WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.020 Please be seated. 00:00:03.379 --> 00:00:09.140 Let's turn to our text, which is the very last two verses of Galatians chapter 1, 00:00:09.140 --> 00:00:12.599 where Paul is sharing something of his story. 00:00:13.679 --> 00:00:14.759 And he says this, 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:17.080 They only heard the report. 00:00:17.699 --> 00:00:24.580 The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. 00:00:25.240 --> 00:00:28.620 And they praised God because of me. 00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:42.280 Now this shows to us the value that we see in the Bible that God places on personal stories, histories, biographies, or in this case, autobiographies. 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:44.160 You see, we each have a story. 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:46.780 And each of those stories is significant. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:47.460 It matters. 00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:54.359 And on the pages of Scripture, we read of the stories of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:56.820 We read of Joseph in the Old Testament. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:00:58.560 We read of David and Solomon. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:00.219 You fill out the list. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:06.439 And if we were looking for a biography of Paul, you would naturally go to the book of Acts, 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:13.299 where we are introduced to Saul of Tarsus, Damascus Road, Paul's preaching, missionary journeys, etc. 00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:25.899 But throughout the letters of Paul are little nuggets of autobiography, where he tells us something of his story to point us to a bigger story. 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:35.039 Now, the danger, of course, is that when we tell stories about ourselves, we tend to place ourselves at the center of those stories. 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:41.400 I'm reminded of a famous series of books, a multi-volume set. 00:01:42.100 --> 00:01:46.660 Winston Churchill, in between the two wars, had a gap in his political career. 00:01:46.960 --> 00:01:49.500 And so he set his mind to writing. 00:01:49.600 --> 00:01:54.040 And he wrote this multi-volume history of the First World War called The World Crisis. 00:01:54.860 --> 00:01:59.120 One of his contemporary politicians, Balfour, once commented. 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:04.640 And he said, Winston has written four volumes about himself and called it World Crisis. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:10.180 Now, that's the history or the autobiography that is often written by people. 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:12.680 They are at the center of their story. 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:20.040 Whereas in the Bible, when we have autobiography, we have God at the center of that person's story. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:29.500 So Paul is telling us something about himself, but he's telling us something about himself to point us to God, to Jesus, and to the gospel. 00:02:30.799 --> 00:02:33.479 You may be familiar with the name Jonathan Edwards. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:39.959 Jonathan Edwards, not the triple jumper at the Olympics, but Jonathan Edwards, the American theologian philosopher. 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:45.399 He was probably the greatest theologian produced in North America. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:52.540 But his most popular work, his most published work, was not a book of theology, though he had many. 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:56.300 But his most popular work was an autobiography. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:03:01.560 Not of himself, but he published The Life and Journal of David Brainerd. 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:10.800 Now, this journal, this missionary autobiography, is literally a who's who of the modern missionary movement. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:15.600 Because so many people read this book and found themselves going somewhere. 00:03:16.320 --> 00:03:19.480 Such was the nature of this biography, autobiography. 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:22.939 For example, William Carey went to India. 00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:26.040 Henry Martin went to Persia and to Turkey. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:28.040 Robert Morrison went to China. 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:29.660 Adoniram Judson, Burma. 00:03:30.040 --> 00:03:35.080 Robert Murray, McChain, Dundee, then to the Holy Land. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:36.840 David Livingston, Africa. 00:03:37.020 --> 00:03:38.100 Jim Elliott, Ecuador. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:42.079 All of these people read Edwards' Life of Brainerd. 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:47.819 They read this book and they wanted to bring this gospel message to the ends of the earth. 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:56.579 John Piper, in commenting on this book, said that the value of this book in terms of the world missionary movement is incalculable. 00:03:57.519 --> 00:04:01.900 But that's by way of introduction because when Edwards was introducing this book, 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:03.799 it wasn't written by him, but he wrote the introduction. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:05.340 He said this. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:12.200 He said there are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world. 00:04:12.880 --> 00:04:15.219 The one, by doctrine and precept. 00:04:15.980 --> 00:04:17.980 The other, by instance and example. 00:04:18.960 --> 00:04:22.300 Both are abundantly used in the Holy Scriptures. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:24.980 So, doctrine and precept. 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:28.520 You look at Galatians chapter 1, verse 3, for example. 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.120 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:36.840 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:41.780 according to the will of God our Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:42.120 Amen. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.300 We think of the Apostle Paul, doctrine and precept. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:47.000 He's telling us about God. 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:48.500 He's telling us about Jesus. 00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:50.639 He's telling us about the Christian life. 00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:57.319 But he also readily gives us examples of instance or examples from his own story. 00:04:57.860 --> 00:04:59.639 He said, I used to be a persecutor. 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:01.379 I now became a preacher. 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:05.199 And people praised God because of me. 00:05:05.919 --> 00:05:10.319 So, as you read the Bible, read it with that lens in place. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:15.539 Because you'll see constantly examples of doctrine and precept. 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:18.000 And instance and example. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.479 That's why so much of the Bible is history. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:24.899 That's why we have such a big chunk of the Bible looking at the life of David. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:26.659 Or looking at the life of Joseph. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:28.719 Or looking at the story of Abraham. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:33.120 Because in these accounts we see God's truth revealed. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:35.740 Sometimes we see it revealed positively. 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:38.879 When men and women in the past honor God. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:40.779 Sometimes we see it negatively. 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:42.199 When they disobey God. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:45.519 And see the consequences of that disobedience. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:51.519 But God shows himself in the life stories on the pages of the Bible. 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:56.240 But God also shows himself in the life stories of his people. 00:05:56.620 --> 00:05:58.439 Past and present. 00:05:59.299 --> 00:06:00.919 So, you and I each have a story. 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:01.839 We have a testimony. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:06.979 And many of us will have had the privilege and opportunity of sharing that testimony. 00:06:06.979 --> 00:06:08.659 Maybe one-to-one. 00:06:08.799 --> 00:06:11.159 Somebody asks you, how did you become a Christian? 00:06:11.679 --> 00:06:14.159 Maybe you've had the opportunity in a small gathering. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.159 Maybe in a Bible study or a home group. 00:06:16.419 --> 00:06:17.879 Or maybe in a larger setting. 00:06:17.979 --> 00:06:19.779 Maybe in a service at church. 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:23.239 Or, you know, a fellowship evening where you can share that story. 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:25.620 And stories are powerful. 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:31.699 Because stories testify to the reality of God in the lives of people. 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:39.199 Now, this text, verse 23 from Galatians 1, has stuck in my mind over the years. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:41.180 Because I was down in London. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:43.460 And in London, if you get a chance. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:45.079 I mean, there's so much to see down in London. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:47.480 But if you're in the city of London, right in the center. 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:50.720 You can go to St. Mary's Woolnuth Church. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:56.160 If you happen to be worshiping at the Free Church, which is very close to the Museum of London. 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:59.740 Just a couple hundred yards is St. Mary's Woolnuth. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.360 And that was the church where John Newton was the minister. 00:07:04.140 --> 00:07:06.160 And John Newton wrote his own epitaph. 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:09.320 Most times, an epitaph is written by someone else. 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:11.600 But he wrote his own epitaph. 00:07:11.640 --> 00:07:12.500 And he put it this way. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:14.980 He described himself in these terms. 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:16.360 John Newton, Clark. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:18.820 Once an infidel and libertine. 00:07:18.820 --> 00:07:20.360 An infidel means an unbeliever. 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:23.500 A libertine means a person who lived however they wished. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:25.639 A servant of slaves in Africa. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.759 Was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:32.400 Preserved, restored, pardoned. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:36.819 And appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy. 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:40.960 So he's not exactly quoting Galatians 1, 23 and 24. 00:07:41.080 --> 00:07:41.840 But that's the reference. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:46.080 He says what Paul's testimony was 2,000 years ago. 00:07:46.220 --> 00:07:47.500 Was his testimony. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:52.980 And we see the way in which God works in people's lives. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.720 Through people's lives. 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:57.160 For the benefit of others. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:07:58.959 And with you this evening. 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:02.300 I'd like to just highlight a few aspects of Galatians 1. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:06.160 Where Paul is establishing principles. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.199 Precepts. 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:07.939 Doctrines. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:13.219 And where Paul is using instance and example from his own story. 00:08:13.219 --> 00:08:15.259 To highlight and to underscore. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.240 That the gospel. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:18.800 Nothing less. 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:20.220 Nothing more. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:21.699 Nothing else. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:23.600 Is the message. 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.199 That we preach. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:27.199 Is the message that we believe. 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:28.720 Is the message that we share. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:32.299 We have nothing else to offer this world. 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.759 And as you see. 00:08:33.959 --> 00:08:35.519 There are at least four occasions. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:37.699 Where Paul is identifying. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:39.299 Or contrasting. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:41.379 Man and God. 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:44.240 Sometimes the contrast is explicit. 00:08:44.459 --> 00:08:46.279 Where both man and God are mentioned. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:48.620 Other times just alluded to. 00:08:49.339 --> 00:08:51.419 So first we begin in verse 1. 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:54.019 And Paul is establishing his credentials. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:56.319 And he says that he's an apostle. 00:08:56.839 --> 00:08:58.879 That means he's someone who's been sent. 00:08:59.359 --> 00:09:00.719 Someone who's been commissioned. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:01.940 But he says look. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:04.519 I want you to know that I'm not sent by a man. 00:09:05.160 --> 00:09:06.420 I'm sent by Jesus. 00:09:07.160 --> 00:09:08.620 I'm sent by God the Father. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:11.220 I'm sent by God. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:12.320 Not by man. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:16.000 So his credentials do not rest on himself. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:19.139 In verse 10 he says. 00:09:19.660 --> 00:09:21.500 He talks about his goal. 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:23.160 Verse 10 he says. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:26.460 Am I now trying to win the approval of men. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.860 Or of God. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.180 Okay what's my desire here. 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:32.839 Do I want to be celebrated by people. 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:35.059 Well if I want to be celebrated by people. 00:09:35.199 --> 00:09:37.379 The last thing he would do would be a Christian. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.019 Would be a servant of Jesus. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:39.419 He said. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.239 Or am I trying to please men. 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.459 If I was still trying to please men. 00:09:43.819 --> 00:09:46.219 I would not be a servant of Christ. 00:09:46.979 --> 00:09:47.919 So his credentials. 00:09:48.719 --> 00:09:49.519 His goal. 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:51.299 And then in verse 11. 00:09:51.479 --> 00:09:52.359 His message. 00:09:53.079 --> 00:09:54.319 I want you to know brothers. 00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:55.959 That the gospel I preached. 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.740 Is not something that man made up. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:00.840 Nothing could be truer. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.740 You see if the gospel was man made. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:06.120 We would be at the center of the gospel. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:08.220 We would have something to offer. 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.220 Within the gospel. 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.919 We would have some part to play. 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.399 Some share. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:13.399 Some stake. 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:15.899 But the gospel is from God. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.159 Is about God. 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:20.560 Is nothing to do with us. 00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:22.720 Except that it benefits us. 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:24.160 We offer nothing. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.080 We contribute nothing. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:26.019 We add nothing. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.100 I did not receive it from any man. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:30.460 Nor was I taught it. 00:10:30.920 --> 00:10:33.060 Rather I received it by revelation. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.899 From Jesus Christ. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:39.320 That's the story. 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:41.259 That's the message. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.060 That's what Paul has come to proclaim. 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:47.120 His credentials are not based on any man. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:51.000 His goal is not to be approved by people. 00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:54.879 And the message that he preaches is not made up. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.620 Not made up by him. 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:58.399 Not made up by anybody else. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.120 But comes from God. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:04.860 And Paul demonstrates that this message is authentic. 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:07.019 First in its origin. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:11.820 The origin of this message was from God himself. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:13.259 Directly from Jesus. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:17.860 Paul testifies as to how he received this message. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.899 He said this is what I used to be. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:22.100 I used to be a religious person. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:27.419 And you see man made religion can make us self righteous. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:31.419 Only God's gospel can make us righteous. 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:35.679 Remember this morning that Job was asking how can a person. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:38.519 How can a mortal being be right with God. 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:41.299 The answer is Job you can't. 00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:43.740 Only God can make you right. 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:45.459 There's nothing we can do. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:46.539 Or not do. 00:11:46.959 --> 00:11:47.859 Nothing we can add. 00:11:47.979 --> 00:11:50.219 Nothing we can subtract or delete. 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:53.099 Only God can do this. 00:11:53.859 --> 00:11:55.299 And notice that Paul again. 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:58.679 When he's telling us about his story. 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:00.439 He says in verse 15. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:02.559 But when God who set me apart from birth. 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:04.139 And called me by his grace. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:07.620 Was pleased to reveal his son in me. 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:10.620 So that I might preach him among the Gentiles. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:13.460 I did not consult any man. 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:15.779 That's the fourth contrast. 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:18.259 He didn't consult anyone. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:22.139 There was no higher authority to consult than Jesus Christ. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:24.539 Who he met personally on the road to Damascus. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.379 So in each of these four incidents. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:28.940 Instances. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.539 Paul is saying. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:33.480 That his credentials are not man made. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.340 That his goal is not man focused. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:39.840 That his message is not created by people. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:44.740 Nor did he receive some seal of approval. 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:46.840 Some authority from any man. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:47.899 No. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:50.080 Everything about Paul. 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:52.740 And everything about Paul's message is from God. 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:54.300 And to us. 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:57.519 But this is the interesting thing. 00:12:58.079 --> 00:13:00.319 Because what Paul then goes on to say. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:03.659 Is not only is the source of his message God. 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:07.539 Not only did he receive this by revelation from Jesus Christ. 00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:10.719 By sharing a little bit of his story. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:14.599 He tells us something remarkable about this gospel message. 00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:16.699 A few years ago. 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:19.319 When we actually could gather in large groups. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:22.960 Just across from the ETS. 00:13:23.140 --> 00:13:24.379 One lunch time. 00:13:24.900 --> 00:13:27.400 Tim Keller was speaking to a group of church leaders. 00:13:27.640 --> 00:13:29.180 And a group of us were able to go. 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:31.620 And to listen to what he had to say. 00:13:32.260 --> 00:13:34.020 And one of the many things that he pointed out. 00:13:34.140 --> 00:13:38.280 He said that when his father and he were growing up. 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:42.300 The main question that people had regarding the Bible. 00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:44.000 Was is it true? 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:46.500 You know the era of Francis Schaeffer. 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:48.960 And the apologetics of that era. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:51.820 Was here's the reliability of scripture. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:54.240 Here's the authenticity of the documents. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:56.160 Here's the multiplicity of witnesses. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:59.060 Here's some of the archaeological data. 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.879 So is this true? 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.080 He said by contrast. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.759 So he was talking about himself and his father. 00:14:05.180 --> 00:14:06.480 He said by contrast. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:09.560 The generation of my grandchildren is much different. 00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:13.540 They're not so much asking the is it true question. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:16.540 They're asking the does it work question. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:20.759 So Paul not only says I got this message from Jesus firsthand. 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:23.579 But let me tell you what this message does. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:27.740 That this message and this message alone transforms lives. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:30.399 He says let me tell you what I was like. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:33.639 He then describes his religious identity. 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.579 Verse 13. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:37.019 Way of life in Judaism. 00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:40.779 I intensely persecuted the church and tried to destroy it. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:45.079 And he testifies that this is what he was like. 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:48.279 He meets Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:49.039 He's commissioned. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:53.259 He is commissioned to be the apostle to the Gentiles. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:57.679 And the persecutor becomes the preacher. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:04.199 So you see this message and this message alone is authoritative because of what it is. 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:06.120 It's all about God. 00:15:06.439 --> 00:15:09.099 It's authoritative because of where it comes from. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:10.839 It comes from God and not from us. 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:14.179 But this message is transformative and powerful. 00:15:14.739 --> 00:15:19.099 And it can take the persecutor and make him a preacher. 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:22.740 It can take John Newton, that great blasphemer. 00:15:23.099 --> 00:15:26.459 He described himself as a libertine and an infidel. 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:30.720 Even at one point he was literally a servant of slaves. 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:32.379 He was a slave captain at one point. 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:38.100 But his life was so debauched that he found himself essentially a slave of slaves. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:45.460 And he became a preacher of the gospel that he himself once tried to destroy. 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:51.759 Paul is saying to the Galatians no other message can compare. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:54.360 You can't improve this message. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:56.980 You can't add to this message. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.720 You can't somehow make this better. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.840 First of all it's genuine. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:04.500 But second of all it works. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.039 And I'm sure we can testify. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:12.539 Each one of us here tonight and each one online who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:17.960 That the gospel of Jesus Christ does what it says it's come to do. 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:20.900 Paul says in verse 3, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:29.639 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age. 00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:31.300 We are rescued. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.259 We are redeemed. 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:34.500 Our sins have been dealt with. 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:46.180 Our alienation, our estrangement has been transformed to being united, reconciled, adopted into this magnificent family. 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:54.539 The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.379 And notice in verse 24, 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:59.639 And they praised God because of me. 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:08.460 You see, if the testimony was about Paul, if Paul was the hero of this story, Paul would get the praise. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.200 Paul would get the glory. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.619 Paul would get the laurels. 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:18.019 But no, Paul is telling his story in such a way that all the credit goes to God. 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.980 The gospel is from God. 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:21.799 The gospel is about God. 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:25.279 And all the credit and all the praise goes to God. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:30.240 One of the books that we use in ETS is written by Michael Horton. 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:32.339 It's a big, thick book. 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:35.500 You can easily keep any door open with this book. 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.980 It's two, three inches thick. 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:39.000 It's called The Christian Faith. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:45.359 And in the beginning of that book, Horton sets out four D's, four words that begin with D, 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:52.240 that are very helpful in understanding what we believe and what it means or what it ought to mean to us. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:55.099 He said the first D is the word drama. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.900 This Bible is a story, a big story. 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.720 It begins with creation. 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.880 It ends with recreation. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.839 There's a problem. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.120 We call that the fall. 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.079 And there's a solution. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.160 We call that redemption. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.579 But it's a big story. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.920 And it takes us to the Middle East. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.099 It takes us to Africa. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:14.359 It takes us throughout the Mediterranean Basin. 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:26.919 It takes us along the journey from people like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to Saul, David, and Solomon into the New Testament era, Peter and Paul and Philip, etc. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.199 But a big story. 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.819 It's a drama. 00:18:29.639 --> 00:18:34.339 But as you read the book, you understand a bit of the story, the first D drama. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:36.779 The second D, he said, is doctrine. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:42.119 Because from this story, we draw the great truths of the Christian faith. 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:44.740 Who God is, what God is like. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.799 Who we are, what we're like. 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:49.699 Who Jesus is, and what Jesus has come to do. 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:58.959 So the big story tells us what the truths are concerning our God, concerning his son, and concerning his gospel. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:01.180 But that's not enough. 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:05.880 He said, because Christian theology goes more than that. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:09.039 It goes deeper than that, he says, because there's a third D. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:13.019 And that third D is doxology, or praise. 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:22.860 Because if we understand the big story, and if we understand the truths that the big story teaches, the natural reaction must be praise. 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.559 We praise God. 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.880 We thank God. 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:29.840 We recognize what God has done, and we give him the glory. 00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:31.420 We give him the honor. 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:33.980 We give him the credit. 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:38.280 You see, it's possible to study the Christian faith. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:43.640 It's possible to study Christianity as one of many world religions. 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:47.520 And you can understand the big picture story of the Bible. 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:50.940 You can understand the doctrines of the Christian faith. 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:59.180 But unless you yourself are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will never move from the doctrine to the doxology. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:01.480 You'll never move from the truth to the praise. 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:07.900 And you see, what Paul is saying here is, I'm going to testify to what God has done for me. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:16.140 And I'm going to tell you that the people who heard this testimony, the only conclusion they could draw was God was at work here. 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:18.740 No other explanation makes sense. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:27.700 You go to Amazon or any other internet provider, and you can find hundreds of thousands of self-help books. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:33.120 And any particular bad habit that you have, you can be given help to stop. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:36.559 If you smoke, you can be given advice how not to smoke. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:39.059 If you eat too little or eat too much, whatever it might be. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:42.799 The Bible is not in the self-help section. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:46.019 Because we can't help ourselves. 00:20:46.919 --> 00:20:50.779 The Apostle Paul did not realize that he was making a mistake. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.839 And he somehow said, you know what? 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:56.259 It seems like this new Christian religion actually is right after all. 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:56.599 No. 00:20:56.599 --> 00:21:09.139 It was only through a supernatural encounter with the risen living Lord Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul's life was powerfully and obviously changed. 00:21:10.679 --> 00:21:12.719 They praised God because of me. 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:14.319 Now, I mentioned that there were four Ds. 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:20.779 Just to finish the fourth D, you go from praise, doxology, you then go to discipleship. 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:24.500 Where we actually follow this man, Jesus. 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:26.319 He's the teacher, we're the pupil. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.279 He's the leader, we're the follower. 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:31.180 He's the master, we're the servants. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:38.619 Paul, an apostle sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.440 Paul had a new master. 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:42.240 Paul had a new message. 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.799 Paul had a new goal. 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:45.019 Paul had a new desire. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.740 And so do we. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:53.220 Because when we become disciples of Jesus Christ, he sets the scene. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:57.880 He leads, he guides, and he directs. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:03.319 I mentioned that epitaph of John Newton earlier, what he said about himself. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:07.279 But there was a second epitaph that was written about John Newton. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:10.900 When he died, he was very old. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.599 He was 82. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:15.660 He was infirm in body and in mind. 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:19.180 And he preached until literally weeks before his death. 00:22:19.300 --> 00:22:26.360 And he was so infirm that when he went into the pulpit, an assistant went in with him, with a manuscript. 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:31.220 And the assistant would read a line and John Newton might speak. 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:34.519 And Newton would point and the assistant would read again. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:38.980 And at one point they said, Mr. Newton, you're too old. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.640 You're too frail. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:43.259 Your mind isn't what it used to be. 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:46.299 And he said, oh yes, that's very true. 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:48.619 But I do remember two things. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:51.559 I remember that John Newton is a great sinner. 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:55.079 And I remember that Jesus Christ is a great savior. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:59.859 And when John Newton did die, there was a short paragraph that was written in the Times. 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.759 And it said this. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:28.379 Both epitaphs were true. 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:31.400 John Newton was focusing on what he was. 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:34.220 And what by the grace of God he had become. 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:39.960 Whereas those who were observing, all they could see was the testimony of a changed life. 00:23:40.540 --> 00:23:43.300 And what a powerful testimony that is. 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:52.000 Paul's credentials, Paul's goals, Paul's message, rests upon the reality of his changed life. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:55.339 So he's testifying to the grace of God. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:58.599 And he's demonstrating the grace of God in his life. 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:09.839 And maybe the challenge and the opportunity for us is in this world which seems to be characterized by skepticism or contempt or dismissal. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:23.019 That maybe the challenge and the opportunity for you and me is to testify with word and to testify indeed about the power of the gospel to change human hearts. 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:25.299 To transform human lives. 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:27.659 The apostle Paul said it was obvious. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.159 I was a persecutor. 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.000 I became a preacher. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:37.160 And that obvious change produced within the audience a remarkable praise to God. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:42.259 John Newton, he wrote his autobiography which itself was a bestseller. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:47.359 People were fascinated by the blasphemer who became the preacher. 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:50.799 Now our stories are not the stories of the apostle Paul. 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.859 They're the stories of John Newton. 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.440 But your story is your story. 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:57.360 And God is speaking to us. 00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.900 But I believe that God wants to speak through us. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:03.960 So many people today are not going to come to church. 00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:05.080 They're not going to read the Bible. 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.420 But I tell you what, they're listening. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.740 And they're looking. 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.100 And they're observing. 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.320 And they're drawing conclusions. 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:15.299 It was impossible to meet Saul of Tarsus one moment. 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:17.620 And then several years later to meet the apostle Paul. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:21.400 And to conclude something remarkable has happened here. 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:25.640 Something God, only God could make this change. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:29.320 Only God could transform such a person. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:34.440 And maybe we need to consider ways of sharing our story. 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:36.980 Of testifying to the grace of God. 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.160 In my life. 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.220 In your life. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.660 What he has done. 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.300 What he means to us. 00:25:42.780 --> 00:25:46.300 And that we might be able to testify to his grace. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:49.800 And that people might hear what we have to say. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.639 And by the grace of God. 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:53.879 They too might come to praise God. 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:57.859 For what he has done in the lives of his people. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.980 His unblemished life. 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.839 His amiable character. 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:05.559 Both as a man and as a minister. 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:10.480 And his able writings are too well known to need any comment. 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:13.440 We simply see him for what he is. 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.519 Could that be our testimony? 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:17.639 Could that be our epitaph? 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:26.040 That our life and our work and our witness are so obvious that they need no further comment. 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.780 Let us pray. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:31.500 Father, we thank you for this message. 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:36.860 Indeed, the Bible, this chapter itself, full of precept. 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.780 Full of doctrine. 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:40.060 Full of truth concerning your son. 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.940 His work. 00:26:41.040 --> 00:26:41.460 His life. 00:26:41.540 --> 00:26:42.060 His death. 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:48.039 And yet so rich in instance and example where we see the life of the Apostle Paul. 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:50.379 He tells us how he met Jesus. 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:54.079 He tells of his credentials as an apostle of Jesus. 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:59.579 And he shows the power of the gospel to change human lives. 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:02.599 Lord, I pray that each one of us gathered together. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.740 Each one of us gathered online. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:07.000 That we would be able to testify. 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:10.740 That we too have met with the risen, living Lord Jesus. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:13.059 Not on the road to Damascus. 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.839 But in our own lives. 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.119 In our own situations. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.380 In our own circumstances. 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.160 Sometimes dramatically. 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.759 Sometimes gradually. 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.680 Sometimes in young age. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.960 Sometimes in middle age or old age. 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.759 Whatever our circumstances. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.980 Whatever our story. 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.259 Help us. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.640 In turn. 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.460 To tell. 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.259 To testify. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:36.460 Of your grace in our lives. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:39.460 And to point people to the one alone who can change. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:44.500 We thank you that the gospel indeed is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:49.579 That the gospel says and the gospel does what it claims to do. 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.980 It claims to change human hearts. 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.660 And it does. 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:55.860 It claims to change human destinies. 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.559 And it does. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:28:00.799 It claims to change men and women and boys and girls for the better. 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.919 And it does. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:06.399 Lord we pray that we would indeed understand the big story. 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:06.940 The drama. 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:11.279 That we would understand indeed the key doctrines and truths of your word. 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:13.519 And that in turn we would praise you. 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:16.599 And we would give you the glory and honor that belong to you. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.960 And in response. 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:22.799 That we would devote the rest of our lives to being the disciples of Jesus. 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.759 Those that study him. 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.839 Those that speak much of him. 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:31.160 And those that seek by his grace to commend him in word and in deed. 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.119 Bless us. 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.859 Keep us we pray. 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.000 Do us good we ask. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.900 And all for the Savior's sake. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:36.839 Amen. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:41.059 Our final item of praise tonight. 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:43.960 We're going to sing forever Jesus. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.559 Kellen will lead us in singing. 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:49.500 And let's stand together to sing to God's praise. 00:28:49.500 --> 00:29:06.160 My hymn of praise shall be forever Jesus. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:09.160 His love has held me fast. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:13.180 My firm foundation in shifting sands. 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:20.360 My strength and hope through many fears and failures. 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:26.940 The disappointments of the past. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:34.300 His constant love has held me fast. 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:47.200 So for all my days I will sing my praise to the King. 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:50.919 Forever Jesus. 00:29:51.919 --> 00:29:55.619 Though the storms may rage. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:59.039 He is strong to save. 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:05.399 He's the King forever Jesus. 00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:16.680 My song of joy shall be forever Jesus. 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:20.500 Who bore the suffering. 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:23.380 Who made a way. 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:26.660 His life a gift. 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:30.279 His death a precious ransom. 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:36.519 That wipes the sinner's guilt away. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:43.560 And turns our night to glorious day. 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:47.559 He is the King forever Jesus. 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:56.659 So for all my days I will sing my praise to the King. 00:30:56.960 --> 00:31:00.319 Forever Jesus. 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:04.559 Though the storms may rage. 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:08.119 He is strong to save. 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:14.240 He's the King forever Jesus. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:34.680 My final breath shall be forever Jesus. 00:31:34.680 --> 00:31:41.680 When shadows lengthen before my eyes. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:44.680 My Lord and friend. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:48.240 Companion through the valley. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:54.560 When dearest ones are left behind. 00:31:54.560 --> 00:32:01.320 His hand will lead me to the light. 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:05.319 So for all my days. 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:10.819 I will sing my praise to the King. 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:14.460 Forever Jesus. 00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:18.319 Though the storms may rage. 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:21.319 He is strong to save. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:28.200 He's the King forever Jesus. 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:31.799 When I meet His gaze. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:36.819 I will sing my praise to the King. 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.400 Forever Jesus. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:44.799 All my sorrows past. 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:48.019 I am home at last. 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:54.059 With my King forever Jesus. 00:32:54.059 --> 00:33:00.339 With my King forever Jesus. 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:08.059 With my King forever Jesus. 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:17.799 Our benediction comes from the final words of Romans chapter 16. 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:21.759 Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel. 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:24.619 And the proclamation of Jesus Christ. 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:29.019 According to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past. 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:32.440 But now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings. 00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:35.000 By the command of the eternal God. 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:38.339 So that all nations might believe and obey Him. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:42.619 To the only wise God be glory forever. 00:33:43.159 --> 00:33:44.599 Through Jesus Christ. 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:45.700 Amen. 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:48.360 For he is no one thing or may you call inos let me pray. 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.080 Amen. 00:33:49.080 --> 00:33:51.059 Amen. 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.120 Amen. 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:51.620 Amen. 00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:51.980 Amen. 00:33:52.580 --> 00:33:52.680 Amen. 00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:53.180 Amen. 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:56.100 Amen. 00:33:58.840 --> 00:34:00.120 Amen. 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:04.840 Amen. 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.380 Amen.