A Church with a Problem

Introduction

One thing is for certain - the Bible doesn’t go out of style.

Today we begin a series going through the book of Galatians. And what we’ll see is the relevance of this book. It’s amazing that the problems in which Paul was writing about are still problems in the church today.

The issue that is dealt with in this book either effects us directly, or indirectly. Meaning, either we are offenders of this problem, or we most certainly deal with and speak with people who are offenders of false doctrines that Paul addresses in this book.

The problem is the mingling of the Law and Grace

There are a few things I’d like to say concerning this book:

I believe this book to be the deepest doctrinal book in the NT with the exception of maybe Romans.

I believe that the focus of this book is often misunderstood.

The focus for many is Christian Liberty - which topic is widely misunderstood as well. However, Christian liberty is the effect of the teaching, not the teaching at it’s core - and it isn’t really even addressed until Chapter 5.

The Title of this message as we begin this series is ‘A Church with a Problem’

Now church let me say - every church has problems. I’ve heard it said ‘If you find the perfect church, don’t join it, cause you’ll just mess it up’!

Churches aren’t perfect, because the church is nothing but a collection of sinners saved by the Grace of God still robed in sinful flesh until the appearing of our LORD Jesus.

That being said, the problem that this church had is a fatal problem. This problem was one that would eventually destroy the work - and not only the work in Galatia, but like a cancer, has the ability to spread out and destroy works elsewhere as well.

Not all problems are alike. It’s one thing to have a disagreement over the color of the carpet - and another to disagree on how not only someone lives physically, but how they are born again altogether! That’s the extent of this churches problem.

As we begin this book, we see first ‘The Prayer of Paul’

I. The Prayer of Paul (v1-5)

This is of standard introduction - much like Paul’s other epistles, however, we see something telling right off the bat.

A Defense of His Ministry (v1-2)

As we examine other epistles, we see Paul almost always refers to himself as ‘an apostle of Jesus Christ’

Ephesians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:”

Colossians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,”

1 Corinthians 1:1 “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,”

1 Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”

But here we have not only a declaration of his ministry (that of apostleship), but a very direct defense: Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)”

Paul says ‘This position I hold is not one that man bestowed on me, but Jesus Christ Himself.

I believe this is due to two things:

First, the nature of the letter.

He’s asserting his position - BECAUSE IT MATTERS. He is not a ‘Johnny-come-lately’ or speaking out of turn… Paul is perfectly within his rights - AND HAS AUTHORITY - to speak on this matter unto them.

Secondly, because of the error of the early church (Act. 1)

Notice Act. 1:4, Jesus instructed them to ‘go and wait’. That was the extent of it. The Bible tells us that after His Resurrection (After 3 days), Jesus was there on earth for 40 days before His ascension (Act. 1:3).

Pentecost was 50 days after the ‘First Fruits’ which would have taken place the Sunday Jesus was seen at the tomb. (Lev. 23:15-16; 1Cor. 15:20;23)

My point is, they had to wait a maximum of 10 days - but instead of waiting, they began with the decision making - where they selected an apostle to replace Judas (Act. 1:15-26) Peter was right in that another would take Judas’ place, but it wasn’t Peter’s job to select an apostle, it was Jesus’! So I think that for his entire ministry, Paul battled skepticism concerning his position in Christ.

We see a Defense of His Ministry

A Disposition Noted (v3)

Paul is praying for God’s Grace and Peace be on them.

Now, judging by this epistle, some had turned against Paul here at this church. He tells them: Galatians 4:16 “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

But while many there had been turned against Paul, Paul wasn’t turned against them. Paul desired that the Grace and Peace of God be on them!

THIS ATTITUDE IS IMPORTANT - PAUL IS TELLING THEM THE TRUTH IN THIS LETTER, AND THE TRUTH HURTS! It’s not earning him friends, but it’s hopefully keeping some from being led astray. Paul is not doing this for popularity, HE’S DOING IT BECAUSE IT’S RIGHT!

Church’s today are filled with preachers who’s main desire is to be liked. They will not speak things that may be taken in offence, they will not share hard truths. But I submit to you, those preachers do not want God’s grace and peace to be on their people - they want the people’s grace and peace to be upon them!

Church, I have some people who love me & some who hate me - but what I don’t have is anyone who will say that I shy away from telling you the truth!

The Truth is important - Jesus said in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

A Disposition Noted

A Deliverance Praised (v4-5)

He speaks of a Sacrifice: “Who gave himself for our sins…”

Paul reminds the church that they were loved by Christ - enough that He would die in their place, knowing their sinfulness, faults & frailties.

He speaks of a Salvation: “…that he might deliver us from this present evil world…”

Notice Paul’s focus isn’t even on the future, but on what Christ has done for us NOW.

He speaks of Intention: “…according to the will of God and our Father:”

God has a will and purpose for us and them. Christ’s Sacrifice and their Salvation is not an accident, but a result of labour of love and a plan that predates the world!

He speaks of a Celebration: “To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”

Then Paul says ‘Hey, He’s worthy of glory - now and for ever - AND EVER!’

So Paul wraps up his prayer by praising the LORD for what He’s done.

Church, that’s a good way to end a prayer! God not only DESIRES our praise, BUT DESERVES IT!

We see a Deliverance Praised

The Prayer of Paul

II. The Perversion of the Gospel (v6-9)

This is the problem, and sets the tone for the epistle.

Notice he wastes no time. He doesn’t commend them on other things to soften the blow.

Not only that but look at how he begins… “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you…” Paul is amazed at what has transpired.

We see ‘The Gospel has been Perverted’

The Gospel has been Perverted (v7b)

The word ‘pervert’ (def) to turn across, i.e. transmute or (fig.) corrupt; To turn from truth, propriety, or from its proper purpose; to distort from its true use or end

So he’s saying that some are:

Corrupting the Gospel

Distorting the Gospel

Turning the Gospel from Truth

Turning it from it’s proper purpose

That’s what it means when he says that some are ‘perverting’ the Gospel

Now before we get into all that, we need to understand what IS the Gospel in it’s proper use.

Gospel (def) ‘good message’; ‘good news’

Paul will explain what the truth of the Gospel in the letter, but it’s probably best explained in Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus loved them, died & rose again for them to save them from their sins.

The Good News is that Salvation is to whosoever that will receive it by FAITH - and faith alone!

What was happening is that they were taught that truth, then those known as ‘Judaizers’ were coming in and saying ‘Yes, Jesus did - but die for you, and you need that - but you must be circumcised and keep the Law as well!’ Does this sound familiar? It should! Because almost every denomination you can name - and even many Baptists - will say ‘yes, you need Jesus - but you ALSO must do this, that or the other!’

Church, that’s a perversion of the Gospel! That is a DISTORTION from the Truth! That is CORRUPTION! AND THERE’S NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT!

This is what I don’t understand - you have all these churches that have the same problem - God specifically addressed the problem in an entire book - and yet, they don’t get the plain truth written!

We see the Gospel had been Perverted

The Church has been Effected (v6-7a)

The Bible says that they were ‘troubled’ (def) to stir up; agitate

Gone is the peace of the simplicity found in Christ. In it’s place they have confusion, concern, agitation, worry - they can’t rest in the blessed hope, because they have no assurances of it! They are troubled because now instead of resting in Christ, they are anxious of their standing in Christ.

This terrible mindset affects the church - in ways many cannot imagine!

It alters the Focus:

Instead of directing others to Christ, they are concerned about staying in the good graces of God

It changes the nature of God

God is changed from the God of Love, Grace and Mercy, to a mindless taskmaster - akin to Pharoah, Allah or Molech

It cheapens the Love and Sacrifice of Christ

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The love of God is SO MUCH GREATER than that of man - yet, when we interject the law with Grace, not only do we have confusion, but it brings God down to the level of man (God forbid!)

Paul recognized that the church was affected - which probably explains his language in v8-9

The Offenders have been Cursed (v8-9)

Listen to what he’s saying “…let him be accursed”

Accursed (def) Doomed to destruction or misery;

Paul says ‘Let the curse of God fall on them!’ That’s a long way from locking arms and singing ‘Kumbaya’!

There’s a large population within the church - well meaning people - who don’t like to speak ill of other churches or doctrines. Many think that we should somehow ‘work together for the greater good’. Let me ask you this: What do you think Paul would have said to that?

The Bible says: Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Church, I hope that you can see that doctrine matters. It matters so much that Paul called down - AND REPEATED - the curse of God upon those who were bringing in the false doctrine and troubling the church!

The Offenders have been Cursed

The Prayer of Paul, The Perversion of the Gospel

III. The Preeminence of Christ (v10)

In this verse we see that Paul presenting in essence two different routes to take:

We see a Choice must be Made

A Choice Must be Made (v10a)

Paul is saying ‘Am I trying to win the approval of men or God?’

You see, it’s going to be one or the other. You can please men, but you’ll not please God. Or you can please God and not please men - pick your poison! You got to choose one or the other!

Church I say to you - in the course of your life - if you live to please men, you’re not going to please God! If you seek man’s approval, you’ll not have God’s!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the best of both worlds? Yes - but you can’t! Paul had to choose, and so do you!

A Choice must be Made - but make sure to understand, a Consequence will Follow

A Consequence will Follow (v10b)

God has bestowed upon us Free Will. We have the freedom to make whatever choices we make.

The Calvinist will say that A Sovereign God controls all and in essence, we have no choice - but that’s foolish. That would make God the author of sin, which He is not!

No we all have freedom of choice - in each and every aspect of life - yet we do not have freedom from consequence.

Paul says there “…if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.’

In other words - I’ll either serve Christ or please man.

You cannot serve Christ and please man at the same time.

A Consequence will Follow

The Prayer of Paul, The Perversion of the Gospel, The Preeminence of Christ

IV. The Providence of Christ (v11-12)

Not Received by Man (v11-12a)

Paul is saying ‘This Gospel I preached to you, it didn’t come from man’.

You know, history is full of witty sayings & speeches. The Bible tells us that there were Athenians Acts 17:21 “(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)” They just liked to hear one another talk.

Men can come up with some crazy doctrines & ideas.

(Ill.) Joseph Smith sure did - (The author of Mormonism). He claimed to have received the book of Mormon from special revelation by the angel Moroni - which apparently Joseph Smith wasn’t familiar with Gal. 1:8.

Men can say anything - one mans word is no better than another’s.

Paul says ‘I didn’t receive this by man - it was given by Revelation of Jesus Christ

Given by Revelation of Christ (v12b)

Jesus had appeared unto him - much like He did on the road to Damascus - and taught him this personally.

This is why he declared himself an apostle - because Christ had made him one. He’d received the personal education and selection by Jesus.

Paul spoke of this to the church in Corinth:

1 Corinthians 15:3–10 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Paul was the authority on this doctrine. It wasn’t HIS Doctrine, it was the Doctrine of CHRIST!

Christians, if we’re going to be servants of Christ - like Paul, we must:

Speak bold truth

Speak the Doctrine of Christ

Serve Christ instead of gain men’s approval

Stay true to the Doctrine of Christ and

Call out False Doctrine - BECAUSE IT HURTS THE CHURCH!

Conclusion

What choice will you make?

Will you seek the approval of men, or of God?

Will you make the commitment to be bold for Christ, or go along to get along?