Graceful Living
Galatians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Whenever we study the letters of the Apostle Paul, we see the person behind the writings. We learn of his character. We learn about his way of living and how he lived out his faith. One of the greatest lessons I have found in studying Paul and his writings is the switch that was flipped in his life that took him from legalism to grace. The “Road to Damascus” changed religious Saul into Graceful Living Paul. I can’t help but wonder if his example is one that we should claim for ourselves. When we fully understand what Jesus has done for us, we will make the transition from being religious to to being in a relationship with the author of grace. Let’s look a bit closer at this by examining Galatians 2:7-10
7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be 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 Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
If you remember a few weeks ago when we were looking at Galatians 2:1-6, we saw a distinction Paul was making between himself and the other leaders. Essentially he was saying that human reputations, appearances and rank do not impress God. The key to authority is whether or not the leaders uphold the truth of the gospel. Paul was showing here that basis of his leadership was the fact that he had been entrusted with grace.
Entrusted With Grace (vs. 7)
Entrusted With Grace (vs. 7)
We have said multiple times that grace is God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense. I am excited about this month’s writing plan as it continues this theme of Galatians by highlighting redemption. Grace is the manifesto of God’s redemptive plan. It is the undeserved favor of God. Paul recognized that grace given to him for his salvation and it was entrusted to him to share with others. You and I have been entrusted with grace as well. This means a couple of things for us. First, God’s love for us should require each of us to love the Lord.
Love the Lord
Love the Lord
37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
How’s your love life? Are you loving the Lord your God with all that you are? Paul knew when He was entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it meant that he needed to love the Lord with his entire being. Sometimes, in order to accomplish that we must leave our comfort zone.
Leave Your Comfort Zone
Leave Your Comfort Zone
Paul had and understanding what Jesus meant when He said in Matthew 10:37-39
37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Many adult children find great pleasure living at home with mom and dad these days. It is a place of comfort. I would think that Paul really did not have a desire to leave his home in order to share the gospel of which he has been entrusted. God will stretch our hearts and minds so that we can see just how big and great He is! When you get our of your comfort zone, you then can lead others to Jesus.
Lead Others to Jesus
Lead Others to Jesus
Paul was specifically being called to lead the Gentiles to Jesus. Who were the Gentiles? They were the uncircumcised. In other words, they were the ones that had not committed themselves to the religious rituals that were accustomed to the Jews. In our modern day, it would be those people that have never gone to church much or were not raised in the church like many of us have been. Paul understood that when “God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life,” it included people not used to the religious customs and rituals of the day.
As Christians, you and I are to be like Paul. We are entrusted with the Gospel to love the Lord, leave our comfort zones, and lead others to Jesus! We don’t need to bat 2 our of 3 in that regard but being entrusted with the gospel means that we are batting 3 for 3 and swinging for the fence! Paul was all out because he was endorsed by grace.
Endorsed By Grace (vs. 8-9)
Endorsed By Grace (vs. 8-9)
When we given grace, grace endorses us. Let me explain that more. When God bestows His goodness, mercy, and love on us, we are transformed from death to life. Everything about God is about life. The gift of Jesus was for life to the full. John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
That can only happen by grace endorsing grace. Here’s more explanation.
Grace Supplies Our Calling
Grace Supplies Our Calling
Grace supplies our calling. We see in our text from Galatians that Paul was called to the Gentiles and Peter was called to the Jews. God calls us uniquely and gives us a job to do that is unique from everyone else. You and I are fearfully and wonderfully made according to Psalm 139:14
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
God created each of us for a purpose. Remember, Grady Nutt said, “God don’t make no junk!”
God’s grace supplies our calling then His grace supports our calling.
Grace Supports Our Calling
Grace Supports Our Calling
Support comes in many ways, but one of the best ways is in agreement. Galatians 2:9
9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be 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 Jews.
When you are called by the grace of God to share the grace of God, other Christians will support you in that call. That support leads to it being settled.
Grace Settles Our Calling
Grace Settles Our Calling
When God says something, we can be assured that it is firm and unchanging.
89 Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Grace supplies our calling. Grace supports our calling. We can be assured that grace settles our calling. We are endorsed by grace and we are equipped by grace.
Equipped Through Grace (vs. 10)
Equipped Through Grace (vs. 10)
God gave us His marvelous grace so that we might minister that grace to others. Therefore, He will equip us in ways that only God can!
Called to Carry Out the Gospel
Called to Carry Out the Gospel
He will call us to carry out the gospel. Galatians 2:10
10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Part of that calling was to minister to the poor. Poor has two meanings here. First it means that person that is destitute of wealth. It is that person that needs financial help. Our church does a beautiful job in helping others that way. The second meaning is that person that is destitute of Christian values. We are called to carry the gospel to both types! How are we to do that? We are to be clothed in such a way, that our actions continue the gospel.
Clothed to Continue the Gospel
Clothed to Continue the Gospel
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
How did you dress today? Did you clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? Did you accent your wardrobe with forgiveness and top all that off with overcoat of love? When you and I dress that way everyday, we are equipped through grace.
While we are talking fashion, I am reminded of a friend from college named Brian Bennight. Brian was an upperclassmen when I was a freshman. Everyday he would go to class dressed up with dress slacks, a pressed shirt, a tie and sometimes even a suit jacket. I would go to class in a t -shirt, shorts and flip flops, as most everyone else would. I asked Brian one day why he always dressed so sharp to just go to class. He answered, “It’s simple. Dress sharp, feel sharp.” Brian had a craving to be the best that he could be.
Craving to Complete the Gospel
Craving to Complete the Gospel
You and I should be aware of God’s grace so much that we have a craving to complete the gospel by sharing it with others! When we are entrusted with grace, endorsed by grace, equipped through grace, we will realize that we are empowered from grace!
Empowered From Grace (vs. 10b)
Empowered From Grace (vs. 10b)
In the last phrase of our text, Paul writes, “the very thing I was eager to do.” I have come to an understanding why Paul was eager to do that very thing.
My Greatest Need
My Greatest Need
Like Paul, I have realized that my greatest need is to be loved by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No other person can love me more fully than He. No other person can complete me as He can. No other person can forgive me like He has. My greatest need was for a Savior. When He died on that cross, He died for me. When He conquered death, He conquered my death. My greatest need has been fulfilled by the person of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh!
My Greatest Desire
My Greatest Desire
My greatest desire should be living a life that is full for Him. Everything I do should glorify my Savior.
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I should live every moment of my life recognizing how the gift of God’s grace in Jesus has saved me from eternity in hell.
My Greatest Accomplishment
My Greatest Accomplishment
If I recognize my greatest need is Jesus and my greatest desire is to live for Him, then my greatest accomplishment will be in how I helped others be pointed to Christ.
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate yourself right now? Are you a 9? Are you a 6? Are you a 2? Our world is in a mess. We are called by God and shown here by Paul that we are to be about graceful living. Why? So others can see Jesus in you. The way others can see Jesus in you is through your service. Our prayer should be, “Lord, make me a servant.” Can you make that your prayer today?