Sermon Central
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Paul's Call By His Grace Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 11, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: To establish that when it pleased God, He called the Galatians, Paul, by His grace; to reveal His Son (Christ) to him, and in him; that he might preach and teach Him among the nations: that all might be saved by grace through the faith in Christ Jesus.
1) Paul’s revelation began during his visit to Arabia and returned to Damascus, Galatians 1:17. Then while in Tarsus, after leaving Jerusalem, with the help of the disciples, Acts 9:20-31.
a) During this period, he was given the revelation of the mystery of Christ, Ephesians 3:1-11; Romans 16:25-27; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 1:1-3.
b) Preaching and teaching throughout all the regions of Syria and Cilicia, Galatians 1:21; Acts 15:23.
c) There is no more mentioning of Paul until Acts chapter 11, when Barnabas went to Tarsus to find him and returned to Antioch, Acts 11:25-26.
2) Paul worked with the church in Antioch, alongside Barnabas, for a whole year, Acts 11:25-26.
a) Together, they built up the church and carried aid from Antioch, unto the elders in Jerusalem to assist the poor saints, Acts 11:27-30.
b) After the Jerusalem Conference, “Paul chose Silas…and went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming all the churches,” Acts 15:40-41. Let’s hear now why God called Paul by His grace.
D. That I might. “Preach Him among the heathens, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went into Arabia, and returned unto Damascus,” Galatians 1:16-17. This truth would become a struggle for him later in preaching the gospel among the heathens. But for now, observe,
1. The mystery of the gospel was kept hidden in God until He was ready to make it manifest unto the world. It was kept secret from the beginning of the ages until “the fullness of time,” when God would make known this mystery: “through His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,” Ephesians 3:5; 1 Peter 1:10-12. It was revealed unto Paul,
2. That he might preach Christ: “Unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make all men see what the fellowship of the mystery is. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God: According to the eternal purpose which He had hidden in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him,” Ephesians 3:7-12; Romans 5:1-2.
3. Paul’s concluded: “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through the faith in Him,” Ephesians 3:12; Romans 5:1-2. Here again, we find the phrase: " dia ho pisteos autos," in the Greek text, is translated as: "through the faith of Him" in English.
a. Recall our mentioning of this phrase earlier during our study of Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Philippians 3:9. (Unfortunately, I will not mention this word study project in the lesson, nor the steps and instruction below: because the necessary tools will be unavailable to the audience). However, this information could be a group project during a bible study class where the bible study leader and the students have an Internet connection.
NOTE: It's time for you to consult your own Greek Interlinear. This will permit you to read and review Paul's meaning and use of the phrase: "dia ho pisteos autos," in Ephesians 3:12. For your word study project, you can also review this text in the BlueLetterBible’s (BLB) Textus Receptus and Morphological GNT, as well as all the other passages mentioned earlier, at a later time.
