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:
Paul recounts his testimony in a few different places in the Bible, and honestly, I believe it’s an important practice to adopt. However, what I did notice is that it’s slightly different each time. His telling of it being guided by the Holy Spirit. It’s pretty easy to see that Paul had been affected by what happened on the road to Damascus. His life changed in such a dramatic way that it could not be denied. He went from persecuting the church through Judaism which had some pretty extreme laws about judgement of sin, to promoting the church through grace and mercy. That kind of change could only happen through a true encounter with Jesus Christ. As he tells of the results of that encounter here in Galatians, his purpose for doing so is slightly different than just telling what had happened. As we know, or maybe this is the first time you will hear. The letter to the church in Galatians is mainly directed to what it looks like to be walking in step with the Holy Spirit. A characteristic that I believe Paul not only exhibits through his writing, but also teaches the church how to do so by identifying what it looks like. Here in Galatians chapter I verses 11 through 17. He is laying the foundation for what he is about to teach, by explaining how all this happened to him. The very first thing he says this morning is clearly stating that the Holy Spirit is the reason. Verse 11 says, “But I make it known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” That statement is pretty clear. Paul was not seeking approval from men for the knowledge he had. He was simply displaying what he had been taught by GOD HIMSELF. In verses 13 and 14, he gives a brief explanation of what life used to be like for him. How he was advancing in the religious system of Judaism. Persecutions of those he would now chase after with grace and mercy. Zealous to drag them off to prison, or watch them be stoned to death, just like Stephen at the gate. But something changed in him. Something was revealed to him. Just like Paul’s extreme life of Judaism, GOD knew it was going to take an extreme encounter. HE knew HE would have to reveal HIMSELF in a way that could not be denied. Paul’s transformation was just that. He knew as he lay in his back in the middle of the road. That all the things he had been taught at this point were not what GOD wanted. It was revealed to him that the sacrificial system that he followed was a picture of the final sacrifice that was found in Jesus Christ. Years of indoctrination were ripped away in one encounter, and what could take years to teach others was imparted. Only GOD could do that, and Paul knew it. At that moment, Paul knew he was called from birth. He didn’t seek a title, and he wasn’t seeking approval. He just started explaining the true gospel. He took what was taught to him and ran it through the filter of the sacrificial lamb. The one who takes away the sins of the world. As you continue to read through the letter to the Galatian church. You will see that Paul eventually spoke to Peter and James to confirm that what he had been preaching for the last 3 years was correct, and they gave him the right hand of fellowship and blessing, confirming what he had been teaching and his calling.
Application:
I believe that there is no better teacher than the Holy Spirit. I mean, if there is one person who can teach God’s living word, it has to be the one who wrote it. The problem I find with going to Bible college and seeking a man’s signature on a piece of paper that says you have been taught the Bible correctly, is that it’s man he teaches, and man’s interpretation of the Bible that is being taught. What I’m saying is, GOD had called you from birth. HE has seen fit to reveal HIMSELF to you. Now it’s time to open up HIS word and let the HOLY SPIRIT reveal the truth to you. We can all be indoctrinated and seek certificates of that indoctrination. Or we can rely on what GOD has already given us. HIS Holy Word and the teacher who wrote it. I love the fact that everyone can have a textbook on the gospel, and if you don’t have one, let me know. Because your personal time in GOD’S word will shape and mold who you are. What I believe today is the truth that is clearly spelled out in the Bible. We are saved by grace through faith in what Jesus Christ did, and that is where radical transformation begins. The example of Paul’s life is only one of many examples of what it looks like after an encounter with Jesus Christ. The man who was chained in the tombs is another. After his encounter, they found him clothed and in his right mind. Wanting to follow Jesus. But what was he told? If you’re not familiar with the story, I will tell you what he was told. Jesus said Stay here and tell others what has happened to you. Your testimony is the gospel. Jesus saved you from yourself. Now GO spread the gospel. Spend time in GOD’S word and let HIM teach you. If you have had an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to you. Trust me on that. It’s who taught me.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you have thought of everything. You will reveal yourself of wr seek you. That doesn’t mean go to church. Although that’s where it may start. But what we know is that you want a personal relationship with us. You want us to spend time with you in your world. Seeking answers from the book you wrote. What we are asking for in this prayer is that you fill us with your Holy Spirit, the teacher, and counselor. We want to know you more. We want more radical change in our lives. Sanctify us through what only your word can teach us. Give us a strong desire to read it. To spend time in it. To study it that we would be workers approved by you. We know that you have called us from birth, and had your hand on our lives from before we were placed in the womb. You have guided our steps to the very moment of encounter with you, and you want to continue to guide us. We ask that your word be the light to our path. Illuminating every step so that we can walk with you. Teach us like only you can. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.