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…’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, (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 even to our 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 and what it means to carry our cross and to die daily. As we die to sin we receive more life in Christ.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Believers and their dodgy beliefs” from 2 Chronicles 25
1. The description given to Abijah in 1 Kings 15:1-3 is not very flattering, yet we see the Lord bless his faith and obedience. Amaziah in 2Chr 25 however seems to be a far less faithful character yet the Lord says “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart”, vs 2. Why? What relevance does this have for us?
2. Amaziah had 25 years in the wilderness. What caused it? Have you been in a wilderness? What caused it?
3. Amaziah was murdered by a conspiracy, but went to heaven – he knew the Lord. Discuss how Romans 5:20, 21 applies to you.
4. The Apostle Peter knew what it was to stumble and fall. Discuss Peter’s life and what he wrote in 1 Pet 2:22-25.
Prayer Points
1. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
2. Pray for new people as they settle into life at CBC.
3. Upcoming Australian elections – pray for the Lord’s choice of MP’s.
4. Continue to pray for the flood clean-up as well as the money donated to help.
5. Folk sick with Covid – relief and healing.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Worship on Sunday – thankyou team.
2. The rain this week and the inevitable flooding in NSW and QLD.
3. More visitors to CBC over the weekend.
4. God’s word affecting people for Christ
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Members meeting 22nd May after the service.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for May...
Q. 3. Will Christ come again? A. Yes; at the last day Christ will come to judge the world.
