Faith and Freedom

Importance of the Apostle’s Testimony

‘Here’ vs. ‘Heaven’ debate

Judaizers were suggesting that Paul’s gospel came from Jerusalem and Jewish apostles.

Judaizers argued that their Gospel also came from Jerusalem.

Judaizers argued that their Gospel was a fuller expression of the true Gospel.

Paul’s pastoral response: They received the real deal straight from heaven.

: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Primary Vessel to bring Gospel to Non-Believers

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Paul’s Conversion: A.D. 33

v.19: Suggests James is one of the 12.

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

No Gospel ‘Geography’

Nationalization of Gentiles

Nationalization of Gentiles:

Does Christianity have a national identity?

His answer: “No, in seeking to demonstrate that the Judaizers are wrong and that the gospel of grace is not nationalistic in its center, I [Paul] am merely seeking to remain faithful to God.”

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men?”

“No, in seeking to demonstrate that the Judaizers are wrong and that the gospel of grace is not nationalistic in its center, I [Paul] am merely seeking to remain faithful to God.”

Question #2: “Am I now trying to win the approval of God?”

“Yes, I do everything in order to live with approval before God.”

Or, “No, neither am I seeking to gain God’s approval; I have that in Jesus Christ.”

Question #3: “Or am I trying to please men?”

“No, I am trying to please God.”

“Or am I trying to please men?” The answer: “No, I am trying to please God.”

Inferred: Judaizers accuse Paul of trimming down his gospel to the bare bones so that they don’t get to experience the full-orbed ‘Gospel’ experience.

Paul response v.11: The gospel I preached is not man’s gospel!

Fulfillment Theology

John Stott: “Paul’s claim … is this. His gospel, which was being called in question by the Judaizers and deserted by the Galatians, was neither an invention (as if his own brain had fabricated it), nor a tradition (as if the church had handed it down to him), but a revelation (for God had made it known to him).”

“Paul’s claim … is this. His gospel, which was being called in question by the Judaizers and deserted by the Galatians, was neither an invention (as if his own brain had fabricated it), nor a tradition (as if the church had handed it down to him), but a revelation (for God had made it known to him).”

Importance of REVELATION from Jesus: Not about passed down tradition. This thing is NEW. It’s like putting a 4 cylinder engine in a brand new Ford GT.

Stories about Being Dutch vs. Being in the Church

That’s just the way we’ve always done it. Baptism example.

It’s hard to die to a meaningful tradition!

How to convert/convince people from other religions? People leaving a cult or whatever. The loss and risk is huge!

Motivation: Always desire to please God!

“I” vs. “He”

Stott: “prenatal choice”

In his testimony, he points to grace.

: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women.

“I get the importance of trying to hold on to the teaching of our mentors and traditions.”

I get the importance of trying to hold on to tradition.

Instead of going to Jerusalem, he went to Arabia and Damascus and didn’t study under any of the main apostles.

: Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church...

I barely hung out with the apostles! 15 days with Cephas only! And I didn’t bump into any of the other apostles except James (with God as my witness!). I’m not from that tribe of Apostles, therefore my Apostolic Authority to preach the Gospel doesn’t comes with the additional Judean/Jewish stipulations.

: Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church...

v. 22: Even after I went back to Syria and Cilicia, I was an Apostolic Nobody!

Revelation!

Paul’s Testimony has a Point: “Angular Biography”

McKnight: “He is emphasizing his early independence from Jerusalem.”

Keeping our Testimonies Honest

Order:

v. 10: Bridger Verse between the introduction and the body...

Judaizers were coming and preaching a different gospel, distorting the ‘gospel of Christ.’

Paul’s proving his Motivation and Authenticity

Paul’s proving his Authenticity

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Scott McKnight from NIVAC:

Question #1: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men?”

Scott McKnight: Question #1: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men?”

“No, in seeking to demonstrate that the Judaizers are wrong and that the gospel of grace is not nationalistic in its center, I [Paul] am merely seeking to remain faithful to God.”

Question #2: “Am I now trying to win the approval of God?”

“Yes, I do everything in order to live with approval before God.”

Or, “No, neither am I seeking to gain God’s approval; I have that in Jesus Christ.”

Question #3: “Or am I trying to please men?”

“No, I am trying to please God.”

Inferred in these question:

Judaizers accuse Paul of trimming down his gospel to the bare bones so that they don’t get to experience the full-orbed ‘Gospel’ experience.

So Paul is out to prove to these churches in Galatia that his Gospel isn’t a watered down version of the Gospel, but it’s a message that comes straight from the top!

From pure motivation to proving authenticity

Three main arguments:

Paul’s Apostolicity is a Product of Grace

His Apostolicity is a Product of Pure Grace

The Gospel was Not influenced by Any Other Teaching

Not influenced by

The Gospel was not Supplemented by Any Church

“To reject Paul is to reject God.”

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

What does Apostolicity mean?

Not in everyday conversation:

Do we really need to read everything Paul wrote?

Of course! Due to the principle of apostolicity.

Apostolicity: Directly commissioned by Jesus Christ as an apostle.

Paul’s authority to speak didn’t come from here, it came from heaven!

Review of Paul’s Conversion: Three Times Recorded in , ,

Paul’s Conversion: A.D. 33

: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

vv.11-12: I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ:

: ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Revelation:

Apocalypse

Primary Vessel to bring Gospel to Non-Believers

We understand the Bible: The Bible is not a product of the church, the Bible is a product of God given to the church...

Can you believe that guy who used to capture Christians became one!?

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

It’s kind of like all the suspicion surrounding Kanye West right now. Here we have a major cultural figure worth $$: dozens of grammy’s, producer, fashion designer, worth billions, married to a Kardashean! A man connected to some of the most powerful cultural influeners in culture, who has produced albums with lyrics that contain absolute filth… THAT guy became a born again Christian.

Paul: My calling and message came straight from the top and so the simple Gospel: You are saved by grace through faith: isn’t a watered down version of the Gospel. It IS a new revelation straight from Jesus!

“I’m letting you know what Jesus has done for me, and in that I’m no longer a slave, I’m a son now, a son of God. I’m free.”

‘Here’ vs. ‘Heaven’ debate

Judaizers argued that their Gospel also came from Jerusalem.

Judaizers argued that their Gospel was a fuller expression of the true Gospel.

Paul’s pastoral response: They received the real deal straight from heaven.

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vv.13-17: For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism,

how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women.

: Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church...

Pre-conversion Paul: Least likely to become a Christian: Paul uses this to prove he was the least likely to a) convert, b) to preach such a simple Gospel.

One would think that IF a guy like Paul was converted, that he’d be with the Judaizers, preaching that you need to keep the Old Testament rules...

Can you believe that guy who used to capture Christians became one!?

Paul is arguing that only GRACE can answer for Paul’s calling and his simple message because it’s so unbelievable that a guy like this would become a Christian!

Can you believe that guy who used to capture Christians became one!?

It’s kind of like the dramatic album dropped by Kanye West this past week: Jesus is King.

There’s a lot of suspicion surrounding Kanye West right now. Here we have a major cultural figure worth $$: dozens of grammy’s, producer, fashion designer, worth billions, married to a Kardashean! A man connected to some of the most powerful cultural influencers in culture, who has produced albums with lyrics that contain absolute filth, for decades… THAT guy became a born again Christian.

West: “I’m letting you know what Jesus has done for me, and in that I’m no longer a slave, I’m a son now, a son of God. I’m free.”

That suspicion is rightly earned by Kanye, the jury is still out there, just as there was for Paul at first, and Paul is self-aware enough to know that that suspicion was also well deserved and he uses that to prove our outrageous it is that GOD chose HIM!

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul was on a fast track towards the highest positions in Judaism, and then God gripped him!

“I” vs. “He”

God set him apart. God called him by his grace, revealed Jesus to him.

How hard was it for Paul to leave his past?

I imagine a lot! Had to give up authority, prestige

Would he be disappointing his mentors, his family, his friends?

Huge cost associate with his conversion: CLEAN BREAK FROM HIS PAST

How easy would it have been for Paul to allow rules, regulations, and traditions into the Message of the Gospel.

Baptism Tradition: Dutch vs. Biblical

Professor: Don’t invite family! You’re confusion. This is an event for the church, not for the family!

Hard to die to those meaningful traditions

Lord’s Day/Sabbath Observance

Paul had to give it ALL up! He had to look at his upbringing as obsolete, fulfilled in Christ, but obsolete. That takes courage!

Conversion is a Miracle:

Story of people washing in the Ganges River:

Surrounded by generations of tradition.

Centuries of belief

YOU CAN’T TAKE CREDIT for being a CHRISTIAN:

not because you are better

not because you were special

not because you contributed

You existed:

“But when he who had set me apart before I was born , and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...”

Stott: “prenatal choice”

In his testimony, he points to grace.

ONLY Influenced by God

Instead of consulting with people, or going to the hub of Jerusalem, he went to Arabia and Damascus

Paul goes out of the way to make sure that his listeners understand that his Gospel wasn’t influenced by anyone. What he received was of simplistic purity!

It’s impossible for the Gospel message I presented to you was influenced by others because I didn’t consult anyone. It’s a message straight from the top!

His Message was not Supplemented by Any Church

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Stott: “his authorization was not ecclesiastical”

vv.18-24: “Independent from Church in Judea”: Tradition

I barely hung out with the apostles! 15 days with Cephas only! And I didn’t bump into any of the other apostles except James (with God as my witness!). I’m not from that tribe of Apostles, therefore my Apostolic Authority to preach the Gospel doesn’t comes with the additional Judean/Jewish stipulations.

v. 22: Even after I went back to Syria and Cilicia, I was an Apostolic Nobody!

It’s kind of like all the hesitation surrounding Kanye West right now. Here we have a major cultural figure worth $$: dozens of grammy’s, producer, fashion designer, worth billions, married to a Kardashean! A man connected to some of the most powerful cultural influeners in culture, became a born again Christian.

“I’m letting you know what Jesus has done for me, and in that I’m no longer a slave, I’m a son now, a son of God. I’m free.”

So to sum up:

Paul’s motivation to preach came out a desire to please God

Paul’s authority came straight from Jesus

Paul’s Message came straight from Jesus without influence of other apostles or the powers that be in Jerusalem!

Paul’s Conversion came by Jesus: To prove his apostolocity

Paul’s calling to preach the True/New Gospel Came by Revelation from Jesus: To prove his message wasn’t influenced by people or places.

Revelation!

Paul’s Testimony has a Point: “Angular Biography”

Keeping our Testimonies Honest

How hard was it for Paul to leave his past?

I imagine a lot! Had to give up authority, prestige

Would he be disappointing his mentors, his family, his friends?

Huge cost associate with his conversion: CLEAN BREAK FROM HIS PAST

How easy would it have been for Paul to allow rules, regulations, and traditions into the Message of the Gospel.

Baptism Tradition: Dutch vs. Biblical

Professor: Don’t invite family! You’re confusion. This is an event for the church, not for the family!

Hard to die to those meaningful traditions

Lord’s Day/Sabbath Observance

Paul had to give it ALL up! He had to look at his upbringing as obsolete, fulfilled in Christ, but obsolete. That takes courage!

Conversion is a Miracle:

Story of people washing in the Ganges River:

Surrounded by generations of tradition.

Traditional: Living faith of the dead

Traditional vs. Traditionalism

Centuries of belief

YOU CAN’T TAKE CREDIT for being a CHRISTIAN:

not because you are better

not because you were special

Traditionalism: Dead faith of the living

not because you contributed

You existed:

“But when he who had set me apart before I was born , and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...”

Paul’s Conversion was uniquely God ordained

His conversion led him to become an Apostle

His conversion led him to become an Apostle to write letters that would later be considered inspired Scripture!

“I don’t have that great of a testimony. Not like Paul’s…”

“I don’t have that great of a testimony. Not like Paul’s… No body was like Paul!

NOBODY HAD A CONVERSION EXPERIENCE LIKE PAUL

Did the Lord send a highly touted prophet to you to which the Lord said about Paul, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17

No, Paul was uniquely special because of the commission God gave him.

Can you believe that guy who used to capture Christians became one!?

It’s kind of like all the hesitation surrounding Kanye West right now. Here we have a major cultural figure worth $$: dozens of grammy’s, producer, fashion designer, worth billions, married to a Kardashean! A man connected to some of the most powerful cultural influeners in culture, became a born again Christian.

“I’m letting you know what Jesus has done for me, and in that I’m no longer a slave, I’m a son now, a son of God. I’m free.”

How hard was it for Paul to leave his past?

I imagine a lot! Had to give up authority, prestige

Would he be disappointing his mentors, his family, his friends?

Huge cost associate with his conversion: CLEAN BREAK FROM HIS PAST

How easy would it have been for Paul to allow rules, regulations, and traditions into the Message of the Gospel.

Baptism Tradition: Dutch vs. Biblical

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself if you think you have a boring conversion story. You’re not Paul because nobody is Paul.

Professor: Don’t invite family! You’re confusing categories! This is an event for the church, not for the family!

Hard to die to those meaningful traditions

Paul’s conversion led to APOSTOLICITY and a NEW Revelation. No matter how many more people have googled Christianity this week because the Jesus album dropped, Kanye can never claim to speak a new revelation like Paul.

Lord’s Day/Sabbath Observance

Paul had to give it ALL up! He had to look at his upbringing as obsolete, fulfilled in Christ, but obsolete.

Story of people washing in the Ganges River:

Surrounded by generations of tradition.

Centuries of belief

not because you are better

not because you were special

not because you contributed

Our stories

You existed:

“But when he who had set me apart before I was born , and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...”

Sharing his story had a point to it:

Biblical Authority is OUR Authority because to listen to Paul, or Peter, or Mark, or Luke, is to listen to God! The Church can’t usurp the authority of the Bible!

Church stands under the authority of the Bible.

Your

Traditional vs. Traditionalism

Red Letter Christianity:

These are the most important words, Jesus words.

Paul’s authority came straight to the top!

not because you are better

not because you were special

not because you contributed

You existed:

“But when he who had set me apart before I was born , and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...”

Sharing his story had a point to it:

God chose the most unlikeable person.

The Gospel is Revelation straight from the King! He’s using his story to convince the Galatians of something.

Paul just doesn’t share information about himself, he shares how his transformation had a purpose that serves the Galatians churches.

Paul is strategic about his story? Angular Biographies

Our angle is always outward focused!

For God’s Glory

For the sake of others. To protect others. To save others.

How do you share your stories?

DO you share your story?

DO you believe your story is a miracle and have you reflected on how God will use your story so that, like the apostles with Paul, they will give glory to God because of you?

It’s not Paul’s testimony, it doesn’t need to be as dramatic as Paul’s testimony, but your story matters for the Kingdom!

How can I talk about Christ in this situation?

How does this person need Christ in their life and how can I address that need?

Is there loneliness? Guilt? Confusion?

How do they see reality? Morality? God?

Paul sets up three arguments in one paragraph to get at the heart of the Galatians misconceptions about him and the Gospel.

Do people misunderstand you? What would you need to correct in people so that they hear the singular message of the Gospel if you were to share it?

What would you say about how Jesus? How has he uniquely called you? What address did God call you to be his representative?

“Drawn to Jesus...”

Miracle of Conversion can take place right here, right now.

not because you are better

You’re not Paul...

not because you were special

not because you contributed

You’re not Kanye...

You existed:

You are you, and the Holy Spirit is right here in this place ready to transform you into God’s son. To make you free!

“But when he who had set me apart before I was born , and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me...”

Faith and Freedom

Faith and Freedom: A Message from God

Introduction: Pure Motivation

Story of Pastoral Concern: Paul’s Story to Prove He’s not a Fake Peddler

Introduction: Pure Motivation

Argument #1: Paul’s Calling and Message Came Straight from the Top

Paul’s Calling

Paul’s Message

Argument #2: Paul was NOT Influenced by the Apostles

Point #1: Dramatic Transition between vv. 13-14 with vv. 15-17

Application #1: Conversion is a Miracle

Point #2: Stott: “Prenatal Choice”

Why does Paul set up these verse like this? To prove he was uninfluenced by others

Argument #3: Paul was NOT Influenced by the Church

Application #1: Conversion is a Miracle

Conversion is a Miracle

Application #1: Paul’s Story is Not Your Story

Application #2: You’re Not Paul, But Your Story is still Meant for God’s Glory

“Angular Biography”

For those of you who feel like you don’t have a story...

Faith and Freedom

Faith and Freedom: A Message from God

Introduction: Pure Motivation

Story of Pastoral Concern: Paul’s Story to Prove He’s not a Fake Peddler

​

Introduction: Pure Motivation

Argument #1: Paul’s Calling and Message Came Straight from the Top

Paul’s Calling

Paul’s Message

Argument #2: Paul was NOT Influenced by the Apostles

Point #1: Dramatic Transition between vv. 13-14 with vv. 15-17

Application #1: Conversion is a Miracle

Point #2: Stott: “Prenatal Choice”

Why does Paul set up these verse like this? To prove he was uninfluenced by others

Argument #3: Paul was NOT Influenced by the Church

Application #1: Conversion is a Miracle

Conversion is a Miracle

Application #1: Paul’s Story is Not Your Story

Application #2: You’re Not Paul, But Your Story is still Meant for God’s Glory

“Angular Biography”

For those of you who feel like you don’t have a story...