What is Worth Fighting For?

Galatians 2:1–2 NASB95

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.

Paul says that he goes back to Jerusalem after fourteen years of ministry with two of his disciples, Barnabas and Titus. He says that there were two reasons that they went to Jerusalem this time: (1) They had received a prophecy. Although we don’t know for sure, this prophecy is most likely what we read about in Acts 11:27-30.

So Paul goes down to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus to deliver aide to the churches in the Holy Land.

But this wasn't the only reason. Paul also states the second reason. He writes, “And I submitted to them the gospel which I preached among the Gentiles…but i did so in private to those who were of reputation (‘or to those that seems influential’) for FEAR that I might be running, or had run, in vain.”

So Paul says that he goes to Jerusalem from an external motivation—to give aide to the churches who were in need.

And an internal motivation—He was afraid that he might have been preaching the gospel in vain...

I just want you to consider this for just a minute…What in the world would or could scare the Apostle Paul?

After all, this was the guy that wrote this:

2 Corinthians 11:21–30 ESV

21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

So what would make a guy who had been imprisoned, had countless beatings, five times recieved the 39 lashes, been beaten with rods 3 times, shipwrecked 3 times—where he had to spend 48 hours drifting at sea. He was stoned—and not like how Willie Nelson go stoned either. He was constantly in danger of rivers, robbers, his own people, and Gentiles. He faced danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea. He had sleepless nights, often had no food or water, and he’d exerpienced the worst of the weather. On top of that, Paul says, “there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches...”

And in all this…Paul says, “I will boast in the things that show my weakness.”

So what was Paul afraid of?

Paul tells us...

“…for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.”

We might think at first glance that Paul was in need of confirmation or the affirmation of the Apostles in Jerusalem. But this isn't at all what Paul is concerned with. He wasn't looking for certainty in the gospel message, he wouldn't have waited 14 years if he was uncertain of the message…he would have gone sooner.

So what does Paul mean when he says that he was afraid that he had been running or had run in vain?

Here’s Why…Paul was fearful that he had run in vain because he knew that the fruitfulness of his ministry was in jeopardy.

Paul understood that his effectiveness as an evangelist was dependent upon the unity of the church. If the other Apostle’s didnt denounce these false teachers, Paul understood that his effectiveness as a minister of the gospel would be greatly impacted.

Here is the point…Paul picked a battle that was worth fighting...

In church world…there are a lot of bad hills that you can die on.

Unfortunately, I think in many churches today many people die on the wrong hills. Wouldnt you agree? Most churches that split in today’s world dont split over things that should cause division.

So When is it Right to Fight?

Paul went to Jerusalem because he knew that the gospel that he preached to the Gentiles was in jeopardy.

Paul knew that his calling to take the gospel to the Gentiles was in many ways dependent upon the church in Jerusalem understanding that non-Jews could be saved.

Remember, at the time, Jews believe that God was only the savior of Jewish people…if it weren't for Paul…and if it weren't for this meeting going the way that it did nearly 2,000 years ago…it’s entirely possible that we—being the Gentiles that we are—do not come to saving faith in Jesus.

We Should Unite with Other Christians in Order to Reach the Lost

This was, in many ways, the first ever church mission conference.

Paul goes to Jerusalem to win over the approval of the mother church in order that he might continue to expereince fruitful ministry

Paul doesnt need the approval of the church in Jerusalem. God had already given him all the approval he could want in Christ Jesus.

However, Paul’s Holy ambition was to make the name of Jesus known where it wasnt.

It was his calling and his responsibility.

And this is our responsibility as well.

As followers of Jesus…each of us have a calling placed on our lives...

We are called to set aside our beliefs about our individual theological opinions in order to accomplish the Great Commission.

Because I am a Christian…I will work with Pentacostals and Presbyterians. I will work with Methodists and Menonites. I will link arms with Episcopalians.

If we cant set our prefrences aside for the ambition of seeing lost people be saved…we are

We Must Defend the Gospel’s Message

How Do We Rightly Defend the Gospel?

Biblical Affirmation (1-2)

If we get the gospel message wrong…we have waster our time (If Christ didnt rise from the dead…1 Cor. 15)

We Dont Comprimise on Christian Liberty/Dont live for other People opinions... (v.3-6)

Live a Life that Noone can deny that God is at work in you. (v. 7-8)

??We Join Hands with Those Who seek to reach other people in our community (v. 9)

We Must Live as Gospel Messengers

How does the gospel we believe impact the way we live?

Who we are comes out in how we live.