Trinity for Norman

J. Gresham Machen in "What is Faith?" says, “Faith is indeed intellectual; it involves an apprehension of certain things as facts; and vain is the modern effort to divorce faith from knowledge. But although faith is intellectual, it is not only intellectual. You cannot have faith without having knowledge; but you will not have faith if you have only knowledge.”

We see the glorious order that grace always precedes faith.

1. Grace First-Establishes Glorious Faith
2. Grace First-Establishes Glorious Calling
3. Grace First-Establishes Glorious Motives

An adequate understanding of the author of this letter’s identity should draw us to carefully and enthusiastically examine Jesus and His gospel.

I.   Paul is a servant of Christ Jesus
II.  Paul was called to be an apostle by Christ Jesus
III. Paul was set apart for the gospel of God about Christ Jesus

Galatians 4:1-7

The preacher, as he seeks to understand the meaning of life, meditating upon the breakdown in our world, counsels the assembly about pursuing wisdom and how this relates to our legacy.

The Preacher is meditating upon the vanity of seeking meaning in life without regard to God. As he closes, he makes numerous memorable statements, we will focus on the concept of wisdom being to the right and folly to the left in light of God’s “right-handedness” and our call to be right-handed.   

The Preacher is meditating upon the vanity of seeking meaning in life without regard to God.  He considers how to wisely enjoy good food, drink, clothes, etc.

The preacher, as he seeks to understand the meaning of life, meditating upon the lack of control he had over his life and the wisdom he has gained through returning to fear God.

The preacher, as he seeks to understand the meaning of life, meditating upon the tragedy of moral failure and the wisdom he has gained through returning to fear God.