"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

Bewitched And Befooled (3:1-5)

INTRODUCTION
  1. When Paul wrote of his concern to the churches in Galatia...
    1. He described them as "foolish" - Ga 3:1,3
      1. For seeking to be perfected by the flesh - e.g., via circumcision
      2. For suffering many things in vain, as their salvation was endangered - cf. Ga 5:4-8
    2. He wondered if they had been "bewitched" - Ga 3:1
      1. A word (baskaino) which means "to be fascinated" (Strong), "charmed" (Thayer)
      2. Led astray by charming misrepresentations
    3. He sought to reason with them - Ga 3:1-5
      1. Was not Christ clearly portrayed to them as crucified?
      2. Had they not received the Spirit by the hearing of faith rather than by the works of the Law?
      3. Had not the One who supplied the Spirit done so through the hearing of faith?
  2. Could we face similar dangers today...?
    1. Might someone "bewitch" and "befool" us through false representations?
    2. Should we not be led by calm reasoning rather than fascinating claims?

[We may indeed find ourselves "Bewitched And Befooled", for the Scriptures reveal there is...]

  1. A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER
    1. DANGER CLEARLY DECLARED...
      1. Jesus and John warned of false prophets - Mt 7:15; 1Jn 4:1
      2. Paul warned of false apostles, ministers of Satan - 2Co 11:13-15
      3. He warned of being cheated through philosophy and principles of the world - Col 2:8
      4. He warned of some departing from the faith- 1Ti 4:1-3
      5. He warned of being turned aside to fables - 2Ti 4:3-4
      6. Peter warned of false teachers with destructive heresies, by covetousness exploiting with deceptive words - 2Pe 2:1-3
      -- Such warnings clearly confirm the danger of being "Bewitched And Befooled"
    2. DANGER CLEARLY PRESENT...
      1. We are beleaguered by traditions of men (e.g., Catholicism and denominationalism)
      2. We are assaulted by philosophies of men (e.g., humanism, secularism, postmodernism)
      3. We are allured by false teachers who appeal to greed (e.g., gospel of health and wealth)
      4. We are challenged by false doctrines denying God and Jesus (e.g., evolution, the 'Jesus Seminar')
      5. We are assailed by changing trends (easy divorce, same-sex marriage)
      -- The world has clearly been "Bewitched And Befooled"; what about us?

    [Yes, there is "a clear and present danger" that we face today. If we are to avoid being "Bewitched And Befooled", then consider from our text (Ga 3:1-5) what is...]

  2. THE SOLUTION
    1. REMEMBER WHAT HAS BEEN CLEARLY PORTRAYED...
      1. Jesus and Him crucified - Ga 3:1
        1. Proclaimed by the apostles - 1Co 1:23-24; 2:2
        2. Proclaimed in the Lord's Supper - 1Co 11:26
      2. Never forget that Jesus was crucified for our sins
        1. Thus the Law of Moses with its works (e.g., circumcision) can't save us
        2. Nor can any doctrine which denies God and the need for Jesus' death
        -- There is no other gospel that can save us - Ro 1:16; Ga 1:8-9
    2. REMEMBER HOW ONE RECEIVES THE SPIRIT...
      1. It is by the hearing of faith - Ga 3:2
        1. Promised to those who believe, repent and are baptized - Jn 7:37-39; Ac 2:38
        2. Given to those who are the children of God - Ga 4:6
      2. Never forget that our spiritual lives began in the Spirit - Ga 3:3
        1. We are born of the Spirit - Jn 3:5; Tit 3:5
        2. We are strengthened by the Spirit in the inner man - Ep 3:16
        -- There is no other means by which we can grow as Christians - Ro 8:9-14
    3. REMEMBER WHO SUPPLIED THE SPIRIT AND WORKED MIRACLES...
      1. It was God - Ga 3:5
        1. Who poured out the Spirit abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior - Tit 3:6
        2. Who bore witness by the signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit - He 2:4
      2. Never forget that God bore witness to Christ and His apostles - He 2:3
        1. Miracles confirmed those sent out by the Lord - cf. Mk 16:19-20
        2. What miracles have been done by false teachers, foolish professors, pompous theologians who would mislead us today?
        -- There is no other way to know the will and word of God other than through the apostles of Jesus Christ - 1Jn 4:5-6
CONCLUSION
  1. Many people today have been "Bewitched And Befooled"...
    1. Evidenced by the many different religions
    2. Exhibited by the rapidly changing moral standards
    -- Too many people are being misled so they do not obey the truth
  2. If we desire not to be "Bewitched And Befooled"...
    1. Then follow Jesus who was crucified for our sins
    2. Listen to Him and His apostles with "the hearing of faith"

Only then can we be sure to "know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - Jn 8:31-32