October 12, 2014
Morning Service

Gal. 1:13 – 24

 

            In the book of Acts we saw the Apostle Paul become the Apostle to the Gentiles.  We saw how God used him in a mighty way to further the Gospel message.  We recognize that God used Paul to write 14 letters in our New Testament.  Paul speaks in all authority of God Almighty. 

We began our study in Galatians last Sunday evening with Paul stating that his authority, and knowledge of the gospel was not of man, but of God.  He also put forth a very strong statement that if anyone preaches any other gospel than that which he preached, let him be accursed.  We determined that because of this statement one should do his best to seek out this gospel, and preach it.  We found it in I Cor. 15;  and Acts 26.  The gospel, or good news is that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled all the expectations of what the Messiah would be, and that he suffered, and was killed, and buried, and that he rose again, and is sitting at the right hand of God in His kingdom.  Paul speaks of many other wonderful blessings that we receive when receiving this gospel message, and obeying it.

This morning we continue in chapter one of Galatians.

 

I will read what we discussed last Sunday evening:

Gal 1:1-24  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)  (2)  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:  (3)  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,  (4)  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:  (5)  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (6)  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.  (10)  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.  (11)  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

·         Now let’s continue.

(13)  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 

·         We saw in Acts how that he was at the stoning of Stephen, how that he was going to Damascus to  persecute Christians when Jesus appeared to him, and he was converted.  Chapter 9 of Acts.

(14)  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 

·         Saul of Tarsus, a student of Gamaliel, a teacher of Judaism.  Saul had a great future in the religion of Judaism.  He would one day be a well known scholar, and leader in this religion.

(15)  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 

·         A young man on his way to becoming somebody special in the eyes of the world, but then God calls him into His service.  God still does this today.  There are many testimonies from young men in the world, that had great potential, and would be successful in the world, but God calls them into His service.

·         We look back, and one of the prime examples is Moses.  We all know his story, of leaving Pharaoh’s house of security, to become the leader of the children of Israel.

·         Some are more noticeable than others, but God calls people to serve in His kingdom, and there is no calling, that’s not important.  Those He calls, He prepares, gives gifts unto men, and women to use for the glory, and uplifting of His kingdom.

·         Then Paul says:    HE CALLED ME

(16)  To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;

·         To reveal His Son in me.  This is something we discussed in the men’s meeting yesterday morning.  How that we, upon receiving God’s Spirit, should let His light, or life reflect off of us.  Paul said, “ as many of you that have received Christ, have put on Christ.”  Meaning that our lives should resemble His life.  When the world looks at us, they should see Christ.

immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:  (17)  Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 

·         This is the only place where this fact is mentioned. Like Moses and Elijah, he spent a season, perhaps for reflection, communion with God, and preparation, amid the Arabian solitudes.

·         Notice, I conferred not with flesh and blood.  Paul is saying I went into Arabia by myself to get alone with God.  Another great example of this besides Moses, and Elijah, was Jesus Himself.  After His baptism He was 40 days in the wilderness, by himself, tempted of Satan, and receiving help from His Father.

·         In my opinion, Paul went into Arabia, to be alone with God, and to receive what God had for him.  He comes away from this solitude with the Gospel message that God wants preached to mankind.

·         It is a lesson for you and I.  Upon our conversion, we will still be in this worldly wilderness, but we should spend every hour, and every minute we can, in the Word of God, not reading after men, but after the Holy Ghost.  He will teach you this pure Gospel that was given to Paul.  By staying only in the Word of God, you will not come out of your Arabia, a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, Wesleyan, Pentecostal, but a Christian, a follower, and disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

(18)  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.  (19)  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 

·         Don’t you know that was a glorious time.  Peter sharing with Paul all the things that he, and the Lord had done together.  Even this would have strengthened Paul’s faith.

(20)  Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.  (21)  Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 

·         Syria, being where Damascus was, and Cilicia, being in Turkey, where Tarsus was.

(22)  And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:  (23)  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.  (24)  And they glorified God in me.

 

This is what happens when you are converted, and begin serving the Lord.  The church will look at you, and glorify God.  The world will mock, and continue to persecute you, just as many of the Jews did to Paul.

 

Have you felt this calling from God?  Paul said “you were called by my Gospel.”  The Gospel, the good news, is what calls us to salvation, and servitude, in the kingdom of God.  Jesus said, “ come, all you that are heavy laden, and I  will give you rest.”  The calling is to “ whomsoever will”, that means everyone.  He calls you to salvation, and eternal life.  He gives you gifts to edify the church, and we strive to be the servant He would want us to be.   All gifts are not the same, but all the gifts are important to the church, and are given to edify the church.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, WE KNOW YOU ARE PLEASED, BY CALLING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO YOUR WONDERFUL GIFT OF SALVATION, THROUGH GRACE.