Galatians 1:11-24 • By Revelation, Not Invention
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Review & Overview
Review & Overview
1. Previous Study’s Review
1. Previous Study’s Review
Who wrote it: there is little to no dispute over the fact that Paul penned this epistle...
Whom it was written to: vs.2b, Churches in Galatia, modern day Turkey 2 thoughts:
What: Key theme: Justification by faith & Liberty from legalism… key verse: 5:1.
Why it was written: like most of Paul’s letters he is writing to correct problems it the church.
There those who were called Judaizers who were coming into the church:
They Discredited Paul’s Authority… much like we saw in 2 Cor.
They Added Works to Salvation… & followed the Mosaic law, circumcision…
They Added Works to Sanctification… Galatianism, this is an issue dear to my heart… putting a heavy trip on believers thinking that the more I do... the more I’ll become…
How is the book divided: 3 simple sections... & they all involve & revolve around Grace…
Preservation, Explanation, Application
The Preservation of the Gospel of Grace Ch. 1-2
The Explanation of the Gospel of Grace Ch. 3-4
The Application of the Gospel of Grace Ch. 5-6
In Vs. 6-10 we started this section called: The Preservation of the Gospel.
In this section we are going to look at several ways how Paul preserves the Gospel of Grace or how he defends the Gospel of Grace.
And last time we saw how Paul preserved the Gospel of Grace by dealing with the Galatians departure to a different Gospel.
He Marveled - It’s crazy!
He gave a command - Accursed…
2. Current Study’s Overview
2. Current Study’s Overview
That brings us to vs.11-24 where we see Paul continue to preserve or defend the Gospel of Grace. READ…
The Title of Today’s Message Is: By Revelation, Not Invention
Because as you can saw in our quick reading of today’s scripture Paul continues to preserve the Gospel of Grace by dealing with the origin of the Gospel of Grace.
Where did it come from? Who invented the Gospel?
If your taking notes we are going to look at 2 things:
The Origin of the Gospel Story Vs. 11-12
The Origin of Paul’s Story Vs. 13-24
1. The Origin of the Gospel Story Vs. 11-12
1. The Origin of the Gospel Story Vs. 11-12
Just as Paul’s apostleship didn’t come from men nor through man, vs.1… neither did the Gospel he preached… it came through the Revelation of Jesus Christ…
What beautiful picture of Grace in Paul’s life to have been taught by Jesus Christ Himself…
To have the glorious Gospel of Grace reveled to him by Jesus Christ Himself… Look at Eph.3:1-7.
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
Now turn with me too…
2 Peter 1:19–21 “19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Now let’s talk about special revelation and how we Christians are too deal with revelation regarding God…
Now don’t misunderstand… not new revelation as to the Word of God… but in 2 areas:
Direction: Psl.119:133 direct my steps by Your Word. 2 Thes.3:5 may the Lord direct your hearts. Prov.3:5-6 trust.
133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Instruction: look at John 14:26 we often want to pick up a study tape or a commentary to receive teachings or revelation… and that’s where it stops & we neglect the work of the Holy Spirit…
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
There Has to be a Balance: 2 Tim.2:15 study… but also John 14:26 Holy Spirit…
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2. The Origin of Paul’s Story Vs. 13-24
2. The Origin of Paul’s Story Vs. 13-24
2.1 Involves His Conduct Vs. 13-14
2.1 Involves His Conduct Vs. 13-14
Paul was bent on persecuting & destroying the church… Acts 9, 22, 26…
God’s Grace can overcome thee most wicked sinner, one who is even bent on destroying the church…
Look at 1 Cor.15:9-10… 1 Tim.1:13-14… No matter how bad we were… God’s Grace is infinitely greater.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION: We don’t clean up our act and come to Jesus… we come to Jesus so He can clean up our act…
2.2 Involves His Conversion Vs. 15-16a
2.2 Involves His Conversion Vs. 15-16a
Sovereignty of God Vs. 15a - Paul got saved because it Pleased God… not because Paul was so wonderful… Look at 1 Cor.1:26-29… John 15:16 I choose you… same is true of us…
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
John 15:16 “16 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.”
Grace of God Vs. 15b - Our conversion is not something we work at nor strive for… Eph.2:8-9, Rom.3:24.
Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Son of God Vs. 16a - God did it through Jesus Christ, Acts 9:… like creation, Col.1:16 John 14:6 I am the Way.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
2.3 Involves His Mission Vs. 16b
2.3 Involves His Mission Vs. 16b
1 Cor.9:16 woe to me if I don’t preach…
God saved Paul for the Sake of Others… so too it is with us… not to hide our light...
4. Involves His Connections Vs. 16c-21
4. Involves His Connections Vs. 16c-21
Vs. 16 c - Paul brings up this issue of who he connected with after his conversion because they were saying Paul’s Authority & Message were false...
He didn’t connect with other apostles… his authority & message came from Jesus Christ Himself…
so he recounts the events after his conversion as it pertains who he connected with… he mentions 4 things.
Arabia Vs. 17a - First thing he did was to go the Arabian Desert… WHY: To be Alone with Jesus…
He knew about God… but didn’t know God… personally, intimately… most believe he spent 3 years in the desert… Moses spent 40 years… Matt.14: Jesus alone prayed.
Its good to be Alone with Jesus…
Psl.46:10 be still & know I am God.
Damascus vs.17b - No doubt to thank Ananias for his ministry to Paul… but also to make things right to those who he came to persecute…
True conversion will naturally bring a desire to go back and right the wrongs to others…
Jerusalem Vs. 18-20 - He went to Jerusalem to Fellowship with the leaders of the church…
It’s important to get plugged into the Body of Christ… Heb.10:25 don’t forsake…
1 Cor.12: all the parts of the body are important…
Syria & Cilicia: Evangelism Vs. 21 - This was Paul’s hometown… he went to share the good news with his family…
Often times this is a very difficult thing to do…
Matt 13:57 A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.
God’s Grace is Pictured in Paul’s life: 1. Coaching: 2. Conduct. 3. Conversion. 4. Contacts.
5. Involves His Reputation Vs. 22-24
5. Involves His Reputation Vs. 22-24
The result of Paul’s life brought Glory to God… not to himself…
Problem is we like to take credit for the change in our lives… thinking that somehow we had something to do with it…
Paul makes it’s very clear he had nothing to do with… & friends neither do we…
It’s all a work of God’s Grace… thus to God be all the Glory…
1 Cor.10:31 eat or drink… Matt.5:16 let your light so shine.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
ENDING….