Even Apostles could go off the rails at times. Godly restoration is part of the ministry of the church. Praise God for loving accountability. Be blessed as you seek His face today.
Galatians 2: Paul Accepted by the Apostles
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in---who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery---
5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)---those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),
9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Paul Opposes Peter
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Justified by Faith
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners;
16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
17 But if, in our endeavour to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!
18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.
19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Things to think about…
1. In Gal 2:1-10 we see the incredible grace that was poured out upon the Apostle Paul. He receives a revelation to go up to Jerusalem. Look at the reason. He wanted to make sure…’that I was not running or had not run in vain’, vs 2. He wanted to make sure the gospel he was preaching was the right one. When we are near Christ, we want both accountability and truth. When Paul gets to Jerusalem, he encounters believers who said Titus must be circumcised. It seems Peter, James and John who were in Jerusalem hadn’t been doing their job by adequately teaching that grace alone is the means of salvation rather than by the work of keeping the law of Moses. Paul says he gained nothing from those who ‘seemed influential’ I.E. the Apostles Peter, James and John, vs 6. This shows that Paul had an incredible amount of grace and understanding of the gospel. Paul proves that you don’t have to be part of Jesus’ earthly ministry in order to know Jesus well or understand the gospel of grace, even better than the apostles who did walk with Jesus. It is a blessing to be raised in a Christian family and be taught the Scriptures from infancy. But as one who didn’t receive that privilege, I know firsthand that grace supersedes even this blessing.
2. Gal 2:11-14 seems to confirm Peter (and the other Apostles) didn’t have the theology of grace quite right. Certainly not to the point of outward expression. Paul rebukes Peter’s hypocrisy for eating only with the Jews who came from Jerusalem and restraining himself from eating with the Gentiles. Paul says men came from James, (the Lord’s brother who led the church in Jerusalem) and had come to Paul in Antioch. Those of you who have travelled to other ‘Christian’ countries, have noted different customs. But customs should never be a replacement for grace and an understanding of the true gospel. The grace of Christ should supersede traditional or cultural practises where they conflict with the heart of the gospel. A poor witness from leaders in the church makes others stumble, vs 13. This was true in the time of the apostles as well as in the present day.
3. Paul shows the reason why he is so compelled to preach, Gal 2:15-21, all his striving to please God through his previous life of Pharisaic observance of the Law came to no avail when it came to being right with the Lord. Righteousness cannot come through the law. It is only achieved by grace, (through faith) in Christ, vs 21. Where does your hope lie? James says “faith without works is dead”, Jam 2:26, true. But works without faith, IS death, Rom 6:21.
4. What does ‘I have been crucified with Christ’? – Gal 2:20, mean to you? It is a personal statement of identity by the apostle. This is true for every believer the central essence of what it means to carry our cross and to die daily. As we die to sin we receive more life in Christ.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon:-“Building in times of trouble” – Ezra 5:1-5
a. Do you recall some of the historical context of the book of Ezra. What had happened to the people of Judah and why were they having to rebuild the temple?
b. When spiritual work is attempted, Satan is never happy with the workers. What were some of the reasons the work had stopped for 20 years from 536BC to 516BC? How did the work begin again and who were the 2 prophets that encouraged it to restart?
c. Jay said the church in the west is not in a very healthy sate. Do you agree with him? Why/Why not? In your answer discuss the purpose of the church as the bride of Christ and how the bride is to worship in Spirit and in truth. Consider what this looks like as you discuss John 16:8-11.
d. What are you doing or what can you do to build up the body of Christ at CBC? Pray for the gospel and our strategy as well as our upcoming information session (28th May) and community day Sat 24th June.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray and Andy in Ipswich hospital and for Sally as she continues to battle Alzheimer’s. Give thanks for Andy’s brother Tad and a loving husband and example of Christ – Richard.
2. The processing of our insurance claim and the repurchasing of equipment.
3. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
4. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
5. Pray for Kids@church and our Youth group.
6. How you can serve in ministry this year.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. The blessing of our Mother’s Day event on Saturday. Big thanks to Suzanne Willey and many other women who made the day a success. A special mention to Katelyn Gillert who was a great blessing in sharing on her role as a mother as well as a daughter.
2. Young adult’s ministry – keep praying as this ministry grows.
3. Kids@Church ministry is a great blessing. Pray for Rosie and balancing her teaching, family and church worlds.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Church information session 28th May after the morning service.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters for term 2.
3. Community Day Saturday 24th June at Church. More details to follow.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 8. Who are they? A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Bible References – Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
