The Essence of Christianity

Introduction

1. Let’s turn to Galatians 6:11.

2. Well now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is going to shift into overdrive.

a. The Christmas season is one of those times of year that I love and hate.

·         I love Christmas celebrating the advent of Christ – God became a man in Christ.

·         I hate the over consumption and consumerism that marks this holiday.

b. Advent starts next Sunday – the closest Sunday to November 30th.

·         Advent has a long history in Christianity going back to the 2nd century.

·         Christians back then celebrated the Advent season with fastings and reflection on the advent of Christ rather than parties, gifts, and celebrations.

c. Could we redirect our focus on the person rather than the presents?

·         I wonder if we could direct the attention of our Christmas celebrations away from us to Christ and others.

Transition: Just as we seemed to have lost our way in relation to Christmas, we have seemed to have lost our focus on the essence of Christianity.

3. What is the essence of Christianity, what should I focus on this Christmas season?

4. We are continuing in our study of Galatians with just two more studies left before we begin to climb Mount Ephesians.

a. We have mentioned several times Galatians 1-4 has historical and theological information.

b. Galatians 5-6 has practical information; what does grace look like?

c. Last week, we mentioned how grace can motivate us where guilt and greed can’t.

5. This morning I want us to realize the importance of sticking to the essentials of Christianity.

I. Paul encourages the Galatians to focus on the things that really matter.

A. Paul is writing this letter himself and signs with his own hand.

1. Paul would frequently give evidence of his writing an epistle to avoid pseudo-graphs.

a. The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. 1 Corinthians 16:21

b. This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. Colossians 4:18

c. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. 2 Thessalonians 3:17

2. Paul mentioned that to the Thessalonians because apparently our 2 Thessalonians is in reality 3 Thessalonians since a fraudulent letter was written.

·         Now, brethren, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2

 3. Paul adds his signature with large letters.

a. Possibly because of problems with eyesight (Galatians 4:15-16).

b. Possibly a way of signifying importance – a way of bold.

B. Paul encourages the Galatians to focus on the internals and externals

1. Those who want to make a good impression desire that the Galatians get circumcised.

2. Those who want the Galatians to get circumcised don’t keep the law themselves.

3. Those who desire this focus on the externals rather than the internals.

a. Circumcision and baptism are only external rites.

b. These rites are performed by men and are external.

C. Paul encourages the Galatians to focus on the divine rather than the human.

1. The focus of Paul is on Christ and the cross which crucifies Paul and the world, puts to death.

2. External rites are not the focus, but rather being a new creation in Christ.

3. Humanity focuses on externals; God’s focus is on the internal transformation.

II. What is the essence of Christianity, what should I focus on this Christmas season?

A. The essence of Christianity is not externals but internal.

1. Just as the Judaizers tried to make the Galatians focus on externals, there are some in the body of Christ today that want us to be externally focused.

2. Externals are relatively easy to establish and measure.

a. Some attempt to regulate the kind of clothing worn by their members.

·         Amish and Mennonites have strict requirements for dress in the community.

·         Others may attempt to control through types of clothing such as men with suits and women with dress; we have already discussed that previously.

·         The issue is not uniformity, but modesty and charity.

b. Others try to control the kind of activities that can be

·         Some groups forbid Television

·         I remember being involved in a holiness denomination before I met Lucy that forbad doing anything worldly on Sunday; Sunday was a day for service, eating, and naps since we couldn’t play softball.

c. Still others try to control the food or drink that is consumed.

·         Can Christians eat pork – some think it is a sin.

·         Can a Christian have a glass of wine – drunkenness is the sin (Ephesians 5: ) not a glass of wine.

·         There were some in the holiness movement in the 19th century that forbad pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, etc in an attempt to live a bland life – they can have it for that is not Christianity.

·         The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (partaking or not partaking), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).

B. The essence of Christianity is not human activity but divine initiative in Christ

1. The Judaizers wanted to perform external rituals to seal the Galatians.

a. Some think that it is the human activity of circumcision or baptism that saves, it’s not.

b. Others think that it is skill in evangelism and say just the right thing that saves, it isn’t.

c. Still others might think that it is there dogged determination and faithfulness that is keeping them in the Kingdom, it’s not.

2. The focus of Christianity is not human activity but the divine initiative in Christ.

a. It was God who so loved the world that he gave his son (John 3:16).

b. It was God who was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

c. It was God who made Christ who knew no sin to become sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

d. It was God through the Holy Spirit who brought you to a place where you submit to him.

3. It is not religious externals or human activity, but being a new creation in Christ, old things passed away behold all has become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

a. Have you submitted your life to Christ?

b. We call that being born again, becoming a new creation.

C. As we prepare for Christmas, let’s focus on the necessary things as we celebrate the Advent.

1. Do we really need more stuff in our lives?

a. I want a HD TV, but I don’t need one; I want an IPod, but I don’t need one.

b. I was shocked to learn from Karen that American Churches keep 97% of their offerings.

2. This Advent season, let’s give ourselves to Christ – he’s the focus of Christianity.

3. Let’s also consider how we can worship him through compassion and not consumption.

Conclusion

1. Paul encourages the Galatians to focus on the things that really matter

2. Christ is the main part of Christmas – he is the reason for the season.