GateWay Church of Visalia
Freedom
Pastor Ed Kemp August 29 & September 1, 2019
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
Orthopodos = walking forward on a TRUTHFUL road
Dikaios = declared RIGHTEOUS eternally
Declared vs. Becoming
Declared vs. Becoming
So What?!
How do we battle hypocrisy?
#1. Be accountable to ONE ANOTHER.
“…I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.” Vs. 11
“…I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.” Vs. 11
#2. Be accountable to the GOSPEL.
“…they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel.” Vs. 14
“…they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel.” Vs. 14
#3. Be righteous in Christ ONLY.
“…even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law;” Vs. 16
“…even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law;” Vs. 16
#4. Be crucified with Christ CONTINUALLY.
“I have been crucified with Christ…” Vs. 20
“…pick up your cross and follow Me.” Mt. 10:38
“I have been crucified with Christ…” Vs. 20
“…pick up your cross and follow Me.” Mt. 10:38
Galatians 2:11-21 Pastor Ed Kemp, August 29 & September 1, 2019
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When you were growing up did you ever have a coach or teacher that you really didn’t like but you had to be really nice to them because they were kind of in control of your life? Did you ever think about that as hypocrisy?
Read: Galatians 2:11-21
We battle hypocrisy by being accountable to one another. Paul held Peter accountable. Paul did not focus on the sinful action so much as the sinful attitude. What’s one attitude that you’re trying to submit to Jesus to gain victory over? How could your small group encourage you? Would it help to stop right now and pray for each other?
We battle hypocrisy by being accountable to the gospel. If I focus on anger I tend to get angrier. That’s true of any emotion, jealousy, envy, anxiety, depression…whatever. Paul says we need to be “straightforward about the truth of the gospel.” The word gospel means good news. Our world is full of bad news. How does the bad news of the world feed my negative attitudes and in contradistinction how could God’s good news of grace feed my positive attitudes?
Rate yourself in terms how you feel God’s grace has been instrumental in transforming your ability to show and extend grace and forgiveness to others in difficult situations. “I’m a 3, I don’t think about God’s grace at all in stressful situations.” “I’m a 2, I sometimes think about God’s grace.” I’m a 1, I’m always trying to focus on God’s grace during stress.” Can you think of a specific example that’s appropriate to share?
We battle hypocrisy by being righteous in Christ only. “…even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law;” Vs. 16. Recognizing that my righteousness is given to me by Jesus is useful in deflating my sense of self-righteousness. Since you’re pronounced righteous in Christ, and your life is a thank you to Him for that, how are you living our your thank you? Is thankfulness toward God growing or shrinking? Is it becoming more tangible? How?
We battle hypocrisy by being crucified with Christ continually. “I have been crucified with Christ…” Vs. 20. Have you ever paused, closed your eyes, pictured your bad attitude being surgically removed from your body and it being nailed to the cross? Do you think going through that mental exercise could help you have victory?
Jesus said “…pick up your cross and follow Me.” Mt. 10:38. When you accepted Jesus as your Savior did you think this was going to be a part of following Jesus? Have you seen the bumper sticker, “He>I.” What do you think of that?
Family time: Have your kids help you move something heavy and talk about how hard that was physically. Read, “…pick up your cross and follow me.” and talk about how hard it is to have good attitudes emotionally during frustrating times. Jesus wants us to pick up our cross inside and follow Him with good attitudes toward others.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When you were growing up did you ever have a coach or teacher that you really didn’t like but you had to be really nice to them because they were kind of in control of your life? Did you ever think about that as hypocrisy?
Read: Galatians 2:11-21
We battle hypocrisy by being accountable to one another. Paul held Peter accountable. Paul did not focus on the sinful action so much as the sinful attitude. What’s one attitude that you’re trying to submit to Jesus to gain victory over? How could your small group encourage you? Would it help to stop right now and pray for each other?
We battle hypocrisy by being accountable to the gospel. If I focus on anger I tend to get angrier. That’s true of any emotion, jealousy, envy, anxiety, depression…whatever. Paul says we need to be “straightforward about the truth of the gospel.” The word gospel means good news. Our world is full of bad news. How does the bad news of the world feed my negative attitudes and in contradistinction how could God’s good news of grace feed my positive attitudes?
Rate yourself in terms how you feel God’s grace has been instrumental in transforming your ability to show and extend grace and forgiveness to others in difficult situations. “I’m a 3, I don’t think about God’s grace at all in stressful situations.” “I’m a 2, I sometimes think about God’s grace.” I’m a 1, I’m always trying to focus on God’s grace during stress.” Can you think of a specific example that’s appropriate to share?
We battle hypocrisy by being righteous in Christ only. “…even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law;” Vs. 16. Recognizing that my righteousness is given to me by Jesus is useful in deflating my sense of self-righteousness. Since you’re pronounced righteous in Christ, and your life is a thank you to Him for that, how are you living our your thank you? Is thankfulness toward God growing or shrinking? Is it becoming more tangible? How?
We battle hypocrisy by being crucified with Christ continually. “I have been crucified with Christ…” Vs. 20. Have you ever paused, closed your eyes, pictured your bad attitude being surgically removed from your body and it being nailed to the cross? Do you think going through that mental exercise could help you have victory?
Jesus said “…pick up your cross and follow Me.” Mt. 10:38. When you accepted Jesus as your Savior did you think this was going to be a part of following Jesus? Have you seen the bumper sticker, “He>I.” What do you think of that?
Family time: Have your kids help you move something heavy and talk about how hard that was physically. Read, “…pick up your cross and follow me.” and talk about how hard it is to have good attitudes emotionally during frustrating times. Jesus wants us to pick up our cross inside and follow Him with good attitudes toward others.