Sunday
Evening Service
April 24, 2005
Introduction
Paul is writing to a group of churches which he had helped to establish.
After having established these churches, there were a group of teachers
called "Judaizers" who came in and began spreading their own
doctrines.
The Judaizers felt that a Gentile couldn't really be saved apart from first
becoming a Jew.
They taught that after a person came to Jesus, they would have to then be
circumcised, and begin to follow the Law of Moses.
To those who would teach a perversion of the gospel, Paul did not mince his
words:
(Gal 1:9 NKJV) As we have said before, so now I say again, if
anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be
accursed.
We saw Paul begin to describe His conversion, and how it was totally a work
of the Lord, no human hands involved.
After coming to the Lord, Paul didn't begin by enrolling in seminary, but
went off to be with the Lord:
(Gal 1:17
NKJV) nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Last week we talked about how Paul’s testimony had been bringing glory to
God. People all around had been blown away when they found out how God had been
at work in Paul.
:6 But from those who seemed to be something; whatever they were,
(Gal 2:6 NLT) …(By the way, their reputation as great leaders made
no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)
Paul is talking about the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem.
I think he has kind of a cute way of talking about them.
He’s not talking about them as if they had big heads or something, but only
that they had pretty heavy reputations.
:6 it makes no difference to me;
It didn’t make any difference to Paul what a person’s reputation was.
Lesson
Don’t be afraid of a reputation.
I’m not sure that I have this lesson down pat.
I have to admit that I think Chuck Smith is pretty special. If he were to
walk in the room right now I’m sure I’d get all tongue tied.
But in God’s eyes, we’re all His kids.
When we show consideration for people's reputation, giving them special
favors, we are showing partiality.
(James 2:1-9 NLT) My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim
that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people
more than others? {2} For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting
dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is
poor and dressed in shabby clothes. {3} If you give special attention and a
good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand
over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, {4} doesn't this
discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives? {5} Listen to me,
dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich
in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the kingdom God promised to
those who love him? {6} And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who
oppress you and drag you into court? {7} Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus
Christ, whose noble name you bear? {8} Yes indeed, it is good when you truly
obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor
as yourself." {9} But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are
committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law.
:6 God shows personal favoritism to no man;
God isn’t impressed with a person’s background or deeds.
When Peter was at Cornelius’ house, and the Holy Spirit came upon all those
pagan, Gentile believers, he said,
(Acts 10:34 NKJV) Then Peter opened his mouth and
said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
Paul wrote,
(2 Cor 5:16-17 NKJV) Therefore, from now on, we
regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ
according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. {17} Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new.
It’s not reputation that should impress us, it’s whether they know Jesus or
not.
:6 for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.
In other words, when these “important” men got together to discuss Paul’s
teachings, they couldn’t find anything wrong in them, nor could they come up
with something that Paul had left out.
:7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised
had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter
The apostles could see that as clearly as God was using Peter with the
Jews, God was also using Paul with the Gentiles.
:8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the
circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),
The same word is translated “wrought effectually” and “mighty”
energeo - to be operative, be at work, put forth power
Note: Paul doesn’t say, “I was able to work the same kind of
miracles that Peter did...”
Paul knew where the power was coming from.
The same God that was working in Peter was working in Paul.
God had displayed miracles through Peter’s life, healing people, even
raising people from the dead.
God also displayed miracles in Paul’s life as well.
Lesson
The secret is to let God do the
work!
It’s not in learning how to squeeze more hours out of the day.
It’s not in learning ten steps to successfully lead a person to Christ.
The secret to power in ministry is to let God be God, and you take the back
seat.
You have the same power as Peter and Paul:
(Rom 8:11
NKJV) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He
who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
through His Spirit who dwells in you.
(Phil 2:13 NKJV) for it is God who works in you both
to will and to do for His good pleasure.
If there’s a secret to power in ministry, it’s simply learning to get out
of God’s way and let Him work!
(Zec 4:6 NKJV) So he
answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not
by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
:9 and when James, Cephas, and John
These were the head honchos in Jerusalem
at the time.
James - the head of the Jerusalem
church, it’s pastor, was the half-brother of Jesus. This is not the James of
the “inner three”, Peter, James, and John. That James was already dead, killed
by Herod (Acts 12).
Cephas - Peter
John - the apostle John, author of the gospel.
:9 who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me,
Other people in the church considered them very, very important.
:9 they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,
Kind of like forming a partnership with Paul and Barnabas, signifying that
they were all in this together.
When I was in the Baptist church, they had a neat thing they would do with
new members of the church, extending to them the “right hand of fellowship”,
shaking the pastor’s hand, etc.
:9 that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
They realized that they had specialized ministries.
Lesson
Know who you’re called to minister
to.
It’s not hard for Christians to put each other on guilt trips.
When you hear some people speak about witnessing, you get the feeling that
we should all be out on the street, handing out tracts, etc.
Those are valid ministries.
But there are other ones as well.
I believe that God has specific people that He calls us to minister to.
The enemy wants us distracted by getting involved in areas we shouldn’t be
in.
And the ones we’re supposed to be ministering to go without.
We are all different parts of the same body, with different gifts, and
different ways of applying those gifts:
(1 Cor 12:4-6 NKJV) There are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. {5} There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. {6} And
there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in
all.
You may even have the same gifts as another person, called to the same
group of people as another person, yet still have a different “effect” or “operation”
of your gifts.
Be careful of comparing yourself with others.
Just know where God has called you, and what he’s called you to do.
Note:
You can read all about this first church council in Acts
15:1-29.
:10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing
which I also was eager to do.
Here seems to be the only suggestion that the church in Jerusalem
makes of the Gentile churches.
Which Paul and Barnabas had already done, in taking contributions to the
poor in Judaea:
(Acts 11:28-30 NKJV) Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and
showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all
the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. {29} Then the
disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the
brethren dwelling in Judea.
{30} This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and
Saul.
Paul later on would head up the collection of an offering to take to the
poor in Jerusalem:
(1 Cor 16:1-3 NKJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints,
as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: {2} On
the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up
as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. {3} And when I
come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
Lesson
Remember the poor.
The Bible has much to say about caring for the poor:
(Psa 41:1 NKJV) Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will
deliver him in time of trouble.
(Prov 14:21 NKJV) He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
(Prov 19:17 NKJV) He who has pity on the poor lends
to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.