SENT TO PREACH
Gal 1:1-5 NASB
1 Paul, an apostle (not {sent} from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom {be} the glory forevermore. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
1. How . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?
2. What . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?.
3. Why . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?.
1.How . . Was Paul Sent to Preach? v 1-2
1. Paul, an apostle (not {sent} from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
A. Sent to Preach as One Who Has . .Apostleship.
v 1 a "Paul, an apostle . . . "
B. Sent to Preach as One Who Has . . Authority.
v 1 b ". . . (not {sent} from men, nor through the
agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father,
C. Sent to Preach as One Who Has . . Associates.
v 2 "and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches
of Galatia:
Illustration
As a new Christian I got to spend a lot of time with some of our deacons. One in particular talked of how as a brand new deacon he was helped by some of the great old deacons in our church.
He related an experience in one of the first deacon meetings he attended. It seems the new pastor who follow a man who had been there for 29 years was not liked by some of the people of the church. One deacon stood in the deacons meeting and made a motion "lets fire the preacher." He is on vacation and we can just notify him not to come back to our church." Another deacon named Ira Keeny stood and said "I would not treat a dog that way much less my pastor." This new deacon said "that man’s courage helped me. It also helped the preacher.
Illustration
About 6 months ago there was a distrubance in our church that could have gotten out of hand. I went to talk to a deacon about it. I found him in the prayer room, and he had already taken care of the problem. All pastors need those kind of associates.
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Call Subc: Divine, To Leadership Index: 1790
There are three types of Christians who respond to the call of service:
1. Rowboat Christians -- have to be pushed.
2. Sailboat Christians -- always go with wind.
3. Steamboat Christians -- make up their minds where they ought
to go and go there regardless of wind and weather.
APPLICATION SENT TO PREACH
We Looked at: How Paul Sent to Preach,
Now Look at What Paul was Sent to Preach
2. What . . Was Paul Sent to Preach? v 3
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
A. Sent to Preach the . . Definition of Grace.
v 3 a "Grace to you . . . "
B. Sent to Preach the . . Development of Grace.
v 3 b ". . . and peace . . . "
C. Sent to Preach the . . Derivation of Grace.
v 3 c ". . . from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Strength Subtopic: God our Index: 3806
I recall a story about a man who had to cross a wide river on the ice. He was afraid it might be too thin, so he began to crawl on his hand and knees in great terror. He thought he might fall through at any moment. Just as he neared the opposite shore, all exhausted, another man glided past him nonchalantly sitting on a sled loaded with pig iron. How like some Christians! Headed for Heaven, they tremble at every step lest the divine promises break under their feet. They need only to look at the context of Isaiah 12:2 to realize that God is their salvation and the Lord is their strength and song.
By resting completely upon Him and taking His promises at face value, we can drive out the paralyzing fear that hinders our effectiveness in serving Christ. The biblical antidote always works: "I will trust, and not be afraid."
APPLICATION SENT TO PREACH
We Looked at: How Paul Sent to Preach,
and What Paul was Sent to Preach.
Now look at:
Why . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?.
3. Why . . Was Paul Sent to Preach? v 4-5
4. who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom {be} the glory forevermore. Amen.
A. Sent to Preach the . . Expense of the Message. v 4 a
v 4 a ". . . who gave Himself for our sins, . . . "
B. Sent to Preach the . . Effect of the Message. v 4 b
". . . that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, "
C. Sent to Preach the . . Explanation of the Message. v 4 c - 5
". . . according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to
whom {be} the glory forevermore."
D. Sent to Preach the . . End of the Message. v 5 b
". . . Amen. "
ILLUSTRATION Topic:Steadfastness Index: 3438-3442 Title: Skyrocket Christians
A skyrocket is lovely to watch but its beauty doesn’t last long. There are people who have Christian experiences as brilliant as skyrockets or like giant Roman candles. They fairly dazzle our eyes for awhile. But then they sputter and go out and their lives are sick or disappointing and disillusioning. All of us know that it’s the people who through the years maintain the spiritual glow who make us believe in the genuineness of Christianity. Their devotion is deep and constant because it is real.
This Is the End of the message. Glory to God in a changed life.
APPLICATION
1. How . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?
2. What . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?.
3. Why . . Was Paul Sent to Preach?.
For more sermons by James McCullen go to:
www.preachhim.org
