Untitled Sermo

Are we stuck, or can we be transformed?

Brian Edward Murray / General

Galatians / Galatians 1:11–24

Are We Stuck, or can we be Transformed?

Good morning, everyone; before we move on to the following few verses in the book of Galatians, we have some Reviewing and some revisions that I need to go over. First, we learned last time in the book of Galatians that there is no such thing as a Big A – Apostle in 2022 because God these selected individuals with skills and abilities that he created to spread the message and help the Great Commission like the Apostle Paul, John, Matthew, mark and Luke for an example. Jesus spent so much time teaching, studying, mentoring, and guiding them into whom we know from the pages of our Bibles. The Apostle Paul spent time in the desert learning from Jesus instead of spending three years of ministry with Jesus with the other Apostles, including Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Not Barnabas, like I mentioned Previously.

Next, we learned that the church is not meant to be legalistic or down to the letter. Some in the early church believed that you had to be a Believer of Judaism on top of Christianity to party in heaven with Jesus. However, this is not true and was passed along as a requirement in the early day of our church.

The third point that we covered and stressed was that we, as Believers and individuals, do not add anything to our Salvation except our sins and transgressions. The only way we have been saved was by the grace and mercy of God's Son Jesus being humiliated, beaten, and dying on a Roman cross and then being raised from the dead on the third day.

There is no more straightforward way to explain this is something we can explain to those we love and including our grandchildren.

We also learned that those sitting in our auditorium have an essential job because you must remain on guard to false teachers. Just standing at the podium or preaching on zoom does not mean that everything you say is correct. For example, I goofed and said the wrong Apostle that Threw Jesus under the bus. It was hard for me, but I admit I was wrong, and someone lovingly said, hey, you meant this.

False Doctrine can destroy churches and your faith. If you are not on guard against the wolf in sheep clothing, then we can lose our foundation on God's word. Just like cracking concrete on a homes foundation or the roads that we drive on in Southwest Florida.

The next thing that I need to tidy up is that I made a translation issue and missed something completely in verse eight that uses the language of accursed, which looks close to accused to some myself including. The Apostle Paul was trying to tell us in verse eight that if you preach false Doctrine, you need to be released of your duties because you can damage a young Christian who will believe anything said from the pulpit. The Apostle Paul tells us that we must watch out for each other because some cannot. When your child was little, they could not watch over themselves, so you made sure that they would not put a fork in the outlet or that they could not fall off the couch.

Additionally, the word servant was covered in the last verse, which means an enslaved person. I should have strongly encouraged and driven down that we are not our property and were bought and saved by our Heavenly Father. A servant is too gentle because this would mean that we chose our Salvation. We were selected before the earth's foundation to be saved and party in Heaven with Jesus. We have a binary choice to follow the world and everything they do or follow our Heavenly Father. Are you going to be a Sunday Christian who does what God commands us to do on Sunday, but by Monday afternoon, you are doing the opposite of everything we were told? Are you getting drunk, lying, lustful thoughts, being deceitful, and many other things?

The theme for this morning is transformation and I have Title is “ Are we stuck or can be Transformed?”

something impossible is possible with our Heavenly Father, no matter if you are an ax murderer, Abuse victim, or Abuser and a sinner. Can you genuinely change from someone so messed up that duct tape, super glue, and even nails cannot fix it? Are we as Human Beings unable to be changed from what has happened to us or what we have done to something that honors and glorifies God and is the right thing to do?

Are we genuinely stuck into being bad people that were the same person that was sent to prison for 20 years and then released? Do I deserve a chance to change my life, or will I be the same way forever? We will touch base on these things and buckle up because it gets exciting and fun.

Galatians 1:11–12 LEB

For I make known to you, brothers, the gospel that has been proclaimed by me, that it is not of human origin. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

I know that I have stressed this in the past, but I love the bluntness of the Apostle Paul. He does not beat around the bush and tells the people of Galatia how they need to hear it. He says clearly that I did not make this Gospel. Not Even humans have made this Gospel, but it was made by communication from Jesus.

We must stress to ourselves and others that Man does not create the Words of God, but we are like the pencil on a piece of paper. The pencil does not know what to write or even how to write. We are just the instrument, but our Heavenly Father allows us to add our flavor. The Apostle Paul's bluntness, Doctor Luke's use of exact details, and other little traits we know from the Apostles and other Biblical writers. God used the gifts, weaknesses, and flaws to help grow the Gospel, which is paramount for those writing this letter and us in 2022.

How often have you had to tell your coworkers or a close individual something that was not comfortable for you to tell them? The old Saying do not kill the messenger, but hey our boss needs you to do this particular item instead of going of you going home ,

It is usually something that you really hate to do and is not fun. This was precisely what happened with the Apostle Paul. He did not start the message but was the messenger telling everyone what was happening, and sometimes this is not comfortable for you or the audience. The critical thing we must keep in mind is that the Apostle Paul did not just decide this was what was going to happen, but he was the in-between. He was playing a Biblical game of Telephone where you start on one end and tell the message to one person, and then it keeps going. However, the message was not messed up at the end, but he had to add the disclaimer that states this is from our Heavenly Father.

The supreme being that created everything out of complete and utter nothing and not Even man cannot create the Heavens and the earth. We add nothing to the equation, which we must continue to drive down into our thick skulls. TO the day we are no longer on this earth.

Galatians 1:13–15 ESV

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,

The Apostle Paul has a broken past, and he thought he was doing what God wanted him to do when he was killing and torturing the early Christians for the Jewish synagogue. He was being taught and felt that he was doing the right thing. He was killing early Christians, and he thought that he was doing this for the glory of God. He was climbing the ranks of the Jewish synagogue and was extremely zealous. Now I know that everyone would make fun of me, but I have heard this word many times, but what did it mean?

Well, I must know what it means, so I do not misinterpret the scripture that God has been trying to convey to us right here.

The word incredibly means Enthusiast or gun-ho in what they were trying to do. Who remembers when they first get into a new career or are young? They are willing to do whatever it takes and learn everything they can. I am at that stage in my career with my Secular job because I want to advance and do my best.

Suppose my boss says jump; I will jump unless unsafe or unethical. The Apostle Paul was willing to do anything, even to kill for the Jewish church, because he believed that what he was doing was right, and he wanted to be the best Jewish guy that he could be.

For example, how often have we thought what was happening in our lives was positive or the right thing to Happen? I wish I did not change jobs or start a relationship with this individual. The critical thing is that the Apostle Paul thought that in the heat of the moment where the rubber meets the road, he was doing exactly what he was supposed to do until he was stopped dead in his tracks on the road to Damascus.

Now here is what I wonder, and hits hard are we being the best Believers that we can be? Do we have the same fire and passion that the Apostle Paul had where he would do whatever he had to do because he wanted to be a good Jewish boy or be the best Employee he could be? Are we doing this in the church, or are we spending time together? This troubles my heart because the world is taking over. We have lost ground in the past. Are we doing the mission that God gave us?

However, there is so much more to these verses because the Apostle Paul also proves his Apostleship. The church in Galatia does not believe that God called him because he previously was killing Christians. People are hard to forget and forgive even when it is severe things. They thought he could be a fake or something different because he was not like the Apostle John or Mark. He did not study at the feet of Jesus for three years with the other guys but had special training in the desert. We see in Verse 15 that he tells the church that he was set apart before he was born to be a Believer and an Apostle for his Heavenly Father. He did not do a single thing to earn this favor, and there is not a single thing that we do to earn this favor. He was elected before the earth's foundation to be a follower of Christ and do precisely what he was doing for his Father.

Galatians 1:16–18 ESV

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.

The Writer, the Apostle Paul, says right in black and white that this was a gift and not something he selected but was given by the Creator and Sustainer of the earth. He did not talk with anyone but went into the desert to spend three years learning from his heavenly Father. After this then, he goes somewhere near Damascus.

He visits Cephas, or we know him as Peter the Rock, for 15 days. We learn more about this account and what happens in Acts. We must remind ourselves that the Bible is interconnected with details from multiple people and multiple sources. We learn so much by understanding the relationships, backgrounds, and details.

For Example in Acts we learn some other important details

Acts 9:26–30 ESV

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

We learn from Acts that the other Disciples were terrified of Learning that the guy killing Christians for the sport has now joined their team to spread the Gospel throughout the land. My questions: Who took his spot in killing Christians, and where did they think he was for three years? that is a long time to be missing in the desert of Syria. We do not have many details. Some believe that he already had a ministry beforehand, but Galatians said he met with those at Damascus and then learned with the Lord. This can get confusing and complex fast because if you are only looking at Acts, there is a time jump, but the missing pieces show that he learned when you look at Galatians. He was learning from his Heavenly Father everything he needed to know. This was a world-class Seminary because it was straight from the source.

Who remembers growing up when they thought that their parents were out to get them instead, they were trying to help train and guide you?

You think you are against mom or dad in the heat of the moment. However, you were on the same team. You did not realize it till you got older or had a heart-to-heart with your parents or family members. This is precisely what is happening because they only know Paul as the one who kills instead of Paul, who teaches them about their heavenly Father and was chosen before the earth's foundation to teach others about their abba.

Galatians 1:19–20 ESV

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!)

The only Person that the Apostle Paul saw was James Jesus' half-brother. But we learn something quite interesting in the next verse that can shock you because we see a fascinating statement from the Apostle Paul in Verse 20 that sounds like there was some friction or other issues that stemmed from his statement that no one was there except for James.

Now there is no denying that the Apostle Paul is facing every roadblock that an average person would face and stop at, but He is doing it by the power of God. He is fighting tough and comb to show that he is an Apostle of God and is turning away from his former life. He is no longer killing Christians, and instead, he has joined their team to spread the good news. The Gospel throughout the land to the eye can see and more. He struggles because he is discredited by the Jewish Leaders and his former boss. They are trying to kill him and make him a liar and a cheat.

Talking about no loyalty from your former employer and church?

We do not know how heated the Apostle Paul got from Biblical Sources, but I imagine he got red in the face and showed a little Irish anger. Of course, this is

I-eisegetical, and I have no evidence to back it up at all. He was enthusiastic because he spent three years learning at the feet of the master and completely changing his entire theology. He was in Church boot camp trying to change the fact that it was not a legalistic process but that we add nothing to the equation except sin and transgressions.

Look, I am not the guy you once knew who was killing Believers, but I am completing the message. He thought that he was doing the right thing for God and was climbing the ranks of the Jewish Leadership, but he was being accused of lying.

Galatians 1:21–24 (ESV)

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.

Then I went into the regions of Syria and ( Cel-ic-ia)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.

The Apostle Paul was going into other parts of that region to continue the work that God had sent him on. He had the corrected mission plan and was running with it. He was ambitious because if he were going to do something, he would give 110 percent into it. He was not going to treat it like a job at McDavid, but it was going to be his life. He was going to live and breathe it with every step. If the Apostle Paul were married, he would have his wife smacking him over the head not to look at work things on his day off when he needed to be relaxing.

Now I know that we see the theme of what is happening, but the Apostle Paul keeps reinforcing that there was a transformation of someone killing Christians for sport, like a hunter killing animals to provide for his family or enjoyment.

Now imagine if the Apostle Paul were not moving place to place, he would have had the heads of his victims on the walls. Yes, it is gruesome, but he was a scary man who went from almost crazy serial killer type because of severe faith and dedication to what he thought was right to someone trying to save the souls and help the early Christians. They were beyond terrified, and they needed to change their clothes because their pants were now brown and not just the fabric. He still needed to prove that he was not the Paul that killed Christians but the Paul that was a Believer doing the mission of God and that there was a transformation from the bad to the good. God changed someone that on paper was not a nice guy but was doing what he thought was right.

I love the last verse because he was doing what God wanted and God was glorified and honored. Everything fell into place, and he was honored by his fellow individuals because this Christian killer is doing the work of our God.

The only God that was everything to us transformed the individual who would hurt us for sport and transformed him into a tool that could spread his mission. God took his determination and love and put him on the correct path instead of Legalism and Judaism. Additionally, the Apostle Paul stated the same information that the other Apostles told everyone. There were checks and balances because he was not going on a wild goose chase but was telling them something that they knew was true. Does anyone remember accounting in school or remember the balance scales that keep everything equal and fair?

If you do not have a balance on the other side, something is wrong and not fair. It was the same thing that was happening because they had to be sure. God used what was said by other Apostles to prove to the early Christians that what the Apostle Paul was preaching, and teaching was correct and not a ploy or a scheme to trick them into something incorrect.

Take-A-Ways

So, what are our take-a-away or something you can write on your refrigerator or filing cabinet at work?

First, WE must remember that Pastors and teachers are not the paper but the pencil

They do not create the word of God, but it is their job to teach it to everyone that will hear it. The Apostle Paul did not create the Gospel but was the mouthpiece to tell everyone that would listen about their Heavenly Father. For example, you are at work or home, and you have something that needs to be copied or scanned. The paper does not decide to add content that was not there originally. It will not add words, numbers, or figures unless they are on the original.

Here is a piece of advice that is not related to the text but helpful. There is a picture that tells you what direction to put the paper in to copy it. I just noticed this after having my boss tell me that I sent him an upside-down document that was quite interesting to read.

Second, People can change with God

I know that we live in a very cynical world and believe that Criminals will always be Criminals and that those that hurt us will always be that same way, but we must look at the example of the Apostle Paul. He was killing Christians for sport one day, and the next day he was one of them spreading the message of God, teaching, and preaching to anyone that would listen to him. There is a transformation in his life, and there can be a transformation in ours by the power of God. Just because the criminal that held up grandma at the convenience store did something terrible does not mean that he is that same individual after the fact. People can change with God because we are all messed up, dirty, and crazy. Yes, I said crazy because we all have things that were not positive or great in our past. We all added sin and transgressions to the equation instead of helping with the solution. We dealt with selfishness, greed, lust, murder, and many other wrong things in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. We are all works in progress and will continue to improve because we are not destined to be on this earth forever. WE have an end strategy where we will be partying in Heaven with Jesus forever with no pain, agony, frustration, and other sinful things that have plagued this earth.

Third, where is our Ambition?

Have we looked at ourselves, our church, fellowship, and even the faith itself to see if we are stale like old fruit loops that are not tasty, or are we alive with the ambition to do what God has called us to do? Think of when you first start a job and want to be the best Employee. You are willing to live and breathe that work no matter what. Are you willing to work sixty-plus hours and even sleep thinking about work? Now look at yourself and think are we doing this with our faith? Are we doing the great commission and what we have been called to do like a first-time job, or are we the old sinister Employee that is so burned out that they remind you of Fried chicken left in a fryer for way too long that cannot be chewed? Are we as Believers and a church young and ambitious, or are we burned charred fried chicken? Are we just going through the paces punching the imaginary time card that we call Christianity where we say we are Christians and do the bare minimum unless we know that the boss is around? News Flash, our boss is God, and he is all around us and knows everything. He knows when we are slacking and more burnt fried chicken instead of a new Employee.

The last point that we need to remember is that people can change

Yes, I know that we have this point, but Truly Truly, this is critical because we as Christians have a Double standard in our sub-Culture where we think that we are perfect and do not want the broken, messy, and the Paul's of our time. Instead of thinking of who in our circle would believe in God, we should look at all the messed-up people around us. Talk to the beggar on the street corner with safety. Do they know Jesus, and do they know that God loves them and the good news? You will have people look at you strangely, want to debate and argue, but why be safe when you can step out of your comfort zone. The Apostle Paul could have just said OKAY, I Believe in the one True God, and just became a quiet Christian without going through the struggle of proving himself over and over through his mission and journey.

So here is your challenge I want you to talk to two people you do not know in any shape, fashion, or form: your neighbor or someone in the grocery store. You cannot have a relationship with them even if it is waving at them, talking with them, and sharing the Gospel with them? Let us get back to basics, not be afraid of the metrical ledge, and let God take over. How can we be the tool to help transform people's lives as God has transformed ours?

Now I will be asking for names next Sunday during praise and prayer. Be prepared like a boy scout to give the names .

Lets Pray !!!