Sermon Tone Analysis

Attack Against The Gospel

Acts 15:1-5 \\ "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

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Introduction

1.

The gospel was on the move

2.       Satan had tried many attempts

a.       Ananias & Sapphira

b.      Unbelieving Jews and superstitious Gentiles

c.       Political leaders

d.      Things had turned bloody, but freedom was on the move.

3.       Now Satan tries a stealth attack…penetrating the ranks and attacking deep inside the church

a.       Galatians 2:4 "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

b.      False brethren

c.       Reminds us of 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

d.

Then to add to the fray, there are those who are believers joining their ranks!

4.       The church would give audience to someone on the outside trying to teach doctrine should be.

a.

Most liberal churches don’t read the Chattanooga Times Union or watch CNN to find out what their beliefs are and should be.

b.

It takes someone viewed as being from the inside.

5.       Satan’s objective: divide the multiplying church

a.       Reduce effectiveness

b.      Create confusion: Faith cannot reside where there is confusion.

The Attack Against The Gospel

*1.       **Deviants Attack (1)*

a.       Deviants = departing from the norm

b.      Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

c.

The gospel revolves around a person, Jesus Christ and his work (death on the cross for our sins, burial and resurrection)

d.

The attempt to put the attention somewhere else was deliberate and deadly.

e.

They made it clear as to their interpretation.

f.        Fallen from Grace

                                                               i.

Galatians 5:1-4 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

*2.       **Disputation of the Adamant (2)*

a.       Adamant = uncompromising; inflexible; impenetrably hard

b.

Dissention = controversy; uprising, insurrection

c.       Disputation = discussion, reasoning, debate

d.      Paul was unbending.

He had a firm grip on the Scriptures and salvation

                                                               i.

Barnabas was firm in Antioch, but not unyielding to the influence of notable and influential preachers in Jerusalem.

ii.

Galatians 2:12-13 "For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation."

iii.

Paul would not easily forget this unstableness later.

e.      Paul would not yield to political persuasion during this critical hour

                                                               i.

Galatians 2:3-11 "3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed/ to be somewhat/ in conference added nothing to me: 7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as/ the gospel/ of the circumcision/ was/ unto Peter; 8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we/ should go/ unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10Only/ they would/ that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."

f.        Paul would not sit idle by while the gospel was being maligned

                                                               i.

It was the red button you didn’t push with Paul

                                                             ii.      Galatians 2:21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

g.

This did not sour Paul…he was still a bearer of good news and the gospel

                                                               i.

Acts 15:3-4 "And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them."

ii.

They gave witness to the things God had done with them!

                                                            iii.

They gave a good, not evil report.

iv.

In the midst of strife and confusion, never lose sight of the goodness of God!

*3.       **Deference to the Apostles (2)*

a.

No completed word of God.

b.

If they had the book of Galatians, Romans, Hebrews, etc., these false brethren would have been shown the door.

c.

This does not teach a religious hierarchy

                                                               i.

The Spirit of God had commanded Paul to go.

1.       Galatians 2:1-2 "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

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

*d.      **Why did the Spirit want this to go to Jerusalem?*

*                                                              i.

**Confirm Salvation By Grace Through Faith*

1.

The whole issue of salvation being by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ has always been the flag shining throught the rocket’s red glare and seen by the dawns early light.

2.       It is this great salvation that is the flag that religion seeks to replace with the flag of the flesh and their own works.

3.       Galatians 6:13-14 "For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."