The Gospel Truth: Because the source of the Gospel is heavenly not human, we must not succumb to people pressure but willingly serve Christ and His

Transcription

1

2 Passage About Christ Person Like Christ

3 The Gospel Truth: Because the source of the Gospel is heavenly not human, we must not succumb to people pressure but willingly serve Christ and His Gospel.

4 Principle People

5 Stanley D. Toussaint

6 While standing there I gave thanks for this dear man, a model of "a life well lived," a cherished friend, and a beloved teacher since we first met his first day on the DTS campus (1960), when I was a second-year student. Chuck Swindoll

7 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 (CSB)

8 The Gospel Truth: Because the source of the Gospel is heavenly not human, we must not succumb to people pressure but willingly serve Christ and His Gospel.

9 Paul s Connection with the Galatian Churches 1. After his conversion Paul spends 3 years in Arabia & Damascus (Gal. 1:16-17). 2. Paul & Barnabas meet privately with Peter & James in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18-24; Acts 9:26). 3. Paul & Barnabas bring a relief offering to Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30) & stand for the gospel (Gal. 2:1-10). 4. Paul & Barnabas plant churches in Galatia on the first Missionary journey (Acts 13:13-14:20). 5. Paul and Barnabas re-visit the Galatian churches to strengthen & encourage them (Acts 14:21-28). 6. Antioch incident; Paul rebukes Peter (Gal. 2:11-14). 7. Judaizers began to teach that the law and circumcision are necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1). 8. Paul writes Galatians to defend the true gospel of grace. 9. The Jerusalem Council affirms Paul's position on justification by faith in Christ alone (Acts 15:2-35). Judaizer's Teachings 1. Attacks on Paul's authority and message (1:1-2:21). 2. The Law is essential for salvation (2:15-16; 3:1-5; 3:23-25). 3. Ritual observances are required for God's favor (4:10). 4. Circumcision is necessary for all Christians (5:2-3; 6:12-15). Galatians: Epistolary Prescript: Salutation and Greeting Background: Dueling Gospels? There is only one gospel and it is by grace through Christ! Personal Defense of Paul's Authority The Gospel of Grace = Free from the Law Doctrinal Defense of Justification by Faith Practical Defense of Christian Liberty 1:1-5 1:6-9 1:10 2:14 2: :1 4:31 5:1 6:10 6: :18 Introduction Body Conclusion Prescript Exordium Thesis: My message comes from Christ. (1:10-12) Defense: I am independent of others. (1:13-2:21) Independent of Human Teachers - I went away (1:13-17) Independent of Major Churches - I had one brief visit (1:18-24) Independent of Jerusalem Church Leaders - they added nothing (2:1-10) Independent of the Apostle Peter - I stood against him (2:11-14) Narratio Main Idea: Justification and life come through faith in Christ, not obedience to the law. Justification by Faith (2:15-16) Life in Christ (2:18-21) Propositio Thesis: The Gospel is of faith not law. (3:1-5) Defense: Scripture and Human Experience. (3:6-4:31) Biblical Defense (3:6-25) The Old Testament: Abraham was justified by faith. (3:6-14) The Covenants: The law does not replace the covenant of faith. (3:15-18) The Law: The law leads us to our need for faith in Christ. (3:19-25) Experiential Defense (3:26-4:31) Sonship: The law made us slaves; faith makes us sons. (3:26-4:7) Appeal: Paul's labor for them was to set them free in Christ. (4:8-20) Midrash: Faith and Law have always been incompatible. (4:21-31) Thesis: We are free in Christ. (5:1) Application: Live in freedom. (5:2-6:10) No More Bondage to the Law (5:2-12) No More Bondage to the Sinful Nature (5:13-15) Free to Live in the Spirit (5:16-26) Free to Serve Others (6:1-10) The Weak and Sinful (6:1-5) Teachers (6:6-9) All men, especially believers (6:10) Probatio When Paul heard that the Galatian churches were being persuaded to follow a different gospel that emphasized the law and circumcision, he wrote a passionate appeal defending his authority as an apostle to the Gentiles, demonstrating the superiority of the faith principle over the law, and delineating the practical application of living in the freedom of grace in order to call the church back to the true gospel of grace through faith in Christ alone. Summary: Paul s Signature and Final Appeal Peroratio Epistolary Postscript: Benediction of Grace Postscript Ken Wilson 2017

10 Paul s Past (and Mine): In Need of Grace. Galatians 1:13-14

11 Persecution For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. Galatians 1:13

12 Persecution I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. Acts 22:4-5

13 Persecution I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. Acts 26:9-11

14 Performance I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. Galatians 1:14

15 Before Paul was converted, he was convinced that his persecution demonstrated his zeal for God and his righteousness. But he came to understand that what he thought was righteousness was actually the climax of his sinfulness, so that he was unworthy to be called an apostle. He designated himself as a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man (1 Tim. 1:13) and as the worst of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Hence, God demonstrated his merciful grace in saving him and calling him to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. Tom Schreiner

16 Paul s Conversion (and Mine): The Work of Grace. Galatians 1:115-16a

17 Election: Set Apart from Birth But when God, who set me apart from my mother s womb... Galatians 1:15a

18 Calling: Offered the Grace of God But when God, who set me apart from my mother s womb and called me by his grace... Galatians 1:15b

19 The dramatic change in Paul s life can only be ascribed to God, for there was no human reason why Paul, who was an ardent opponent of Jesus of Nazareth, would suddenly embrace him as Lord and Christ apart from God s supernatural intervention. Tom Schreiner

20 As we noted earlier, this focus on Paul's previous career as persecutor highlights the power of Gods transforming grace. Douglas Moo

21 Revelation: The Message Made Clear But when God, who set me apart from my mother s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles.... Galatians 1:16a

22 Revelation: The Message Made Clear Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Acts 9:1-9

23 Revelation: The Message Made Clear Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. Acts 9:1-9

24 Revelation: The Message Made Clear Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:17-19

25 Notice how at each stage the initiative and the grace of God are emphasized. First, God set me apart before I was born. Next, his pre-natal choice led to his historical call. God called me by his grace, that is, his utterly undeserved to love. Thirdly, God was pleased to reveal his son to me. John Stott

26 Paul s Training (and Mine): The Ministry of Grace. Galatians 1:16b-24

27 Independence: No Consultation with Men But when God, who set me apart from my mother s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles my immediate response was not to consult any human being. Galatians 1:16b

28 Absence: No Visits to Jerusalem I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Galatians 1:17

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30 The independence of Paul's gospel is important because the Judaizers likely charged that Paul got his gospel from the Jerusalem apostles (he was dependent on them), and that he subsequently distorted what he received from them. Tom Schreiner

31 First Contact: A Brief Visit with Peter and James Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles only James, the Lord s brother. Galatians 1:18-19

32 Alibi: Ministry Outside of Judea I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. Galatians 1:20-22

33 His testimony rules out that his gospel came from anybody other than Jesus Christ Himself. Paul then recounts his travels after his conversion to show that he did not rush to human teachers to clarify the gospel message (1:16). Rather, he first traveled east to Arabia, far from the original Jerusalem apostles. Then he returned to begin his itinerant preaching (1:17). Chuck Swindoll

34 The point is clear enough: during all these years, Paul felt no need to stay in Jerusalem and learn about the gospel. Douglas Moo

35 To sum up, Paul's first visit to Jerusalem was only after three years, it lasted only two weeks, and he saw only two apostles. It was, therefore, ludicrous to suggest that he obtained his gospel from the Jerusalem apostles. John Stott

36 Grace Again: Terrorist Turned Preacher They only heard the report: The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:23-24

37 The Gospel Truth: The simple grace of God calls us back into relationship with Him so that our lives can be transformed and become useful for His story.

38 John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy.

39 Testimony: Telling Your Story Don t preach. Be brief. Just Talk. Don t generalize. Be specific. Don t be vague. Be clear and simple. Be logical. Be humble. Glorify God. Chuck Swindoll

40 Application: Your Testimony In Need of Grace SIN The Work of Grace Christ The Ministry of Grace Growth Separated from GOD Faith in Christ Maturing in THE SPIRIT

41 The Gospel Truth: The simple grace of God calls us back into relationship with Him so that our lives can be transformed and become useful for His story.