Topics: rebirth, authentic living, divine creation
I. Outward Image or Inward Rebirth?
* Religious legalists boast in their own achievements!
- See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand (Galatians 6:11).
- Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh (Galatians 6:12, 13).
- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness? (Matthew 23:27, 28).
II. Human Activity or Divine Creation?
* True Christians boast only in the cross as God's new creation!
- But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14; see Jeremiah 9:23, 24).
- For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation (Gal. 6:15).
- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
III. Fault Finding or Authentic Living
* Walking in freedom welcomes peace, mercy and grace!
- And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen (Galatians 6:16?18).
- But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:15, 16).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, March 30th, 2025
Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions
What really matters?
An important Guideline of Life Groups: The question stirs up our desire to know life from God's perspective: What really matters? Discuss this question in your Life Group and try to give Scriptural support for your answers.
Getting Started:
- How does Paul's "closing argument" give convincing evidence of the gospel of grace and the freedom it delivers?
- How much do the interests of this world matter to you? How much does the approval of people matter to you? What really matters to God?
Discussing Truths:
- Why do you think Paul concluded many of his letters with his own writing (1 Cor 16:21; Col 4:18; 2 Th 3:17; Gal 6:11)?
- What is involved in our boasting in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? (Gal 6:14; 1 Cor 1:23-25, 29; Jer 9:23, 24)?
- One way to check our heart motive (Proverbs 4:23) is to ask questions: "Am I living for the praise of people or for the glory of God?" Or another question is, "Am I more concerned what people think or what God thinks?"
- What kind of "brand-marks" of Jesus are evident in your life? Remember, your testimony is one of your greatest tools in witnessing to others.
- How does human activity flow from our new creation in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10)?
- Try to explain "replacement theology" as it relates to Israel and the Church. How does Galatians 6:16 lead to wrong conclusions about "the Israel of God"
Now What? Application:
- How can you be transformed from the inside-out instead of attempting to make changes from the outside-in? Let God do a work within you as you draw near to Him (2 Cor 3:18).
- Continue to "walk in freedom" everyday by faith as you yield to the Holy Spirit's control (Ephesians 5:18).
