May 27, 2018 NOTES NOT EDITED
Pt17, Spirit Walkers: Grace Writ Large
Pt17, Spirit Walkers: Grace Writ Large
Galatians 6:11-18
Sermon-in-a-Sentence: Spirit Walking
is all about the grace—understanding it and walking in it.
Writ
large is an
English idiom (way of speaking) that shows emphasis or importance in an
exaggerated way. For example, one might
say, “The atomic bomb is a firecracker writ
large.” It can also refer to
something that is “clear or
obvious.” For example, “Fear was writ large on Rose’s face as she
stood before the judges for her audition.”
My title is a play on the words Paul used to introduce the conclusion of his treatise on the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In verse 11 Paul begins, “Look at what large letters I use to write to you in my own handwriting.” Para-phrased that sentence could read, “Look, this letter is writ large in my own handwriting.”
I want us to leave our study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians with “grace writ large” upon our hearts and minds. God’s plan for the ages is all about His grace. There is no understanding of salvation apart from an understanding of Sovereign Grace. Let’s read Paul’s stirring conclusion to Grace Writ Large. Gal. 6:11-18.
My title is a play on the words Paul used to introduce the conclusion of his treatise on the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In verse 11 Paul begins, “Look at what large letters I use to write to you in my own handwriting.” Para-phrased that sentence could read, “Look, this letter is writ large in my own handwriting.”
I want us to leave our study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians with “grace writ large” upon our hearts and minds. God’s plan for the ages is all about His grace. There is no understanding of salvation apart from an understanding of Sovereign Grace. Let’s read Paul’s stirring conclusion to Grace Writ Large. Gal. 6:11-18.
Here are Paul’s four
concluding characteristics regarding Grace.
1. The AUTHORITY of Grace (V11)
11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting.
In Galatians, and perhaps a couple other Books by Paul, he used an amanuensis. This is an abbreviation of the Latin term, “with a servant’s hand.” In other words, Paul dictated his letter to a secretary, no doubt because of his bad eyesight (4:14-15). The emphasis on “large letters” also serves to highlight the importance of surrendering to grace and serving through grace. One commentator said it is the equivalent of Paul saying, “DON’T MISS THIS!”
1. The AUTHORITY of Grace (V11)
11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting.
In Galatians, and perhaps a couple other Books by Paul, he used an amanuensis. This is an abbreviation of the Latin term, “with a servant’s hand.” In other words, Paul dictated his letter to a secretary, no doubt because of his bad eyesight (4:14-15). The emphasis on “large letters” also serves to highlight the importance of surrendering to grace and serving through grace. One commentator said it is the equivalent of Paul saying, “DON’T MISS THIS!”
Paul began his teaching on justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone by appealing to its divine origination. He ends the letter with the same emphasis. Paul was an “apostle.” This means that he bore the same authority as if God, Himself, were dictating the message. A brief review of chapter one establishes Paul’s apostolic authority, and therefore, the Divine authority of his letter to the Galatians. We note five characteristics of Paul’s apostolic authority:
(1) It was conferred
by God not man (1:1a)
(2) It was a matter of Divine Call not human instruction (1:11-12)
(3) It bears the earmark of a transformed life (1:13-17)
(4) It was confirmed through sacrificial service (1:18-23)
(5) It operates to bring glory to God, not status to men (1:24)
Paul ending his letter in “own hand” puts both a personal touch and
(2) It was a matter of Divine Call not human instruction (1:11-12)
(3) It bears the earmark of a transformed life (1:13-17)
(4) It was confirmed through sacrificial service (1:18-23)
(5) It operates to bring glory to God, not status to men (1:24)
Paul ending his letter in “own hand” puts both a personal touch and
the stamp of Divine authority on his letter. The well-respected N.T. scholar, Millard
Erickson, describes the authority of Paul’s writing (and Scripture in general)
in this way,
“[God] does not exercise authority in a direct fashion. Rather, He has delegated that authority by creating a book, the Bible. Because it conveys His message, the Bible carries the same weight God himself would command if he were speaking to us personally.” (p. 246).
The Word of God is no mere book. It is alive and powerful. It contains the very words of Yahweh, Himself, and those words have the power to give eternal life.
A couple of years ago a Christian and a Muslim ended up being roommates. Of course, it was not long before their conversation turned to religion, especially the respective holy books, the Bible and the Koran. The Christian asked the Muslim if he had ever read the Bible. The Muslim said, “no.” The Muslim asked the Christian the same question regarding the Koran. The Christian gave the same answer, “no.” The Christian suggested, “Why don’t we read both together, once a week, alternating books each week?” The Muslim liked this idea and they struck a deal. Weeks passed into months and soon the semester was coming to an end. The two young men had become close friends and continued the deal into the second term. Early in the second term, the Muslim became a believer in Christ. The Muslim continued to read the Bible on his own. One evening, late in the second term, the Muslim burst into the room and declared, “You deceived me!” His surprised roommate responded, “What are you talking about?” The new believer opened the Bible to Hebrews 4:12. The former Muslim said, with a grin from ear to ear, “See, you tricked me. You knew all along that the Bible contained God’s power and the Koran is just a mere book like any other. I didn’t have a chance! It was an unfair contest.” (1001, p21).
“[God] does not exercise authority in a direct fashion. Rather, He has delegated that authority by creating a book, the Bible. Because it conveys His message, the Bible carries the same weight God himself would command if he were speaking to us personally.” (p. 246).
The Word of God is no mere book. It is alive and powerful. It contains the very words of Yahweh, Himself, and those words have the power to give eternal life.
A couple of years ago a Christian and a Muslim ended up being roommates. Of course, it was not long before their conversation turned to religion, especially the respective holy books, the Bible and the Koran. The Christian asked the Muslim if he had ever read the Bible. The Muslim said, “no.” The Muslim asked the Christian the same question regarding the Koran. The Christian gave the same answer, “no.” The Christian suggested, “Why don’t we read both together, once a week, alternating books each week?” The Muslim liked this idea and they struck a deal. Weeks passed into months and soon the semester was coming to an end. The two young men had become close friends and continued the deal into the second term. Early in the second term, the Muslim became a believer in Christ. The Muslim continued to read the Bible on his own. One evening, late in the second term, the Muslim burst into the room and declared, “You deceived me!” His surprised roommate responded, “What are you talking about?” The new believer opened the Bible to Hebrews 4:12. The former Muslim said, with a grin from ear to ear, “See, you tricked me. You knew all along that the Bible contained God’s power and the Koran is just a mere book like any other. I didn’t have a chance! It was an unfair contest.” (1001, p21).
2. The
SUPERIORITY of Grace (12-13)
Paul demonstrates the SUPERIORITY of grace
over the legalistic and ritualistic practices of false religions in three ways.
(1)
the INSINCERITY of False Gospels (12)
12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised
12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised
The
false teachers did not want to “serve” the Galatians. They had no concern for their souls. They were “self-serving.” They were motivated by their own
quest to empower themselves by enslaving others.
The word, “compel” (anakazo ἀναγκάζουσιν), is a strong word meaning to “put pressure on someone; to persuade with force or threat.” It literally means, “bend an arm.” Interestingly, this same word, compel, in regard to true gospel evangelism. Luke writes,
14:23 “Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled
So the problem isn’t with the process (compelling), but with the motive behind the pressure. True believers compel out of a sincere devotion to God and love for those that are lost. False teachers are insincere and only care about empowering themselves by enslaving others. They wanted to keep their status in the Jewish community and not be, persecuted for the cross of Christ (v12b). Next, we see the
The word, “compel” (anakazo ἀναγκάζουσιν), is a strong word meaning to “put pressure on someone; to persuade with force or threat.” It literally means, “bend an arm.” Interestingly, this same word, compel, in regard to true gospel evangelism. Luke writes,
14:23 “Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled
So the problem isn’t with the process (compelling), but with the motive behind the pressure. True believers compel out of a sincere devotion to God and love for those that are lost. False teachers are insincere and only care about empowering themselves by enslaving others. They wanted to keep their status in the Jewish community and not be, persecuted for the cross of Christ (v12b). Next, we see the
(2) the INCONSISTENCY of False Gospels (13a)
13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves.
False
teachers always teach, “Do what I say,
not what I do.” This is the case
here in Galatia. The Jewish false
teachers pressured the Galatians to “keep the law,” when the false teachers weren’t
keeping it themselves. Not only is it
impossible “keep the law” as we have
learned (Gal. 2:16), apparently, these false teachers weren’t even trying. Their walk
did not match their talk, again
showing that all they cared about was their own popularity, in order to boast about building a crowd” (v13b). False gospels and false teachers
are always inconsistent. The teach one
thing and do another. Paul caps off his
teaching on the superiority of the gospel by showing
(3) the TRIVIALITY of False Gospels (13b)
They want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.
We already examined the insincerity of the
motives of those preaching a false gospel.
Closely associated with that is triviality.
Everything is a show, a facade.
It’s all bells and whistles with no substance. It’s “lights, camera, action” but nothing
life-changing. There are two kinds of
churches: the trivial and the
transformational. One writer describes
this kind of trivial approach as being all about show, instead of
substance: “They would be able to write glowing letters back home: ‘Today several
hundred Galatians walked the aisle to express their willingness to be
circumcised.’” (Weirsbe).
When the goal of false teachers is
simply to build a crowd and not a church, everything gets trivialized.
Paul showed the superiority of grace by contrasting the inferiority, inconsistency, and triviality of false gospels, and false teachers.
In words WRIT LARGE, Paul has demonstrated the AUTHORITY of grace and the SUPERIORITY of grace, and now the shows
Paul showed the superiority of grace by contrasting the inferiority, inconsistency, and triviality of false gospels, and false teachers.
In words WRIT LARGE, Paul has demonstrated the AUTHORITY of grace and the SUPERIORITY of grace, and now the shows
3.
The PRIORITY and EXCLUSIVITY of Grace (14)
The
false teachers hawking an insincere, inconsistent, and trivial religion wanted
to boast in their self-centered accomplishments. Paul responds with a boast of his own:
14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.
14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.
Often
one hears someone say, “All roads lead to heaven.” Or another version, “All religions are
equal.” This is false. World religions teach mutually exclusive
propositions, especially in regard to Christianity. All religions can be wrong,
but all cannot be true.
According to the Bible, the only road that leads to salvation is the road paved by grace (Mt. 7:13-14; Acts 4:12). Justification as I have repeated many times means, “by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.” There is no other way to heaven.
Paul professes that true salvation, and true devotion of God, involves both priority and exclusivity. Grace is that gift offered by the Father, purchased by Christ, and performed in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Paul uses the word, “cross” a metonym (figure of speech) to describe the entire plan of redemption. It all comes down to a death on a cross; but not any death. Paul declares it is the “cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” No mention of Buddha or Mohammed. No mention of any religion. Paul’s priority is Christ and Christ alone. His cross, not Buddha’s Eight-fold Path. Christ’s cross, not Mohammed’s conquests. One God, not the many God’s of Hinduism. Grace is about the “cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dr. H. Richard Neibuhr condemned cross-less Christianity, or the evangelical "feel good" seeker-sensitive churches, who refuse to display or talk about the cross. With biting criticism he writes, "Such beliefs as a God without wrath, bringing men without sin into a kingdom without judgment, through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross, is not Christianity! There is no Christianity without the cross!" (copied).
According to the Bible, the only road that leads to salvation is the road paved by grace (Mt. 7:13-14; Acts 4:12). Justification as I have repeated many times means, “by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.” There is no other way to heaven.
Paul professes that true salvation, and true devotion of God, involves both priority and exclusivity. Grace is that gift offered by the Father, purchased by Christ, and performed in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Paul uses the word, “cross” a metonym (figure of speech) to describe the entire plan of redemption. It all comes down to a death on a cross; but not any death. Paul declares it is the “cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” No mention of Buddha or Mohammed. No mention of any religion. Paul’s priority is Christ and Christ alone. His cross, not Buddha’s Eight-fold Path. Christ’s cross, not Mohammed’s conquests. One God, not the many God’s of Hinduism. Grace is about the “cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dr. H. Richard Neibuhr condemned cross-less Christianity, or the evangelical "feel good" seeker-sensitive churches, who refuse to display or talk about the cross. With biting criticism he writes, "Such beliefs as a God without wrath, bringing men without sin into a kingdom without judgment, through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross, is not Christianity! There is no Christianity without the cross!" (copied).
Of all the aspects of grace, the
one that is MOST significant is
4. the DURABILITY of grace (15-18)
4. the DURABILITY of grace (15-18)
Paul decribes grace as a
lasting change, an eternal peace, and an unstoppable power. Theologians describe the durability
of grace as the doctrine of PERSEVERENCE.
Grace works, and grace works eternally!
15 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation. 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel of God! 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body scars for the cause of Jesus. 18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. •Amen.
15 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation. 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel of God! 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body scars for the cause of Jesus. 18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. •Amen.
What so often is called, “Christianity”
in the United States is nothing more than a thin veneer of religion. Exchange the word, “religion,” for the words,
“both circumcision and uncircumcision,” and you have Paul’s plain speech in
contemporary language: “religion means nothing!”
As a good
friend of mine, Charles Massegee has said many times, “A person can be the most
religious person in the world and still split hell wide open!” Salvation is all about the
grace. As someone else has said, “Religion
may get you into church, but only grace will get you into heaven.”
Paul said, what is important is not “outward” behavior but “inward” change. Paul describes the product of God’s grace as “a new creation.” This is Paul’s favorite description of a Christian, or at least one of them. He says in 2Cor. 5:17
Paul said, what is important is not “outward” behavior but “inward” change. Paul describes the product of God’s grace as “a new creation.” This is Paul’s favorite description of a Christian, or at least one of them. He says in 2Cor. 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things
have come.
The meaning of the word used by Paul in both Galatians and Corinthians to mean a new “creation” hinges on whether the Greek word, ktisis (κτίσις) in this context is related to the Hebrew word, bara (בָּרָא) meaning to “create something completely new that did not previously exist,” or whether Paul is alluding to the Hebrew word, yātsar (יָצַר ) that ordinarily means to “fashion or form something out of something existing” as in Gen. 2:7, “fashioning Adam out of the earth.” Yatsar has the idea of “squeezing something into shape” like a potter forming a pot out of clay. This is more the idea of reforming, than making something completely new.
The weight of the evidence suggests Paul has a completely “new” creation in mind in regard to salvation. In fact, Paul uses the word, “new” to describe what happens in the life of someone touched by God’s grace. They are not merely “reformed,” but completely “transformed.” The idea is the idea of bara, as used in Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created (bara), the heavens and the earth.”
The “old nature,” the flesh, cannot be “reformed or reshaped or in anyway recycled into a life of grace.” We are rreborn, not recycled! The old flesh must completely die and a new creature is formed, not of dust and earth, but of the Spirit. This is what Paul emphasized in Gal. 2:19-20: I have been crucified with Christ 20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The DURABILITY of our salvation lies in the fact that we have been completely made new. While the Old Nature still exists, it no longer has any power we do not give it. The Old Nature has absolutely NO power to prevent God’s plan from unfolding in our lives, eternally.
The difference between religious reformation and real spiritual transformation is like the difference between a cheap particle board table with a thin veneer of wood, and a solid oak table. Nothing is more durable than solid wood furniture. One lasts, the other doesn’t.
The meaning of the word used by Paul in both Galatians and Corinthians to mean a new “creation” hinges on whether the Greek word, ktisis (κτίσις) in this context is related to the Hebrew word, bara (בָּרָא) meaning to “create something completely new that did not previously exist,” or whether Paul is alluding to the Hebrew word, yātsar (יָצַר ) that ordinarily means to “fashion or form something out of something existing” as in Gen. 2:7, “fashioning Adam out of the earth.” Yatsar has the idea of “squeezing something into shape” like a potter forming a pot out of clay. This is more the idea of reforming, than making something completely new.
The weight of the evidence suggests Paul has a completely “new” creation in mind in regard to salvation. In fact, Paul uses the word, “new” to describe what happens in the life of someone touched by God’s grace. They are not merely “reformed,” but completely “transformed.” The idea is the idea of bara, as used in Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created (bara), the heavens and the earth.”
The “old nature,” the flesh, cannot be “reformed or reshaped or in anyway recycled into a life of grace.” We are rreborn, not recycled! The old flesh must completely die and a new creature is formed, not of dust and earth, but of the Spirit. This is what Paul emphasized in Gal. 2:19-20: I have been crucified with Christ 20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The DURABILITY of our salvation lies in the fact that we have been completely made new. While the Old Nature still exists, it no longer has any power we do not give it. The Old Nature has absolutely NO power to prevent God’s plan from unfolding in our lives, eternally.
The difference between religious reformation and real spiritual transformation is like the difference between a cheap particle board table with a thin veneer of wood, and a solid oak table. Nothing is more durable than solid wood furniture. One lasts, the other doesn’t.
As we close this fantastic study on Spirit Walking,
we have learned, “It’s all aout the grace—understanding it, and living in its
power.
I read this week (Grace At Bat) about a baseball game that one day took place. The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was zero to zero, and it was in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. The Coach and the Lord stood by observing the game. As they watched, a batter stepped up the plate whose name was LOVE. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because “love never fails.” The next batter was named FAITH, who also got a single because faith works with love. The next batter was named GODLY WISDOM. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass….ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at what Satan throws. The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to Coach and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped GRACE. Coach said, "He sure doesn’t look like much." Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried, as his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it hit him on the head and then bounced over the fence for a home run! The Lord’s team won. The Lord then asked Coach if he knew why LOVE, FAITH, and GODLY WISDOM could get on base but could not win the game. Coach answered that he didn’t know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My GRACE can get you home."
I read this week (Grace At Bat) about a baseball game that one day took place. The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was zero to zero, and it was in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. The Coach and the Lord stood by observing the game. As they watched, a batter stepped up the plate whose name was LOVE. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because “love never fails.” The next batter was named FAITH, who also got a single because faith works with love. The next batter was named GODLY WISDOM. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass….ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at what Satan throws. The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to Coach and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped GRACE. Coach said, "He sure doesn’t look like much." Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried, as his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it hit him on the head and then bounced over the fence for a home run! The Lord’s team won. The Lord then asked Coach if he knew why LOVE, FAITH, and GODLY WISDOM could get on base but could not win the game. Coach answered that he didn’t know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My GRACE can get you home."
“Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the
flesh” (Gal. 5:16). Spirit
walking is all about the grace.
