Having described the experience of Jewish Christians as coming into their full inheritance, Paul described the conversion of Gentiles (non-Jews) in Galatians 4:8-20.  Simply speaking, they (we) had not known God but then came to know him.  However, the Galatians later turned back to a form of religion that was similar to what they had when they were enslaved to idols.  Therefore, they serve as a constant reminder to all of us not to revert to a religion of law-keeping but to continue to trust in Christ alone.

Although it is impossible to say what is the best thing about being a Christian, the theme of Galatians 4:1-7 is an excellent candidate for “our highest privilege.”  In fact, the privilege is so exalted that it sounds at first like we have gone too far and said too much when we speak of it.  Indeed, we would never dare to suggest it if it were not so clearly taught in God’s word.

With so much insistence in Galatians on our being right before God through faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, we might well wonder what is the purpose of the law.  In Galatians 3:15-29, Paul raised this question and gave a partial answer to it by laying out what is called the first use of the law.  As it turns out, the law is not against the gospel but in fact prepares us for and drives us toward faith in Christ.

In the previous section, Paul asserted that no one can be right before God by observing the law but rather through faith in Christ.  In Galatians 3:1-14, he presented three strong arguments to support his assertion.  He laid out in the clearest terms the difference between two systems of salvation: relying on the works of the law and relying on Christ.

Continuing his defense of the one and only gospel in Galatians 2:15-21, Paul addressed two basic questions: 1) How can we be in a right relationship with God?  2) How can we live godly lives?  It turns out that the answer to both questions is the same: by faith in Jesus Christ.

In Galatians 2:1-14, Paul continued his personal story about his interaction with the leaders in Jerusalem, relating that they completely supported his message and ministry.  He recounted these events in detail in order to defend the gospel and protect the unity of the church.  It is still true today that we can maintain unity amidst great cultural diversity only if we hold on to the one and only gospel.

Continuing his argument that he received the one and only gospel directly from Jesus Christ, Paul demonstrated in more detail in Galatians 1:11-24 his lack of dependence on the apostles in Jerusalem.  He also brought up the most shameful part of his past, which he mentioned repeatedly in his letters, and which served to magnify the grace of God in his life and in ours.

As we begin a new series in the letter to the Galatians that will take us through most of the rest of this year, we read in Galatians 1:1-10 Paul’s opening salvo against those who were trying to distort the gospel.  Beginning with  his opening greeting, Paul emphasized what the gospel is and that there is only one true gospel.

Pastor Al Barth preached from John 4:1-30 about Jesus’ encounter one hot day with a foreign woman who had a checkered past.  As it turns out, we have much in common with that woman and the same need for what Jesus had to offer her.

Before preaching on John 4:1-30, Pastor Al Barth gave an encouraging review of the history and work of City to City in helping to start new churches around the world.