Wasted Work
(Back to Study Home Page) (Sermon February 25, 2009)
(Back to Sermons Home Page) (Back to Shultz Home Page)
February 25, 2009 - Galatians 4:8-20
Open It
How have you become estranged from a former friend?
In what ways have you switched alliances among your circle of friends during the past few years?
Are you more or less joyful than you used to be? Why?
Explore It
Before becoming Christians, to what were the Galatians enslaved? (4:8)
After they became believers, how did the Galatians turn back to their paganism? (4:9-10)
Why did these Christians go back to observing the Mosaic calendar? (4:9-10)
How did Paul express his concern for the Galatians? (4:11)
Why did Paul tell the Christians to follow his example? (4:12)
What had been Paul's experience with the Galatian believers? (4:12-14)
How had the Galatians esteemed Paul? (4:15)
Why did the believers turn away from Paul? (4:16)
What motivated the Judaizers to turn the Galatians against Paul? (4:17)
What did Paul say in defense of zealousness? (4:18)
How did Paul express his attitude toward the Galatians? (4:19-20)
How did Paul want his "dear children" to change? (4:19)
Why did Paul want to be with the believers? (4:20)
Get It
What are some of the "weak and miserable principles" by which non-Christians live their lives?
After experiencing salvation, why do some Christians return to their former bad habits?
What bad habits are hard for you to break?
How have we allowed cultural practices to affect the way we celebrate Christmas and Easter?
How does your pastor show concern for your spiritual growth?
When have you turned away from friends because you did not like what they had to say?
How can we show concern for Christians who have turned away from the truth?
Apply It
What is one step you can take, starting today, to increase the joy in your life?
What friendship can you mend this week for the sake of Christ?
Notes
Galatians 4:9: See: Chart: Three Distortions of Christianity Below
Galatians 4:13-14: Paul's illness was a sickness that he was enduring while he visited the Galatian churches. The world is often callous to people's pain and misery. Paul commended the Galatians for not scorning him, even though his condition was a trial to them (he didn't explain what was wrong with him). Such caring was what Jesus meant when he called us to serve the homeless, hungry, sick, and imprisoned as if they were Jesus himself (Matthew 25:34-40). Do you avoid those in pain or those facing difficulty-or are you willing to care for them as if they were Jesus Christ himself?
Galatians 4:15: Have you lost your joy? Paul sensed that the Galatians had lost the joy of their salvation because of legalism. Legalism can take away joy because (1) it makes people feel guilty rather than loved; (2) it produces self-hatred rather than humility; (3) it stresses performance over relationship; (4) it points out how far short we fall rather than how far we've come because of what Christ did for us. If you feel guilty and inadequate, check your focus. Are you living by faith in Christ or by trying to live up to the demands and expectations of others?
Galatians 4:16: Paul did not gain great popularity when he rebuked the Galatians for turning away from their first faith in Christ. Human nature hasn't changed much-we still get angry when we're scolded. But don't write off someone who challenges you. There may be truth in what he or she says. Receive his or her words with humility; carefully think them over. If you discover that you need to change an attitude or action, take steps to do it.
Galatians 4:17: "Those people" refers to false teachers who claimed to be religious authorities and experts in Judaism and Christianity. Appealing to the believers' desire to do what was right, they drew quite a following. Paul said, however, that they were wrong and that their motives were selfish. False teachers are often respectable and persuasive. That is why all teachings should be checked against the Bible.
Galatians 4:19: Paul led many people to Christ and helped them mature spiritually. Perhaps one reason for his success as a spiritual father was the deep concern he felt for his spiritual children; he compared his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. We should have the same intense care for those to whom we are spiritual parents. When you lead people to Christ, remember to stand by them to help them grow.
CHART: THREE DISTORTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY
Almost from the beginning there were forces at work within Christianity that could have destroyed or sidetracked the movement. Of these, three created many problems then and have continued to reappear in other forms even today. The three aberrations are contrasted to true Christianity.
Group: Judaized Christianity
Their definition of a Christian: Christians are Jews who have recognized Jesus as the promised Savior. Therefore any Gentile desiring to become a Christian must first become a Jew.
Their genuine concern: Having a high regard for the Scriptures and God's choice of Jews as his people, they did not want to see God's commands overlooked or broken.
The danger: Tends to add human traditions and standards to God's law. Also subtracts from the Scriptures God's clear concern for all nations.
Application question: Do you appreciate God's choice of a unique people through whom he offered forgiveness and eternal life to all peoples?
Group: Legalized Christianity
Their definition of a Christian: Christians are those who live by a long list of "don'ts." God's favor is earned by good behavior.
Their genuine concern: Recognized that real change brought about by God should lead to changes in behavior.
The danger: Tends to make God's love something to earn rather than to accept freely. Would reduce Christianity to a set of impossible rules and transform the Good News into bad news.
Application question: As important as change in action is, can you see that God may be desiring different changes in you than in others?
Group: Lawless Christianity
Their definition of a Christian: Christians live above the law. They need no guidelines. God's Word is not as important as our personal sense of God's guidance.
Their genuine concern: Recognized that forgiveness from God cannot be based on our ability to live up to his perfect standards. It must be received by faith as a gift made possible by Christ's death on the cross.
The danger: Forgets that Christians are still human and fail consistently when trying to live only by what they "feel" God wants.
Application question: Do you recognize the ongoing need for God's expressed commands as you live out your gratitude for his great salvation?
Group: True Christianity
Their definition of a Christian: Christians are those who believe inwardly and outwardly that Jesus' death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. They have accepted that gift through faith and are seeking to live a life of obedient gratitude for what God has done for them.
Their genuine concern: Christianity is both private and public, with heart-belief and mouth-confession. Our relationship to God and the power he provides result in obedience. Having received the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, we are now daily challenged to live that life with his help.
The danger: Avoids the above dangers.
Application question: How would those closest to you describe your Christianity? Do they think you live so that God will accept you or do they know that you live because God has accepted you in Christ?
(Back to Study Home Page) (Sermon
February 25, 2009)
(Back
to Sermons Home Page) (Back
to Shultz Home Page)