July 5, 2020
Morning Service

Jewish believers in the Galatian church were teaching that new converts who had chosen to follow Jesus must also keep the Law.  This created a “works based” gospel that implied that Jesus’ work on the cross also needed us to follow up with works to “earn” our righteousness.  This goes against the “faith based” gospel that Paul preached to establish this church years ago on his first missionary journey.  He was very clear and to the point as he called out anyone who preached any other gospel message than the one he brought to them should be “accursed.”  He then began setting the foundation for his command by saying that it was Jesus who chose him and ordained him to fulfill his calling as an apostle to bring this one gospel message to the Gentiles.  Jesus met Paul on the Road to Damascus and transformed him from the church’s biggest enemies into one of the pillars of our faith. We will begin there as Paul continues with telling us his story following his amazing conversion.

Gal 1:11-14 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.

            Paul’s former life as Saul of Tarsus was highlighted by his extremely zealous attitude to fulfill and defend the Law of Moses as one of the leaders of the strictest of religious sects, the Pharisees.  He was living the life of “works based” religion and excelling at it above all those around him.  He knew the OT scriptures better than anyone and was quick to point out those in error.  I believe however that though he was “advance in Judaism beyond my contemporaries” he still was searching for the true peace which comes only through knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior.  In God’s perfect planning, He led Paul along this life of being a Jewish zealot in full knowledge of the value that it would bring to his message later in life once he was converted.   First, he knew the scriptures and once he was given the Holy Spirit he would see clearly how all of the prophecies pointed to and were fulfilled in Jesus.  Secondly, Paul having lived the life of works based religion could relate to and persuade those who were caught up in it to freedom of the one true faith based gospel.  Paul fully recognized God’s hand upon him throughout his life to lead him to this point where he was able to fulfill all that God had purposed for him to do.  He wrote to Timothy (I Tim 1:15) that “Jesus had come into world to save sinners of whom I am chief.”  This is much like Ester’s revelation of how her story was playing out with her position of with the king to plea for the welfare of her people as she said “For such a time as this.”

Gal 1:15-24 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. (18) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.  (19)  But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.  (20) (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)  (21)  Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.  (22)  And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.  (23)  But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy."  (24)  And they glorified God in me.

            Paul reveals to us a key part of his story that helps to build our faith.  Paul did not seek out the apostles to teach him the true gospel message, but it was God through the power of the Holy Spirit that revealed the truth to him.  He spent 3 years in seclusion as God revealed to him how it was Jesus that fulfilled the prophesies of the Messiah and it was Him that Paul needed to preach.  The One Spirit taught him the same true gospel message that Jesus revealed to the other apostles.  Paul, however, remained humble and as we will see next week, did seek the other Apostles approval for his ministry to the Gentiles and received it from them.

            Paul was chosen of God to a journey that led him from one extreme to the other.  He was uniquely qualified by being so highly knowledgeable of the Law, he was the perfect candidate to be the one to reveal this truth to.  In God’s flair for the dramatic, He did not choose the one of the leaders of the church to use in this fashion, but its biggest enemy.  His story is one that began with the dramatic calling from Jesus Himself, was followed by 3 years of solitude and study, that led to being the apostle sent to the Gentiles to bring this good news of Jesus to them.  A story that includes much suffering, hard work, difficult travel and ended with his martyrdom.

2Co 11:24-28   From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.  (25)  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;  (26)  in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  (27)  in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—  (28)  besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

 It is a very unique story that was written by God as Paul said; “began in my mother’s womb.”  It was a story of a life that was transformed with a call to follow.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that call to follow is a “call to come and die.”  Die out to self and become all that God desires us to be.  Paul’s story certainly reflects that statement as he was uniquely called of God to minister to the very people he formerly despised and persecuted.  To tell of his story is to tell of Jesus.

            What is your story?  I am pretty sure it didn’t begin with a blinding light and a voice from heaven, but it was still Jesus calling you to follow Him.  Your journey also has been unique, different from everyone else, yours alone.  Your journey has brought you here today to hear this truth and to encourage you with it.  God has a plan for you, just as He did with Paul; from your mother’s womb.  It may not be to travel the world sharing the gospel, but it may just simply be grow where you are planted.  You are uniquely placed to be able to minister to certain people and called to be faithful to that calling.  Be aware of where the Spirit leads you and be willing to go even when you don’t understand or don’t want to go.  God will use you if you yield yourself to Him; or come to Him to die.  He will transform you and place you in situations that He will use you as a tool to build His kingdom.  You may not be able to stand back and look at what you have done as a carpenter can, but know that God is using you with every word of encouragement you share, and with every prayer that you pray.  Your story is being written by God and the choices He guides you into making.  Let your story be His story.

            Listen for His voice and obey; it is for this purpose you were created so uniquely and placed so precisely where you are.  If you struggle with this, it may mean that you have not fully yielded to the call to “come and die.”  Though I am encouraging you to focus on your story, your story is really His story.  We all play a part in the story of Jesus and are writing the Book of the Acts of the disciples of the Bride of Christ Fellowship.  Laura brought in her Grandmother Dorothy’s prayer list.  She was one of the first members of our Fellowship and she played the piano, sang, testified and she prayed.  She fulfilled her unique calling by growing and shining Christ’s love to our fellowship and to all those who knew her.  Seek from God to simply for faithful to Him and He will guide you down the path that He already has prepared for you.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing each one of us to be called Your children, and we all come to you this morning as yielded lumps of imperfect clay and ask that the Master Potter mold us as He wills.