11. Galatians 6:1-18
The last chapter of Galatians includes one of Paul's most famous exhortations: to keep on doing good and not give up. Wrapping up Thrive's series on Galatians, this message unpacks how Paul encourages believers to persevere in following Christ no matter the obstacles.
This message was given by Drew Dawson, pastor of Resurrection Church in Gig Harbor, WA.
We apologize that due to a technical issue, the recording starts a few minutes into the message.
10. Galatians 5:16-26
There's an army of influencers out there, claiming to offer you the way to the good life. But for followers of Jesus, the good life means "keeping in step with the Spirit." The more we lay down our own agendas, paradoxically the more we're fulfilled as the Spirit transforms us into people of joy and love.
This message was given by Rod Graciano, founder of Timothy Ministries. Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Galatians 5:14, 16-26; Matthew 2:10; John 16:22; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:28; Luke 9:23; and James 1:2-4.
9. Galatians 5:1-15
Young adulthood often revolves around the pursuit of freedom: freedom to travel, chase your dreams, and have great experiences. But Scripture defines freedom differently than our culture does. Biblically, freedom isn't the pursuit of fleeting pleasures; freedom is liberation from our sin and selfishness so that we can live a life of love. Or in the words of Jesus, "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin ... so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:34, 36)
This message was given by Tim Stobbe, pastor of WayPoint Church in Gig Harbor, WA.
8. Galatians 4:21-31
Many young adults wrestle with shame. Even in a secular culture that has lost the concept of sin, we still feel guilty even if we're not sure why, often leading to anxiety and depression. According to Scripture, the reason for this is the condemnation of "the law," some set of standards that we know we don't measure up to. How can we be free from slavery to the law? Only through the gospel.
This message was given by Jacob Meadows, pastor of Anchor of Hope Reformed Church in Silverdale, WA.
7. Galatians 4:8-20
The result of legalism is always slavery. So when Paul saw the Galatians voluntarily putting themselves back under the slavery of the law, his reaction was anguish. Distressed to see a church he loved go astray, Paul tried to win the Galatians back to the truth, warning them against the threat of false teachers and the dangers of false zeal.
This message was given by Jeremy DeSpain, pastor of Bible Baptist Church.
6. Galatians 3:15-4:7
What is the purpose of God’s law? Why does the Old Testament contain so many rules and regulations? The Galatians thought God’s law were a set of requirements to obey so that they could measure up spiritually. But Paul explains that the law was never meant to be our savior: it was to meant to convict us of our need for a savior.
This message was given by Steve Willweber, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church.
5. Galatians 3:1-14
How can we avoid getting off track in the Christian life? For the Galatians, they needed to be reminded of the gospel: that they’re saved by grace, not works of the law. And so in chapter 3 of Galatians, Paul uses the gospel to retell the story of the Bible, in order to show the Galatians that Jesus alone can save them.
This message was given by Peter Churness, pastor of One Hope Church.
The gospel is that we're saved by Jesus alone, through faith in Him alone. Believing that message changes everything about us, including the way we relate to others. In Galatians 2, Paul reminds Peter of this with respect to his treatment of the Gentiles, calling him back to the radical message that Jesus plus nothing equals everything.
This message was given by Ed Longabaugh, pastor emeritus at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
3. Galatians 2:1-10
How do you know if you're really a Christian? Paul would answer that it's not a matter of the strength of your faith, but the strength of the object of your faith. So in this second chapter of Galatians, Paul shows that the gospel he called people to put their faith in is trustworthy and reliable.
This message was given by Tim Cedarland, Thrive director emeritus.
2. Galatians 1:11-24
The gospel is the most precious message in the world: it changed Paul's life and it can change ours. And so in the first part of Galatians, Paul goes to great lengths to show that the gospel he preached was the genuine article, unadulterated by human beings.
This message was preached by Jake Chambers, pastor of Wilderness Church.
1. Galatians 1:1-10
Martin Luther said, "We need to hear the gospel everyday, because we forget it everyday." The Galatians were Christians who had lost their grip on the gospel. They had begun to look to their own moral performance for their sense of right standing with God, leading Paul to write them a fierce and scathing letter. In this opening message on the book of Galatians, Dale King, pastor of Calvary Fellowship, speaks to how the Galatians had drifted from the gospel—and why it's so easy for us to do the same.