1. 1 The Letter to the Galatians A Gospel Changed Life Gal 1:10-2:21

2. 2 The gospel transformed life

3. 3 Countering the Judaisers

4. 4 Recap Gal 1:1-10 Paul apostle of Jesus What the gospel is Danger and nature of distortion Why believe in the gospel ?

5. 5 Paul’s gospel is from direct revelation (ESV) 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (ESV) 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. What is the evidence?

6. 6 A. Paul could not have naturally come up with the gospel (ESV) 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, 1.He was originally hostile 2.He was totally steeped in Judaism

7. 7 A. Paul could not have naturally come up with the gospel He was originally hostile to it He was totally steeped in Judaism

8. 8 Background check

9. 9 The bible GospelsActsLettersRev OT Acts

10. 10 Acts 9 (ESV) 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice

11. 11 (ESV) saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

12. 12 (ESV) 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

13. 13 B. Paul did not get his gospel from others (ESV) 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 1.He got his gospel independantly of Jerusalem 2.He went into seclusion 3.He had limited contact with apostles

14. 14 Acts 9:19-31

15. 15 Paul after conversion Preached in Damascus Preached in Jerusalem Escaped Tarsus

16. 16 Time line Conversion Preach in Damascus, Jerusalem and escaped to Tarsus Arabia Three years Jerusalem 15 days with Peter and saw James Acts 9 Galatians 1-2

17. 17 B. Paul did not get his gospel from others He got his gospel independent of Jerusalem He went into seclusion Subsequent contact with Apostles in Jerusalem limited 15 days

18. 18 C. His ministry has universal affirmation (ESV) 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me Affirmed by churches in the region

19. 19 Gal 2 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) —those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Galatians 2:6-9 ESV) 2.His gospel checked out with apostles 3.His ministry to Gentiles was recognised by leaders

20. 20 C. Paul ministry was universally affirmed His ministry affirmed by the churches His gospel checked out with apostles His special ministry to the Gentiles affirmed by the leaders of the church in Jerusalem

21. 21 Paul's gospel is a direct revelation from God He could not have naturally come up with the gospel himself He did not get his gospel from others His ministry had universal affirmation

22. 22 Spiritual applications What aspects of the gospel do we learn from Paul’s life?

23. 23 Lessons 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 2.The gospel is not about legalism 1.The gospel is about grace

24. 24 Paul Martin Luther Simul Justus Et Peccator

25. 25 3. Predestined for a purpose 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus

26. 26 In do we see God at work in Pauls life before his conversion?

27. 27 Paul Pharisee Theologian Taught by Gamaliel Legalist Brilliant Rhetorical mind Roman Citizen Tenacious

28. 28 Ephesians 1 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV)

29. 29 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deuteronomy 7:7-8 ESV)

30. 30 Testimony INDIA SYDNEY

31. 31 God is weaving

32. 32 FREE WILL?

33. 33 John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

34. 34 Compatibilism Free Will Predestination

35. 35 Compatibilism

36. 36 God’s design Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger;the staff in their hands is my fury!6 Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets (Isaiah 10:5-6 ESV)

37. 37 motive But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few (Isaiah 10:7 ESV)

38. 38 God holds accountable When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes. 13 For he says:“By the strength of my hand I have done it,and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures;like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones (Isaiah 10:12-13 ESV)

39. 39 Jacob and brothers But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today (Genesis 50:19-20 ESV)

40. 40

41. 41 John Newton

42. 42 Problems Middle knowledge

43. 43 What are the factors in Paul’s life that helped him grow into ministry?

44. 44 but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God (Galatians 1:17-24 ESV) 2.Time for reflection 3.Accountability 4.Gospel centered living

45. 45 The gospel changed life: Boldness and conviction (ESV) 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

46. 46 From whom do you seek glory?