Not from Men (PM)

Scripture Reading:  Galatians 1:1–12

Introduction      

A.  The purpose of the Galatian letter was to address the issue of whether Gentiles must become Jews in order to be Christians.

B.  The churches of this region were in dire need of direction whose heavenly authority could be confidently confirmed.

Discussion

I.  Paul first shows that his apostleship is not from men (vv 1–5).

A.  He would never have desire to be an apostle (vv 13–14).

B.  He considered himself less than worthy of this designation (1 Corinthians 15:9–10).

C.  He did not even receive credentials from the apostles in Jerusalem (vv 16–19), for these came from God alone.

II.  Paul’s gospel was not from man (vv 6–12).

A.  The message Paul had preached in Galatia was neither that of men or angels, but by the mouth of Jesus (v 12).

B.  Paul’s claims of inspiration are confirmed by (1) apostles (2 Peter 3:15–16), (2) Paul’s own suffering (Galatians 6:12), and (3) Paul’s renouncement of the Jewish faith.

C.  Like the Lord Himself (John 7:16–18), Paul could only preach what he had received from God the Father.

III.  If our faith is based on words of men, it is worthless.

A.  Paul’s faith had once been vain (cf. Romans 10:1–2).

B.  The Galatians’ faith also had the appearance of vanity (Galatians 3:4).

Conclusion

If Paul’s apostleship and preaching had been man-made, they would have been worthless. If our faith is not based upon “Thus saith the Lord,” it is equally worthless with respect to our salvation.