bibleteacher.org: sermon by Rev Willmouth, Outlines In Galatians

Sermon Outlines/Bible Study Lessons
on the book of
Galatians

(These outlines were used as part of a sermon series on the book of Galatians at Trinity Bible Church, Biloxi Ms,
from February - July 2002. The outlines are based upon the New American Standard Bible {NASB®},
therefore some of the sub-point orders may differ from other Bible translations)

This work was written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite.

Lesson One:
"There Is Only One True Gospel" (1:1-9)

I. The True Gospel (vv.1-5).

1. It's messenger (vv.1-2).

A. He was one sent by God (v.1).
B. He was a co-laborer with many others (v.2).
2. It's message (vv.3-5).
A. It is a message that brings grace and peace to its hearers (v.3).
B. It was made possible through Christ's willing sacrifice of Himself (v.4a).
C. It completely paid the price for sin (v.4b).
D. It was done according to God's will (v.4c).
E. It glorifies God the Father (v.5).

II. The Counterfeit Gospel (vv.6-9).

1. Its effects (vv.6-7).

A. Upon believers (vv.6a, 7b).
1) Many deserted the truth for a lie (v.6a).
2) Many were being disturbed by the lie (v.7b).
B. Upon the truth of the real gospel (vv.6b-7a, 7c).
1) It was really a different message (vv.6b-7a).
2) It was a distortion of the truth (v.7c).

2. Its messengers (vv.8-9).
A. They come in all shapes and sizes (v.8a).
B. Their judgment (vv.8b-9).

Lesson Two:
"Giving A Good Testimony" (1:10-24)

I. Always Be Prepared To Give Your Testimony (vv.10-12).

1. By the way you live (v.10).
2. By the message that you share (vv.11-12).

II. Three Parts Of A Good Testimony (vv.13-24).

1. Tell of your life before Christ (vv.13-14).
2. Tell how you came to trust Christ (vv.15-16a).
3. Tell of your life after you put your trust in Christ (vv.16b-24).

Lesson Three:
"The Key To A Biblically Sound Ministry" (2:1-10)

I. Stand Firm Upon God's Word (vv.1-5).

1. It places its trust in God's Word in every situation (vv.1-3).
2. It will not compromise with false teaching (vv.4-5).

II. Recognize The Importance Of Other Biblically Sound Ministries (vv.6-8).

1. It does not stand in awe of other ministries (v.6).
2. It recognizes the diversity of ministries (vv.7-8).

III. Work In Cooperation With Other Biblically Sound Ministries (vv.9-10).

1. It cooperates in a spirit of fellowship (v.9).
2. It cooperates in a spirit of compassion (v.10).

Lesson Four:
"Confronting The Compromise Of Legalism" (2:11-21)

I. What Legalism Does (vv.11-14).

1. It pressures believers to compromise the truth (v.12).

A. External pressure (v.12a).
B. Internal pressure (v.12b).
2. The fruit that it produces (vv.11, 13-14).
A. Condemnation (v.11).
B. Separation (v.13).
C. Hypocrisy (v.13).
D. Misrepresentation (v.14).

II. The Evidence Against Legalism (vv.15-21).

1. Salvation and the Law (vv.15-16).

A. Man is not justified by birthright or keeping the Law (vv.15-16a).
B. Man is justified by faith in Christ alone (v.16b).
2. Believers and the Law (vv.17-19).
A. The legalistic believer denies God's grace, which only leads them deeper into sin (vv.17-18).
B. The believer has died to the Law and is now free from it (v.19).
3. Believers and Christ (vv.20-21).
A. The believer has a new life in Christ, so there is no need to return to the Law (v.20).
B. If the believer needs the Law to be saved, then Christ wouldn't had to die for our sins (v.21).

Lesson Five:
"The Salvation Experience" (3:1-5)

I. It Was Paid For By Christ (v.1).

1. The embracing of teaching that declares the death of Christ unnecessary is irrational (v.1a).
2. The gospel of grace had been publicly proclaimed before all (v.1b).

II. It Is Empowered By The Holy Spirit (vv.2-3).

1. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to the believer through faith and not works (v.2).
2. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit and not by the works of the flesh (v.3).

III. It Is Demonstrated By The Believer's Willingness To Suffer (v.4).

1. The believer's willingness to suffer for the gospel of grace is a proof of salvation by faith (v.4a).
2. The believer's willingness to suffer for the gospel of grace is not in vain (v.4b).

IV. It Is Validated By God The Father (v.5).

1. God is the provider of the Holy Spirit and miracles in the believer's life (v.5a).
2. God has provided our salvation through faith and not works (v.5b).

Lesson Six:
"Abraham's Example Of Salvation By Faith" (3:6-9)

I. Abraham Was Saved By Faith (v.6).

1. Abraham's salvation was based upon faith (v.6a).
2. Abraham was made right before God by his faith and not by his works (v.6b).

II. Abraham Is The Father Of All Believers (vv.7-9).

1. The true sons of Abraham are those who put their faith in God and not in works (v.7).
2. The blessing of salvation was promised to all the nations of the world through Abraham's relationship with God (v.8).
3. A believer participates in the blessings of Abraham through faith and not by works (v.9).

Lesson Seven:
"Learning About Salvation Through The Law" (3:10-25)

I. The Shortcomings Of The Law (vv.10-18).

1. The law set standards that no one could keep (vv.10-12).
2. Christ did what the law couldn't do (vv.13-14).
3. The law doesn't repeal God's promises to Abraham (vv.15-18).

II. The Purpose Of The Law (vv.19-25).

1. It points out our sin (vv.19-20).
2. It teaches us that we need a savior (vv.21-25).

Lesson Eight:
"We Are One In Christ" (3:26-4:7)

I. Our Unity In Christ (3:26-29).

1. The means of our unity (v.26).
2. The expression of our unity (v.27).
3. The benefits of our unity (vv.28-29).

II. Our Privilege In Christ (4:1-7).

1. We are delivered from the bondage of sin (vv.1-3).
2. We have joy in our spiritual freedom from sin (vv.4-7).

Lesson Nine:
"Avoiding Spiritual Relapses" (4:8-11)

I. What They Were Before Christ (v.8).

1. They were ignorant of God (v.8a).
2. They were enslaved to their religious superstitions and practices (v.8b).

II. What They Are In Christ (v.9a).

1. They now had a personal relationship with God.
2. They now were known personally by God.

III. What They Will Be In Legalism (vv.9b-11).

1. They would be turning from grace and liberty, to the law and bondage (vv.9b-10).
2. They would be endangering the work that had been accomplished for Christ (v.11).

Lesson Ten:
"A True Christian Friend" (4:12-20)

I. Will Always Be Truthful With You (vv.12-16).

1. True Christian friendship always seeks what is best for others (v.12a).
2. True Christian friendship accepts others as they are (vv.12b-14).
3. True Christian friendship will help others to be mindful of who they are in Christ (vv.15-16).

II. Will Not Misuse You (vv.17-18).

1. True Christian friendship isn't based upon ulterior motives (v.17).
2. True Christian friendship doesn't try to monopolize others (v.18).

III. Will Love You Like Their Own Family (vv.19-20).
1. True Christian friendship is deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare of others (v.19).

2. True Christian friendship desires to be present during the times of need (v.20).

Lesson Eleven:
"A Believer's Genealogy"(4:21-31)

I. Our Genealogy (vv.21-23).

1. Paul's Challenging Question (v.21).
2. The Biblical Account (vv.22-23; Gen.11-21).

II. Interpreting Our Genealogy (vv.24-27).

1. Paul's figurative interpretation (vv.24-26).
2. Isaiah's prophecy fulfilled (v.27; Isa.54:1).

III. Applying Our Genealogy (vv.28-31).

1. The similarity of Christians to Isaac (v.28).
2. The similarity of Legalist to Ishmael (v.29).
3. The solution to legalism (v.30).
4. The reminder to live according to your spiritual birthright (v.31).

Lesson Twelve:
"Standing Firm In Our Liberty In Christ" (5:1)

I. Our Liberty (v.1a).

1. Our Liberator.
2. Our Freedom.

II. Our Commitment To Liberty (v.1b).

1. Be steadfast in your liberty.
2. Be persistent in your liberty.

III. Our Admonition To Shun Legalism (v.1c).

1. Legalism ensnares.
2. Legalism enslaves.

Lesson Thirteen:
"Comparing The Benefits Of Legalism and Grace" (5:2-6)

I. What Legalism Offers The Believer (vv.2-4).

1. It provides no spiritual benefit to the believer (v.2).
2. It enslaves the believer under the yoke of the whole law (v.3).
3. It hinders the believer's blessings and fellowship with God (v.4).

II. What Grace Offers The Believer (vv.5-6).

1. It provides the believer with a real hope of righteousness (v.5).
2. It manifests itself in the believer's life (v.6).

Lesson Fourteen:
"The Profile Of A Legalist" (5:7-12)

I. Their Modus Operandi (vv.7-9, 11-12).

1. They interfere in the spiritual growth of Christians (v.7).
2. Their teaching is unbiblical and spreads easily (vv.8-9).
3. They stir up trouble and persecute those who disagree with them (vv.11-12).

II. Their Just Dessert (v.10).

1. Their false teaching will eventually fail (v.10a).
2. They will be severely judged by God (v.10b).

Lesson Fifteen:
"Called To Freedom, Not License Or Legalism" (5:13-15)

I. Our Call To Freedom (v.13a).

1. Our calling.
2. Our Freedom.

II. Where Freedom Exists (vv.13b-14).

1. It should not be abused (v.13b).
2. It should seek what is best for all (vv.13c-14).

III. When Freedom Fails (v.15).

1. Strife ensues (v.15a).
2. Destruction follows (v.15b).

Lesson Sixteen:
"The Believer's Walk - Part I" (5:16-18)
(Our Walking Orders)

I. We Are Commanded To Walk (v.16).

1. Our walk is to be continual (v.16a).
2. The results of continually or not continually walking in the Spirit (v.16b).

II. We Are Reminded Of The Difficulty Of Our Walk (v.17).

1. There is a constant struggle within us (v.17a).
2. Our struggle should be reminder to us not to walk in the flesh (v.17b).

III. We Are To Be Leadable In Our Walk (v.18).

1. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit (v.18a).
2. We are not to be led by our own devises (v.18b).

Lesson Seventeen:
"The Believer's Walk - Part II" (5:19-21)
(Walking In The Flesh)

I. The Evidence Of Walking In The Flesh (vv.19-21a, b, c).

1. The openness of our walk (v.19a).
2. The various types of evidence (vv.19b-21a, b, c).
A. Sexual Sins (v.19b).
1) Immorality.
2) Impurity.
3) Sensuality.
B. Spiritual Sins (v.20a).
1) Idolatry.
2) Sorcery.
C. Societal Sins (vv.20b-21a).
1) Enmities.
2) Strife.
3) Jealousy.
4) Outbursts of anger.
5) Disputes.
6) Dissensions.
7) Factions.
8) Envying.
D. Intemperance Sins (v.21b).
1) Drunkenness.
2) Carousing.
E. Other Sins (v.21c).
- All others things like those mentioned above.

II. The Result Of Walking In The Flesh (v.21d).

1. It may indicate a lack of genuine salvation.
2. It leads to the loss of rewards for a true believer.

Lesson Eighteen:
"The Believer's Walk - Part III" (5:22-26)
(Walking In The Spirit)

I. The Evidence Of Walking In The Spirit (vv.22-23).

1. Our inner relationship with God (v.22a).
A. Love.
B. Joy.
C. Peace.
2. Our treatment of others (v.22b).
A. Patience.
B. Kindness.
C. Goodness.
3. Our conduct (vv.22c-23).
A. Faithfulness.
B. Gentleness.
C. Self-control.

II. The Provisions That Make Our Walk Possible (vv.24-25).

1. Christ's death (v.24).
2. Regeneration and the Holy Spirit's indwelling (v.25).

III. The Practical Application Of Walking By The Spirit (v.26).

1. It will keep us from being conceited.
2. It will keep us from provoking one another.
3. It will keep us from envying one another.

Lesson Nineteen:
"Our Christian Responsibilities - Part I" (6:1)
(Restoring Our Fallen)

I. Who Are The Fallen? (v.1a)

1. Fellow believers in Jesus Christ.
2. Those who been overtaken in their sins.

II. Who May Help? (v.1b)

1. Those who are spiritual.
2. The distinguishing marks of a spiritual believer.

III. How Do We Restore The Fallen? (v.1c)

1. With gentleness.
2. With caution.

Lesson Twenty:
"Our Christian Responsibilities - Part II" (6:2-5)
(Doing Our Part)

I. To Help Others To Carry Excessive burdens (vv.2-4).

1. We are to help other believers who have been overcome by heavy burdens (v.2).
2. We are to lay aside our personal attitudes so that we can help others (vv.3-4).

II. To Carry Our Own Normal Responsibilities (v.5).

1. The normal Christian load isn't overwhelming.
2. Each of us are accountable for doing our part.

Lesson Twenty-One:
"Our Christian Responsibilities - Part III" (6:6-10)
(Sharing Our Blessings With One Another)

I. We Are To Be Willing To Share With Those Who Teach Us (vv.6-9).

1. Believers are to support their pastor-teachers (v.6).
2. The principle of sowing and reaping (vv.7-9).

II. We Are To Be Willing To Share With Others In Need (v.10).

1. We are to be willing to help all men (v.10a).
2. We have a special obligation to help other Christians (v.10b).

Lesson Twenty-Two:
"In What Do You Place Your Faith?" (6:11-18)

I. A Graceless Faith (vv.12-13).

1. Exists only to please men (v.12a).
2. Motivates others by fear (v.12b).
3. Is hypocritical (v.13a).
4. Boasts in itself (v.13b).

II. A Grace-filled Faith (vv.14-16).

1. Boasts only in the cross of Christ (v.14a).
2. Truly liberates us from the penalty of sin (v.14b).
3. Empowers us to live the Christian life (vv.15-16).

III. Paul's Closing Comments (vv.17-18).

1. The marks of true faith (v.17).
2. The desire for God's grace to be realized (v.18).