November 1, 2000, WE: Defining the Doctrine of Justification of Faith III

>> WEEK 3 OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION <<

November 1st, 2000, Wednesday Evening

"Defining the Doctrine of Justification of the Faith"

Interpreting the "Heart of the Gospel" - part 3

OPENING: Galatians 1:10-16, KJV

Studying this epistle (the entire book--all 6 chapters) will

aid you in witnessing

prove that good works don't get you into heaven

arm you for attacks from false doctrine

The last days before the Rapture (which this church and I believe we're in) will be characterized by deception and false doctrine. This false doctrine is authored by the devil (for the bible says he is the father of lies) who has more power than we credit him for.

The devil has the power to seduce. How else do drug lords or Hitler come into power? How did they get in charge? GOD allows Satan to do this. But how did Jesus Christ fight off a foe as overpowering to us as Satan? By standing behind the shield of the Word of GOD (Matthew 4:4,7,10).

The problem here is that the churches of Galatia have charged Paul of being a flake and a fake to get money from them (and with somewhat good cause--if you examine Paul's history of severe Christian persecution before his conversion). Today, these peddlers of false doctrine for the purpose of money grow rampant, as well. They exist to rob GOD's people of all they own. However, Paul's message of the saving grace (2 Corinthians 5:17) was quick and forceful in his reply--just as ours should be.

Galatians 1:10: Only GOD can place the burden on man's heart to search for Him--to draw nigh to Him. No man can persuade your heart to search for GOD. Paul goes on record, here, that he's not here to please man, anymore, but GOD. He says this because in his past of severe Christian persecution, Paul scored "brownie points" with the elders by taking the initiative to "outdo" the persecutions done by others (Galatians 1:13-14).

Acts 9:1-18: Paul's testimony of being saved; Back as a persecutor, he was known as Saul. After being saved, GOD renamed him Paul

Galatians 1:11-12: "I certify" is Paul's testimony/declaration from his hand (or a stamp seal, for example) in writing, establishing a fact, that Paul received the gospel from GOD and not man--meaning the gospel, the bible in your house, was not written by man but by GOD with man's pen!

This is Paul's exhortation in claiming the Gospel. Paul proclaimed the bible is not man's Gospel--it wasn't written/owned/authored of man, nor is it of man's origin
WITNESSING HINT: By having your genuine saving testimony, coupled with verses of scripture (the Gospel), you have one of the most powerful tools by which to witness by

Galatians 1:13-14: Recapping on Paul's pleasing man in his past, Paul seeked to please man. You cannot please both man and GOD (Galatians 1:10). All that matters in life is to please GOD. Therefore all that matters in life is NOT to please man. How can you be a servant of Jesus Christ and please man simultaneously? It cannot be done. If you say it can, then you're calling GOD a liar

"Beyond measure" in this passage of scripture means "by every fiber of Paul's being." This is Paul's thorn in the flesh ... his plague he had to live with and remember unto his death (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Galatians 1:14: "zealous traditions of my fathers" means that there are many heathen traditions that people have a desire to hold onto today ... such as Halloween and using Santa Claus as the focal point of Christmas and the Easter bunny as the theme of Easter Sunday.
Whether you attend church, witness, read your bible ... whether the pastor (or anyone else) knows it or not, you're pleasing GOD

Galatians 1:15: We see here that each of us on earth is set apart and called by GOD's grace. Therefore, we can be saved through GOD's grace and not by any works! It's not how good we are that saves us!

GOD knows the end from the beginning. He knew you'd be born and what you'd do to the end of your life before you were even born

Galatians 1:16: The purpose of GOD's calling upon us: GOD wants us to reveal his Son, Jesus Christ, in you and me

Our purpose on earth is not to promote our church or our denomination but rather the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

CLOSER

So what about those who have never seen your face whom you wish to witness to? They should still be able to see you as a "different people" without you telling them who you are. They should be able to see Jesus Christ in us just by the way we talk and act.