Sermon Central
-
Engage And Connect
Contributed by Andy Payne on Feb 16, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Paul was accused by Jewish Christians of watering down the Christian message ... making it more appealing to Gentiles (non-Jewish Christians). Paul preached that many of the religious laws observed by the Jews for centuries did not need to be followed.
“Engage and Connect”
Last week:
Role of Christianity in society under great pressure
Influence of Christianity being eroded from our society.
i.e Laws (Judeo Christian)
Public places,
In the name of tolerance, Christians told to yield to other beliefs
Prayer (Christian nurse)
Paul’s letter to the Galatians
A dispute broke out between the two groups – Judaizers (Christian Jews) and Paul (Gentiles – non Jewish Christians)
Church in Galatia (49 A.D.) modern Turkey). Paul was accused by Jewish Christians of watering down the Christian message ... making it more appealing to Gentiles (non-Jewish Christians). Paul preached that many of the religious laws observed by the Jews for centuries did not need to be followed. They claimed that non-Christians needed to become Jews first, before becoming Christians.
At the heart of the conflict is the question, "what is the basis for authentic Christian faith?"
The answer is: No one can be saved but by the grace of God
1. The Real Deal (Gal 1:1-5)
2. There Can be Only One (Gal 1:6-10)
3. Who Said? (Gal 1:11-24)
This week: Galatians 2:1-10
1. Know your stuff
v. 1
If you are going to engage non-believers
Witness to them and bring them to Christ
You need to know your stuff.
i. Guard against false beliefs
ii. Answer questions about faith in Jesus
iii. So that our understanding of faith in Jesus can grow
2. Sometimes believers need Saving
vv. 3-5
We can get smug and believe that we know everything there is to know about our faith
Some Christians get carried (become zealous) with their faith and impose human imposed rules and regulations
Head has not connected with the heart
We cannot afford to become that Church
3. The Heart of the Matter
vv. 6-7
In church life we can encounter people who make a big deal about their status.
Be wary of these types of people.
Our allegiance is to God first.
Paul teaches to not be intimidated by “those who seemed to be important” because ALL believers are equal in Christ.
YES, we should show respect for our spiritual leaders … Paul tells us not to be intimidated by people
God doesn’t rate us according to our status – he looks at the attitude of our hearts
Next week: the Gentile Mission
Mission to non-believers
