The statement the righteous will live by faith is a very beautiful and important statement. It addresses the key to our righteousness, faith. Paul is addressing the conflict between two alternate roads to righteousness, trusting and trying. Trying is to act in a way that seems pure and Godly. Trusting puts our trust in a Savior who paid the price for sin. Paul appeals to their experience of faith in his effort to convince them to stay on the faith track.
He asks, did you receive the Spirit By observing the law, trying, or by believing what you heard, trusting. He knows that they began in the Spirit. They are now trying to reach the goal through human effort. Paul further emphasizes his point by reminding them that their experience is in harmony with the Scriptures. He shows them through Abraham their experience is Scriptural. In Galatians 3:6 Paul says Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Then in verse 7 Paul says “Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.” Paul is talking about a spiritual kinship to Abraham. Those who believe are kin, children of Abraham. He is not talking a physical action, trying, that makes one a kin to Abraham. Listen to a very powerful verse 9. “So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
I came across a very applicable very applicable illustration. “Consider the difference between a sailboat and a rowboat. In a spiritual rowboat the sailor is dependent upon human effort, In a spiritual sailboat the sails are raised in faith and the undying power of the wind of the spirit moves the boat--it is still entirely necessary that the boat move, but the power source of the sailboat is unquenchable.”
Let’s be men and women of faith who trust.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Galatians 2:11-21 Speaking The Truth In Love
Have you ever dwelt with a relationship issue and struggled to deal with it? This week’s message from Galatians records one of the best known conflicts in the early church and in it we see a model for how we should deal with controversy and end up with the good Christian fellowship that we talked about last week.
We begin with the source of the conflict. These verses bring out three factors that brought about this controversy. The first factor is fear. Paul records in verse 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.” Peter drew back from his close association with the Gentile believers because of fear. It was not fear of God but fear of men. The second factor is Hypocrisy. Peter would associate with the Gentile believers when the law keeping believers were not present. Peter would then pretend that He didn’t associate with the non-law-keeping gentile believers when the law-observant Jews came to visit. Hypocrisy, it’s hurtful to people, it discredits the cause of Christ, it causes struggles in relationships. The last factor in the conflict is legalism. The forcing of the Gentile believers to follow Jewish customs. When we try to force our customs on others we are causing conflict. Legalism is when I tell you that you must practice my custom.
Paul lays out the solution for us in these verses as well. The first part of the solution is confrontation. Paul confronts Peter in verse 11. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.” Paul didn’t get on the phone nor did he whisper behind Peter’s back. Instead he went to Peter and said let’s talk about it. Many of us fear confrontation, but without it wounds fester.
Let’s bring the issues to the surface so we can deal with it. Another vital part of the solution is truth. Paul deals with the problem by reminding Peter of the Truth He already knows verses 15,16,21. Before you jump into confrontation, make sure you know the truth. When we confront error with truth we must do it according to the Scriptural admonition to speak the truth in Love. If we do this it will lead to the final step in the solution to conflict, Reconciliation. In II Peter 3:15,16 about the thoughts and feelings of Peter. At the end of his life Peter looks to Paul not as a rival but as a dear brother and he acknowledges Paul’s apostleship and the fact that Paul’s letters are in fact Holy Scripture. Confrontation with the truth, in a spirit of humility and prayer and love does not divide, it unites. If you have a relationship issue use this example that Paul gives us and resolve it. Resolving relationship issues will help each of us have a better Thanksgiving.
We begin with the source of the conflict. These verses bring out three factors that brought about this controversy. The first factor is fear. Paul records in verse 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.” Peter drew back from his close association with the Gentile believers because of fear. It was not fear of God but fear of men. The second factor is Hypocrisy. Peter would associate with the Gentile believers when the law keeping believers were not present. Peter would then pretend that He didn’t associate with the non-law-keeping gentile believers when the law-observant Jews came to visit. Hypocrisy, it’s hurtful to people, it discredits the cause of Christ, it causes struggles in relationships. The last factor in the conflict is legalism. The forcing of the Gentile believers to follow Jewish customs. When we try to force our customs on others we are causing conflict. Legalism is when I tell you that you must practice my custom.
Paul lays out the solution for us in these verses as well. The first part of the solution is confrontation. Paul confronts Peter in verse 11. “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.” Paul didn’t get on the phone nor did he whisper behind Peter’s back. Instead he went to Peter and said let’s talk about it. Many of us fear confrontation, but without it wounds fester.
Let’s bring the issues to the surface so we can deal with it. Another vital part of the solution is truth. Paul deals with the problem by reminding Peter of the Truth He already knows verses 15,16,21. Before you jump into confrontation, make sure you know the truth. When we confront error with truth we must do it according to the Scriptural admonition to speak the truth in Love. If we do this it will lead to the final step in the solution to conflict, Reconciliation. In II Peter 3:15,16 about the thoughts and feelings of Peter. At the end of his life Peter looks to Paul not as a rival but as a dear brother and he acknowledges Paul’s apostleship and the fact that Paul’s letters are in fact Holy Scripture. Confrontation with the truth, in a spirit of humility and prayer and love does not divide, it unites. If you have a relationship issue use this example that Paul gives us and resolve it. Resolving relationship issues will help each of us have a better Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The right hand of fellowship 2, Galatians 2:1-10
Finishing our conversation about the 7 keys to solid Christian fellowship from Galatians 2
Unity, Vs. 6b The leads of the church in Jerusalem added nothing to Paul’s message. There was a unity between Paul & Barnabas and the leaders in Jerusalem. Unity among believers is very important. Unity among Christian leaders is so valuable. We will watch this unity play out in the next several keys to good solid Christian fellowship.
Responsibility, vs. 7,8 Everyone there in Jerusalem knew and accepted their responsibility. They saw that God had called Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. They knew that God was working in and through his life. Just like they saw that God had sent Peter to take the Gospel to the Jews. They knew that God was working in Peter. This observation of Peter and Paul both taking the Gospel to their respective groups shows the unity, the distribution, and the acceptance of responsibility.
Congeniality, vs. 9 Peter, James, and John gave to Barnabas and Paul the right hand of fellowship. Paul is saying that he not estranged from the apostles in Jerusalem but that he has a friendship with them. He not only has a friendship with them he says we have shaken in agreement. They have sanctioned our ministry. Sometimes we can be all of the above and not very congenial. Congeniality is a picture is one of genuine warmth. We don’t just tolerate one another in the church, the basis of our Christian Fellowship is the love of Christ. We let the Lord love others through us, even when it’s hard to generate that love on our own.
Charity, vs. 10 Paul says that the leaders in Jerusalem didn’t add any additional requirements. Paul says there was one request. The request was that we should continue to remember the poor. Paul said that I had already planned to do that. The poor referenced here is the poor in Jerusalem.
Paul said I received the right hand of fellowship in Jerusalem. I learned some great keys to that fellowship. I want you to know, accept, and live by these keys and experience the great fellowship in Christ. Review these keys with me. Humility, Diversity, Loyalty, Unity, Responsibility, Congeniality, and Charity. These keys will play a solid role in making your Christian fellowship great.
Unity, Vs. 6b The leads of the church in Jerusalem added nothing to Paul’s message. There was a unity between Paul & Barnabas and the leaders in Jerusalem. Unity among believers is very important. Unity among Christian leaders is so valuable. We will watch this unity play out in the next several keys to good solid Christian fellowship.
Responsibility, vs. 7,8 Everyone there in Jerusalem knew and accepted their responsibility. They saw that God had called Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. They knew that God was working in and through his life. Just like they saw that God had sent Peter to take the Gospel to the Jews. They knew that God was working in Peter. This observation of Peter and Paul both taking the Gospel to their respective groups shows the unity, the distribution, and the acceptance of responsibility.
Congeniality, vs. 9 Peter, James, and John gave to Barnabas and Paul the right hand of fellowship. Paul is saying that he not estranged from the apostles in Jerusalem but that he has a friendship with them. He not only has a friendship with them he says we have shaken in agreement. They have sanctioned our ministry. Sometimes we can be all of the above and not very congenial. Congeniality is a picture is one of genuine warmth. We don’t just tolerate one another in the church, the basis of our Christian Fellowship is the love of Christ. We let the Lord love others through us, even when it’s hard to generate that love on our own.
Charity, vs. 10 Paul says that the leaders in Jerusalem didn’t add any additional requirements. Paul says there was one request. The request was that we should continue to remember the poor. Paul said that I had already planned to do that. The poor referenced here is the poor in Jerusalem.
Paul said I received the right hand of fellowship in Jerusalem. I learned some great keys to that fellowship. I want you to know, accept, and live by these keys and experience the great fellowship in Christ. Review these keys with me. Humility, Diversity, Loyalty, Unity, Responsibility, Congeniality, and Charity. These keys will play a solid role in making your Christian fellowship great.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The right hand of fellowship, Galatians 2:1-10
Galatians 2 begins with Paul telling the Galatians about a visit that he made to Jerusalem. This visit was to meet with some of the apostles, leaders of the church there. We read in verse 9, “James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.” Good solid Christian fellowship is so valuable and extremely beautiful. I have come across 7 keys to good solid Christian fellowship in these verses.
Humility, Vs. 1,2 Paul is telling the Galatians about his second visit to Jerusalem which happened to be 14 years after his first visit. We see his humility expressed in verse 2, “I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.” When Paul uses the phrase “for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain” he was saying I wanted to be sure that I was getting it right. It takes humility to do an evaluation of yourself.
Diversity, vs. 3 This diversity involves Titus who Paul had taken along with him to Jerusalem. Titus was an uncircumcised Greek. His being with Paul gave to them a personal example of the effects of his ministry to the Gentiles. Titus this uncircumcised Gentile was not compelled to be circumcised. Diversity does not mean compromise. There are black areas. There can be little diversity in the black areas. There are white areas. There can be diversity in how you and I move in the white areas. There are gray areas. The greatest diversity lies in those gray areas. Diversity is a part of the path that solid Christian fellowship walks on.
Loyalty, vs. 4,5 There were Judaizers who came in the form of false brothers and infiltrated the ranks in the churches in Galatia. They concealed their real motives. and their hidden addenda. They gained access to the church. They were spying on the freedom that we had in Christ. They were sneaking around seeing what they could learn. Paul makes a bold statement that they wanted to take our freedoms away and make us slaves. They saw that we weren’t obeying the law and the traditions of men so they wanted to put us back under that bondage. “We did not give in to them for one moment” vs. 5. Paul is saying that we remained loyal to the Gospel. We want the truth of the gospel to remain with you.
We will visit the other 4 keys tomorrow. Remember that Humility, Diversity, and Loyalty are vital keys to good solid Christian fellowship.
Humility, Vs. 1,2 Paul is telling the Galatians about his second visit to Jerusalem which happened to be 14 years after his first visit. We see his humility expressed in verse 2, “I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.” When Paul uses the phrase “for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain” he was saying I wanted to be sure that I was getting it right. It takes humility to do an evaluation of yourself.
Diversity, vs. 3 This diversity involves Titus who Paul had taken along with him to Jerusalem. Titus was an uncircumcised Greek. His being with Paul gave to them a personal example of the effects of his ministry to the Gentiles. Titus this uncircumcised Gentile was not compelled to be circumcised. Diversity does not mean compromise. There are black areas. There can be little diversity in the black areas. There are white areas. There can be diversity in how you and I move in the white areas. There are gray areas. The greatest diversity lies in those gray areas. Diversity is a part of the path that solid Christian fellowship walks on.
Loyalty, vs. 4,5 There were Judaizers who came in the form of false brothers and infiltrated the ranks in the churches in Galatia. They concealed their real motives. and their hidden addenda. They gained access to the church. They were spying on the freedom that we had in Christ. They were sneaking around seeing what they could learn. Paul makes a bold statement that they wanted to take our freedoms away and make us slaves. They saw that we weren’t obeying the law and the traditions of men so they wanted to put us back under that bondage. “We did not give in to them for one moment” vs. 5. Paul is saying that we remained loyal to the Gospel. We want the truth of the gospel to remain with you.
We will visit the other 4 keys tomorrow. Remember that Humility, Diversity, and Loyalty are vital keys to good solid Christian fellowship.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Galatians 1:12-24, Called By God
Have you ever had to make a bold, a strong, or a difficult statement? Many time we have a tendency to make known our authority to make that statement before we even make it. I have been appointed the foreman on this job. I’m the one who takes the heat if things don’t go right around here. Paul has made a bold statement already and he gets even bolder here in Galatians so he seems to be qualifying his authority.
There are three things that stand out in these verses. Paul is called by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentles.
Paul is called by God. He is saying, I want to make known to you with certainty, I want to make it clear that the gospel I preach is not man made. It is good news from God and not bad news from man. He adds, I had a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus. We have a tendency to listen a whole lot more to men than we do to God. It needs to be the opposite way around. We need, must listen to God.
Paul is called by God to preach the gospel. Paul became a different man. He went from persecutor to preacher almost immediately. He hated the Gospel, the good news that men were announcing about Jesus. He was a murderer for the sake of Judaism. God set Paul apart, called him even from birth, to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Paul is called by God to preach the gospel to the Gentles. Paul says in verses 15, 16 “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16. to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,” Paul was saved to serve. He was called to preach Him. Paul was not called to preach a message to the Gentiles he was called to preach a man, a Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have been called by God…to go. We have been promised the power to carry out the call.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Matthew 28:19,20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
There are three things that stand out in these verses. Paul is called by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentles.
Paul is called by God. He is saying, I want to make known to you with certainty, I want to make it clear that the gospel I preach is not man made. It is good news from God and not bad news from man. He adds, I had a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus. We have a tendency to listen a whole lot more to men than we do to God. It needs to be the opposite way around. We need, must listen to God.
Paul is called by God to preach the gospel. Paul became a different man. He went from persecutor to preacher almost immediately. He hated the Gospel, the good news that men were announcing about Jesus. He was a murderer for the sake of Judaism. God set Paul apart, called him even from birth, to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Paul is called by God to preach the gospel to the Gentles. Paul says in verses 15, 16 “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16. to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,” Paul was saved to serve. He was called to preach Him. Paul was not called to preach a message to the Gentiles he was called to preach a man, a Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have been called by God…to go. We have been promised the power to carry out the call.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
Matthew 28:19,20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Galatians 1:1-11, No Other Gospel
Paul begins Galatians with his salutation. It contains the three customary elements found at the beginning of an ancient letter, the announcement of the writer, the designation of the readers, and the salutation itself.
Paul expands his announcement of himself as the writer. He says I am not an apostle of man, but of Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. Paul seems to include the brothers that are with him as a part of his writing team. The designation of the readers, to the churches of Galatia, and the salutation itself seem quite basic and straight forward.
Paul adds to his salutation an even longer description of the work of Jesus in verse 4. “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father”. He concludes his salutation with his doxology, “To Him be glory forever and forever“.
It is here that Paul’s opening takes a much different turn than in many of his other letters. His openings are typically very positive. You can read examples of positive openings in Romans 1, I Corinthians 1, Ephesians 1, and Philippians 1 to name a few. He cuts to the heart of the matter very quickly. I am astonished that you are letting yourselves get pulled away from the gospel that you have heard and accepted. You are quickly deserting the one who has called you. You are turning to a different gospel.
Paul speaks of the severity of preaching another gospel. Presenting a hypothetical case he says, “If we or an angel would preach to you another gospel than the one we preached that one would be eternally condemned. The curse of God would be on the one preaching the other gospel. Paul practically repeats verse 8 in verse 9. I know what I am saying. I mean what I am saying.
Paul understands that he is not making friends with or gaining the approval of man. That is not his desire. His desire is the approval of God because he is a servant of Christ.
We live in a world today that presents many gospels. There is only one gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us accept the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by the Spirit.
Paul expands his announcement of himself as the writer. He says I am not an apostle of man, but of Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. Paul seems to include the brothers that are with him as a part of his writing team. The designation of the readers, to the churches of Galatia, and the salutation itself seem quite basic and straight forward.
Paul adds to his salutation an even longer description of the work of Jesus in verse 4. “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father”. He concludes his salutation with his doxology, “To Him be glory forever and forever“.
It is here that Paul’s opening takes a much different turn than in many of his other letters. His openings are typically very positive. You can read examples of positive openings in Romans 1, I Corinthians 1, Ephesians 1, and Philippians 1 to name a few. He cuts to the heart of the matter very quickly. I am astonished that you are letting yourselves get pulled away from the gospel that you have heard and accepted. You are quickly deserting the one who has called you. You are turning to a different gospel.
Paul speaks of the severity of preaching another gospel. Presenting a hypothetical case he says, “If we or an angel would preach to you another gospel than the one we preached that one would be eternally condemned. The curse of God would be on the one preaching the other gospel. Paul practically repeats verse 8 in verse 9. I know what I am saying. I mean what I am saying.
Paul understands that he is not making friends with or gaining the approval of man. That is not his desire. His desire is the approval of God because he is a servant of Christ.
We live in a world today that presents many gospels. There is only one gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us accept the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by the Spirit.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sermon series on Galatians
I began a new series of messages through the book of Galatians yesterday at the church. I am going to use my blog to highlight each weeks message for those not able to be in the service and for those who would like to have some of the information that I shared in print.
My goal is to build into chapter 4 during the Christmas season. The birth of Christ is spoken of in verses 4-6. “4.But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5. to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
My prayer is that chapters 5 & 6 will be an inspiration to all as we begin the new year. They focus on living by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the law of sowing and reaping.
I am combining Galatians 4:6 with Galatians 5:16a for our series theme. “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts;… so I say live by the Spirit.” It is beautiful to know that we are children of God, that His Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. It is very important that we seek to live by the Spirit.
I will recap Sunday’s message tomorrow.
My goal is to build into chapter 4 during the Christmas season. The birth of Christ is spoken of in verses 4-6. “4.But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5. to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
My prayer is that chapters 5 & 6 will be an inspiration to all as we begin the new year. They focus on living by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the law of sowing and reaping.
I am combining Galatians 4:6 with Galatians 5:16a for our series theme. “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts;… so I say live by the Spirit.” It is beautiful to know that we are children of God, that His Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. It is very important that we seek to live by the Spirit.
I will recap Sunday’s message tomorrow.
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