The Source of Paul's Gospel

[0:00] Our last song was almost a sermon in itself. Praise the Lord for his goodness. We're in chapter 1 this morning.

[0:24] We're going to start in verse 11. Remember this is an epistle written to an area of churches.

[0:35] The area of Galatia. About four main churches or four main cities in that area. And Paul's writing it because a problem has slipped in.

[0:48] A group of people have come in and they have tried to push the Galatian people off from the gospel to believing something that they might hear or think was close to the gospel but was no gospel at all.

[1:03] Paul's pretty upset with them. Not that he's wanting to beat on them or anything. He's upset in that they've been so quickly moved from the true gospel that they had heard.

[1:16] And so he writes this letter very quickly to them and exhorts them as to where they need to be. And so we looked last week at verses 6 through 10 and talking about them turning to a different gospel.

[1:34] Talking about how those who were pushing them to turn to a different gospel should be accursed. And so he begins, continues his argument.

[1:44] One of the things that we're going to find as we're going through is that Paul's apostleship was attacked. Now it's evident in what we're looking at.

[1:55] But it will become more evident as we go through. As we look at how he's been attacked. So first thing he does is establish where he got the gospel.

[2:05] How he became an apostle. And that was important because people were arguing those points. We'll make more of that later. I'd like to have you follow along with me in your Bibles.

[2:18] From Galatians 1. I'm going to read verses 11 to 24. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.

[2:36] For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it. But I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism.

[2:49] How I persecuted the church of God violently. And tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people.

[3:02] So extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born.

[3:12] And who called me by his grace. Was pleased to reveal his son to me. In order that I might preach him among the Gentiles. I did not immediately consult with anyone.

[3:25] Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me. But I went away into Arabia. And returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas.

[3:39] And remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. I'm writing to you. In what I am writing to you before God, I do not lie.

[3:53] Then I went up, went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in persons to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.

[4:12] And they glorified God because of me. Let's pray together. Father, I thank you for this passage.

[4:23] I thank you for how it gives us good basis for what we believe. Thank you that it gives us a touchstone.

[4:34] Something to come back to. It's part of an argument that is important in our faith. I pray that you would be with us. Father, I pray that you would bless that this would be clear.

[4:45] Father, I pray that we would see the wonder of God's grace because it screams in this passage. We'd see the wonder of God's power.

[4:57] We'd see the wisdom of God in the way he protected his servant. The way he especially protected his word. And I thank you, Lord, that because of the way you worked, we today have a Bible that is full of epistles and gospels that point us truly to the Christ that you sent.

[5:21] The true gospel. Not the other of a different kind, but the true gospel. I pray that you would bless that we would understand that. That we'd be well equipped. That our hearts would rejoice.

[5:33] And we'd carry out those things that you would call us to do today. In Jesus' name. Amen. I wanted to start out, before I really get into the passage, and say, why is this passage important to us?

[5:51] Because as you're reading it, I got such the impression that it'd be so easy for us to look at this and say, This is background stuff.

[6:01] This is stuff that we should race through. Because the meat starts in chapter 2. And that's not the case. This passage is important to us because Paul is about to make a defense against a false gospel.

[6:19] He's about to lay out what is the true gospel. And in order for him to be able to lay this out, he needed to defend the authenticity of the gospel he preached.

[6:29] Because it is the true gospel that Christ himself gave him. I've told you I'm trying not to get too far ahead.

[6:39] I'm trying not to give too much of the story. And so I'll limit what I say to the fact that there were people who were coming around saying, This Paul, he's never been to Jerusalem while he's been a believer.

[6:53] He's preaching. He's preaching his own stuff. He's out there sharing what he thinks about things. He didn't talk to Peter.

[7:04] He didn't talk to James. He didn't talk to Thomas. Thomas is the one I'm trying to think of. And all the other apostles. He didn't go down there and make sure he had his story straight before he started preaching.

[7:17] This guy's not a good preacher. In fact, he doesn't have all of the knowledge. All of what really needs to be known to be able to be a Christian. And so he's gone out starting churches. And he's called people to be saved.

[7:29] And he's called them to be saved to his gospel. And they're trying to push Paul aside. And in doing that, they then share a gospel. Again, not getting into it because we're going to try to stick with the argument that Paul has.

[7:42] But they're trying to get them to believe a gospel that's based on works plus Christ. And that is not the true gospel. And you'll see that hopefully by the end.

[7:56] We won't make a big point of it. But we will make a point of it. But I want you to see right up front that what Paul preached, Our main point is it's going to be gotten directly from Christ.

[8:09] But one of the sub points to remember is that what Paul preached was exactly what Peter and Thomas and John and all the other apostles preached.

[8:20] Even though Paul had never come to Jerusalem before he began preaching. He began preaching almost immediately after he was saved. Even though he had never come to Jerusalem and talked with the other apostles.

[8:34] He had the gospel straight. He had it right. And he had it right because he received it from Christ himself. And that's what we're looking at here. We've got to know.

[8:46] We've got to defend against the argument. And that argument still goes on today. People who say we only read the letters that are the words that are in red.

[8:56] Christ's letters are the only true gospel. That's not true. Christ gave the word that Paul wrote down in Galatians. He gave the word that Paul wrote down in Ephesians.

[9:07] He gave the word that somebody wrote down in the book of Hebrews. All these were things that God gave. And so we have that heresy today.

[9:18] Oh only read the letters in red. But the fact of the matter is. If you just read the letters in red. You would come up with the same gospel that Paul preached. But yet it is a heresy that goes around.

[9:30] It goes round and round over the ages. Where people are thinking. Oh I must have something more than Paul. Paul didn't have all the gospel. He did indeed have all the gospel.

[9:42] And that was his argument. He gets into here. So in verses 11 through 17. I'd like to talk about the origin of the gospel that Paul preached.

[9:56] The origin of the gospel that Paul preached. In verses 11 and 12. We're going to see that Paul's gospel was not man's gospel. For I would have you know brothers.

[10:07] That the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man. Nor was I taught it. But I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. So he gives testimony right at the beginning.

[10:22] He says I did not receive this gospel from any man. Now if you. We will hear bits and pieces about Paul's conversion. You could go to Acts 9. You could go to Acts 22.

[10:33] And I think it's Acts 26. Acts 26. Are three places where Paul talks about. How he was saved. What the Lord did. And you'll find in any one of those situations.

[10:46] That Paul did not receive any instruction. From anyone other than Christ. In relation to the gospel. He did not receive this gospel.

[10:59] From any man. Now all of you know that Paul was alive. During the time of Christ. He may have seen Christ. I don't know that that's the case.

[11:10] Probably didn't. He didn't see Christ as a Christian. So just seeing Christ before he was saved. Would not have made him able to be an apostle.

[11:21] But he may have seen Christ. But it didn't matter. He didn't learn his gospel. There walking amongst the people in Jerusalem.

[11:32] He didn't receive it any. From any man. He wasn't taught it. When he was saved. And we talked about the instances that talk about Paul's conversion.

[11:44] Ananias was the man who came to him. Ananias never told him. Paul this is what you need to believe. This is what you need to know. He was called to baptize Paul.

[11:57] Christ told Ananias. He's a believer. Go baptize him. Go tell him that he's to go share the gospel. So he didn't receive the gospel from any man. He wasn't taught it by Ananias.

[12:09] As he came to baptize him. Paul goes on to say. I received the gospel. Through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul received.

[12:21] All that he knows. About the gospel that he's written about. The gospel that he preached at all these churches. He received it directly. From the Lord Jesus Christ.

[12:31] Christ. The same way the rest of the apostles received the gospel. They got to walk with him three years on earth. As he was ministering to people. They got to hear his.

[12:42] His. Parables. They got to hear his instruction. They got to hear all these things. Paul wasn't there. But yet. When. Paul was confronted by Christ.

[12:52] The gospel was initially. Spoken to him. And then afterwards. Paul. Got. A greater understanding from the Lord. As the Lord. Revealed. Himself.

[13:03] To Paul. We'll. We'll get into some of the time frames of that. In just a minute. So. First off. He's. His argument is. I didn't receive this.

[13:14] From any man. What I have. I received. From the Lord. In verses. Thirteen. Through sixteen. We're going to talk about the manner in which Paul was converted.

[13:25] And came to have. The gospel. Thirteen. Through sixteen. For you've heard. Of my former life in Judaism. How I persecuted the church of God. Violently.

[13:36] And tried to destroy it. So. First of all. He talks about his former life. He wants you to know. This is not something he was seeking out. This is not something he. He was looking for.

[13:48] Here's a man who was extremely zealous. For the traditions. Of the fathers. He was super engaged. In Judaism at the time.

[13:59] He was super engaged. At keeping their rules. At doing things the way. They said they were to do. He was very engaged. In being a good Jew.

[14:09] He was the prime student. Of Gamaliel. And probably was his prodigy. And may well have taken his place someday. But he was extremely zealous.

[14:19] For the traditions. Of the fathers. He advanced in Judaism. Beyond many his own age. And so. We would look at him. As a star pupil.

[14:31] He was the one. Who was doing better. Than everyone else. You know that. Guy that graduates. At the top of the class. And just seems to. Do everything right. And just seems to excel. He's that kind of guy.

[14:42] He was excelling. Beyond people of his own age. And Paul says. I was so zealous. For the things. Of the traditions.

[14:53] Of his fathers. That he persecuted the church. And tried to destroy it. No he doesn't get into it here. But we know. That he was there. When Stephen was stoned.

[15:04] We know that he had a part of it. He held the coats. We don't know what he said during it. We don't know what he did during it. But we know that he was there. And he held the coats. Of those who stoned Stephen.

[15:17] So he was doing that. Out of zealousy for the Jews. For the Jewish religion. Scripture goes on to say. That he was binding. And imprisoning. And urging to blaspheme.

[15:29] And putting to death. Those who were of the way. So. He wasn't just a guy. Standing in the corner. Saying. I don't like them Christians. They're not good Jews.

[15:41] He was active. And he wasn't active. Just out there. Saying stuff. He was so zealous. That he was out there. He was on a mission. When he was going.

[15:52] To Damascus. He was on a mission. To bind Jews. And take them to prison. And as he went. Of course the Lord. Revealed himself to him.

[16:03] But he was going there. To put Christians to death. A quote from R.C. Sproul. He mentions. Paul himself. Was profoundly ashamed.

[16:14] Of this part of his past. Although he looked on it. As an evidence. That God's grace. Can overcome. The resistance. Of even the most. Rebellious sinners. Paul's point in this.

[16:27] In the following verse. Is that he did not derive. His gospel. From his pre-converted life. In Judaism. So what he's getting at. He says. I was zealous.

[16:38] He's telling these people. You know. I wasn't thinking about this. Before I became a Christian. I wasn't almost convinced. Of this. Before I was a Christian. I was dead set against this.

[16:53] Hendrickson. In his New Testament. Commentary says. The apostles purpose. In reminding the Galatians. Of this sad episode. In his life. Must be born in mind.

[17:04] In order to grasp. What he's trying to convey. He is saying. That no human persuasion. Could have ever been able. To impart. The gospel.

[17:16] To such a confirmed. And ferocious. Persecutor. His purpose. To show. Is to show. That the gospel. Is from God. And not from men.

[17:27] So he's not. He's not boasting. At what he was saying. He's saying. I want you to think about. What I was. I had no desire.

[17:38] To go where I was going. Where I went. Where Christ took me. I had no thought beforehand. That I might be interested in it. I was dead set against it.

[17:48] And so. I want you to know. This was not something. Man gave to me. But in the process here. God.

[18:00] Reveals himself to him. On the road to Damascus. Asks him. Why are you kicking against the pricks? Who are you Lord? Jesus. Whom you persecute.

[18:12] And. Paul was saved. At that moment. God called him. There. To himself. No one. No man.

[18:23] Now. Maybe somebody had said something to him. But he's saying. No man evangelized me. No man came up to me. And said. I have this booklet. I'd like for you to read.

[18:34] No man come up to him. And started a conversation. Wondering what he was going to do. With his sin. He thought he knew. What he was doing. With his sin. He thought he was working. His way to heaven. He thought he was a good Jew.

[18:46] And that alone. Would get him into. Into heaven. No one had evangelized him. But it says here. That God set him apart.

[18:56] For himself. Before he was born. So here's this man. Who had no desire. For Christ. God steps into his life. Saves him.

[19:07] And says. I want you to be. An evangelist. I want you to be an apostle. And he did that. He's saying. God. Chose him.

[19:19] Before the foundation of the world. We could go to Romans. And see this. We could go to Ephesians. One especially. And see this. That God.

[19:29] From before. Time began. Before there was one molecule. Of creation. God set out. To say. I'm going to create this.

[19:41] This. And this is going to happen. And these are the people. I am going to call for myself. And these. Of those people. Are the ones. I'm going to send out. With the gospel.

[19:52] And Paul is saying. God. Did that. For me. God called me. By his grace. Set me apart. Before I was born.

[20:02] It was not my plan. It was God's plan. It was God's plan. Before the foundation of the world. And so God. Called. Paul. By his grace. He called Paul.

[20:15] By his grace. Paul did nothing. To deserve salvation. God didn't look down. And say. You know that man's being. A really good Jew. I think I'll save him.

[20:29] You could say. Truly. Instead. God had every right. And Paul deserved. Total damnation. You say. But what?

[20:39] He was a good Jew. He wasn't a good Jew. Good Jews. Of Bible Testament times. Sure. They completed. The sacrifices.

[20:49] As would God. God would have called them. But they weren't trusting. In those sacrifices. They were trusting. In the one. That was promised. To come. The one. Who would bear their sin.

[20:59] That. Isaiah 53. Servant. Who would give himself. For their. The. Good Jews. If you could call that. In God's eyes. Were the people. Who were not looking. At what they did.

[21:11] To mean anything. They were the ones. Who were looking. To what God would do. That would mean something. And so. Paul. In all his work.

[21:22] Was not a good Jew. God didn't call Paul. Because he was a good Jew. He was an. Evil man. Just like all of us. Are sinners. Paul did nothing. To deserve salvation.

[21:33] He had done much. Much above. Many of us. I shouldn't say that. That's not a right way. Of putting it. When we look at our. Outward.

[21:44] At each other. We would look at. Us. And Paul. And say. Paul. You really messed up. You did a lot of stuff. That would. Make you.

[21:54] Yeah. Nobody wants to be around you. You're. You're killing Christians. And. And. God. God had done. Paul had done much. To deserve. Damnation. But God called Paul.

[22:06] Because of who. God is. Not because of who. Paul was. God called Paul. Because God. Is. Gracious.

[22:18] And so. God was pleased. To call. Paul. By his grace. Goes on. Does. Paul goes on. To say. That God was pleased. To reveal his son.

[22:28] In Paul. In order that Paul. Might preach Christ. Among the Gentiles. One of my first questions. As I went through this passage. Was to ask myself. What did Paul mean by.

[22:39] Reveal. His son in me. And I think it's. So easily answered. By two verses. From 2nd Corinthians. Chapter 4. 2nd Corinthians 4. Verses 4. And 6.

[22:51] When God revealed. His son in Christ. I think this answers. What this means. In their case. The God of this world. Has blinded the minds. Of the unbelievers.

[23:01] To keep them. From seeing the light. Of the glory. Of the gospel. Of Christ. Who is the image of God. In verse 6. For God. Who said. Let light shine out of darkness.

[23:12] Has shown in our hearts. To give the light. Of the knowledge. Of the glory of God. In the face of Jesus Christ. What God did to Paul. He certainly didn't deserve.

[23:23] But what God did to Paul. Was to take a man. Who was blind. To the true things of God. A man who could not see. His own need. And could not see.

[23:35] That which he needed. To redeem him. And God stepped in. And turned the light on. Now we see. In the account. That he literally turned the light on.

[23:45] Physically. But that wasn't what saved him. What God did. Was to turn the light on. Spiritually. In his heart. Opened his spiritual eyes. To see. That what he was doing.

[23:57] Wasn't going to get him to heaven. In fact. What he was doing. Was going to damn him to hell. He opened his eyes. To get him to see. That Christ. Had lived.

[24:08] And died for us. And he had paid the price. And so. The light. Shown out of darkness. Into. Paul's heart. Shown into Paul's heart.

[24:18] To give the. Knowledge of the glory of God. In the face. Of Christ. God revealed Christ in him. That he would preach the gospel. To the Gentiles. And so.

[24:30] Paul's arguing. There was nothing I did beforehand. That would teach me the gospel. There was nothing that would incline me. And there was nothing in me.

[24:41] That would incline me. To want to preach the gospel. God did a miraculous work. He called me. He did the work. He revealed Christ in me. And.

[24:53] If we go back to verse 10. Of this. Verse 10 of 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians. Galatians. Getting all ahead of myself. For am I now seeking the approval of man.

[25:05] Or of God. Or am I trying to please man. If I were still trying to please God. I would not be a servant of Christ. I think this next statement. Or this. This. Situation.

[25:16] Also argues to the fact. That. Paul didn't do this to please people. He didn't become a Christian. To please people. If Paul wanted to please people.

[25:27] He would have stayed in Jerusalem. He would have continued. As this. Excelling. Jew. Outstripping many of his equals.

[25:39] But God's call on his life. Changed the course of his life. Forever. And so here's this man. Wasn't planning on doing this. Had no desire to do this.

[25:50] No one had been teaching him. That he ought to do this. He's just doing it. And God steps in. And changes. His life. Reveals Christ in him.

[26:01] And so he gives this argument. So that you could see. That the. The gospel. Came from Christ. Paul's instruction in the gospel. Then was given directly.

[26:13] From Christ. As it had been. To the other apostles. And we can see. In the second half of verse 16. And verse 17. That I might preach.

[26:25] Him. Among the Gentiles. I did not immediately consult. With anyone. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem. To those who were apostles. Before me. But I went away. Into Arabia.

[26:37] And returned again. To Damascus. So Paul says. Once I was saved. I didn't consult with anyone. As I mentioned earlier. Ananias didn't teach him the gospel.

[26:49] Ananias baptized him. Ananias. Ananias also confirmed. The calling of God on him. But Ananias. Did not evangelize him. Christ evangelized him.

[27:00] From the book of Acts. We know. That he began to preach the gospel. Almost. Immediately. There. In. Damascus. Very quickly.

[27:11] After he was saved. He began to preach the gospel. Preach that Jesus. Was the son of God. That is so. Opposite of what. He had. Been trying to do. In persecuting the church.

[27:23] He preached that Jesus. Was the son of God. He preached that Christ. Was raised from the dead. And he preached this gospel. That he had received from Christ.

[27:35] And from there. He didn't go to Jerusalem. To learn at the feet. Of the other apostles. I want to say. If you read just the. Book of Acts. Accounts. It seems like. Very quickly.

[27:46] He went down to Jerusalem. But here. Paul explains further. There was a period of time. Where. He wants you to know. I didn't immediately. Go down. Says.

[27:57] He. He. He didn't immediately. Go to Jerusalem. He didn't go down. To learn at the feet. Of the other apostles. He felt no need. To do that. Instead. He went into Arabia.

[28:09] Now that. Arabia. Refers to a. Desert. Desert. Region. Region. That's. East. Damascus. This is a region.

[28:19] Where he would not. Have been exposed. To. Any other person's teaching. He wasn't going into. Arabia. To. Hear another great teacher. None of the apostles.

[28:31] Other apostles. Were going to meet him in Arabia. He was in the desert. Probably alone. For a good bit of time. We know. We know from scripture. That it was three years. From the time he was saved.

[28:42] Until the time he went down. To Jerusalem. So. In that three years. Some of it. He spent preaching. In Damascus. Some of it.

[28:53] He spent in Arabia. And then he went back. To Damascus. And preached for a time. So the time in Arabia. We don't know. Exactly. How long it was. But he was down there.

[29:03] For a time. And it was in that time. That Christ himself. Taught him. To the point. He had gone down into Arabia. All he had ever heard.

[29:14] Was what Christ taught him. And then he goes down into Arabia. Where there's no one to teach him. And all he learns. Is what Christ reveals to him.

[29:27] So to this point. He did not. Nor could he have received. What he learned of the gospel. From anyone. But the Lord. He was preaching.

[29:38] Totally. Independent. Not in opposition. But totally. Independent. Of the Jerusalem church. Now. I'm not saying. He didn't know of it. But he was not going out.

[29:50] Because of the Jerusalem church. To send him. He was not going out. With a message. That the Jerusalem church. Had given him. He was not going out. With a message. That anyone. From the Jerusalem church.

[30:01] Who had come to Damascus. Had given him. He was going out. With the gospel. That the Lord Jesus Christ. Himself. Gave to him. He received the gospel.

[30:12] And that gospel. He received from Christ. He preached. And so. His argument has been. I am not preaching. The gospel. That some man.

[30:24] Gave to me. I am preaching to you. What Christ gave to me. Now the obvious question. At this point. I have already answered it. You already know the answer. And you would have known.

[30:36] The answer anyway. But the obvious question. If you were reading Galatians. For the first time. At this point. Would be. Okay. He is preaching a gospel. That he did not receive.

[30:47] From anyone in Jerusalem. How does that gospel. Square up. With what is preached. In Jerusalem. Was there an agreement. With.

[30:58] Of Paul's preaching. With what was preached. In Jerusalem. The answer is yes. And he proves it. Verse 18.

[31:09] He talks about. How he goes down to Jerusalem. Oh actually. He goes up to Jerusalem. We think in. Longitude and latitude. Ways. They think in elevation ways. So.

[31:20] Damascus is lower. Elevation wise. Than Jerusalem. So he goes up to Jerusalem. We would look at it. And say. Here in Damascus. Which is north of Jerusalem. You went down to Jerusalem. But he goes up to Jerusalem.

[31:32] He visits Jerusalem. Three years. After his conversion. And he doesn't go down there. To meet with all the apostles. Doesn't go down there. And say. I want you guys to teach me.

[31:44] The gospel. He goes down there. Privately. He had received the gospel. From Christ. He had been preaching it. Since he had been saved.

[31:54] And called. And he was following. The instruction of Christ. To that time. And so he goes down. And spends. Fifteen days. With the apostle Peter. And sees. James. The Lord's brother.

[32:06] And they speak with him. And we don't know. Exactly what was said. We don't know. What conversations. Took place. All we can do.

[32:16] Is go. Is go. On the things. That we learn. Afterwards. Okay. This conversation. Took place. Somewhere between.

[32:27] Acts 9. And Acts 15. This hymn. Going down to. Most people believe. Some people. See a little differently. But I believe that. It took place. Between Acts chapter 9. And Acts chapter 15.

[32:39] But based on. What was said. About Paul. And decisions. That were made. By the church. After. Paul had been down. To talk to Peter.

[32:50] We find in Acts 15. That apparently. Peter. And James. And the whole church. Saw Paul's. Apostolic teaching.

[33:02] As authoritative. And correct. Because. They accepted. Paul's account. Of the gospel. Going out. Through him.

[33:12] To the Gentiles. They saw. That the Gentiles. Were truly saved. They had had. The same gospel. Preached to them. That Peter. And the other apostles. Were preaching. To the Jews.

[33:23] And the others. In Jerusalem. Even Peter. Sharing the gospel. With other people. Who were not Jews. They got the gospel. Paul is preaching. The same thing.

[33:33] And in Acts 15. There's this large council. And this goes. To some of the things. That we'll get into. In the book of Galatians. And this large council. What do the Gentiles.

[33:43] Have to do. To be saved. Do they have to keep. The law. To be saved. That was the purpose. Of all these people. Gathering together. In Jerusalem. Church needs to make.

[33:56] A decision. What do we require. Of the Gentiles. To be saved. God. And Peter. And Peter. Peter stands up. And recounts. Some of the things. That have gone on. And mentions.

[34:06] That the same thing. Happened. To the. To the people. That Paul preached to. As the people. He had preached to. And their. Decision. In the council. Of Jerusalem.

[34:17] Was that. There should be. No burden. Laid on the Gentile people. No burden. Such as. Keeping the feast days. Keeping any sacrifices. Keeping circumcision.

[34:28] None of that. Should be laid on the Gentiles. That's exactly. What Paul had been doing. That's exactly. How Paul had been. Sharing the gospel. And you say.

[34:40] Did the. Did the apostles. In. In Jerusalem. Did. How did they. I don't think. They even had to address it. Because. They were preaching. Pretty much. To just Jews.

[34:51] And. And people. Who had proselyted. To Judaism. And there would have. Already been. This mentality. Of circumcision. And keeping feast days. And. And sacrifices.

[35:01] There would have already been. So I don't think. They had to address. That problem. So quickly. And I don't think. It came up. But here is. Paul. Preaching to Gentiles. And he's not telling them.

[35:12] That they need. To be circumcised. He's not telling them. That they need to keep. All the feast days. And the holy days. He's not telling them. They need to bring sacrifices. Why?

[35:23] Because the gospel. That Christ had given him. Didn't include. Any of that instruction. And Peter. And James. And John. And all the people. Who were there.

[35:34] Agreed with him. His teaching. Is authoritative. They accepted. Paul's account. Of the gospel. Going out. Through him. So that the Gentiles. Were truly saved. Their judgment. Was a recommendation.

[35:44] In total agreement. With the gospel. Paul preached. His gospel. Was the same. As their gospel. Even though. They hadn't taught him. Miracle.

[35:55] Well. Well. Yes. Because Christ. Taught. The apostles. Who were in Jerusalem. And Christ. Taught. The apostle. Who spent some time. In Arabia.

[36:07] And Damascus. Same teacher. Paul. Got his gospel. From the same source. The Lord Christ.

[36:17] Christ. And Paul. In verse 20. Swears. To the truth. Of his testimony. He swears. That is indeed. What happened.

[36:30] So after 15 days. He leaves Jerusalem. For Syria. And Cilicia. I have to turn around. Because I get it backwards.

[36:42] He'd been a little bit. Over. To the right. Of Jerusalem. Not a lot. But he goes up. To the left. Of Jerusalem. Above. Israel. A bit.

[36:53] And he goes back. To serve. And to preach the gospel. Amongst the Gentiles. And he goes. To places. Where there are not apostles. Places.

[37:03] Far away. Far from where one. Could learn the gospel. And he preaches. The true gospel. One that has been. Vindicated. By those. In Jerusalem. And Paul goes on.

[37:16] To further. Give as evidence. That his gospel. Was a true gospel. By sharing. The reaction. Of the churches. In Judea. Those people. Who were in Christ. And this is verse. 22 to 24.

[37:28] And let me summarize that. Basically. He was unknown. To them. He had never been seen. By the main churches. In the area of Judea. People didn't know.

[37:38] Who he was. Hadn't talked with him. Hadn't been introduced. They only heard. That the one. Who had persecuted. The church. Was now preaching. The faith.

[37:48] He once. Tried. To destroy. And their reaction. Was that he was preaching. The true gospel. Because they rejoiced. It was not a gospel.

[38:00] They had gotten from him. It was a gospel. That they had gotten. That he had gotten. From the same. Ultimate source. That they had gotten. Their gospel from. It was from Christ. Christ. And so the churches.

[38:10] In Judea. Glorified God. Because of Paul. They glorified God. Saying he was a true follower. Of Christ. He was a true preacher. Of the gospel.

[38:21] And if. Paul had been preaching. A false gospel. One. They would not have glorified. God. For what Paul was doing. Two. Peter would have raised.

[38:32] A stink. Three. James and other people. Would have raised. A stink. Because this guy. Was preaching something. That he shouldn't be. But none of them did.

[38:43] All of them. Acknowledged. That Paul indeed. Had been preaching. The gospel. And you say. Okay. Pastor. You've. You've.

[38:54] Established all that. Why is that important? Why is this. Passage important? Well. I want you to think about this. For a second. How many books. In the new testament.

[39:05] Were written by Paul. Around 13. Isn't it? 13 of them. What if. Paul.

[39:15] Was shown. To not be preaching. The true gospel. We'd have to rip. Those parts out. There are people today.

[39:26] Who are saying. New perspective. On Paul. Some of the other things. That are going on. Are saying. Paul's. Go back to Christ. Christ. And that's not true.

[39:39] You and I. Need to know. That Paul. Got his gospel. From Christ. He wasn't taught it. By anyone. But Christ. And that the apostles.

[39:52] And the churches. In Judea. Saw him. As. Yes. Being a true. Apostle. Yes. Having the true gospel. And preaching that true gospel.

[40:03] In the right way. Therefore. We are safe. Reading the gospel. The epistles. Of the new testament. We are safe.

[40:13] Resting. In the things. That. That some might argue. Because it. Wasn't the words of Christ. It's not the real truth. It is indeed. The truth. And so.

[40:25] Praise God. That he. Included evidence. That proves. Its authenticity. authenticity. Now. We are going to spend more time.

[40:36] Paul deals with other things. In relation to his apostleship. And to his message. They are all good. Foundational things. We are going to get to the point. Where he. Then says.

[40:47] Okay. Remember I told you. That. I preached the gospel. Somebody brought another gospel. A false gospel. And. People were trying to push. The true gospel. Out with that.

[40:57] We are going to find. That he explains. The true gospel. That is what you have heard. But it is the true gospel. And he is going to. Deal with the problems.

[41:09] That these people were trying. They would have not been believers. If they believed. That this false gospel. It is that important. They would have been. Damned to hell. It is that important.

[41:22] And so. Establishing this basis. Was important. And so we. We first of all. Praise God. For what. God had done. Now.

[41:34] This passage. Would have been real easy. And probably. You have already said. Boy. This. This seems like. A seminary lecture. Or. A school. Classroom. And.

[41:45] I don't want this to be. I want us to get the teaching. That is here. But I want you to see. Some of the things. Things first of all. That we can see about God. In this passage. First of all. God is all knowing.

[41:58] God is all knowing. We talked about that. In our worship service. And we talked about how. How you know. That's amazing. And it's terrifying. At the same time. But God is all knowing.

[42:08] He knew how to order. Paul's life. So that he could be. Proved. That. The gospel. Paul preached. Could only have been. Given to him. By Christ.

[42:20] So. We're backing up. And we're looking at this picture. In our human mind. Paul could have done anything. When.

[42:31] After he saw the vision. He could have. Turned. And ran to Jerusalem. And he could have put him. In himself. In a situation.

[42:42] Where. He. It would be tough for him. To be authenticated. As an apostle. But God. In his wisdom. Said. I'm going to make sure. That Paul stays.

[42:53] Where he needs to be. So that. The gospel. Is authenticated. So his. Apostleship. Is authenticated. We're going to see. That God. Is so all knowing. That he works.

[43:03] These things out. So that we can say. We are sure. We have the gospel. Even in these. Thirteen epistles. Phantasmus. Wherever you stand. On Hebrews. So God is all knowing.

[43:16] He knew how to order. Paul's life. So that he could be. Proved to be. Who he was. And we praise him. For that. For the sake of the Galatians. Otherwise that church. Might have been. Wiped off the face of the map.

[43:28] By this heresy. But even so. Much more for us. Because. The things that. The Galatians. Are fighting. Are things we fight today. People are always.

[43:39] Corrupting the gospel. You and I. Are always. Corrupting the gospel. You say. I never corrupt the gospel. Have you ever had the thought. Once you've sinned.

[43:50] You say. I can't. I can't come to God. Until I've read my Bible. For a while. And you know. Kind of do this. Penance thing. Or. I can't.

[44:01] Feel right with God. Until. I go to church. And do this. Or do that. Or I. You know. And we could list a million things. That's a perversion of the gospel. The work of Christ.

[44:13] Pays for our sin. Period. Now. We can. We can affect our. Our fellowship with Christ. But we don't affect our relationship with Christ.

[44:24] And the truths that we see in the book of Galatians. Are so important for us. Getting the gospel right. Praise God. In the grand scheme of things. He was all knowing.

[44:34] And he laid out a plan for Paul to be where he was. How he was. So that it's authenticated. That we don't have to worry. Is this guy really? Really?

[44:46] Preaching the true gospel? He is indeed. Secondly. I want us to see the wonder of God saving such a man as Paul. Have you thought through that? Have you thought.

[44:57] You know. About this guy. Who was going around. Trying. To get Christians to blaspheme. He was putting them in prison.

[45:08] Some of them he got killed. And he was glad to do it. Why? Because he was zealous. Of the traditions. Of the Jewish elders.

[45:18] Not. Of the true. Jewish. Gospel. Or Bible teachings. He was zealous of what. Perversion. The Jews had made.

[45:29] Of the Old Testament teachings. And he was. On a rampage. For that. Most of us.

[45:39] When we look at a person like that. Would love to. Pray imprecatory prayers. On that kind of person. But God indeed. Saved.

[45:50] That kind of person. How much love and grace. Does it take to save a man. Who's persecuting. And trying to destroy the ones. Your own son dies for. God is super abounding in grace.

[46:06] He sets his love. On whom ever he wills. No matter how evil they are. And brings them to himself. In salvation. And sets them.

[46:17] To serve him. I read of a. An account this week. I didn't include it. And I'll just summarize it here. Of a mafia man. Number two in the mafia. One of the. Mafias.

[46:29] God brought him to himself. I mean the man had been a murderer. He. Once he came to Christ. He spent the rest of his life in prison. Rightly so. But God saved that man.

[46:42] God is amazing. And we think about ourselves. We think. You know. Maybe we weren't an axe murderer.

[46:54] But none of us wanted Christ. All of us hated him. I know. Because the Bible says so. And God is amazing. To save people like that.

[47:05] And Paul's testimony gives evidence. To the fact. That Christ can save. Even the most wicked sinner. I also would like to say. Praise God. That salvation is offered to all.

[47:17] Even the most vicious. Persecutors. Such as Paul. Praise God. That he's the one. Who brings salvation. To bear on us.

[47:28] Paul was rebelliously. Looking for salvation. In the wrong place. 2nd Corinthians 4. Says his eyes are blinded. By the God of this world. He couldn't have seen the gospel. If he wanted to.

[47:39] But he never wanted to. And yet God. In his grace. Stepped in. Opened his eyes. Shined the light. Of the glorious gospel. Of Christ. In him. And saved him. Just like he's done us.

[47:51] And so. Praise God. That even in this situation. It shows God's wonder. In his grace. Brother or sister. Paul is fighting here.

[48:08] So that Christians know. That we can only trust. The work of Christ. As that which makes us. Acceptable before God. When you sin.

[48:19] There's still nothing. You can do to make yourself. Acceptable before God. Christ has done it all. So. We've already addressed this. I'll just.

[48:30] Make this in summary. I want you to go away. Remembering this. Christ has paid it all. We go to him. We confess our sins. And we rest in the work of Christ. He's done it all for you.

[48:43] Do we try. Not to do it. Yes. That's what repentance is. Turning from that. Saying. I want to. I want to. Out of love. Not out of any desire.

[48:54] To. To try to earn points. Not to try to make God. Want to love me. Or. Out of love for Christ. Because he loved me so. I want to serve Christ. So when I sin.

[49:05] I confess my sin. I repent of it. And what do I do. I try to do what's right. By God's grace. By God's strength. So. Brothers and sisters. As we go through the book of Galatians.

[49:15] That's one of the things. I really want you to see. This thing that it's all taken care of. Confess your sin. Rest in Christ. And the work he's done for you. So. Are you fighting against.

[49:27] God right now. I'm speaking to those. Maybe you're hearing. You don't know Christ. Are you fighting against God? Are you trying to earn your way to heaven? Paul thought he might make it.

[49:41] Scripture tells us. That he would never make it. He thought he was earning God's favor. But instead he was building up. God's wrath against himself. In that situation.

[49:51] He was hopeless. And in that hopelessness. Christ revealed himself to Paul. Paul. Why are you fighting me?

[50:02] You need to trust the work I did. To provide salvation for you. So if you're here friend. And you're trying to earn God's favor. You need to stop trying to earn God's favor. And trust Christ's work of living and dying for you.

[50:15] As the only way for you to be acceptable before God. So I. He calls all men everywhere. Repent. Trust Christ. I often think of that repentance.

[50:28] Initially being. I'm going to stop trying to earn my own salvation. And I am going to trust Christ. And so if you don't know Christ. I would challenge you to do that.

[50:43] I just want. Quickly to give two challenges. And these won't be long. Brothers and sisters. We need to be very careful to ensure. That we protect ourselves. From distortions of the gospel.

[50:54] We have the gospel Paul preached. The gospel given to him by Christ. We must know the biblical truths of the gospel. We must watch for. And guard against thinking. And ideas. That are not in accord with the gospel.

[51:06] That Christ. Peter. And Paul preached. I made much of this last time I preached. I'll just mention it. Because it's so ongoing. It's a theme of the book of Galatians.

[51:17] We've got to know what we believe. People say. Don't give me that doctrine. Then just watch yourself go into error. I'm not telling you to do that. But that's what will happen.

[51:28] If we don't learn what the Bible says. We're susceptible to everything. So brothers and sisters. We need to be very careful. That we look. We learn.

[51:40] And we watch for one another. 1 John 4.1 Beloved. Believe not every spirit. But try the spirits. Whether they are of God. Because many false prophets.

[51:52] Are gone out into the world. Brothers and sisters. Do not believe everything you hear. Take it to the word of God. Take it to the elders.

[52:04] And trusted teachers. You've heard me say that. Already in this. It's so important. Don't believe everything you hear. Take it to the word. Take it to the elders.

[52:15] Take it to trusted teachers. And finally. Watch for one another. And practice. What's later in this book. The Galatians 6.1 principle. I almost had it.

[52:29] Brothers. If anyone is caught. In any transgression. You are a spiritual. Should restore him. In a spirit of gentleness. Keeping watch on yourself. Lest you too be tempted. Watch for one another.

[52:42] In conversation with someone. Hey. I heard something this week. And they start. And you go. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Brother. We ought to look at this. Watch for one another. Let's pray.

[52:55] Thank you. Father. For the work of Christ. In one sense. It all seems so complicated. But in a real sense.

[53:09] Christ did it all. Help us to be people. Who are careful. To guard. And be standing in the true gospel. And Lord.

[53:20] I pray that you would help me. I don't want to make this something. That's mysterious. Throughout this book. I don't want to make it something. That. We're afraid we're going to miss. Lord.

[53:30] It's plain. It's there. It's trusting in what Christ has done alone. Plus nothing. I pray that we would be people. Who stand there. Pray that you would protect us.

[53:42] Help us to watch for one another. Lord. And Lord. If there's one here. Who's trying to work their own way to heaven. I pray that they would see. That Christ has provided for them. And that you would shine the light.

[53:54] Of the gospel in their hearts. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Our closing hymn today is hymn 296. All hail the power of Jesus name.

[54:07] I thought it fitting. Because everything's of Christ. He's done it all. And it fitting for us. To sing in worship and praise. Of what he's done for us.

[54:18] Let's stand together as we sing. 296. An And crown him Lord of all.

[54:49] Bring forth the royal diadem. And crown him Lord of all.

[55:00] Crown him, the martyrs of your God, who from his altar call. And stole the stem of death's Israel and crown him Lord of all.

[55:29] He seeeth Israel's chosen race, he ransomed of the far. Hail him who saved you by his grace and crown him Lord of all.

[55:47] Hail him who saved you by his grace and crown him Lord of all.

[55:58] Singers whose love can't e'er forget the world would have the call. Go spread your trophies at his feet and crown him Lord of all.

[56:17] Go spread your trophies at his feet and crown him Lord of all.

[56:28] Let every king read every time of this terrestrial ball. To him all majesty as high and crown him Lord of all.

[56:46] Lord of all. To him all majesty as high and crown him Lord of all.

[56:58] Oh, that with yonder sacred from the at his feet may fall. Will join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.

[57:17] Lord of all.

[57:30] Receive this benediction. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Amen.

[57:43] Amen. You may be seated. Thank you. Thank you.