Christ Fellowship Northwest

Free to Love | Galatians 5:1–15

Free to Love Galatians 5:1–15 Preacher: Jared Thomas Date Preached: August 2nd, 2026 Paul calls believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for them. The gospel liberates us from the burden of seeking righteousness through the law, and any attempt to return to legalism is a rejection of the sufficiency of Christ. Our justification rests entirely in his finished work, received by faith alone. Yet Christian freedom is not freedom to indulge the flesh. Having been set free from sin and self-righteousness, believers are now free to serve one another in love. Through the Holy Spirit, faith expresses itself in love, fulfilling the law's true intent. The freedom Christ gives is not self-centered independence but joyful obedience that seeks the good of others and brings glory to God. Topics: Christian Freedom, Love, Faith, Justification, Sanctification, Holy Spirit, Law, Christian Living, Gospel

Children of Promise | Galatians 4:21–31

Children of Promise Galatians 4:21–31 Preacher: Daniel Barta Date Preached: July 26th, 2026 Paul concludes his defense of justification by faith by returning to the Old Testament account of Hagar and Sarah. Through this inspired illustration, he contrasts two ways of relating to God: one through the law and human effort, the other through God's promise fulfilled in Christ. Ishmael, born according to the flesh, represents those who seek righteousness by their own works, while Isaac, the child of promise, represents those who receive God's grace through faith. This passage reminds us that our standing before God is not determined by our performance but by our union with Christ. All who trust in him are the true children of Abraham, heirs of God's covenant promises, and citizens of the Jerusalem above. Because we belong to Christ, we are no longer slaves striving to earn God's favor but sons and daughters who have received his promised inheritance by grace. Topics: Promise, Abraham, Justification, Faith, Covenant, Union with Christ, Adoption, Freedom, Gospel

Before the Word: Children of Promise | Galatians 4:21–31

Before the Word is a podcast series by Christ Fellowship Northwest in Greenville, SC. Before the Word episodes air weekly, and in each episode one of our pastors walks phrase by phrase through the biblical text that will be preached the following Sunday. From May 25 through August 9, these episodes will walk through the entire letter of the apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia. Resource ‘Allegory’ Might Not Mean What You Think (Carson Center) [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/allegory-mean-you-think/] Summary Paul turns to the account of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate two fundamentally different ways of relating to God. Ishmael, born according to the flesh, represents those who seek their standing before God through the law and human effort. Isaac, the child of promise, represents those who receive God's blessing through faith in his gracious provision. Paul shows that God's true heirs are not those who rely on their own obedience but those who trust in Christ, the promised Seed through whom the covenant promises are fulfilled. Those united to Christ are the legitimate children of promise and heirs of God's kingdom. Truth Statement God's true children are born through his promise, not through human effort or law-keeping. Instruction Do not seek your identity or acceptance before God through your own performance. Rejoice that, through faith in Christ, you have been made a true heir of God's promises and belong to his family by grace.

Before the Word: From Slaves to Heirs | Galatians 4:1–20

Before the Word is a podcast series by Christ Fellowship Northwest in Greenville, SC. Before the Word episodes air weekly, and in each episode one of our pastors walks phrase by phrase through the biblical text that will be preached the following Sunday. From May 25 through August 9, these episodes will walk through the entire letter of the apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia. Resource "Adoption" (TGC Essay) by David Garner [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/adoption/] Summary Paul explains that God's saving work does more than free sinners from condemnation—it brings them into his family. Before Christ came, God's people lived under the guardianship of the law, awaiting the fulfillment of his promises. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son to redeem those under the law so that they might receive adoption as sons. Through faith in Christ, believers are no longer slaves but heirs, and the Spirit of God's Son testifies within them that they belong to the Father. Paul concludes with a heartfelt appeal for the Galatians to remain faithful to the gospel and not return to the slavery from which Christ has delivered them. Truth Statement Through faith in Christ, God redeems sinners, adopts them as his children, and gives them his Spirit as heirs of his promises. Instruction Live as a beloved son or daughter of God. Do not return to the slavery of self-righteousness or legalism, but rest in your Father's love and walk in the freedom Christ has secured for you.

The Law and the Promise | Galatians 3:15–29

The Law and the Promise Galatians 3:15–29 Preacher: Pastor Jared Thomas Date Preached: July 12th, 2026 Paul explains that God's promise to Abraham was never replaced or revised by the giving of the Law. The covenant of promise, established by God and fulfilled in Christ, remains the foundation of our inheritance. The Law served a temporary purpose: exposing sin and guarding God's people until the promised Offspring arrived. Now that Christ has come, all who trust in him are united to God's promised Seed and receive the inheritance by faith rather than by works of the law. Clothed with Christ, believers are no longer defined by the divisions of the old covenant world but are one in him as heirs according to the promise. God's plan of redemption has always rested on his gracious promise, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Topics: Abrahamic Covenant, Law, Promise, Jesus Christ, Justification, Faith, Union with Christ, Covenant Theology, Inheritance