## Hindrances to Faith

## Galatians 5:7

Four sad words found in our verse tonight, 'You Did Run Well'. They speak of past blessings, but also of present failure. What were some of the former blessings in Galatia?

- Their first contact with the Gospel (4:13)
- Their reception and care of Paul (4:14)
- Their love for Paul (4:15)
- Their former obedience to the truth (3:1)

Something had happened. They had been obedient, they had been running the race well. However, Paul points out that something or someone had been hindering their faith. That is not just true of the believers in Galatia. It is also true of us today. Many start out serving God, but somewhere along the way wind up by the wayside. Consider with me tonight some of the hindrances of our faith.

I. The Hindrance of False Teachers (1:1-9)

A. Paul's tenderly greets the believers in Galatia.

1. He confirms his calling (v. 1)

2. He comes to them with grace and peace from God (v. 3)

3. He rehearses the true Gospel (v. 4)

4. He gives God the glory (v. 5)

B. False teachers had come to confuse the Galatians (v. 6)

1. Not really concerned with reaching the lost

2. Preying on those already trusting in Christ

3. This is so true today, they bring another Gospel...which is not another!

a. 'Another' = alike ex. Another diet Pepsi

b. 'Another' = different ex. Another wrench

c. This gospel was different from the gospel that Paul had taught them.

C. Paul uses some strong language to condemn these false teachers

1. Regardless of their claims of authority, Paul condemns them.

2. He does so on the basis of their teaching!

3. They are perverting the Gospel (v. 7)

4. Let those who do so be accursed (v. 8)

a. The word Paul uses is 'Anathema'.

b. It means devoted to destruction.

c. Paul says that they are to be destroyed for their false teaching.

D. The nature of the false teaching

1. A mixture of law and grace for salvation.

2. They had said, "Trusting Christ is good, but also you need to keep the O.T. law."

3. They were adding to the teaching of Christ, and in effect were saying that the death of Christ was not sufficient.

4. Any and every group today who teach that we must do something to attain salvation are saying the death of Christ was not sufficient.

5. We receive salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary!

E. Paul refutes this false teaching.

1. Gal. 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

2. Note: Galatians 3:1-2

I. The Hindrance of False Teachers

II. The Hindrance of Fighting Christians

(Gal 5:15) "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

A. Biting and devouring one another.

1. What an awful picture.

2. Visualize what Paul is saying here.

3. Not just biting...but devouring.

4. Christians portrayed as wild animals destroying one another.

B. Believers are to show love, not hate

1. The proof of discipleship (John 13:35)

2. "Love thy neighbor as thyself' (v. 14)

C. This was the problem in Corinth.

Note: I Cor. 3:1-4

1. Strife and divisions marks of carnality

2. Following men instead of Christ

3. Bitterness and strife are from Satan Note: James 3:14-16

4. Peace among believers is from the Lord

Note: James 3:17-18

I. The Hindrance of False Teachers

II. The Hindrance of Fighting Christians

III. The Hindrance of Those Given to the Works of the Flesh (vv. 17-21)

A. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh and the Spirit.

1. The battle: the flesh and the Spirit

2. The battleground is our minds.

3. The victory: "Walk in the Spirit"

B. We are surrounded by the works of the flesh.

1. Television, Books, Movies, and Magazines focus almost entirely the works of the flesh.

2. Headlines for daily newspapers and much of the editorial page approach the news from a purely humanistic standpoint.

3. Public schools have all but eliminated God from the student's education.

C. As believers, we must not be overcome by the flesh.

1. The fruit of the Spirit is to flow through us (5:22-23)

2. The joy of the Spirit-filled life is what sets us apart from the rest of the world.

3. The fruit of the Spirit honors our Lord.

Did we once serve Christ better than we do today? If so, then what happened? Who Has Hindered us? False teachers? Fighting Christians? The Works of the Flesh? We must recognize where we are and determine to return to the Lord, and to the place of full surrender unto Him.

Do you need to come tonight? Do you know Him as your Savior? If not, come tonight and receive Him by faith. Whatever your need, come now.