Sermon Central
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Stupid Statements Series
Contributed by John Chisham on Dec 10, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: Stupid statements: Proof we cannot earn righteousness
Stupid Statements made by famous people.
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"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." --Mariah Carey
"Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life," --Brooke Shields, during an interview to become Spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.
"I’ve never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body," --Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.
"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country," --Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC.
"I’m not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president." --Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents.
"Half this game is ninety percent mental." --Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
"It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." --Al Gore, Vice President
"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix." --Dan Quayle
"If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure." --Bill Clinton, President
"We are ready for an unforeseen event that may or may not occur." --Al Gore, VP
"Traditionally, most of Australia’s imports come from overseas."--Keppel Enderbery
"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances."--Department of Social Services, Greenville, South Carolina
In Galatians, Paul is dealing with statements that have been made that have perverted the good news of Jesus Christ. He is dealing with those who would say that the message of the Gospel was incomplete, that there is more that was required than the precious blood of Jesus Christ offered on our behalf by the grace of God. He is dealing with a group of men that existed in his day that were wise in their own eyes, and today, we also must deal with a similar group of people who are wise in their own eyes and want to add to the requirements for salvation. Let us open up the scripture to Galatians Ch. 1:
I. Paul is God’s Apostle:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ
11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.
Paul did not go to Bible College, or even to the leading Christians of his day!- he was taught by God Himself. Apparently, people were accusing Him of teaching a different Gospel himself. Paul came with the authority of God Himself. He was called an apostle by God Himself. He was separated for the Gospel ministry by God Himself. Jesus Christ was revealed in Him by God Himself. Paul’s authority to preach came from God Himself, and He was trained by God Himself.
II. Paul’s Message is from God: Gospel of Grace
In this passage, Paul declares that he was taught this Gospel that he had preached from God Himself:
