Paul's Concern For The Galatians Series

15 What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could

have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

A. AN ANGEL OR AN ENEMY?

1. When Paul first came to Galatia, they treated him like an angel.

2. Now, they treated him like an enemy.

3. Paul expressed his concern over the change in their relationship.

4. The gospel of legalism had become more attractive to some.

5. When they left the truth, the left the man who brought the truth.

6. The man who had been their pastor had become their enemy.

7. A lot of folks appreciate a pastor only as long as he says what they want to hear.

8. When he quits tickling their itching ears, he becomes their enemy.

9. These Galatians once admired Paul, but now they hated him.

10. Why did they hate him?

11. Why was he now considered to be their enemy?

12. Because he had told them the truth! (v.16)

13. ILLUSTRATION

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT BEING A PASTOR

When you are a young man, they say you lack experience.

When you have grey hair, they say you can’t reach the young people.

If you don’t have any children, they say you’re setting a bad example.

If you have four children, they say you have too many.

If you preach from notes, they say you preach canned sermons.

If you preach extemporaneously, they say you’re too shallow.

If you pay attention to the poor, they say you are grandstanding.

If you don’t pay attention to the poor, they say you’re an aristocrat.

If you use too many illustrations, they say you neglect the Bible.

If you don’t use enough, they don’t know what you’re talking about.

If you condemn sin, then you’re just a cranky old preacher.

If you don’t condemn sin, then you’re just a compromiser.

If you preach the truth, you will offend folks.

If you don’t preach the truth, then you know you’re a hypocrite.

If you don’t please everybody, then you’re hurting the church.

If you do please everybody, then you’re a man pleaser.

That’s why so many pastors are burned out, cynical, and unemployed.

14. ILLUSTRATION

A Thoughtful Layman

I feel sorry for the preacher

Who serves in a small town;

If he’s not a shining angel,

All the gossips run him down.

If he stays at home to study,

He should go to see the sick.

If he goes to a convention,

Why, he doesn’t work a lick.

If he visits ailing ladies,

He’s a gadabout and flirt;

If he dares to go a-fishing,

His good name’s forever dirt.

If he’s boosting for the young folks,

He’s too modern—he’s a clown;

He won’t preach old-fashioned sermons,

Fit for such as Grandpa Brown.

If he caters to the old folks,

All the young ones stay away;

And they never ask God’s blessings

On him when they kneel to pray.

An old unbelieving farmer

Might make fun of his white hands,

But those hands welcome weary sinners,

And then teach them God’s commands.

Yes, I sympathize with preachers,

For they’re human as can be,

And I know they can’t be perfect,

For they make mistakes like me.

(this illustration was borrowed)

B. “…AN ILLNESS…” (v.13-14)

1. When Paul first preached to them, he had an illness.