Galatians 6:11-18
Here’s a riddle for you. Where in Paul’s letter to the Galatians does he mirror Jesus’ clearest depictions of His Father? Hint: It’s his use of the “B” word.
Here’s another riddle for you – Why is grace so much more difficult for Christians to fully embrace and dispense than the law? It’s an amazing thing. Paul uses the word “grace” eighty-seven times in his writings and each time he uses it his desire is that everyone who hears his words might come to apprehend grace in the same measure he has received it.
Years ago I read the profound words of one of my favorite Bible expositors – A.W. Pink. He was writing of divine grace when he said, “The grace every Christian has received from God in Christ is more than ‘unmerited favor’ (the common definition used by many Christians). To feed a tramp who calls on us for food is unmerited favor. But suppose after feeding him he robs and beats you, and you feed him again. That’s grace. It’s more than unmerited favor. It’s favor shown in the face of absolute demerit. That’s the grace you and I have received on the Cross.” And it’s that grace that causes such consternation.
One of the reasons I wanted to preach through Galatians again (after fifteen years) was because I believe I apprehend it far more today than I did back then. But another reason I wanted to preach it again was because I believed it was exactly the message Hebron needed to hear at this time. Though I’m often wrong, I couldn’t have been more right this time. What I’ve seen since September 4th has been classic, biblical evidence of the proclamation of the unvarnished grace of God in Jesus Christ – the full range of emotion from unspeakable, overwhelming joy - to anger, judgment, and hostility. What a ride!
As Paul thought back to the final parable of the three Jesus tells in Luke 15 he must have shook his head and said, “That’s always the way grace always plays out. Some are overwhelmed and transformed. Others are angry and point fingers. But look what the Father does. He never stops dispensing grace to both, just like His Son!”
In preparation for Sunday’s message – “Marked by Jesus” from Galatians 6:11-18– you may wish to consider the following:
- Which brother do you more often resemble, the younger or the older?
- How about the false teachers?
- What was the trigger for Jesus telling these three parables?
- What are some ways in which religion is the antithesis of the Gospel?
- How is religion focused on the externals while the Gospel is focused on the internal?
- What marks is Paul referring to in verse 17?
- How do they differ from the mark of circumcision?
- How do you define “grace”?
- What rule is Paul alluding to in verse 16?
- How is Paul in verse 18 just like the father in Luke 15?
