Jesus is Enough (from the Study on Galatians Series)

 Jesus is enough.

We are in the middle of our Bible study on the book of Galatians at our church.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Free - Christ Is Enough - June 2, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

The Galatians had known freedom in Jesus but here they are, binding themselves by their expectations of works rather than faith in Jesus. Sometimes believers get wrapped up, lost even, in the busyness of good works - of being good - keeping up all the rules, as if Jesus isn't enough.

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You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? ² This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? ⁴ Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
 
⁶ Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. ⁷ Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. ⁸ The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” ¹¹ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” ¹² However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— ¹⁴ in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. - Galatians 3:1-14

Jesus loves us unconditionally.  We are never to condone sin, but everyone is to be welcomed and loved.   When we do break the rules that we try so hard to follow, we feel guilty.  We must remember that Satan is the accuser.  He is the source of guilt, but Jesus is enough to free us.  Jesus meets us where we are.  It is only in Jesus that we are free.  We live by faith alone.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

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Paul asked the Galatians several questions:

1.  Who misled you?

2.  Did you receive the Spirit by works or by faith?

3.  When we receive Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit.  You can never sin away your grace.

4.  Are you foolish?

5.  You are in the Spirit so are you made perfect by your own flesh?

6.  If you have suffered, was it in vain?

7.  Does the one who provides you with the Holy Spirit and works miracles around you do it by works or is it by faith?

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. - James 2:23

The greatest blessing is to be God's friend.  We can't earn it.  We can't work for it, but we can be thankful for it.

There was no law when Abraham was found righteousness.  The 10 commandments didn't come along until about 467 years later.  

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We are under a curse because we can't be good enough to fulfill every law, but Jesus redeems us.

Why did Jesus die?  He took the curse.  The blessing of freedom comes from Jesus Christ through faith.

Crucify your flesh.  Rest in the love of Jesus.  Don't look for the applause of people.  You already have the approval of God.

A slave obeys because he has to.  A son or daughter obeys because he or she wants to. - Pastor Jeff Crook

Receive Jesus.



Read all posts in the Galatians Bible study series here.