Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Transcript Search
Galatians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  44:37
0 ratings
· 49 views

070321

Files
Notes
Transcript

Reading

Galatians 4:8–11 ESV
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
Galatians 4:12–16 ESV
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Galatians 4:17–20 ESV
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Sermon

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

Paul confronts Hyporcisy
Reminded them of their experience of Salvation
Justified by Faith
Sons & Heirs, Gift of the Holy Spirit

Rejection of God

Galatians 4:8 ESV
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.
“know” - intimate relationship
enslaved by that which is not God
Galatians 4:9 ESV
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
Known by God
Madess to return to a state of bondage
worthless elementary principles of the world
Galatians 4:10 ESV
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years!
Agriculture, politics, business & ordinary life
bound by ritual - example of the slavery
Jewish or Pagan, earning favour
Galatians 4:11 ESV
11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
Paul is afraid for their souls
it cannot but be painful for a faithful minister
much of the work of faithful ministers is in vain
those who profess faith and give way to the flesh

Christian Love

Galatians 4:12 ESV
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.
Put yourself in my shoes as I have put myself in yours
OR:
Be as frank and loving with me as I have been with you
More likely:
Paul expresses he became as a Gentile to win them for Christ
why then aim to become a jew?
Paul makes it clear there is no personal resentment
Must prevail :- honour of God, and their spiritual welfare
Galatians 4:13–14 ESV
13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
Paul ”thorn in the flesh”
Flesh or corruptable, human flaw
Spiritual or emotion
Believed to be:
Health
Persecution
Personality or manner of speaking
They showed high respect to him
how easy it was to change from respect to contempt

Love Rejected

Galatians 4:15 ESV
15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
Eyes of significant value, a cultural prhase
What has become of your love and happiness?

Character of False Teachers

Galatians 4:16 ESV
16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
How has Paul become their enemy?
All he has done is to tell them the truth
Galatians 4:17 ESV
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
Character of False Teachers
Praised you and made you feel important
Manipulate you to fulfil their desires (they dwell in the shaddows)
They though only care for their own benefit

Paul’s Passion

Galatians 4:18–19 ESV
18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
It is always good to be passionate for good purpose
Paul likens his care of them as a parent, a desire to prepare them for Christ
Galatians 4:20 ESV
20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Paul desires to be with them in person

Conclusion

Paul’s concern if for their salvation
Despairs of their rejection of God, caricatured as rejection against Paul
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more