There’s Grace For You: Galatians – 1:11-24 (#2)

Good News vs Bad News: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

World – bad news & false gospels
Word – good news & real gospel
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Now I would remind you, brothers,1 of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day pin accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
1). You have a problem (vs secular there’s no sin)
2). You are the problem (vs blaming everyone/everything else)
3). There is a solution (vs hopeless despair)
4). You are not the solution (vs self-help)
5). Jesus is the solution to your problem

Revelation vs. Speculation

Galatians 1:11-12 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation vs. Speculation

From God                    From man
Based on Truth           Based on tradition
God’s Word to Man     Man’s words about God
Unchanging                 Always changing
= homeless church, “do you believe in Paul”?

Redemption vs. Religion

Galatians 1:13-16a For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me,
God chooses you, then you choose God – “set apart before I was born” “called me”

Redemption. vs. Religion

Jesus Christ                Me
Jesus resume             My resume
Humility                       Pride
Makes you new           Makes you worse

Acts 9:1-19

Paul was a threat to the church  – killed @ least 1 XN Stephen, arrest men & women
Light from heaven  – God’s spotlight
9:4-6 “falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
3 days – no food or drink = blind
Vision to Ananias & Saul – visitor coming from the Lord
=  Laid hands on Saul, prayed, received HS, physically & spiritually healed

A Calling vs. A Job

Galatians 1:16b in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Jesus was called to be carpenter & called to be a minister
Paul was called to be a tent maker & a minister

A Calling vs. A Job

What you were made to do                            What you have to do
God calls, man confirms                                 Man calls, man confirms
What you get to do                                         What you have to do
Life-giving                                                       Life-draining

1. Grace – Jesus works for you on cross, in you by the Spirit, through you by grace
2. Means of grace for you & others (generosity, love, forgiveness, service, counsel, presence)

God’s Gospel Creates Your Testimony

Galatians 1:22-24 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
1. Paul had a biography, then got a testimony.
2. Who needs to hear your testimony this week?
3. My testimony