Pulpit Curriculum
Freedom Under Siege
Derek A Ward
February 4, 2024

Pulpit Curriculum

February 4th – February 10th, 2024

Sermon Summary

The preacher stressed the need to defend the gospel in our conversations and actions highlighting how focusing on anything other than the true gospel is misleading. On Paul’s return to Jerusalem, he had to defend the gospel given the ongoing conflict between perspectives on Jews and Gentiles. We are encouraged to consistently align ourselves with the truth of Christ and be intentional in sharing the message of salvation with those around us.
Recognising that we are all unique we are to acknowledge our differences in the kingdom knowing that each of us has a purpose in the body of Christ. The sermon wraps up by emphasising the need to seek unity and confront hypocrisy with love and accountability. All these are sure ways to engender freedom.

Verse of the Week

Galatians 2: 4-5
4 “Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.”

Going Deeper

Review Galatians 2: 1 – 14

1) Using Acts 15, identify the similarities of the passage in the main text? What is the essence of both passages?

2) Are both Gentiles and Jews called to defend the gospel? Show examples of who defended the Gospel, using scripture.

3) Identify 3 ways you can equip yourself to defend the purity of the gospel as reflected in the sermon with the support of scripture.

4) Galatians 2:6-10 underscores a key factor in being free. Explain in your own words.

5) Paul’s message in this pericope highlights a glaring inevitability if we fail to guard our hearts. What two biblical examples can you site?

Assess Your Life

1) The preacher shared that the Gospel is not subject to trends or cultural preferences. It stands as a beacon of Salvation and hope for all humanity. In what ways is your life reflecting this? Has there ever been a time when you disagreed with this concept?

2) Do some self-reflection and review the past week. Highlight four situations and determine if there was any form of hypocrisy evident?
The preacher shared the statistic that “to date only 10%” of the world’s population has heard the Gospel. What impact, if any, does knowing this statistic have on you?

Application

1) How will you foster unity in diversity with another believer?

b) List 3 steps you can put in place to combat hypocrisy in your own life.

Sermon Main Points

Because the believers’ freedom is still being threatened, we should…

1) Defend the purity of the gospel (Galatians 2: 1 – 5)
This can only come when we are rooted and equipped with knowledge and empowered by the Holy Spirit who is our source of strength, knowledge and truth. We share the unadulterated truth with confidence and in love.

2) Foster unity in diversity (Galatians 2: 6 – 10)
So long as we agree on the fundamentals, we don’t have to be the same. We can celebrate each other’s differences as we have the same common God.

3) Confront hypocrisy for genuine freedom. (Galatians 2: 11 – 14)
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 15:1-21

Day 2 - Acts 10: 14

Day 3 - Romans 2:1-5

Day 4 - Titus 1:15-16

Day 5 - Matthew 23:25-28


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.