Freedom: Defender
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
. . . and the home of the brave!
. . . and the home of the brave!
__________________________________________
There are times in your life when you have to defend something that you believe in. Your family, Your God, yes, even the gospel itself. Paul is ready to fight, to defend here in chapter two, here defending the gospel. We will spend much time here and in Act15, you may want to mark both in your bible today.
_________________________________________
You know the song, you know how it ends don’t you? Freedom for this country came from being brace, being courageous. Paul was confident, he was courageous. May we learn from this passage and some brought in today to be of the same mind, same attitude as Paul displayed.
(Liberty and Spiritual Freedom)
To Paul spiritual liberty, spiritual freedom was important. More important than the thoughts and the ways of man. He was willing to fight for the freedom of the Gospel, fight for the liberty of the churches of Galatia as a mother bear protecting her cub. In our passage today we see one of two fights that happen here in chapter 2, this one regarding Christian liberty, and the second one we will see next week regarding Peter, but wait for that one until then.
The first century church may have had issues standing up for the freedom they had in Christ Jesus. They had a potential problem of just becoming another Jewish sect mixing grace and the law, putting undo chains on people and discounting grace. Today the church can do the same thing if it is legalistic. Putting traditions above or level to the doctrine of the Bible.
Freedom in Christ: The book of Galatians
1 Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.
If we do not protect our freedom we can/will lose it. Not saying anything, doing anything is not protecting our freedom.
Without a doubt the bible does not lack drama, in this case a three act play. The private audience, the public proclamation and the personal confirmation. Like any good play there are the players so may we start with them first.
Our Cast
Our Cast
On the play-card for tonight we have a cast of characters all who have some history, so here is some general information on them.
Paul: An Apostle
Not by men (Gal1:1)
(Scripture below not on screen)
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Preaching the word not to please man (Gal1:10—12)
Not a plan pleaser but a God pleaser
Teaching what he received by revelation from Christ
His history, his pedigree given (Gal1:13-14; Gen1:18-24)
A persecutor; a zealot, a destroyer, advanced over contemporaries
His heart displayed (Gal1:15-17)
Preached his heart out, did not seek man’s approval to do such he had God’s and that was plenty.
Barnabas: The Encourager (Act13:1ff; Act11:22ff; Act9:27)
Travel companion with Paul; sent from Jersualem to meet with Paul
He vouched for Paul before the Apostles
27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
Titus: A Greek Gentile (2Cor7:6; Tit:1:5)
He was a comforter to Paul (2Cor7:6)
(below not on the screen)
6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
He was a test case for uncircumcised (Gal2:3-5)
this is a part of our passage today.
Entrusted with important task (Tit1:4-5)
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
James: Brother of the Lord (Gal1:19)
This is brother; not to be confused with Apostle, first Martyr (Act12:2)
There are some that believe they are the same person, but the majority believe it is two James. This James is the brother of John, son of Zebedee (see Mk3:17)
James is credited to be leader of church of Jerusalem (Act15:13-14, 19-22)
Need to give you some scriptures for this
13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
Then skip down to (v.19-22)
19 “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.
21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
And that leads to our next character
Peter - Apostle, converted first Gentiles
Had wavering faith (Mt14:28f)
Walked on water, but wavered in faith and started to sink.
Had restored faith (Jn21:15f)
After denying Jesus, Jesus restored him and his faith by his love.
Had proclaiming faith (Act2:14f)
The apostles mouthpiece, especially on day of Pentecost.
Had life changing faith (Act8:14f; Act10:34f)
34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”
48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.
False Brethren - the Problem (Gal1:6-7)
These are the ones who bring the problem to Galatia
And the problem will be better detailed as the letter progresses, but they are proclaiming a different gospel.
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
They had a misconception of grace that had to be mixed with works for salvation. more to come on this as we go.
As mentioned earlier we will be going back and forth between Galatians and Act15 as we now set the play into action having all the characters described.
Act One: Private audience
Act One: Private audience
Paul heads to Jerusalem after a revelation to give a defense of the gospel to the brethren in Jerusalem.
1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 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.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
This is the time of what would be known as the Jerusalem counsel (Act15)
This is 14 years after his first trip there, known as the famine visit (Act11)
There was a famine going on in Jerusalem and there was a special collection taken to help with the brethren there. You can read about that in Act11:27-30) on your own, and, of course, I suggest you do.
This trip is made with Barnabas and with Titus
Reason for the visit, circumcision (Act15:1; Act15:2)
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
This is the issue at hand that dates back to the covenant with Abraham in (Gen17:9-14)
Submission to circumcision meant submitting to the whole law. Paul, Barnabas and Titus go to address the issue.
2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
That brings in the setting for our play: Jerusalem
__________________________________________________
Paul met with them in private (Gal2:2)
Paul was not in fear of the message, but wanted to confirm himself as messenger (Gal1:11-12)
Paul’s example is an example for us; another passage to consider (1Pt3:8)
Paul proclaimed the good news and the results (Act15:3)
Paul proclaimed the inclusion of the Gentiles (Rom11:13; Eph2:13-16)
_____________________________________________
Paul met with them in private (Gal2:2)
Paul met with them in private not because of doubt, but out of respect. Paul was not worried about the message. He did not want to cause division, but to show inclusion. It was better to meet in private than to make a public spectacle of the issue about circumcision.
Paul was not in fear of the message, but wanted to confirm himself as messenger (Gal1:11-12)
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul met with them in private (Gal2:2)
Paul was not in fear of the message, but wanted to confirm himself as messenger (Gal1:11-12)
Paul’s example is an example for us; another passage to consider (1Pt3:8)
8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
Paul with his simple display of respect, courtesy and common decency is a great example for us today, not just when it comes to sharing the hope that is in us, but in all our dealings.
Paul proclaimed the good news and the results (Act15:3)
3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.
Good news, great joy for all the brethren. who doesn’t like hearing good news that brings great joy?
Paul proclaimed the good news and the results (Act15:3)
Paul proclaimed the inclusion of the Gentiles (Rom11:13; Eph2:13-16)
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
You have to love it. He knew his calling and fulfilled his calling. It was important so people would know there was no longer any division, no more dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles they were to be one.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Paul’s hope, desire, goal was the truth of the gospel would remain (Gal2:5). The result was they added nothing to the message (Gal2:6) but let’s move on and we will get more into that.
Public Proclamation
Public Proclamation
Proclamation; hum, how about a definition: (Noun) -a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance. There is nothing more important than the proclamation of the gospel message. Remember Paul is defending the gospel and his apostleship.
3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 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.
Some facts to consider
Titus, Paul’s test case regarding circumcision (Gal2:3)
Titus who is of Greek origin, never a Jew, never under the law was not compelled to be circumcised.
Test case offered was not without confrontation, consideration, consultation
for there were false brethren who sneaked in to try to bring into bondage
Other scriptures to consider regarding secret agents, infiltrators
2Pt2:1-2; Jude4
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;
They will be effective too!
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
turning the grace of God into licentiousness
adjective -sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd.unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral.going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules.
Those are some pretty strong verses and today it has not changed, there are people who still want to infiltrate the church and who have sneaked in unnoticed, change agents and cause division or introduce heresy by compromise that is clearly against what the scripture says.
Paul was not willing to compromise in any way when it came to the message, to the gospel message when it came to salvation, nor should we. Now there are areas that are not salvation issues that we should be willing to compromise on so as not to stumble our brother
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
How about Timothy and circumcision, consider (Act16:1-3; Gal3:28)
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Timothy was 1/2 Jew and it was advantageous due to those he was to be ministering to, to be circumcised.
The struggle, the division was real in the 1st century where the majority of believers were Jews formally. I gave scripture about the wall between Jews and Gentiles being broken down for Christ see’s no difference at all.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
________________________________________________
Paul’s proclamation to Gentiles (Act15:12)
Results of the proclamation to the Gentiles (Act15:13-21)
Paul’s concern and his heart (Gal2:5; Gal2:14; also see Jm3:17)
_________________________________________________
Paul’s proclamation to Gentiles (Act15:12)
Paul brought the testimony of what was going on with the gentiles with him to Jerusalem
12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Good mission report, who does not want to hear one. Chuck recently went out and gave mission reports as I had just a few months before that. About growth, about new believers, about discipleship, about service.
In Jerusalem they were silent, they were listening, may we be listening and see what God is doing today to them according to Act15:13-21
Gentiles and Jews saved the same way, grace through faith
Few restrictions were put on them, abstain from contaminated things, be free from fornication, and then blood.
Paul was concerned about the truth of the gospel, not the peace ofthe church. For the truth of the gospel brings peace to the church.
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.
and add to that what James said
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
truth, wisdom that is from above is pure, then peaceable, it brings peace.
Peace at any price should not be our philosophy; For that would be compromise and that is a slippery slope. That now leads us to the next point.
Personal confirmation
Personal confirmation
The gospel message is universal, but the message is personal too. It is the same gospel to the circumcised and the uncircumcised (Jew and Gentile alike).
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 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.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Our time is limited but i think important touch on a few things here. The confirmation is found in (v.9) same gospel, they were all preaching the same Gospel.
This time of fellowship with them in Jerusalem resulted in the right hand of fellowship being offered to Paul, Barnabas and Titus.
It was not that Paul needed the right hand of fellowship, he had the same message, same authority.
Apostle called by Christ
Apostle taught by the lord
Apostle sent with the same message.
The right hand was from one apostle to another in their fulfilling the calling by Christ to the mission of Christ. Peter, John and James to the circumcised and Paul to the gentiles, each understood the grace, the assignment, the stewardship they were given.
Other request made of Paul, remember the poor (Gal2:10)
that was Paul’s heart already so that was no big deal.
What started off that could have been very divisive became a thing of unity and fellowship in service to the Lord. In the spirit of love and cooperation with one another to further the kingdom. May we remember the unity
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
invitation (invitation slide) song (exit slide)