January 28, 2018 NOTES NOT EDITED
Spirit Walkers: Walk In Freedom
Spirit Walkers: Walk In Freedom
Galatians 2:1-10
Freedom is pretty important to me.
I like having the inalienable right to speak my mind. Yes, I agree I should
probably exercise my right to remain silent more judiciously.
Freedom is under assault in our
country. This FBI "drama" would make a great movie, but it is a great
threat to our liberty. When I think of the FBI a poem comes to mind I learned
in elementary school.
It goes like this:
There
was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile.
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
Everything about our government seems
crooked, but when the FBI is crooked, there is a real threat to our
liberty--our way of life in America. The rule of law IS America. Without the rule of law there is no freedom.
I love liberty. I lean toward the
libertarian side of the ledger of politics, though I don't think I'd qualify
for full membership.
Freedom is as essential to humanity
as air is to breathing. Spiritual
freedom is even more important—eternally important—than socio-political
freedom. That will be the subject of my sermon this morning, "Spirit
Walkers Walk in Freedom." (Gal. 2:1-10).
Paul introduces freedom in Christ through grace in this section, and
that issue will flow on through the course of the text of this great book.
Freedom is worth fighting for. Over 1.3 million Americans have died fighting
for our freedom. Paul was also a freedom
fighter, but the stakes were eternal, not political or geographical. Paul stood up to the "men of reputation,"
those that held the power in the early church (2:2,6). The very life and legacy of Christianity hung in the
balance at the Jerusalem Council, and Paul entered the fight in the minority.
It was a classic, David versus Goliath contest.
I don't like fighting (OK, a little
MMA, but they are professionals). I don't like conflict. But, most people who
know me know that I hate losing more than I hate conflict. I will fight when
fighting is the only way forward.
Freedom is worth fighting for. This
morning, we will see how Paul took the fight to those who opposed the freedom
God gives through grace. Paul’s
introduction to the matter of freedom (it comes up throughout Galatians), can
be observed through three sections in chapter 2: the Conference on freedom, the Contest for
Freedom, and the Continuing Walk in Freedom.
1. The CONFERENCE on Freedom (1-3)
1. The CONFERENCE on Freedom (1-3)
1Then after 14 years I went up again to
Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 I
went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I
preach among the Gentiles—but privately to those recognized as leaders—so that
I might not be running, or have run the race, in vain.
Calling this a “conference” might obscure the true nature and tone of this meeting. Much was at stake. The very future of a fledgling, at the time, illegal, religion was in the balance. The early Christian Church had become divided over the issue of the Law of Moses. Specifically, church leaders were debating whether a non-Jew, or Gentile—saved by grace according to Paul—should adhere to the ancient Jewish laws and rituals. The Church Leaders—including Peter, though secretly—said, “yes.” Paul resolutely said, “no!” This is Christianity’s equivalent of the “Shoot-out At the OK Corral” with Wyatt Earp and his gang standing up to a group of rebels and malcontents.
Paul
had been active in ministry to the Gentiles for many years, though there is
some dispute as to when the calendar in regard to the “fourteen years”
started. The point is, it was quite some
time. A dispute had arose and become
quite entrenched in the life of the early church. Paul was definitely in the minority, but he
was bold and not budging an inch on grace.
Notice in verse 2 that
Paul’s boldness and courage came because of the “source” of his information:
because of revelation (apokalupsin, f. ἀποκάλυψις). In the N.T. this word refers to “direct, divine communication with no intermediary, including no sacred text.” Revelation is equivalent to our English idiom, “straight from the horses mouth,” which is not a reference to the popular T.V. program from the 60’s, “Mr. Ed.” It refers to getting your information, “right from the source,” examining the horse, rather than second hand. The information is therefore, highly trustworthy. In regard to “divine revelation,” the information is ABSOLUTELY trustworthy.
Christians cannot be bold, courageous, or even convincing to a lost world if we do not have a complete and total trust that the Bible is “divine revelation.” Paul’s boldness came from direct, divine revelation.
But, boldness and courage are not the only arrows in a Christians quiver of debate. Paul’s approach to theological discussions exhibited three necessary characteristics for effectiveness: he was PRUDENT, PRACTICAL, and of course PERTINACIOUS.
He was PRUDENT in approaching the powerhouses of the early church in private, instead of calling them out in public. Paul didn’t go looking for a fight, but for a solution. Verse 2 tells us these were “recognized leaders” who already had the ear of the majority of the church. Paul knew it would be better to keep them as friends that to make them enemies unnecessarily. He was prudent. He went in private.
Paul was also PRACTICAL. Verse 1 tells us Paul took with him, “Barnabas and Titus.” Barnabas was a well-respected, a gentle man, and Titus was a relatively unknown, gentile man. According to Luke, the writer of Acts, Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24). At the start of Paul’s ministry, when the knowledge of his activities of persecuting the church was still ringing loudly in the ears of early believers who were afraid of him, it was Barnabas who introduced Paul to the other disciples in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). As a practical matter, Paul gave the Jerusalem leaders a “visual aid” to see that both Jewish Christians, such as
because of revelation (apokalupsin, f. ἀποκάλυψις). In the N.T. this word refers to “direct, divine communication with no intermediary, including no sacred text.” Revelation is equivalent to our English idiom, “straight from the horses mouth,” which is not a reference to the popular T.V. program from the 60’s, “Mr. Ed.” It refers to getting your information, “right from the source,” examining the horse, rather than second hand. The information is therefore, highly trustworthy. In regard to “divine revelation,” the information is ABSOLUTELY trustworthy.
Christians cannot be bold, courageous, or even convincing to a lost world if we do not have a complete and total trust that the Bible is “divine revelation.” Paul’s boldness came from direct, divine revelation.
But, boldness and courage are not the only arrows in a Christians quiver of debate. Paul’s approach to theological discussions exhibited three necessary characteristics for effectiveness: he was PRUDENT, PRACTICAL, and of course PERTINACIOUS.
He was PRUDENT in approaching the powerhouses of the early church in private, instead of calling them out in public. Paul didn’t go looking for a fight, but for a solution. Verse 2 tells us these were “recognized leaders” who already had the ear of the majority of the church. Paul knew it would be better to keep them as friends that to make them enemies unnecessarily. He was prudent. He went in private.
Paul was also PRACTICAL. Verse 1 tells us Paul took with him, “Barnabas and Titus.” Barnabas was a well-respected, a gentle man, and Titus was a relatively unknown, gentile man. According to Luke, the writer of Acts, Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24). At the start of Paul’s ministry, when the knowledge of his activities of persecuting the church was still ringing loudly in the ears of early believers who were afraid of him, it was Barnabas who introduced Paul to the other disciples in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). As a practical matter, Paul gave the Jerusalem leaders a “visual aid” to see that both Jewish Christians, such as
Barnabas, and a gentile Christian such as Titus,
could minister side by side in perfect harmony.
Paul understood the power of “optics,” or how things look. Paul was prudent, and also very practical.
Paul, in this early conference (which was not without a mist of contention), also had to be PERTINACIOUS. You might ask, what in the world does pertinacious mean. It means, “resolute, obstinate, headstrong, and tenacious.” You might further object and say, “why not just say, “tenacious.” Paul was PRUDENT. Paul was PRACTICAL. Paul was TENACIOUS, but I’m a Baptist preacher and we love our alliteration, so, PERTINACIOUS it is!
Notice again what our text says in verse 3: But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Paul did not go to this CONFERENCE to get permission to obey the “divine revelation” of God, but to proclaim it—and pressure the leadership of the church to conform to it. In a world increasingly hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially the gospel of grace, we need to be PERTINACIOUS—resolute and even stubborn—if we want to be affective.
During this conference on freedom there was a
2. CONTEST for Freedom (4-5)
Paul, in this early conference (which was not without a mist of contention), also had to be PERTINACIOUS. You might ask, what in the world does pertinacious mean. It means, “resolute, obstinate, headstrong, and tenacious.” You might further object and say, “why not just say, “tenacious.” Paul was PRUDENT. Paul was PRACTICAL. Paul was TENACIOUS, but I’m a Baptist preacher and we love our alliteration, so, PERTINACIOUS it is!
Notice again what our text says in verse 3: But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Paul did not go to this CONFERENCE to get permission to obey the “divine revelation” of God, but to proclaim it—and pressure the leadership of the church to conform to it. In a world increasingly hostile to the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially the gospel of grace, we need to be PERTINACIOUS—resolute and even stubborn—if we want to be affective.
During this conference on freedom there was a
2. CONTEST for Freedom (4-5)
4 This
issue arose because of false brothers smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy
on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. 5 But
we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the
truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.
The “contest” (or conflict) for freedom was not with
the apostolic leadership in Jerusalem.
Together, Paul and the other apostles came to an agreement as to how the
fledgling, new religion—for lack of a better term—would proceed in unity.
The conflict, or contest, came with what Paul called, the “pseudadelphous,” or, “false brothers,” who Paul also called, “spies who smuggled error into the church,” which is a literal translation of the two words used. Paul’s language is very negative and derogatory regarding these trouble-making impostors. Paul declares that their “evil” intent was to “bring us into slavery,” (verse 4).
When it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ, no error is small or insignificant. Heaven and hell are eternal matters and as such of no small significance. We must “fight against” any and all error in regard to the gospel. There may be some room for disagreement on less weightier matters of the faith—but NOT THE GOSPEL!
Jude admonishes us, warns us, and exhorts us to:
3 contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all
The conflict, or contest, came with what Paul called, the “pseudadelphous,” or, “false brothers,” who Paul also called, “spies who smuggled error into the church,” which is a literal translation of the two words used. Paul’s language is very negative and derogatory regarding these trouble-making impostors. Paul declares that their “evil” intent was to “bring us into slavery,” (verse 4).
When it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ, no error is small or insignificant. Heaven and hell are eternal matters and as such of no small significance. We must “fight against” any and all error in regard to the gospel. There may be some room for disagreement on less weightier matters of the faith—but NOT THE GOSPEL!
Jude admonishes us, warns us, and exhorts us to:
3 contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all
The typical Greek word for “contend or struggle,” is
agōnizomai. This word by itself is a very strong word meaning, “to fight, as in a legal battle, the Olympic
games, or even war.” There are
various forms of this word used throughout the N.T., and also appearing in the
Septuagint (Gk O.T., LXX). The
particular form of the common word, agōnizomai, that Paul
uses in Galatians is only used here. It
is the strongest form of the word that adds the preposition, epi, which means “on, upon, or above.” Literally Jude is telling us to “add struggle upon struggle for the true
faith.” We are to ”intensely and earnestly with great effort
fight for the purity of the gospel.”
There is more to the art of Spirit Walking than the elemental gospel of our salvation “by grace through faith.” There is more to that faith than the gospel, but there is nothing more essential or foundational to our faith than the gospel.”
There is room for discussion over matters of whether the rapture will occur prior to the tribulation, mid-way through the tribulation or after the tribulation. There is room for discussion as to whether the church should be led by pastors and deacons, or pastors, deacons, and elders; or, whether there is a separate office of a bishop. In church, there is room for discussion as to what type of music is most appropriate for worship. There are many, many items in regard to the totality of our faith that has room for diversity and variation. But . . . and this is the essential argument of Paul and Jude:
there is no room for diversity or discussion regarding the gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord!
On the essence of the true gospel there can be ZERO compromise. This is a matter worth “contending earnestly and intensely about.” Notice Pauls resolute pertinacity in verse 5 concerning the gospel:
5 But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.
There is more to the art of Spirit Walking than the elemental gospel of our salvation “by grace through faith.” There is more to that faith than the gospel, but there is nothing more essential or foundational to our faith than the gospel.”
There is room for discussion over matters of whether the rapture will occur prior to the tribulation, mid-way through the tribulation or after the tribulation. There is room for discussion as to whether the church should be led by pastors and deacons, or pastors, deacons, and elders; or, whether there is a separate office of a bishop. In church, there is room for discussion as to what type of music is most appropriate for worship. There are many, many items in regard to the totality of our faith that has room for diversity and variation. But . . . and this is the essential argument of Paul and Jude:
there is no room for diversity or discussion regarding the gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord!
On the essence of the true gospel there can be ZERO compromise. This is a matter worth “contending earnestly and intensely about.” Notice Pauls resolute pertinacity in verse 5 concerning the gospel:
5 But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.
One of
the greatest soldiers in the history of the United States was General William
Tecumseh Sherman, called, “Uncle Billy,” by his troops. He was second only to Ulysses S. Grant. Without General Sherman, the great union of
these United States may not have survived the Civil War. General Sherman was a brilliant, valiant,
bold warrior . . . but he hated war, as most all soldiers do. General Sherman once said, “War is hell!” It is well documented that General Sherman
hated war. Sherman’s personal character
has been scrutinized by historians, and the outcome of that scrutiny is not
always favorable. One conclusion all historians
have is that General Sherman was a brilliant strategist and fearless fighter—but,
he hated war.
Christians should not be “contentious” by nature. We should never go looking for a fight. But, just as with all the wars that General Sherman fought, and indeed millions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have fought and continue to fight, there are those times when NOT contending would be a greater evil than fighting.
This is what Paul urges us to consider in our text today: fight for the purity of the gospel of Jesus Christ because the eternal destiny of men, women, and children rely on this gospel!
Paul had a conference to lay out the matter of grace, and how that grace sets us free to walk in the newness of life, unencumbered by the yoke of the Law of Moses. Paul then discussed how it was imperative that he stand up and unmask the spies that were trying to smuggle error into the preaching of the gospel by adding to grace the necessity of following the Law of Moses. Paul concludes his discussion of the place of “freedom” in the life of Spirit Walkers by highlighting his
3. Continuing Walk in Freedom (6-10)
Christians should not be “contentious” by nature. We should never go looking for a fight. But, just as with all the wars that General Sherman fought, and indeed millions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have fought and continue to fight, there are those times when NOT contending would be a greater evil than fighting.
This is what Paul urges us to consider in our text today: fight for the purity of the gospel of Jesus Christ because the eternal destiny of men, women, and children rely on this gospel!
Paul had a conference to lay out the matter of grace, and how that grace sets us free to walk in the newness of life, unencumbered by the yoke of the Law of Moses. Paul then discussed how it was imperative that he stand up and unmask the spies that were trying to smuggle error into the preaching of the gospel by adding to grace the necessity of following the Law of Moses. Paul concludes his discussion of the place of “freedom” in the life of Spirit Walkers by highlighting his
3. Continuing Walk in Freedom (6-10)
6 Now
from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference
to me; God does not show favoritism)—they added nothing to me. 7 On
the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the
uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised, 8 since
the One at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work
in me for the Gentiles. 9 When James, Cephas, and John,
recognized as pillars,
acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right
hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the
Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They asked only that
we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do.
Recall in an earlier message on
chapter 1 I mentioned that Paul was a man of “extreme zeal and deep passion.”
I mentioned how Paul was “constantly
advancing,” always going deeper in his devotion to the Lord, and moving
further in his service to the Lord.
As Spirit Walkers, it is not enough that we are “in” the freedom of grace but we must move “on” using that freedom to promote the gospel to those who have not yet heard—whether that be to someone across the seas, or someone across the street.
In verse 6 Paul makes a curious statement in regard to the “leaders recognized as important.” He is referring to the apostles in Jerusalem with whom he had met, and had resolved a great difficulty with mutual respect. But, now he says, in regard to “those recognized as important,”
(what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to me.)
Paul was not disparaging these respected leaders. He had great respect for them which is why he made the trip to Jerusalem in the first place. What Paul is demonstrating a contempt for is not God-given leadership, but Paul is condemning anyone using one’s station in life as an excuse to “be slack in his or her service to the Lord.” Paul was declaring that though some men (or women) may appear to have a greater influence in the Kingdom of God, in God’s eyes, everyone has both an equal ability and an equal responsibility to preach the gospel and seek the salvation of lost souls.
Whether we are playing “first chair” or “second fiddle,” every single blood-bought, Spirit-filled believer has a responsibility to “walk in the freedom wherewith Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). We are not set free by grace in order to do as we please, but in order to please God.
As Spirit Walkers, it is not enough that we are “in” the freedom of grace but we must move “on” using that freedom to promote the gospel to those who have not yet heard—whether that be to someone across the seas, or someone across the street.
In verse 6 Paul makes a curious statement in regard to the “leaders recognized as important.” He is referring to the apostles in Jerusalem with whom he had met, and had resolved a great difficulty with mutual respect. But, now he says, in regard to “those recognized as important,”
(what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to me.)
Paul was not disparaging these respected leaders. He had great respect for them which is why he made the trip to Jerusalem in the first place. What Paul is demonstrating a contempt for is not God-given leadership, but Paul is condemning anyone using one’s station in life as an excuse to “be slack in his or her service to the Lord.” Paul was declaring that though some men (or women) may appear to have a greater influence in the Kingdom of God, in God’s eyes, everyone has both an equal ability and an equal responsibility to preach the gospel and seek the salvation of lost souls.
Whether we are playing “first chair” or “second fiddle,” every single blood-bought, Spirit-filled believer has a responsibility to “walk in the freedom wherewith Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). We are not set free by grace in order to do as we please, but in order to please God.
We must continue in the freedom of grace
we are contending for.
In verses 7-9 Paul recaps the conference he had with the
Jerusalem leadership and how they came to a mutual agreement that he (verse 7) “had been entrusted with the
gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised.”
Grace provides great freedom for
each individual believer to participate in the proclamation of the gospel in unique
and diverse ways. Unity does not mean “uniformity.”
Someone once told me, “a person does not have to be my twin to be
my brother.”
God has not called every believer to do the “same” thing, but God has called every believer to do “some” thing! Notice the purpose for walking in the freedom of grace. Verse 10:
10 They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do.
God has not called every believer to do the “same” thing, but God has called every believer to do “some” thing! Notice the purpose for walking in the freedom of grace. Verse 10:
10 They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do.
Our freedom in Christ is “effectual,”
not “ornamental.” We are given freedom
to, as Larry the Cable guy says, “Git ‘Er Done.!” Feeding the poor is just one of the many
tasks we are called to do as children of God.
Spirit Walkers use our freedom to “make
a difference” in the lives of others through service to God.
Grace is not a lounge chair in which we can lay back and soak in the blessings of God, but grace is a “license to work on God’s behalf for the salvation of others.”
Grace sets us free to serve God with boldness and abandon, making a real difference in the lives of real people.
Paul outlined the importance of the freedom we have in Christ though grace. Paul travelled to have a conference with the other leaders of the church about the importance of understanding the grace sets one free from the Law of Moses—it, in fact, fulfills the Law of Moses. Paul also spoke about the importance of “Contesting” those who counterfeit the true gospel. Then, Paul concludes by showing that we are “set free to serve,” as we continue to walk in the freedom of grace.
As I said in the beginning, “freedom is very important to me.” As I see our freedoms erode more and more in our nation with every passing law, this passage reminds me that my ultimate freedom is not dependent upon any man, or any government. My freedom is “a gift of grace from Almighty God!”
