God's Gifts To Us Series

Text: Galatians 1:11-24

Title: God’s gifts to us

“I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles-only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.”

Context: The Galatians were falling back and Paul reminds them of the gifts from God they would be laying down.

1.The characteristics of God’s gifts

A.God’s gifts are God’s alone to give.

All of the gifts Paul received he received directly from God

•Not one of these gifts did Paul receive during his previous way of life

B.God’s gifts are given to us by Divine revelation

God had to reveal all these gifts to Paul.

•Some he revealed instantly

•Some he revealed over a long period of time

C. God’s gifts can’t be destroyed by anyone.

•Everyone one of God’s gifts overcome opposition from Paul

D. God’s gifts are given to help meet our greatest needs

•Forgiveness

•Hope

•Purpose

•Direction

E.God’s gifts are freely given to all who ask and believe.

•Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)

Let’s look more closely together at God’s gifts as seen in our passage

1. God’s Son (Christ)

“was pleased to reveal his Son in me.” (v15b-16a)

A. God’s Son is the revelation of God

If you want to know what God is like look at the Son. Jesus said "If you’ve seen me you have seen the Father."

B.What most pleases God is to reveal His Son to the world

If I’ll be lifted up I’ll draw all men unto me…”

C. God’s wants to reveal Christ in me

Not just to me but in me

D.God’s reveals who Christ really is by revelation

We need to have our spiritual eyes opened to who Jesus really is.

“Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time” (John 14: v11)

“I don’t know this man you are talking about.” (Mark 14:71)

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:15-16)

E.What do we need to do in order to have God’s Son in us?

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

You need to be open! No blocked ears and locked doors.

2. The Gospel (v11-12)

“I want you to know, brothers that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”

•The word gospel means good news

•The good news as revealed by Jesus Christ

•What is the good news (Luke 4:16-21)

“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: