"Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do."
Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship this Lord's Day.
We're glad you're here.
The book of Galatians, is believed to be the first letter that the apostle Paul ever wrote. In the very beginning of his ministry, the very first time Paul picks up a pen, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he writes to defend the gospel: the gospel as revealed by Jesus through the apostles, and to him as well; the one and only true gospel. Paul is its great defender. That’s a little background on how he began his writing ministry in the New Testament.
There are always going to be those in this world, who would change the gospel. This
is to be expected since the gospel is a judgment against the world
system which refuses to acknowledge God, His condemnation of sin, and His
redemptive purpose for all men.
The greatest danger to the Gospel
though is not opposition from outside of Christianity but from within it.
The biggest reason is because many attempt to change the Gospel because they
do not believe it is unalterable revelation. The Gospel is not schismatic, sectarian but is the only
true faith delivered to the church.
Paul was converted around A.D. 35. The 14 years he mentions maybe
calculated from the time of his conversion, or after his first visit to
Jerusalem. Most likely, he made his first trip to Jerusalem around A.D.
38
Acts 9:26-30 teaches us, that " When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus."
The apostle Paul was uniquely called for the purpose of preaching and defending the gospel. Immediately after Paul’s conversion, he devoted many years preparing for the ministry
to which God had called him. This preparation period included time
alone with God. Which we studied in the last chapter.
That final statement that Paul makes at the end of verse 5, is the reason that he wrote this book: "But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you."
In Philippians 1:7, he says that he was set by God for the defense and confirmation of the gospel. We’ve recently discussed how critical it is that we get the gospel right, because this is the reason the church exists in the world, to preach the gospel to every creature, so people can hear, believe, and be saved and brought to eternal glory. Like the apostle Paul, every preacher, is to be set for the defense of the gospel. We are to make the gospel clear, we are to proclaim the gospel accurately and boldly, we are to make the gospel the priority.
Often, many over zealous new Christians want to begin a full-time ministry without
ever investing the necessary time spent studying the Bible and learning from
qualified teachers. We need not wait to share Christ with our friends, however, we may require more preparation before embarking on a special ministry,
whether volunteer or paid. While we await God’s perfect timing, we should
continue to study, learn, and grow.
Let us bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word for us today, we thank You for the clarity that speaks to hearts and our minds, to help us to understand the truths in Your Word. We thank Your gospel, for calling us to Yourself, so that we might not of the gospel, but that we know it well.
Lord, help us not only to faithfully committed to the gospel, but to proclaim boldly and confidently.
That we may take a stand, and not be intimidated by the hypocrites and the heresy. May we never compromise our stand in the face of adversity of those preaching a false gospel, adding or subtracting from Your Word, even though they may hold a higher position than ourselves.
Strengthen us through Your Holy Spirit and Your Word. All for Your glory.
In Christ's name
Amen
Today's Message: Affirming The Gospel
I would have to say, of all the apostles, possibly even out of all the preachers of all time, there is no one who was more intent on guarding the gospel, than Paul. For Paul, it was always about the gospel. He was concerned with guarding the accuracy, the clarity, and the integrity of the gospel. Why? Because one thing that Paul was certain of, is that the message of the gospel came from heaven, from the One true Holy, Sovereign, Living God. That the Good News of the Gospel, is that God will forgive sinners, grant them reconciliation with Himself and eternal life, if they put their trust in His Son Jesus Christ.
That is Good News! That's the Gospel!
Open with your Bibles to the book of Galatians chapter two. Today we'll be looking at verses 1-10.
I invite you to follow along with as I read to you from our text to settle it in our hearts and minds.
Galatians 2:1-10.
"Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was
because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in
to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring
us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. But
from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no
difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of
reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and
recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and
John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right
hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do."
Verse 1, he begins with "Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also." That’s very important. Why? Because Titus is a Greek, not a Jew. And here’s the important thing to note, that he’s telling the Galatians, I brought Titus with me. We went to Jerusalem, When we got to Jerusalem we were in the mother church; we were there with the apostles.
We were at the Jerusalem Council, recorded in Acts chapter 15.
In verse two Paul says, "It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. God told Paul, through a revelation, to confer with the church leaders
in Jerusalem about the message he was preaching to the Gentiles, so they
would understand and approve of what he was doing.
The essence of Paul’s message to both Jews and Gentiles was that God’s
salvation is offered to all people regardless of race, sex, nationality,
wealth, social standing, educational level, or anything else. Anyone
can be forgiven by trusting in who Christ is and in what He has done. God saves by His life altering grace through faith
in the Gospel message. Paul was a man who gave authority it’s due respect. He did not go his
own way and do his own thing. He submitted Himself to God and went to
talked with the leaders of the Church to iron out any disagreements. He
respected them and treated them with courtesy.
So, in verse 3, he says "But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised." And
none of them brought it up that Titus needed to be circumcised to be a
real Christian. None of them compelled him to do that. Paul clearly had
the right gospel, the same gospel as the other apostles, the leaders of
the Jerusalem church had, which didn't include circumcision, ceremonies
or law keeping. Why? It is impossible to be both a Christian and a legalist.
Circumcision was at the heart of the controversy. When Paul took Titus, a
Greek Christian leader to Jerusalem, the Judaizers, the false teachers,
said that Titus should be circumcised. Paul adamantly refused to give in
to their demands. The apostles agreed that circumcision was an
unnecessary rite for Gentile converts. Paul did not appose national, racial rites or customs. He just did not want them to be applied as part of the gospel.
Paul says in verses 4 and 5, "But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you."
The Jerusalem Council decided for the true gospel. They did it visibly by not compelling Titus to be circumcised. They did it officially by drawing up a document that’s recorded in Acts 15 that lays it out that you do not make Gentiles go through any acts, rituals, rights, ceremonies, traditions, as if that is a necessity for salvation.
In other words, Paul is saying, we have been set free in Christ, so don’t let anybody put you back into bondage.
That brings us to verse 6, where Paul says, "But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me." In other words, Paul is saying I went to Jerusalem, I met with Cephas, the Aramaic word for Peter, John, James — the brother of the Lord, who is the head of the Jerusalem church. They made no difference to me.
Typically, we tend to think of taking a stand against those who might lead us into immoral
behavior, however, Paul had to take a hard line against the most "moral" of
people. We must not give in to those who make the keeping of man-made
standards a condition for salvation, even when such people are morally
upright or in respected high positions.
One thing that we can never allow to be sacrificed or compromised is the truth of the gospel. God’s grace is everything, and is offered to everyone who would turn to Jesus Christ. To compromise these truths was and is today, unthinkable!
What was the point of the meeting? This meeting prevented a major split in the church, and it formally acknowledged the apostles approval of Paul’s preaching. Sometimes we avoid conferring with others because we fear that problems or arguments may develop. Instead, we should openly discuss our plans and actions with friends, counselors, and advisers. Good communication helps everyone understand the situation better. Open communication between church leaders reduces gossip, and builds unity in the church. Paul knew that.It’s easy to rate people on the basis of their official status and to be
intimidated by powerful people. But Paul was not intimidated by "those
who seemed to be important" because all believers are equal in Christ.
God doesn’t rate us according to our status; He looks at the attitude or
condition of our hearts.
We should show respect for our spiritual leaders, but our ultimate
allegiance must be to Christ. We are to serve Him with our whole being. Paul is not disparaging the Christian leaders, because expects us to respect each other, and acknowledge the position and grace He has given them. Paul was simply saying, that no one is over the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Jerusalem leaders not only endorsed his gospel, but they also recognized his special mission to the Gentiles. In verse 7 through 9, he says "But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me. James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised."
James, Peter, and John realized that God was using Paul to reach the
Gentiles, just as Peter was being used so greatly to reach the Jews.
After hearing Paul’s message and learning of his ministry, they gave
Paul and Barnabas their approval, "the right hand of fellowship," to
continue working among the Gentiles. They saw themselves as co-labors in
the cause of Christ. Paul calls them pillars, because without them, the work would fall.
By the gospel to the uncircumcised he means, the gospel to the Gentiles,
Paul was especially responsible for spreading the gospel to the
Gentiles and Peter to the circumcised, the Jews. The only request the leaders had for Paul is given in verse 10. "They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do."
In Closing...
I have no authority. I am just a teacher of the Word of God, my position, nor education give me no authority. My only authority comes from Almighty God, through His Word. It's never about the person preaching, its always about the gospel.
Allow me to make something clear, if anything happens as the result of any preaching, it has nothing to do with the preacher. It because of the grace given to him by God. God’s call to service may be different for each person and the methods used to reach
people may be different, however, the gospel used to reach them is always to be the
same!
God expects to recognize the grace He has given to
others and to encourage their ministry in what ever ways we should. As believers there is a constant theme throughout Scripture to care for the poor. But
often we do nothing for them because we are so caught up in meeting our own
needs, wants and desires.
Perhaps we simply don’t see enough poverty in our own lives, to remember the
needs of the poor.
This will be true of the man who has received God-given strength to carry out a God-given task.
May it be so....
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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