Institutional Syndrome: When Freedom Feels Unfamiliar Galatians is a defense of the Gospel Freedom through salvation, by the Grace of God through Faith in Jesus Christ alone. Galatians Theme Chapter 1 Gospel Chapter 2 Freedom Chapter 3 Promise Chapter 4 Children Chapter 5 Spirit Chapter 6 Cross 1. Paul’s Authority and The Gospel is from God not Man Galatians 1:1–5 (ESV) 1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Apostolos- “apostle” one who is “sent” or “dispatched” in service to someone else. Qualification for Apostleship: Be an eyewitness to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ Be a eyewitness to the resurrection of Jesus Be commissioned by Jesus Acts 9:4–6 (ESV) 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:15–16 (ESV) 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Galatians 1:3-4 (ESV) 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father The cross wasn’t a backup plan; it is God’s only Plan 2. If you distort the Gospel you eliminate the Gospel Galatians 1:6-11 (ESV) 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. Jesus + anything = NOTHING We either believe the Gospel of Do or the Gospel of Done. The True Gospel centers on the grace of God; Done through the work of Jesus Galatians 1:8-9 (ESV) 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. “Accursed”- anathema- meaning to be eternally condemned or cut off from God. Distorted Gospels Action Gospel –Prioritizes social justice, viewing it as the core of the gospel. Affirming Gospel diminishes the need for repentance and moral transformation. Adaptive Gospel suggests that all paths lead to the same God. The True Gospel is both Exclusive and Inclusive simultaneously. The gospel is not ours to edit, soften, or redefine—it is the unchanging message of salvation through Christ alone. 3. Your Life validates the power of the Gospel Galatians 1:12-24 (ESV) 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me. Your Past Does Not Define You—God’s Grace Does God’s Righteousness At Christ Expense Romans 6:6 (ESV) 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.