FOUNDATIONS FOR PEACE

GALATIANS 2:11–21
October 1-3, 2011
Pentecost 16
Pastor Tim Smith

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Sermon – October 2, 2011 from Saint Pauls on Vimeo.

11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? 15 “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. 17 “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, 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 could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

DID CHRIST DIE FOR NOTHING?

Paul didn’t write this chapter of Galatians because he wanted to prove to everybody that he had stood up to Peter one time back in the day. Paul wrote this because the sin that Peter and Barnabas and everybody else had slipped into in Antioch was the exact same sin that the Galatians were slipping into.

If you think about it, it was an easy mistake to make, because it was the mistake of slipping into old habits that had once been the Laws of the Church. Those are hard habits to break. Imagine that you are not a Gentile, but a Jew; you are one of the Apostles. You know the stories about Jesus—you were there! You saw the miracles; you were in the boat when he calmed the storm. You ate your share of the fishes and the loaves and you helped collect the leftovers and laughed with Peter and John at how much really was left over—much more than the Lord started with in the first place.

Now, after his ascension, the gospel has been going out, and you find yourself north of Galilee at the city of Antioch in the far north, farther even than Damascus, up in the upper right-hand corner of the Mediterranean Sea. So many Greek are getting sick and tired of the filthy, sinful lifestyle of some of the Greeks, especially the tabloid lifestyle of the Corinthians, and these Greeks are looking for a philosophy or a religion that will guide them in a new direction. Maybe some of them tried Judaism but the rules were too strict, and maybe some of them tried the Roman occult but the Roman Caesars were even more revolting than the Corinthians, if that were possible.

And there, somewhere in Antioch, there were followers of the Way—people that in Antioch were now nicknamed “Christians.” Many of the Greeks were now looking into this Christianity, and you and the other apostles and disciples of Jesus are baptizing and teaching and there are more and more people coming every week.

That’s when some formerly Christians came from James. When Paul says “From James,” he doesn’t necessarily mean that James sent them, but that they were from James’ congregation in Jerusalem. Churches didn’t yet have names like “St. Paul’s” or “St. John’s” or “The Chapel of the Christ,” but here is a case where the people of a church are just called disciples of a certain pastor—in this case, they were members of the Jerusalem church whose pastor was James.

They had been Jews by religion, but now were Christian, but they were having a hard time giving up the old ways; they thought—this was not and is not a teaching of the Bible—that even Christians should be circumcised and should avoid certain foods and avoid eating with Gentiles.

Sometimes, a personality carries as much weight as the truth, so that as my High School music teacher, Mrs. LaFave, taught me: “The one who sings the loudest is the one everyone thinks is right.” Here is a place where many of need to consider: If God has blessed me with a voice people listen to, then I had better use it responsibly, and I had better be sure that when I dare to speak about the Word of God, that I am speaking the truth.

Now, we could step aside here from the main point of this passage and talk about using all of our spiritual gifts responsibly—and maybe that’s something for you to talk about at the dinner table. We set an example for other people and we set a precedent in the minds of other people when we do things we can do, that maybe not everyone can do. Should everyone use their phone, or Should they text, while they’re driving a car? Maybe you think you can do it safely, but you’re setting an example for people who probably can’t. Should everyone enjoy the kind of sexual relationship that a husband and wife enjoy? Or should everyone know better than that. Should everyone be permitted to take the law into their own hands? When I stop my car because I’m feeling kind and wave some children across the street, do I imagine that the cars behind me or coming from the other direction will know what I’m doing? Am I putting those children in danger with my kindness? Or do I put an unnecessary burden on consciences and tender new souls when I insist that one kind of worship or one style of music is appropriate and another is not—especially when none of the music or worship styles we use would be recognizable to Peter or Paul or to certain men from James?

I will leave those things for your dinner table. What Paul is addressing here is how even Peter was caught up in a sin that set aside the grace of God himself.

Is that putting it to severely? Can we really, with our words or actions, nullify the cross of Christ and make it as if Christ died for nothing?

Absolutely we can—and we do, when we cause people to think there is a law that needs to be kept in order for forgiveness to take place.

The spectacular work of Christ is that he did the unlikely, the improbable and the impossible for every one of us while we were still dead in our sins.

The unlikely was that anyone would give up his life for wretched people who rejected him. To see how unlikely this was, imagine that we’re not talking about Jesus the Son of God, but anyone at all. Who among us would sacrifice our lives for our enemies; for people who reject us, tell lies about us, who hate us, and who openly plot to kill us. But that’s just what Jesus did.

The improbable was that God himself would choose to come down and take on human flesh in person to rescue mankind; to put himself into danger. Nowhere in mythology has a human being ever imagined that this would ever take place. We can dream that a divine being or a hero would disguise himself and mix among us, offering sage advice or filling in the missing part of a sad story. But we would never have expected God to leave his heavenly throne and become like us, become as vulnerable as us, and put himself into deadly danger and even permit himself to be killed for us. But that’s just what Jesus did.

The impossible is that his death would atone for our sins. All of them. But it did. God demanded blood as payment for sin—death—and Jesus’ death was only possible because he was also a human being in every way. But because in addition to being completely human, Jesus was and is also truly and fully God—just as much God as the Holy Spirit; just as much God as God the Father in heaven—and since it was God who shed his blood and died on the cross, his death spreads out and covers over every sin in the world. He knows about all our sins in his divine omniscience. His powerful omnipotence was set aside out of love for us, and his omnipresence—his presence everywhere and in every thing—means that when we consume the wine and the bread of the Lord’s Supper, we are not just remembering him; we are taking part in his actually flesh and blood.

This is the grace of God, which we receive with open and thankful hearts. What was all up to Jesus, is still all up to Jesus. There isn’t anything required to be a saved believer. Paul said, “By observing the law, no one will be justified.” That means that there is nothing for us to do for eternal life.

Faith—the trust that comes from knowing and not rejecting Jesus—is all there is. Faith itself is a gift, and since God has put no other burden on us, we should never dare to a burden on anyone else. It’s time now to invite them. Who do you know that you can bring to hear the story of Jesus, the gospel of our Saving God, and let their hearts, too, know

the peace of God that transcends our understanding, and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Galatians 4:4-7
December 26, 2010
1st Sunday after Christmas
Pastor Don Sutton

Galatians 4:4-7
“ But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (NIV)

Introduction
Do you ever get the feeling at this time of year that Christmas came too soon? Maybe you’ve had this feeling when you look back at the cards that weren’t sent, the cookies that weren’t baked, the cleaning and decorating that didn’t get done, the presents that weren’t purchased, given or sent. As a result you felt that Christmas came too soon. However, God’s word reminds us …“Christmas Came at Just the Right Time.”

The Fullness Of Time
December 25th – we call this Christmas. But we really don’t know the exact date of Christmas. The present date was established in the fourth century. The fact is, however, “when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son?.” In other words, Christmas came at just the right time in God’s way of seeing things.

We don’t know all the things God took into account in deciding when the first Christmas would be. But Scripture indicates that the time for the Savior’s coming was just right because all the Old Testament prophecies that God wanted people to have, had been given. Also necessary elements for fulfillment of these prophecies were in place. Then there was also the Pax Romana in the Roman Empire. This time of peace, together with a universal language – the common Greek – and a good system of roads by which the Gospel would spread, made the timing of the first Christmas just right.

Childhood
Then, as Paul alluded to, this is the time for the Old Testament period to come to an end. Paul compares the Old Testament times to a childhood. In childhood, while a child generally is loved, that child doesn’t have much freedom. He/she is told when to eat, what to eat, when to sleep, where to sleep, what to wear, how to act, where to go and not to go, what to do and not do. He or she may have money but not the freedom to spend it. There may be spankings or other forms of discipline.

Paul’s point is that similar to childhood, in the Old Testament times God’s law dictated almost every aspect of life for God’s people. There was not much freedom for them. God, in love, had good reason for this. His Old Testament people couldn’t handle much freedom. God’s law showed them their need for him and his mercy. God’s law separated his people from the unbelieving people around them. God’s law system, with gospel symbols such as the sacrificial system and the Sabbath day, pointed people to the coming Savior. But at the same time it kept God’s people as kids.

Freedom
With the coming of Christ, “born under law,” came the end of childhood for God’s Church on earth. While there would still be moral principles by which God would show us our sins, curb our sinful nature and guide our Christian living, in Christ, God would fulfill all the ceremonies of his law and give his people freedom to serve him in many ways. As Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ (2:16,17).” Christmas, from God’s perspective came at just the right time. Now his people would have freedom and maturity to serve him and spread the gospel in ways the Old Testament law system probably would not have allowed.

Now you may be sitting in your seat about ready to daydream and thinking, “So big deal!” It is a big deal. If you and I were still under the Old Testament legal system, many of us here today would not be here because we would be ceremonially unclean – couples who had sex in the last couple of days, women for whom it is that time of the month, women who recently had babies, those who have been in contact with the dead. All males would have to be circumcised. Sometime, somewhere in our worship we would have to incorporate the sacrifice of animals. Imagine bringing your sheep, doves, calves or lambs. Picture us slaughtering them and sprinkling the blood on the altar. If we were still in the Old Testament system all adult males would be required to journey to Jerusalem three times a year. Now that, my friends, would cost us a few shekels and cause some inconvenience. If you think that being a believer now is a challenge, just think of what it must have been like in the Old Testament times. If you think that carrying out the Church’s mission of making disciples is a challenge now, think of what it would be if we were operating in the Old Testament system.

Freed From Sin’s Curse
Folks, Christ freed you from these things and much more.” When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law” As we so heard on Christmas day in the beautiful Christmas Gospel, the Word – God’s Son, true God from eternity, co-creator of the universe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords – by the power of the Holy Spirit, took on human nature in the womb of Mary. He was born and born under law. He came to fulfill that law so that his Church, his people, would no longer be children. This meant removing the spiritual handcuffs of the Old Testament law. But this included fulfilling the law’s demand for holiness and redeeming us from the law’s curse for sin.

God’s Law
God’s law says, “Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy (Lev 19:1).” Without Christ, are you holy? You’re a liar if you say you are! God’s law says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Have you kept every one of God’s commands all the time? Fat chance! We’re all born with sin and this by itself puts us under God’s curse and makes us do, say and think things also deserving God’s curse. Sin, if not dealt with, prohibits a person being a part of the family of God. Christ came to redeem, that it is buy back from sin’s slavery and curse. Jesus came to pay the price for the right for us to be God’s children.

Adoption
Those who have gone through the adoption process in recent times know that it can be very expensive – $25,000 – $35,000 for a domestic adoption and as much as $50,000 for an international adoption. Adoption involves not only money, but also a lot of action. God’s Son came at just the right time to do and pay everything necessary for us to have the adoption as God’s children. The life of the little Jesus that was spared when the angel directed Joseph and Mary to take Jesus and flee to Egypt, would be the life of the big Jesus who refused to flee his enemies when they sought his life. The Holy Child of Bethlehem would be the hideous-looking body loaded with sin and dying on a place called Golgotha some 33 years later. The sin God’s Son carried, was not his own, but ours. If God were not such a merciful God, we should be there – suffering, dying, damned. As a result of Christ’s being in our place, Paul could write, “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Rom 10:4).” We are no longer under the law’s curse. We are forgiven. We are free to be children of God.

Sons Of God
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal3:26).” Through Christ, God has given us the right to be his children. By his Holy Spirit working through his word, God has given us the power to be his children. God gave us faith. So as believers we are children of God ?.. but according to Paul, we are more than simply children, we are sons of God. Paul makes this distinction four times – “sons.” I realize there is the possibility that Paul is using the term figuratively as we often teach in our circles, to mean children. I also realize that in saying this someone might misunderstand me to be discriminating against girls. I am not.

In the Letter to the Galatians Paul knew that these people were familiar with the rights of sons as laid out in the Old Testament. For example, when a father died, his estate was divided among the sons with the eldest getting a double portion and his brothers a single portion. The eldest son became the leader of the clan. Daughters were cared for until their marriage, but they got nothing unless there were no brothers. The same thing was true among the Greeks. Add to that the fact that sons were valued more than daughters when it came to heavy work and war. To a woman living in such a social environment, to hear that through Christ, in the kingdom of God, she received the full rights of sons, this was novel. It was exciting! The same would be true for servant and slaves. In the verses preceding our text Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (3:28).” The point is, unlike the ancient inheritance laws, all believers, whether sons or daughters, have equal blessing as God’s children.

Rights Of Sons
What are some of those blessings? Paul answers, “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba,’ Father.” Not only did God the Holy Spirit give us faith, he has given the right to call God our Father. This means that we can pray the Lord’s Prayer with confidence. We may look to God as a Father who will help his children in the way and the time that God sees as right – when we’re troubled; when tempted; when in need. Even when we’ve sinned, we know that God our Father, in view of Jesus, has compassion on us and forgives us.

Paul also added, “Since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” An heir inherits. The ultimate inheritance is eternal life. Keep that in mind when you’re struggling with pain and problems. You have eternal life – keep that in mind when you’re thinking that maybe Christianity isn’t worth the struggle; keep it in mind when if you’re a going through mid-life crisis thinking, “What have I to show for my life?” Keep it mind when you’re facing death and you’re thinking “What next?” “Since you are a son, God has also made you and heir.” God made this possible by seeing to it that Christmas came at just the right time. Amen.