Standing For the Truth of the Gospel

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Galatians 2:1-10

1. Galatians 2:1-10 - Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Introduction

1. What does it mean to stand for the truth?

   1. It means to separate from every other false way.

   2. Galatians 2 is Paul’s stance as he presents himself and the gospel to other brethren.

      1. “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusaelm (second time) with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.” — Galatians 2:1

      2. “And I went up by revelation…” — Galatians 2:2

      3. Further back —

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

         2. Paul's divine appointment and calling set him apart for the truth of the Gospel. — Galatians 1:15, 16

      4. But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; — Galatians 2:7

         1. James, Cephas, and John—pillars of the Jerusalem church—witnessed and confirmed that Paul’s Gospel was indeed a revelation from God. They extended to him the right hand of fellowship. — Galatians 2:9

            1. The kind of spiritual discernment and unity is desperately needed in our churches today.

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

Pray in.

Stand Firm Against False Brethren — Gal. 2:4, 5

1. False brethren secretly brought in

   1. “...who came in privily to spit out our liberty…” (v.4)

      1. Secretly

      2. In a way that people do not know or are not told about

      3. “He married them privily in the hall…”

   2. Legalism often disguises itself as spirituality

      1. Legalsim in the Lord’s Supper

         1. Restricting access to the Lords Supper based on extra-biblical criteria

      2. Legalism and Baptism

         1. Invalidating someone’s faith because they were not baptized in a certain way.

2. No compromise for even an hour

   1. “...to whom we gave place by subjection, no not for an hour;” (v.5)

   2. The Gospel of grace must never be diluted

      1. E.g. bondage of the law, circumcision

   
   

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

Stand United Without Compromise — Gal. 2:6-10

God shows no partiality

1. “...God accepteth no man’s person…” (v.6)

2. Spiritual authority is based on truth, not titles.

3. The right hand of fellowship given

   1. “...they gave to me and Barnabase the right hands of fellowship;” (v.6)

   2. Unity in mission is powerful when grounded in truth.

4. Remembering the poor

   1. “...that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” (v.10)

   2. Gospel truth produces Gospel compassion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Gospel is not ours to tamper with in any shape or form.

1. It is God’s revelation of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

2. We must:

   1. Stand firm against any distortion of the Gospel, even when it comes from within the church.

   2. Stand united with those who preach the same truth, without compromising conviction for the sake of approval.

3. Galatians 2:5 — that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.