Scripture:
Galatians 1:11-17 NKJV
[11] But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. [12] For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. [13] For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. [14] And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. [15] But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, [16] to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, [17] nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Observation:
Over the last several years I have developed a relationship with GOD’S living word. It’s honestly the most profitable relationship in my life. The most important thing is that there is hope, even for a guy like me. In my life I have had the opportunity to encounter a lot of people and each one has given me little pieces of information that has at times helped me along the way. However, there is only one person that I have ever met that gave me everything. That’s Jesus Christ. The relationship that has been built with HIM came from the relationship that started in GOD’S word. As I was praying over what to write this morning several scriptures came to my heart, scriptures that I love and recognize as the road map to a better relationship with the one who made my. But as I processed them and thought about it. I remembered where we left off at bible study last Friday and thought maybe I should dive in there to allow those who come a little glimpse of what to expect for tomorrow. If you attend please take the time to get into what GOD has planned for us tomorrow. As we go through the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, he starts by explaining his credentials. He doesn’t hand them some nicely framed italicized piece of paper written by a man that proves he had attended the right school, and sat under the right person, who had a nicely framed italicized piece of paper written by a man hanging behind him above his head as he sat at his desk. Instead he tells the truth, “Look here, I was called by Jesus to be an apostle.” That’s the simple fact. As we quickly move through the first few verses we see him explaining to the church that there is only one gospel, and guarding them with some valuable information. “It doesn’t matter who says what, the gospel doesn’t change, It has not shifted, there is only one. Now as we talked about the piece of paper in the frame. Its not like Paul couldn’t have made a few statements about his schooling as a youth that could have turned some heads. As a child he sat under one of the most sought after Jewish teachers there was. His credentials, so to speak, could have very well caught some attention. But he didn’t even mention them. What he was taught as a child dramatically changed that day on the road to Damascus. His world was turned upside down. Everything he thought he knew was rearranged, everything had new meaning. The entire law in which he lived his life crumbled to the ground with one encounter. The gospel was presented to him in a fashion and design that he could not deny. Jesus Christ knocked him right on his back. As HE presented HIMSELF with just one question, “Why are you persecuting ME?” There was no way around it. Christ is the son of GOD. The very belief system he was on his way to put an end to was the truth behind everything that he had been taught as a child. The sacrificial system that was installed was only a picture of the lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. What a moment that must have been. Rewiring his entire belief system in a matter of seconds. I could see him laying in that bed thinking, “It’s all different now, what I was taught is wrong, it all points to Jesus, the very thing I was trying to put a stop to is the truth behind everything I was taught.” With this renewed belief, Paul began his ministry. Setting out to speak the only gospel there was to whoever would receive it. It wasn’t a gospel that he would have received any other way. It had to be delivered in this manner, nothing else would have redirected Paul’s attention. After all he was totally convinced that he was doing the well of GOD putting an end to this blasphemy, “GOD sent HIS SON to earth to die…. What are you talking about… GOD gave us the law so that we could be in right standing with HIM, and if you don’t shut up about Jesus I’m going to show you exactly who GOD is.” I mean that’s where he stood. He had to be shown the truth in a manner that would devastate his life. He was GOD’S chosen vessel. A man willing to die for what he experienced that day on the road flat on his back. That’s not a place many men could have put him. After he recovered from that moment he didn’t rise up and seek those who already knew the gospel to see if he was correct….. he knew what had happened, he knew that his encounter with Jesus was real, he did not need anyone’s approval of that moment, his heart was not the same, a new man had been born that day. Armed with the truth that he was willing to die for he began to do what he had been called by GOD to do. Teach the gospel to all who would receive it. The SON of GOD gave HIS life to pay a debt that you could not pay, so that we could have a way to be in right relationship with our heavenly Father due to HIS sacrifice, now HE is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf.
Application:
When I first came to know Christ, I knew that HE had called me for a purpose. I spent a few years fumbling around trying to find out what that purpose was. I believe about 8 years ago I found it. I can’t say it didn’t come with some mistakes, but as I pressed into GOD, HE revealed to me through HIS word what HE wanted for me. At first I thought I needed to go to bible college and learn what men say the bible teachers, and I made my best attempt at doing just that. Working my way to a piece of paper on the wall in a nice frame with a name that doesn’t matter written on it. But GOD corrected me on that. These scriptures right here told me that HE would teach me HIS word as long as I was willing to align my spirit with HIM. So I did my best to dive in. That was almost 16 years ago, and the more I read about HIS plan for us the more I fall in love with who HE is, and the more I want to tell others about how good HE really is. You see before the fall of man that happened in the garden, GOD had a plan of redemption. Jesus is not plan B). GOD did not place Adam in the garden without knowing what was going to happen. He did not place you right here without knowing what was going to happen. From before time began GOD knew HE would send HIS only SON to bridge the gap that sin had created. The gospel was already planned before one plant sprung up from the ground. The Holy Spirit is the teacher. As we develop a relationship with GOD through HIS word, HE reveals to us HIS truth, bringing to mind the very scripture we need in the very moment we need it. Today what I want to tell you is that GOD wants you to know HIM in an intimate fashion. HE wants all of you and HE sent HIS SON to bridge the gap between you. The only carpenter I know that can build an entire bridge with only 3 nails and 2 pieces of wood. That’s the gospel. It’s not man making his way to GOD, it’s GOD has made a way for man. I never finished bible college. I don’t feel like it’s needed. I’m not looking for a price of paper with my name on it that tells me what GOD has already confirmed. HE has revealed HIS truth to me, and if you are willing to listen HE will do the same for you. The gospel is for everyone.
Prayer:
Father, you are so amazing and I just want to take the time to thank you this morning. My life is not exactly where I want it to be right now, but it’s exactly where you want it to be. Thank you for the price that you paid for me. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why you would give so much, and expect so little. But that’s just who you are, your love is greater than our understanding of it. It’s hard for us to fathom. Today I just want to embrace it. Know that regardless of my condition your love doesn’t stop. Who does that…. Only you Father only you can love like that. So perfect and so Holy, and so far beyond our comprehension, that only you could reveal it to us. There is no man that can teach us who you are. If we seek you with all our hearts we will find you. So that’s my prayer for all of us this morning that we would seek to know you more. That you would ignite a fire in us that would not consume us physically but that would consume us spiritually. We love you and pray that we would decrease so that you can increase. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.