Is It the Spirit or Your Efforts?

Is It the Spirit or Your Efforts?
Galatians 3:1-6

Pastor Terry Wilcox

J.B. Phillips translated Galatians 3:1, “Oh you dear idiots of Galatia…who has been casting a spell over you?”

New English Bible, “You stupid Galatians! You must have been bewitched.”

The picture painted by the Greek word proegraphe is such, that the crucified Jesus is a billboard to us.

Two concepts in Galatians 3:2 central to the gospel:
  Holy Spirit and hearing with faith.

1. Holy Spirit (mentioned 18 times)
   Romans 8:9
   John 3:5-6
   I Corinthians 12:12-13

   The challenge of teaching on the Holy Spirit is that of communicating publically that which is an intensely personal experience. 

Three Truths About the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit is not to be confused with increased human power.
   Paul emphasized human cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
2. Every Christian is a receipient.

   “Conversion is the beginning of an ongoing process of ‘little’ conversions in which the different dimensions of our characters are converted, changed, and born anew to the Christ-life.”
   -Dr. Maxie Dunnam

3. Paul insisted there is diversity of gifts.
   I Corinthians 12:4-11
   Ephesians 5:18
   · Verb “be filled” (pleroo means to take control of) as be controlled.
   · In Greek the mood is imperative = a command.
   · In Greek present tense = continuous action.
   · In Greek passive voice = the subject. “You” is not the actor. God (the Holy Spirit) is the actor.
   · In Greek the verb is plural = includes all of us.
   Titus 3:4-7

Personal Notes