“The Call of God” (Galatians 1:11-24)

What this episode covers

The Call of God (1:11-24) Galatians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to several churches that he had planted a few years prior in the region of Galatia. Since his last visit, some false teachers came through the region teaching a different gospel. Not only did they preach something that was untrue, but they challenged Paul’s apostolic authority in order to undermine what was true. Paul cut right to the chase replacing his typical section of thanksgiving with a rebuke. After making it clear that there is no other gospel, Paul explains in this passage how he was called to preach the one true gospel. Why should the Galatians trust Paul’s gospel as opposed to the gospel they heard from the Judaizers? Why should we trust Paul’s gospel? Paul shows how the gospel is both objective and subjective. It contains unchangeable doctrinal truth as well as an experiential component. The objective nature of Christianity does not allow for radical shifts in doctrine. The Bible is unchanging. The gospel was delivered “once for all” (Jude 3). This is counter to our postmodern context which suggests that we all have our own realities and it is judgmental to challenge someone else’s “truth”. On the other hand, there is an equally essential component to Christianity that is subjective and experiential. Paul’s testimony shows that Truth and experience are united. If transformed lives testify to the truth of the gospel then our sanctification is critical. Has the truth set you free or do you remain enslaved by sin? Paul doesn’t claim perfection, but he has clearly been changed. Read Galatians 1:11-24 Paul talks about his life before, during, and after conversion. How Paul Received the Gospel (11-12) Paul opened the letter with an argument for the divine origins of his apostleship (1). Here, he argues for the divine origins of his message. His primary claim is that his gospel came directly from Jesus. Paul had just said that he did not “receive” the gospel from any man. Rather, the gospel came to him in the person of Jesus Christ. Our God reveals Himself. He truly exists. Atheists like to argue that belief in the Christian God is no different than belief in unicorns or the flying spaghetti monster. They mock Christianity and the Bible as absurd fairy tails. But one major flaw in this argument is that of revelation. Unicorns and flying spaghetti monsters are figments of someone’s imagination. The idea of the Christian God might sound absurd to some, but He has revealed Himself to us through Scripture. Some suggest the stories are fabricated, but the claims of Christianity could have been verified by anyone at the time. Rather than the church being disproved, it grew exponentially. Why doesn’t Jesus reveal himself like this today? Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago, at many time and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… God used to speak through prophets, but now he speaks through his Son. His Son spoke to the apostles who recorded His word for us in the New Testament. But, God does not reveal himself to everyone. He remains hidden to those who are spiritually blind and deaf. That is why the Father must draw them (John 6:44). In fact, worldly wisdom is actually a hindrance, not by design, but because of the fall. I grew up attending church. I went faithfully every week but if I had it my way I would’ve stayed home, especially when the 49ers were playing! That all changed in 7th grade. I went to summer camp at Hume Lake and finally understood the gospel. I grasped the reality and consequences of my sin. I had heard the gospel numerous time before, but something finally clicked that week. I repented and placed my faith in Jesus. There are a lot of misconceptions about “receiving” Christ. At the very least, it must involve a recognition of Jesus. Maybe you’ve heard of praying the “sinner’s prayer” or “accepting Jesus Christ into your heart.” Tha

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