Galatians: Salutation (2)

Galatian Liberty • Galatians 1:3-5 • March 12, 2022 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Paul, the apostle, greeted the Galatian believers with the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He referred to the resurrection in the first sentence of his salutation. Every believer understands the significance of the resurrection. Without the resurrection, there is no gospel. Paul would then state what the Lord Jesus had done in the letter and its purpose. He would also declare that the purpose was the will of the Father.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 

Galatians 1:3-5 ESV

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Notes

Paul, the apostle, greeted the Galatian believers with the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He referred to the resurrection in the first sentence of his salutation. Every believer understands the significance of the resurrection. Without the resurrection, there is no gospel. Paul would then state what the Lord Jesus had done in the letter and its purpose. He would also declare that the purpose was the will of the Father.

  1. Paul greeted them with the grace and peace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ (1:3). It may sound like a formality, yet it is full of meaning. The meaning relates to wishing somebody the best spiritual blessings.

  2. Paul would then cite the sacrifice of Christ and its purpose, which was for our sins and to deliver us from the present evil age (1:4). Christ’s death and resurrection were God’s will (1:1 & 4).

  3. Paul ended the salutation with a declaration of praise to God the Father (1:5). What he planned to write should and would glorify God the Father. Although his tone would be substantially strong, the motive was still the glory of God.

Application

  1. Let us greet each other with the grace and peace of God, which none can compare. The grace and peace of God are spiritual blessings, which far exceed all material blessings.

  2. It is God’s will to save us in Christ Jesus. In that salvation also comes deliverance from the present evil age. All who believe in salvation by grace and through faith in Christ must not conform to the evil influences of the day.

  3. In all that we do, we should glorify God. What glorifies God? The proclamation of the genuine gospel glorifies God. What else? Living according to the gospel and not according to the world glorifies God.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. Aside from saving us, what is the other purpose of Christ as revealed in the text?

  2. How may we live in a way that does not conform to the present evil age?

  3. In what ways may we glorify God in our families and church community?