Galatians - Session 3

Standing for the Truth

Welcome! In the midst of demanding work, and all that comes with leading and ministering to your family, church and community, it is still important to be able to pull out this time to study together! Let’s rejoice in and act on the privilege of being able to hold God's Word in our hand, study and teach it to others!

Today, we’ll get into the text where Paul is making it very clear that the Galatians had been willingly misled regarding his authority as an apostle and the clarity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Getting this cleared up first is essential to Paul being able to move on to the “really important stuff”!

Something to think about: How do we establish our “authority” with the people we minister to? Any parallels to Paul? Paul’s issue with his authority being questioned was that he wanted to be sure his message wasn’t questioned or twisted. In that same way, we can ask, How’s the clarity of our life message doing?

1. Overview of Galatians

Here is the outline provided in the Ryrie Study Bible, which very helpful:

Justification by Faith…
o Defended, ch. 1-2
o Explained, ch. 3-4
o Applied, ch. 5-6

2. Gal. 1:10 - The temptation to accommodate

After clearly stating the seriousness of undermining or perverting the Gospel, this verse provides a transition to the subject of explaining and defending his apostolic authority.

Paul was faced with a decision. Even while in Galatia during his first missionary trip, ministering to those new believers, he knew the Judaizers were there, already trying to pull people away from the Truth. He had even already warned about them – that is why he is so upset that they still caved in! Paul was really struggling with this catatastrophe.

The Judaizers were also suggesting that Paul was just manipulating people, trying to say or do whatever things would lead them to like him and follow his message. Paul pointed out how ridiculous that is. In reality, back when he was persecuting the church was when he was trying to please men - the Pharisees! Now he was setting himself up for all kinds of persecution by what he is saying, hardly trying to please anybody. With the phrase "striving to please men", Paul addressed this in other passages, such as 2 Cor. 6 & 9. He didn’t like to do it, even made “light” of it with sarcasm, but he couldn’t allow his message to be undermined.

We need to understand the right way to “stand your ground”. Paul certainly stood his, and we need his example of humility, gentleness and kindness which constantly characterized his ministry so that he could choose to “stand” when necessary.

3. 1:10 – 2:21, defense of Paul’s apostleship & authority

Here's a basic structure for this first part of this section:

• 1:11-16, The early years—note the chronology: 3 years in Arabia, a quick trip to Jerusalem for 15 days, the out to Tarsus for 9 years, then to Antioch for 2-3 years
• 1:15-16, Called to Reveal – God did reveal to Paul, important revelation, as part of the inspired Word of God. We need to have a clear grasp of the finished canon of Scripture and that “revelation” is concluded, there is no “new truth” to be revealed today.
  

4. The Issue with Judaism

Historically, the Jews welcomed Gentiles to come into the fold as proselytes, and they were expected to perform many of the Pharasaic traditions that had been built up around the Law.

“Easy Believism” – The Judaizers were suggesting that Paul was “avoiding” requiring adhearance to Jewish Law in order to draw a crowd, make it easier for people to become Christian. Paul had the message right – he knew Jesus to be the True Messiah, and that Jesus’ message for eternal life was Justification by Faith Alone. As we move on through this passage, that will be the subject of our study.

Galatians - Session 2

Why is the Book of Galatians Special?

As we being our study of Galatians, we need to put effort into getting to know Paul's letter well. Remember that is exactly what it is - a special letter, written to special people - not "just another book of the Bible". Approach it as a treasured love letter, excited to hear what is said, taking seriously the heart of the writer.

1. Bible Study Method: Observation

There are three basic elements of effective Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application. We'll work on these regularly during our study sessions, and we've working lately on Observation. To get started, work on reading the letter in different ways — Read the whole letter at once, using different versions to help your attention be caught by various points. Get familiar enough with the letter that you can notice where similar or related things appear in different places.

1. Focus on the chapter we are in with our study, thinking about the different paragraphs, what kind of sections the text falls into. Watch for key words that indicate a transition or conclusion.


2. Make special effort to "dig in" on the verses that we will be studying each session. Pick a couple of key words and look them up in a dictionary, use an online Bible study resource to learn about the original language, and even use a theology resource to learn about doctrinal truths related to the verses.

You might try using a computer spreadsheet as a way to organize your study notes. I suggest one "tab" in your spreadsheet file each for Observation, Interpretation, and Application. Then the rows become chapter & verse. You can create your own columns, but you can start with the various categories of observation as provided by Hendricks in his book, "Living by the Book." Or, contact me (email on the right) and I will send you an Excel file I've set up with this approach.

2. How does Galatians fit in the Bible plan?

When you begin a study of a book of the Bible, it's usually best to take some time to get to know various types of "introductory" information. Look into who wrote it, what was going on from the perspective of God's people when it was written, why it was written, etc.

The beginning of Christian Missions: Galatians is distinctive because it was most likely Paul's first epistle, at least as far as inspired writings included in the Bible. It was likely written around 49AD, very soon after his first Missions Tour into south Galatia. To get to know the book better, read Acts 12-14. After Paul finished this tour, he went back to his "sending church", Antioch, and also spent time in Jerusalem for the very important council that met to deal with Judaistic legalism. That subject has much to do with his writing Galatians. We can't spend a lot of time here covering this introductory material, so you might want to look up some additional information with your study tools. However, we can talk about the "north or south" question.

North or South? You can probably picture Paul & Barnabas talking about what direction to head in as they were planning their first missionary journey. Look at a map in the back of your study Bible (I hope you have one!). Note where Antioch is - on the west end of the Mediterranean, north of Jerusalem. They could have stayed on land, gone a little north and then west and ministered in "north" Galatia. However, using the locations mentioned in Acts 13-14, their decision apparently was to jump on a ship traveling west and go to the island of Cyprus (home to Barnabas) and then north to the mainland of "south" Galatia. Understanding this route and sequence is important to place the time Galatians was written (soon after getting back from the trip) and who Paul was writing to (the new believers in those places mentioned in Acts 13-14).

Map It: Using a Bible study map can often help in this part of study. Your Study Bible should have some helpful maps, and you can also find good maps online. Here is a good standard map showing Paul's missionary journeys...

3. The nature & flow of Galatians

In order to start getting more familiar with Galatians, you need to spend a little time reading through the book a couple of times, preferably with different translations - I suggest the NASB and NIV. Jot a few notes down as you read about the nature of how Paul writes, and the basic structure of the book. For notes, I suggest writing the reference and just a short phrase from the verse - that way you can review the high points and remember the verses.

You're going to see that Galatians is a "quick-read" type book, one that has a fair amount of emotion in it. Paul also makes what are obviously some strong, declarative statements about fundamental truths. Try to pick up on the major sections of the book. I suggest there are three -- see if you agree, and try to come up with titles for each section.

4. Major points & passages in Galatians

Another valuable way to "warm up" to Bible book is look through the whole book and write down every "high point". Ways to find these:

• The verses you have underlined or made notes about
• The verses that your Study Bible has annotation on
• From your read-through's, verses that stood out for some reason
  

Here are some that I would suggest as a start...

• 1:5 - what is the Gospel
• 2:16 - justified by faith
• 2:20 - crucified with Christ
• 3:11 - evidence... faith
• 3:25 - no longer under a tutor
• 5:1 - stand fast
• 5:16 - walk in the Spirit
• 5:22 - the fruit of the Spirit
• 6:1 - if a man is overtaken

Introduction to the Plumbline Bible Study

Welcome to a new adventure for the Hillsdale Baptist Iron Men ministry! Our church's strength is determined in large part by the spriritual strength of our men. We need to be capable men of God, prepared to handle and minister God's Word in our families, church and community. Taking time to meet together for concentrated Bible study can be an important part of your being sure that you are a prepared man of God, rightly dividing the Word (2 Timothy 2:15).


1. We need to have a passion and thirst for God’s Word

Spend some time meditating on these passages that express the grandeur and depth of God's Word...

• Psalm 19:7-11 – The Law of the Lord is perfect ...in keeping them there is great reward


• Psalm 119:103 – how sweet are Your words


• Colossians 3:15-17 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
  

2. We need to recognize our responsibility for honoring God's Word

• Joshua 1:8 – meditate day & night in the Word, and be careful to do what it says, take it seriously!


• 2 Timothy 2:15 – rightly dividing the word of truth, examining as well as possible, sorting things out and coming to the best conclusion


• Philippians 2:16 – holding forth the Word, proclaiming the Word to a needy world, and ministering it faithfully in our family and church
  

3. We need to live a life that is accountable to God’s Word

• Psalm 1 is a wonderful expression of the godly believer living a responsible life before God. Note that the delight of his heart is the Word of God, and as a result, he has strong, deep roots, fed from the living water of God.
  
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is a major passage on the doctrine of God's Word. How did we get it? God breathed His very essence into each word - it is truly the living Word. Why do we have it? Teaching, reproof, correction, and righteousness -- all of that should be happening in our life regularly. What is the result? A biblical man of God, walking in Christlikeness and ministering the Word of God in every facet of his life.

4. We need to establish these 4 keys to faithful Bible Study:

• Heart – we must have a passion for God's Word, never satisfied, always thirsting for more!


• Method – we need to have some method to our study, not just wandering in the breeze, making use of tools


• Effort – diligence and discipline must become a natural part of our daily life
  
• Prayer – we must always be careful to surround our time in Bible study with time on our knees humbly seeking God's face about what we are learning

5. Here is a model we will use for our Plumbline Bible Study sessions:

• Facilitated but interactive – while the leader will have prepared material and notesheets, the plan will be that the group works together to move through the material


• Notes and preparation – keep your pen in your hand, write things down, and review a few days later; look for the ideas in the notes for things to be studying in preparation for the next sesssion


• Methods and discipline – we will seek to work on the basics of Bible study methods, making sure that we all are covering the practical matters of knowing God's Word


• Growing and mentoring – as the group grows, we will find many opportunities to minister to one another, sharing personally with how God is working in our lives
  

A final thought about our passion for God's Word...

There is a passion for Christ which it has been given to a very few to possess, but which has set those who have it apart forever from their fellow men. . . . Amid the terrific onrush of the apostasy, amid the swirl of pleasure which is engulfing the majority of those who call themselves Christians, God has His own. . . . They are men and women whose faith and zeal burn brighter as the world's darkness deepens. They are ready to die at Jerusalem, or anywhere, for their Lord. They are valiant for the truth, and wield the sword lustily on God's behalf. Nevertheless, few have that passion for Christ which Paul expressed in the words, "To me to live is Christ." There is reward for the obedient disciples, there is power and authority for the faithful disciples, there is glory of achievement for the zealous disciple . . . but there is the whisper of God's love, there is the joy of His presence, and the shining of His face for those who love Him for Himself alone. A true heart for God will motivate us to seek him diligently in His book.

(Quoted from “Quiet Time”, IVP)

The Outstretched Hand of God

“For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched out hand, who can turn it back?”
-- Isaiah 14:27

Recently I was involved in a study series on the kings of Israel and Judah. Interestingly, it started with a look at God’s sovereignty. In a review of Psalm 95:3-7, we saw the people of Israel expressing their heart for the Sovereign God: “The Lord is great!... in Whose had are the depths of the earth... Come, let us worship... we are the people of His pasture”. We’re in His care, He’s right here with us, taking care of us, we adore Him and want to worship Him. What's regrettable is that when this heart for the Father was tested, things didn't go too well.

Even with their first king, Saul, they should have known that this monarchy thing was going to be a challenge. After David’s marvelous reign, Solomon rose to power only to succumb to the very temptations God had warned about (Deuteronomy 17). After Solomon, the nation split, and beginning his son Rehoboam, most of the following kings were rebellious to the things of God and led both nations in idol worship. Warring with each other and the surrounding nations caused much suffering and loss.

In the midst of all that, how did true believers in the God of Israel feel? Did they wonder, is God still sovereign? Does He still hold the hearts of the kings in His hands? Is He still providing for His people? Is He still moving His program and promises forward?

Yet, based on what we know to be true about God, we know that He is always in control! He is unchangeable sovereign, by Him all things consist -- what a marvelous God we serve! Jeremiah 32:21 says “You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt…with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm.” He never changes, His strong arm is always managing the affairs of man.

The importance of understanding and being committed to the sovereignty of God cannot be overstated. It is on the basis of God being the "master of the universe" that we can stand confidently in the midst of the turmoil this life brings us. Whether our struggle is centerer on the results of a natural disaster, or the pain of a loss inflicted by physical disease or some random act of violence -- God is in control, He knows the end from the beginning, He will carry us through.

1. God's Sovereignty is...

To begin our study, think about what comes to your mind when you hear the phrase "sovereignty of God" and write a few of those things down. We will review a few of those things here, but you probably have some good points written down, and it would be a good exercise to back up each of those points with some Bible passages.

God's sovereignty involves all of His creation, from the smallest detail of the creation around us on earth, to most vast outermost part of the universe -- He is actively involved in every detail. Take a look at what Colossians 1:17 says about this.

God's sovereignty also involves His authority over the affairs of man, His execution of a master plan for history end-to-end. All the myriad schemes of man are under the watchful eye of God. How does Proverbs 21:1 put it?

The Easton Dictionary describes God's sovereignty this way -- "He is under no external restraint whatsoever. He is the Supreme Dispenser of all events. All forms of existence are within the scope of His dominion. And yet this is not to be viewed in any such way as to abridge the reality of the moral freedom of God’s responsible creatures or to make men anything else than the arbiters of their own eternal destinies. God has seen fit to create beings with the power of choice between good and evil. He rules over them in justice and wisdom and grace."

Spurgeon had this heart-felt description -- "There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought more earnestly to contend than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that Throne."

2. What does the Bible say about God's Sovereignty?

As we think through what we understand about God, we know we must begin with basic facts that are "settled" in our thinking..

• God is -- Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God..."
  
• God is Who He says He is -- Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one!
  
• God will do what he says He will do -- Job 42:2, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."

Below are a list of Scriptures that relate to God's sovereignty. Take the time now to read through each, noting what you learn from each about God's sovereignty.

• 1 Samuel 2:2-10
  
• Job 5:8-20; 9:2-30; Job 10:2-18; Job 12:7-20; Job 26:7-14; Job 33:12-30; Job 34:10-30; Job 37:1-24; Job 38:1-41; Job 39:1-30; Job 40:1-24; Job 41:1-34; Job 42:1-6
  
• Psalm 8:3-6; 93:1-2; 103:19; 115:3; 135:6
  
• Ecclesiastes 3:14-15
  
• Isaiah 14:24, 27;43:13; 46:9-10
  
• Jeremiah 10:10-13; 29:11
  
• Daniel 2:20-23
  
• Hosea 11:1-4
  
• Habakkuk 2:13-14
  
• Acts 17:24-26
  
• Romans 1:20; 8:28-29; 9:11, 16, 20
  
• Ephesians 1:11

Rest assured that this list isn't exhaustive. You may think of other passages that you need to add to the list. Take time with this -- we really need to hear God's Word on this marvelous truth!

3. The Character of God's Sovereignty

It's interesting to think about how God's sovereignty is an extension of His character in many ways. Look through this list and think about how each trait has something to do with sovereignty, perhaps comparing it with the list of scripture passages above.

• Compassionate
  
• Faithful
  
• Foreknowledge
  
• Goodness – Mercy - Grace
  
• Holy
  
• Immutable (don't feel bad if you need look that up in the dictionary first!)
  
• Jealous
  
• Justice
  
• Love
  
• All knowing
  
• All powerful
  
• Preserver
  
• Providence
  
  

Closing Thoughts:

Never finish reflecting on the marvelous character of God. The depths of the riches of Who He is cannot be defined or grasped. Knowing Him better defines the path of our Christian walk.

God's' Sovereignty is the rock-solid foundation of our life. We know we will face struggles & frustrations. Having it settled that He is in control, and He does have our best interests actively in His mind, make it a sure thing that "real" good will always result.