“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Gal. 5:17; see also Rom. 7:14-24). How have you, in your own life as a believer, experienced the harsh and painful reality of these words? The … Continue reading –>
Law isn’t very popular in our society – especially moral law. Doing your “own thing” is promoted in popular media and commercials. Postmodern culture is allergic to absolutes, and laws are absolutes. Law even seems to have a bad reputation in Christian circles. After all, Paul said that the Law is no longer needed after … Continue reading –>
Read Galatians 5:16. What does the concept of “walking” have to do with a life of faith? Deut. 13:4-5; Rom. 13:13; Eph. 4:1; Eph. 4:17; Col. 1:10. “Walking” is a metaphor drawn from the Old Testament that refers to the way a person should behave. Paul, himself a Jew, makes use of this metaphor often in his letters to describe the … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 5:16-25; Deut. 13:4-5; Rom. 7:14-24; Jer. 7:9; Hos. 4:2; Matt. 22:35-40. Memory Text: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16, ESV). One of the most beloved Christian hymns is Robert Robinson’s “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Robinson, however, was not always a man of … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “Genuine faith always works by love. When you look to Calvary it is not to quiet your soul in the nonperformance of duty, not to compose yourself to sleep, but to create faith in Jesus, faith that will work, purifying the soul from the slime of selfishness. When we lay hold of Christ by … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Paul tells us that Christ freed us from bondage to the world. But Christ did not just set us free to serve ourselves, but so we might live in ministry to our neighbors. .. Lesson 11, September 9, 2017 1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:1. a. Ask class members to share a … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 5:13-15) How do you reconcile Paul’s negative comments about “do[ing] the whole law” (Gal. 5:3) with his positive statement about “fulfill[ing] all the law” (Gal. 5:14)? Compare Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:10, Gal. 3:12; Gal. 5:3 with Rom. 8:4; Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14. Many have seen the contrast between Paul’s negative comments about “doing the whole law” and his positive assertions about “fulfilling the whole law” as … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Freedom in Christ” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath School … Continue reading –>
The first Bible text we open to on commencing our study this week, Gal 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” (NIV) which brings us the following hymns: Hymn 292, “Jesus, I Come”, Hymn 345, “Christ Is the World’s True Light”, Hymn 460, “As Water to the Thirsty”, and Hymn … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 5:13) Galatians 5:13 marks an important turning point in the book of Galatians. Whereas up to this point Paul has focused entirely on the theological content of his message, he now turns to the issue of Christian behavior. How should a person who is not saved by works of law live? What potential misuse of freedom … Continue reading –>
Christ has set us free. This is a billboard by Paul, your lesson guide states. What was Paul’s urgent message in Galatians 5:1? Energized as he was to warn early believers not to give up their freedom in Christ, why did Paul believe so earnestly that they needed such a warning? Who would even think … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 5:2-12) The way in which Paul introduces Galatians 5:2-12 indicates the importance of what he is about to say. “Look” (ESV), “Listen!” (NRSV), “Mark my words!” (NIV), “I, Paul, say to you” (ESV). Paul is not fooling around. By his forceful use of the word look, he not only calls for his readers’ full attention, but he even evokes his apostolic authority. He … Continue reading –>
