Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

October 13, 2019

Galatians 5:7- 15 Road Wreckers!

{vs 7-8} Now switching gears, Paul reminds the believers that they had it right using the image of a race, which were very popular in Greek and Roman cultures and would be very familiar to them.  What is clear (Paul, the Galatians and I hope to us) is that beginning a race well, even being the first out of the starting blocks or being first at various stages is not the same as finishing the race well!  It only takes one big stumble to cause a runner to come in last or not finish at all.  Now, we are not talking about salvation here – because there is no work needed for this free gift of God (or do we need to go over the first four chapters again?)  No, the race is the Christian life, the way they were walking in obedience with Christ since their salvation.  We see this in his question – the cutting in stopped the believers’ obedience to the truth.  Paul says you entered in, you set out in the right direction and even had a good pace – but now, now look at where you are!  You are doubting the very grace that got you into this race – the registration, if you will.

Paul attributes their trouble to interference, outside trouble that caused them to stumble, to change directions and doubt their destination - the finish line!  The word translated cut in on you or hindered you in other translations was used to describe impeding someone by breaking up the road, or by placing an obstacle in their path.  In military campaigns, they would literally destroy or booby-trap a section of road to slow the progress of the enemy.  Instead of clearing the path – they broke up the road!  We’ve all seen the kind of tragic fall that happens when one runner cuts in on the lane of another or when a cross country runner stumbles over an unexpected obstacle.  It is this kind of awkward tumble that wins big money on the blooper shows or becomes part of the opening credits for sports programs like the Wild World of Sports (do you remember that skier who will be forever immortalized?)!  Paul wants them to fix the blame, to be aware and realize where the trouble is coming from.  These false teachers may say they are helping and from God – Paul states point blank – “That kind of persuasion does not come from the One [Jesus] who calls you.”  This kind of hindering or pulling down is in line with the enemy’s objectives to steal, kill and destroy (He wants to destroy your walk and witness!)

{vs 9} I believe Paul is talking to the false teachers as much as to the believers here.  The message is simple – this teaching is like yeast.  In the Jewish mind, yeast was an example of pervasive influence and almost always negative or sinful.  So in saying this the Jewish legalists would immediately think “yeast = sin - Paul is call me evil!”  After all, in the feasts and festivals that they wanted to continue to keep God commanded them to get the yeast out – cleanse the house and have only unleavened bread.  Even for the gentiles, this spoke of a small thing quickly exerting a complete and invasive influence.  Just a little of this corrupting influence of legalism and other doctrines that diminish Jesus, would destroy the gospel and the truth in their individual walks and yes, if left unchecked for the entire fellowship of believers!

{vs 10} Once again, like a father (and like God) Paul brings a positive note (encouragement and praise) into this teaching.  While it may be a critical spiritual matter – he has confidence, not solely in them but that they in the Lord will see it his, no, God’s way.  The same God in whom they put their trust is able to keep them, in spite of this temporary stumbling!  Praise God, because He is able to keep us in all circumstances, even when we willingly go astray!

This is a two-sided coin – not only is he confident that they will find clarity and get back on the good road they started to run, but there will be consequences for those who perpetrated this trouble.  God has promised serious judgement for those who would tempt, trouble or lead astray His children.  Remember Jesus’ words of warning -

"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in Me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! - Matthew 18:6-7 NIV

Trust me – we want to be with the kept group, not the they’re gonna get it group!

{vs 11} This issue of circumcision (the central point of the bigger argument) is at the heart of the turmoil, the accusations and the persecution.  Paul counters those who falsely say that he was teaching circumcision by saying if I were agreeing with these false teachers, why am I still being persecuted or having to contend with all this?  He tells them “I have the bruises and scars (literal and figurative) to prove that I am still standing for the truth!”  If he had given up this fight, he would have been a much safer, happier Apostle – at least from an Earthly perspective!  This however, is as we have learned a crucial point of the gospel – IT IS THE GOSPEL! (By grace alone – no works!)

The cross (the symbol of God’s grace) is offensive to those who promote any other gospel! The cross (Christ) says "You can't save yourself. I must die in your place or you have no hope at all."  This is the greatest of insults to the legalist, the workers of religion who all say – “I can do it”, “I don’t need help”, “I’m good enough” and “I am/I can make myself acceptable to God”!  This is what every religion in the world does – they all set up rules about how to live to please God or find acceptance.  This always boils down to a bunch of ‘you musts’.  However, Christ did not come to set up a religion; He came to be in relationship with us!  Jesus says to these do-it-yourselfers, what He said to Peter “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8).

{vs 12} Wow, Paul, that is harsh!  However, in light of the damage these false teachers (ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing) were doing to Christ’s Church (and still do today), it is well deserved!  These teachers were keeping people from God, from forgiveness and salvation!  They were also damaging the spiritual children that Paul loved (and those who God loved far more!)  These are the same legalists who like the Pharisees claimed to be experts in religion but only set burdens upon those trying to find God!  Jesus consistently had harsh words for those who would do this –

Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." - Luke 11:52 NIV

This verse would have actually made more sense to the original readers because pagan priests in some cults would actually castrate themselves as a show of devotion.  So, Paul in essence tells them ‘if you think a little snip off the tip will save you, then by all means keep cutting!’

{vs 13-15} I hope by now that the point has sunk in – the gospel is about freedom not bondage!  It is for freedom that Jesus came to set us free!  This grace – undeserved favor or free gift from God does not however mean that we can live like heathens!  Paul’s instruction is simple – do not use this gift, your freedom to indulge the flesh (the old sinful nature that Christ came to set you and I free from!)  How tragic would it be for us to receive this freedom, not to live as God intends as His children but to set the base, beast nature free to cause havoc!  We would be no better than these false teachers – causing harm to our fellow believers and bringing shame to the name of Christ, which we represent!  If the negative is ‘don’t live in sin’, then the positive is live Godly!  Paul exhorts them/us to love one another!  The reason is assumed – because we love God, and this is how He wants us to live!  This is not because we live under bondage or threats of wrath but because of love.

In humility, we ought to have a right or correct view of ourselves.  We were after all hopeless and helpless until Christ came!  We were destined for God’s wrath in Hell – but then God’s grace offered a way of escape!  In fact, if not for Jesus, we would not exist and every good and perfect gift that we have received ultimately comes from above!  So now, having received this grace, our very lives and all these good things – it is our responsibility to live in love!  It is funny to me that having set us free from the Law and its consequences, the next thing God does is give us a new commandment to “Love one another” (John 13:34).  All of the Law, the scriptures and the Old Covenant are fulfilled in love.  This is what the Old Testament taught, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)  Jesus reaffirmed this command as the greatest commandment in Matthew 22 and added the second (like command) to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39).  It is by this love that they (all men) will know that we are Christians, God’s children and Christ’s disciples (John 13:35).  This will never add to or contribute to our salvation – that is totally a work of Christ but now that we are saved, it is our only reasonable response.

God so loved the World that He sent His only begotten Son … (John 3:16) and We love, because He first loved us … (1 John 4:19)

The alternative is unthinkable – we will be like the rest of the lost and dying world, selfish and sinful - - - devouring and destroying each other, causing the Lord who loves us all, so much pain.