Freedom – Week 2
Passage:
For I would have you know brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.” (Gal. 1:11-24)
Prayer:
Intro:
So last week we started our series through the book of Galatians. Pastor Jim opened up our series talking about the situation that led to Paul writing the letter to the churches – that are in the region of Galatia – or as we would know it today – modern day Turkey.
- In Acts 13 and 14 we see that Paul went to that region on his first missionary journey – and brought the gospel to this region and TONS of people were saved – and Paul planted several churches – and trained pastors to shepherd the flock there –
But after Paul left – as we saw last week – the churches begin to have a big problem.
- And that problem is that there are teachers that are coming in that are distorting the gospel and the people are falling for it –
- In fact – look back up at verse 6 – Paul says “I am astonished that you are turning to a different gospel!”
For I would have you know brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
- he says – there’s a big difference between the gospel of man – and the gospel of Jesus –
He says – the gospel of God didn’t come from the mind of men – It came from the heart of God – that’s why we can call it good news – because the gospel isn’t about the stuff that you do – and you bring to the table – but it’s about what Jesus has already done!
- and to illustrate this – Paul shares his testimony with us – take a look –
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
- “No one is so good that they don’t need the grace of the gospel, nor so bad that they can’t receive the grace of the gospel.”
and that’s exactly what Paul’s story illustrates that through the gospel of Jesus – God’s grace reaches everywhere –
Then he continues and says – that in addition to how much he oppressed the church – he talks about how faithful and zealous he was to the Old Testament law –
And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
Paul says – You think you can IMPRESS God by the stuff that you are doing?!
Look at my FORMER life!
He says – so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
- Meaning “I did the right thing! I Followed all the rules!” but he missed the point.
But when he who set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
- It’s at this point that Paul talks about when he met Christ on the road – most of you know this story – You can read about it in Acts 9
Paul was on his way to go kill Christians in Damascus – with his goons – and as he is on the road – Jesus appears in bright light and blinds Paul – and Jesus says “why do you persecute me?”
- And Paul replies – Who are you?! and Jesus replies – “I am Jesus the one you persecute – and we see in this text – that is is the point where Paul meets Jesus.
But Paul’s story does not stop there after being saved. God calls him to show God’s grace to other people. Look at the text –
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, ‘He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.”
- What I love about this ending – is that as Paul comes to know Christ – and rests in the gospel. and his life is changed – even though he never met all these people in all these different churches all around Jerusalem – his testimony of a changed life resonated everywhere – the guy that used to kill Christians is now preaching the gospel – and the text says – “they glorified God because of me.” meaning – that Paul testimony – didn’t bring Paul glory but it brought God glory.