Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 1:11-24 ESV
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 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. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 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; 17 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.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
Key Points
- The gospel of Jesus Christ frees us to let go of:
1) Our past
2) Our fear
3) Our present - We all submit ourselves to some form of tradition or worldview we choose to live by – something passed down to us by human hands that we pass on to others.
- Paul left the people’s gospel behind – that following society’s rules will earn us favor from others.
- Instead, Paul embraced the gospel given to him by Jesus Christ himself – that we can live a life of unmerited favor from God by believing in Jesus and receiving his gift of grace.
- The difference between traditions and traditionalism is fear.
- When Jesus called Paul out of darkness, he was able to leave fear behind.
- If we are going to experience the liberating freedom only the gospel of Jesus can provide us, we must let go of our visions of the present.
- Paul’s bad reputation was not a barrier to his ministry, but an opportunity for people to glorify God because of God’s amazing grace at work in Paul’s life.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“And they glorified God because of me.”
-Galatians 1:24 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: We all submit ourselves to some form of tradition or worldview we choose to live by – something passed down to us by human hands that we pass on to others.
· What traditions or worldviews do you choose to live by?
· What perspectives are you quick to share with others in hopes they’ll adopt the same beliefs as you?
2: When Jesus called Paul out of darkness, he was able to leave fear behind.
· What has Jesus called you out of?
· What has Jesus helped you to leave behind?
· What darkness are you tempted to run back to?
· What fear do you need to leave behind today?
3: If we are going to experience the liberating freedom only the gospel of Jesus can provide us, we must let go of our visions of the present.
· What vision did you have for your life now?
· Where are the gaps? What are the primary differences between your real life now and the vision you had for your life now?
· Where is God in the gaps? How do you see the gospel of Jesus Christ at play in God’s vision for your real life now compared to your own ideas of your best life now?
· What do you desire most for your life – your vision or God’s?
· If you desire God’s vision for your life more than your own, what can you do to embrace that new way of living?
4: Paul’s bad reputation was not a barrier to his ministry, but an opportunity for people to glorify God because of God’s amazing grace at work in Paul’s life.
· Read this week’s memory verse, Galatians 1:24.
· Where have you most experienced the grace of Jesus in your own life, that it would give reason for others to glorify God because of you?
Pray
Lord, it is for freedom you have set us free. Forgive us for believing our ways that lead to death are better than your ways that always lead to life. Help us to see how you have continued to guide us toward freedom in you, and may we believe you always will. Thank you for freeing us to find freedom in you. Remind us that you are where our true freedom comes from, both now and forever.
