The Promises of God to Abraham

In Paul's view Jew and Gentile united in Christ are the assembly of God, not merely in continuity with the assembly of God. This entity must be distinguished from 'Judaism'.  The heritage of Israel is seen by Paul as being claimed and fulfilled in the Christian assembly and not elsewhere. This is not the view of some in the Jerusalem church. As we shall see, Paul will argue that it is in the Christian assembly that the promises of God to Abraham are being fulfilled. In fact, Paul will go so far as to say in a later letter (in Rom. 9-11) that non-Christian Jews have been at least temporarily broken off from the people of God, with the hope that they might be grafted back in on the same basis as Gentiles, namely through faith in Christ. While this sort of approach should not be called anti-Semitism, as Paul certainly is not manifesting prejudice against the Jews as a race of people, it is not inappropriate to call it a radical critique of Judaism. Paul's days of being bound to observe Torah as someone under the Mosaic covenant were over. It was what he 'formerly' (πὀτε) did.

From Grace in Galatia by Ben Witherington III (pg. 99)

Galatians Sermon Number 4 - The Issue

 What was the actual issue that prompted the harsh reaction from the Apostle Paul? In this sermon, I attempt to break down the cultural/historical situation that the Galatians were facing. 

Galatians Sermon Number 3

 Galatians Sermon Number 3

October 12th, 2025

Galatians 1:11-12

Galatians Sermon Number 2

 September 21st, 2025

Galatians Sermon Number 2

Matt Harmless

Sermons on Galatians

Galatians 1:6-10

Galatians Study (notes)

 I'm embarking on a new sermon series. This time I will study Galatians. The first sermon, on the introductory verses, has been delivered. (You could watch it here.) 

In the process of preparing for a new message, there are always several thoughts and quotes from the various commentaries that I am using, that don't make it into the sermon. I think I might try an collect them here.  Here is one from tonight: 

Meditate on Paul's opening words and recognize the nature of the gospel. It is the salvation of God through Christ applied by the Holy Spirit to deliver us from this present evil age and into the age to come, the Kingdom of God. Regardless of the origins of error, whether from within the church or without, we must be vigilant to protect the purity of the gospel. We must herald the exclusivity of the gospel, the saving work of Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners. We must be willing, in humility and with love, to confront the sinners of this world so that they will see their sin and turn to Christ. In the end, with Paul, our desire should be to lift high the gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of our triune Lord, to whom be the glory forever and ever. 

Galatians, J.V. Fesko; The Lectio Continua: Expository Commentary on the New Testament, pg. 14,15

Galatians Sermon Number 1

 Matt Harmless

August 31, 2025

Galatians Sermon Number 1

Galatians 1:1-5