Gal 1.11-24

TEXT

Galatians 1:11–24 ESV

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 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. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 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; 17 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. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

PRAYER

A - Holy Father in Heaven, you are worthy of all praise and honor and glory.

C - We confess that we will sometimes claim the powerful blood of Christ and yet not live out our newness of Christ in our flesh.

T - Thank you LORD Jesus for calling us, thank you for renewing us, thank you for equipping us, thank you for using us.

S - Renew us more, use us more, bring us more! More of you and less of myself!

INTRO

Main Idea: Paul describes how his gospel came not from man but from God and then shares how Jesus transformed his life.

Paul Gospel is God’s Gospel = Gal 1:11-12

we cannot receive salvation apart from divine imputation

The Old Man of Death = Gal 1.13-14

without Christ we are people of death

The New Man of Life = Gal 1.15-17

when we are in Christ we should be different than we were

A Testimony of Grace

MESSAGE

We are in Need of Grace.

Galatians 1:13–14 ESV

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 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.

We are not neutral we are born opposed to God.

Ps 51.5 “5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Rom 5.10 “10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Have you come to terms with this?… people not that bad?

Parents = kids / Grandparents = grandkids / Spouse’s / expectations...

Where are you still struggling with opposition to God?

do you even know what opposition to God looks like in your own heart?

Without Jesus we only leave destruction in our wake.

Rom 6.21 “21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.”

selfish choices / sinful pursuits

Without Jesus we have nothing in our lives but worldly pursuits.

Matt 23.13-27 = “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees…”

Gal 5.4 “4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.”

regret / loss / should have beens

nothing will bring fulfillment

This world lies to us and tells us we can find only which God offers elsewhere.

Where are you buying this lie?

Are you on this path of destruction

Jesus’ Work of Grace.

Galatians 1:15–17 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 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; 17 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.

The only way out of our life of death is Jesus.

predestined / called / justified

Rom 8.30 “30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

This work is all Christ !!

Has Christ been revealed to you today?

When Jesus breaks in everything changes.

2 Cor 5.17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

What is your testimony? Is there a clear change?

What still needs to change?

Where do you need a break-in?

When you are called by Him, don’t wait.

d

Matt 4.20 “20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

Matt 4.22 “22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Luke 9:59–60 “59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.””

Follow when He calls !! / Where He calls / How He calls

Share the gospel today!

Pursue the ability and clarity necessary to share well.

Pray fervently!

Walking in Faithfulness to Christ.

Gal 1.15-17 “15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 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; 17 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.”

Galatians 1:18–24 ESV

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Your walk with Christ is a personal walk with Christ.

Notice the [I’s]

no need to be sent / consult others

Jhn 21.22 “22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

How are you doing with your personal devotion time? / Prayer time? / Worship time?

How do you walk with Jesus individually? Strong or weak?

Your walk with Christ is meant to be lived out among other believers.

went to see Peter / James

Rom 12.4-5 “4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

How hungry is your heart for Christian fellowship?

Are you making time with “one another” a priority in your life?

Do you have someone that you are poring into? Poring into you? Accountability?

Your walk with Christ ought to make others recognize the difference in you.

radical change in Paul

radical change in you?

Ephesians 4:20–24 “20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

What is your testimony?

Is there a clear distinction in your life? Growing in maturity?

Are you living out loud for Jesus?

Your walk with Christ should bring glory to God.

witness

worship

Matt 5.16 “16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Good works?

Sign post or sin post?

Well done good and faithful servant?

CLOSE

Galatians 1:11–12 ESV

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Group Questions

What were Paul’s critics saying about him? Summarize his response.

From where did the gospel come? How do most religions typically propose a person can find salvation or fulfillment? How is the true gospel different?

Describe Paul’s conversion. What amazes you about it?

Some people today claim that they have received a direct message from God. How should you respond to them?

Why should Paul’s conversion and commission encourage us?

Does Paul attribute his conversion to his own efforts or to God’s grace? Explain.

What were people saying about Paul’s conversion? What does this suggest about the grace of God?

Paul’s conversion story is traumatic and dramatic, but how is it similar to the conversion experiences of all Christians?

Compare this text to 1 Timothy 1:12–17. What about these two testimony accounts most stands out to you?

What is the most important lesson you have learned from chapter 1?