Steadfast

Paul’s Story

A. Paul’s story continues in our text. Last week we noticed that Paul must convince his readers that his ministry and message came by divine appointment. Paul knew that the false teachers had come with a message that was not the gospel message. Instead, the false teachers had come preaching a message that following Christ had to include keeping the Jewish law. Part of their message was to speak against Paul. Paul knew that if he is discredited so will be his message. So he spends the first part of this letter rehearsing his spiritual history to make the point that no person or group of people sent him out. God was the one who called him to preach and he preached for three years before ever going to Jerusalem for a short visit.

B. In our text he recounts more of his story. 14 years after his conversion, he went to Jerusalem a second time because God instructed him to go. This is probably an allusion to Acts 11 event in which Saul is sent to Jerusalem with funds for the poor. Barnabas and Titus went with him. His readers would have known both of these men. Titus is of special focus because he is an uncircumcised Gentile. There in Jerusalem, the bastion of Jewish tradition and practice, Titus is not told to be circumcised. This helps to make Paul’s point that the gospel does not include keeping Jewish law—that one can follow Jesus without keeping the Jewish law.

C. While in Jerusalem he meets with Peter, John and James, the brother of Jesus. In their meeting he tells them what he has been doing; the message he is preaching. Paul says he did this because he didn’t want his work to be in vain. Was he seeking their acceptance or approval? Paul had already been preaching this message for some time. Why now would he want approval? I think the intent of the text is that Paul was wanting to make sure that Gentiles would also be accepted into the body of Christ just as Jewish Christians. This makes sense with Paul’s interest in presenting Titus as a test case. No changes to Paul’s message. In verse 9, Paul says that these men offered the right hand of fellowship (NIV). They agreed with Paul and endorsed his work. They recognized that he had received a special call from God to preach to the Gentiles just as Peter had received a special call from God to preach to Jews.

D. Paul ends this section that there was one thing that these Jerusalem leaders wanted Paul to do—keep helping the poor. And Paul says that this was part of his work as well.

The Point

A. There are two points to get from this text. The first is that there is a gospel message that can be agreed upon. That message is simple yet profound. Jesus came to earth; lived among us; demonstrated the perfect will of God; was arrested and crucified on a cross. In his death God accomplished two things—he poured out his full wrath and judgment against all human beings on the person of Jesus. And he forgave all sin for all time through the perfect lamb.

B. The gospel message is good news for us who have tried to prove to God that we are worthy; for those of us who live in constant fear that we do not measure up; for those of us who doubt God’s resolve to save because our sin is too great. The message is good news—Jesus’ death is sufficient to take care of our sin and we are welcomed at the foot of the cross with all other sinful human beings to be forgiven by the blood of Jesus. The gospel is about Jesus. We respond to that gospel and add nothing to it. By faith we accept that through Jesus God has forgiven our sins. By faith we accept that this was God’s initiative and that we can add nothing to it. By faith we respond to this message—we give our lives to God and we demonstrate our acceptance in baptism. And God assures us that our sins are forgiven and we will have the strength of his Holy Spirit to live with us all the days of our lives. And certain of that gospel we can share in the eating of the supper together. Confident that it is Jesus who is our focus; assured that our sins are forgiven; we join together in eating this holy meal celebrating the one who died for us and our commitment to him and to each other. Let’s eat this meal together. Lord’s Supper followed by songs of unity.

C. The second point from this text has to do with our vision as a congregation. We gather here to be reminded that the gospel is about Jesus. But we also leave this place understanding that we have a mission. Paul’s preaching was about Jesus but the practical application of that message was in helping the poor. This is the reason Paul according to Acts 11 was in Jerusalem and it was the very thing that Paul continued to practice throughout his ministry. This congregation’s vision is to help with the poor. Our work with the Bella Vista apartments in connection with Agape is part of fulfilling that vision. Throughout scripture the message of salvation results in the recipients of that message being generous towards others especially the poor.

1. Paul collected funds later for famine victims in Jerusalem

2. Zacchaeus gave much of his wealth to the poor.

3. The early disciples sold property to assist those who had needs

4. John writes in his first epistle that we must do more than speak words of kindness to those in need. We must provide for them.

5. Jesus began his ministry by saying that he was there to bring good news to the poor.

6. Sharing with the poor is part of our vision but more than a vision it is God’s call on our lives.

D. So we invite you to hear the good news and give your life in faith to Jesus. And we invite you to seek ways to help the poor.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.