Understanding Your Credentials

Introduction

One of my passions is studying God’s word. Particularly, I enjoy doing book studies. Every book in the Bible in my opinion, is relevant to today’s world. Such is the case with Galatians. If one could sum up Galatians in one word, it might be the word FREEDOM. The Church today still struggles with the same issues that the Galatian churches found themselves struggling. People found it difficult to accept salvation as a free gift. They wanted to earn it, so they developed rituals to justify themselves. They felt that because of these holy acts, they could find themselves experiencing God’s salvation. In other words, the Galatians felt they could live good lives, be good people, and do good things to get the reward of eternal life. How many people do you know that feel like they live good lives, or they are good people or they do good things and feel like they have earned the favor of God? Not too long ago, I talked with a man that had rather long hair. He was a professional man with a doctorate degree. He talked about how he was growing out his hair to donate it to an organization that made wigs for cancer victims. I stood and listened to him talk about this for 15 minutes and how wonderful he was for doing so! He went on and on to say how he was obligated to keep growing it and how he was doing good things without having to go to church. Now don’t get me wrong, I admire organizations that can help cancer victims and I admire people that do work to help them. This man was bound to a task of growing his hair to justify his relationship with God. Doing things like are respectable, but it will not earn you a spot in eternity with Jesus.

The Book of Galatians reminds us that we are free from the yoke of rituals and good works. We will see that our justification comes only from faith in Christ and that faith in Christ allows believers to serve God and others in the Spirit by love. As we study this book, we will spend lots of time in it. It is only six chapters long, but in those six chapters there are great A writing plan for the month of September has been developed to help you read through it as write it out. I will spend time in our sermon series going primarily in sections that are a few verses at a time, so we will be in this book for a while. However, I do not think you will be bored with it! Having said all that as a point of introduction, let’s dive into the Book of Galatians.

We will begin with Galatians 1:1-5

Galatians 1:1–5 NIV84

1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We see here that Paul is establishing with the churches in Galatia his credentials. Now credentials are important. If you have ever traveled abroad, you know that in order to go into another country, you have to have a passport or visa. These documents give you credentials to move freely about. If you are dealing with financial planning, the person that helps you professionally had credentials to guide you in that process. Paul is sharing what his credentials are. This morning we are going to look at the foundation, the fellowship and the favor that one’s credentials in Christ give to those who are His.

The Foundation of One’s Credentials

Paul declares himself to be an apostle. We who are in Christ should KNOW WHO WE ARE in Christ.

Know Who You Are

If you remember Paul’s story, he was formerly known as Saul. He was a persecutor of Christians and would order and carry out horrific beatings and such of anyone that claimed to be a believer in Christ. Saul encountered Jesus on the Damascus Road. We learn about this in Acts 9:1-9. The Bible tells us that Saul was traveling down the road when a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground. The voice of Jesus called out, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” We see in that passage that Jesus introduced Himself to Saul in a mighty and powerful way causing Saul to lose his sight. We see that Jesus is also working in someone else’s life at the same time. Our Lord is always at work. He tells Ananias to go to a certain house and place his hands on Saul’s eyes to restore his sight. Ananias is apprehensive and reluctant because he knows of Saul’s reputation, but notice what Jesus tells him:

Acts 9:15 NIV84

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Jesus later changed Saul’s name to Paul. Some thirty years later, Paul pens this letter to the Galatians. Paul knew that he was a sinner saved by grace. Paul knew that he was chosen for a special assignment. He knew who he was and he knew whose he was.

Know Whose You Are

Paul was not just an apostle chosen by other men. If you remember, there were a couple of the apostles that were chosen by the other apostles. Paul was chosen by God the Father and Christ the Son. Being the devout Jew that he was, he understand what it meant to be chosen by God. I believe he would have had an understanding of Deuteronomy 7:6:

Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV84

6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Paul would have understand even more clearly that He was chosen by God the Father and God the Son to proclaim Jesus to a world that did not know Him. By the way, you and I are also chosen by God the Father and His Son Jesus to share with the world the hope we have! Do you know what you have in Christ Jesus?

Know What You Have

We have the One that has been raised from the dead and exalted on His heavenly throne.

Psalm 110:1 NIV84

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

We have the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

Romans 8:34 NIV84

34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

I love that last phrase in that verse, Jesus is interceding for you and for me! The Book of Galatians has Paul from the get-go showing us his credentials. By the way, what do your credentials look like? Do you know who you are? Do you know whose you are? Do you know what you have?

The Fellowship as a Result of One’s Credentials

Paul flexes his credentials by revealing the fellowship he has as a result of those credentials. The beauty of being a Christian in addition to eternal life is the opportunity to be around other Christians. Recently as we joined in fellowship with another church during our Hymn Sing, we saw an example of that! I sang the hymns louder because they were singing loud. I sang and smiled because they were also doing so! I enjoyed that glorious glimpse of heaven as we praised our Lord together!

Paul shows us a few other things about the fellowship as a result of one’s credentials. First I see:

Accountability

One beautiful thing about being around other Christians is the concept of accountability. It is incredible to know that you have my back and that I have yours! You are going to help me be strong in my faith and I am going to help you!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV84

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Are you helping others grow and be encouraged in their faith? Paul was quick to point out that there were other brothers with him as he wrote this letter.

Believability

When others share your story about Jesus, the believability of your credentials increases. Acts 4:33

Acts 4:33 NIV84

33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

There is strength in numbers. Did you ever wonder why Jesus sent out the disciples 2 by 2? There is strength in numbers. In fact, the law stated in Deuteronomy that the testimony of 2 or more was always better than the testimony of one. Deuteronomy 17:6

Deuteronomy 17:6 NIV84

6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

That is an interesting verse to quote but it shares a concept that shows there is strength in numbers. The same is true when it comes to understanding one’s credentials. Paul was emphasizing that he was not alone in his beliefs and was supported by other reputable believers.

Credibility

This produces credibility that gives support that which one is standing firm. I am reminded of the parable Jesus told about the man who built his home on the rock verses the shifting sands (Matthew 7:24-27). Matthew 7:24

Matthew 7:24 NIV84

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Our credentials certainly hold credibility if they are founded on the solid rock of Jesus Christ! Paul was making this point simple by saying he was sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father. There is credibility when one speaks of the work of God. Paul, in his introductory verses, has declared the power of God in that He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. His use of “Jesus Christ and God the Father” set him apart from ordinary men. Does the power of Jesus Christ in your life set the power of your credentials? Does the influence of who you hang out with set the power of Jesus Christ in your life? Both of these are crucial! I love this quote from Alan R. Cole about this phrase “the brothers with me.”

“Brothers, sisters, saints, chosen, Nazarenes, Galileans: the names used for Christians were many, but the sense of ‘belongingness’ was common to all of them!” Alan R. Cole

The Favor Because of One’s Credentials (vs. 3-5)

Lastly, notice the favor that comes because of one’s credentials as a servant of Christ. The first favor listed is found in the salutation. “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Favor of Grace

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is the merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on mankind that turns them to Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV84

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

The favor of grace gives us the favor of peace.

The Favor of Peace

Peace is that harmony, concord, safety, security, wholeness and fullness that can only come from and through Christ. Colossians 3:15

Colossians 3:15 NIV84

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

The peace of Christ gives us salvation when we say yes to Him and turn from our sinfulness.

The Favor of Salvation

Galatians 1:4–5 NIV84

4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This world is rough on us sometimes isn’t it? I saw a report this week that Texas A & M produced a study that said there is scientific proof that watching the news will make you sick. The events of the world that are being broadcast of horrifying, sick events! Our world desperately needed fixing and our salvation comes through Jesus. He “rescues us from the present evil age.” That is called:

The Favor of Redemption

We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Paul is reminding the readers of this letter to the Galatian churches that Christ has indeed redeemed us. But there is one more favor we receive.

The Favor of Exaltation

We get to glorify God!

Galatians 1:5 NIV84

5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Those are some strong credentials from Mr. Paul aren’t they? How are your credentials? If you had to write a letter to our church, would anybody read it?