It is not where you start but where you finish
Notes
Transcript
What do I want them to know? The Goodness of the Gospel
Why? There is Life, Encouragement/Courage, Peace (God makes peace with us and God and provides
What do I want them to do? Walk with God (Christian disciplines, read the Word, pray (listening too), worship, Walk with the ekkleissa Heb 10:24-25, Check the signs (not change them) scripture (sex before marriage), ekklessia, Spirit
Why? It leads to Life, Encouragement/Courage, Peace
What do I want them to feel? Encouraged, Loved, Peace
ME/WE
It is not where you start but where you finish that matters most.
It is not where you start but where you finish that matters most.
We see this illustrated in the famous fable of the tortoise and the Hare
In this fable the tortoise a turtle challenges the hare (rabbit) to a race....we are thinking this is not smart the rabbit is much much faster than the tortoise....golf cart going against a race car.
But the turtle insists the race goes on, (so the fox draws the starting line and says and your marks get set GO!) and the rabbit takes off goes way ahead to the point he can’t see the turtle anymore and then decides you know what because I am so far ahead I will take a nap and then wake up when the tortoise comes.
The tortoise does not give up he just keeps his eyes going body walking in the same direction, the finish line and eventually he gets to the rabbit and passes the rabbit who is napping and continues to nap until the tortoise is a couple yards from finishing.
Then the rabbit wakes up and dashes off but he is too late. The tortoise whens the race
It is not where you start but where you finish that matters most.
We see this illustrated not just fables but in our own lives.
- some of us our story is like the tortoise or much worse with our vocational life.
Some of us barely graduated high school, goofed off in our 20’s, but now we are at a good job.
WE have all been there with something
All of us have had the opposite experience,(we were like the HARE) we started off well with our house projects (then 5 years later and it is still not done), health goals (in January we are strong but by Febuary 80% have dropped out) , financial aspirations (we want to get out of debt) , but then we stop
WHY? WHY
It is our direction (the path) not our intentions that determine our destination...
No matter how much you intend to do something it does not matter if you are walking in the opposite direction.
For example, if you are trying to save money it is not beneficial to walking into the store when you are trying to not spend money it is not going work
Same thing is true with the SINS we struggle with....FLEE (those people and places and things) and WALK in different direction with GOD....if you struggle with drinking where do you not to be? the bar and the liquor aisle or our friend Jim’s house who has an enless supply of beer and will encourage you to drink…if you struggle with uncontrolled mouth…flee the people who talk that way, who gossip, lie, and tare down.
Repentance “metanoia” means to change directions
Eugene Peterson said discipleship become like Jesus is a long walk of obedience in the same direction
It is our direction (the path) not our intentions that determine our destination...
2. The People we are closed to will greatly influence what path we take....(our closest at most 5ish people)
If we chose to have our closest friends be people who live a nefarious life, guess what is going to happen to us?
We are going to be the one shining light in the bunch (that’s rarely happens but that’s what we think)…nope
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
The majority influences the minority
Behind every great person of faith is a circle of friends living faithfully to Jesus, this does not mean we do not need to be friends with non-Christians
If we take a look at your life and took a view at it
You have the same friends who do not have path changes, directions changes,
We can determine where you or I will land up in 5, 10 years from now by who are your closet friends.
3. God’s Protection and Grace The reason you do not end up where you think you should be is because that is not the place God wants you to be.
Anybody experience that?
Thought you were supposed to go here but the doors kept closing and you thought you needed to push harder but God keep pushing you to a new path.
Marriage, job, opportunity
GRACE. The person writing the letter to the Galatian church, Paul experienced this....his path was persecuting Christian and through God’s grace, providence that he went on another path.
What we see is how we finish, where we end up is determined by our
1. Direction (Path) not intention
2. The people closest to us
3. God
We see this in all areas of our lives, marriage, finanices, health…these are good and God needs to be invovled in it but the place I want to see you finish well in the most is your faith.
This is Paul’s concern for the churches in Galatia. He is concerned about them finishing well in their faith
for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
At the end of the day if we finish well in all other areas of life, but do not finish well with our faith does it matter?
This is Paul’s concern for the churches in Galatia. He is concerned about them finishing well in their faith
This is not a concern he had year prior to Paul writing the letter to the churches in Galatia
What happen a year before the letter and what changed?
What happened in 47 A.D. and what changed in 48 A.D. when he writes the letter.
What happened in 47AD
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.
What happens in 47AD Paul and Barnabas are sent off by Holy Spirit
Where does Holy Spirit take them?
Cyprus (what do they do there? proclaim the Gospel)
Pamphylia (what do they do there? proclaim the Gospel)
Galatia
First stop is Antioch in Pisidia...What does Paul do? Preaches the Gospel....
What happens?
Preach the Gospel....many are saved and some are angry
As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.
And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(NO! for US! they forgot the promises of Abraham)
Holy Spirit moves them to Iconium
What happens in Iconium? Same thing. Gospel preached, People come to Jesus, persecution.
Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.
When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,
they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,
and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Now they are moved to Lystra and Derbe to preach the Gospel
What happens in Lystra? They preached the Gospel and then Paul by the power of God heals someone and what do people do?
And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
Paul said we are not gods, but let me tell you about the ONE TRUE God....people came to know Jesus, Jews didn’t like it and come to find out the Jews in Antioch and Iconium rallied together to kill Paul....we need to stop this Paul from preaching about Jesus!
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Person influencing and helping them be on the God’s path
This is amazing!!!
Then something happens from 47-48AD....Where they were in 47AD is not the same place in 48AD....they are in a worse place....have we not been there?
WE were walking with God....We couldn’t get enough of Jesus was everything and now Jesus is nothing or very little
WHY IS THAT? WHY WAS THAT FOR THE CHURCHES IN GALATIA??? PEOPLE, THE ENEMY USED PEOPLE
PEOPLE CREPT INTO THEIR INNER CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE WHO WERE PERVERTING THE GOSPEL
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
PAUL WRITES BACK TO THEM AND SAYS THOSE PEOPLE ARE PERVERTING THE GOSPEL, BEWTICHING YOU, DECIEVING YOU
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.
PAUL COMES AND SAYS CHURCH THERE IS ONLY ONE GOSPEL....WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? IT IS THE GOSPLE THAT JESUS HAS COME TO SAVE SINNERS BY DYING ON THE CROSS FOR THEM TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR SIN
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
In doing so He rescues people from death and destruction
He redeems people, 2 Cor 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Renames and repositions us call us HIS SON, HIS DAUGHTER, HIS CHILD, A SAINT
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Provides You know what else he does because he is your abba father? He provides for you
Phil 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
THIS IS THE GOSPEL
RESCUED, REDEEMED, RENAMED, REPOSITIONED, PROVIDED FOR
THI IS AMAZING!
GET WATER OUT
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GALATIA? THE GOSPEL IS BEING PERVERTED
HOW? WHAT ARE THEY DOING? (bring out rocks)
Unbiblically teachers have crept in and preached Works righteousness
Law plus grace that leads to salvation.
you need to earn your salavation too
This false Gospel weighs you down because you feel like you are never good enough.
Sure you have some good days, get rid of some stones, but you always seem to a be weighted down in SHAME, not free, but the Gospel sets you free
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Good News
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
And we also see some other Gospels that in the Bible and today that we need to be mindful of and aware of.
2. Syncretism
This glass looks right, but it has poison inside, it’s bleach.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
HOW DO WE SEE THIS TODAY?
Jesus plus other religious or gods. (we see this in the OT and NT and TODAY)
IN OT Baal, Ashera, and GOD
Jesus plus, crystrals
Jesus plus, astrology
Jesus plus, hindiuism
YOGA....Yoga is a form of hindui worship…yoga means to yoke yourself to the gods of hindism, which are demons and yes people have had demons that have come from yoga.
I witnessed people who get into bondage, brokenness, destruction, demon possession,
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I witnessed people who get into bondage, brokenness, destruction, demon possession,
3. Dirt
We are good!
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
The only way we come to believe we are good is by comparison…the Pharisees did this....I have less rocks than them.
What Paul says and I say these are not the Gospel
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Do not drink the false Gospel
THE GOSPEL IS THAT JESUS HAS COME TO SAVE SINNERS BY HIS OWN DEATH AND RESURRECTION
Rescued us from hell and give us life eternall
Redeem us we are made righteous by the blood of Jesus
Renames us child, son, daughter, saint
1 John 4:4
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Repositions us priest, saint
Provides for us....do you know what peace this give us
Jesus is giving us LIFE, ENCOURAGEMENT, COURAGE, PEACE
HOW DO WE REMAIN ON THE PATH THAT GOD HAS FOR US?
Walk with God on His path
This happens through Christian disciplines
Prayer, reading the Word, fellowship, worship
Develop Spiritual disciplines to help keep you walking with God.
2. Walk away from the false Gospels and walk with your fellow believers the ekkliessa
We do not live a hidden life, but a authentic life,
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
3. Check the signs
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Check with Scripture and fellow believers, scripture trumps what people
Gospel is A-Z
We see this illustrated in the famouse fable of the touritise and the Hare