WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.860 Well, good morning once again to you. 00:00:02.520 --> 00:00:07.360 It was interesting this morning as I was driving up to church 00:00:07.360 --> 00:00:10.500 and I had Hope 103.2 on. 00:00:11.019 --> 00:00:14.560 Simon Manchester today is preaching on Galatians, 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:18.000 which was somewhat intimidating, I have to say. 00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:20.140 But it was Galatians chapter 3. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:25.120 And he has done a couple of other sermons in previous weeks. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:28.600 So if you want to hear some more on Galatians, 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:31.840 I'd commend going to the website of Hope 00:00:31.840 --> 00:00:35.000 and listening to Simon's messages also. 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:36.820 Let me pray for us. 00:00:37.760 --> 00:00:41.640 Our Father and our Lord, we thank you that you give us your word. 00:00:41.960 --> 00:00:44.520 We thank you that you give us the privilege 00:00:44.520 --> 00:00:48.480 of being able to meet together today 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:50.719 and to look at your word. 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:54.340 And so, Father, I ask that you would use the words that I say, 00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:58.380 that by your spirit you would touch each of our hearts 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:00.500 that we would be changed people, 00:01:00.620 --> 00:01:01.920 that we would serve you, 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:04.019 that we would be people of influence 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:06.939 for your gospel's sake, in Jesus' name. 00:01:07.320 --> 00:01:07.680 Amen. 00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:10.620 Well, I've titled this message 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:13.920 Being a Person of Influence. 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:16.340 And I'm wondering, is that you? 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:18.480 Or is that me? 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:21.400 Do you want to be a person of influence? 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:25.420 Do you want to influence how other people think? 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:27.280 What their attitudes are? 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:28.219 How they act? 00:01:29.020 --> 00:01:32.940 I looked up who the Times magazine 00:01:32.940 --> 00:01:37.960 believe the top 100 most influential people are. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:41.360 Now, you'll be pleased to know that Jesus is number one. 00:01:42.360 --> 00:01:45.340 Martin Luther comes in at number 17. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:48.320 Albert Einstein is 19. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:52.299 Elvis Presley is down at 69. 00:01:53.740 --> 00:01:57.380 And way down the list is John Calvin, who is at 99. 00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:00.640 Now, the question for you today is, 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:03.960 do you want to be a person of influence? 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:09.120 With humility, you might answer that question 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:12.860 by saying, no, no, no, my goal is not, 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:15.000 that is not my goal in life. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:18.080 My goal isn't to be egocentric. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:20.580 It's not about influence. 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:22.920 It's about God's influence. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:25.560 I don't want to be influential. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:27.500 I want to be faithful. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:30.680 Which all sounds really quite wonderful. 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:33.460 And it's a great sentiment. 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.099 But in actual fact, I'm not sure that it's biblical. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:40.500 If you are a parent, 00:02:41.239 --> 00:02:44.299 I am quite certain that you would wish 00:02:44.299 --> 00:02:46.840 to be influential towards your children, 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:51.240 towards their behaviours, their attitudes, their values. 00:02:51.799 --> 00:02:56.299 If you are a boss or a leader of any kind, 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:00.259 I'm certain you will be wanting to influence 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:04.859 those people under you in a positive way. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:07.540 If you have siblings, 00:03:07.940 --> 00:03:09.400 if you have nieces and nephews, 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:10.840 if you're a godparent, 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:14.480 hopefully you are wanting to influence in the right way. 00:03:15.600 --> 00:03:19.240 Jesus is the most influential person. 00:03:19.540 --> 00:03:20.320 We know that. 00:03:20.700 --> 00:03:22.740 Even the Times Magazine knows that. 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:28.439 And even those who do not even know Jesus 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:32.640 or follow Jesus have been influenced by him. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:38.520 And Paul, the writer of this letter to the churches in Galatia, 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:44.379 is certainly the second most influential person 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:46.219 in the history of the church. 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:48.879 Although in the Times list, 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:52.699 which of course we're not going to place a lot of credence on it, 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:54.319 but in the Times list, 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:56.659 Paul comes in at number 39. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:01.340 But we know better if we're looking at church history. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:03.259 As Christians, 00:04:03.960 --> 00:04:06.860 we are called to influence 00:04:06.860 --> 00:04:08.240 for the sake of the gospel 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:13.320 and for the grace that is shown in the gospel. 00:04:14.540 --> 00:04:15.640 For some time, 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:19.220 I actually thought Paul was extremely arrogant. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:20.780 In actual fact, 00:04:20.960 --> 00:04:22.220 when I first became a Christian, 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:24.560 I didn't like anything Paul said. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:29.220 And I based it all on the verse that he had in 1 Corinthians, 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:30.579 where he said, 00:04:30.780 --> 00:04:33.540 imitate me as I imitate Christ. 00:04:33.540 --> 00:04:37.120 I couldn't think of a more arrogant thing 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:38.439 that somebody could say. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:41.740 But I've learnt over the years, thankfully, 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:46.280 that the emphasis is about imitating Jesus. 00:04:47.400 --> 00:04:50.720 Jesus is the one who is doing the influencing here. 00:04:51.900 --> 00:04:53.640 Further, in 1 Corinthians, 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:56.060 in chapter 11, 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:57.160 we see Paul say, 00:04:58.140 --> 00:04:59.300 follow my example 00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:02.280 as I follow the example of Christ. 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:02.359 Christ. 00:05:03.059 --> 00:05:04.679 It's all about Jesus. 00:05:05.979 --> 00:05:07.279 And the Bible says 00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:09.419 that we are to be the light of the world 00:05:09.419 --> 00:05:11.779 and the salt of the earth, 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:14.619 which is just another metaphorical way 00:05:14.619 --> 00:05:17.119 of speaking about influence. 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:19.679 We are called to be lights 00:05:19.679 --> 00:05:23.299 so that others will move away from the darkness 00:05:23.299 --> 00:05:25.419 toward the light of Christ. 00:05:25.420 --> 00:05:29.960 Now, we're not shining our light 00:05:29.960 --> 00:05:32.660 so that people will follow us. 00:05:33.580 --> 00:05:36.620 If we're making it all about us, 00:05:36.900 --> 00:05:38.920 then we are being ungodly 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:40.140 and we are being sinful. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:43.740 We're letting our light shine, 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:47.340 we are letting the light shine through us 00:05:47.340 --> 00:05:51.060 so that others might know 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:53.480 what a great and glorious God 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:54.540 that we are serving. 00:05:55.899 --> 00:05:57.399 And if we want to follow, 00:05:57.839 --> 00:05:59.759 if we want to influence others 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:01.259 to follow Christ, 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:07.920 we will be greatly encouraged 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:11.519 and they too will come to a relationship of Jesus. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.000 Influencing others 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:17.040 so that they influence us 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:19.839 is not what we're on about. 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:24.540 But how do we do that? 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:26.779 Well, back to our passage, 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:29.139 Paul founded the churches in Galatia 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:33.639 during his missionary travels in Asia Minor. 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:37.800 Most of the converts were Gentile pagans. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:40.139 The Galatians had heard 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:42.699 Paul's preaching of Jesus Christ crucified. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:45.199 They had accepted the message 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:46.720 with glad hearts. 00:06:47.280 --> 00:06:48.420 They were baptised 00:06:48.420 --> 00:06:50.259 and they had experienced 00:06:50.259 --> 00:06:52.980 dramatic manifestations of the Spirit. 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:56.220 The churches were running really well 00:06:56.220 --> 00:06:58.319 when Paul had left that area. 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:00.759 But time went by 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:02.900 and then Paul had heard 00:07:02.900 --> 00:07:04.960 what was actually happening then, now. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:07.780 And at the time of Paul writing this letter, 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:11.180 the churches were experiencing trouble. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:13.800 Paul's work was being undermined 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:17.879 by a group of converted Jews 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:19.800 who were trying to 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:22.240 blend the traditions 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:24.120 of their Jewish heritage 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:25.860 with the Christian gospel. 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:29.259 And to do so, 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:30.160 were preaching 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:32.180 what Paul calls 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:33.840 a different gospel. 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:35.860 They tried to convince 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:37.180 the Galatian churches 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:39.680 that they needed to be circumcised 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:41.680 to be full or true Christians. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.959 Now, when Paul heard about this teaching, 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:47.519 he immediately sent off 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:49.120 this letter to the churches. 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:50.720 And in verse 7, 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:53.399 we see that Paul believed 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:54.560 that the different gospel 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.600 that they were hearing 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:56.660 was in actual fact 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.120 a perverted gospel. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.399 Pretty strong word. 00:08:00.840 --> 00:08:02.360 He's shocked that they are 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:03.960 turning to a different gospel. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:05.180 And in verse 7 says, 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:07.319 which is no gospel at all. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.279 Evidently, some people 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:10.799 are throwing you into confusion 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:12.199 and are trying to pervert 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:13.839 the gospel of Christ. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:16.279 Therefore, he wanted 00:08:16.279 --> 00:08:17.799 to influence the Galatians 00:08:17.799 --> 00:08:19.519 toward the gospel of grace. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:21.679 And we too 00:08:21.679 --> 00:08:24.359 need to become people of influence 00:08:24.359 --> 00:08:26.539 for the sake of the gospel 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:27.899 of Jesus Christ 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:29.519 and the gospel of grace. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.479 You might be thinking 00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:32.600 that you don't wish 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.939 to be a person 00:08:33.939 --> 00:08:35.460 of influence at all. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.980 But let me say very clearly, 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:40.840 as far as the gospel goes, 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:44.639 we have to be 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:45.899 a person of influence. 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:49.419 And whether we like it or not, 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:52.460 we are people of influence. 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:54.379 The difference is, 00:08:54.699 --> 00:08:55.799 we will either be 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:56.939 influencing people 00:08:56.939 --> 00:08:58.659 toward Jesus 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:00.059 or we will be 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:01.279 influencing people 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.059 to ignore him 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:04.159 and to turn their back 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:04.740 on him. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:07.600 There is no middle road 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.000 for a Christian. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.620 Let me repeat it. 00:09:12.199 --> 00:09:13.299 It will either be 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:14.639 influencing people 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.860 toward Jesus 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.179 or we will be 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:18.519 influencing people 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:20.079 to ignore him 00:09:20.079 --> 00:09:21.379 or to turn our back 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:21.799 on him. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:24.679 At the end of chapter 1, 00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:26.339 Paul concludes a defence 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:27.540 of his leadership 00:09:27.540 --> 00:09:28.580 and message 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:29.480 in the regions 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.160 of Syria 00:09:30.160 --> 00:09:31.620 and Cilicia 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:32.840 and Jerusalem 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:34.100 by saying, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.160 and they praised God 00:09:36.160 --> 00:09:37.660 because of me. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:38.899 One of those statements 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:40.080 that in years gone by 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:41.220 I would have had trouble with. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.399 Would you like people 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:44.399 to say that of you? 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:47.060 Would you like people 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:47.820 to say 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:50.800 they praised me? 00:09:51.160 --> 00:09:52.120 Would you like them 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:53.759 to say that they praised God 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.179 because of what you did? 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:57.419 Paul wasn't saying 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:58.939 that they praised me 00:09:58.939 --> 00:10:00.539 because of what I did. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:01.519 He's saying 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:02.879 that they praised God. 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:08.500 This is an enormous 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:09.860 responsibility. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:13.419 I want to commend 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:14.879 Paul's statement 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.799 to us here at St. Paul's. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:17.799 Chatswood 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:18.639 wouldn't it be 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:20.079 just terrific 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:21.059 if the people 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:21.859 in Willoughby 00:10:21.859 --> 00:10:23.319 in Chatswood 00:10:23.319 --> 00:10:25.759 were to praise God 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:27.339 because of what 00:10:27.339 --> 00:10:27.859 the people 00:10:27.859 --> 00:10:29.359 at St. Paul's Chatswood 00:10:29.359 --> 00:10:31.639 did and said 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:32.439 and were 00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:33.299 and are. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.419 Wouldn't that 00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:35.759 be fantastic? 00:10:36.459 --> 00:10:37.479 We would be testimony 00:10:37.479 --> 00:10:39.479 to the gospel of grace 00:10:39.479 --> 00:10:40.259 and all that God 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.059 has given us. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:43.899 What did Paul do 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:45.000 to lead to this 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:45.899 praise of God? 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:47.120 And consequently 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.919 what must we do 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.439 to have a similar influence? 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.840 Because it's all 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:54.399 well and good 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.259 to know that Paul's 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:55.939 done this 00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:56.799 but we need to 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:57.919 actually learn from it. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.699 So first of all 00:10:59.699 --> 00:11:01.959 we need to seek 00:11:01.959 --> 00:11:03.199 God's approval 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:04.860 over above 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.720 all else. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:07.980 Listen to Paul's words 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.379 again from verse 10. 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.259 Am I now trying 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.319 to win the approval 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.000 of men 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.579 or of God? 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:16.639 Or am I striving 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.620 to please men? 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.420 If I were striving 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:20.280 to please men 00:11:20.280 --> 00:11:21.360 I would not be 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.520 a servant of Christ. 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.440 Right away 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.759 we see 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:27.220 the beginning point 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:27.800 in becoming 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:29.080 a person of influence 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.460 is grounded 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:31.900 in our seeking 00:11:31.900 --> 00:11:32.960 God's approval 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.700 rather than 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.580 man's approval. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.540 This is the 00:11:36.540 --> 00:11:37.259 great irony. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:39.000 To become a person 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.580 of influence 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.360 influence 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:41.800 for Jesus Christ 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:43.160 you cannot be 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:44.220 motivated 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.280 by pleasing 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:46.000 men and women. 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:47.700 You are being 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:48.280 called 00:11:48.280 --> 00:11:49.560 to have people 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:50.639 follow you 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.780 who aren't 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:52.680 necessarily 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:54.040 going to be 00:11:54.040 --> 00:11:55.259 pleased with you. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.500 Our base 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.480 instincts 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.639 tell us 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:00.500 that we must 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.280 please 00:12:01.280 --> 00:12:02.040 people 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.420 if we want 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:04.080 to influence 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:04.360 them. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.540 They must 00:12:05.540 --> 00:12:06.480 like us. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.720 They must agree 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:08.340 with us. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:08.860 They must 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.379 think like us. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.960 Politicians 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.700 preachers 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.259 and people 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.279 in all walks 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.879 of life 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.960 make this 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.580 mistake. 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:19.560 Every time 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:19.860 you are 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.379 disappointed 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.560 by another's 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:22.180 reaction 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:22.940 or a lack 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.639 of reaction 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:24.800 to what you 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:25.360 have said 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.080 or done 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:27.500 I want you 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.080 to ask 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:29.100 yourself this 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:31.100 who is 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.500 in my 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.279 grandstand? 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:34.279 That is 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.399 if we 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.199 are doing 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:37.379 good deeds 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.319 and saying 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:39.639 nice things 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.480 so that we 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.519 are applauded 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:42.439 by people 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.860 or applauded 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.779 by a person 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:46.179 then they 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:46.899 are the ones 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:47.360 in our 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.120 grandstand. 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:49.100 They're the 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:49.539 ones we 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.159 are performing 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:50.519 for. 00:12:51.339 --> 00:12:52.299 If we are 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.519 serving quietly 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.980 knowing we 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:55.459 are serving 00:12:55.459 --> 00:12:56.139 the Lord 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:57.600 and it is 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.439 only the 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:59.339 Lord who 00:12:59.339 --> 00:12:59.740 we are 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.319 wanting to 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:00.919 please 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:01.899 then it is 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.500 the Lord 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.059 who is in 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:03.959 our grandstand. 00:13:05.479 --> 00:13:06.039 Now 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.059 don't get me 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:07.639 wrong here 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.099 it is 00:13:09.099 --> 00:13:10.299 right and 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:10.719 proper 00:13:10.719 --> 00:13:11.799 that we 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:12.679 give thanks 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:13.319 to people 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.199 and that 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:14.699 people 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:16.279 and are 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.139 given thanks 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.500 for the 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:17.899 things that 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.079 we have 00:13:19.079 --> 00:13:19.379 done. 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:20.739 The difference 00:13:20.739 --> 00:13:22.079 is we 00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:22.539 are not 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:23.359 dependent 00:13:23.359 --> 00:13:24.259 on the 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:24.879 thanks from 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.779 another person 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.059 to know 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:27.859 and to 00:13:27.859 --> 00:13:28.419 feel 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.979 whole and 00:13:29.979 --> 00:13:30.559 secure 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:31.379 as a 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:31.719 person. 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:33.420 and the 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:33.920 reason for 00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:34.279 that is 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:34.860 because we 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.500 are secure 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.320 in Christ 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.519 and his 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.060 love for 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:38.540 us in 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.000 all that 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.620 we do 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:41.180 and say 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:42.259 and be. 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.399 It is 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.019 that freedom 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:45.740 in Christ 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.259 that you 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:46.720 have heard 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.660 me mention 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.800 in years 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:49.340 gone by. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.820 Here's the 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.540 common mistake 00:13:51.540 --> 00:13:51.820 though. 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:52.800 There is a 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.160 difference 00:13:53.160 --> 00:13:53.840 between 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.399 being people 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.440 of influence 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:57.820 and being 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:59.500 people 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.240 who are 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.799 popular. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.320 Someone 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.820 can be 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:03.200 very, 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:03.879 very popular 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.720 with large 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.279 masses of 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.840 people and 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:06.460 not exert 00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:07.379 any influence. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:08.840 Someone 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.580 like Paris 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:09.940 Hilton 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:11.120 is very 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.580 popular. 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:12.500 Maybe not 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:12.980 so with 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.440 this group 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:13.919 of people 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.600 and certainly 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.019 not with 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:15.980 me but 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.840 she doesn't 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.480 exert 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:19.080 much influence. 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:21.039 The same 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.519 goes for 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:22.320 many television 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:22.940 stars, 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.679 for sports 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.480 heroes. 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:26.820 Yes, 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.320 they're all 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:28.020 well known 00:14:28.020 --> 00:14:29.540 and yes, 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.160 the sporting 00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:30.879 stars might 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:31.460 be able to 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:31.879 give some 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.520 very good 00:14:32.520 --> 00:14:33.240 tips on 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.740 how to 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.740 kick that 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.220 ball or 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.640 how to 00:14:35.640 --> 00:14:36.140 hit that 00:14:36.140 --> 00:14:38.240 bat but 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.680 do they 00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.720 influence for 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.520 good in 00:14:40.520 --> 00:14:41.100 an eternal 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.720 sense? 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.340 They may be 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.160 very popular 00:14:45.160 --> 00:14:46.060 but they 00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:46.879 are not 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.860 influential. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.160 Paul had 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:50.700 made his 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:51.500 commitment to 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.500 Jesus Christ 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.460 known in 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:53.980 the churches 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.800 of Galatia. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.560 He was a 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:57.240 servant to 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.539 Christ and 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.799 that was 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.539 his baseline 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.259 priority. 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.820 Naturally, 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.680 he wanted to 00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.100 win the 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:04.960 Galatians to 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.620 his point of 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:05.820 view. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.060 The gospel 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.659 of grace 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.120 that he 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.659 preached 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.759 didn't need 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.080 to be 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.899 supplemented 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:11.639 by a 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.539 legalistic 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.120 commitment 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.580 to the 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.039 Mosaic 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:14.519 law. 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:15.840 He preached 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:16.519 Christ 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.299 crucified 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.560 and Christ 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.120 as the 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.919 only hope 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.659 of salvation. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:21.700 There was 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.299 nothing else 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.220 necessary for 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:23.759 salvation 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.879 other than 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.820 a simple 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:27.060 faith in 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:27.579 Christ. 00:15:28.239 --> 00:15:28.719 In the 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:29.099 end, 00:15:29.239 --> 00:15:30.079 his devotion 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:30.659 to the 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.139 revelation 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.819 given him 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:33.139 increased his 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.279 influence and 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.539 today we 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.679 require no 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.219 one to be 00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:38.139 circumcised in 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:39.139 order to be 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:39.859 a Christian. 00:15:40.859 --> 00:15:42.079 But we can 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:44.479 fall into a 00:15:44.479 --> 00:15:45.319 similar trap 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:46.299 in the Christian 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:47.679 church today of 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.539 adding to the 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:51.059 gospel in a 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:51.779 similar way. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.779 church. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.899 When I first 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.399 became a 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:54.779 Christian, 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.459 there was a 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:57.620 huge movement 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.379 that said to 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.199 be truly 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.399 Christian you 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.740 must speak in 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.299 tongues. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.399 That speaking in 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.199 tongues was the 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.899 confirmation that 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.779 you were born 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.139 again. 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.740 Now this of 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.480 course is wrong, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.379 we know that 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.720 now. 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.159 I personally 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:14.779 believe that 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.519 speaking in 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.679 tongues is a 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:17.740 gift of God's. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.259 religion. 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:20.700 But those who 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.600 speak in tongues 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.299 are no more 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:24.279 saved, they are 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.500 no more important, 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.299 they are no more 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:29.360 spiritual than any 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.960 person who 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.500 doesn't. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.879 That very strict 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.820 movement has 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:35.659 changed over time 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.500 and it has 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.480 nearly disappeared 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:40.080 but I still know 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.240 of one church or 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.440 maybe you'd call it 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.580 a denomination 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.400 Christian that 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.660 still believe it 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.560 to be true and 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.580 so any member of 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.340 their church has 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.280 to speak in tongues 00:16:49.280 --> 00:16:49.940 for them to be 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:51.120 truly Christian. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.220 And I would say 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:53.800 and I think 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:54.980 scripture also 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.800 says that it is 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.639 a perverted 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.200 gospel. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.220 But even today 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.879 there are some 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:02.379 more subtle ways 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.340 that we might like 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.380 to add to the 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:04.740 gospel. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.400 Some might 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.160 question what 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:07.960 version of the 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.120 Bible you use 00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.819 will determine 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.700 how spiritual 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.340 you are. 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:14.079 I remember a 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.099 friend of mine 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.079 many years ago 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.879 being invited to 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.939 a church and she 00:17:18.939 --> 00:17:20.119 took a good news 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:20.559 Bible. 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.559 She was told to 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.359 take a Bible to 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:23.599 the church so she 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.579 took a good news 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.559 Bible, that 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:25.980 version. 00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:28.259 She wasn't allowed 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.399 to take it into 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.079 the church. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.559 She had to leave 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.339 it at the door. 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:35.379 So there are some 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.480 very odd things 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.099 happening in our 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:37.439 world. 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.639 But there are 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.459 things of what 00:17:40.459 --> 00:17:41.459 sort of Bible we 00:17:41.459 --> 00:17:41.919 use. 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.000 Others might 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.480 think that a 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.319 true Christian 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.000 might say set 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.159 prayers or do 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.919 church in a 00:17:47.919 --> 00:17:49.480 particular way and 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.240 that makes you 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.039 more spiritual. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.519 Others might 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.339 think that the 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.339 ministries that 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.399 you are involved 00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:57.259 in makes you 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.220 more spiritual and 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.099 confirms that you 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.419 are truly saved. 00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:02.639 Now these things 00:18:02.639 --> 00:18:03.259 in themselves, 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:03.859 there's nothing 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.759 wrong with them. 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.919 The problem is 00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:07.639 that if you 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:09.439 elevate them and 00:18:09.439 --> 00:18:10.220 believe that they 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.599 are essential to 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.879 you being saved 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.939 or that you 00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:14.859 are better than 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.379 others or that 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:17.919 Jesus loves you 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:19.000 because you are 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.419 doing these things, 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.399 then dare I say 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:24.139 you have perverted 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:25.899 the gospel of 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.339 grace. 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:28.519 And if you want to 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.379 be a person of 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:31.000 lasting influence in 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.419 your life, your 00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:33.519 home, your family, 00:18:33.679 --> 00:18:35.339 your work, your 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.799 school or university, 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.519 people will need to 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.940 see a similar 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:42.960 unwavering devotion 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:45.019 to Jesus Christ as 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.019 we see here with 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.319 Paul. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.299 Even if this means 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.339 you will be unpopular 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:51.299 for a time, in the 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.220 long run your 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.899 influence will 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.579 expand. 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:56.379 If people see that 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.799 you are uncompromising, 00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:00.879 see your uncompromising 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:02.419 devotion to our 00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:04.019 Lord, that doesn't 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.980 mean that everybody 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.940 will necessarily 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.960 turn and become 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:09.900 a Christian, that 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.660 would be wonderful, 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.259 but they are more 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:14.980 likely to follow the 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.759 one you call Lord 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.720 if they see that he 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:21.039 truly is your Lord 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.400 seven days a week 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.360 and not just at 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.420 particular times of 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.099 the week like a 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.380 Sunday. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:29.000 Secondly, to be a 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.940 person of influence 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.480 we need to understand 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:33.099 God's mission for 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:33.980 our lives. 00:19:34.699 --> 00:19:35.459 Now verse 11 00:19:35.459 --> 00:19:35.939 says, 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.359 I want you to 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.259 know brothers that 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.059 the gospel I 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:40.039 preached is not 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.139 something that man 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.719 made up. 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:43.059 I did not receive 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:44.000 it from any man 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.079 nor was I taught 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.319 it, rather I 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.079 received it by 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.919 revelation from 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:48.879 Jesus Christ. 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.399 Skipping down to 00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:51.219 verse 15, 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.139 but when God who 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.259 set me apart from 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.539 birth called me by 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.879 his grace was 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:58.039 pleased to reveal 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.480 his son in me so 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.539 that I might preach 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.179 him among the 00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:02.759 Gentiles, I did not 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:04.019 consult any man. 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.640 Now Paul here is 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.980 doing a number of 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.420 things. 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.160 He's giving his 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.539 testimony as to how 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.339 he came to know 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.740 Jesus. 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.500 He's also pointing 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.900 out that God spoke 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.940 to him directly 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.400 through his grace 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.099 contrary to what 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.700 those who were 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.720 teaching a perverted 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.920 gospel believed. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.799 They wanted to say 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:25.420 that every revelation 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:27.019 had come to, 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:29.539 every revelation had 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.819 to come from people 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.859 in authority like 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.379 themselves who were 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:35.839 saturated in the 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:37.519 teachings from 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.220 Jerusalem. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.379 Apparently in their 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:42.000 view the only place 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.460 where revelation can 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.480 come from is from 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.019 Jerusalem. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.240 And Paul's testimony 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.179 is unique. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:50.259 I don't know anyone 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:52.179 who has had the same 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:53.339 type of conversion as 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.159 Paul has, although 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:55.059 over the years I've 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.659 heard some pretty 00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:57.500 amazing transformations 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.880 in people's lives but 00:20:58.880 --> 00:20:59.619 not the same as 00:20:59.619 --> 00:20:59.839 Paul. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.680 But he is also 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.960 smashing the idea 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.579 that the gospel of 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.019 grace is from God 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.519 alone and does not 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.500 need additional 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.319 rituals or behaviours 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.420 that might come from 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.259 religious legalists. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.720 Now don't 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.799 misunderstand what 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.940 is being said here. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:20.400 We cannot go around 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:22.039 declaring whatever we 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.839 want and say we have a 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:25.220 revelation from God 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.720 alone. 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.799 Absolutely everything 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.519 needs to align with 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.839 scripture and the 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.759 gospel of grace. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:34.839 That is, Jesus is the 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:36.140 son of God, died and 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.980 rose from the dead, 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.500 conquering death and 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.799 opening the way for us 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:41.559 to be forgiven of our 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.360 sins and to live 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.640 eternally in relationship 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.180 with him. 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.940 Paul's revelation from 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:49.860 God was from God. 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.360 He didn't consult the 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.480 apostles in Jerusalem. 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:55.200 He went to Arabia and 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.600 you might like to ask 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:58.180 what is in Arabia? 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:01.319 Well, we don't know 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.740 really. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:04.160 But we suspect that he 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.860 spent the three years 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:07.640 reading the Hebrew 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:10.039 scriptures through the 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.460 lens of his experience 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:13.400 with Jesus Christ and 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.380 refining his 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:16.180 understanding of Christ's 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.000 revelation to him 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.799 through the scriptures. 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.519 After three years in the 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.759 desert, he finally went up 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.840 to Jerusalem to get 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.959 acquainted with Peter. 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.480 Even then, he only 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.899 stayed 15 days. 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:30.159 And during that time, he 00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:31.599 met James, the brother of 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:33.319 Jesus, but he didn't 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.259 speak to any other 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.720 apostles. 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:37.339 Now, why give all of 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:39.119 this tedious detail? 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:41.699 Well, Paul wants to make 00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:43.359 a point very clear. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.659 Jesus came to him 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:47.879 directly and called him 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:49.459 to be a missionary to the 00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:49.980 Gentiles. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:52.220 No person persuaded him. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.200 Remember those who were 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.660 perverting the gospel that I 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.680 mentioned earlier on? 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.940 They believed that any 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:00.980 revelation had to come 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.279 through men like 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.019 themselves. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.339 So, Paul is making it very 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.839 clear that his conversion, 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:09.079 his revelation, the mission 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:10.839 that he is being given, is 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.700 direct from God. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.420 Part of being a person of 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:17.059 influence is determining what 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:19.179 your mission in life is. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.259 Now, in our 2020 booklet 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:26.899 here, we have, this helps us 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.279 know our mission. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:33.259 In it, it tells us, in 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:36.139 Romans 12, 2, do not 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.700 conform any longer to the 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:39.299 pattern of this world, but be 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:41.279 transformed by the renewing of 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.839 your mind. 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:44.339 Then you will be able to test 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:46.599 and approve what God's will 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:49.500 is, his good, pleasing and 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.359 perfect will. 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:54.419 Romans 12, 2 encourages us 00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:57.579 to be transformed and in so 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:59.500 doing, we will know God's 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.259 will for us. 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:02.659 We will be able to discern 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:04.000 what is good, what is 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.299 acceptable and what is 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.759 perfect. 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.740 This is our mission. 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:09.500 Our mission is to be 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:11.500 transformed into the likeness 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.079 of Christ. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.119 Christ. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.759 We can do that in any type 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:17.079 of work, any hobby, any 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.559 career. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.199 We can be transformed. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.659 Sometimes God will direct us 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:25.879 very clearly into a particular 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.339 mission. 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:29.639 Other times, our mission may 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:32.819 come through trial and error in 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:34.319 trying to serve God where you 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.599 are. 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:40.419 But we will never be clear of God 00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:43.619 leading us if we are half 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:45.939 hearted about our commitment to 00:24:45.939 --> 00:24:46.179 him. 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.179 Let me repeat it. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:50.679 We will never be clear of God 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:52.459 leading us if we are half 00:24:52.459 --> 00:24:54.859 hearted about our commitment to 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.099 him. 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:58.679 For many people, the Christian 00:24:58.679 --> 00:25:01.459 faith is just one of many 00:25:01.459 --> 00:25:02.659 options for them. 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:04.759 They are committed to God 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:07.960 unless it gets in the way of 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:10.500 making more money or unless 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.120 there is a better social 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:15.320 invitation or a relationship 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:17.180 that is not going to be helpful 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:19.620 to their walk with God but that 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:21.040 is chosen as a priority. 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:23.519 Or there are family engagements 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:25.160 that take priority. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:28.240 Or there is sport becomes a 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:30.680 priority and when the season is 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.539 over, then they are back in 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:32.980 church. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:36.560 They are happy to please God 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:39.460 as long as God is willing to 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:41.220 take a back seat to their 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:43.560 personal agenda that they have 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:45.080 worked out all on their own. 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:47.460 They want to find their purpose in 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:50.660 life but not if it means if they 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:53.680 have to sacrifice or suffer or take 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:55.039 some kind of risk. 00:25:55.039 --> 00:26:00.079 Too often we want the mission of 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:03.220 God that he gives us to fit 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:05.339 comfortably around our chosen 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:05.980 lifestyle. 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:10.619 The truth is we will only see God's 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:13.200 purpose for our lives when we are 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:16.119 prepared to give ourselves wholly to 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.460 him. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.399 Do you want to be a person of 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:19.960 influence? 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:23.920 Then get alone with God and allow 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:26.660 him to transform you in every way. 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:29.740 Which leads me to the third point. 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:32.799 And that is to become a person of 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:36.660 influence we must invest the time it 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:39.000 takes to establish credibility. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.759 It's not something that happens 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.360 overnight. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.740 It takes time. 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:46.519 In verse 18 we see that Paul spent 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:49.920 three years in Arabia and Damascus 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:52.559 preparing for his life's work and 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:55.339 in the beginning of chapter 2 we see 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:58.859 Paul waited another 14 years before 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.660 going to see the leaders of 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.240 Jerusalem. 00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:06.000 He spent 17 years preparing for the 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.680 work that God had called him to do. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:11.279 He didn't spend the 17 years doing 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.400 nothing I might add. 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.359 He was preaching the whole time. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:17.979 But it took that long before he 00:27:17.979 --> 00:27:20.699 received the full endorsement from 00:27:20.699 --> 00:27:22.500 the church leaders in Jerusalem. 00:27:23.219 --> 00:27:25.099 I find that absolutely staggering. 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:28.079 In other words Paul's message and 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:31.139 ministry were not based on a short 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:32.299 term whim. 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:35.299 He stood the test of time and he 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:37.399 proved that he was in it for the 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:38.119 long haul. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:42.099 Are you in it for the long haul? 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.179 Paul. 00:27:43.419 --> 00:27:44.859 Now we are not Paul. 00:27:45.719 --> 00:27:48.480 We most probably, I'm you know sort 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:51.799 of a prophetic word here, not going 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.959 to be asked to go to Arabia for three 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.480 years. 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:56.799 I feel that I'm fairly safe on saying 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.059 that. 00:27:58.659 --> 00:28:02.119 But we can make some plans for the 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:05.099 future under God to set ourself goals 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:08.459 for our devotion time with God. 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:11.920 Maybe have a goal of a specific reading 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:14.940 plan, specific Christian books that are 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:17.779 going to feed our soul so that we grow 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.539 spiritually. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:23.700 Maybe we need to address our attendance 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:26.720 at church and be more regular in 2014, 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.819 2015 and so on. 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:33.160 Maybe it's about our community group and 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.740 the commitment that we have to our 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.579 community group. 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:42.180 We need to grow in confidence in sharing 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:45.120 Jesus with those around us, with our 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.460 friends and our family. 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:50.180 That indeed in our conversation we can 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:53.140 share Jesus in such a non-threatening 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:57.160 way that it is normal and it's not 00:28:57.160 --> 00:29:00.180 freaky that we are a follower of Jesus. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:04.840 And right here and without shame I will 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:09.380 just say to help you do that, just walk 00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:12.640 across the room starts next week at 3.30. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:15.500 I would love to see many of you at it. 00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:19.019 This is a simple course that will help 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:21.620 you in those conversations that you have 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:24.539 with friends and family about Jesus, how to 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:26.140 start those conversations. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:33.900 We need to learn and to take opportunity to 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:37.360 learn to be these people of influence. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:40.840 We can put all opportunities for your 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:43.700 growth in front of you but in the end you 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:45.940 actually have to take them up. 00:29:47.520 --> 00:29:51.920 So the Apostle Paul was the last person any 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:55.140 Christian would expect to exercise leadership 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.340 in the early church. 00:29:57.560 --> 00:30:00.940 Remember he was a zealous persecutor of 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.680 Christians before God called him. 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:06.759 The impact that he spent the rest of his 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:09.019 life faithful to Jesus and committed to 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:11.920 carrying out the mission set before him. 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:15.060 He invested time and energy. 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:18.740 You may not have a call to be a missionary 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:22.759 or a preacher but God wants you to be a 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:26.700 person of influence for someone, somewhere. 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.880 It might be your children. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.359 It might be your grandchildren. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:33.019 It might be a neighbour, a co-worker, 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:36.319 another person in this church, a family 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.799 member, a fellow student. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.960 It might be a young person needing a role 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.299 model. 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:44.640 It might be someone that you have not yet met. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:48.640 God is preparing you to be a person of 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.400 influence. 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:53.960 If you will put him first in your life and 00:30:53.960 --> 00:31:00.000 seek only his approval, discover and commit 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:03.080 to the mission of being transformed and 00:31:03.080 --> 00:31:06.600 invest yourself daily in growing in your 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.980 relationship with Jesus. 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:12.799 Perhaps it might take years, it might take 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:18.019 decades, but you will exert influence for 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:19.640 which you have been called. 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.519 It won't happen today. 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:23.480 It won't happen overnight. 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.519 But it will happen. 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:27.319 But it takes a long time. 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:31.140 Remember, it is all about Jesus. 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:33.140 That's who we live for. 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:35.720 That's who we influence for. 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:36.740 Amen.