"A Life Preaches More Than Words"

Read Galatians 1:18-24 - open in prayer -

Paul describes his first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion: three years after meeting Christ, he visits Peter for 15 days, sees only James besides him, then goes to Syria and Cilicia. He remained personally unknown to the Judean churches — they'd only heard that the man who once persecuted them was now preaching the faith that he once tried to destroy. And they glorified God because of him.

Historical Background

Paul (formerly Saul) had been the church's most feared enemy —

present at Stephen's stoning (Acts 7:58),

dragging believers from their homes (Acts 8:3),

armed with letters to hunt Christians in Damascus when Jesus confronted him (Acts 9:1–9).

His conversion was so radical that even after it, believers were terrified of him (Acts 9:26).

Paul is writing Galatians because false teachers were undermining his authority — claiming he wasn't a "real" apostle, that his gospel was secondhand, borrowed from Peter and the Jerusalem leaders. So here Paul lays out the actual timeline: three full years passed between his conversion and his first meeting with any apostle. His message came directly from Christ, not from human tutoring. When he finally did go to Jerusalem, it was a short, quiet visit — 15 days with Peter, a brief encounter with James — not an apprenticeship. He wasn't shaped by man's approval; he was shaped by God's call, and only later confirmed by the church, which is why the Judean believers knew him by reputation before they ever knew him by face.

Proposition - As Paul continues addressing the problems that have affected the churches. He reminds them: 1) God radically transforms lives, 2) God’s calling matters, and 3) A changed life is what God wants.

Interrogative question - What steps can you take to allow your changed behavior to be a testimony to others about your faith?

1. God radically transform lives - vs. 18

Galatians 1:18 NASB95

18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.

Must be reminded of vs. 13-17 -

The same man now visiting Peter as a brother had once hunted Christians for a living. Nobody is too far gone, too hostile, too far outside the faith for God to reach.

Whatever your past looks like — the things you've said about Christians, the way you've mocked faith, the choices you regret — it does not disqualify you from what God wants to do in you. Paul is proof.

The reputation that arrives before you do. Ever transfer to a new school, or show up somewhere new, and people already "know" things about you before you say a word? That's exactly what happened to Paul — Judean believers had never met him, only heard the report. Make sure what precedes you is good news.

2. God’s Calling matters - vs. 18-19

Galatians 1:18–19 NASB95

18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Paul didn't rush to get validated by the apostles. Three years passed. He was secure enough in what Christ had already done in him that he didn't need immediate affirmation from respected leaders.

The three-year wait. Imagine getting some huge news and wanting to post it immediately for validation — but Paul sat with his calling for three years before even seeking out apostolic recognition. Not every calling needs an instant announcement. Some things need to be lived first, proven by time, before they need an audience.

You don't need every adult, every friend, or every follower to sign off on your faith before it's real. Security comes from Christ's call on you, not a group chat's approval rating.

3. A changed life is what God wants - vs. 21-24

Galatians 1:21–24 NASB95

21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me.

Paul didn't need to defend himself with a speech. The churches in Judea had never even seen his face — but they'd heard what happened to him, and they praised God for it. His transformed life did the preaching.

You may never get a platform to give a big speech about your faith. But your life — how you treat people, how you've changed, what you no longer do — often speaks louder and travels further than words ever could.

Illustrations

The unlikely testimony. Think of the most surprising person you know who came to faith — someone whose old life makes their new life almost unbelievable. That shock value isn't wasted; it's often what makes people "glorify God" (v. 24), exactly like it did with Paul.

— Luke's fuller narrative of Paul's conversion and early years, including his escape from Damascus and cautious welcome in Jerusalem. Acts 9:1–31

— Paul's own retellings of his conversion before hostile crowds and King Agrippa. Acts 22:3–21; 26:9–18

— Paul calls himself the "foremost of sinners," saved as a pattern for others who would believe.1 Timothy 1:12–16

— "I am the least of the apostles... but by the grace of God I am what I am."1 Corinthians 15:9–10

— Paul lists his impressive religious credentials, then counts them as loss compared to knowing Christ. Philippians 3:4–9

— "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father." Matthew 5:16

— Believers as a "letter from Christ," known and read by others through their lives. 2 Corinthians 3:2–3

SO WHAT?

What's the "report" people would hear about you, even before they knew you personally? Paul's changed life caused strangers to praise God without him saying a word. That's the goal — not a perfect testimony, but a genuine one, lived out consistently enough that people notice something different and give credit to God for it.

How can you identify areas in your life where you believe God can bring about a radical transformation?

In what ways do you seek validation from friends or popular figures, and how can you find security in your own identity in Christ instead?

Think of someone you know whose life has changed dramatically. How has their story affected your view of God’s power to change lives?

What steps can you take to allow your changed behavior to be a testimony to others about your faith?

Reflect on how the reputation you present to others can impact their perception of your faith. What can you do to ensure it reflects good news?