Entrusted With The Gospel

DISHES… Working in the kitchen at the camp I remember a time of cleaning dishes… it was before the camp had installed one of those nice dishwashers so my friend and I were it!

It was a check and balance system as one washed he handed it to the other to dry...

The one drying would inspect for cleanliness as he wiped the water from the dishes

As we were washing I couldn't help but notice he kept putting back almost all the plates I was washing!!!

So I washed more intently and was examining the plates as they were rinsed and handed to him...

Still he placed them back in the stack of dirty dishes!!!

This almost felt as though we were going backwards… no progress was being done.

Every dish washed seemed in vain… then we realized… his towel had been used earlier to clean off tables and was soiled.

Paul in our passage today may have felt he was teaching in vain, potentially feeling like things were going in reverse as he recounts a meeting he had in Jerusalem…

Galatians 2:1-10

Galatians 2:1–10 NASB95

Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.

Paul goes to Jerusalem to stand firm for the Gospel he has been entrusted with!

Why did he go up?

Instructed by God… God wanted him to go Verse 2

Not because he was concerned he was wrong, not because he needed assurance, not because he was summoned

Paul did have a concern though… This is why he mentions bringing Titus, a Greek follower of Jesus Christ.

He was concerned that those who were influential may be adding to the gospel.

In other words putting people back under law!!!

If this was true… his message would be in vain.

He feared that his past and present ministry might be hindered or rendered of no effect by the Judaizers.

A divided church, a teaching two different things… There would be no unified gospel

In the past in order to convert to Judaism one would have to become circumcised… Verse 3

An external act for man to see...

An act that was being equated by some to be required for salvation!

Paul is relived that this is not so of the leaders in Jerusalem

Not even Titus… a teacher of the Gospel, a Greek, was required to be circumcised.

BUT… Some sneaked in. (you don’t sneak if you have good intentions)

Our boys sneaking to the kitchen pantry...

These were false brethren… not followers of Christ

We think how could they! How dare they pretend!

I tell you there are plenty who are covert Christians today too… saying they follow Christ yet living like the world.

Looking into the freedom, liberty that they had

They wanted control back, bondage brings control on a human level...

rules give us the ability to judge

rules allow us to measure another

Rules give the power to control

Paul’s response to them is classic… he states (read Galatians 2:5)

Galatians 2:5 NASB95

5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

Paul doesn't even give them an hour! (many TV preachers have wasted many peoples time)

Paul Stands Firm!!! Not yielding in subjection

Paul is subject to Christ and Christ alone

No one would sway Paul to preach another gospel regardless of their position.

He had recieved the gospel from Christ and that’s where he stood firm

Paul champions for the gentile believers here too

He stood firm for them not wanting any of them to be subject to this bondage

As your pastor I will defend the purity of God’s Word and the Gospel!

Paul concludes here that nothing was added Galatians 2:6-9

Peter, James, John did not add to what Paul had been declaring in his gospel!

Christ had effectively and clearly relayed to both groups the same gospel

Jesus Christ was the source so nothing contradicted

This is why when we went through the letter James wrote we see that Paul and James are fighting for the same gospel back to back.

We see a little bit of James come out in verse 10 “remember the poor”

Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the Jews (circumcised)

Paul had been entrusted with the gospel to the gentiles (uncircumcised)

Both receiving it from Christ entrusted to present it to others accurately

We read this and some may ask, “what does this have to do with me today?”

You and I have been Entrusted with the Gospel...

Not to the extent that Paul was or even Peter… BUT

We have the very word of God in our hands, on our phones, in multiple translations even.

“Everyone who has been given much, much will be required” we have been given the complete Word of God!

The idea of being entrusted is one of responsibility...

Peter was entrusted with the Gospel to the Jews, Paul entrusted to the Gentiles...

Who and where has God entrusted you with the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ?

How has God prepared you?

Guard the Truth of the Gospel / stand firm in the truth of Scripture

Our freedom in Christ will only remain as faithful followers of Christ take a stand for this truth

Do not fall prey to the allures of placing yourself or any other person under law

Do not add to it...Stand firm in the Gospel

We cannot do better than Christ

We cannot give a more freeing message than that of Jesus Christ

His blood washed our sin clean, why would we attempt to “better” it by adding our dirty rags to what is clean?

This Gospel that has been entrusted to us can be declared boldly because it never changes...

Jew or gentile… there is one gospel for ALL

Culture does not change it

Opinions and influences of the prominent, powerful and popular do not alter it

Even your status… rich or poor the gospel has no prejudiced it beckons ALL

The Gospel DOES NOT / CANNOT change because the Gospel comes from Jesus Christ and through Jesus Christ!

6927 Trusting Unproved Swords There was a British regiment once ordered to charge a body of French cuirassiers. The trumpets sounded, and away they went boldly at them; but not to victory. They broke like a wave that launches itself against a rock. They were sacrificed to a trader’s fraud. Forged not of truest steel, but worthless metal, their swords bent double at the first stroke. What could human strength of the most gallant bravery do against such odds? They were slaughtered like sheep on field. And ever since I read that tragedy I have thought I would not go to battle unless my sword was proved. —Dr. Guthrie Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 1525–1526). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

I challenge you to get to know, handle well what we have been entrusted with, and be bold!