GateWay Church of Visalia
Freedom! : When Religion Becomes Unreasonable
Pastor Ed Kemp
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:45 AM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Judaism = ACTION not philosophical or religious
…so that… = PURPOSE
So What?!
#1. I have to ENCOUNTER grace.
#2. I have to INTENTIONALLY grow.
I am writing to you little children…fathers …young men…. ~I John 2:12-14~
I am writing to you little children…fathers …young men…. ~I John 2:12-14~
#3. I have to CRAFT my story.
#4. I have to PLEASE God.
Galatians 1:11-24 Pastor Ed Kemp, August 15 & 18, 2019
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Who had the most influence on you, your mom or dad? Why?
Read: Galatians 1:11-24
Paul strongly emphasizes that he received his theology of the gospel by direct revelation from Jesus, vs. 11-12. We receive our theology of the gospel through studying the writings of the Apostles. Which part of the gospel carried the most power for you: a. Realization you’re a sinner b. Coming to the understanding that God loves you c. Placing yourself totally under the grace of God d. The understanding that Christ now lives in you? Why?
In vss. 13-14 Paul tells us that his lifestyle was Judaism, which meant he had a list of do’s and don’ts for how to live. Before you came to Christ what do’s and don’ts were on your list?
Paul describes how God called him to preach to the Gentiles in vss. 15-16a. What has God called you to do? How is God using your life? In 16b-18 God used 3 years in Arabia to prepare Paul for his calling. He then goes to Jerusalem in order to verbally confirm that he and the other Apostles were in unity in Jesus. How do you contribute to the unity of the church of Jesus Christ at GateWay? How could we create more unity?
In vss. 21-23 Paul then goes and introduces himself to the churches north of Israel and vs. 24 says, “…they were glorifying God because of me.” Give each person in your group an opportunity to pick 1 word from the left column, use it in a personal sentence and then state, “…and then Christ called me and now I…” and pick 1 word from the right column and use it in sentence. Each person should only use 1 minute!
Before Christ I was:
Angry (temper)
Bored (apathetic)
Unethical (lying or misleading)
Religious (ritualistic)
Selfish (center of the universe)
Overbearing (driver/task oriented)
Stressed Out (anxiety/obsessive)
Competitive (HAS to win)
Now with Jesus I am:
Patient
Purposeful
Honest
Relational
Giving
Comforting
Calm
Inclusive
Family Time: Make a list of words for your kids and ask them to identify how Jesus is helping them be a better person.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Who had the most influence on you, your mom or dad? Why?
Read: Galatians 1:11-24
Paul strongly emphasizes that he received his theology of the gospel by direct revelation from Jesus, vs. 11-12. We receive our theology of the gospel through studying the writings of the Apostles. Which part of the gospel carried the most power for you: a. Realization you’re a sinner b. Coming to the understanding that God loves you c. Placing yourself totally under the grace of God d. The understanding that Christ now lives in you? Why?
In vss. 13-14 Paul tells us that his lifestyle was Judaism, which meant he had a list of do’s and don’ts for how to live. Before you came to Christ what do’s and don’ts were on your list?
Paul describes how God called him to preach to the Gentiles in vss. 15-16a. What has God called you to do? How is God using your life? In 16b-18 God used 3 years in Arabia to prepare Paul for his calling. He then goes to Jerusalem in order to verbally confirm that he and the other Apostles were in unity in Jesus. How do you contribute to the unity of the church of Jesus Christ at GateWay? How could we create more unity?
In vss. 21-23 Paul then goes and introduces himself to the churches north of Israel and vs. 24 says, “…they were glorifying God because of me.” Give each person in your group an opportunity to pick 1 word from the left column, use it in a personal sentence and then state, “…and then Christ called me and now I…” and pick 1 word from the right column and use it in sentence. Each person should only use 1 minute!
Before Christ I was:
Angry (temper)
Bored (apathetic)
Unethical (lying or misleading)
Religious (ritualistic)
Selfish (center of the universe)
Overbearing (driver/task oriented)
Stressed Out (anxiety/obsessive)
Competitive (HAS to win)
Now with Jesus I am:
Patient
Purposeful
Honest
Relational
Giving
Comforting
Calm
Inclusive
Family Time: Make a list of words for your kids and ask them to identify how Jesus is helping them be a better person.