Setting the Table

Introduction

As we begin this message today, we must first go back and consider the first 12 verses of this chapter & book as what has been said, it important to understand what is said today.

(Set the table)

Last week we preached a message titled ‘A Church with a Problem’. This church in Galatia that Paul is writing to has a problem - not just an ordinary problem, but a BIG problem.

The Title of the series is ‘A Defense of the Gospel by Faith’

The Prayer of Paul (v1-5)

He Defended His Ministry

We Noted His Disposition

He Praised God for the Deliverance provided by Jesus Christ

He then immediately addresses the purpose of the letter - that there has been a perversion of the Gospel of Christ

The Perversion of the Gospel (v6-9)

The Gospel has been Perverted (def) transmuted, corrupted, distorted from it’s true use and end.

The Gospel of Christ being that the ‘Good News’ is Faith in the finished Work of Christ alone brings salvation.

We’ll get into it more as the series progresses, but understand that the Gospel of Christ is by FAITH - whereas, the perversion was the intermingling of the law.

Write this down: “It’s either All by Grace, or it’s not at all by Grace” - Me. It’s either by Faith, or it’s by Works.

The Church had been Effected (v6-7a)

The Offenders had been Cursed (v8-9)

Paul feels so strongly about this, that he is calling down the curse of God upon them!

The Preeminence of Christ (v10)

A Choice must be Made (v10a)

A Consequence will Follow (v10b)

The Providence of Christ (v11-12)

Not Received by Man (v11-12a)

Given by Christ (v12b)

And we’ll speak more on this in a moment.

Today, I intend to preach to you this message titled: ‘Setting the Table’.

This is a term that I use when I am preparing the listener for what’s about to come. I will give the backstory, and lay the foundation for the following message.

What I just did was ‘Setting the Table’.

(Ill.) Just like when you’re getting ready to eat a big meal, you get your plate, fork & knife, napkin - and you’re preparing for the meal to come.

Paul here is setting the table. He’s giving some vital information unto this church that lays the foundation for the arguments that he will make concerning the truth of the Gospel of Christ - which is the Gospel of Faith.

The first thing that he mentions is ‘Times Past’

I. Times Past (v13-14)

Paul spends a couple verses - 1 sentence - as to who he used to be before Christ.

We find first that Paul was a Religious Man.

A Religious Man (v13a)

Conversation (def) conduct; manner of life

‘…in the Jews religion…’

The thing that we must remember concerning Paul - and a multitude of others - is that he was a religious man.

There’s many people today that believe that one religion is as good as another.

(Ill.) Oprah Winfrey (that ‘ol devil) she is one who promotes (and has for years) the lie that ‘all paths lead to God’.

Church I submit to you today that Hell will not be filled with Atheists - but with Diests. Hell is filled today with people who know there is a God - religious people, but who follow a false God!

Paul was one such person. He said he was in the ‘Jew’s religion’

Now let me make one thing clear: The OT teachings themselves is not what he’s talking about. The OT is the NT concealed. It’s the same message, the same Gospel - it simply had not been revealed yet.

The Jews had perverted the OT with their traditions - much like then Judaizers were perverting the Gospel in Galatia!

Church, religion doesn’t make you right - only Jesus can!

Paul was a Religious Man

A Self-Righteous Man (v13b)

Paul now by his actions, shows us that he’s a self-righteous man.

Do you know why he persecuted the church? Because he thought he was better than them!

Paul tells us some facts about himself in: Philippians 3:4–6 “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

Paul knew who he was - he’d taken ‘stock’ if you will.

The perversion of the Gospel is that of Law + Faith - do you know what that is ‘Self-Righteousness added unto the Righteousness of God’.

Paul instructed the church in Rome about the Jews false doctrine and mindset: Romans 10:1–4 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Self-Righteousness - by the Law

God’s Righteousness - by Faith

Paul was a Self-Righteous Man

A Man of Renown (v14)

Not only was he religious & self-righteous - but he was a man of renown as well.

He was the ‘Charles Spurgeon’ of the Jews of his day.

What I mean is that he was one of the brightest, well-known Pharisee of his day. Considering his pedigree, his zeal & desire for the Jew’s religion. Paul was not some unknown person trying to make a name for himself - he HAD a name for himself. he HAD a prosperous position - AND HE GAVE ALL THAT UP FOR CHRIST!

Church, let me ask you this: What have you ever given up for Christ?

Most Christians live a life of indulgence and slothfulness concerning their Christian duties - but if your faith hasn’t cost you something, your faith is weak!

Let me say that again: “If your faith hasn’t cost you anything, your faith is weak.”

Strong faith will have you act like Christ - and Jesus said: John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

Paul was a man of Renown - yet he gave it up to follow Christ!

Times Past, next Paul speaks of a Transformation & a Tutelage

II. Transformation & Tutelage (v15-19)

A Calling (v15)

Let’s break this verse down: Paul understood that his calling was:

In God’s time:

‘When it pleased God..’

Church, God could have called Paul earlier - but He called him on that road to Damascus.

Because it was on God’s time, God used the experiences that Paul had to use him in a great and mighty way.

Church, if you’re like me, you have scars from the life you had before Christ. Know this: that doesn’t make you less - that makes you useable. What’s under the blood is under the blood - and God can use that for His Glory!

Paul understood that He was called on God’s Time

By His Creator:

‘…who separated me from my mother’s womb…’

This God is the one who Created him - and not him only, but Created the world - everything therein and thereout.

Paul understood that he was Called by the Creator

By God’s Grace:

‘…called me by his grace,’

Paul’s calling wasn’t because of his pedigree, nor by how well he kept the Law or because of how zealous he was - Paul was called by the Grace of God - THE UNMERITED FAVOR OF GOD!

Paul told the church in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain…”

Paul spoke of a Calling

A Change (v16a)

‘To reveal His Son in me…’

Paul is in Heaven today - not because of the good works that he did, but because he had a personal relationship with Christ!

Church, if you are to escape the flames of Hell and enter the gates of Heaven, it’s because you have a personal relationship with Christ. NOT KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST, BUT A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!

Paul spoke of a Change he experienced

A Cause (v16b)

‘…that I might preach him among the heathen…’

Listen - God doesn’t save you to sit on the sidelines!

God had a purpose for Paul!

When God struck Paul blind, God spoke to a man by the name of Ananias and we read (Act. 9:11-16)

God had a plan for Paul’s life - and church, God has a plan for yours!

(Ill.) I was speaking to bro. Cole this week, and he was telling me how much he was enjoying - not just Bible college, but that he was following God’s Will for his life!

Paul spoke of a Cause

A Communion (v17-19)

Now Paul is speaking of a time of 3 years he’d spent in Arabia & Damascus. To understand why he’s speaking of that you need to go back to v12: Galatians 1:12 “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The apostles had previously spent between 3 - 3-1/2 years under the tutelage of Jesus, Paul wasn’t among them. However, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:8 “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” Paul is elluding to the instruction and calling that he’d recieved from Christ.

In other words, Jesus trained Paul in like manner as He trained the other apostles.

By the time Jesus was through with Paul, Paul was equipped to complete the calling of God upon his life.

As they say: “God’s commandments are God’s enablements”

Whatever God is calling you to do, God will equip and enable you to complete the task!

Paul had a Communion with Christ

Times Past, a Transformation & a Tutelage, lastly we see a Testimony Observed

III. Testimony Observed (v20-24)

Truth Exposed (v20)

Paul now makes the statement that what he’s writing is not fiction. Nor is it a figment of his imagination. It’s the truth!

Church, I want you to know something. Truth exists. I’m not talking about YOUR truth, I’m talking about THE truth.

Man has various different ways in which they perceive things - but perception is not reality. Perfect, eternal, settled truth exists - and thank God is exists in the Word of God!

(Ill.) There are so many different Bible translations today (We’ll be speaking on this topic tonight) and many are there to push a perspective: You have (for instance):

NIV; ASV; New Living - each with their biases

ESV & RSV - each with it’s own special ‘Catholic version’

The Inclusive Bible

“Intended to free the text . . . from sexist language, gender bias,and social stereotyping”

The Queen James Bible

“The Queen James Bible seeks to resolve the interpretive ambiguity in the Bible as it pertains to homosexuality. There is no perfect Bible translation, but we wanted one that could not be used to spread hate in the name of our Faith. We edited those eight verses in a way that makes homophobic interpretations impossible.”

Yes, men have their perception of truth, but absolute truth exists! And you’ll be judged - NOT ON YOUR PERCEPTION OF TRUTH, BUT THE TRUTH!

Paul says the Truth

Change Evidenced (v21-23)

Then Paul says that when he went abroad, he came to the churches, they’d heard how he’d persecuted the church (in times past), yet now is preaching the faith!

Church, there was a change in Paul!

Notice it wasn’t just an inward change.

I thank God that He’s changed me on the inside, but IF you’re changed on the inside, it WILL SHOW on the outside!

He didn’t do the things he once did - God changed him

There was a Change Evidenced - which led to God being Exalted

God Exalted (v24)

Paul wasn’t glorified - God was glorified in Paul.

This is the way it should be.

(Ill.) Church, I pray that:

I am a help to you.

That the messages are exactly what you need for your life

That they connect and resonate with you for days to come

That I can bring you into a deeper love and appreciation for what Christ has done for you

I plan, pray & prepare for these things

But if they happen, it’s not because of me - it’s in spite of me. If these things happen, it’s because of God - and He should be exalted!

Paul made sure to give God the credit for the change that happened in him.

Conclusion

Church let me ask you:

Can you look back - as Paul did - and identify that the past, prior to Christ is tangibly different than it is now? Has Jesus made a change in you?

If not, maybe you need a change on the inside.

Maybe you have had religion for a while, but have never had that personal relationship with Christ. Now is the time!