A Study in Galatians “BREAK FREE” (Gal. 1:3-5)

3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according to the will [purpose and plan] of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

This week we will finish Paul’s formal greeting, then he jumps into the problem at hand.

If by any chance you have found these foundational lessons boring…

…Hold on, this is like a roller coaster ride when it starts and pulls you to the top, yeah you were cool until the ride started down and around - so this is the final accent :-)

REMINDER:
This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism), who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ and, be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law.

So let’s look at verses 3-5:
3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace have been called "the Siamese twins of the NT."

It is believed that one reason for beginning with this greeting was because grace was a traditional Greek greeting, whereas, peace was a traditional Jewish greeting.

Paul may have done this to break down the wall between Jew and Gentile, thus giving a greeting commonly used by both.

Some other thoughts on Grace and Peace.

The SOURCE of Salvation is grace & The NATURE of Salvation is Peace. (Nothing we can do to EARN IT – Nothing we can do to ADD to it!!!)

Another thought on this is that grace always comes first resulting in peace.
Without grace there is and can be no peace, but when grace is ours, peace
must of necessity follow.” If you are in a graceless Christianity expect a peaceless existence.

This peace comes from God the Father and OUR Lord Jesus Christ.

Real peace doesn’t come from just believing in “a god” but in our heavenly Father AND, don’t miss that AND!!! “… AND our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We cannot get to God but through Jesus Christ. There are NOT many paths (religions) all leading to the same God or place. Distinctly, the ONLY WAY to the Father is BY JESUS CHRIST (See John 14:6).

Next Verse 4:
4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver [Gk. rescued] us from this present evil world (age), according to the will [and purpose and plan] of God and our Father:

This is the gospel message that Jesus GAVE HIMSELF for OUR sins.

It leaves no room for boasting, but once we recognize the significance that Jesus GAVE HIMSELF for OUR SINS, it is then that, convicting truth becomes a reality to us, and we repent and receive the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then, Paul goes on and says we (believers) are DELIVERED [Greek = rescued us] from this PRESENT EVIL WORLD.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins. Col 1:13,14

We are no longer of this world, we have been delivered from all that is of this world (age).

I’m FREE!!!

This deliverance just expounded is according to the WILL of God. It was God’s plan and purpose that upon becoming believers, we are delivered from this world (that includes a works mentality, in this case from Judaizers).

Verse 5:

5To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

That is a crucial point. Because any teaching that adds to or subtracts from the work of Christ – doesn’t glorify God but glorifies man.

You see if Salvation can be earned – PRAISE BE TO ME!
We hear people say, “I changed my life / I cleaned up my act – I followed the plan – I made it / I did it!!!!” ME ME ME - Praise be to me! WRONG!!!

But when I understand that I was hopelessly lost – Doomed/damned not a chance in the world of changing my status before a holy God, then ALL GLORY goes to God alone.

This is what it is all about! Giving God GLORY forever and ever.

It’s not about me (you) it’s about HIM!

AMEN!

So we conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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A Study in Galatians “BREAK FREE” (Gal. 1:1, 2)

1Paul, an apostle, (not of [from] men, neither by [through] man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches (plural) of Galatia:

As I start, I ask you to remember this: Christian freedom is the liberty to become all that you can in Jesus Christ; it is not the license to do whatever you please.

This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism) who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ and be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law.
This is a salvation by grace plus Jewish customs/beliefs to be a Christian when, in truth, salvation is by grace and faith plus nothing!

Important Note: Let us dig in (6 chapters to go) before you worry about a loose salvation in which you say a simple prayer and then you can live any ole way you want. That is NOT the message of Galatians.

These Judaizers came in and were discrediting what Paul had just told the churches of Galatia as to what was required of salvation. Like many new believers, they were eager to do right to prove their faithfulness. So, when they were taught these things by the “traveling teachers” (Judaizers)…“Well, ok then, if that’s what we need to do, then we’ll do it.”

First question: Why do so many EVEN today want to serve a God with a bunch of rules and get offended at a salvation of true Grace and true Faith plus NOTHING? Could it be we want to EARN our salvation!!!

Thus, we finally come to verse 1: Paul, an apostle, (not of [from] men, neither by [through] man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul right off from the start lets them know he is an “APOSTLE.”

Paul always began his epistles in one of two ways:

1) To the Romans and the Philippians, to Titus and Philemon, he introduced himself as a servant, or prisoner of Christ.

2) To the Corinthians and the Ephesians, to the Colossians and the Galatians, he presented himself as an apostle.

Why? Because to those who embraced and welcomed his ministry, he was a SERVANT, but to those who challenged his authority he was an Apostle.

The basic meaning of the word Apostle means one who is sent out on a mission.

A) Jesus Chose 12 Apostles - Mission to Change the World !
B) The first 12 apostles who were sent out by Jesus seemed to have a unique place in the history of the church! God's plan!
C) They were used by the Lord in the birthing of His Church and in the putting together of God's Word! ( Inspired!)

Then, he clarifies his calling is NOT of MAN or NOT by MAN.

Paul was later added to this unique group of original apostles – but as he mentions here in
v.1 – He was added not by men – but by the Lord.
Paul was not commissioned by a church, or a denomination, or a theological institution… but by the risen Lord Himself.

And ends this verse with “by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead”. This makes it clear what “Jesus” we are talking about. It’s the one who came from the Heavenly Father and was RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

There is nothing wrong with institutions per se, but if you are called because of any man-made reason, you are deceived. First and foremost your call has to come from God (then, it is often confirmed by spiritual leaders).

Verse 2: And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches (plural) of Galatia.

“all the brethren which are with me” Paul didn’t come alone to deal with this problem. He was not alone on this doctrinal issue.

"unto the churches (plural) of Galatia". As we said in our introduction last week, this letter was to more than one church. The churches of Galatia were made up of likely 4 churches (Acts 13 & 14) - Iconium, Antioch, Lystra, Derbe.

Let’s close today with a story:

Sitting on top of the United States capitol building is a 20-foot statue known as the “Freedom Lady.” She was sculpted by Italian artists in the city of Rome and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to her perch in Washington, D.C.

During the delivery, the ship carrying the statue encountered a fierce storm.
Howling winds and huge waves threatened to capsize the ship. Its skipper ordered the cargo thrown overboard.

But when the men went to toss the Freedom Lady overboard, the captain shouted, “No, never! We’ll flounder before we throw “Freedom” away.” This is the message of Galatians… Never throw away your freedom.

For more history on Freedom Lady go to: http://ladyfreedom.net/history.html quite interesting!

So we conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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Galatians Study - FREEDOM in Christ - Introduction

We are in 2011 and as promised we start our study of Galatians.

Also, we ask that everyone be kind and loving to each others comments. I personally will not allow bashing or arguing. If you find at anytimeyou don't agree or like the group you can always leave. We do want productive hungry Christians sharing their insights on the passages. Thanks!

We will not be rushing through it. We will likely do a lesson a week.

You may read and comment throughout the week. Comments on Facebook group will be the main place to converse.

My facebook is: http://www.facebook.com/jim.mazzulla

Group there is: Galatians Study - FREEDOM in Christ

Let's get started with our Introduction to Galatians.
This Galatians study is titled, "Break Free."

The letter begins with a greeting (Galatians 1:1-5), which notably lacks Paul's usual thanksgiving for the letter’s recipients. No beating around the bush, Paul was upset and concerned, he wanted to get directly to the problem at hand.

AUTHOR: Paul the apostle is clearly stated as the author in the very first verse of the letter (1:1; 5:2).

WRITTEN TO: The churches of the Roman Providence - Galatia. Believed to be addressed to 4 churches (Acts 13 & 14) Iconium, Antioch, Lystra, Derbe.

NOTE: Paul had started this young church in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey). Thus, Paul communicates in no uncertain terms that Christianity, with its emphasis on faith and grace in Christ, is opposed to religion which approaches God based on good works. Paul argues strongly in this letter that there is nothing that can be added to Jesus' sacrifice for our sin, not circumcision or any other external religious forms. The gospel, according to Paul, means faith in Jesus Christ plus nothing.

DATE WRITTEN: Galatians was written in 48-49 AD just before the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) at the time of this crisis, one of (if not) the earliest writing in the New Testament.

PURPOSE: To deal with the problem of churches departing from the Gospel of GRACE (they start well), embracing a FALSE gospel, and accepting a counterfeit gospel of Works and Ceremony and Law.

THEME OF FREEDOM & GRACE: We named this Galatians study, "Break Free" as the theme is FREEDOM. Paul uses the word FREEDOM 28 times in the Pauline Epistles 10 times in this Epistle to the Galatians. Paul uses the word grace 100 times in his writings. Among all the other writers of the New Testament, it is only used 55 times. Paul was truly the apostle of grace. They had started well and then got away from the foundational truth of Faith and God's Grace as the only way to salvation and started to add works to it. We'll get into that in much more detail in the coming weeks.

OCCASION: Word had reached Paul that the Galatian Christians were falling away from the true Gospel of grace which he had preached, and were turning to a legalistic system of merit salvation (1:6-9). He wrote to correct this error which was introduced by false teachers.

The great reformer Martin Luther especially loved this letter; he called Galatians his “Catherine ” because, he said, “I am married to it.”

As we close our introduction to Galatians, have you started out right (Faith alone, Grace alone) and are now trying to perfect yourself by doing works? If so, this study will set you free. If not, I still believe you will learn a lot from this series.

Do invite people to join us at: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/
or on FB go to the group: http://tiny.cc/8x6qo

Next we will start with Galatians 1:1... (invite other to join us). :-)

Starting 2011 right...

As I reminisce over 2010, there are many great things to think about and some not so great moments. But one thing never changes and that is the Holy Scriptures (the Bible). They changed my life 35 years ago and continue to do so daily. It is a fresh word from God EVERY day!


Of no other book can it be said that it is LIVING!!!

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12

As we enter into the New Year, I encourage you to consider reading the Bible in one year.

It will take you approx. 15-20 minutes a day to read the Bible in a year.
Note: This is reading time! Studying will be in addition to the reading (I personally believe we need both).

Life will get busy, but it will be worth it. Do it with joy and excitement NOT as a DUTY.

I would like to share 2 links by a friend of mind who has a large group from all of the word that read and comment on daily readings.

One link will give you an OT, NT, Proverb, and Psalm reading every day. This this a FREE group with 12,000+ members (73+countries).

To JOIN this group FREE go to: http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/welcome-to-the-one-year-bible.html

With the other link you read the Bible in Chronological order (I'm doing this for the first time).

To JOIN this group FREE go to: http://www.chronologicalbibleblog.com

That's one way to start the year right...I look forward to another year in my journey in Christ and in sharing with you.

"Are You a Burden Bearer" Gal. 6:1-5

"Are You a Burden Bearer"

Scripture Reading: Galations 6:1-5


6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3 - For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, hedeceiveth himself.6:4 - But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicingin himself alone, and not in another. 6:5 - For every man shall bear his own burden.

Gal.6:1 “Fault” in the Greek is the word “Paraptoma” - A false step, a blunder, error, mistake, wrongdoing. This is the word used for slipping into sin, rather than willful sin.

We are then told, “Ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness............” This word “Restore” in Greek is the word “Katartizo,” and is used to indicate putting a dislocated limb into place or to mend.

When a fellow Christian has made a false step, blundered, slipped into sin, what do we do? Kill the wounded Christian! NO!!! We (the Spiritual - meek) are to do is restore that Christian who has been dislocated from the Body of Christ, put that spiritual limb back in place, mend that fellow Christian.

The tense of “restore” is the continuous present, suggesting this may involve a process of mending; thus, we may need a lot patience and love to help this person.

NOTE: We are NOT talking about a habitual sin, willful and unrepented sin (that’s another subject), BUT rather a person who has slipped into sin, made a false step.


Gal.6:2 - “Bear ye one another's burdens (baros), and so fulfill the law of Christ.”


v.2 “Burden” in the Greek is the word “Baros” – and denotes a weight or that which makes a demand on one’s resources - It always suggest that which is heavy or burdensome.

Now, go to Gal.6:5 - “For every man shall bear his own burden (phortion).”

We see the word “burden” again, but it is a different Greek word, “Phortion,” which means - Something which is borne without reference to weight.

(See Matt. 11:30 Jesus said, “...My burden (Phortion) is light.”)

So, in life there are 2 types of burdens - heavy burdens (Baros) and light burdens (Phortion). God tells us to take care of our light burdens (phortion) with His help - verse 5,

BUT God wants us (the Body of Christ) to bear the heavy burden (v.2) of a wounded, dislocated Christian. By doing so, we “...fulfill the law of Christ,” (v.2) which I believe is to love (see Gal.5:13, 14 & John 13:34, 35). Please keep in mind that even a light burden can become heavy to a Christian who has fallen and is out of God’s will in an area of their life.

If you know someone who may, so to speak, have taken a “false step,” it may be time for you who are “Spiritual - meek” to take the necessary step to help in the process of restoring this fallen Christian. You’ll do this by walking in love with that person, encouraging that person (taking them under your spiritual wings ), and of course praying for that person.

On the other hand, if you know that you are that fallen Christian, you need to find some “strong/spiritual/meek” Christian(s) to help you out of your fault “paraptoma.” That may be your pastor, Christian friend, accountability group, etc.

On a positive note, just by knowing you have blundered and acknowledging it is a step in the right direction, for many times a fallen Christian is blind to/ignorant of his fault, which is when the Body of Christ needs to step in (in love) and let that brother/sister know that they have taken a false step.

May this word today encourage us to answer the call of being a “Burden Bearer,” or to take the necessary steps to be free from a “false step” and get back on track in the will of God.

This Ain't Heaven

Yes, I’m aware that the title is not good English, but it gets my point across in the following devotion.

I often like to say, “For the Christian, this is the closest to Hell you will ever get, and for the non-Christian (unsaved person), this is the closest to Heaven you will ever get.”

My point is that as a Christian no matter how bad things get, it will only get better when we leave this life (on God’s timetable, not ours). We know eternity awaits us to be forever with the Lord (in Heaven).

My point for the Non-Christian is that no matter how bad (or good) things may be, it will only get worse when you leave this life and pass on to the next. You will have an eternity waiting you, too, totally separated from God’s presence forever and in everlasting torment (in Hell).

So when unbelievers say, “I’m in hell now,” boy, are they sadly mistaken, the worse is yet to come.

Then, you have believers saying, “Why do I have so many trials, I’m saved and I’m supposed to have “abundant life.” My answer, “Yes, as a Christian you do have “Abundant Life.” You have a relationship with Almighty God (whether you “feel” it or not), and it will culminate with you being in His presence forever.

Being a born again Christian and bound for heaven does not mean you will have no trials in this life. I was taught that basically trials were my fault or lack of faith, that I could live free from trials. So when trials came, and they sure did, I thought something was wrong with me (as a Christian). If you’ve been taught that LIE (popular in many Charismatic churches) or are still being taught that lie, it’s time that you get in a true Bible believing fellowship/church.

Let’s get straight on what the Bible says about trials.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you I Peter 4:12

Why do we think trials are some strange thing, when it is part of the process of life for all Christians.

Job puts it well when he says:
Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7

In other words, you can count on it!

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Job 14:1
Are you born of a woman? Yep, ALL of us are; thus, we can expect trouble – It’s that plain and simple!

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:6, 7 (NKJV)

What does this verse say? In my wording, it’s saying that we may have various trials. For how long? “A little while”, yeah, no longer than maybe for 70, 80 years (until we die), AND it is a short while when compared to all eternity. How should we rejoice – GREATLY (yeah not too easy, but still true). When all is said and done, the genuineness of your faith will take you through to the Glory of God.

In closing:
Don’t let your trials get you down (especially into condemnation), but let them perfect you as the Lord intended.

We have a great promise to hold to in Hebrews 13:5 “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

The Lord is with you all the way, and you shall come through it, if you don’t give up….GUARANTEED! AMEN!!!

For a 33 minute audio sermon on this subject go to:

Please be aware that volume will be distorted and loud for just the first 30 seconds.

Hope that you let this devotion speak peace to you as you go through the “normal” storms of life. You’ll be the better cause of it :-)

Are you a Chameleon or Butterfly?

Chameleon or a Butterfly?"

"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:24

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. " Romans 12:2

"Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - II Cor. 5:17

Many of us look at Christianity as just a general belief in Christ. Yet, Christianity is nothing more than a mental assent or general acknowledgement of Christ. If one truly accepts Jesus Christ from His heart, touched by the Holy Spirit, there will be REPENTANCE and FAITH (Acts 20:21) in Jesus as LORD and SAVIOR, they will become a NEW CREATION (II Cor. 5:17).

Now, let us take a quick look at Romans 12:2.
the word "CONFORMED" and "TRANSFORMED" as to its Greek (the original language of the Bible).

CONFORMED - Greek is "sunschematizo" and refers to the act of an individual assuming an outward expression that does not come from within him, nor is it representative of his inner heart life... Thus, it means STOP masquerading in the habits of this world, its mannerisms, speech expressions, styles.

TRANSFORMED - Greek is "metamorphoomai", which speaks of the act of a person changing his outward expression from that which he has to a different one, an expression which comes from and is representative of his INNER being. Thus, it is to be changed from the INSIDE out (this is where we come up with our English word "metamorphous").

So the question I ask you today is,
"Are you a Chameleon or a Butterfly?"

First let us look at a Chameleon type Christian.

A Chameleon changes color based on the environment he is in to fit/blend in. If it's on something green, it turns green; if it's on something brown, it turns brown. But you know that the Chameleon is exactly the same critter.

So it is with many who carry the name "Christian." When they are around Christians, they look and act like a "Christian." Yet, when around the world (lost/unsaved), they look and act just like the world.

They look like them in their actions (deeds, words, etc.). This type of "Christian" is not a Biblical Christian at all!!!

A BUTTERFLY-TYPE CHRISTIAN is one who has truly been transformed into a most beautiful NEW creation. Once a caterpillar, now a butterfly! He is not the same anymore, he has been transformed!!!

This is what happens to the Christian. When he becomes a true Christian he CHANGES! (Luke 6:46) When he's at church or Bible study he's a Christian (like a beautiful butterfly), and when he is around others in the world (work, day-to-day activities, home, etc.) he still is a beautiful butterfly. He doesn't change based on his environment. Some may not like him being a butterfly, but he is one! He has been changed through Christ!

Oh, to be a NEW CREATION, shining Christ's beautiful love and life to a lost and dying world without spiritual hope apart from Christ!

May the beautiful butterflies be found everywhere!

So I ask you, is your Christianity more like that of a chameleon or a butterfly?

LORD, MAY OUR LIVES BE EVIDENCE TO OTHERS THAT WE HAVE TRULY BEEN CHANGED BY YOU!

In His Service,
Jim Mazzulla (Founder of BibleFood devotional)
Email:biblefood@gmail.com & jim@biblefood.org

We have also added:

http://sermon.net/biblefood (full length sermons)

http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com (Biblefood devotions in blog format)

www.youtube.com Devotion in video form - New idea - We'll see how it goes - Approx. 8-12 minutes in length).

Video Devotion 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxF73vRAw5g (Moral Decline)
Video Devotion 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FK7nz7PvVk (Human Life)
Video Devotion 3 (todays): Not up yet!

With all that being said, regular devotions by e-mail will continue, but also be aware of these other avenues of receiving the devotions.

You can also join me on Facebook:
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If we start getting enough response on FB, we'll start a "BibleFood" group for devotions and comments, etc. there as well.

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