CONCLUSION OF GALATIANS

Sunday Morning:  December 28, 2003

Text:  Galatians 6:11-18  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

WITH MY OWN HAND

Galatians 6:11  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

PAUL’S WARNING

Acts 20:29-30  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

FALSE EPISTLES

2 Thessalonians 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

THIS LETTER IS LEGITIMATE

2 Thessalonians 3:17  The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

SIGNED BY PAUL

1 Corinthians 16:21  The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

MAKING YOU THEIR DISCIPLES

Galatians 6:12-13  As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

CONTENDING WITH PETER

Acts 11:2-3  And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3.  Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

CIRCUMCISION AND THE LAW NEEDED

Acts 15:5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

NO SUCH COMMANDMENT

Acts 15:24  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

GLORY IN THE CROSS

Galatians 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world (Israel, law) is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Israel and the law).

THE WORLD

John 18:20  Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world (to Israel only and not to Gentiles); I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

THE POWER OF GOD

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish [present middle] foolishness; but unto us which are saved [present passive] it is the power of God.

MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

Ephesians 2:14-17  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (called Gentiles), and to them (called Jews) that were nigh.

THE PROMISE

Acts 2:39  For the promise (life in the kingdom age) is unto you (Israel, nigh), and to your children, and to all that are afar off (Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall call (unto His kingdom and glory).

THE PROMISE DEFINED

1 John 2:25  And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

OF THE SAME BODY

Ephesians 3:4-6  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6. That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his [the] promise in Christ by the gospel:

BRETHREN ARE NEW CREATURES

Galatians 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

NEW CREATURE

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become [perfect active, have become and continue to] new.

THE NEW MAN

Ephesians 4:22-24  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST

Colossians 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

THE STANDARD

Galatians 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule [line (standard, boundary)], peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

Galatians 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

NO FURTHER DEBATE

Galatians 6:17  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

 

EVIDENCE OF MY POSITION

Galatians 5:11  And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

GRACE TO ENDURE

Galatians 6:18  Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your (Abba) spirit. Amen.

DO NOT FALL FROM GRACE

Galatians 5:4  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

BY GRACE YE ENDURE

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye [endure, Mark 4:17] saved [having been saved] through faith (you obtain grace, Romans 5:2); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

ARE YE = ENDURE

Mark 4:17  And have no root in themselves, and so endure [are ye in Eph. 2:8] but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

GRACE BY FAITH

Romans 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.