Present Danger 26th August Galatians 1

When the Holy Spirit inspired Moses, Isaiah, the prophets and later the apostles to record the W.O.G. – I’m sure God’s intention was that all people of all ages after Christ had risen from the dead would be able to know Him, to know Jesus by reading what He had caused to be recorded. I don’t think it was ever in the heart of God for the W.O.G. to be so complicated and difficult that it could only be understood by scholars and theologians.

In fact even the translation into English and other languages was in some mysterious way still all in the control of the Holy Spirit – and although there are different things we can learn from reading the original languages – (Greek is in many ways far more expressive than English) – it is still the W.O.G. complete, finished and without error – if any of these children read it they can find God – if any man regardless of education reads this word he can find Christ.

Scholars can teach us wonderful things – but this W.O.G. read in the Holy Ghost is all we need to know Jesus Christ!! – So what is written is just as much God’s heart to us today as it was when it was first recorded – it is an amazing truth but the W.O.G. is timeless what we read now is as important and relevant as it was to men 2000 years ago. Although it records history and details about individuals – God wrote it as much for us as for them then. He is not constrained by time.

2 Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So in truth we can read any part of the W.O.G. and it will speak to us in a very relevant way for this time in which we live. While I was praying about where to go in preaching about the Holy Spirit on Friday morning I was reminded that a few weeks ago I really felt that I should preach through the book of Galatians – something I have never done before – I believe there is something very important for us to learn regarding the Holy Spirit in doing this – very relevant for today.

Galatia was a Roman province inhabited largely by Gaul’s – a people from French and European decent – Paul travelled 3 times on missionary journeys and planted several churches in various cities -- Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and (Pisidian) or Antioch. After Paul left the area he was immediately followed by Jews who tried to persuade the new Christians either to return to Judaism or to introduce them to a Christianity bound up in the law.

They were strong, persistent and they preached some very strange doctrines – but as the people had become spiritually awakened – baptised in the Holy Spirit and witnesses to the power and signs of the apostle Paul – they were also vulnerable to charismatic and “spiritual” men declaring themselves men of God and leaders. They attacked the apostle Paul and defamed him and they tried to subtly turn the church aside from following Christ. In the Holy Ghost Paul writes to them.

Ga 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

He begins defending his call as an apostle – one sent by God – all the other apostles had walked with Jesus and been witnesses of His life, ministry, death and resurrection – but Paul had not been one of them. His apostleship was often under attack because God brought him in much later so he affirms himself an apostle not by the call of men, or a man like Peter – but that he too had seen the resurrected Lord Jesus and through Him knew God.

That day on the Damascus Road Jesus had appeared to him, and several times since, and Paul knew Jesus. But there is an interesting thing here – that right at the beginning of the church – this letter was written about 50-60AD there were already false apostles and false teachers

2 Co 11:12-15 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Re 2:2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

There have always been false ministries right from the very beginning of the church – and even before then, the OT speaks often of false prophets leading the nation astray. Men who desired recognition and followers, charismatic and often able to perform signs and wonders. We are spiritual beings and once our spirituality is awakened and we join with others – like, there is that group identity and a sense of safety – all sorts of spiritual predators move in.

They preach all manner of things to attract followers who affirm their spiritual power and “success”.
Paul had left these people to whom he is now writing filled with the Holy Spirit and prospering in Christ – yet now in the Holy Spirit he is writing to bring stern correction. Look we must see that not everyone who calls himself a minister of Christ is called by God – there are illegal and profane ministries and in this age they are increasing at an alarming rate – this is written for us too.

After confirming his calling Paul says - and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: this was no personal opinion he had discussed openly what the Spirit was saying to him with other leaders and missionaries –

Ga 1:3-5 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

He preached Christ – just like he had begun – “I determined to nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified!” He preached sin and salvation in Jesus alone – he preached escape from this present evil age! The false apostles and Judaisers denied Jesus of course and so Paul reinforces that this is the gospel. There is no good news without a sin bearer! Grace and peace are in Jesus alone. Paul was very indignant – he had fathered these churches and look at this :---

Ga 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

This is very relevant to us today – in fact I wonder if God is not really wanting to lead us back into something in this – the Galatian churches were Spirit filled – they knew the gifts of the Spirit and power, there were prophets and preachers and teachers and the church had begun as the child of her father – it reflected Paul and his teaching, he had imparted the things Jesus had given him. This was a healthy passionate part of the B.O.C. – born in the Holy Ghost.

And yet so very quickly they had been seduced by men – led astray. So not forgetting that this is Holy Spirit inspired scripture – written for a particular group of churches in a particular age – but recorded for us upon whom the end of the ages has come! – Knowing they had failed to discern, had not learned sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to the degree they could indentify false apostles – Paul in order to get them back to the Spirit – started preaching Christ again!!

His ever and only motive was for the glory of God in Christ -- to HIM be glory forever and ever!

Ga 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

This is the heart of God expressed here – I marvel – I cannot believe, that you have turned away so quickly from Me! God, who called you in the grace that is in Jesus Christ – to some other gospel which is a lie!! There are men troubling you and perverting this gospel of Christ – but you must see that even if an angel came from heaven and told you something else you must reject him. He is accursed – separated from me and all eternity in heaven! This gospel is the truth!!

How can you know the Holy Spirit and be used if you cannot discern this lie! If you cannot discern these false apostles?? Let them be accursed!! – This is very powerful language and shows just what God thinks about men who deceive and lead astray – but it shows His deep concern over those who begin in the Spirit and fall into deception – If we stop looking to Jesus, move away from the preaching of sin, crucifixion and resurrection – even with the Spirit we are easily bewitched.

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, -- Who has? men bewitch! – (Bewitch = to bring evil upon) – we would like to blame devils and super spiritual things for our failings and error – but the devil uses men – it is always a who! Right from the beginning of this letter Jesus by the Holy Spirit through Paul is trying to address this seduction by men of this Spirit filled group of churches – and it seems a very broad seduction over many cities!

Look we must always when we are reading the W.O.G. keep upper most in our minds this is God’s Word to us – to ME! Yes it is written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit – and yes it has historical significance and yes it was firstly directed at a literal people – and yes it has been fulfilled –

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

But this is for us primarily about God’s heart to us right now this instant – it is God’s Word through Jesus Christ for in these days God has spoken to us by His Son! – God’s heart is desperately concerned with men and women who are filled with the Holy Spirit and think themselves spiritual and okay but who are bewitched by men – that is, allow men of ambition and pride and other agenda to bring evil upon them – and all in the Name of Jesus – all in the Name of Christ –

None of us would ever be seduced or deceived by someone telling us they were anti-Christ – or sorcerers, or that they used some other power – no these “who’s” were men preaching in the Name of Jesus calling themselves apostles and maybe with signs and power following. And their Father was the great Apostle Paul. --- Jesus is concerned with His church! He longs for a spotless bride, a pure people, undefiled – He got Paul to address it immediately it became evident.

This was not done in some pique of anger or pride – this was not about the apostles ministry – this is Jesus pleading be reconciled to Me – don’t turn aside, don’t let men bewitch you!! He had sent Paul back three times!! – it is always about Jesus and His heart for the church – for you!
Remember Paul had just said let these bewitchers, these preachers of another gospel be accursed – (bound under a curse doomed for destruction!! Judged by God!!) - then he said : ---

Ga 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

One of the accusations against Paul was that he was a man pleaser – that he was a Jew with the Jews and behaved like a gentile when with the gentiles – Satan is the accuser of the brethren and every accusation was made to pull him down in their eyes – if the father is slain the family is exposed – if he is shown to be wrong, deceived, a hypocrite – then the accusers are exalted

They establish their own credibility and their bewitchment is reinforced! A bondservant was a servant – a slave, who had voluntarily given his life over to his master until death – no strings or conditions – not one iota of control over his life in any way including marriage, children or future – nothing! Totally abandoned, submission and absolute control of his life given over to another! To prove this he placed his ear against the door post and his master pieced it with an awl – ring!

Though Paul is writing this – (all scripture is given by inspiration of God) – so this is not only Paul’s account but God’s perspective to – (O that God might think of me like that!) – Paul was a voluntary slave of Jesus – he did not live for one moment to please men! Not for one instant did the thought of how men might react, approve or disapprove of him influence what he did, how he thought or any behaviour – his very life was lived to please Jesus Christ.

We think we live like this – but really I often marvel at his 3rd shipwreck – yet he kept going to sea – he never thought his life was more valuable than this risk? – He never had a body guard!! He never worried about what motel he was going to stay at – nor how much he was going to be paid for his “ministry” – Paul never did anything to gain the approval of men – of a man! He lived pierced through the heart for Jesus – a voluntary slave for the glory of God!

God affirms that to us by this scripture written! – This first part then is saying that even those who have known this slave of God and been born children of his calling can have evil brought upon them if they follow after men, false apostles and ministries who are more concerned with promoting themselves for man’s approval than of dying for Christ.