THE COST OF FOLLOWING EVIL


Last Sunday, in a message titled, THE COST OF FOLLOWING EVIL (Gal. 5:19-21), we looked at what God says His children can forfeit if we choose to not “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16-17, 21b).  Galatians 5:18 says, “if you are led in the Spirit…” which is conditional (i.e. “if”). Also, the Greek word for “led” here is “agō ” meaning to “guide,” and not “pherō” which means to “drive” or force. … Continue reading

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

Last Sunday, we continued our study in Galatians with a message titled, WALK IN THE SPIRIT (Gal. 5:14-18).  We discovered in this passage that the Law today is actually fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:3-4, etc.).  This is done through us when we love God first (Deut. 6:4-5) which then enables us to love others“as ourselves” (Gal. 5:14; Lev. 19:18; Mark 12:28-34, etc.).  … Continue reading

YOU WERE RUNNING WELL

YOU WERE RUNNING WELL… (Gal. 5:7-13) 

The Scripture never uses the image of a race to tell people how to be justified (i.e. Eph. 2:8-9), but it is only for saved people (Gal. 5:7a; 1 Cor. 9:24-26; Acts 20:24; Heb. 12:1-2, 12-13; 2 Tim. 2:7, etc.).  Just like in the Greek games which required citizenship of all its participants, to run for Jesus, you must be a citizen of His kingdom (Col. 1:13-14; Eph. 2:19; Phil. 3:20, John 3:7, etc.). … Continue reading

FAITH, THE ONLY WAY TO LOVE

Last Sunday, we continued our study in Galatians with a message titled, FAITH, THE ONLY WAY TO LOVE (Gal. 5:2-6).  In this passage, God continues to call His children who “Christ has [already set]… free” to stay free by avoiding the perils of legalism and also license- to be discussed later in this chapter (Gal. 5:1, 13, etc.).  While the act of circumcision in itself is neutral for a child of God today (e.g. Acts 16:1-3), doing that as a means to be put right with God would derail the Galatian Christians’ maturity in Christ and obligate them to a whole system of rules the false teachers in their day advocated (Gal.… Continue reading

Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

In our February 5, 2023 worship service, we held a memorial for our dear Sister Flo who passed away on New Year’s Day at the age of 90.  People shared memories from Flo’s life as we rejoiced in the fact that she, as God’s child (by grace through faith), is with Jesus in a place the Scripture says is “far better”than we can imagine (Phil. 1:23; 1 Cor. 2:9-10, etc.).  We looked also briefly at 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and the hope Christians have in the resurrection from the dead. … Continue reading

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY – STAY FREE!

In a message titled, CHRISTIAN LIBERTY- STAY FREE! (Gal. 5:1), we move from theology, in chapters 3 and 4, to our call as believers to live the life.  The Holy Spirit reminded the Galatians twice in the previous verses of their identity in Christ (Gal. 4:28 & 31) while simultaneously calling them to action: Cast outthe bondwoman and her son!” (Gal. 4:30; Gen. 21:10).  This call to action is carried over into chapter 5 as God urges them and us to “STAY FREE!”… Continue reading

YOU ARE FREE; WHAT WILL YOU DO?

In a message titled, YOU ARE FREE; WHAT WILL YOU DO? (Gal. 4:24-31), Paul completed his sixth and final doctrinal argument defending the gospel.  

The Holy Spirit uses symbolism here from a literal historical account (see Genesis 12-21) to prove that Christians are not under the Mosaic Law (i.e. Gal. 4:24a).  Abraham’s son Ishmael, who was not born in faith, is symbolic of the flesh while his son Isaac, who was born miraculously by faith, symbolizes being born of the Spirit (Gal.… Continue reading

AN ALLEGORY

In a message titled, AN ALLEGORY: ISHMAEL VERSUS ISAAC (Gal. 4:17-24a), Paul continues his doctrinal defense of the Gospel in chapters 3 and 4 as we pass from Paul’s fifth argument to start his capstone justification for our salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

In this passage, we are shown the Judaizers (i.e. “false brethren”) courted the Christians “for no good” (Gal. 4:17a; Gal. 2:4, etc.), and their devotion to the Galatian churches was only for the purpose of bringing believers under their power, influence, and authority in an effort to satisfy their “ungodly lusts” (Gal.… Continue reading

Pastor Dave

Pastor Dave Smith

My passion is to protect and promote the truth and teach others to do the same through the faithful teaching of the Bible. Gospel means “good news.” While we can have good news throughout our lives in many forms, the good news God shares with us is the forgiveness of sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Our church number is 509-796-2289 or you can also reach me at pastor@springhillchurchspokane.org.… Continue reading