Galatians 1:15-17.

Galatians 1:15-17.

Recap introduction to Galatians and Paul.

(Paul is still explaining how gospel his taught the Galatians was not from men, but revealed by Jesus.)

5 points in this text we will talk a look at.

1 point: God sets apart from before Paul was born, - (Like John the Baptist and Jesus).

2-point God calls,

3 by Grace

4 pleased to Reveals Jesus /in Paul.

5 (Job)To share the good news to ethnos all the people.

Paul is still explaining why he is not trying to pleas people, that Paul’s teaching is not his but God, teaching about his son Jesus Christ. As Paul does this, we can learn a lot about who God is, and how God works.

Some people object and say we should not have a King in Denmark, no one should be born in to an office, we should all be equal. In sports there is a great work on trying to stop doping, to stop people from cheating, to make it fair. But it is never going to be fair, we don’t choose where we are born or with what DNA, and how the DNA unfolds. What are you talking about? Good question, if we reflect on the first objection, we should not have a king, well looking just at statistics, we are not born equal, we are born as who we are, but in to a family a place, it is silly to say, we are all the same, it is not true, we are all different, even the small building stones DNA, what we like our abilities, gifts and more are different, we can’t lower or change sports so I can win, we are different. I would say made as men and woman in the image of God, not the same, not so we should what to be some one ells. Envy others, hair, eyes, ability’s, no instead in Christ find out why we were created the way we are and glorify Jesus in that as he sends us out with the good news to share.

Why the intro, because some people would have a problem with Paul’s first statement, that he was set apart by God from his mothers’ womb. How could he even know? Paul might have picked up the langue of election form the old testament, the call of Isiaha, Jeramiah and in the new testament john the Baptist. PPT Jeramiah 1:4-5.

Now I think Paul is explaining that he did not make up his teaching, no God chose to set Paul apart before he was born, (Election). Why did God do that? Because Paul was better that everyone ells? Because he did great works? No. that is the 2. Point God did that by grace, showing kindness and favor to Paul, it was not his works and zeal that make God set Paul apart it was God’s choice in his and by grace.

What is election and what is it not. Election God choosing people for his purpose, when that is mentioned it is often to the people that are being persecuted, and a call to hold on, under trouble and distress. A reminder that God has set them apart for the work they are doing in living for Jesus and share the good news about Jesus. (Sometimes used as a in not encouraging ways, what? Then some people are not elected, then we are not to share the good news, no the opposite as God said to Paul, I have people in the city PPT ACTS 18:9-10 (that God has people are his and we are to share that they might hear), as Jesus also said my sheep hear my voice). Then being set apart by God should lead to humble confidence and boldness to share the good news about Jesus, and daily listen to God, and do the mission he has for us. (God is sovereign and that is great, God saves! We don’t. But we can expect there are people ready to hear the good news, and our confidence rests in God and not ourself.

Today and in history many have wonder what they are made for, election and God choosing us, when others might not, I can rest in Gods choice, I am made for this, chosen, made for God, I don’t have to create my own meaning, and if God saves I don’t have to hold my own salvation in case I drop it, It is held in who God is).

The 2 point is also very connected to the first, Paul was not only set apart but also called to come to God, and as point 3 said it was by grace. Then God sets Paul apart from his mother’s womb, calls him by grace, God shows favor to Paul, by election, by calling and does it by his grace, to show favor to Paul for Jesus to be praised and for God’s glory.

Point 4. God was pleased to reveal Jesus to Paul, / like he was to the world, Jesus died and rose publicly, it was not done in secret, God showed in creation, also who God is, and Jesus in public showed in his life the fathers love for people also. (Often it seems like people are less interested in God and Jesus that God is to show us). But we might sometimes feel the opposite, as we seek and ask for God to save people.

For us what does it mean that God was pleased to reveal Jesus?

Like a privilege, that God would make me a blind man see, reveal who Jesus is, not just as a concept or theology but practical, as savior, Lord, King God, that was a joy for God to let me see. Wow, amazing. What and grace and joy. Incredible. Thanks Lord God. Does that help out understanding of who God is?

Point 5. Paul chosen and called by grace, God joy in showing revealing Jesus to Paul, Jesus/God gave Paul a job, a mission, purpose, that Paul was to share Jesus with kings, and people of all kinds of ethnic backgrounds. Paul was to preach Jesus to the nations. (Why were you saved, what mission did God give you? Does our understanding of this mission help us understand why God created and saved us?). (For me over time it is starting to make sense why God created med like I am, in the context of what I do, many years I did not understand why, and what God was doing, and why I was created like I was, I have things that I am good at, and others that I am not, some things are easy, others not, etc.). Does this make you enjoy God more?

With all the 5 points in mind, Paul explains why he does not need to go to Jerusalem right away and get teaching from the other apostles, instead Paul went to Arabia. And again, to Damascus. Reading in Acts 9, Paul has understood, God reveal Jesus to Paul as Christ Lord, God and savior.

If you are follower of Jesus, how does the 5 points encourage you, to live your life for Jesus, what about God makes you want to praise Him, do you have objections if so why?

If you don’t believe and follow Jesus as Lord and savior? What did the 5 points say? What difference would it make if you believe? And what do you have to do?

Turn and Trust in Jesus… Only God the Holy Spirt can make you see, I hope He does. Amen.