Fighting for the Gospel, Part 2: The Fight for Family

CPS: The Gospel makes us one family.

Pre-Introduction

It is a joy to be with you this morning. You can be turning to Galatians 2. Galatians 2, 11-14. I also going to ask something different this morning. Y’all hold on to your tie clips! If you are able, I’m going to ask that we stand as we read the word of Scripture. If you are physically able, I’m going to ask that we stand together.

Hear now the words of the living God

READ

These are the words of Christ and His Gospel. Let us bow our heads for pray.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you, you may be seated.

Introduction

When I was with you last, we talked about how we must fight for the Gospel. We focused in on how we must first fight for the Gospel in our hearts.

Today, I want to take it one step further. I want us to come face to face with something we must fight to defend. We must defend out unity.

Unity is of the essence of the body of Christ.

Rienk Bouke Kuiper

Unity is part and parcel of what it means to be a Christian. We as a body of believers are one giant family.

I am not talking about unity in our congregation. I am talking about unity among Christians of all stripes, of all denominations.

I remind you of Jesus’ prayer in John 17.22

John 17:22 KJV 1900

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Jesus desires that His Church be One Church. This oneness, this unity, is something we must fight for. That’s the title of today’s sermon: the fight for family. I want to show us two things this morning about this unity.

We will see the Fear of God’s People, and the Fight for God’s Family.

The Fear of God’s People (vv. 11-13)

Galatians 2:11 KJV 1900

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

But—the sharp contrast. Paul has just told us that Peter approved Paul’s message: Paul had received the right hand of fellowship, the official stamp of approval. There would not be a higher note to end on. Paul changes his tune.

When Peter was come to Antioch—This would be after the events Paul tells us in 2:1-10; we are somewhere in Acts 15:30-35

Acts 15:30–35 KJV 1900

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

At some point, after the Jerusalem council and before Paul and Barnabas split, Peter comes to visit. This is great. The spokesman of the Apostles is coming to town! No.

Withstood him to his face--usage of the word would show that this means Peter confronted Peter to his face, rather than behind his back.

2 Timothy 3:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Why? Why would Paul publicly get in Peter’s face? Did Peter pick the wrong color of the carpet?

He was to be blamed--καταγινώσκω: he was condemned by his own actions

What on earth did the Apostle Peter do what would cause this?

Galatians 2:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

He did eat with the Gentiles--It is a normal meal with Gentiles. That is the point: for Jews, you did not go and eat with Gentiles. Jesus was accused of this in Luke 15:2 , and Peter himself did this previously in Acts 10:28 . In fact, in Acts 10, God was using Peter to begin breaking down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14-16).

Luke 15:2 KJV 1900

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Acts 10:28 (KJV 1900)

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Ephesians 2:14–16 (KJV 1900)

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

When he died on that cross, our Lord did something border-line miraculous. Out of a diverse mass of filthy sinners, he made one family. One glorious family. The Gospel is not just about you being saved: it is about you becoming apart of united family of God.

And at one point, Peter was modeling that. He was sitting down with Gentiles, just like Jesus had. He was treating them like the Gospel would have him. And then something changed.

Galatians 2:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

When they were come, he withdrew and separated himself—the word “withdrew” has an almost evil idea to it. Some scholars translates it as “shrink,” like someone who is slipping away in the dark. It is as if Peter is embarrassed: he doesn’t want anyone to see how he is back up from the Gentiles once these Jews show up

Did James order these men to come? It’s clear these men are lying. James was the one who wrote the letter in Acts 15. He let the church know that Gentiles are a part of the family. These men use James’ name and influence. They cause Peter to back up from the Gentiles.

But he doesn’t just back away. He “separated himself.

separated himself--this word is commonly used of the final Judgment, when the righteous and the wicked will be separated. Here, BDAG gives the full meaning: “to remove one party from other parties so as to discourage or eliminate contact”

God’s family was being divided. Peter was having nothing to do with Gentile Christians. He actually didn’t believe there was anything wrong with them; according to Gal.2.12, he simply was afraid of the Jewish Christians. He was afraid. And that fear caused him to become a hypocrite.

Galatians 2:12 KJV 1900

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

The very people Jesus died to save, Peter backs away from. The souls purchased by Christ’s blood are given their own little space.

See what this is doing: Peter’s actions were telling the Gentile Christians that they didn’t have it. Peter, through his actions alone, was telling the Gentile Christians that they were not real believers.

Did Peter ever say those words? Nope. And he did not have to.

Application

Brethren, family of God, if there is any group under the sun that is guilty of this, it is us. Us Baptists have created a list of things a mile and a half long. We will fellowship with you ONLY IF you check every single box that we have.

With one side of our mouth, we will boldly and loudly proclaim: Jesus and Him alone! Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus! Praise God, it is Jesus and Jesus alone!

Out of the other side of our mouth, we loudly saw “and if you want me to treat you as a fellow Christian, you better make sure you have your suit on, your Southern gospel music playing, your red back hymnal, never wear shorts, and THEN I will give you a seat at my table.”

I know that many of you are thinking, “Oh no. I cannot stand that stuff. I despise that legalistic nonsense. It is the Gospel first.” I agree with you. But brethren, it is so easy to let legalism slip it. We are born legalists: we love making rules and pretending God told us to follow them!

Illustration

Let me give you an example. You go to work tomorrow in your 6x8 cubicle. You sit down to your computer, you look over at the photos you have there. You see your kids, maybe your grandkids. You love them. You even see a picture of your church, your true family. You love them.

In the cubicle next to you, is Travis. You’ve worked with him for years. He is the godliest man you know. Travis bleeds the Bible. He is in love with Jesus and Jesus’ family. No matter who he talks to, he shows God’s love. He’s been a deacon at his church for as long as you can remember, he teaches Sunday school once a month, and loves his son with all his heart.

11:30 rolls around. You head to the break room for your lunch break. You Travis is sitting over by himself. He’s praying before he eats; you can tell he’s praying for God’s family, like he always does. You head over to his table, but you stop.

You see, over here on this side is the group of Christians from all the local Baptists churches. They always sit together, like a family, but not with Travis. You see, Travis goes to First Presbyterian Church. He likes to take his son to the movies every so often; you know he has never laid eyes on anything profane. He just enjoys spending time with his son.

For those local Baptists, that’s just too much. To them, there is no possible way a real Christian can be a member of God’s family and do those things. It doesn’t matter to them that Travis can talk about Jesus more than them, it doesn’t matter that Travis believes that the Son of God became Man to make us sons of God, none of that matters! Because Travis doesn’t follow their code of laws.

You see them at their table. And you know what’s going to happen if you sit with Travis. You know exactly the kind of looks they’re going to give you, the way they will ostracize you, the way they will skirt you. And you become afraid. And just like Peter, you give in. You sit with the brethren. Your own actions start to condemn you. You feed the fracturing of God’s family.

That’s bad enough, but then you realize that you’re encouraging everyone there to do the same thing! Just like Peter does!

Galatians 2:13 KJV 1900

13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Dissembled—be a hypocrite

Peter’s actions brought others down with him: they followed his example! And what does Paul call it? Hypocrisy! Hypocrisy!

Peter was placing rules on Gentiles that he himself did not keep!

This is the fate of any legalist. They’re list becomes so long and convoluted, they cannot even follow it. They give themselves a free pass, but everyone else better tow the line.

How few of us live one life and live it in the open! We are tempted to wear a different mask and play a different role according to each occasion. This is not reality but play-acting, which is the essence of hypocrisy.

John Stott

Those Baptists at your lunch break, you know that they are full of it. One of them has contemporary music, one of them reads an NIV, the other watched Avengers in theaters. It’s fine if they do it, but anyone else? Out of the family.

It seems stupid to me that fellowship must be limited to the narrow ranks of predictable personalities clad in “acceptable” attire.

Chuck Swindoll

We dare not threaten the unity that Jesus died to obtain. Your Lord died to make us one people. It does not matter who in the world pushes the division, we must not give in.

The Fear that God’s people face is real. Peter fell victim to it, and so do we. What would Christ have us do? In the face of fear,

The Fight for God’s Family (v. 14)

Galatians 2:14 KJV 1900

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

“Walked uprightly”--ὀρθοποδέω: act rightly, be straightforward

Paul looks at Peter, and Barnabas, and what does he see? He sees a massive pile of hypocrites, of men who deny the truth of the Gospel.

The Gospel is not just about believing in Jesus: the Gospel is not a “get out of jail free” card, and off we go on our merry way. Oh no.

The Gospel brings with it obligations. The Gospel requires us to live in light of its truths.

And here is a big one: those who believe in Jesus are one family. Period, full stop. And if we allow anything else to disrupt that family relationship, then that item becomes the Gospel.

This does not mean we will all agree on everything. You have Baptists dunking Christians and Methodists sprinkling babies and Catholics wishing they could finally get married.

Unity and diversity must work together or one will destroy the other. Unity without diversity is uniformity, but diversity without unity is anarchy.

A Gallery of Grace (2002)

Warren W. Wiersbe

We will not be coming together on everything. But we can still be a family about it.

Remember this: if we deny the Gospel through our actions, we will be called out on it. Peter was here. Paul grabbed him.

Galatians 2:14 (KJV 1900)

I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Paul was not going to allow anyone to overthrow the truth of the Gospel, even if it was an Apostle.

He knew this fact: In spite of any fears, the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes us one family.

Conclusion

You will be faced with this choice: do I honor the unity my Lord gives, or do I give in to the hypocrisy of legalism?

Do you know what the wonderful part it is? I said at the beginning we must fight for unity. Really, you don’t have to do anything for unity. You defend it, and then You just let it happen.

Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved: it is something to be recognized.

A. W. Tozer

Let us pray.