Sermon from December 5, 2021

Galatians 2:15-21

Galatians 2:15-21 

English Standard Version 

  I was actually listening to a Tim Keller sermon on this just the other day.  To justify something isn't to change the thing, it's to change the perspective on it.  If I tell Rachel that I'm going to be home for dinner, and I'm three hours late, she'd be unhappy.  But if I tell her that I was late because I was in a terrible car crash and I was lucky to walk away unharmed, she'd probably change from being upset to being grateful I was home.  I'd have justified my tardiness.

  Similarly, if the kids knew that I was saving some leftover brisket in the fridge for lunch and I found out it was gone, I'd be frustrated, but if they then told me that there was a basket of puppies that was starving and they'd fed the puppies, I'd change my view on that -- they would have justified getting rid of the steak.

  So when we are justified, the reality of our sinfulness doesn't change.  But the way God looks at us has changed -- God doesn't view us as sinful anymore.  Instead, when we're covered in Christ, God looks at us as though we are fully worthy of the glory of God.  You are justified in Christ, and so because of Christ, you appear differently to God.  

Galatians 2:11-14

Galatians 2:11-14 

English Standard Version 

  Paul is fired up!  

  Paul gets upset here because Peter (Cephas) is making life more difficult for the non-Jews looking to join the church. Peter is putting up barriers to others joining the church through his behavior -- he's going along with the crowd because it's easier for Peter, but in doing so, he's not being consistent, and Paul calls him out on it!

  Paul makes a controversy because this matters -- it's not arguing over how many angels can fit on the head of a pin, but a massively important subject about how non-Jews will be included in the Christian church.  This is hugely important as the church grows.

  And so we need to follow Paul's example.  Let's get upset over things that matter -- how the church goes into the world or puts up obstacles for people to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  Let's not get upset over minor things, such as the color of the carpets.  May we recognize how the outside world sees us, and try to view ourselves through the lens of people who don't know the first thing about the church.  We often get blinded by being inside the church, we forget about the outside world. 

  If anything we're doing puts up obstacles, let's tear them down, and rejoice in grace radical enough to include us in the church!

Galatians 2:1-10

Galatians 2:1-10 

English Standard Version 

  How do you deal with people when you know you are right?  How do you approach people whom you know are wrong about something?  What's your approach with people striving to create conflict?  

  Hard questions to answer, especially in this day and age.  Paul had to deal with crafty opponents who would do anything to oppose him, sneaking in to meetings to try and catch him out.  They were certain he was wrong, but Paul didn't waver from the Gospel, sticking to it in confidence.  This was due to his confidence in who stood behind the Gospel -- it wasn't something he had come up with on his own, but rather he had received it from God.  Because of the source of the Gospel, Paul could be both gracious and certain.  Notice that James and John perceived the grace given to Paul, and then entered into fellowship with him.  

  All of this is centered around concern for the poor.  When you see people whose primary concern is themselves or their reputation, be wary.  When they are living for others, focused on the needy, then we can be more confident that their message is indeed rooted in the Gospel.  To believe and adhere to the Gospel is to live for others!