From Persecutor to Preacher

Posted by on Apr 4, 2012 in Audio, Radio Show, Text | Comments Off on From Persecutor to Preacher

Galatians 1:13-24 From Persecutor to Preacher CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Paul gave the Galatians some of his personal testimony in this passage because they had willingly decided to follow on different preachers who had changed the gospel and had put them under a legalistic religion instead of the true liberty in Christ.  His authority to preach the true gospel to them was much better than the false preachers they were following because of his zeal as a Jew, his personal call from God and revelation from Jesus because of his truthfulness, conviction, and glory to God.  None of the guys that had come after him could hold a candle to him.  So let’s look at his testimony:

 

  1. His reputation among Christians (v. 13)
    1. I Cor 10:32
    2. Persecuted church of God (body)
    3. Acts 8:1-4
    4. Acts 9:1,13,21
  2. His religious zeal among the Jews (v. 14)
    1. Phil 3:4-6
  3. His sanctified call from God (v. 15)
    1. From my mom’s womb – not “in” – but God certainly knew he wanted him
    2. Acts 9:6, 15-16, “Called”
  4. His divine revelation from Jesus (v. 16)
    1. Acts 9:20-22
    2. Col 1:24-29
  5. His supernatural preparation alone (v. 17)
    1. I conferred not
    2. Arabia–Mt.Sinai
  1.   i.      Gal 4:24-25
  2.  ii.      Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
  3.   i.      Ps 69:8
  4.  ii.      Mk 6:3
    1. At feet of Jesus
  1. His short meetings with Peter and James (v. 18-19)
    1. Peter: anti-popery
    2. James: brother
  1. Factual letter to the Galatians (v. 20)
    1. I lie not and it is an oath BY GOD
    2. Eph 20:16
    3. Eph 4:25
  2. His evangelistic trips to Syria, Cilicia, Judea(v. 21)
    1. Acts 9:28 at Jerusalem but not at Judea
    2. Acts 9:30 with Acts 15:23-26
    3. Getting churches started here, not under  law, no way to confer with apostles there (they stayed in Jerusalem)
  3. His complete conversion in Christ (v. 22)
    1. Major change, II Cor 5:17
    2. From Satan to power of God
    3. Acts 26:18
  4. His glorious testimony for God
    1. II Cor 9:13
    2. Matt 5:16

Conclusion: Have you changed enough that everyone can tell?  Does your life bring glory to God?  Are you trying to win souls?  Can you be truthful with your testimony?  Are you preparing in fellowship with God?  Do you know what God wants you to do?

 

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