Coming to the Still Waters

  I am sure I have written this before but I am my worst critic at times when it comes to my sermons and also my delivery of the material.  This Sunday was one of them that I am thankful I have the avenue of this blog to clarify somethings that came out of my mouth and those that got stuck in my brain.   Paul has given the personal argument of "Did you receive...?" Paul goes to the Scriptural argument and provides 6 Old Testament references. Paul moves onto the logical argument of "If this, then that." Paul introduces the historical argument of how a physical inheritance works to the heir. Paul finishes with the sentimental argument of "I plead with you..." and "My dear children,..." The final argument will be the allegorical argument using Hagar and Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac, and the old Jerusalem and the new Jerusalem. We find Christmas in Galatians in 4:4-5 (NIV, 1978). "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, (like John 3:16

  What a great graphic to explain a word.  Knowing how to read music I loved to see the  cres.  signature between the staffs or to see the " less than " sign (<) in mathematics because is the just the opposite in music.  Usually you would also see the f or ff or better yet fff with the crescendo sign.  This was what every trumpet player was looking for.  I'm sure it was true also for those in the percussion section.  It is time to get loud about something. Paul builds to the great crescendo in our passage today.  He has taken the Gentile Galatian Christians through the personal and Scriptural arguments of their assurance of their God provided salvation through Christ alone.  Now he adds the logical argument, if that, then this. I love how Paul doesn't throw out the law, he just puts it back into perspective and gives us its purpose and limitations.  It is inferior to the promise.  It needs a mediator where the promise does not.  It is in place because of our sins

  Hopefully this old photo grabs your attention.  The young lady on the far right is Fanny Crosby who is blind but wrote these beautiful words. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine  Oh what a foretaste of glory divine E'er of salvation, purchase of blood  Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood This is my story, this is my song  Praising my Savior all the day long This is my story, this is my song  Praising my Savior all the day long Paul is in all out mode to help the Gentile Galatian Christians to be assured that their salvation in Christ alone as enough.  It is sufficient.  It is all that the Scriptures teach.  Anyone adding to this gospel is diminishing the gospel that they have heard.  I keep going back to Galatians 1:3-5 (LSB) for this simple description of the gospel and I have put in some parentheses of who, what, where, when, why and how. (What is the gospel) Grace to you and peace from   (Who gives it) God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,   (How is it given) who gave Him