Galatians (5)

Introduction: Romans 1:16-17 tells us…

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Who was the person the Lord used to tell you about Jesus?

Transition: The main point of Galatians 1:10-2:14 is that The gospel of Christ should not be distorted because it was received by revelation of Christ, affirmed by the apostles of Christ, and holds authority over everyone.

Put on your helmets, pick up your swords, and strap on your belts because we have some ground to cover and I’m gonna hold the peddle to the metal!

The gospel OF Jesus Christ

A. The apostle makes it very clear that the gospel he first preached to the Galatians was not a message according to man, received from man, or taught to him by man. No, the gospel he first preached in Galatia was received by revelation of Jesus Christ. At first glance it may seem silly to put emphasis on a preposition. However, it is important for the point that is being made. The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t only reveal the subject of the gospel but also the origin of the gospel. It is a gospel that is about Jesus Christ but also belongs to Jesus Christ. The point Paul is making is that he received the gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Now, what does that mean?

B. The word revelation is Apokalypseos, which is where we get the word apocalyptic. It simply means a full disclosure, or fully known. What was not known is now known. If we continue reading in verse 13, the context will go on to explain how this revelation occured. Explain verses 13-17

How did Jesus reveal the gospel to Paul?

God initiated the full disclosure of His Son to Paul.

God illuminated the full disclosure of His word concerning His Son. We know this to be the case because as aul received this gospel so he delivered it. (I Cor 15:3), And the gospel he delivered was according to Scripture.

C. Why is this so important today? As you should be well aware of, just because a person professes to represent Jesus, or just because they say God told them to tell you something, or just because they say they have a new revelation about your life does not mean you should swallow it. Quite frankly, we should get into the habit that if we have a word from God to share with someone to immediately take them to what has been written in the Scriptures. Or, if someone tells you they have a revelation from God for you, ask them to share the Bible reference with you.

D. What does this truth correct in our day? There is no new revelation. I do not mean that the word of God will not at times seems new. Much like when you buy a used car, or find a sweet shirt at goodwill. Its new to you, but it is not new in the proper since. The same for the gospel. We will and should be continually illuminated by the gospel. But there isn’t a new gospel, or a new revelation to be added. Which takes us to another aspect of this point.

How did we receive the New Testament?

Three test questions...

E. How did we get the gospel message in the first place? The whole truth about Jesus collected in the Whole Bible. A more specific question, how did we get the New Testament revelation? It was revealed by God, and received by man. Three basic tests involved in recognizing the credibility of the completed document of the new testament. 1. Who received/recorded it? Had to be apostle or apostolic affirmed. 2. What was received? Does the message complement the rest of Scripture? 3. How did they receive it? 2 Peter 1:20-21.

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

F. Why is this so important? Because of false teachers who seek to distort the gospel! They may be under the inspiration of a spirit, but it is not the Holy Spirit. Examples include but not limited to; like Mormonism and latter day saints. Also like the Papal authority of the Roman catholic church.

G. Why should defend the faith against such cults? Because at the root of these is the same satanic influence that tempted Eve in the Garden, “Did God really say?” … And we must according to Jude 3 contend for the faith...

Jude 3 ESV

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

H. This faith is built on a foundation that we have received. Not as a direct revelation from Jesus Christ, but rather through His apostles the revelation of God has been written. As we are told in Ephesians 2:18-22

Ephesians 2:18–22 ESV

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I. Here is the application point: Those who make up the household of God, the church, have been given the keys of the kingdom. The church as a whole Assembly of those who belong to Christ take up the torch of the gospel as the means that God uses to redeem His people. And so to be a member of the body of Christ, the church is to be a part of the mission of God to reconcile sinners to Himself. This is where Bibliology meets Ecclesiology. Our understanding of revelation equips up to fulfill our ministry of reconciliation. If we belong to Christ we exist for His glory to make Him known through the message of the gospel which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Conclusion: God’s primary way to send the message of the gospel is through His people. We are the method. Even as helpful as innovations may be, they never replace God’s means of using His people to proclaim His gospel.

The very nature of the gospel is at stake. What do I mean? The gospel is good news! It is a news that must be proclaimed. It is a proposition of truth that must be spoken. It is the news about a Holy God, rebellious Humanity, sacrificial Christ who dies in the place of sinners and God raised Him from the dead, and the response of faith to the awakening of the Holy Spirit. It cannot be systematized into a formula. It is news that must be communicated.

Questions: Has Christ been formed in me to the point of proclaiming Him to others? Do I look for the opportunities to speak the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit? There is no doubt that God arranges particular people for you to proclaim the message of hope to. Sometimes He will even call his kids to particular groups of people, like He did with Paul. However, He calls all of His kids to share good news of Christ with any and all people whenever and wherever we have the opportunity.

Interesting, we have no problem passing along other news. News about temporary events and happening. News of sicknesses and chaos. What about the good news? We started the sermon by sharing the people that God used to tell us about Jesus. Am I passing that news on?

Am I delivering the good news that I received?