AWOL

Galatians 1 

Good morning! Today, we are making the transition in our summer series on Law and Grace.  Carl has been sharing the last several weeks about the books of the Law.  We have taken a very high level view as each week encompassed an entire Old Testament book.

We began with “Redemption and the Tabernacle” discussing the book of Exodus.  Already in Exodus, we saw that the Law was presented in two main types.  There were requirements that are character based, actions of the heart, loving God, stuff on the inside.  An example would be the Ten Commandments.  Then, there are requirements that are activity or accomplishment based, doing stuff, external things.  An example would be the detailed construction of the tabernacle.  It is much easier for us, in our own strength, to do stuff than to be holy.

The overview of Leviticus was titled “Sacrifice and Sanctification.”  We were introduced to 5 types of offerings or sacrifices which brought the Israelites into a right relationship with God.  Carl contrasted the old covenant under the Law with the new covenant we have in Christ. 

For example, the Hebrew word for sacrifice is “kaphar.”  The root meaning is to cover over.  Compare that to the New Testament atonement which “puts sins away.”  Under the Law, we saw a temporary sacrificial system offered again and again as opposed to the once-and-for-all time sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Then, the book of Numbers showed us “Failure and Preparation.”  Here, the Israelites did not trust God, and they were afraid to attack the Promised Land.  Then, God told them the consequences of their mistrust, 40 more years in the desert.  Suddenly, the people were motivated to try and take the land even without God.  This attempt ended in total defeat. 

Here is a quote from Carl,

"… they refused to hear what God had said. They seemed repentant, saying “we have sinned,” and they “mourned bitterly,” but it was a false repentance. True repentance involves returning to the Lord and then doing things His way, not finding yet another way to do things your way."

I believe that is such a crucial understanding of repentance. Not only do repentant hearts turn from the wrong, but they come back seeking the Lord’s way. We shouldn’t “guess again” and wait for the outcome to decide if we were right or wrong.

Last week, we wrapped up the review of the Law with “Rehearsal and Ratification” in the book of Deuteronomy.  We saw the 40 years pass in the desert.  Then, God led the people to move toward the Promised Land.  Moses restates much of the Law because the people need to hear it and because things will be a little different once they have settled in the land and are no longer moving about, camping in the desert.  In Deuteronomy, we find the law that man shall not add or take away from the Law.  To do either would be sin.  Moses entreats the people of the consequences of their relationship with God.

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life… - Deut. 30:19-20a

I will wrap up the wrap up by saying that the Law was given to a chosen people.  God spoke to Moses about the Israelites saying, “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6)  Just as the priests were set apart from the other Israelites, so God intended that the Israelites themselves would be set apart from the other nations.

But, they could not keep the covenant, the Old Testament law.  They failed.  The Law is not a means to salvation.  It is powerless to make men holy.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  Romans 3:20-21

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.  Romans 8:1-3

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.  Romans 10:4

… love is the fulfillment of the law.  Romans 13:10

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  Matthew 5:17

And that brings us to Galatians chapter 1.  Before we look into it, let’s take a moment and pray.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you are our righteousness.  I pray that we would “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  You called the Law, a covenant of love.  If the Law is a covenant of love, how much more then is the gospel the covenant of Love.  Speak truth now and write it on our hearts we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Paul is going to hit the ground running when he opens the letter to the Galatians, so before we take off.  I wanted to give a short introduction of Galatia and the churches there.

Of Paul’s three missionary journey’s described in the book of Acts, we see that all of them pass through the southern area of the province of Galatia.  On the map, you can see that Galatia is in the middle of Asia Minor.  Ancyra was the capital of the province more in the north.  Ankara, the present-day capital of Turkey, is at the same location.  Acts mentions only cities in the southern portion of Galatia, particularly Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.  Paul does not name any cities in his letter to the Galatians, but it seems logical that these would be among the cities to receive this letter.

In Acts 13 and 14, we find the account of the first missionary journey in Galatia.  Paul visits the synagogues in both Antioch and Iconium.  A great many Jews and Gentiles believed.  At the same time, the Jews who did not believe stirred up persecution, and Paul and Barnabus were forced to leave both cities.

After healing a crippled man in Lystra, the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabus as gods come down in human form, calling them Hermes and Zeus.  Only with difficulty were they able to prevent it.  Shortly after this, Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and stoned Paul and left him for dead.  Paul’s sacrifice to reach the Galatians nearly cost him his life.  He does not mention this in his letter to them, but in his last letter to Timothy 20 years later Paul wrote,

“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.”  II Timothy 3:10-11

After years of other dangers and sufferings (II Corinthians 11:23-28), Paul remembers the difficulties of Galatia foremost.  Paul risked everything and nearly gave everything to bring the gospel to Galatia.

Paul, an apostle -- sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead -- and all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia:  Galatians 1:1-2

Here we see clearly that our faith comes not from men or by man.  This is not a made up story.  Paul is also referring to his own conversion.  Jesus sent him, not other people.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Galatians 1:3-5

Grace always comes before peace.  There can be no peace apart from the grace which saves us.  We see also a succinct presentation of the gospel, the true good news.  Grace and peace originate with God the Father and Jesus.  Why did Jesus die?  What did he give his life for?  “For our sins to rescue us.”

The death of the Son was according to the will of the Father.  That is a pretty hard statement.  Isaiah says that “it was the Lord’s will to crush him.”  In the choice between His Son and us, God chose us.  He chose you.  That should be simultaneously deeply humbling and totally invigorating.  Romans 8:32 says this, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”  We should have no question that God has our best in mind.  It should also empower and embolden us to make the right decisions.

Our much needed rescue from this “present evil age” should trigger praise.  Glory forever and ever.  Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you …  Galatians 1:6

There are few proposed dates when Paul could have written the book of Galatians.  This verse supports an early date.  Paul talks about “so quickly deserting.”  It seems likely that the writing came shortly after Paul’s first missionary journey, but before the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15.

Their quickness causes astonishment in Paul.  He can’t believe it.

Who is the one who called the Galatians?  It is God.  How did God call the Galatians?

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ … Galatians 1:6

By the grace of Christ.  They were not called by the Law or by men.  They were called by the grace of Christ, by the gospel.

The longer I walk this Christian walk, the more I come to realize that it is God who is working and He is working by the grace of Christ.  I get to do some things, but I see ever more clearly that it is Him, not me.  I want to see Him and what He is doing.  I want to allow Him to use me, not the other way around.  There was a time where I would hope to hide from God.  But if you stay with Him and continue to choose Him, to seek Him; you come to a point where separation from God is frightening.

I think Paul is at this place of fearful astonishment that the Galatians can desert the One who called them.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- Galatians 1:6

Now we come to it.  What are the Galatians deserting Christ for?  A different gospel.  Is there such a thing as a different gospel?

… which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.  Galatians 1:7

No.  There is no other gospel.  We don’t see the heresy here just that it is a confusion and twisting of the gospel.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!  Galatians 1:8-9

Paul cannot say it any more clearly.  There is only one gospel.  It is the gospel Paul and Barnabus preached.  It is the gospel that the Galatians accepted.  If someone/anyone is teaching another way to come to God, let them be damned.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10

Seeking to please men is contrary to service to Christ.

I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.  I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.  Galatians 1:11-12

Just like verse one, the gospel is not man-made.  It is true.  Jesus was a real person who came and lived a sinless life.  He fulfilled the prophecies foretold.  He went to the cross and suffered separation from the Father as punishment for the sins of mankind.  There were many, many witnesses to the resurrection.  He conquered death and hell.

I don’t think that anyone of us had a conversion experience quite like Paul’s.  We were not met on the road by blinding light and the voice of Christ.  However, we all must receive and internalize the gospel by revelation.  It cannot be learned only, it must be experienced and believed.

I Corinthians 2:14 says it this way, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.  I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.  Galatians 1:13-14

The remainder of Galatians chapter 1, Paul recounts his experiences from the time of his persecution of the church until his first trip to Jerusalem as a Christian.

Paul was sent to the Gentiles, but he was a superlative Jew.  He was a Pharisee of Pharisees.  He was ahead of his peers.  He was zealous for the traditions including the Law.  That zeal spilled over into persecution of the church.  He attacked the church in Jerusalem arresting even women which was considered cruel and unusual for that time.  Paul knows Judaism.  He used to be the poster boy of Judaism.

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles …  Galatians 1:16

We are all set apart and called.  We are called to Christ.

I still find it stunning that God would pick Paul to go to the Gentiles.  He appears ideally suited to go to the Jews spread throughout the Roman Empire.  And yet, that is not what God had planned.  I think in some ways, he needed the deep understanding of the Law and traditions in order to hold the line against the Judaizers who would come against the gospel with extra requirements to place on both Jewish and Gentile Christians.

Paul is not able to take on this task in himself.  A prerequisite of preaching was that God revealed his Son in Paul.  It is Christ in us, the hope of glory.  It is not external to us.

… I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.  Galatians 1:17

Paul again is making his appeal that the gospel is not something which he heard or learned from other men.  Instead, he spent time alone with God.

I know you guys have heard this story before, but do you know how the Secret Service prepares to detect counterfeit money?  They study real money.  If they know what the real currency is like down to the details, then they can easily detect a counterfeit.  We likewise need to interact with, taste and see, the real God and not mess around with counterfeits.

Our relationship with God needs to be real.  There are many great tools and classes for studying the Bible, but Bible study, head knowledge alone will not create real faith.  One of Melissa’s favorite verses is I Corinthians 8:1, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”  Knowing about God is good, don’t get me wrong, but knowing God is a whole different ballgame.  And two verses later we find, “But the man who loves God is known by God.”

Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.  I saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother.  I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.  Galatians 1:18-20

Paul is establishing that his gospel is the same gospel, but it was revealed to him apart from the other apostles.  An apostle is a messenger or a representative, someone who is sent for a particular purpose.  One condition that is often placed upon an apostle of Jesus Christ is that they have seen the risen Christ.

Later I went to Syria and Cilicia.  I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.  They only heard the report:  “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”  And they praised God because of me.  Galatians 1:21-24

Paul is being somewhat modest.  The visit to Jerusalem is recorded at the end of Acts chapter 9.  While there, he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord.  Eventually, the Grecian Jews tried to kill him, and the brothers sent him off.

Acts 9:31 adds this, “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”

Not only was there rejoicing that the man formerly persecuting was preaching, the entire church enjoyed a time of peace.

That brings us to the close of Galatians chapter 1.  In the next weeks, we will get into the heart of this battle between legalism and liberty.  It is tempting to start down that path, but we will come to it.

Before we close, I would like to consider Paul as an example of what a Law-follower, a disciple of the Law, does in response to the freedom of the gospel.  Paul was an expert on the Old Testament scriptures.  As a disciple of the Law, he became self-righteous.  In Philippians 3, Paul said he was “faultless in legalistic righteousness.”  As a Christian, he would use that knowledge very effectively for the furtherance of the gospel.   As a disciple of the Law, he relentlessly attacked innocent people and had them jailed, tortured, and even put to death.  As a Christian, he laid down his own life again and again counting it as loss that he might gain Christ.  As a Law-follower, he had become an enemy of God.  As a Christian, he was a slave of Christ.  As a Law-follower, he was proud of his heritage.  He believed his position was secured because he was a descendent of Abraham.  But, lineage is not the determining factor in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus said this to the Jews in Jerusalem, “I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. … If you were Abraham's children, then you would do the things Abraham did.”  (John 8:37, 39)  What did Abraham do?  Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Following the Law creates bondage because no one can attain perfection in it.  We can do things externally to look clean on the outside, but God cares about the inside more than the outside.  Paul’s persecution of the church sprang out of his legalistic application of the Law.  Without love, the Law destroys.  The only way to get at the heart and to transform it is through the gospel.  We believe and we are changed.  The Spirit dwells in us and transforms us.  In order for that to take effect, we must give ourselves over to him completely.  With Paul as our example, we see that he held nothing back.  The turnaround was complete.  We get to make that choice.  I believe there are some touchstone moments where we choose God.  These are crucial decision points where our lives are set toward God and there is no chance at turning back.  However, there are a great many points, daily, hourly, minutely, (if that’s a word) where we get to choose God.  Real and genuine faith chooses Christ above all.  It doesn’t choose Christ to fill a void or solve a problem.  Real and genuine faith chooses Christ alone.  I’d like to read a passage from A.B. Simpson.  He was a late 19^th century preacher, teacher, and evangelist.  His words are poignant still today.

I wish to speak to you about Jesus, and Jesus only. I often hear people say, "I wish I could get hold of Divine Healing, but I cannot." Sometimes they say, "I have got it." If I ask them, "What have you got?" the answer is sometimes, "I have got the blessing", sometimes it is, "I have got the theory"; sometimes it is, "I have got the healing"; sometimes, "I have got the sanctification." But I thank God we have been taught that it is not the blessing, it is not the healing, it is not the sanctification, it is not the thing, it is not the it that you want, but it is something better. It is "the Christ"; it is Himself. How often that comes out in His Word - "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses", Himself "bare our sins in his own body on the tree"! It is the person of Jesus Christ we want. Plenty of people get the idea and do not get anything out of it. They get it into their head, and it into their conscience, and it into their will; but somehow they do not get Him into their life and spirit, because they have only that which is the outward expression and symbol of the spiritual reality.

A. B. Simpson

http://www.biblebelievers.com/simpson-ab_himself.html

That is it.  It whatever that it may be for you is not the thing.  Whatever you have come here looking for, you will not find apart from Christ.  Sure, you may find a temporary solution or salve for your problem, but you will not be healed forever.  You will not be free forever.  You will not be confident and sure forever apart from Christ.  The funny thing is that if you have Christ, then you get all the rest that you need and what you don’t get doesn’t seem to matter anymore.

We need Christ.  We need Him first.  We need Him all.  We need Him only.  Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, give us the courage to choose You every single moment.  Convict and convince us of the times where we put “things” ahead of You.  I pray that we would not believe a gospel other than the one that You gave us in Your Word.  I pray that everyone here who calls on Your Name will experience freedom and rest in You.  You are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.