We are Called to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Introduction

What motivated me to teach a sermon series on Galatians is the false narratives perpetrated by various groups

The letter to the Galatians was one of Paul’s earliest letters (49-50 A.D.). He wrote it to defend the gospel which he was commissioned by Christ to preach against the false teachings of Judaizers, who taught those who desired to receive salvation must also submit to Jewish law (legalism). That included circumcision and keeping the Mosaic law. Paul’s argument was the authentic gospel message is this: salvation is a free gift of God that comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by human works. The Judaizers consistently questioned Paul’s apostolic calling and accused him of heralding a message that originated from human beings and changing his message to please people. Paul addressed those issues by defending the authenticity of his calling, presenting theological arguments that demonstrated salvation by works inevitably fails because the law condemns, not save. As Paul stated, “. . . a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal 2:16). Finally, he demonstrated, through practical argumentation, true freedom come from living by the power of the Spirit. Therefore, we can begin to unpack this letter in three sections: 1) Galatians 1-2 establishes historical context; 2) Galatians 3-4 presents theological content; and 3) Galatians 5-6 is the moral and ethical outcome.

I. Greeting (vv. 1-5)

Galatians 1:1–5 ESV

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

(v 1) Paul established his commission comes from Jesus and God the Father not man. Why? Because one of the accusations levied against Paul was about his status as an apostle of Jesus. Also, this speaks to the person and work of Christ in, 1) he is mentioned before God the Father, 2) he just mentioned his commissioning was not by man, which does not suggest Jesus was not human. Instead, Paul was highlighting the fact Jesus is much more than a mere man, 3) there is no distinction between the calling of Jesus and God which asserts the essential unity between Father and Son. Paul also established the resurrection of Christ is a work of the Godhead and their unity with one another (John 10:17-18).

(v 2) No specific name(s) are given for the “brothers” who are with Paul. It is important to know there are fellow workers in Christ accompanying Paul who is also addressing the Galatian churches in the region. This letter is meant to be circulated and read throughout the church in that area.

(vv 3-5) Verses 3-5 are essentially the gospel message. Grace (unmerited favor) of God which brings about peace (state of national tranquility or wholeness/shalom in Hebrew). This comes from God the Father and Jesus Christ. Enabled by Christ giving himself for sin and rescuing believers from an evil world, according to the will of God the Father, to whom receives glory forever.

II. No Other Gospel (vv 6-10)

Galatians 1:6–10 ESV

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 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.

(vv 6-7) Instead of thanksgiving, Paul admonished the Galatians for their actions. Paul’s amazement is more likely influenced by length of time it took between evangelizing the area and them turning to a different teaching. The word deserting in Greek means a change of position. The one they were deserting was God, who called them into the grace of Christ. They deserted him for another or different gospel, which Paul does not consider a gospel at all. What is the “different gospel?” As we will learn later in the letter, it is not justification by faith but by works. Paul continues by calling those who preach such a message as trouble makers. Their desire is to turn around or pervert the gospel of Christ.

(vv 8-9) Paul emphasized we (himself and brothers with him in verse 2) or angels from heaven, preach a different gospel let him be accursed (devoted to destruction or literally one will be cut off from salvation). Paul’s restatement of verse 8 in verse 9 stresses the importance of his statement. It is a clear warning for those who willfully distort the truth and those who listen and follow it as well.

(v 10) Paul’s statement in verse 10 is what he is often accused of by his opponents. He is accused of changing his message to please men (1 Co 9:19-23). “For am I now seeking the approval (peitho) of man, or of God?” In many versions, peitho is rendered approval or favor. In the KJV, it is rendered persuade. The proper Greek meaning is persuade, which we know Paul persuaded men and women with the sole purpose of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ (Acts 18:4; 2 Co 5:11, 20). To persuade God he did not do, nor was Paul a people pleaser. To “please” a person means to accommodate oneself to the opinions, desires, and interest of others. That he did not do nor was he called to do it (1 Thess 2:4). As he persuades man with the gospel, he lives to please God doing it. If he were still pleasing man, he would be continue teaching justification by works as the Judaizers do or anything contrary to what he received as true. And, he would not be a servant of Christ.

III. Paul’s Calling (vv 11-24)

Galatians 1:11–24 ESV

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 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. 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, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 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. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

(vv 11-14) In the final verses, Paul gave a autobiography of his previous way of life and his calling into apostleship. Again, he reiterates the origin of the gospel he preached is not man’s nor was it taught to him by man. It was received through a revelation of Jesus Christ. That revelation happened on the way to Damascus (Acts 9). He gave a backdrop of his former life, which included advancing in Judaism beyond this peers, persecution of the church, which with such zealous motivations (traditions of his father), he tried in every way to destroy it. His zealous behavior is on par with Phineas (Numbers 25:6-13) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:10).

(vv 15-16a) “But” signifies the shift in Paul’s life. Paul said he was “set apart before birth” by God and called by God’s grace. Paul believed in the sovereign election and calling of God unto salvation. God being pleased to reveal his Son to Paul is not the same a please in verse 10. God being “pleased” means it was good to God to choose or determine. The reason? So, Paul may preach Christ among the Gentiles.

(vv 16b-17) After receiving revelation, he did not immediately consult with anyone, nor go up to Jerusalem to seek the apostles. Instead, Paul went away into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. Although a wilderness journey is liken to that of Moses and Elijah and Mt. Sinai being mention by Paul as being in Arabia (Gal 4:25), Paul did not take time off to reflect. Arabia is more likely a reference to the Nabataean kingdom founded in the 2nd century B.C. which Aretas IV was governor at the time of Paul’s conversion. Paul preached immediately after his conversion in Arabia and returned to Damascus where Aretas IV was guarding the city to seize Paul (2 Co 11:32-33). Therefore, validates his story of not consulting with anyone nor immediately going into Jerusalem to see the apostles.

(vv 18-24) “Three years” signified the period of time spent ministering before going Jerusalem. He went to get acquainted (get to know) with Peter and stay for 15 days. We find James, the brother of Jesus, was the only other apostle seen. Paul confirms what he is saying is not a lie. Again, the statement is made due to the false allegations of his opponents. Finally, we find Paul was an unknown in person amongst the churches in Judea but his actions were noticed. Thus, all who heard knew the one who use to persecute them is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy; and they glorify God because of him.

IV. Implications for Us

1. Commissioned by God not men

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Men confirm the commission

Talk about the current process of ordination

What are we commission to do?

2. Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ

The gospel is heralding the good news Jesus is King. In a nutshell it is what we find in passages like 1 Co 15:1-8; Romans 3:21-26; and Ephesians 2:1-10.

Grace-unmerited favor of God and peace-no longer at war

It was Jesus in the giving of himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age

It was according to the will of God the Father in the giving of His Son, Jesus, that through faith in Jesus we are justified and therefore saved. (Sacrifice sufficient for all but effective for only the believer).

John 6:38–40 ESV

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

3. Therefore, there is no other gospel

Many purposely distort and many turn to that distortion

2 Timothy 3:13 ESV

while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Motivation for them are the people not God. We persuade men not please them. Those that do are accursed or devoted to destruction.

Briefly talk about false doctrines/teachings and the people that listen. Also, mention we should not be looking for a good word because anytime we heard the Word of God, its good.

4. Servants of Christ are Sovereignly elected and called by God

Many take issue with election and calling (the means by which God brings his elect into the experience of salvation in Christ). But those that do must read and interpret through the lenses of Scripture, not feelings or reason, on this topic.

John 6:43–44 ESV

Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 10:25–30 ESV

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 9:11–16 ESV

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

1 Corinthians 1:23–28 ESV

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

Ephesians 1:3–6 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:11–14 ESV

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Important to understand, although the gospel is delivered by man it is revealed by God through the Holy Spirit. And that revelation is of Jesus Christ. Hence, why the gospel must be Christ-centered.

John 5:39–40 ESV

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

John 15:26–27 ESV

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:13–15 ESV

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

1 Corinthians 2:10–16 ESV

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

We all have a personal testimony about where we came from and how we got here but it means very little absent of the gospel. We are delivered from our old ways, therefore, “we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Co 4:5).

5. Get acquainted with other Christians

Get to know other Christians personally and doctrinally. Learn about one another’s life, experiences, matters on faith (doctrine) and ministry (work).

6. Let your life be an example that brings God glory