Do not be a hypocryte
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Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Prayer
Now , pay attention this is a small word but a big meaning
Now,
this is some time later … later than what?
Last wee we discussed How Paul submitted himself to the as he called them the pillars of the church the Apostles of Christ to evaluate his preaching to ensure that he was in fact preaching the truth of Christ and had not run in vein ...
Now some time after this,,,..... in another city we were in Jerusalem last week this week we find Paul and Peter in Antioch
Remember Paul had been affirmed by Peter back in Verse 8-10
(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
They affirmed his calling and teachings to the gentiles when they extended him the right hand of fellowship
So setting the Scene Pau had once submitted to these Pillars some tie ago ad now Paul withstands the mainly Peter because the Legalist that came from Jerusalem with James were here amoungst them Peter subtly fears them and moves tables to sit with the Jews
Have you ever had anyone agree with you in private but when more influetial people are around drop you like a diseased fruit
This is essentially what Peter dd with the Gentiles
Antioch was a paculure place with Jews and gentiles mixed in the congregation there were different tables for the Jew especially the leagalist still wanted to follow the dietary laws , and to eat with a gentile was to be unclean
this put pressure on Peter
Have you ever had anyone put pressure on you to do the wrong thing
We know that Peter knew this was wrong because the Lord had already addressed this issue with Peter back int the book of Acts
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
So Peter knew better and still chose to be like a hypocrite, Pauls words not mine
What made him a hypocyrite
He had affirmed Pauls Gospel to the gentile the doctrines of the Jewish leagalist had been disrupted , Peter himself was given a dream by God that all Who come to God Jew and Gentile alike will be welcome, Now he leaves the table of the gentile to sit at the table of the Jew as if the gentile were not worthy and the Jew was better.
This angered Paul rightfully so
WE see a public rebuke of Peter before all Jewish and gentiles of the church alike ,
This was not the time to simply quietly pull perter aside and say hey what are you doing.
Peters actions had already influenced Barnabas and others As a Pillar a leader of the church His actions deeds and words were weighed
This is still true to day if you want to lead a church be a deacon a pastor a youth minister a worship minister your deeds actions words carry weight to either reaffirm the Gospel or to put doubt in it
Examples
Parents you are too watched and your actions are carefully considered by your parents
Christians you too are watched your actions are too a representation of a life led by God or a gross hypocrite who claims God but lives as his own
Paul after his harsh i bet uncomfortable and embarrassing for peter anyway public rebuke Moves to make his claim against the leagalists again this time he asserts a core doctrine of the christian faith one that is so important this we must all see as a fundamental belief of any true believer and this is why its found in this book remember in Chapter one Paul asserts if anyone preaches another Gospel let the be accursed so here He is drawing the line for what the other gospel was in his time and situation
The Jews were trying to enforce Jewish laws on the church and the converted gentiles of the church Paul unashamedly unapologetic defends the Gospel of By grace through faith alone
Justification
Galatians 2:14–21 (NKJV)
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Here Paul addresses the issue clearly by saying this
When I saw that they were not walking a straight path in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you have been living like a Gentile, not like a Jew. How, then, can you try to force Gentiles to live like Jews?” Jews and Gentiles Are Saved By Faith Indeed, we are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners”, as they are called. Yet we know that a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires. We, too, have believed in Christ Jesus in order to be put right with God through our faith in Christ, and not by doing what the Law requires. For no one is put right with God by doing what the Law requires. If, then, as we try to be put right with God by our union with Christ, we are found to be sinners as much as the Gentiles are—does this mean that Christ is serving the cause of sin? By no means! If I start to rebuild the system of Law that I tore down, then I show myself to be someone who breaks the Law. So far as the Law is concerned, however, I am dead—killed by the Law itself—in order that I might live for God. I have been put to death with Christ on his cross, so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. I refuse to reject the grace of God. But if a person is put right with God through the Law, it means that Christ died for nothing!
The doctrine of justification of Faith not of works is also clearly seen in
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
So we are saved merely as a gift of God not anything Not anything you have done, Not your good works not your church attendance not your tithing not your knowledge of the word nothing not even your own decision, all these things are thing we could do, if we could work our self to God we would brag if we could be good enough we could look down on others and think wow if they would just be like me they would be saved , if we could do enough good we would look out and say like Nebuchadnezzar look at all i have built look at all i have don, if we could know enough we would say look i have studied and studied until i knew christ if you study like me you too could be saved , if we could by our own will and desire make a choice for salvation we would say look be like me choose God like I chose God make better choices Im saved because I make good choices , No my dear friend it is not of you at all Salvation is a Gift Of God through the Gift of Faith by God through the Gift of repentance by God , not of yourself least any man shall boast
Scripture tell s us
Psalms 14:2-3
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”
In
Romans 7:18, Paul says, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
In ourselves, we cannot seek after God, for the simple reason that seeking God is a good and holy thing. Sinful flesh is incapable of good and holy things
Isaiah 64:6
Is 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44).
In other words, the only way we can seek God is if the Holy Spirit has first stirred our hearts with a desire for God. It is God who draws us to Himself.
Ephesians 2:8 underscores this truth: “By grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God.” Even the faith to believe for salvation does not originate within our fleshly nature.
God Himself enables the fallen human heart to seek Him, when in our own self-centered rebellion we would never do so. Every good thing originates with God (James 1:17).
Faith in God is a good thing, and so Faith the saving Faith in trusting in God that declares to the heavens and earth you are justified also originates with God.
Even our best efforts fall far short of the righteousness required by God (Romans 3:23).
All fall short of the Glory of God
That’s why Scripture says that no one seeks God. We seek fulfillment. We seek pleasure. We seek escape from pain.
But the pure motivation of seeking after God for Himself is a gift from God. We are not saved because we had the wisdom and insight to exercise our own faith and trust God. No one wakes up one day and, on his own, decides to seek God.
That would be a salvation by our own works, and Scripture is clear we are saved only by the grace and mercy of God
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
. We are saved when God touches our hearts and prompts us to use the faith He gives to receive His gift of salvation
. Even with the knowledge of God’s existence everywhere, people naturally choose to “suppress the truth by their wickedness” Romans 1:18–20
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Because no one naturally seeks God, God seeks us.
He sought Adam and Eve as they hid in the Garden (Genesis 3:9), and He has been seeking His lost loved ones ever since. Jesus gave this as His mission statement: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
When God saves us, we are born again. He opens our eyes to the truth; He gives us faith and forgiveness and fellowship with Him. We become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In our newness of life, we are given godly desires Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
, a cleansed heart Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
and a new mind 1 Corinthians 2:16
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
In the power of the Holy Spirit, we begin to truly seek after God. “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”
Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44)
. In other words, the only way we can seek God is if the Holy Spirit has first stirred our hearts with a desire for God. It is God who draws us to Himself.
This leaves many questions I know
Why ME is the one I struggle with the most why me the most unworthy of all I know why has God so chosen me
Because He loved me and you Thats it that the reason
Because i have no claim to my own saved state I must be in awe of the awesome God it drives me to my knees to think His word says to me
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
This drives me to my knees knowing my unworthiness knowing my untrustworthy knowing the selfishness knowing the self absorption, knowing all the times i chose me over God and How in that i do not deserve a drop of God amazing grace , But God
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
This causes me to live my best for him in adoration of him in respect of him in honor to him because he would be right to leave me to walk away from me but he hasn't and because of that it drives me to serve him to work for him to worship him in spirit and truth because there is no one like him that loves like him a enemy of His and He gave his life for me. Let us pray
Lord draw your net today call us all back to you this morning lord please do a work in our hearts bring revival to our souls today bring awareness of you today before our eyes that we would live a life of love and passion the is worthy of the calling of the sacrifice of the debt that you have paid on our behalf lord change our hearts give us the heart of flesh rip out these hardened hearts give us the gift of repentance the gift of faith the gift of love that we would love you and your kingdom and serve you with intention all of our days in jesus name amen