49.980 We're going to be saying, well, I'm doing better than this person so I can feel proud. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:52.980 Or maybe I'm having a bad day and I see others doing well 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.580 and so I feel a sense of despair. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:58.980 So it makes all the difference in the world how we hear 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:01.399 and how we respond to the gospel of grace. 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:06.580 And so Paul very quickly moves to this diagnosis of the church, 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:10.159 saying to him, you're walking away from the grace of God in Jesus. 00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:12.440 And it's something that we need to hear all the time 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:19.960 to hang on to or to return to or to receive for the first time this gospel of grace. 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:24.300 Now, having said that, having heard Paul's diagnosis, 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:27.740 and he's clearly said some very serious things, 00:13:28.040 --> 00:13:30.759 perhaps we're asking the question, well, what gives him the right to say that? 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.340 What are his credentials? 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:35.820 So let's look at Paul's authority for a few minutes. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.480 What gives him the right to talk as he does? 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:43.139 Or to put it another way, why should the church then listen to his message 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:47.620 and not the message of the false teachers, as he calls them, of the Judaizers? 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:54.659 What is it about his message that means that we should listen to his gospel of grace 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:58.519 and not some other message or method for how we might save ourselves? 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:03.600 And Paul gets right to this as he introduces himself. 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:08.159 So typical Roman letter would be a very brief opening, 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:11.419 from person X to person Y, greetings. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:18.879 But Paul has a very loaded introduction where he highlights his qualifications, 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.299 his right to speak. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:26.740 It's as if a medical professional was sending you a letter saying, 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:28.559 you need to come and receive this treatment, 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:32.620 and they might head that letter with all their titles and qualifications. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:35.480 Here's a word that you can trust. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:40.240 So what qualifies Paul to speak with the authority that he does? 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.899 Just need to look at these opening words. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:46.460 Verse 1, Paul, an apostle. 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.779 So let's stop for a moment. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:51.080 What is an apostle? 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:54.779 An apostle was literally a sent one. 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:58.019 Somebody was sent with a special message, 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:00.460 given a special status, 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:03.899 and a mission from somebody with a higher authority. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:05.060 So Paul is an apostle, 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:08.399 but the important thing is who sent him. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:11.159 That's the real authority that matters. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.860 And so he continues, 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:15.240 sent not from men, 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:18.199 doesn't get his authority from a government, 00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:21.299 or from a council of the church perhaps, 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:23.480 nor by man. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.759 And he's going to make clear, 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.159 it wasn't somebody like Peter, 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.480 Peter the great pillar of the church, 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:30.539 it wasn't Peter that sent me, 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.659 gave me authority. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:36.240 He is an apostle by the authority of Jesus Christ, 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:38.539 and God the Father. 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:41.000 He speaks for Jesus. 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:43.559 He is sent by Jesus. 00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:45.459 Paul comes to this church, 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:48.039 writing this letter as Jesus' agent of grace. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.959 He's not saying, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:50.959 listen to me, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.439 I'm an apostle to show off. 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:57.620 He's not just throwing his weight around, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:16:01.520 he is inviting them to listen to his words of authority, 00:16:01.660 --> 00:16:04.640 to hear them as the very words of Jesus to them. 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:06.700 In effect, he's going to say to them, 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:08.020 if you choose to argue with me, 00:16:08.660 --> 00:16:10.060 you're arguing with Jesus. 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:12.280 It's a serious thing. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.160 As an apostle then, 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:17.900 his teaching is the standard for what is a true, 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.520 or what is a false, 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.380 gospel message. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:24.399 And he makes that clear right from the start of his letter. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.600 Now we need to stop for a moment and think, 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:28.460 why does this matter for us today? 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:30.039 I think it's really relevant. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:33.519 You know, we live in a postmodern culture. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:36.980 If you've read anything about how many people are taught 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.340 to approach a text, 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:41.480 oftentimes the key question is, 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:43.659 is not what is the author saying, 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:46.120 but what is this text, 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.919 what does this idea mean to me? 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:52.500 The idea is that truth is what we make it to be. 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.759 And against that, 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:56.099 you know, this is my truth, 00:16:56.219 --> 00:16:57.339 tell me yours culture, 00:16:57.799 --> 00:17:00.099 Paul reminds us that the Bible, 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.059 as God's word, 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.719 stands with authority. 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:05.819 That Paul and others 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:08.579 are those who are given authority by God 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:11.159 to announce his word to us, 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:13.079 to bring the word of God, 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:14.319 that what we have here 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:17.240 is the very word of God. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:20.420 As Tim Keller puts it, 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:22.839 the Bible judges the church. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.420 The church does not judge the gospel. 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:28.660 The church is not free to stand over the word of God 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.740 and say, I don't like that, 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:32.480 but I think if we move this bit over here, 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:34.000 then this message will play better 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.819 with a modern audience. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.880 It speaks to how we read the Bible, 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:42.720 that we don't read looking for 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.539 what suits our personal taste. 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:48.220 We're not reading based on our personal interpretation. 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.879 We want to hear, for example, 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.019 Galatians and hear, 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.639 what is Jesus saying 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:55.599 through the apostle Paul 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:58.779 to them and to the church 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.920 and to me as an individual? 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.960 We need to hold on to the truth 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:05.519 as it's been passed down. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:08.859 And Paul recognizes that 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:10.879 holding on to the word of God 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:13.440 is crucial to holding on to the gospel of grace. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:18.120 And that has then important implications for us. 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.400 We need in the first instance 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:21.120 to be willing to accept the authority 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:22.019 of the word of God 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:24.039 and submit to its truth. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:26.200 Even if we find that difficult, 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.960 even when it challenges 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:30.320 our ideas, our values perhaps. 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.259 We need secondly, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:35.559 to be able to heed its warnings. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:37.680 So we've got a very clear, 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.259 a very direct warning 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:42.160 from Paul to the church in Galatia. 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.740 They need to hear it 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:46.000 else they will make shipwreck of their faith. 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.680 Now, nobody likes to hear warnings. 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:51.519 Our kids don't jump up and down for joy 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.180 when we tell them, 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.920 don't do this, it's not good for you. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:56.519 But warnings keep us safe. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.900 And so when we read the Bible, 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.660 we need to hear 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:01.539 and respond to those warnings. 00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.980 And fundamentally, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.799 we need to hold tight 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:07.619 to the central message of the Bible, 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:11.899 to that great announcement of good news, 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:15.220 to remember that central message 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.980 of Jesus and his cross, 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.740 the message of salvation 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:21.460 available to us 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:23.559 as Jesus becomes our substitute 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:25.500 to die in our place for our sins, 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.819 to gift us eternal life, 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:30.759 to bring us into the love of God. 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:34.359 So that's Paul's authority. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:37.400 We've got one last section to look at. 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:38.960 And it's a truly amazing part 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.539 of the introduction. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.519 So Paul has said, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.460 okay, I'm an apostle of Jesus 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:44.059 and with authority. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:46.099 And as such, 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.599 he says, 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.460 I'm amazed 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.940 that some of you 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:52.160 are accepting a false message 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:54.099 that will lead to your spiritual death. 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.220 There's a point of tension here. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:01.240 So are they done for 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.299 as a church, 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.059 as a people? 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.980 Are they now without hope 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:09.180 because they've begun to move away? 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.539 And the answer is 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:12.839 absolutely no. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:16.460 Look at how he speaks to them 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:19.000 in verse three to five. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:22.559 Grace and peace to you 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.559 from God our Father 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.740 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:30.099 There is peace and grace for you now. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.700 There is good news for you now. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:35.460 And what Jesus has done for you on the cross 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:37.220 and what the Father has planned 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.740 in the sending of his son Jesus, 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.740 go back to that. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:43.960 Return to the gospel of grace. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:46.200 Go back to Jesus. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:49.620 Here's the wonderful hope of the gospel. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:51.279 Here is hope for us. 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.559 If we're here today 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.740 and we feel like we're spiritual prodigals, 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:56.019 prodigals as it were, 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:58.019 that we've wandered far away from God. 00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.620 Or here is hope for us 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:03.339 if we've simply had one of those weeks 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:05.759 where we've made bad decisions 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.359 and we've treated others in ways 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.220 that we feel ashamed of 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.640 and disappointed with ourselves. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:13.220 There is hope in the gospel 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:15.519 because what Paul doesn't say to them 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.500 is shame on you. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.140 And he doesn't say, 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:21.720 do better, try harder. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:26.319 He extends the life-giving gospel of grace 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.259 to them once again. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:29.019 He says to them, 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:31.259 trust in that message 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:34.500 to bring you peace with God. 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:37.059 It's as if Paul sees them 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.519 lost at sea 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:40.720 and here he is throwing the life belt to them. 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:42.880 Come back to the safety of shore 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:46.800 by returning to the gospel of grace. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:48.040 So what is the gospel 00:21:48.040 --> 00:21:50.240 as he brings it to them here? 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:52.160 It's a precious gift. 00:21:53.300 --> 00:21:54.460 It's a free gift. 00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:55.080 First of all, 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:56.540 from the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:58.340 What has the Lord Jesus Christ 00:21:58.340 --> 00:22:00.300 done for his people? 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.500 Grace and peace to you 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.500 from God our Father 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:06.240 and the Lord Jesus Christ 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.920 who gave himself for our sins 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.820 to rescue us 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:12.680 from the present evil age. 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:14.960 He gave himself for our sins. 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:16.019 So here's the language 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:19.539 of Jesus becoming our substitute, 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:21.860 giving himself to stand in our place, 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:24.080 obedient where we are disobedient, 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:26.880 taking the punishment that we deserve. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:29.900 Here is the language of sacrifice. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.700 Here is Jesus' death 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:33.140 paying for our sins 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:35.060 so that there is no condemnation 00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:37.380 when we're trusting in him. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:40.980 Here is the language of rescue. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:43.720 One of the things about the gospel 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:46.740 is that it kind of humbles us 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:49.099 in the way that it's presented. 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.099 It doesn't... 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:52.480 It makes us go low. 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:56.039 He's saying it's like we're hostages 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.740 needing to be set free. 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:59.140 We're slaves 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:01.980 and we cannot earn our own freedom. 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:04.420 We need a rescuer 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:06.980 and Jesus has come to be that rescuer, 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.420 to rescue us, 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:08.759 we're told, 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:10.620 from the present evil age. 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.160 In the Bible, 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.440 we've got two ages 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.400 that get spoken of. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.560 There's the present evil age 00:23:15.560 --> 00:23:17.360 and there's the age to come. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.100 And what Paul is saying 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:21.240 is that through faith in Jesus, 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.640 God's people 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:24.880 will not face destruction 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:27.019 at the end of the present evil age. 00:23:27.080 --> 00:23:28.640 When Jesus comes back 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.900 as judge 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:31.180 and to make all things new, 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:33.120 for those who are trusting in Jesus, 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.660 they won't face destruction. 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:36.779 And in the present, 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.140 he's saying, 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.040 you are no longer controlled 00:23:40.040 --> 00:23:41.240 by the power of sin. 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:43.840 You have been set free now. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.860 Sin is no longer 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:47.000 your master. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.480 Jesus is. 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:50.140 Now that you belong 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.540 to the new age of salvation, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.200 now that you belong 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.940 in the kingdom of God. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.900 And this comes to us 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.120 not because we've earned it, 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:59.540 but as a free gift of God's grace. 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:02.180 And it's also, 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.619 this gospel of grace 00:24:03.619 --> 00:24:04.879 is a precious gift 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:06.960 from God our Father. 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.879 So what does the Father do? 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.859 Well, having said 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:12.259 that Jesus gave himself 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.159 for our sins to rescue us, 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:15.859 we're told that that was 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:18.519 according to the will 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:21.619 of our God and Father. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.740 God wills, 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.180 God plans 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:28.279 the salvation of his people. 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.980 This wonderful message 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.799 of rescue 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.379 is tied to 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.920 God's eternal plan 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.879 to save sinners 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.160 by grace 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.960 through sending 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.220 his own son 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.920 as the rescuer. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.639 That was always the plan. 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.579 Even before the world 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.200 was created, 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.680 even before there was sin, 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:47.079 God had this eternal plan 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.399 to send Jesus 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.879 to be the saviour 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.480 of the world. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.500 And this is 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.539 the gospel 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.899 that brings grace 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.740 and peace now 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.460 to them, 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.079 to us. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.519 If we will turn 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.019 to Jesus, 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.059 if we will turn 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.559 back to him, 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.220 if we'll be humble enough 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.140 to see that we can't 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:05.860 save ourselves, 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:08.340 that we need the rescuer. 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:09.700 Here is a gospel 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.740 that highlights, 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.019 celebrates 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.200 God's love 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.319 and grace 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.420 with the result 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.500 in verse 5 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:18.100 that Paul breaks out 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.680 in praise 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.299 to whom 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.519 be glory 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.460 forever 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.380 and ever. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.120 It's God 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:24.140 who gets the glory 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.460 for his grace 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.759 in the gospel. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.400 Martin Luther, 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.880 the great reformer, 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.620 said it well, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.360 if you do not 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:34.580 build your confidence 00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:35.180 on the work 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.980 of Christ, 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.600 you must build 00:25:37.600 --> 00:25:38.360 your confidence 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:40.600 on your own work. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.140 And here is 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.660 what Paul is bringing 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.400 to this church 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:44.920 and bringing 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.880 to us. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.340 We need to decide 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.560 who is it 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:49.340 that we are going 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.700 to depend on. 00:25:50.760 --> 00:25:51.300 Will it be 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:52.860 Jesus Christ alone 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.900 or will we pin 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.320 our hope 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:56.140 on our own ability 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:58.540 to save ourselves? 00:26:00.300 --> 00:26:01.220 And just as he 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.300 pleads, 00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:04.000 offers a plea 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.640 to the church 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.240 in Galatia, 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.520 so we need to hear 00:26:06.520 --> 00:26:07.180 that plea 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.980 for ourselves. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.040 Turn and receive 00:26:11.040 --> 00:26:12.840 this gospel of grace. 00:26:13.280 --> 00:26:14.540 Continue to believe 00:26:14.540 --> 00:26:15.660 the gospel of grace. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:17.200 live in it. 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.980 Rejoice in it, 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.560 knowing it's grace 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.940 from beginning 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.980 to end.