AND THEY GLORIFIED GOD IN ME Galatians 1:21-24

“Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia “Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:21-24).

“Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia “Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:21-24).

Glorified – “to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate; on account of me (properly, finding in me matter for giving praise” (Thayer, p. 157). Vincent says, “Here the meaning is that they glorified God as the author and source of what they saw in me” (p. 93).

And They Glorified God In Me His Life – Gospel

His Life – Gospel 1) Manifested the power of the gospel. Previously an enemy – “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13). “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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” (Acts 9:1-2).

His Life – Gospel 1) Manifested the power of the gospel. He gained nothing worldly speaking – (a) Not power (b) Not wealth (c) Not fame (d) Suffered dearly (e) Even lost his life

His Life – Gospel 1) Manifested the power of the gospel. Was convinced of the reality of Jesus – “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” (Acts 9:6). “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).

His Life – Gospel 2) Manifested its ability to cleanse. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:12-15).

And They Glorified God In Me His Life – Gospel His Life – Law

His Life – Law 1) Showed the superiority of the gospel. He lived in obedience to the law – “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Galatians 1:13,14).

His Life – Law 1) Showed the superiority of the gospel. Had much to gain from the law – “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:5-8).

His Life – Law 1) Showed the superiority of the gospel. His enemies now had access to God – “Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:46,47).

His Life – Law 1) Showed the superiority of the gospel. He taught that the law could not save – “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:15-16).

And They Glorified God In Me His Life – Gospel His Life – Law His Life – Holy

His Life – Holy 1) The beauty of a life of holiness. One’s life can cause God to be blasphemed – “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written” (Romans 2:21-24).

His Life – Holy 1) The beauty of a life of holiness. Our lives can bring honor to our Father – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).

His Life – Holy 1) The beauty of a life of holiness. Marks of a pure life – moral purity. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

His Life – Holy 1) The beauty of a life of holiness. Marks of a pure life – ordered priorities. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

His Life – Holy 1) The beauty of a life of holiness. Marks of a pure life – evangelistic zeal. “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Romans 1:14-15).

And They Glorified God In Me His Life – Gospel His Life – Law His Life – Holy

When people see this kind of life what are the results When people see this kind of life what are the results? GOD IS GLORIFIED!!!