GALATIANS 1:11-2:14 - B

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MAKINGS AND MARKS OF THE AUTHENTIC GOSPEL

I. THE PAST - LIFE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

A. The gospel of grace must expose our sinfulness before it can erase the status of “enemy” from our relationship with Christ

1. Paul’s life is not only his testimony but stands as our model

a. Paul was a sold out sinner

Galatians 1:13 ESV
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
Galatians 1:14 ESV
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.
FROM VERSE 14:
PAUL WAS RUNNING AWAY FROM GOD WHILE, IRONICALLY, HE BELIEVED HIMSELF TO BE SERVING GOD.
PAUL HATED THESE “PEOPLE OF THE WAY” OR, AS HISTORICALLY THEY WERE CALLED: REPENTERS - BASED ON HIS LOVE FOR JUDAISM

b. Paul believed and acted in the conviction that he was serving God and, therefore, was GODLY

Principle: Being, acting and or speaking religious is not proof of one’s salvation

Principle: Where one stands with God is only proven by where one stands with the authentic believers in Jesus.

2. Paul persecuted the church of God VIOLENTLY:

- Paul persecuted the church excessively

- Paul persecuted the church to an extreme degree

- Paul persecuted the church intensely

- Paul persecuted the church continuously

- Paul persecuted the church without mercy

3. Paul’s intention was to DESTROY the church

Galatians 1:13 ESV
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.

- Paul tried to lay the church to waste

- Paul tried to ravage the church

- Paul tried to ROB the church

4. How should we understand our life before Christ in light of Paul’s testimony?

a. PAUL’S ACTIONS WERE AGAINST THE CHURCH, BUT CHIEFLY AGAINST CHRIST

Acts 9:3–4 ESV
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 9:5 ESV
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT DO THOSE THINGS TO THE CHURCH LIKE PAUL DID WE DO THE SAME AS PAUL
UNDERSTAND THIS PRINCIPLE

PRINCIPLE: ALL OF OUR LIFE AND ACTIONS BEFORE CHRIST WERE VIOLENCE TOWARDS CHRIST AND ATTEMPTS TO ROB (DESTROY) HIM OF HIS GLORY

b. OUR SINS ARE DEMONIC-INFLUENCED ACTIONS THAT ATTEMPT TO VIOLENTLY DESTROY THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE MISSION OF GOD IN CHRIST

Outside of Christ Paul persecuted the church but prior to Christ we...

- Persecute the glory of Christ excessively

- Persecute the glory of Christ to an extreme degree

- Persecute the glory of Christ intensely

- Persecute the glory of Christ continuously

- Persecute the glory of Christ without mercy

Outside of Christ Paul tried to destroy the church but prior to Christ our actions were attempts to...

- Lay the glory of Christ to waste

- Ravage the glory of Christ

Acts 8:3 ESV
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

- ROB the the glory from Christ

This reality is the Puritans used to call the sinfulness of sin. Regardless of the intent of the action, outside of Christ, our actions stand in opposition to His glory.

Outside of Christ all of mankind are as follows (Romans 3:10-18)

Romans 3:10–11 ESV
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Romans 3:12 ESV
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:13 ESV
“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”
Romans 3:14–15 ESV
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Romans 3:16–17 ESV
in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.”
Romans 3:18 ESV
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Transition: THIS IS WHY THE GOSPEL IS IMPORTANT. Good works do not change the nature of our work

II. THE PROOF OF THE AUTHENTIC GOSPEL OF GRACE - A Radical Transformation

A. The Gospel of Grace Believed Produces A Radical Transformation

THERE ARE MANY WORDS HERE BUT THERE ARE ONLY TWO THAT SPEAK TO A POWERFUL SHIFT THAT THE GOSPEL CREATES IN THE SOUL OF A HUMAN:

FORMER (GAL 1 13)

Galatians 1:13 ESV
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.

- the word former conveys the fact that who Paul was he is no longer.

BUT” - The most powerful word in a believer’s testimony

Galatians 1:15 ESV
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

But when God (he)

But when he (God) had set me apart

But when he (God) called me through grace

But when he (God) was pleased to reveal his Son to me

B. We are transformed and transforming when we believe / trust the message of the Gospel of Grace

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1. Paul teaches that having a transformed and transforming life only takes place In Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2. Paul teaches that the gospel that saves is also the only truth that sanctifies

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

PRINCIPLE: THE REAL POWER OF A TESTIMONY IS NOT WHAT ONE HAS COME FROM BUT THE EVIDENCES OF WHAT ONE HAS AND IS BECOMING

PRINCIPLE: ONE’S TESTIMONY IS NOT MERELY THEIR PROFESSION OF CHRIST BUT THEIR PRACTICE WITH CHRIST

III. OBEDIENCE IS AN ISSUE OF THE GOSPEL BEFORE IT IS AN ISSUE OF MORAL GRIND

A. Connection to Christ’s Death is Connection to Christ’s Life

Galatians 2:20 ESV
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

B. Grace Starts and Grace Finishes God’s Work

Galatians 3:1–3 ESV
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

C. Only By the Spirit Can We Live Truly Spiritual Lives

Galatians 5:16 ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17 ESV
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Romans 8:13 ESV
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
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