Humble, Yet Faithful: Galatians 4:12-20 Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, February 3, 2013

A Picture for 2013

Galatians 4: I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

Galatians 4: What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.

Galatians 4: It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Background Probably written before Jerusalem Council in 48 A.D. Circumstances may be those we read about in Acts 13 & 14, where Paul has been persecuted in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, cities of southern Galatian region Incredible courage—after being left for dead, goes right back to each of these cities to encourage new believers

Background Is it because of physical harm that he extended his time with these people? See v Others think Paul had a degenerative eye disease

Main Idea for Us (I think) Paul has already demonstrated great humility in this letter (though his tone has been sharp—no thanksgiving, ‘Foolish Galatians!’) But in Ch. 2:1-10, we see that he was willing to lay his understanding before the apostles in Jerusalem to find out whether or not he was getting it right

But Humility does not Stop him from pressing forward... You can see in today’s passage how he is fighting for what he believes This is a paradox... Knowing you might be wrong and yet pushing forward in a determined and intentional way One of the great skills for doing life well One of the essential characteristics of a Christian

What is Humility? Not weakness Not self-loathing Nor pretense Church Fathers and Mothers considered love and humility the most important virtues So what is it?

Humility “An accurate understanding and acceptance of my strengths and weaknesses that welcomes God to use both for the sake of building up others and doing life well” PF

Difficulty Today Pomo culture—averse to sense of absolutes, to power, to ‘meta-narratives’ And we exist well in such a culture when we exhibit humility However, Paul blends humility with a determination to fight for what he believes to be true

Isaiah 62:10-12 (The Message) Walk out of the gates. Get going! Get the road ready for the people. Build the highway. Get at it! Clear the debris, hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples! Yes! God has broadcast to all the world: “Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes, Ready to do what he said he’d do, prepared to complete what he promised.’” Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed, Sought-Out, City-Not- Forsaken.