Big Idea: “Freedom isn't found in what we do for Christ; freedom is found in what Christ has already done for us.” 1. Protect the Truth of the Gospel 1 Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. 4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. 6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. 9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do. Galatians 2:1-10 (NLT2) “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5 (NLT2) Jesus plus anything ultimately becomes something other than the gospel. 2. Refuse to Let Fear Shape Your Faith 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? Galatians 2:11-14 (NLT2) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety. Proverbs 29:25 (NLT2) Who has the loudest voice in your life? The opinions of others? Or, the truth of God’s Word? “When fear becomes our master, freedom becomes our casualty.” 3. Live in the Freedom of Grace 15 “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. 16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” 17 But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. 19 For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:15-21 (NLT2) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) Ask yourself: What am I relying on today? Next Right Steps This week, I will: Move from being religious to a personal relationship with Jesus Begin reading through the Galatians Journal Follow Jesus in Believer’s Baptism TALK IT OVER Big Idea: “Freedom isn't found in what we do for Christ; freedom is found in what Christ has already done for us.” Welcome & Opening Prayer Take a few moments to reconnect and share how your week has been. Icebreaker: What is something you are thankful for about living in a free country? Read the Passage Together: Galatians 2:1-21 If you have children present, consider having different family members read a few verses each. Family Questions (Kids & Parents) What does it mean to trust Jesus? Parent Help: Trusting Jesus means believing He loves us, died for our sins, and is the only One who saves us. Key Verse: Galatians 2:16 Why can't we earn God's love by being good? Parent Help: We obey God because He loves us, not so He will love us. Key Verse: Titus 3:4-5 What is one way you can thank Jesus this week for His grace? Application Idea: Write a thank-you prayer together as a family. Teen & Adult Discussion What stood out most to you from Sunday's message? Why do you think people naturally drift toward performance-based religion rather than grace? Supporting Verse Galatians 2:16 Paul refused to compromise the gospel. Why is it important to protect the truth that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone? Supporting Verses: Galatians 2:21, Ephesians 2:8-9 & Romans 3:28 Peter knew the truth but allowed fear to influence his behavior (Galatians 2:11-14). Where do you see the fear of people's opinions affecting Christians today? Supporting Verse: Proverbs 29:25 Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). What do you think that means practically in everyday life? What changes when Christ becomes the center of our identity instead of our achievements? Have there been seasons when you felt like you needed to earn God's approval? How did that affect your relationship with Him? What is one area of your life where you need to stop striving and start trusting Christ more fully? Personal Reflection Take a quiet moment and ask: • Am I trusting in Christ alone? • Am I trying to prove myself to God? • Am I living from God's acceptance or striving for it? Write down one step you believe God is calling you to take this week. Living It Out This Week Choose one: Memorize Galatians 2:20 Thank God daily for His grace rather than focusing on your performance. Share your testimony with someone. Encourage another believer who may be struggling with guilt or discouragement. Pray for: Freedom from guilt and performance-based living. Courage to stand for truth.