This sermon is about serving God. We will talk mainly about the stages of serving God. Galatians 2:1-10 gave us main stages. This sermon manuscript is still unfinished. Needs more improvement. Feel free to edit and modify and make it better.
Text: Galatians 2:1-10
Discipleship Stage (v.1) – “Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also”
We have to remember that they were in Syria and Cilicia. And it took a while before all returned to Jerusalem, 14 years. It is also important to note here that though he was in discipleship mode, he is already ministering to people.
And the time when he went back to Jerusalem, he went there with Barnabas and he took Titus with him. Barnabas was the one discipling Paul. We can see Barnabas first in Acts 4 when he sold a field and gave it to the apostle’s feet. Then we can see him vouching for Paul in Acts 9 and then comes their missionary journey. So clearly, Barnabas was the one assisting Paul in his walk as a Christian.
Then when they went to Jerusalem in this passage, Paul began discipling Titus.
Inquiry Stage (v.2) “I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders…”
Here we see Paul giving the reason why he went to Jerusalem. And that’s for a private meeting with those esteemed as leaders which most likely referring to the 12 apostles. He presented to them the gospel that he preaches among the gentiles. He is most likely seeking confirmation to whether or not his gospel presentation is right.
Take note that Paul is a “Pharisee”, someone who understands the Law of Moses better than the rest of the apostles and perhaps he would champion it among the believers. But here, Paul is inquiring about the gospel that he brings. Paul is now ready to embrace fully the gospel of salvation that the Lord Jesus spoke.
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[s2If current_user_is(s2member_level1) OR current_user_is(s2member_level2)]Confirmatory Stage (v.2) “…I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.”
The confirmatory stage goes with inquiry because if inquiry was resolved, then there is something that has been confirmed. In this case, he wants to make sure that what he is doing, is right.
In verse 4, it gives us a clearer picture. There are “false believers” whom Paul identified to have infiltrated their ranks and are influencing the believers keeping them trapped from the burden of the Law. And this is what Paul was asking the Apostles. He needs confirmation on what he is doing and on the message that he is telling others.
The issue here is about obedience to traditional Law on circumcision and other Jewish rituals when you are already a Christian. Are these teachings required for a Gentile to be saved?
Affirming Stage (v.7) “On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.”
Paul inquired to confirm something, now the apostles affirmed him and even entrusted him with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. So now Paul goes to the Gentiles with affirmation from the Apostles, carrying authority and assurance that he is preaching a sound gospel.
We also have to note here that Paul emphasizes that there is no “favoritism” to God whether he is a part of the high esteemed leaders or not. God is at work to those who obey Him.
Continuity Stage and Adjustments (v.9-10) “They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.”
So there was a confirmation and affirmation, then it is time to continue what he is doing right. And in here, if there is anything that was added, it is helping the poor. Nothing has been added to the message nor deducted.
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