Sermon Tone Analysis

Remember from chapter one, we learned that Paul’s apostleship and authority came from God and not people?

Today in chapter two, we’ll see that these came also, or are affirmed by the church in Jerusalem which sent him out to proclaim the Gospel.

This most likely coincides with this account found in

Privately (1-2)

Publicly (3-5)

2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Notice that he took Barnabas and Titus.

These two are probably mentioned to give credibility to his message.

Barnabas was his mentor.

Acts 11:25-

Acts 13:

Titus is probably mentioned because of his Greek heritage.

We’ll see in a minute what Paul says about Titus in verse 3.

Notice that Paul says he went to Jerusalem because of a “revelation.”

He was responding to what the Lord was telling him, not man’s invitation.

And first he privately sees “those of reputation.”

Who might he be talking about?

He goes to the “most important” people to confirm his Gospel message.

Why is it that you go to the “mover and shaker” first?

We’ll talk to the boss at work, the pastor at church, the coach, or the mom?

These people have influence!

Verse 2 says

lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Paul is saying, “I wanted to run it by these guys in order to see if they were in agreement with my message, because if they weren’t there is no point in telling the rest of the church.”

Publicly (3-5)

Paul reminds them the the Gospel is by grace alone through faith alone through this statement found in verse 3.

Let’s look to for a reminder of what happened publically.

This was tough for the early church!

There was no difference between Jew nor Gentile!

We don’t really struggle with this in our context, but in a sense we struggle a little bit here in this church with race issues.

I still hear occasional comments that are disparaging regarding African Americans.

Turn with me to for a reminder.

What’s interesting is that Paul calls these folks out!

Notice the dichotomy here:

Personally 6-10)

(who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Check out Paul’s example: “to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour”

Why? “that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

Personally (6-10)

God shows no personal favoritism with man.

Check out how Paul affirms his ministry using what he did previous with those of influence.

Guys, it’s okay to be strategic.

All effective leaders are strategic in their leadership.

Leading from the hip is unwise.

Paul talked with the leadership, got their approval, and cashes in right here.

7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.