Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Galatians 1-3
Paul is the author of the Book of Galatians. God called him to be an apostle and sent him on the special mission of evangelizing the Gentiles. The opening of Galatians is unusual for Paul. In most of his letters, he begins with a thanksgiving for the recipients, but in Galatians he omits this customary praise. Why is this omission significant? Because Paul was alarmed that the Galatians had fallen into the lethal trap of legalism. He was astonished that they questioned his authority as an apostle. Therefore, as a surgeon going after the tumor, Paul avoided small talk and cut in immediately to declare his case. Since his message and apostleship were being questioned, Paul began, even in this greeting, to present his divine credentials. No human institution nor any individual sent him. Jesus Christ, the resurrected One, along with God the Father was the only reason he became an apostle to the Gentiles. This letter was not only from Paul but also from all the brothers with me. Paul’s companions included Barnabas and others from Antioch. Paul mentions these recognized coworkers to legitimize further his apostleship and authority. Throughout the first chapter of Galatians, Paul cites his association with the apostles and key church leaders as a way to substantiate his credibility and apostleship.
Grace and peace summarize Paul’s gospel of salvation. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is the source of salvation. When a person believes in Jesus Christ, he or she receives salvation and peace with God, others, and self. Thus, grace leads to peace. Peace represents life in its wholeness or fullness, a life filled with a sense of satisfaction that only God can give. Grace not only saves us from the penalty of sin; it also delivers us from the power of sin. We have been rescued from the enslaving power of this present evil age… a world ruled by Satan, full of cruelty, tragedy, temptation, and deception. As we looked at last night in chapter 5, Paul will explain how grace works in our lives to give us this power over sin’s slavery. Christ accomplished the victory over sin through the voluntary gift of himself to us in dying on the cross. This was all according to God’s eternal plan to bring us salvation.
For all eternity we will praise God for his grace which saves us from both the penalty and power of sin.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to live showing appreciation for the amazing gift of grace that provided my salvation.
- Lord, please help me to live in the victory that is mine over the power of my flesh that does so easily deceive me.
- Lord, please help me to live longing for the day that I will be rescued from the presence of sin.
Political
- Senator Peter Lucido – District 008 – Shelby Twp.
- Senator Michael MacDonald – District 010 – Sterling Heights
- Senator Peter MacGregor – District 028 – Cannon Twp.