“A Message NOT of Man!!!” Galatians 1:11 & 12

This is a short lesson this week, partly because of my week and partly because I don’t want to get into the next few verses quite yet. Paul is still laying a foundation for the message of FREEDOM he is going to deliver strongly to these believers. So, it will get quite interesting in the coming weeks and months.

We’re just going to briefly look at some more spiritual food from verse 11 & 12 this week. Also, this would be a good week for you to back track over previous lessons and please ask questions and add comments.

Let’s look at verse 11: But I make known to you, brethren [Gk. Adelphos], that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man [man’s gospel]. v.12: For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul wants to make known, or as we might say today, “I want this to be crystal clear to you.”

Who do we see this verse was written to? Brethren!

This is Paul, a Jewish believer, calling these Gentile believers BRETHREN!!! To make this connection even more clear, the word for “brethren” in the Greek is adelphos, with the "A" meaning 'same' and "delph" meaning 'womb'. Paul referred to the Galatian believers as his brothers in Christ by this strong terminology. They both had the same heavenly Father (we are born again from above – John 3:3). WOW!!!

Then, Paul makes it clear that no man had any part in what he had learned and was speaking. This message was not something learned in educational schools, seminary, or any man-made institute. It came directly from the LORD Himself.

Paul ends verse 12 by saying the gospel message he was sharing with the Galatians came “through the revelation of Jesus Christ". Paul is saying he was not indebted to people for his knowledge of the gospel, but had derived it entirely from Jesus Christ.

No pushing around or accusing Paul when he was bringing this liberating truth direct from the Lord!

As we close, let me ask, are we being sucked into a MAN-MADE gospel today?

Sadly, I think so many are! And as I’ve said before, since the closing of the canon of the scriptures (66 books – Our Bible), there is no revelation that will EVER come from God that contradicts the Bible. Anyone can say, “Thus saith the Lord” and then say words that are “supposed” to be direct from heaven (and thus, don’t need to be tested by the Bible). HOGWASH!!! The very early church only had the Old Testament, and then over time what we call the New Testament. What a privilege that we don’t have to wonder what God is saying to us, it’s ALL in the Bible.

Next week we’ll get a little bit into Paul’s testimony as we pick up at verse 13.

Galatians "Men Pleaser or God Pleaser" Galatians 1:10-12

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In our last study Paul made it clear that you better not alter the message of Christ (to a works salvation) or you'll be cursed!!! Pretty serious stuff!



Now that brings us to Paul's next dealing with the people in this letter. Paul says in verse 10, ”For do I now persuade men [seeking the approval, obey], or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

Why would Paul now feel it necessary to say this?

It's believed that the false teachers (Judaizers) were questioning his Apostleship AND likely accusing Paul of acting like a Jew when among the Jews, but acting another way when around the Gentiles (i.e., Galatians). Paul makes it clear that he does not care about "pleasing men."

We see this problem also in Colossians 3:22-23 "...not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."

Personally, I don't like people getting upset with me, but I must be willing to say whatever God's word says even if those who are lost (unsaved) don't like it, they think the message of the cross to be foolishness! (see I Cor. 1:18)

We must stay true to the scriptures, which means we cannot please men and God. We can't be both!!! Remember the gospel message is NOT what a non-repentant sinner wants to hear. And it is clear here that Paul admits he was ONCE a man pleaser "...IF I still pleased men..." then he would NOT be a bondservant of Christ.

Verse 11: "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man."

Paul was not preaching a man’s gospel, but that which came directly from God. Today, many preach a man-centered gospel and draw 1000's. I say stick to the Bible (God's message) even if it means not being the most popular church in town, maybe being a lot smaller, too. God will reward your faithfulness to Him. It's not about numbers. Oh, that we would get that out of our heads! Praise God for us who have learned that big isn't necessarily better (often the opposite).

Example: I once had a friend visiting with me who wanted to go check out a mega-church (7,000 seat auditorium). On the way there he noticed he was wearing two different sneakers. He was somewhat embarrassed about it and was wondering if he should go to the service like that. I told him, "Brother, they will run us in there like cattle and run us out of there like cattle." No one noticed!!!

Verse 12: "For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Paul got his understanding of Jesus Christ and the gospel message directly from the Lord, and ended up being an instrument of the Holy Spirit to write approximately 1/3 of the New Testament. MAIN POINT: This was not man inspired, but God inspired!

NOTE: For almost 2000 years the canon of the scriptures is closed comprising 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. So don't go saying God spoke (revealed) something to you that is beyond the scriptures. He won't EVER reveal ANYTHING that goes against His Holy Scriptures (the Bible).

As we close, let me ask you, "Are you a men pleaser or a God pleaser?"

We must live to please an audience of ONE - Please the LORD!!!
That's all that matters.

We conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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Must read: The Need for Illumination by A.W. Tozer

This has nothing to do with our recent Galatians study (directly) but it was just too good to not share with you. This devotion for today (Feb. 4) and everyday by A.W. Tozer (who I love and respect).

Special Devotion: "The Need for Illumination"

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. - I Corinthians 2:14

The doctrine of the inability of the human mind and the need for divine illumination is so fully developed in the New Testament that it is nothing short of astonishing that we should have gone so far astray about the whole thing...everywhere among conservatives we find persons who are Bible-taught but not Spirit-taught. They conceived truth to be something that they can grasp with the mind. If a man holds to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, he is thought to possess divine truth. But it does not follow. There is no truth apart from the Spirit. The most brilliant intellect may be imbecilic when confronted with the mysteries of God. For a man to understand revealed truth requires an act of God equal to the original of act which inspired the text...

Conservative Christians in this day are stumbling over this truth. We need to reexamine the whole thing. We need to learn that truth consists not in correct doctrine but in correct doctrine plus the inward enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. We must declare again the mystery of wisdom from above. A re-preachment of this vital truth could result in a fresh breath from God upon a stale and suffocating orthodoxy. - By A. W. Tozer The Pursuit of Man, 76-77,84.

Galatians "Break FREE - Our ONLY standard for the Gospel Message" Galatians 1:8-9

Today's text:

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:8-9

My heart goal as we study Galatians is to help you see what was going on in Galatia and also compare their problem to our own.

As we read, ask:

A. Is my church taking away or adding to (going beyond) the Bible?

B. Am I a modern day Judaizer (salvation obtained by works, law, etc.), and not by Grace Alone?

C. Do any of these warnings relate to me?

1. We must utilize God’s standard for judging error – v. 8

8 But even if we [no matter who it is], or an angel from heaven [supposed].

Yeah, like what person is going to say, "I just had a demonic hellbound angelic visit" None! Deceivers always claim it came by "an angel from heaven." Like saying that gives this angelic visit any merit!!!

Examples of this can be seen in the Mormons - Moroni (angel), Todd Bentley's - Emma (angel), and others who have said they conversed with angels.

See warning in 2 Corinthians 11:14 & Col 2:18

preach [evangelize] any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you,

In their case, it was the Judaizers. In our case "any other" would mean anyone taking from or adding to the Bible, specifically, anything that makes salvation to include works or laws as a necessity for salvation.

let him be accursed.

Accursed (Greek = anathema) means to be eternally condemned, under God’s wrath/judgment.

If someone teaches another gospel (i.e., false gospel) that affects who Christ is or how one relates to him, or distorts grace by subtracting or adding any work, it becomes another Gospel. Such a person is worthy of only one thing, a curse from God (let him be accursed).

2. We must realize the serious consequences of corrupting the gospel – v. 9

9 As we have said before [likely points to an earlier visit to Galatia] , so now I say again , if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (eternally condemned, under God’s wrath/judgment – STRONGEST POSSIBLE WORDS).

We won't overly expound this verse, but to point out that Paul again emphasizes the curse coming to those teaching a False Gospel.

We conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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Galatians "Break FREE - No Other Gospel" Galatians 1:6-7

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6, 7

REMINDER: This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism), who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ, be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law. This erroneous teaching, Grace PLUS Work earns Salvation, is dealt with in this epistle.

As we go through Galatians, I will often refer to the Greek as that was the language the New Testament was originally written in, as there are things in the original language that we miss in plain English language.

PAUL’S SHOCK REGARDING THE DESERTION

V. 6 - I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him

who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.

Let's break down this verse:

Lesson One: We must recognize our own vulnerability to error.

It amazes me how many of us start out believing in Salvation through CHRIST ALONE BY GRACE ALONE, but then in time we get caught up in all these works to EARN or KEEP our salvation. I've been there! Have you?

v.6 I marvel (astonished, amazed, shocked) that you are turning away (deserting) so soon (quickly) from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different (heteros) gospel,

A. “I marvel (Gk. thaumazou) that YOU ARE turning away (Gk. metatithami) so soon (Gk. tacheos) …”


1. The Greek word for MARVEL is thaumazou - to be astounded or bewildered.

2. The Greek for TURNING AWAY is Metatithami - deserting - transfering allegiance.
The verb tense implies they were not there yet, but they were getting close.

3. The Greek word for SO SOON is tacheos - quickly - also means easily and readily.


Here, we see Paul is in shock. He's letting the Galatians know they are becoming spiritual deserters of Christ because when they turned away from the true gospel (to a works salvation), it was and always is a turning away from the Person of Jesus Christ.


B. "from Him who called you in (into) the grace of Christ, to a different (heteros) gospel"


God Himself had called them (Galatian believers) into what? The Grace of Christ.

In this situation the believers of Galatia were turning away from Christ and grace to a DIFFERENT (Gk. Heteros = Another of a different sort) Gospel (by Judaizers).

When God called me and you, it was by His GRACE (not of WORKS - See Eph. 2:8,9). He did that not for you and me to NOW be led away to a different gospel which is really NO Gospel at all.

Paul is like, what is wrong with you guys, look what God did for you by calling you into the grace of Christ, and now you're going to be swayed to a false gospel of works salvation. What's wrong with you?


REMEMBER: You take the Grace of Christ out of the message of the Gospel and you are no longer following THE GOSPEL (Good News).

PAUL’S WISDOM REGARDING THE DECEPTION

Verse 7 - "which is not another (Gk. Allos - Of the same sort);

but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ."

Lesson Two: We must protect ourselves from erroneous teachers.

This message of the Judiazers (a Salvation obtained through works) was not an alternative Gospel (which means Good News). It was totally not a Christian message AT ALL!

We have many "alternative churches" out there today that take away from the message of the cross. Their message has no understanding of GRACE, either erring to, you can do anything (license to sin) because you're saved, to the other extreme, you must do all these things (works) to be saved (legalism). These "alternative churches" preaching an alternative message are NOT CHURCHES AT ALL.

Three facts about this different gospel brought to the Galatians.

1. It is a false message and not even an alternative message.
Different/another (v.6) in Gk. heteros = another of a different sort, but this was no gospel at ALL! Another (here in verse 7 in Gk. Allos - Another of the same sort.

2. It will cause you to be troubled.
Trouble in Gk. Tarassou = to disturb mentally - to agitate and stir up. Figuratively, it connotes deep emotional disturbance and refers to an unsettled mind.


3. It is a perversion of the gospel of Christ.
Pervert in Gk. Metastrepho = to reverse, to change to the opposite of what is truth.


As we battle today with an alternative false gospel, so did they in the churches of Galatia. We're being troubled by this false gospel. Note: The flesh may like it, but in your heart you have an uneasiness - You are troubled.


Last point here is their goal (false teachers) is to share this perverted gospel and get you following that error instead of the TRUTH!

Obvious modern day examples of false teaching: Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons!

But what about those not so obvious groups?


You need to make sure they are preaching a message that fits these 5 areas:
1. Scripture Alone
2. Christ Alone
3. Grace Alone
4. Faith Alone
5.The Glory of God Alone


If they are altering from any of these 5 things (basis for Christianity), I would caution you to make sure you are not getting "another" (Gk. heteros - another of a different sort) gospel which is really no gospel at all.


To be honest, when I was saved (and many years after), I got into some of the "alternative gospel" beliefs, and THEN years later learned true Christianity is ALWAYS based on: Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and to the Glory of God Alone. I initially could not handle the fact that I had believed wrongly in so many ways that it troubled me, but NOT to the unsettling of my mind, but to want to believe unaltered truth. PTL!

If you are not familiar with the message of Christ as taught here in Galatians (and throughout the Bible), I ask you to listen and humbly learn. Once you understand the Gospel message, it will truly set you free and your walk with Christ will never be the same (so much better).

I would like to close with this quote:

"Note the resourcefulness of the devil. Heretics do not advertise their errors. Murderers, adulterers, and thieves disguise themselves. So the devil masquerades all his devices and activities. He puts on white to make himself look like an angel of light.”

We conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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A Study in Galatians “BREAK FREE” (Gal. 1:3-5)

3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according to the will [purpose and plan] of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

This week we will finish Paul’s formal greeting, then he jumps into the problem at hand.

If by any chance you have found these foundational lessons boring…

…Hold on, this is like a roller coaster ride when it starts and pulls you to the top, yeah you were cool until the ride started down and around - so this is the final accent :-)

REMINDER:
This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism), who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ and, be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law.

So let’s look at verses 3-5:
3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace have been called "the Siamese twins of the NT."

It is believed that one reason for beginning with this greeting was because grace was a traditional Greek greeting, whereas, peace was a traditional Jewish greeting.

Paul may have done this to break down the wall between Jew and Gentile, thus giving a greeting commonly used by both.

Some other thoughts on Grace and Peace.

The SOURCE of Salvation is grace & The NATURE of Salvation is Peace. (Nothing we can do to EARN IT – Nothing we can do to ADD to it!!!)

Another thought on this is that grace always comes first resulting in peace.
Without grace there is and can be no peace, but when grace is ours, peace
must of necessity follow.” If you are in a graceless Christianity expect a peaceless existence.

This peace comes from God the Father and OUR Lord Jesus Christ.

Real peace doesn’t come from just believing in “a god” but in our heavenly Father AND, don’t miss that AND!!! “… AND our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We cannot get to God but through Jesus Christ. There are NOT many paths (religions) all leading to the same God or place. Distinctly, the ONLY WAY to the Father is BY JESUS CHRIST (See John 14:6).

Next Verse 4:
4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver [Gk. rescued] us from this present evil world (age), according to the will [and purpose and plan] of God and our Father:

This is the gospel message that Jesus GAVE HIMSELF for OUR sins.

It leaves no room for boasting, but once we recognize the significance that Jesus GAVE HIMSELF for OUR SINS, it is then that, convicting truth becomes a reality to us, and we repent and receive the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then, Paul goes on and says we (believers) are DELIVERED [Greek = rescued us] from this PRESENT EVIL WORLD.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins. Col 1:13,14

We are no longer of this world, we have been delivered from all that is of this world (age).

I’m FREE!!!

This deliverance just expounded is according to the WILL of God. It was God’s plan and purpose that upon becoming believers, we are delivered from this world (that includes a works mentality, in this case from Judaizers).

Verse 5:

5To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

That is a crucial point. Because any teaching that adds to or subtracts from the work of Christ – doesn’t glorify God but glorifies man.

You see if Salvation can be earned – PRAISE BE TO ME!
We hear people say, “I changed my life / I cleaned up my act – I followed the plan – I made it / I did it!!!!” ME ME ME - Praise be to me! WRONG!!!

But when I understand that I was hopelessly lost – Doomed/damned not a chance in the world of changing my status before a holy God, then ALL GLORY goes to God alone.

This is what it is all about! Giving God GLORY forever and ever.

It’s not about me (you) it’s about HIM!

AMEN!

So we conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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A Study in Galatians “BREAK FREE” (Gal. 1:1, 2)

1Paul, an apostle, (not of [from] men, neither by [through] man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches (plural) of Galatia:

As I start, I ask you to remember this: Christian freedom is the liberty to become all that you can in Jesus Christ; it is not the license to do whatever you please.

This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism) who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ and be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law.
This is a salvation by grace plus Jewish customs/beliefs to be a Christian when, in truth, salvation is by grace and faith plus nothing!

Important Note: Let us dig in (6 chapters to go) before you worry about a loose salvation in which you say a simple prayer and then you can live any ole way you want. That is NOT the message of Galatians.

These Judaizers came in and were discrediting what Paul had just told the churches of Galatia as to what was required of salvation. Like many new believers, they were eager to do right to prove their faithfulness. So, when they were taught these things by the “traveling teachers” (Judaizers)…“Well, ok then, if that’s what we need to do, then we’ll do it.”

First question: Why do so many EVEN today want to serve a God with a bunch of rules and get offended at a salvation of true Grace and true Faith plus NOTHING? Could it be we want to EARN our salvation!!!

Thus, we finally come to verse 1: Paul, an apostle, (not of [from] men, neither by [through] man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul right off from the start lets them know he is an “APOSTLE.”

Paul always began his epistles in one of two ways:

1) To the Romans and the Philippians, to Titus and Philemon, he introduced himself as a servant, or prisoner of Christ.

2) To the Corinthians and the Ephesians, to the Colossians and the Galatians, he presented himself as an apostle.

Why? Because to those who embraced and welcomed his ministry, he was a SERVANT, but to those who challenged his authority he was an Apostle.

The basic meaning of the word Apostle means one who is sent out on a mission.

A) Jesus Chose 12 Apostles - Mission to Change the World !
B) The first 12 apostles who were sent out by Jesus seemed to have a unique place in the history of the church! God's plan!
C) They were used by the Lord in the birthing of His Church and in the putting together of God's Word! ( Inspired!)

Then, he clarifies his calling is NOT of MAN or NOT by MAN.

Paul was later added to this unique group of original apostles – but as he mentions here in
v.1 – He was added not by men – but by the Lord.
Paul was not commissioned by a church, or a denomination, or a theological institution… but by the risen Lord Himself.

And ends this verse with “by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead”. This makes it clear what “Jesus” we are talking about. It’s the one who came from the Heavenly Father and was RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

There is nothing wrong with institutions per se, but if you are called because of any man-made reason, you are deceived. First and foremost your call has to come from God (then, it is often confirmed by spiritual leaders).

Verse 2: And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches (plural) of Galatia.

“all the brethren which are with me” Paul didn’t come alone to deal with this problem. He was not alone on this doctrinal issue.

"unto the churches (plural) of Galatia". As we said in our introduction last week, this letter was to more than one church. The churches of Galatia were made up of likely 4 churches (Acts 13 & 14) - Iconium, Antioch, Lystra, Derbe.

Let’s close today with a story:

Sitting on top of the United States capitol building is a 20-foot statue known as the “Freedom Lady.” She was sculpted by Italian artists in the city of Rome and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to her perch in Washington, D.C.

During the delivery, the ship carrying the statue encountered a fierce storm.
Howling winds and huge waves threatened to capsize the ship. Its skipper ordered the cargo thrown overboard.

But when the men went to toss the Freedom Lady overboard, the captain shouted, “No, never! We’ll flounder before we throw “Freedom” away.” This is the message of Galatians… Never throw away your freedom.

For more history on Freedom Lady go to: http://ladyfreedom.net/history.html quite interesting!

So we conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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