THAT’S NO WAY TO TREAT A POPE!
Gal. 2:10-21
NASB
{11} Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;
{12} for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
{13} And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
{14} But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?
{15} "We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
{16} "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
{17} "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
{18} "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
{19} "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
{20} "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
{21} "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
INTRODUCTION
Recently we have seen the Catholic Church elect a new Pope. The Catholic Church says Simon Peter was the first Pope. They say there has been someone in the office of Pope ever since Simon Peter, and that this Pope is in a direct line with Simon Peter. Baptist and many people in the Protestant persuasion do not agree. In this text Paul rebuked Simon Peter, and I ask "is that any way to treat a Pope.
1. By Giving Him a . . Lashing from the Tongue.
2. By Giving Him a . . Lecture from the Gospel.
3. By Giving Him a . . Lesson from the Law.
1. By Giving Him a . . Lashing from the Tongue. v 11-13
A. A Tongue Lashing because of . . Harm. v 11
{11} Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;
B. A Tongue Lashing of because of . . Hedging. v 12
{12} for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the
Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who
were of the circumcision.
C. A Tongue Lashing of because of . . Hypocrisy. v 13
{13} And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
ILLUSTRATION
Martin Luther had trouble with this verse of scripture. How can the Pope be rebuked like this by Simon Peter? I noted this week some of the articles in his famous 95 Thesis.
27. They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into
the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.
53. They are the enemies of Christ and the pope who forbids altogether the preaching of
the Word of God in some churches in order that indulgences may be preached in others.
54. Injury is done to the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or larger amount
of time is devoted to indulgences than to the Word.
APPLICATION
No Way to treat the Pope By Giving Him a . . Lashing from the Tongue.
But Simon Peter was not the Pope.
2. By Giving Him a . . Lecture from the Gospel. v 14-16
A. A Lecture Concerning the . . Certainty of the Gospel. v 14 a
{14} But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, . . . "
B. A Lecture Concerning the . . Consistency of the Gospel. v 14 b
"If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?
C. A Lecture Concerning the . . Conclusions of the Gospel. v 15-16
{15} "We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, {16} "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Gospel Index: 1440-1442 Date: 10/1995.14
Dr. Billy Graham recently spoke on the topic "The Person God Will Use for the Unfinished Task," sharing lessons he has learned from 50 years of preaching and observations of the church on all continents of the world.
"I believe we will minister together in one of the most difficult periods of history, as a great crisis is approaching," he said. "We already live in a world that is beset by problems, evil and instability. Yet, this is a glorious day for the Gospel."
"We live in a hurting world. Whether it’s in marriage, politics or whatever, the pieces just aren’t fitting together anymore," he continued. "And they never will until people finally turn toward and discover faith in Christ."
The evangelist noted that everywhere he preaches he can count on five areas of human need facing contemporary man which affect people all over the world:
1) emptiness, 2) loneliness, 3) guilt, 4) fear of death, 5) and a search for something to believe in.
APPLICATION
By Giving Him a . . Lecture from the Gospel.
But Simon Peter was not the Pope.
3. By Giving Him a . . Lesson from the Law. v 17-21
A. A Lesson Concerning the . . Death of the Law. v 17-19
{17} "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! {18} "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. {19} "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
B. A Lesson Concerning the . . Deliverance from the Law. v 20-21
{20} "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. {21} "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
ILLUSTRATION
John Wesley describes his pilgrimage in terms of his preaching rather vividly. It parallels closely his inward growth.
(1) From the year 1725 to 1729 I preached much, but saw no fruit of my labor.
(2) From the year 1729 to 1734, laying a deeper foundation of repentance, I saw a little fruit.
(3) From 1734 to 1738, speaking more of faith in Christ, I saw more fruit of my preaching and visiting from house to house.
(4) From 1738 to this time (1746), speaking continually of Jesus Christ; laying Him only as the foundation of the whole building, making Him all in all, the first and the last; preaching only on this plan, "The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel," the "word of God ran" as fire among the stubble; it "was glorified" more and more; multitudes crying out, "What must we do to be saved?" and afterwards witnessing, "By grace we are saved through faith."
APPLICATION
That’s No Way To Treat A Pope.
By Giving Him a . . Lesson from the Law.
But Simon peter was not the Pope.
For Additional Sermons by James McCulle go to:
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