FHBC Sermon Notes

Galatians 1:1-5 - Looking at the prescript of this letter, we see not a standard intro, but one that contains the essence of the gospel.

The intro to the letter of Galatians is not brief like the typical introduction. Paul uses this introduction to set the entire tone of the letter. He is capturing the Christian theological worldview is in these five verses.

The epistles are not just written for just general greetings and information. This one is not different and is meant to address a specific issue. In Galatians that issue is the definition of the gospel. There were those in Galatia that were telling the church there that their gospel was incomplete, that they needed to also follow these extra things. Paul responds to the issue by describing the essence of the gospel, those essential elements that we as Christians must know and believe.

What is the gospel?

1) The gospel is the good news that God raised Jesus from the dead. (1:1)

At the very center, the gospel is good news because Jesus is raised from the dead, he is alive. See other accounts of this. 1 Corinthians 15, Acts 3:15, 1 John 1:1-3

2) The gospel is the good news that Christ died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1:4)

Christ's death was no normal death. He and only he was perfect, was not under condemnation already. Therefore only he could stand in our place to receive the punishment. To bear the judgement of death.

3) The gospel is the good news that we have been delievered from this present evil age. (1:4)

This relationship with our Lord, delivers us not only from oursleves, from sin, but also from all of those around us, the organizations, the people, the spirits that exist in this age. This is the age of man, the age of sin. We no longer live in fear of this world. We are free from its fruit, death and judgement. We live no longer for this evil age, but the age to come, the eternal age of righteousness in which Christ rules and reigns for the good of his people.

4) The gospel is the good news that we have a new relationship with God. (1:1, 3:4)

The title that Paul uses for God here is to say "our Father". Just as Jesus refered to God as my Father, we also are able, in Christ, to call him the same. Abba, Father. We are now a son in God's family. What an awesome message to hear on Father's Day.

5) The gospel is the good new that we are recipients of God's grace and peace. (1:3)

Paul drops the typical greetings salutation, and christianizes it. God's grace and peace. This great, abundant, and awesome gift is what we receive. God's grace and peace. By grace we rceive peace. Shalom!

6) The gospel is the good news that God, in His good pleasure, purposes our redemption within His will. (1:4)

The gospel, what not an accident, or a simple reaction to man and his screwup. To send his Son into the world to die, was according to His will. God intended this, so that we might know Him, our Lord, his love and his character.

"... our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen!"