Called by Grace, Not by Man

Text

Galatians 1:11-17

1. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

2. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

3. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

4. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

5. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

6. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

7. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Introduction

1. Paul is writing to the churches of Galatia

   1. He is confronting a dangerous issue with the Gospel (Good News)

   2. False teachers had entered the churches, insisting that Gentile believers must keep the Jewish law, especially circumcision, to be saved.

   3. These teachings undermined justification by faith and the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross.

2. Justification by faith:

3. Galatians 2:16 — Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

4. C.f.

   1. Ephesians 2:8-9 — For by grease are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

   2. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

[Note: Portions of this sermon have been omitted for brevity.]

Pray in.

Commissioned by Christ (Gal. 1:1, 11-12)

1. Paul’s gospel was not after the will of man — v.11

2. Paul’s gospel was not received by man and it was not taught by man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ — v.12

   1. God has been revealing his will down through the ages of mankind, beginning in the Garden of Eden —

   2. God’s Will for Relationship (Gen. 3:8)

      1. God created man for fellowship with Himself

      2. He walked and communed with Adam and Eve

      3. His will was a personal relationship with us

   3. God’s Will for Work and Responsibility (Gen. 2:15)

      1. Man was given a purpose: to tend and care for the garden

      2. Work was not a curse — it was a part of God’s good plan.

      3. God willed that mankind be stewards of His creation.

   
   

[Note: Portions of this sermon have been omitted for brevity.]

Converted by Grace (Gal. 1:13-16)

Paul’s testimony — from persecutor of this and that way to proclaimer of God’s Word — The Gospel (The Good News)

1. A good example of a Christian testimony:

   1. What I was before — v.13

   2. What I excelled in — v.14

   3. God’s initiation in my life — v.15

   4. The new transformed life — To reveal his Son in me — v.16

Called to Communicate (Gal. 1:16)

Paul was commissioned and called to reveal the Son (Jesus Christ) in his life.

1. Acts 9:15 — But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

2. 2 Corinthians 11:25-28

   1. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

   2. In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

   3. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

   4. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Paul was commissioned by the Lord, converted by God’s grace, and called to communicate the Gospel.

By that same power and grace, we too are called to walk in His purpose and proclaim His name.