When To Cause Trouble In The Church Series

WHEN TO CAUSE TROUBLE IN THE CHURCH

Galatians 2:1-10

(NASB)

1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. {2} And it was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. {3} But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. {4} But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. {5} But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. {6} But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. {7} But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised {8} (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), {9} and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. {10} They only asked us to remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do.

INTRODUCTION:

I heard James Dobson relate that he would not sit silent in a church if the gospel message were compromised. Paul caused some excitement in the Jerusalem church with his stand for the Gospel. We can be great full today for the stand he took.

In the text I find two reasons to cause trouble; they are:

1. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Defended.

2. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Dispersed.

1. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Defended.

A. Our Defense through . . Revelation. v 1 - 2 a

1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with

Barnabas, taking Titus along also.

2 And it was because of a revelation that I went up;

B. Our Defense through . . Submission. v 2 b - 3

". . . and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I

did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running,

or had run, in vain. {3} But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a

Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

C. Our Defense through . . Refusing to Submit. v 4-5

{4} But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our

liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

{5} But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of

the gospel might remain with you.

ILLUSTRATION

The story is told of a lighthouse keeper who worked on a rocky stretch of coastline and who received his new supply of oil once a month to keep the light burning. Not being far from shore, he had frequent guests. One night a woman from the village begged some oil to keep her family warm. Another time a father asked for some to use in his lamp. Another needed some to lubricate a wheel. Since all the requests seemed legitimate, the lighthouse keeper tried to please everyone and granted them all.

Toward the end of the month he noticed that the supply of oil was very low. Soon, it was gone, and the beacon light went out. That night several ships were wrecked and lives were lost.

When the authorities investigated, the man was very repentant. To his excuses and pleading their reply was: "You were given the oil for one purpose -- to keep that light burning!"

Application

We were given the gospel to keep the light shining. We should defend the purpose of the church as a gospel light house.

2. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Dispersed.

A. Dispersed . . Remembering God Does Not Show Partiality

{6} But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.