Justified

Justification By Faith

Galatians 2:11-21


What is justification? First, justification is the opposite of condemnation!

In the Webster dictionary, justifying is an action that is conformable to law.

In law, justifying is showing in court why a defendant did what he or she was charged with doing.

In God's Law, Justification is the judicial act of God, by which He pardons "all" sin of those that place their "Faith" in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What are the facts?

God declares every believer righteous, on the basis of the blood shed by Jesus Christ!

The most simple meaning of "justification" is "to be declared righteous"!

The justification of each believer is a gift of "God's Grace"!

Rom 3:24 Being "justified freely by his grace" through the redemption "that is in Christ Jesus":

Justification can come only by "Faith"!

Rom 5:1 Therefore being "justified by faith", we have peace with God "through our Lord Jesus Christ":

Justification is only possible through the blood Christ Jesus shed on the Cross!

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now "justified by his blood", we shall be "saved from wrath through him".

Justification has nothing to do with keeping man-made Laws!

Rom 3:20 Therefore "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified" in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The greatest thing we realize as Christians is the truth that we are justified by God and not by something we can do ourselves!

One of the biggest problems we have in any Church is that so many drift away from the truth.

In this lesson we will deal with some of the problems that are in every Church.

Let's continue to see the truth of God's Grace.

*****Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

We will first see that every believer that becomes a backslider must be confronted.

Before Peter had come to the Church in Antioch we know that there had already been that first council in Jerusalem and the direction of the Church was already laid out by all the Apostles and James the half-brother of the Lord.

Act 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Act 15:30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
Act 15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

It was after all these things that Peter came to the Church in Antioch of Syria.

Antioch of Syria was a great Church and was made up mostly of Gentiles but there were also many Jews.

It was from this great Church of Antioch of Syria where missionaries were first sent out into the uttermost part of this world in obedience to the Words of Jesus Christ.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

It was therefore extremely important that the message that would be going out to the world would be comprised of the entire truth of the "Gospel".

This incident with Peter is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.

This incident also indicates that Peter may have been trying to seek a compromise with those so-called Judaizers.

It is also important for us all to see that the Apostle Paul stood on equal ground with all the other Apostles.

Every new Church was to be established by the "Grace of God" and not by any authority handed down from Jerusalem.

Peter certainly did not intend to hinder the growth of Body of Christ but his actions would certainly do so and Paul confronted him face to face.

Paul did not go to the other leaders.

Paul did not write some new epistle about Peter.

Paul went straight to Peter and confronted him face to face.

Sometimes compromise is the right thing to do to bring peace and harmony but there can never be any compromise when it comes to salvation!

There can be no compromise with false teaching and our own actions must be according to the truth of God.

What had Peter done?

*****Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Now we may not know why the Apostle Peter came to Antioch but God has a purpose behind everything that happens.

When Peter had gotten to Antioch, he had had no problem eating and being in fellowship with those Gentile believers.

We already know that James believed the same as Paul but in Jerusalem many legalistic Jews clinged to the Laws of Moses as the basis of their own salvation and in their zeal wanted all believers to do the same as they.

These men had come from the Church in Jerusalem but they had not been sent by James nor any of the Church elders!

Salvation comes by the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

The "Gospel of Jesus Christ" stands alone as the only means of salvation and cannot be added to other religious beliefs!

The word religion means actually external service.

Godliness is about saving the Soul!

When those Judaizers saw Peter in fellowship with all those Gentiles they must have confronted Peter and he then yielded to them.

To the Jew it was sin to fellowship with Gentiles!

What does God say?

Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Peter had just got caught in a snare of the Devil!

When Peter withdrew himself from the Gentiles, then the Church of Antioch was split between a gospel of works, versus the "Gospel of Grace".

Every time a Pastor compromises with legalistic believers or with any false doctrine he then becomes a people-pleaser and the Church will begin to suffer and fail!

Paul did not blame those that held to false doctrine, Paul blamed the Apostle Peter.

Paul loved Peter enough to straighten him out on the truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul loved the Church enough to not see it fail in his lifetime!

Paul had more zeal for the "Gospel of Grace" than he had ever been zealous for Judaism.

God had more than one purpose for the Apostle Paul!

Before Paul confronted Peter, this split of the Church in Antioch became so volatile that even Barnabas got caught up in it.

*****Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

That word dissembled means: to be concealed under a false appearance or disguise.

Peter had become a hypocrite and all the Jews in the Church joined with him and also became hypocrites!

What we should realize is, that all those in a leadership position in the Church have a tremendous responsibility before the other Church members and any visitors.

We should also realize that when we say we are Christian, the world will judge us by our actions.

All the world truly hates the hypocrite!

A legalistic point of view was just about to shut the doors of the first Gentile Church!

Barnabas did not play an active part in this hypocrisy but he did get caught off guard and he began witnessing his Church fall apart.

Barnabas was reaching a point to where he was going to have to choose a side to save some part of his Church.

So what had Peter done that that had caused these things?

*****Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

1) Peter had become a hypocrite.

Peter had taught the truth but his life was teaching something else altogether.

2) Peter had become a people-pleaser.

Even though Peter knew better, he had followed the crowd simply because they had put much pressure on him to do so.

3) Peter had respect for some above some others.

We must live our lives according to the truth of the "Gospel of Grace"!

The "Gospel" declares that God loves all people the same:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Gospel declares that God is no respecter of persons and even Peter knew this:

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

The "Gospel" declares that we are to please God and if that pleases mankind then great but if that does not please mankind then it is a problem that man has and not God!

1Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Paul said to Peter, "Peter, you do not even try to keep the Laws of Moses yourself, why in the world would you compel these Gentiles to do these things".

You see Peter also knew about those dietary laws of Moses.

Act 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Act 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common".

These things teach us that even Peter was not infallible and would not have made a good Pope as some in the Catholic Church believe he did.

In reality there has never been a man that was infallible.

Only the Lord Jesus Christ was the sinless Son of God!

The Apostle Peter was a sinner saved by the "Grace of God", just like the Apostle Paul and just like we all are that know the Lord Jesus Christ on a personal level!

If you think you cannot be led astray by some false doctrine, then when you hear any such thing you must remember we are only saved by the "Grace of God".

This is still God's plan and God will never change His plan!

It is only the Living God who can justify any of us!

*****Gal 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

**Paul reminded these Galatians that he was also a Jew. Paul was a Jew by birth and bloodline.

**Paul reminded these Galatians how the Jews felt about themselves. The Jews considered themselves righteous by the acts of their religion which was Judaism.

The Jews considered Jehovah to be the God of the Jews but not the God of the Gentiles.

**Paul reminded these Galatians that these same Jews considered all Gentiles to be "rank sinners" unworthy of salvation.

**Then Paul reminded these Galatians that salvation did not come by bloodline. Salvation comes to all, whosoever, the same way.

Salvation comes by "Faith" but that "Faith" must be in Jesus Christ!

Every Jew that had come to Jesus Christ had to admit that their religion, their rituals, their obedience to the Law, and their works could not save them!

In fact everyone of any and all religions must admit this same thing!

1) No one is justified and made acceptable to God by any works of their own or any law that they try to keep!

What is the question?

By what means can man, God's creation, stand before our Righteous God?

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

What are the facts? Mankind can only be justified by faith!

Not just any faith but by the faith on the works of Jesus Christ!

If there were such a law or group of laws that man could live by to become justified, then we already know that there is no one who can keep even the Laws of Moses all their life without breaking one or more of those laws.

What is the result? We all come short of the Glory of God!

What did God say to Moses?

Exo 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Exo 33:21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
Exo 33:22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

The truth is that every thing that lives in God's presence must be perfect and complete!

For man to justify themselves they must do at least one of these 3 things.

a) Man can only deny that he or she broke God's Law.

b) Man can only say they had the right to break God's Law.

c) Man can only deny knowledge of God's Law.

What is the truth?

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

To serve a perfect God then we ourselves must be perfect and mankind simply does not have that ability to do this.

Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Is their some sort of work or some law to be kept to overcome these things? God says no!

An imperfect being can never obtain perfection it's own!

No matter what we as humans do to learn perfection, we will always come up short and there will always the thought that we can do better so we can be better!

This is a false hope!

When we believe that our salvation is dependent on some work that we can do, or some law that we can keep, we will soon realize that we are hopelessly lost forever and we will know that we have need of a Savior!

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2) A person is justified by "Faith" of Jesus Christ and He alone.

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Notice that we can only be "Justified" by the Faith of Jesus Christ.

**It was Jesus Christ who did the impossible!

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, "who knew no sin"; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

It was Jesus Christ who kept all the Laws, who did all the works and He was "faithful" to do all these things for our salvation!

Justification does not mean we have been made righteous!

Justification means we will be treated as righteous because Jesus Christ was faithful to do what none of us could do!

Justification is necessary because we all have sinned and come up short of the Glory of God!

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

**God can only justify the believer who accepts this truth of His Son Jesus Christ!

God loves each of us so much that He came to this Earth Himself, in the form of Jesus Christ, in order to "Justify" us all who would believe!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God is willing to justify each of us because Jesus Christ was faithful to obey His Father!

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Jesus Christ came into this world to conquer death because He knew we did not have that ability!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the truth?

All those that truly believe in the work of Jesus Christ to obtain our salvation are counted as righteous enough to stand before our righteous God!

Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

What are the facts?

The fact is that God the Father, loves God the Son so much that He will justify any human being who honors His only begotten Son!

We can only stand before God if we stand in the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ!

What are the facts?

Faith in Jesus Christ is God's righteousness and the only righteousness that can make each believer acceptable to God!

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

And no one will ever be misled by Jesus Christ!

*****Gal 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Gal 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

We must first realize why we are sinners. We are not sinners because because we sin!

We sin because we are sinners!

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

The question stated in this verse is, Can Jesus Christ be making us to be even greater sinners by trusting in Him rather than trusting the Laws of Moses?

The answer is---God forbids this to happen!

Does trusting in Christ Jesus make it easy for us to break the law by knowing we will always be forgiven? We are foolish to think in this way!

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then shall we continue in sin knowing that God has more "Grace" than He does "Wrath"?

Again God forbids this also!

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

We must realize that "Justification" cannot come by keeping any law.

Those that make there own selves righteous by laws are sinners!

Laws can only show us how we fail!

At the same time we cannot reject the laws!

The Law still has it's place in the plan of God just as much as "Faith"!

Every "Born Again" child of God brought to Him by the "Faith" of Jesus Christ, will then seek to please God.

We cannot please God by if we are always at odds with the laws of this world.

We must only remain at odds with all those things that go against the Word of God!

Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

We must all them live according to the ways of Jesus Christ!

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Living in the ways of Jesus is living in the ways of God!

*****Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

How can we truly live for God? God must become the controlling principle of our lives!

**1) We must die to the law.

The purpose of the Law is to show us that we are sinners.

The purpose of the Law is to show us just how far short we are of becoming righteous and perfect.

The purpose of the Law is to show us that we stand no chance of ever being accepted by a Holy God!

The Law condemns us to death!

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: "which is the second death".

The only hope of Salvation is to die to the Law.

And there is no hope in self-righteousness!

**2) We must be crucified with Christ Jesus.

*****Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

This can only take place when we truly believe that Jesus Christ bore all our sin and actually died a sure death on Calvary's Cross!

This is the "Faith" that we must have!

If we are not identified with Christ Jesus then we cannot be saved!

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

God can count us as already being punished only because He has accepted the death of His Son!

Our security lies in our "Faith"!

**3) We must live for God.

We must surrender ourselves to the work that God has placed before us!

We must allow Jesus Christ to live in our heart!

We cannot be in charge of our own life we must allow Christ Jesus full control of our life!

Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

We must allow Jesus Christ to live through our body!

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

**4) We must trust in the "Grace of God"!

*****Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

To "frustrate" the "Grace of God" means we can make the "Grace of God" useless.

Frustrate means to set aside, make void, or make ineffective.

When we frustrate the "Grace of God" we have done away with the Love of God!

When we frustrate the "Grace of God" we have made the death of Jesus Christ meaningless!

God's Grace and God's Love are one and the same!

Faith is the key to a loving relationship with our God!

Being found in Jesus Christ is being found in His righteousness which is our only means of pleasing God!

Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Most of us try to schedule Jesus into a small part of our lives and when we do this we have missed the purpose of the Cross!

The cross that Jesus bore was not made for carrying!

The cross that Jesus Christ bore for us was made for dying!

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

There is no pride in the weight of our own cross and the burdens we try to carry.

The purpose of the cross was to teach us to die to our own selves!

This is why Jesus spoke these words:

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus Christ carried all our burdens of sin to His death on the cross.

To be "Justified" we must die to ourselves and live a New Life through Jesus Christ!

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Taking A Stand For The Truth

The Stand For The Truth

Book of Galatians 2:1-10


What is taking a stand? To take a stand with the Lord is to continue in your "Faith" unchanged by what others say!

Taking a stand on the Word of God means taking the Word of God literal.

Literal means that that words and the sentences of the Scripture are understood in their normal meaning or as in a normal conversation.

For instance:

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

It would be normal to understand that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, not just some young maiden.

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

It would be normal to understand that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

It would be normal to understand that the Messiah would appear to be as any normal man of Jewish descent.

Psa 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

It would be normal to understand that the Messiah would be the sacrifice that was to be offered for our sin.

We can take the Word of God literal because we know all these Scriptures have been fulfilled along with so many others.

The Apostle Paul's problems would have ended if he had just admitted that Christianity was just a sect of Judaism, but the Apostle Paul took the Word of God literal!

Paul could have taken his skills to a new level and been a highly paid preacher truly prospering in his ministry if he would have just allowed the traditions and rituals of Judaism into the church.

What is the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Every sinner has the right to go directly to Jesus Christ for salvation without going through any type of law or ritual or any other man-made process.

The world has an attitude that God has to prove Himself worthy when the fact is, man must be made right with an already righteous God!

What is the truth? God hates sin!

Psa 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Psa 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

1) God's justice requires some punishment for sin.

2) Man is God's creation and God's mercy would not allow God to leave man to his own fate.

3) God's love meant God had to provide a means to justify every sinner to His own standard.

4) The answer to all these things is "Faith" in the work of Jesus Christ!

Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

As we know, the Apostle Paul had come under attack by the churches of Galatia because some men who preached the false gospel of works.

Paul was forced to defend not only himself but also the "Gospel of Grace"!

Paul took his stand on the truth and the truth is, that salvation to every sinner can come only by the freely given "Grace of God" through the Lord Jesus Christ.

What we will see in this lesson is:

1) Paul will defend the work of the "Gospel".
2) Paul will defend the "Gospel" before false believers.
3) Paul will defend the "Gospel" before any and all persons.
4) Paul will defend all those that are called to proclaim the "Gospel of Grace"!

So let's continue:

Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

In the last chapter we learned that Paul had only spent 15 days with the Apostle Peter who was held in high regard by all the churches.

Fifteen days was not a long enough time for Peter to train Paul to be a missionary.

Now Paul says it was 14 years before he went again to Jerusalem.

This means that Paul's Gospel could not have come from the Apostle Peter nor from what many considered to be the home church of Jerusalem.

The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not some offshoot of Judaism!

There is no such thing as a home church!

Every church is to be an independent church though help may come from other churches to get started and then they all should help each other as the need arises!

This is true because the church is the individual:

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

And just as we are to help one another, then every group of believers is to help every other group of believers as the need arises.

We are all in this thing together!

Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

The Apostle Paul mentions Barnabas because Barnabas had traveled with him when these churches of Galatia had been first established.

It seems the message of Barnabas was not brought into question because Barnabas had spent much time in Jerusalem and with the other Apostles.

But Barnabas had agreed entirely with the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul.

Paul was being very careful to show that his call came from Jesus Christ and not from any man.

Notice Paul says that he took Barnabas and Titus with him and not that Barnabas and Titus had taken him to Jerusalem.

Act 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Act 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

What were the results of this gathering in Jerusalem with all the Apostles and James the head Pastor in Jerusalem?

Act 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Peter said:

Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

The Apostle Peter said, it is not that the Gentiles are to be saved like the Jews, we should clearly understand that it is us Jews who are to be saved the same way as the Gentiles, by "Faith" through "Grace"!

The Apostles in Jerusalem had only asked that these new Gentile churches not mock the Jewish converts to Christianity.

Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

The Apostle Paul had preached this message now for more than 14 years!

1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Paul said we are never to mock those we are trying to lead to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul said we are all to have the same "Gospel of Grace"!

And the Apostle Paul was not even sure if those in Jerusalem and the other Apostles preached the same "Gospel of Grace" until he met with them!

*****Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

We see that Paul had been led to go to Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit.

It was God that had revealed to Paul the need for this journey and not man.

Paul had not been sent to Jerusalem to get permission to preach the "Gospel of Grace"!

God was about to begin world-wide evangelism and it was very important that all the Apostles have the same message and that they all were certain of that.

The Apostle Paul did not try to undermine that message of Peter and James and John and the Church elders by going to the congregation first but he first met them in private.

The Apostles had to trust each other and each had to have the same message.

When Paul used that phrase "I should run", it did not mean that he might have to make a hasty escape.

Paul meant that the "Gospel of Grace" must have "free course" above any message of the Church!

The message of "Grace" and the progress of the early church would have been greatly hindered if there had been any disagreement among God's hand picked Apostles!

Today, many missionaries seek support of the Church and it is very important for us all who support them, to know that they preach the same "Gospel of Grace" as did the Apostle Paul.

Paul knew that if men were allowed to add rituals, or to add rules to God's freely given Grace, then his ministry would mean nothing.

Paul knew that if believers focused their salvation on a bunch of laws that could not get anyone saved then they would never focus on the truth of Jesus Christ!

As we are all taught in Bible College, it is not so important the message we begin with but at some point in that message we need to run to the Cross of Jesus Christ, the true picture of God's Grace!

1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

We sometimes allow our human reasoning to get in the way of God's truth, that the "Gospel" is the "good news" that Jesus Christ was crucified, the sinners only remedy for forgiveness, and was then raised from that death in the power of God, in order to prepare us a place in God's Heaven!

Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian Church:

1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, "lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect".

There is no other message of the Church more important than the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" which is the "Gospel of Grace".

Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Rom 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

It is only the true "Gospel" that can change people's lives!

And it is the true "Gospel" that is to be offered to all people, regardless of race, regardless of sex, regardless of nationality, or regardless of anything else.

Paul brought a Gentile with him to prove his point.

*****Gal 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

In order to better understand these things we must remember a few things.

In Jerusalem most every believer was a converted Jew, and some at one time had even been Pharisees.

They had all been circumcised when they were 8 days old.

They had all been taught the laws of Moses all the days of their childhood.

They had all observed the rituals and the feasts of Judaism all their lives.

AND, Many of those that had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the true Savior, had still refused to give up their Jewish religion.

They saw Christianity only as an extension of Judaism.

In their minds, before a person accepted Christ and was saved, they had to first become a Jew.

The Apostle Paul had rejected all these things.

The other Apostles had taught that Judaism could not bring the sure salvation that could come only by accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the true Savior and the only means of Salvation.

Paul preached salvation by the "Grace of God" and that salvation came by "Faith" and "Faith Alone"!

Paul preached that they all had to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ instead of the Laws of Moses.

Even though Paul had at one time been even more zealous of Judaism than they, they still opposed the teaching of the Apostle Paul and they set out to discredit and destroy the Apostle Paul.

These are those that are called Judaizers in the New Testament.

Act 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Act 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

These Judaizers never accepted the teaching of the Apostle Paul.

Paul's physical proof of Salvation by Grace through Faith, was the Gentile Titus.

Barnabas was a Jew and had been converted to Christianity even before Paul but he believed the same as Paul.

Titus was a Gentile who was also of Greek descent and had never known Judaism!

Paul refused to allow Titus to be circumcised because the truth of "Gospel liberty was at stake".

2Co 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
2Co 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

Later Titus was sent to establish a church on the Island of Crete.

Tit 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

And Titus later joined Paul in Rome while he was in prison from where he was sent again to Dalmatia to help another church that Paul had established.

2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Rom 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Dalmatia was a main city of Illyricum.

Titus was the perfect example of salvation by "Grace" alone!

Paul may have led Titus to the Lord, but it was the same God of Creation who had called Titus to be a Preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ!

These Judaizers even made demands of Titus.

*****Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

We should not be confused here. "False brethren" are non-believers!

It had been non-believers who had stirred up the Church and had brought all these things into question.

This can be a problem in any church. Many a church has split because some pretenders to Christ Jesus have come into the church in an attempt to change the perfect "Doctrine of Grace by Faith"!

We must always remember people are not lost because they are destined to be sinners because of Adam's sin.

People are lost because they have refused to believe the "Gospel" the truth of Salvation!

We have already heard of the zeal of the Apostle Paul and we can just imagine how fired up Paul became with these false brethren.

The Apostle Paul refused to be drawn into a false doctrine.

And, Paul always remembered to warn the new churches of all these things.

Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

What is the greatest assault on the church today?

"False brethren", who are non-believers, who are trying to modernize the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ"!

Most of them say the "Gospel" is old fashioned and does not suit today's problems.

Some, want to repackage the "Gospel" to bring it in tune to the modern world.

Most, just want to replace the "Gospel" with some false thing altogether.

The fact is that there will always be just one "Gospel" message that can bring with it eternal salvation!

As we can see from the time of it's beginning and throughout history, the Church as had to deal with these same battles over and over again.

Satan has never had to change his tactics because his same tactics have worked on far to many places of worship throughout time.

When the truth of the Word of God is brought into question, we must stand on the Word of God!

1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

We must contend for the "Faith" that comes by Jesus Christ.

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Just as the Apostle Paul refused to budge from the "Gospel of Grace by Faith" alone, we are also to refuse to budge on the "Gospel".

Paul also realized if the Body of Christ yields to even one single change in the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ" then these "False Brethren", these make believe so-called Christians, will continue to want to change the "Gospel" until it has disappeared altogether.

Paul said not even for one hour would he listen to this nonsense!

*****Gal 2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

We must keep in mind that all the Apostles were very clear on one main thing:

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Paul had never spent time with the other Apostles.

Paul had not been taught by them in any way.

But the fact remained that they all preached the same "Gospel of Grace" by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was not trying to belittle the other Apostles in any way, Paul was just saying that even though they had been companions of the Lord Jesus Christ while He had lived, did not give them any superior authority over the "Gospel".

We must remember these words of Jesus Christ to Thomas.

Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Why can no one add to or take away from the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul.

Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; "immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood":

Paul had received the "Gospel" by the Holy Ghost.

Again what had the Lord Jesus told Peter?

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: "for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven".

And Jesus then said, "This is how I will build my Church":

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Peter was not the "Rock", The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the "Solid Rock" foundation of the Church of the Living God!

It is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, taught by the "Gospel of Grace" that is the only means to build the Church that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against!

It is God who created the "Gospel".

It is God who calls all those who Preach the "Gospel".

It is God who calls the sinner, by the "Gospel"

It is God who saves each sinner by the "Gospel"

It is the "Gospel" that is God's plan of salvation!

No one can add to or take away from God's plan and still say it is God's plan!

We are never to seek the approval of Church leaders over the approval of the Word of God!

Our God does not show personal favoritism, we are all to teach the same message as Paul which was also the same message as Peter and also the same message as the other Apostles along with James the half-brother of Jesus Christ.

*****Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

All the Apostles stood with one voice in agreement with the "Gospel of Grace" as preached by the Apostle Paul.

All the Church elders and James, the Lord's half-brother and head Pastor of the Church in Jerusalem all stood with one voice in agreement with the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul.

Those Judaizers were wrong in their belief and in their doctrine and all those who are legalistic in their views and anyone else that adds to or takes away from the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul are wrong even today!

All the Apostles also agreed that each should go wherever the Holy Spirit led them!

Paul was called primarily to the Gentiles but also to all who would hear the Gospel.

Peter was called primarily to the Jews but also to all who would hear the Gospel.

We are all justified by the same means!

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

And then they all wanted to hear the wonderful things that God was doing throughout the world.

Act 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

It is always good to hear from the Missionaries that we support but it is also good to hear from those that God has called to go to the mission field who are seeking support.

*****Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

We should first notice that it is James, the Lord's half-brother who is presiding over this council. The duty of the Apostles had not changed.

Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Even though at least Peter and John were active on this council it was James who was in charge as the head elder of the Church in Jerusalem.

We know Peter(Cephas) had reminded them of the time that Cornelius and many Gentiles had been saved in Joppa.

Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

**James knew that no one could be saved by the Laws of Moses!

James knew that we are all justified by "Faith" but James also knew all those saved need to use the Laws of Moses as their schoolmaster of living the Christian Life.

This was a necessary thing for the Christian Jews!

**Peter(Cephas) had opened the door to the Gentiles but he knew his calling was aimed at the Jews who had been scattered because of persecution.

**John remained in Jerusalem until God called him into the care of the churches of Asia.

Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

It is John that wrote this book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

**Paul, the Jew who had persecuted the church before his salvation, and was fluent in all the Scriptures, and fluent in more than 5 languages, and hand selected by the Lord Jesus Christ, was now persecuted by the Jews, but whose calling was aimed at the Gentiles.

The Gentiles are all those who are not Jews and were considered to be heathen at the time of the Apostle Paul by unbelieving Jews.

At this time there can be no doubt that all the Apostles and James represented the direction in which the New Testament Church was to be established by the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church!

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

If the pillars of the Church, put in place by the Lord Jesus Christ cannot establish the direction of the Church then the Church will fail, which is impossible!

The Apostle Peter later wrote these words:

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

If we are seriously looking for the New Heaven and the New Earth promised by the Lord Jesus Christ, then we need to listen to the Apostle Paul and all the Word of God!

All the Apostles, which included the Apostle Paul and James the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, were all in one accord with all the Word of God and we need to be also!

God will never change the manner of establishing the Church and the Word of God does not ever change!

There was no dispute over the "Gospel of Grace", which is justification by "Faith" and 'Faith Alone"!

What one other rule should we all keep that the secular world ignores?

*****Gal 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

In our world the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer no matter who is in charge.

What are the signs of the last Church Age?

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

In our day the gathering places of the poor are closing the doors because they cannot afford to keep the doors open.

The Mega Church mentality is to reach out to the rich and the middle class and the poor are forgotten.

The Lord Jesus said there will always be the poor who live among us:

Mat 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

There could be many reasons that people remain poor but at least one of those reasons is that those that say they love the Lord will always have the opportunity to help the poor and in doing so can be laying up treasures in store in Heaven.

What did Jesus teach us of these things?

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

When we share the "Gospel of Grace" we must not forget that God loves us all and no one is to be left out!

When we defend the "Gospel of Grace" and salvation by "Faith" we are defending the Lord Jesus Christ our only means getting to Heaven!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Gospel Message is Unique

The Uniqueness Of The Gospel

Book of Galatians 1:6-12


The word unique means a thing unparalleled, or one of a kind. A thing that has no equal, and is unmatched in it's kind and in it's excellence.

Uniqueness is the quality of being unique!

What is pluralism? Pluralism is a worldview that says one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus the acknowledgement that at least some truths and true values exist in other religions.

What is humanism? Humanism is a worldview that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and rejects the importance of a belief in God.

Humanism is the world of the Atheist. The Atheist say that there is no God or that there is no such thing as a Supreme being.

Humanism is the world of the Agnostic. The Agnostic says we live in a world that cannot know that a God exist. Their belief is based on an assumption that for something to exist it must be scientifically verifiable. Since God cannot be proven by known science, then God cannot be discussed as an option for life.

Evolution is based on Humanism which says that there is no God and then they seek to explain away Creation by the design of our Supernatural God by using false science. Science by definition is based on facts and Evolutionists have no facts to prove their false science!

The Bible describes all these people as lost!

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, "and without God in the world":

These are Gentiles that do not know God!

1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, "even as the Gentiles which know not God":

As Christians we know that we may all have fit into these categories at one time.

Paul informed these Galatians that even if you do not believe in God you are still serving a false god!

Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, "ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods".

Polytheism says that there are many gods.

Pantheism says that everything can be a God and God can be everything. God is all and all is God!

Deism is a belief that there may be a God but He cannot be personal and He will not relate to mankind and mankind cannot relate to Him. Deist may acknowledge a god but they deny a sovereign God of any religion!

God says:

Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

So, how does God respond to all these things? King David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us the answer.

Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The greatest lie that is told today is, that there is truth in all religions and it does not matter which religion you choose to believe, as long as you believe something good.

It is taught that there are many roads to Heaven and the only choice you need to make is to get on one of those many roads.

This is pleasant sounding and this false thing is used by many governments and many false religions in order to try to appease it's people but this is all a lie!

This is totally false and no false thing can be of the truth!

In the words of Jesus, He said now is the time for the truth!

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

And Jesus also said it is only the truth that can make you free!

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall "make" you free.

And Jesus said that it is the Word of God that is true!

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

If the Word of God is true then all others are false according to the Word of God!

And the Apostle Paul added:

2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

What is the truth?

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

What is the truth?

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

There is absolutely nothing in these two verses that cannot be easily understood!

When we are bombarded everyday by the teachings of this world, we can sometimes drift from the truth of the Word of God but there is only one "Gospel".

There is only one source of "Good News" for this world we live in!

And there is only one Judgment!

When we stand before God and we will all stand before God, "and every knee will bow before our Holy God", we will have to give an account of our relationship to the truth of God!

It is our eternal living soul that hangs in the balance!

Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

So lets begin:

*****Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

In many of Paul's letters it would be at the time of his introduction that he would brag about the faith of the believers, but not this day.

Not only was the apostleship of Paul at stake, the life of the early church was at stake and the precious souls that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for, were all at stake!

It is God's "Gospel", that must be obeyed, preached, taught, and it alone!

Even before God's first breath of creation God knew the outcome, so God's plan all along was to save us by Jesus Christ!

Paul was astonished at how easily these "Babes in Christ" had been so quickly led astray by false doctrine.

We sometimes forget that Satan does not like to loose to the Lord and he will immediately attack those that have recently trusted in the Lord.

Satan cannot rob them of their salvation but he can make them useless servants of the Lord!

That word "another" means "another of a different kind".

That means any "Gospel" that is not centered on the "Gospel of Grace" and that "Grace" can come only by Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ died so that we could be delivered from sin and death and then by this same means have an eternal home with God in the New Heaven and on the New Earth!

What are the facts? When any person surrenders to the truth of Jesus Christ and truly believes that Christ took their sins upon Himself and then died for them, God counts them as sinless as His Son was sinless.

It does not get much simpler than that!

It is not this world that we have to please, it is only our Father in Heaven that we have to please and this is His plan of salvation!

God does not need my help to save me and God does not need my help to keep me saved, God just needs me to believe and trust in the work of His dear Son. That's why it is called "Faith"!

How do we become acceptable to God? There is only one way!

We must look to the Lamb of God!

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world".

What was Paul's message?

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

It is the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" that must be protected from all those that would pervert the Word of God!

Men of a false gospel had come into the newly formed churches of Galatia and had preached their false doctrine and this brought confusion to people who did not have a Bible but only the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul and those who traveled with him.

As we follow the "Gospel of Grace" we must be very aware that there will always be those who just cannot accept the simplicity of salvation by Jesus Christ.

It is this verse 6 that gives us the purpose that Paul wrote this Holy Ghost inspired Book to the Galatians.

We already know that the other Apostles were preaching the same "Gospel" as Paul because there is no other "Gospel" by which we can be saved!

*****Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

In verse 6 the Greek word "heteros" was translated into our English word "another" which meant another of a different kind.

Now in verse 7 we see the Greek word "allos" is translated into our English word "another" but it has a slightly different meaning of "another of the same kind".

In other words the so-called gospel of these false teachers and preachers did not just have minor variations that can be seen throughout Christianity but the message that they had was altogether opposite of the "Gospel of Grace" which is a "gospel of works".

The Apostle Paul was giving a strict warning to these Galatian Christians and we must also give a strict warning today!

God had these words in the Book of Revelation.

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

We have been warned not to alter or pervert the Word of God in any way!

Any person that turns away from the "Gospel of Grace" is turning away from God Himself!

You see it is not some preacher or teacher that leads us into salvation, it is God Himself who sends us His Holy Spirit to bring us under conviction and then leads us to Jesus Christ.

When we turn away from God's message we are rejecting the "Love of God"!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

We must remain grounded in the "Love of God"!

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

There is no other place to turn when the "Gospel of Grace" is rejected!

We should be more like Peter. Peter was just a fisherman but even Peter realized that there is no other place to turn but to Christ Jesus!

Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke the Words of eternal life!

It is only the message of Jesus Christ that can get us into God's New Heaven!

There may be many who teach and preach in this world "but there is only one message of truth"!

Jesus said:

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.

And the Apostle Paul cautioned all believers as we see in the Book of Hebrews:

Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

And we must caution each other, and teach each other and all our children and all our friends to avoid any message other than the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace", for anything else is just a lie of Satan!

*****Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

***What are the facts? We have a God who because He is God, absolutely cannot contradict Himself!

That word "accursed" means to excommunicated, doomed, damned, cast into Hell!

We can see that God is very serious about the truth of the "Gospel"!

Without the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace" no person can be saved from the wages of death! No person could be reconciled to God! No person could have eternal and everlasting "life"!

The Apostle Paul may have been the most committed servant of God that has ever lived, but if Paul had deviated even one time from the message of the "Gospel of Grace", he would have been accursed and he knew this!

Paul said no matter how much you care for me, if I return to you preaching some other gospel than the "Gospel of Grace", I will be condemned to Hell!

The "Gospel" is much greater than the Apostle Paul!

***The "Gospel" is much greater than any Angel!

Though an Angel come from Heaven but preached not the "Gospel of Grace" even that Angel would be doomed to an eternal and everlasting Hell.

We already know that God will actually send an Angel from Heaven, after the "Rapture" of the Church and during the seven year Tribulation Period but that Angel will preach the same "Gospel" as the Apostle Paul.

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

There is only one "Everlasting Gospel"!

We can see that the"Gospel of Grace" also includes the truth of Creation by the Design of God as well as the "Death, the Burial, and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ"!

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

It is also during the Tribulation Period that the false prophet will come forth with his message of a false gospel as he does today.

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

We just cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the false message that is taught today in our world!

We must the Word of God literal!

There is still only one way for salvation!

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

And this warning is worth repeating, over and over again!

*****Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

If the "Gospel" is greater than God's hand selected Apostles, and greater than God's most powerful Angels, then the Gospel is far greater than any man and anything that man says!

Any preacher or teacher that preaches or teaches a "Gospel" other than the "Gospel of Grace" will be doubly cursed!

I can think of some mighty big names that I will not mention who have changed their message to be inclusive of many routes to Heaven and have accepted humanism and have accepted evolution or some part of evolution and these scriptures tell us of their terrible ending.

Jesus told His disciples:

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

We should not judge the growth of our Church by it's size or by it's numbers. We should judge the growth of our Church by the fruit of the believers, that is produced from the truth of the "Gospel of Grace" the "Gospel of God"!

The "Gospel of God" is a life or death message and therefore the most important message that can be taught in this world we live in!

*****Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Not only was Paul accused of being a false Apostle.

Not only was Paul accused of preaching and teaching a false gospel.

Paul was also accused of being a people pleaser.

Paul was accused of using his ministry only for his own livelihood.

Paul was accused of living a life of deception.

Paul was accused of using the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" to satisfy his own personal greed!

How did Paul respond to these accusations?

That word "now" tells us that Paul said there was a time he was guilty of all these things.

Paul was saying, there was a time when he was so zealous of God that he tried to please men instead of God.

This was when Paul served the High Priest and the Sanhedrin Court.

Paul was saying, there was a time when was seeking his own glory and profited greatly in the Jewish religion.

Paul was saying, yes at one time he was a man-pleaser but that time "was not now"!

And Paul fired back: Am I "now" seeking to please men? No!

Am I "now" seeking to please God? Yes!

Paul said: "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ"

What is the one thing that God has given to every human being that sometimes gets us in the most trouble?

THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE!

Paul had made his choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!

We cannot serve the Lord Jesus Christ and at the same time serve any man!

The act of choice means we have to decide between one or the other!

Jesus Christ had these words for each of us.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

We must become a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ!

God's "Grace" is free and unconditional but we must still make a "Choice" and that "choice" must be to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and not mankind.

There were still those that said Paul could not be a true Apostle of the Lord so Paul added these words.

*****Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is certainly true that Paul had not followed the Lord Jesus when He was upon this Earth.

The same can be said for each of us also!

Paul's critics said that Paul's "gospel" was then man-made.

Still in our day the lamest excuse that is most offered is when the lost say the Bible was written by men and therefore just man’s words.

The Apostle Paul uses that word "certify".

Paul said "I want you to clearly understand the Gospel I preach is not of me or any other man"

That word "Gospel" means "good news", not "good works", not "good advice".

The "Gospel" is the "good news" of the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the forgiveness and the salvation that only He can provide!

The "Gospel" is not some improved information about some Divine Laws which must be kept in order to be reconciled with God!

The Word of God is not man-made!

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

***The "Gospel" was not handed down to Paul, like some tradition.

2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

**The "Gospel" was not learned by Paul, from some educational institute.

**The "Gospel" was not taught to Paul by some other man.

Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

The "Gospel" that Paul preached came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ!

The "Gospel" that Paul preached is not some basis for a new religion!

The "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ as preached and taught by the Apostle Paul is the only basis for salvation in this dark dreary world we live in!

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Tit 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

If Jesus Christ is not revealed in our lives than we are not saved and are still bound for a burning Hell!

If you do not know for sure, then it is time to make a choice!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Work of Jesus Christ

The Work of Jesus Christ

Galatians 1:1-5


Today we begin a short study into the Book of Galatians.

We already know that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

In the accepted canon of the Bible, we know that there are 13 Epistles that bear the name of the Apostle Paul.

The birth place of Paul was the city of Tarsus which still exist in modern Turkey on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Paul says he was of the tribe of Benjamin and therefore a Jew but being free born in Tarsus a Roman province and circumstances that are not explained Paul was also a Roman citizen.

Paul was well trained in His Jewish heritage and at a young age he was sent to study at the feet of Gamaliel who was a high ranking Pharisee, a high ranking member of the Sanhedrin court and a celebrated Doctor of the Jewish Law, the Laws of Moses.

He was The Authority in his day of the Jewish Talmud which was a collection of the Jewish traditions and explanations of the accepted Scriptures of the Old Testament.

The Talmud was in two parts.

1) The Mishna was the written law the Laws of Moses.

2) The Gemara was the oral interpretations and comments of the Jewish, Doctors of those Laws.

The Apostle Paul was well educated in Jewish Law and all Jewish traditions and was very zealous in his beliefs.

Act 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

When Paul totally surrendered himself to the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul then began to learn the truth of those same Scriptures he had known since he was a child.

Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

In this epistle written to the Galatians we will see the Apostle Paul defend the truth of Christianity as we must all do.

From the beginning of the early Church there have only been a few that questioned the authorship of the Book of Galatians.

The date this wonderful book was written may not ever be exact but it was definitely written between 48-60 A.D.

Paul had a great purpose for writing this wonderful book of the Bible.

The Apostleship of Paul came under question by certain men and that accusation had to be answered and answered firmly or the "Gospel of Grace" would forever be called into question.

The Apostle Paul was not only under attack but the Gospel of Jesus Christ was also under attack as it still is today.

There were certain professing to be Christian Jews (Judaizers) who were teaching a double error.

1) They taught that salvation came partly by faith and partly by works.

2) They also taught that upon this salvation a person could only grow in Christ partly by faith and partly by their own good works.

In other words, each person had to believe on Christ but that person still had to undertake the rituals of Judaism beginning with circumcision.

How does that transpire in our days?

In many places of worship, not only must one accept the Lord Jesus as Savior but they are not saved until they are baptized, or become a member of the church, or many other things such as speak in tongues.

They then had to observe all the rituals and traditions of that false religion.

There are many places today that observe rituals and traditions that have absolutely nothing to do with salvation and are even deceiving and sinful.

***There are only two ordinances that are to be observed by the child of God and neither have anything to do with salvation.

1) There is the Lord's Supper:

1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

a) This is done to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and by His command.

b) This is done to connect each of us in a personal connection with the Lord.

c) This done to connect each believer to each other.

2) Then there is Baptism:

Baptism is an ordinance commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ just as the Lord's Supper.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

This Baptism must reflect the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words baptism must be by a full immersion of that person who has already surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

3) If there was a third ordinance it would be that of being a servant as demonstrated when our Lord Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.

We are never to reach a point in in our saved life that we are not willing to take on the lowest act of a servant!

***The teaching of the Apostle Paul differed from those who were called Judaizers.

The truth of the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" is this.

Each individual can only be saved by Jesus Christ and He alone!

We can only be saved by the "Grace of God"!

There is not one person who will ever enter into Heaven who has won, or earned, or merited salvation by something they have done themselves!

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Of course, the Apostle Paul was charged with deceit by these Judaizers and these Galatians were told that Paul was not even an actual Apostle.

We know that there can be no more actual apostles because an apostle had to meet certain qualifications that cannot be met today.

The term Apostle means "one sent forth".

To be an Apostle meant each man was hand selected by Jesus Christ and was sent forth to preach the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"!

Act 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

The Apostle Peter led this group of the originals, only eleven after the treasonous act and death of Judas Iscariot, to select a twelfth Apostle.

We know that Mathias was chosen and no doubt a good man who also spent a great deal of time with Jesus and was a witness of the resurrection of Our Lord.

Act 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Matthias was not chosen by the Lord to be an Apostle even though he was a good disciple.

The Lord Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would not be sent to preach the Gospel!

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Judas has fulfilled his purpose and was even offered a chance to repent but just would not do so.

Act 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

The Lord Jesus chose and sent the Apostle Paul.

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

**Paul had written many of his Epistles to specific cities and specific Churches but Paul writes this Epistle to all the Christians of Galatia.

Galatia was an area, not a nation and not a city.

Galatia was originally settled by the Gauls.

The Gauls were not Arabians but Gentile descendants of Japheth, a son of Noah.

The area settled by the Gauls was expanded in the time of the Roman domination and much of Galatia became a Roman providence.

These Galatians were an emotional, impulsive, and a changeable people and are much the same even today.

They had a love for the strange, the curious, and the unknown.

They were easily attached to religions that were mainly a worship of nature and these type still exist today.

They were easily caught up in Greek and Roman mythology.

Many of them found it possible to worship as Paul and the Word of God taught them one day and then stone the Apostle Paul the next day in confusion.

From the Book of Acts, the accounts of the Apostles, we can learn that Paul preached and established many of these churches on his first and his third missionary journey's.

Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Galatia on his second mission trip.

Act 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Act 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Just as every new Christian is, these churches were spiritually immature and easily swayed by false doctrine.

The reason for the Book of Galatians was to deal with the basic doctrine of Christianity.

The Doctrine of Christianity is "Salvation By Grace" and Grace alone!

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians takes us into the heart of the "Gospel"!

Salvation means that each of us must receive the "Gospel" by faith!

There is no amount of work nor obedience to any law that can bring salvation!

Legalism in any form can neither save a sinner nor perfect the Saint of God!

What we should realize is, that Paul never taught that the Jews were to abandon the Laws of Moses nor their rituals or their traditions.

BUT, they were taught that these things could not bring salvation!

The Gentiles were taught to never get caught up in the Jewish laws and traditions but being free from these things does not give us the freedom to just toss out the commandments of God!

The entire Old Testament is our School Master for what God has already done!

Cultures and practices are different throughout this world we live in but salvation remains the same to all!

The one main point of the letter to these Galatians was and it is the same today, is that none of us can earn, or win, or do anything for salvation beyond trusting on the Lord Jesus Christ!

That includes Jews, Gentiles, and any other name that people use.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Human effort is not spiritual and it is not eternal nor can it ever be!

We will also see that God calls all His ministers but they are not all alike.

The Apostle Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, but the Apostle Peter was the Apostle to the Jews but they were all to have the same message of "Grace".

Another message we should not miss in our studies is that all Christians around the world are to treat each other as brothers and sisters in the same family of Jehovah God.

We should all be able to sit down with each other and fellowship in peace!

Above all we are to be servants to each other and never reach a point where we place ourselves above others.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

The Book of Galatians has been a powerful message throughout the Church Age.

It is the Book of Galatians that brought reformation by Martin Luther and peace to many others.

The truth of the "Gospel" is that we are justified by faith and not by works.

We are saved by "Grace" and we are also kept saved by "Grace"!

So let's begin:

*****Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

In the days of the New Testament, salutations were at the beginning of the letter instead of at the end as it is in our day.

All the letters Paul wrote to the New Testament Churches had certain words in common but they all also were just a little bit different.

The beginning of this letter to the Galatians began significantly different from all the others.

The Apostleship of Paul had come under question and there are even those that still question it today.

There may have been many so-called apostles throughout church history but there have only been 12 Apostles hand picked and sent out with a specific message by the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time of Judas Iscariot there were 12 men who were said to be disciples. The command to be sent out came from the Lord after the death of Judas.

In the day of these 12 Apostles the term apostle had another meaning than "one who was sent".

The Jews had an officer called "Shaliach". A "Shaliach" could speak and act with the same authority as the One who sent him!

It was those 12 Apostles that were hand selected by the Lord Jesus Christ who carried with them the authority of the "Shaliach".

It is these 12 who went forth with the authority given to them by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Apostle Paul may not have been in that original group but Paul did meet the qualifications of being an Apostle because he was hand selected by the Lord Jesus on the Damascus Road.

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Many of these Galatians had began to question the ministry of the Apostle Paul which led to them questioning the message of the Apostle Paul.

Paul says:

1) I am a true Apostle.

2) I am a true minister of God and not of men.

3) I am a true messenger of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We should be very clear, these Galatians had the right reasons. All those that preach and teach a "Gospel" other than that of the Lord Jesus Christ need to be run out of the Church and their ministry destroyed.

But at this time it was Paul who taught the truth of the Scriptures!

It had been Paul himself who tried to destroy the early church but that was not possible then nor is it now!

Paul certainly had not been sent by the home church at Jerusalem when he began his ministry.

Paul's ministry did not include the rituals and traditions of the home church at Jerusalem.

Paul preached a different message than the home church in Jerusalem.

But the Apostle Paul stood his ground because he preached the entire truth of God!

In all these things Paul did not even try to argue with those that criticized him.

And Paul said, I serve the Living God, the One whom God had raise from the dead!

There is no religion that can teach with these same words.

We must understand the message of salvation we receive is from the Living God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is our resurrected Savior who only can bring salvation to "all" that call on His name.

Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

The Lord Jesus paid the price of our sin, "the wages of death" with His own blood.

But it is our resurrected Savior who justifies all His believers!

It is the brethren, the believers who should understand this truth!

*****Gal 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

There had been many who traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys. To begin with there was Barnabas and John Mark but it was the Holy Spirit that had directed the work of Paul.

Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

We also know of Timothy and Titus among many others including Luke.

Which of these Paul was referring to at this time we may not know but that was not important. The importance came from the fact that everyone who was traveling with the Apostle Paul agreed with everything that Paul was writing in this Epistle to the Galatians.

Paul's group was in one accord and these Galatians were in a state of confusion because they had been led astray by false teaching.

Paul called them brethren because they were much more than friends. They were brothers who served the same Lord and believed the same doctrine, the Doctrine of Grace.

We should then notice that this Epistle was not just written to one church but all the churches of Galatia.

Among those would have been Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium, Derbe and probably others.

The Apostle Paul had come under attack from all the churches that he had established.

We can see that Satan hates it when the "Gospel of Grace" is preached and then believed.

Here at Gethsemane we have a Pastor who preaches the entire truth of the Word of God, and we cannot call ourselves brethren if we do not stand with him.

It is those who would twist the truth of the Word of God who should be avoided at all cost!

True brothers in Christ will always come to the aid of each other!

Paul knew the doctrine in question so Paul begins with the word "Grace".

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

*****Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

**What is Grace? Grace is the undeserved favor of God! Undeserved means it cost you nothing!

If you had to work for the favor of God then you would be trying to pay a debt that you never had the ability to pay!

Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

We simply do not deserve God's favor!

We absolutely cannot win God's approval!

God is too high and man is too low to deserve anything from our Holy God!

The only thing any human being has ever earned is the judgment, condemnation, and punishment of God!

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

**What is peace with God? Peace is to be intertwined and joined in a personal relationship with God and with all others that trust in the same "Grace".

Peace is being secured in the loving hands of God!

This peace can only come by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus said to know Me is to know peace!

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Paul wrote to the Philippians with these words.

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A great lesson to learn here is, that though we can never loose our salvation, we can fall out of the "Grace" of God as a church group and as an individual and when that happens we will not be at peace in this world we live in nor with the God we serve.

Proof:

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

We must guard against falling from "Grace"!

We must guard against trusting in our own works to be saved and our own works to keep us saved because we can do neither one!

So what has Jesus actually done for us?

*****Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

This verse gives us a brief summary of the "Gospel", the "Good News" of our Savior.

Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins because He knew we were unable to do so!

Jesus Christ died as our substitute.

Jesus Christ took my place and your place in order to pay our wages of death!

Jesus Christ gave His life, no one took His life, nor could they have taken His life!

Jesus Christ offered Himself to a Holy God as a sacrifice for our sin because only He was the sinless Son of God and able to do so!

And for what purpose did the Lord Jesus do this for us?

That He might deliver us from this present evil world!

We must realize the Son of God did this in unison with His Father!

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

But it was the Son, not the Father, who has made us citizens of Heaven and no longer a part of this world!

Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

This was the only point of the death of our Savior on Calvary's cross!

To be delivered means to be "rescued" now while we are still living in this flesh!

To be delivered means to be "plucked out" which will take place at the "Rapture of the Church".

To be delivered means to have abundant life now and eternal life now and forever!

Again Jesus said:

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Why did Jesus do these things? Because it was the will of God, His Father!

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

This was God's method of adoption then and is the same way now!

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And once saved and adopted into the family of God we all need to praise and glorify God!

*****Gal 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It is now and it has been true from the beginning, it is Jesus Christ who is the glory of the Church!

It is now and it has been true from the beginning, that God the Father who by His own purpose and His own will offered up His only begotten Son, "By His Grace" so that we could be delivered from this present evil world.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All those that discount the "Grace of God" are foolish people, who ignore the truth of God and cling to a world that will one day no longer exist!

We need to praise God continuously for what He has done and we need to make ourselves familiar with the work of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Questions?

Let's Pray!