GALATIONS 5:1-15

Gal 5:1 (KJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:2 (KJV) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Gal 5:3 (KJV) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Gal 5:4 (KJV) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Gal 5:5 (KJV) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal 5:6 (KJV) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Gal 5:7 (KJV) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Gal 5:8 (KJV) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

Gal 5:9 (KJV) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Gal 5:10 (KJV) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Gal 5:11 (KJV) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Gal 5:12 (KJV) I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Gal 5:13 (KJV) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Gal 5:14 (KJV) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Gal 5:15 (KJV) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

INTRODUCTION:

The church in Galatia had become infested by men who were endeavoring to change the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul accused them of subverting the gospel and actually trying to change it into another gospel. He cites their efforts to become justified by the law (v 4); the observance of days, months, seasons and years ( iv 10); rite of circumcision (v 2, vi 12,13); supplementing the works of the Holy Spirit by law-work of the flesh (iii 3); generally wanting to include Judaistic observances with the simplicity and spirituality of the gospel thus legalistically destroying it’s vital doctrines.

The argument over circumcision almost destroyed the infant New Testament church. Many of the Jewish believers wanted circumcision ( a type of the bondage of the law) to be required of the gentile converts. Tensions were very high over Paul’s teaching

It is against this backdrop of potentially destructive influences that I want to speak today. We are inclined to allow people to change our attitudes about Christ and the gospel and thereby endanger our Christian life.

The purpose of my message today is similar to Paul’s appeal to the Galations. I want to urge you to consider the influence of negative people upon your life; I want to urge you to envelope yourself with the pure gospel of the Lord; I want to urge you to reject anyone and anything which seeks to enslave you to legalism and diminishes the liberty you have in Jesus Christ.

Paul asks the question, "Who did hinder you...?" That is my question for you today.

Gal 5:7 (KJV) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

"Ye did run well.."

2. They were free.

"Who did hinder you.."

1. IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. (PERSONALITY)

2. CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE CAREFUL OF NEGATIVES.

"That ye should not obey the truth..."

1. Hindrances will separate you from Christ.

2. Emphasis upon obeying the truth.

Gal 5:8 (KJV) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

"This persuasion.."

1. HINDRANCES HAVE POWER TO CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE.

"Cometh not of Him that called you..."

1. GOD DOES NOT SEND THE POWER OF DESTRUCTIVE HINDRANCES AGAINST YOU.

2. THEY ARE BIRTHED IN HELL !!

Gal 5:9 (KJV) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

"A little leaven...."

1. A SMALL BIT OF THE YEAST OF HINDERING CAN AFFECT YOUR LIFE.

2. DISCOURAGING REMARKS; MOCKERY; CRITICISMS; DOCTRINE.

Gal 5:16 (KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Gal 5:24 (KJV) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 5:25 (KJV) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.