Galatians 1 11 24 11 I want you

Galatians 1: 11 -24 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 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 -24 13 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.

Galatians 1: 11 -24 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Galatians 1: 11 -24 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

Galatians 1: 11 -24 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

Galatians 1: 11 -24 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles–only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

Galatians 1: 11 -24 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. ”

Galatians 1: 11 -24 24 And they praised God because of me.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY Larry Cline – Hardin Valley Church Of Christ – 4/7/2019

“WE FORFEIT THREE-FOURTHS OF OURSELVES IN ORDER TO BE LIKE OTHER PEOPLE. ” (SCHOPENHAUER – GERMAN PHILOSOPHER)

What made Paul so striking was the fact he dared to be himself in the will of God. His freedom in Christ was a threat to those who found safety in conformity.

To the Jews his nonconformity was proof that his message & ministry was not from God.

His nonconformity was divinely deliberate. God had chosen to reveal Himself in a different way to Paul.

Paul’s Theme: 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 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) § His message and ministry are of divine origin

Three snapshots from his past to prove the point

1. THE PERSECUTOR (1: 13 -14) § His Relationship To The Church § 13 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.

§ Success As A Jew § 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

“ACCOMPLISHMENTS” OF “SAUL OF TARSUS” • • • Consented to murder of Stephen (Acts 8: 1) Made “havoc of the church” (Acts 8: 3) Breathed “threatening and slaughter” (Acts 9: 1) Voted to kill believers (Acts 22: 4 -5; 26: 9 -11) Persecutor of “the sect of the Nazarene” (Acts 9: 13 -14) Brilliant student of Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3)

WHAT AN “ABOUT FACE”! § Who caused it? § His friends, (Jews)? § His enemies, (followers of Jesus)? § It had to come from God!

PAUL EXPLAINED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS CONVERSION EXPERIENCE • God Did It (1: 15 a, 16 a) • “It pleased God… to reveal His Son in me. ” • God Did It By Grace (1: 15 b) • The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3: 9)

THEN THE PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH BECAME… 2. A Believer Of The Gospel (1: 15 -16, 24)

• God Did It Through Christ (1: 16 a) • But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3: 7) • God Did It For The Sake Of Others (1: 16 b) • God Did It For His Glory • And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1: 24)

3. THE PREACHER…TO THE GENTILES Acts 22: 19 -21 19“ Lord, ’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you.

20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. ’ 21“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles. ’  

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3: 1, 8)

AFTER HIS CONVERSION: • He preaches in Damascus (Acts 9: 19 -20) • He flees to Arabia (Galatians 1: 17 a) • He goes to Jerusalem (Galatians 1: 18 -20)

• He returned home to Tarsus • He is called by God to Antioch • He travels 10, 000 miles over the next 11 years preaching the gospel and planting churches

In light of Paul’s conduct, conversions & contacts how could anyone accuse him of borrowing or inventing his message or ministry?

The same Christ who taught on earth also taught through Paul from heaven (Romans 1: 5, I Corinthians 11: 23; 15: 3)

PAUL DID NOT INVENT HIS MESSAGE OR GET IT FROM A MAN; HE “RECEIVED” IT FROM GOD

WHAT’S YOUR TESTIMONY?