Big Idea: Christianity is a Rescue Story. Rest in the Rescuer’s Promise.

[10] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [11] Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” [12] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—[14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

[15] To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. [16] Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. [17] This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. [18] For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. (Galatians 3:10–18)

Big Idea: Your Foolishness or Jesus’ Righteousness will be counted to You.

[1] O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. [2] Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? [3] Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [4] Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? [5] Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—[6] just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

[7] Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:1–9)

Big Idea: Jesus loves you and gave himself up for you. Going back to works of the law makes that a lie.

[17] But if, in our endeavour to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! [18] For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. [19] For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [21] I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Galatians 2:17–21)

Big Idea: You too have been called by God in Christ not by the word of men.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me. (Galatians 1:11–24)

Big Idea: Out with the Good and in with the Bad. How we turn from Jesus.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:6–10)

Big Idea: Paul is greeting the problems in Galatia head-on with the Good News.

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:1–5)

Big Idea: A Firmly Grounded Faith Leads to Hope for Supernatural Change.

(This sermon based in 1 John 1-2.2 was preached by David Duncan, a member of Anchored Baptist Church.)

Through water Jesus has redeemed and raised you.

Never think you know better, when in doubt place yourself in the shoes of the sinners because that is who we are. We are the one who need the passover lamb and we are the ones who like Abram and Moses are shown favour by God because he simply chooses to show favour.

He has show that favour to you. Not because of something inside of you. Some spark or beauty. Not some good and pious action. Not because of some perfection in you. But he chose you for the same reason that he chooses everyone else, you need to be saved.

Never think you know better, when in doubt place yourself in the shoes of the sinners because that is who we are. We are the one who need the passover lamb and we are the ones who like Abram and Moses are shown favour by God because he simply chooses to show favour.

He has show that favour to you. Not because of something inside of you. Some spark or beauty. Not some good and pious action. Not because of some perfection in you. But he chose you for the same reason that he chooses everyone else, you need to be saved.

We are God's People in God's place and under his Authority, experiencing the fullness of his blessing.

Jesus has given you true life which you should not trade for anything. Forgiveness and Salvation are Yours.

Self-worship, the oldest of false teachings, leads to death. Resting in and relying upon Jesus brings contentment because we know that we are kept safe and saved by the undisputed King, Lord, and Saviour; Jesus, who died our death and gave us his life.

Big Idea: Jesus took the form of a slave, took on your likeness, and humbled himself to a criminal’s death for you.

So we have heard that we are to consider one another as family. We should love and care for one another as one household. We should speak with care and respect and affection. As Fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers.

Big Idea: In Jesus, you are free to care for those in need because your greatest need has been provided for.

The hard part about everything that Paul is going to tell us is that there are very little specifics. What I mean is this, Paul is going to tell the church to get something done. But as you read more closely you will find that he does not tell you how to get it done. Also he does not tell you how to deal with all of in your specific church and the many cultures that make it up.

Big Idea: In Jesus, Gospel Preaching Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, and Brothers have been gifted to you.

No matter how good or how bad your family, before God sent his only Son and adopted us as his sons and daughters we were all prodigal children hoping to get away from our family or save ourselves in the midst of them.

God his Spirit into your life, through the Word about Christ so that you could experience life as inheriting children. So that you could be adopted and know that you are adopted.

Big Idea: You do not need to enter 2021 in one piece. Jesus is your completeness. In your weakness, Jesus is your Strength.

His heart is the very centre very centre of his person. The place where everything that he spoke and did flowed out of and that heart is gentle and lowly.

Big Idea: You could never be saved by the law so Jesus saved you from it.

He live a life we could not and died a death that was meant to be ours so that we could be adopted into God’s family, called his sons and daughters. We have received the Spirit of God and in that we now share in the favour, the chosen-ness that Jesus had.

Big Idea: God’s final hiding place is a feed trough where he reveals himself for You.

Joseph is surprised. He would have to be. This is not something you expect. And that is exactly the way God works. Unexpectedly.