Delve into the lessons from a faithful servant in Galatians 2.1-10 and reflect on the impact of influential individuals on your personal growth.
PowerPoint Video
SoundCloud Audio
Recap
Today, we are going to be continuing our look at the book of Galatians, and we’re going to be in Galatians Chapter 2. I’m titling this message lessons from a faithful servant.
Who are those individuals in our lives that have taught us the lessons of life? Who are those individuals that have helped us learn and to grow into the individuals that we are today?
We have all learned different things from different individuals, whether it’s our parents or siblings, our extended family, our friends, our teachers, etc. If we stop long enough and think about it, how much have we received from others? The truth of the matter is that the way we live our life is an expression of what those individuals taught us.
That is how we are supposed to look at the scriptures. As we read the scripture, we need to assess what we read. What are some of the things that we can glean? What are some of the things that we can learn from the stories in the Bible?
So, today we are going to look at lessons from a faithful servant, the apostle Paul. Paul had a distinct and a special encounter with Jesus to where he was able to write things that are beyond what many others had written. He teaches us many lessons by the way he went about doing his ministry.
1. Bring others along on our journey.
When we are living a life of service, a life of faith, we are to bring others along with us on that journey. Verse one simply says…
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
We are told that Paul went away for three years after receiving his call from God. He came back and met with Cephas and James for fifteen days, then he left again. Now, 14 years later, he went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas and Titus along with him
As they are on this journey with Paul, they are learning about faith. They are learning about ministry. They are learning about life. Paul is bringing them up and bringing them along to be part of that journey.
It would do us well to do the same thing. Like those who have influenced our lives, showing us the ropes, we are to bring others along with us on our own journeys. It might not be anything extravagant. In fact, it might simply be having someone by our side as we live out our life of faith.
2. Take time to seek out correction or confirmation
I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.
Paul had a revelation from the Lord. What he was preaching was maybe a little bit different than what others had heard before. So, he went to the leaders just to present his message. He wanted to be sure he was not going against the truth. He took time to seek out correction or confirmation of his message.
Paul was preaching the message that we are saved by the grace of God through faith, not by works. At the same time, he was dealing with Jewish individuals that were coming in and saying that circumcision was a requirement as well. So, he went to the leaders, the esteemed leaders, and sought out correction or confirmation of his message.
What is the message that we have received? Is the message that we believe, that we share, the right message? If not, then it is important for us to seek correction. If it is the right message, it is good for us to receive that confirmation.
3. Know and stand firm in the gospel message.
Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
So, again, Paul went to make sure he was not preaching his message in vain. He knew his message and he stood firm in that message of grace. When he went to the esteemed leaders, he brought Barnabas and Titus with him. Even though Titus was a Greek, he was not persuaded to be circumcised.
From the Jewish perspective, to be a true Christian required circumcision. It was a sign to remind the people of the promise that God had given to Abraham. Even so, Titus was not persuaded to follow their expectations. This is why it is so important to know and stand firm in the gospel of grace.
The truth of the gospel is Jesus Christ. Without Him, we cannot be saved. Without faith in Him, we cannot be saved. When we place our faith in Him, we are saved by God’s grace. We can, and should, do the “expected” things, i.e. Bible studies, prayer meetings, church attendance, tithing, etc. All these things are beneficial in our walk with the Lord. However, the core of the message is Jesus Christ and him crucified, nothing more.
4. Don’t be intimidated by the “esteemed leaders.”
As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
Paul goes to the esteemed leaders, the founding fathers of the faith in Christ. He said we should not be intimidated by such individuals because of their position or experiences. He had a message from Jesus, a truth he needed to present. Paul was not intimidated by them. He wanted their support, the confirmation that he was doing the right thing.
We are not to be intimidated by those that have been in the faith longer than ourselves. Our faith is not about them, it’s about Christ. Where are we in that relationship with Christ? Do we know that we are saved by the grace of God through faith? Then that is where it begins.
5. Trust in God to use us where he has placed us.
For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
The truth of the matter is God has placed us all where He wants us to be. Each one of us are in a spot where God wants to use us to bring his gospel message to those around us. To Peter, he was sent to the Jews, the circumcised. For Paul, he was sent to the Gentiles, the uncircumcised.
So, where have we been placed? Is it in the school in which we study, the school in which we teach? Is it the business in which we work or the families of which we are a part? Where is that place we have been put for this time, and how can God work in us and through us to be an influence?
In whatever situations, do we trust that God is going to use us where He has placed us, or are we always looking for the grass that is greener on the other side? We are to work where He has placed us, to fulfill His mission. We can trust Him, that He is going to use us. As we trust Him, He will use us to be the light in the darkness, to lead people into the light.
6. Stay focused on what is most important.
All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
The esteemed leaders confirmed Paul’s message, but they asked that he stay focused on the poor. They did not give him a bunch of expectations, just one desire. He was to preach the gospel and take care of those individuals that needed his help.
We are to do the same. We are to stay focused on what is the most important, what is of most importance when it comes to faith. In regards to faith, remain focused on the truths that Jesus died on the cross, rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and poured out His Spirit upon each one of us who believe in Him. It is not based on what we have done, but what Jesus has done and completed and finished. That’s how we are saved.
We are not saved by the things that we do. We are saved by the blood of Christ. That is what is of most importance. Then, of all the things we could give our attention to, stay focused on caring for the poor and widows. That is where we will find God’s blessing.
—
I pray that each one of us will find and learn these lessons, and that we will find that the grace of God, through faith, is all we need. Once we accept that, then all other things will fall into place as we trust in God and as we follow his lead.
I pray that we are living in that moment and that we are sharing that truth within our sphere of influence. May God be glorified and magnified through the life that we live for him.
—
Please come back to watch, listen, or read other messages and studies found on this site.
Have a Great Day!