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!
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!
