#197 Galatians Series# 1, The Gospel of Grace
Galatians — The Gospel Of Grace
By: Pastor Karl Thomas
Galatians 1
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
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.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter,[a] and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.
2 Corinthians 12:2,4
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven … and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
James Stalker (The Life Of Paul)
“Paul’s letters contain the best explanation of Christianity in the world. The right way to look at them is to regard them as the continuation of Christ’s own teaching…. … They contain the thoughts that Jesus carried away from this world unuttered. They are the advanced teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul was specially chosen by God to make clear the inner workings of the Gospel. You can get born again by accepting the proclamation but you grow up on the explanation.
In the Gospels you see what happened in the natural at the cross.
Disciples were with Jesus and watched Him minister for three years and still didn’t understand what God was doing.
Gospels are like a photograph. — You see what man saw.
Paul’s writings are like a CT scan. — You see what God saw.
In Paul’s writing you see what happened in the Spirit at the cross.
Word Gospel used 5 times in this chapter:
- 11 “…gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.”
Acts 20:24
“…and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Romans 2:16
“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel”
II Timothy 2:8
“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.”
Galatians 2:2 “…that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.”
Galatians 2:7
“…the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me.”
Romans 16:25 “Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, …”
Ephesians 3:8 “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,…”
Acts 26:19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,…”
Optasia:– the act of exhibiting one’s self to view Paul got a vision of the new man in CHRIST. Unshakable revelation of Divine purpose.
The Divine Encounter
Acts 9:1-22, 28-30
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,[b] who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
20 Immediately he preached the Christ[c] in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
28-30
So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
The Divine Encounter Acts 9:1-22, 28-30 The Impartation Of Revelation:
- Revelation Of His Lordship “Who are you Lord?” vs. 5
- Revelation Of His Grace “Ananias went in and laid His hands on him.” vs 17 3. Revelation Of His Acceptance “… Brother Saul…” vs 17
- Revelation Of His Power “…recover your sight…” vs 17
- Revelation Of His Partnership “…Be filled with the Holy Spirit …” vs 17
- Revelation Of His Union “Then he arose and was baptized…” vs 18
- Revelation Of His Purpose “…straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues…” vs 20
Vs. 15-16
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me,…”
197 Galatians-The Gospel of Grace, PowerPoint
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Going to use this as bible study this week….thanks!!
I have reviewed Galations 1 and 2 and I think going over a whole book in the Bible is great. It is very interesting to compare and contrast Saul who became Paul versus and think of the people in the world today who we think that they could never be changed. This proves to me that this wrong thinking. This same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me today! It was interesting to see that Paul was able to speak to Peter honestly about things. Thanks for this study!