Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Romans 1:16-17 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
4 ways that Paul’s life gives evidence to the true gospel of grace
I. Paul’s Conversion From Judaism to Christianity Demonstrates the Genuine Gospel Is By Grace Alone (vv. 13-16b)
A. Paul was one of the most zealous and serious Jews alive (vv. 13-14)
Galatians 1:13-14 - For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
1. Persecuted the church violently
2. Sought to destroy the church completely, not just locally
3. He was receiving promotion after promotion
B. Paul’s conversion came while Paul was still succeeding in Judaism and hostile towards Christians (v.15-16b)
1. Paul was sovereignly chosen before birth to be an apostle to the Gentiles (v. 15b, 16b)
Galatians 1:15-16 - But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb...to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles...
2. Paul was called through God’s grace (v. 15c)
Galatians 1:15-16 - But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles...
Conclusion: The gospel of grace means that intellect, openness to the gospel, upbringing, nor any other factor, except God’s grace alone, can be credited for salvation.
II. Paul’s Genuine Gospel Message of Grace Came From God And Not From Being Taught By Men (vv. 16-17)
A. Paul didn’t get any gospel training before being commissioned by God to preach (v. 16)
Galatians 1:16 - … [when God was pleased] to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood…
B. Paul didn’t run his understanding of the gospel by the other apostles before being commissioned by God to preach (v. 17)
Galatians 1:17 - …nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
Conclusion: You can confidently trust the gospel of grace because it is from God and not men.
III. Paul’s Genuine Gospel Message of Grace Matched With the Other Apostles’ Message (vv. 18-21)
Galatians 1:18-21 - Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Conclusion: The gospel taught to the 12 disciples (apostles) of Jesus is the same gospel taught to Paul by the risen, glorified Jesus.
IV. Paul’s Gospel Message And His Conversion Brought Glory To God, Not Paul (vv. 22-24)
Galatians 1:22-24 - I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they were glorifying God because of me.
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