Separated for Gospel

Sermon Notes

Galatians 1:11–17 (NKJV)

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,

16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul’s conversion was unlike that of the apostles.

The gospel that Paul preached is not man made because Jesus Himself was revealed to Paul.

Acts 9:1–7 (NKJV)

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

Observations on Paul’s Conversion

1. Paul persecuted the church (13)

2. Paul was a Judiazer (14)

3. Paul’s understanding of the gospel did not come from influences of man. (16)

4. Paul recieved no formal gospel education. (17)

Paul’s conversion was not recieved via education and obedience, it came by revelation and testimony.

Hebrews 11:1–3 NLT

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

It makes no difference how closed we think people are to the gospel. If Jesus calls them, they cannot resist.

We do not choose who recieves the gospel, we just go about all that God is doing in and through them.

But those whom God calls, He uses.

There is great power in the gospel message that is presented by God’s people.

Here are two ways the gospel demonstrates its power in the life of a sinner:

God changes the most stubborn of hearts. (16)

God transforms the life of a sinner. (17)