Pulpit Curriculum
February 11th – February 17th, 2024
Sermon Summary
In the sermon, the preacher expounded on the doctrine of justification presented in Galatians 2:15-21. This doctrine emphasises that righteousness comes solely through faith in Christ, not observing the law. In the scripture passage, the Apostle Paul argues that acceptance with God is effected through a simple act of trust in Jesus Christ, not through any other means. Paul contrasts himself with fellow Jewish Christians, emphasizing that even Jews must be saved through faith and that it is futile to attempt to re-establish Judaism as a base for Christianity, that is, to seek righteousness through works of the law. The preacher shared that the Greek word for justified, “dikaioó,” means to cause someone to be in a proper relation with someone else — it is ‘to put right with. This concept is crucial for believers to understand and apply this doctrine in their Christian lives.
Verse of the Week
Galatians 2:20
20 “ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Going Deeper
Review Galatians 2: 15 – 20
1) How does Paul contrast justification by faith with justification by works of the law, and what implications does this have for the Christian understanding of salvation?
b) How does this passage reconcile with James 2:22-26?
2a) How does Paul address the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers in this passage?
2b) What significance does Paul’s emphasis on faith have for bridging this divide?
3a) What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ” according to verse 20?
3b) How does Paul’s identification with Christ’s crucifixion impact his understanding of the Christian life?
4) What role does the grace of God play in Paul’s theology of Christian living, as expressed in this passage?
5) How does Paul’s teaching in this passage relate to the concept of freedom in Christ?
Assess Your Life
1) THow does this passage personally challenge or encourage you in your own faith journey?
2) what specific areas of your life do you need to rely more on God’s grace and live by faith?
Application
1) What are the challenges and opportunities in living out the message of Galatians 2:15-21 in today’s context?
2) Zero in on three (3) of these opportunities and make a plan to put these into practice during the upcoming week.
3) How can you practically live out your freedom in Christ in a world which emphasises doing what makes oneself happy and fulfilled?
Sermon Main Points
As a believer you should…
1) Understand the doctrine of justification (Galatians 2: 15-16)
Faith is the means, not the source, of justification. In other words, our faith does not earn us favor with God. Scripture is clear: justification is based solely on the merits of Christ’s work (Romans 3:24). For a Christian, justification is the act of God forgiving the believer’s sins and imputing the righteousness of Christ to him.
2) Live a life of surrender (Galatians 2: 17 – 20)
Believers are called to live a life of surrender. To do that, we must first recognize and embrace our identification with Christ in His death on the cross. This signifies the end of our old selves, characterized by sin and rebellion against God. Secondly, we must willingly surrender to God’s will, which involves letting go of our desires, ambitions, and selfish tendencies and submitting fully to Christ’s lordship. Third, we must live in obedience to Christ. This involves aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with God’s Word and His will to honour and glorify Him.
3) Elevate the work of Christ over the Law. (Galatians 2: 21)
We can’t say one thing and demonstrate another. When our actions contradict our professed beliefs, it not only damages our witness but also undermines the authenticity of our faith.
Sermon Reflection
What stood out for me in this sermon?
What is something I can do to remember this?
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - Acts 13:38-39
Day 2 - Romans 3:21-28
Day 3 - Romans 5:1-2
Day 4 - Ephesians 2:8-10
Day 5 - Titus 3:5-7
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.