Protecting the Integrity of the Gospel: Pt. 1 - Healthy Connection

Galatians 2:1–5 “1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

The gospel is shared, and meant to be shared

Paul declared the gospel, the believers had received it 1 Co 15.1

The gospel declared is one that he had also receivd 1 Co 15.3

The ‘other’ perverted gospel is also shared and declared by ‘some that trouble you’, and who Paul in our text calls ‘false brothers’

This raises the question of who you will be vulnerable with as a central question regarding the integrity of the gospel and your faith

We’re not meant to walk alone

Two kinds of privacy:

Privacy of humility - self-disclosure to elders with a view to perfecting my own ways

Privacy of accusation - focused on others with a view to prove your point and criticize or condemn.

Boundaries on influence

Where to be open

Ritual vs faith v.3

The gospel is laid out explicitly in 1 Co 15

Perversions of the gospel retain certain characteristics of the gospel, but twist other elements and thereby empty it of its power.

The fundamental issue of Galatians is the supremacy of faith over law.

Motivation awareness v.4

Two motivations of questions from Proverbs:

Applicable to comments

Applicable to positions taken

Attend to the premise

An observation about uncircumcision isn’t made with a neutral moral judgment.

The question is: what is the framework behind the question or statement.

The possessed woman following Paul and Silas in Acts 16 wasn’t untruthful, but her motivation was impure. There was mockery and attempt to undermine.

Refuse to entertain anything that offends the truth of the gospel

Apologetic questions are important

To be ready always to give an answer, we must consider the questions

Only entertain what comes from an honest heart of faith

For the truth of the gospel to continue

Discriminate the voices to protect the truth of the gospel v.1-2, 5

In the multitude of counselors there is safety

Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath

There are so many kinds of voices

Competing voices require discernment and discrimination

Choose you this day whom you will serve

To whom ye yield yourselves . . . his servants you are Rm 6:16

Regularly check in trusted voices

Be sensitive

Be impressionable

What do you do if you cognitively know who you should trust but viscerally resist that trust?

Bring your body into subjection to the obedience of Christ

Seek the source of resistance; pursue healing

Have no time for underminers - to protect the continuance of the gospel

Suspicion - surreptitious, slinking approaches

Keyboard warriors

Conspiratorial attitudes

Exclusivity - Titus, being a Greek

Excessive demands

Paul calls them false brothers!

Check your beliefs and teachings with elders regularly to ensure the integrity of your teaching

What: Disclose your beliefs for examination by trusted voices

How: Privately, with humility (lest by any means I have run in vain)

To whom: reputable voices

When: still doing it 14 years in

Conclusion:

Brotherhood in strengthening faith

Join together in commitment to the gospel

Unity of the faith

We’re not meant to walk alone; we’re safest in the company of people who will keep our faith pure

Zealously affected > performative service