Stupid Statements made by famous people.
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"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." --Mariah Carey
"Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life," --Brooke Shields, during an interview to become Spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.
"I’ve never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body," --Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.
"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country," --Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, DC.
"I’m not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president." --Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents.
"Half this game is ninety percent mental." --Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark
"It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." --Al Gore, Vice President
"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix." --Dan Quayle
"If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure." --Bill Clinton, President
"We are ready for an unforeseen event that may or may not occur." --Al Gore, VP
"Traditionally, most of Australia’s imports come from overseas."--Keppel Enderbery
"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances."--Department of Social Services, Greenville, South Carolina
In Galatians, Paul is dealing with statements that have been made that have perverted the good news of Jesus Christ. He is dealing with those who would say that the message of the Gospel was incomplete, that there is more that was required than the precious blood of Jesus Christ offered on our behalf by the grace of God. He is dealing with a group of men that existed in his day that were wise in their own eyes, and today, we also must deal with a similar group of people who are wise in their own eyes and want to add to the requirements for salvation. Let us open up the scripture to Galatians Ch. 1:
I. Paul is God’s Apostle:
Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ
Galatians 1:11-24
11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.
Paul did not go to Bible College, or even to the leading Christians of his day!- he was taught by God Himself. Apparently, people were accusing Him of teaching a different Gospel himself. Paul came with the authority of God Himself. He was called an apostle by God Himself. He was separated for the Gospel ministry by God Himself. Jesus Christ was revealed in Him by God Himself. Paul’s authority to preach came from God Himself, and He was trained by God Himself.
II. Paul’s Message is from God: Gospel of Grace
In this passage, Paul declares that he was taught this Gospel that he had preached from God Himself:
Galatians 1:11-12
11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ
And this Paul’s single minded focus on this Gospel of grace from God is evident even in the opening greeting of this letter:
Galatians 1:3-4
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Grace- unmerited favor- God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense- not earned, given as a gift Peace- state of man with God as a result of Grace
Grace is revealed in Christ
• He Gave Himself for our sins
• He delivered us from this evil world, and its grip on us
• He acted according to God’s will
III. Paul’s Concern: Don’t fall from Grace
Galatians 1:6-7
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ
Paul is amazed that the Galatians so quickly were deceived into believing another Gospel- so much so that he said they were removed from Him- God Himself- that called them into the grace of Christ. The Greek, deserting, metatithesthe, as in a military desertion talks about leaving your country you have sworn to defend and turn your back on them. In other words, they were turning their back on God to follow a different gospel. This gospel was perverted or corrupted- in effect- changed by those who were harassing these new believers. It is very likely that these were a group of judaizers that were adding works like circumcision and dietary requirements to the gospel of grace. In other words, they wanted these gentile Christians to follow Jewish law to become truly saved.
IV. Paul’s Condemnation: Any other Gospel is a curse
Galatians 1:8-9
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Paul was emphasizing and re-emphasizing that any thing added or taken away from grace alone is an accursed Gospel. Indeed, Paul had warned these Galatians that these types would come
Acts 15:24 (KJV)
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
Acts 20:29-30 (KJV)
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
And indeed they had come, and had preached this. Why was Paul so upset? This corruption caused confusion. These new believers could be easily swayed. Indeed, when people who call themselves Christians today have many different points of view regarding salvation, it confuses people! Paul was upset because these different views confused people that may want to be saved! The devil is the author of such confusion, and Paul recognized this. He pronounced damnation on anyone who would cause this kind of confusion by corrupting the simple, blessed truth. Salvation is by grace-not by works- lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8)
Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ
If Paul was a man-pleaser, as these people accused him, he would likely still be persecuting the church. Indeed, if anyone had done ‘enough’ works to please God, it would have been Paul! People naturally want to earn favor from God; this is why we have religion. Religion is man’s way of pleasing God. But God had a different plan, and if Paul was still following man’s way, he would not be a servant of Christ. Paul’s point was that if we accept Man’s version, man can put things into the religion that places man in control, adding rules and traditions that man could control. The gospel of grace places God in control, and unredeemed men do not like that.
What is the word for us today? There are many churches, preachers, and Christians that are still adding things to grace alone. They say to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ AND
Participate in the sacraments (indeed, some churches preach that the sacraments give you grace)
Speak in Tongues Sing only Hymns Sing only contemporary
Tithe Give Not Smoke Not drink Not dance Dress in a specific manner Go on visitation Attend all services Go into full time Christian service
All these things can be pointed to with a level of pride, like the religious man who entered the temple telling God (and anyone who would listen) how good he was. I have bad news for you, doing these things does not curry any more favor from God in terms of salvation. In fact, doing anything does not add or take away from salvation.
By the way, I am not preaching a libertine Gospel. So, if you are thinking about going out to purchase a pack of smokes and a six pack of beer, I direct you to
1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJV)
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
What you do does not add or take away from your salvation. Salvation is all about what Christ has DONE. Since it is about God and of God, man cannot improve upon it or lose it altogether. This same grace frees us to serve Christ- not out of compulsion, fear, pride, or even duty- but out of LOVE.
Galatians 1:4 (KJV)
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world,( and its standards of goodness and evil, its religious requirements) according to the will of God and our Father:
