Paul previously mentioned false brothers in Galatians 2:4, and then he discussed the fact that he had been in direct communication with other apostles like James, Peter, and John. In Galatians 5:2, he specifically states that “I, Paul, say to you…” And here in Galatians 6:11, he draws attention to his own handwriting. It is likely that the recipients would have been able to recognize his handwriting and they could be assured that this letter of such strong rebuke against the Judaizers was indeed from Paul. This is also an example of Paul wanting to openly and honestly take ownership of these statements. This surely would be an encouragement to the recipients and it should be so for us today to stand behind what we say and write.

Monday Dec 16, 2024

Galatians 6:1-10 - "Be a Burden Bearer" - Jeremy Brannon / December 15, 2024

Monday Dec 16, 2024

As Paul has just written to the Galatians about the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, he understands that we will not always display the fruit of the Spirit perfectly in our lives. Sometimes we or those around us will give in to the works of the flesh. Paul instructs us in two ways that we should approach a fellow believer who is in sin. First of all, we should approach with a spirit of gentleness. Part of this, of course, would be in accordance with Matthew 18 in approaching our brother or sister alone to discuss their sin. In addition, note that we are not to just approach them for the sake of revealing sin but for the purpose of restoring them.

Sunday Dec 08, 2024

Galatians 5:16-26 - "Walking by the Spirit" - Brent Stephens / December 8, 2024

Sunday Dec 08, 2024

The amazing reality of the Christian life is that God Himself indwells all those who have looked to His Son by faith through His Holy Spirit. This is truly remarkable if you take a moment to think about it. No other religion in the world believes this. Consider it for a moment: God not only condescended to come from the infinite heights of heaven’s throne to the earth He made in order to redeem sinners through His Son's work, but He also indwells those same individuals through the power of the Holy Spirit, to transform them to be more like Jesus. We call this sanctification. If you have believed in the Lord Jesus by faith, the Spirit of God dwells in you; you are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Are you walking by the Spirit? Paul wants the believers in Galatia to live out this new reality. His thesis statement for this section is found in verse 16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Let’s compare the works of the flesh with walking by the Spirit.