October 18, 2000, WE: Defining the Doctrine of Justification of Faith

>> WE ARE NOW BEGINNING BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION <<

October 18th, 2000, Wednesday Evening

"Defining the Doctrine of Justification of the Faith"
Interpreting the "Heart of the Gospel" - part 1: The Greeting

OPENING: Galatians 1:1-4, KJV

Studying this epistle (the entire book--all 6 chapters) will
- arm you for attacks from false doctrine
Today, people believe there are many ways to prevent going to hell and being saved: Judaism (following the law and going good works), materialism, Romanism (the seven sacraments), and every form of expulsionism
Cults say that it is human merit and not the divine gift (of Jesus Christ) is what gets us into heaven. They believe salvation comes through "good works" (i.e., go buy a bike, a bible, take two years off your job, and go travel door to door preaching that book to others on how to be, so-called, "saved.")
Roman Catholicism makes you pray to Mary and St. Christopher and perform prayers for forgiveness of sins in confession booths.
The connection? These are all man-made, man-conceived ways to be "saved" and receive eternal salvation when in reality, these are all LIES.
One can be saved and faithful to GOD but there will always be the influence to peddle false doctrine.
Today, Christians are afraid to argue with those who oppose the Word of GOD when they should be ready, willing, and happy to debate. Ideally, all churches should be loving, fundamental, independent, KJV bible-believing, Baptist (meaning baptism believing) churches.
WHY STUDY THIS?
- This is the Magna Carta (Charter) of the church
- This is the constitutional foundation that guarantees right and privileges from Jesus Christ
- No one has the right to judge you but the Book
- Pastors are (and should be) all different. No one pastor should try to emulate another because each pastor has his own culturally-specific congregation.
- This is a message of oneness and yet a message of diversity
BACKGROUND:
- Galatia is a district that stretches across Asia Minor
- Acts 13,16: These chapters detail Paul's travels
- The natives of Galatia were emotional, impetuous, loud, boastful, immoral; They worshipped nature and "signs of the sky"
2 Corinthians 5:17: The problem with saved Christians is that when they get saved, they try to bring their good works of their "old life" (life that was before being saved) into their new life to be credited. However, the bible says that when you become saved, everything becomes "new" to you and old things are passed away forever--forgotten.

The point is, many Christians are like this in that they want to hold on to their old ways ... but they need to let go.
Galatians is the heart of the Gospel. The law doesn't produce faith. You must go beyond the law in receiving the Gospel.
Galatians 5,6: Galatians = message of liberty.
Paul is writing under heavy stress and strain. The churches he preaches to question his beliefs, qualifications, and the gospel, after he leaves. Paul had to defend his apostleship after he left. (The only credible argument is that Paul is not an official church member)
FINDINGS:
- Paul identifies/introduces himself as commissioned by GOD himself. That's his authority. You don't enter the ministry as a profession because you don't make money off GOD. You enter the ministry as a commission.
- Galatians 1:13: Paul's "skeleton in the closet" was his being a former Christian persecutor. However, unlike many today, he admitted and owed up to it. He didn't sugar-coat or water it down. He was a straightforward about it.
  - Don't love talking about the past, love being delivered from it. Yet, love talking about "the past since you've been delivered (saved).
REASONS THIS EPISTLE (Galatians) WAS WRITTEN:
- It vindicates the Gospel
- Judaists claim salvation is through faith + works; This myth has to be dispelled.
- Acts 14,15: The circumcision ritual must be observed.
- Some say you can't be saved unless:
  - If you're not a member of THEIR church (FALSE)
  - Not baptized (FALSE)
  - not of a specific religion (FALSE)
Galatians 1:11: Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ--not another man. No one taught Paul the Gospel but Jesus Christ Himself.
Galatians 1:2: Paul was recognized by his fellow believers as a man of GOD.
- Mark 28:19-20: Whenever a man of GOD has his call in question, remember that you were called by GOD.
- Whenever a man of GOD has his beliefs/integrity questioned and the brethren know different, the brethren should come to his aid and stand side-by-side.
Satan is very cunning. When he attack, he goes for the head, throws in doubt, and causes people to question the integrity of leaders. Integrity (doing the right thing when no one is looking ... but GOD) is more important than all the money in the world.
Galatians 1:3: A true man of GOD still wants ALL people to prosper even when they're sinning and bewitched with false doctrine.
Galatians 1:6: One thing that grieves pastors most is when GOD's people don't love GOD back.

CLOSER
Quit working for GOD and be removed from the church for another doctrine? Why? ... And for who--for what? If the only way to heaven is through the blood of Jesus Christ,
- 1. Why would someone in their right mind want to go to hell for eternity? and
- 2. Why would you want to leave the only road to eternal salvation?