Has the Gospel changed our lives?
Galatians, Part 2
Galatians 1:11-24
- Re: The purpose of the letter
1. To teach
2. To correct
3. To point us to Jesus
- Paul expressed clearly in last week’s study that there is only one Gospel
-- APP: There is only one source of good news; only one that changes lives
-- There is no one else that gives or brings news like this … but Jesus
- It is critical that in the study of the letter that we understand that
- This letter was given to churches in Galatia who were at best, young
-- They were new in the faith ... having just been planted … but had issues
- The teaching that Paul is doing here is challenging them to change
-- They had fallen under the spell of a false doctrine, and were being warned
-- The Gospel literally means good news, but not if it's not from God
- Read Galatians 1:11-24
- Pray
∆ Point 1 - The Gospel is not a man-made thing
- Paul’s testimony to who has given him the word to preach is critical
-- He comes in the name and authority of Christ, to preach and change lives
-- This preaching is not something he desires (not human origin - v11)
- No one could ever accomplish or feel total joy in “preaching repentance”
-- It is in this simple truth that we see ourselves and who we are
-- We are not made for confessing our faults … this is the rebellion in us
- Consider Adam in the garden ... He ran and hid when God sought him out
-- APP: This realization of who we are is critical in understanding Paul's teaching
- The word that Paul preaches has one primary source
-- It has been revealed by the Spirit, given because of Christ (v12)
- It is not something that obtained in school
-- It is not something that man gave him because he had done good things
-- It is also not given b/c he wanted to be a “gospel preacher”
- It was revealed to him because of God’s infinite plan to call us to Himself
-- APP: The same is true with us today; God's word is given to call us
- Paul was educated well beyond the scribes of his time, even the teachers (v14)
-- His knowledge of Jewish law far surpassed many of those in the temple
-- This is why his previous rejection of the Messiah was so firm; without a doubt
- Why? He expected to see the Messiah in a certain form, doing certain things
-- There was an expectation that God would come only one way, and he missed it
-- What he missed was learning that God does not conform to “our way”
- Example: As a teacher of the Law, he completely missed Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”
- What God does is call us to conform to His ways, by revealing His Grace
-- V15: IMP: God was pleased to reveal to Paul the true Messiah, Jesus
-- By setting Paul apart; he was already destined to preach God’s word to us
-- It is here that we see his true heart: he’d rather please God than man
- This is why his testimony on the road to Damascus is so critical
-- Acts 9 records the conversion of Paul, and this is the fruit of it
-- Acts 9:5, “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.”
- IMP: From the very beginning Paul confessed Jesus as Lord
-- When we reveal the truth of Christ to others it is in the same manner
- TRANS: But in order to get to the truth, there is road we must travel
∆ Point 2 – Paul’s Testimony
- Paul presents for them the second proof of how the Gospel is true
-- His argument is, “The gospel changes lives … let me tell you how”
- In essence, he tells them, “Look at what God has done to me!” (v13)
-- Not only did he persecute, but his advancement in Judaism was well known
-- Keep in mind, Paul would have been called “Rabbi Saul” by others around him
- But, when God’s grace came into his life, all of that was changed forever
-- And even more than that, his mission IS NOT based on what he previously knew
- His mission, and all that he preaches, was based on revelation (v16)
-- APP: This trump card stumps even the most ardent spectators of the faith
- His calling to an apostolic office was because He heard directly from God
-- The message was clear … go and preach to the Gentiles … and he obeyed
-- From that moment on, Christ lived within Paul as his real, tangible, Savior
∆ CHANGE SLIDE: Challenge: Do we live this way also?
- So what about us? Does Christ live within you fully?
-- Our Sunday night group this past week studied about being hungry for Him
-- It’s about living fully for and devoting ourselves only to Jesus’ commands
- Paul’s unique mission was to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, and he did!
-- How? He could’ve gone to study with disciples, but he did not (v17)
-- He went to Arabia to spend time with the Lord (was his own desert training)
- For three years (v18) he spent time in Arabia and Damascus; not Jerusalem
-- Was he afraid? Did he not want to face the Disciples? I think not!
-- This time was a time of proving for Paul; to be trained by the Spirit
-- This was a dramatic time of transformation from persecutor to Apostle
-- IMP: This was God’s time; which many of us must learn to appreciate
- Paul’s training lasted three years, and THEN he went to Jerusalem
- When Paul returned from Arabia, he was led to meet with Peter (Cephas)
-- He also met with James (the 1/2 brother of Jesus) … but no one else
-- Why is this significant? Because Peter was a huge figure in the church
-- His testimony and visit can be backed up, and his discipleship under Peter is imp
- APP: Spending time with others more spiritually mature is critical
-- Paul knew that he was not ready to meet with them, until Christ moved him to
- IMP: The same happens in our lives; perhaps we are in a training session now?
-- Training to be faithful … to show ourselves servants of Christ
-- Ever wonder what God is doing here at LFC? Why isn’t it expanding?
-- Re: Paul was trained for 3 years! And I assure you he had good/bad days also
-- Maybe this is our time of training and preparation? Doesn’t mean we stop …
- Now, look what happens when the churches learn about Paul
-- Re-read v23-24 …
∆ CHANGE SLIDE: It is God who gets the praise!
- All the churches knew of Paul was he was THE great persecutor of churches
-- There was no social media where people could follow his travels
-- They were not able to see for themselves what God is doing in his life
-- But, something happens once they heard his testimony …
- They praised the Lord because of what God has done in his life (v24)
- It is critical to see here the implication … it is what God has done, not Paul!
∆ Big Idea
- MAIN APP: When Jesus changes a life, there should be praise of God involved
-- Regardless of the circumstances, when God makes a change -- it’s awesome!
- Paul, the messenger of Grace, is trustworthy because He heard from God
-- His ministry was about sharing Christ b/c of how Christ changed Him
- Many false teachers were proclaiming a Gospel that was trash (v6)
-- Paul writes to correct this, by using his own testimony to show God’s work
- In our lives … will we praise the Lord because of what He’s accomplished?
-- This is Paul’s urging to all of us: to live in a way that honors God
-- When we do, God gets the praise and not us … b/c it’s not about you and me
- John 3:30, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”
-- Are we living that out every day … or still living to get our praise?
- Pray
