Sunday Words of Encouragement October 22, 2017

We enjoyed another lovely Sunday of fellowship and message. Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared a youtube video of Jonathan Cahn sharing highlights from his newest book, The Paradigm. I will be looking to pick this book up soon, probably at Audible.

We had nice praise and worship music and pastor started a new series: Illuminate, a Galatians Series.

Pastor shared two experiences from his youth when he went through some tunnels - literally. If you have ever ridden a bike or even walked through a dark tunnel you know the relief when you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

When Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians it was intended to provide clarity on the Christian teachings of the day. Believers have been admonished to make sure that the preaching and teaching they are receiving measures up to God’s Word. It should always be consistent with the Bible.

Paul had preached to the Galatians before leaving to preach elsewhere. There were a group of Judaizing teachers who were trying to pull the Christians back to the law insisting that converts to Christianity must first be circumcised to comply with the Law of Moses.

Paul addresses two issues in the first chapter of Galatians. He reminds the believers that his (Paul’s) authority to speak and teach came from Jesus as a direct revelation (Acts 9). His teaching was not by human authority. This gives him authority to challenge contrary teachings. Galatians 1:1-2, 11-24.

The second and more important issue he discusses is the purity of the gospel message. Galatians 1:6-7.

Satan is always at work to distort the message. Humans are always drawn back toward two things: the law and/or the flesh. But the Gospel is incredibly simple: Salvation is found only in Jesus.

The Point: The purity of the simple Gospel is primary. Everything else is secondary.

We need to fall in love with the simple Gospel again! Loving the gospel means loving Jesus. We were given the awesome, greatest gift. Christ continues to stand at the door and knock to call sinners. When we open the door of our heart we are taken from being a slave of sin to become a child of God. God opens the future, the mission He has for you.

Ask yourself: Why am I here this day? Our purpose is found in the Gospel!

This song came to my mind as a perfect fit for today’s message.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV)
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, I thank you for the simplicity of the Gospel: Jesus died for my sins and when I accepted the gift of His salvation I became a child of God!