Sermons About Damascus-road
Acts 9 : From Enemy to Emissary - The Conversion of Saul
Back at the end of Acts chapter 7 we meet a young man named Saul. It was he who held everyones cloaks so they could throw rocks at Stephen more easily. He gave consent to his murder. Here in Chapter 9 we encounter Saul once again. Luke tells us Saul went on a manhunt to arrest followers of the WAY – the new sect of Judaism which was, as he saw it a false religion that needed to be snuffed out. And Saul was committed to doing everything he could to make that happen...that was until Saul met Jesus along the way.
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Galatians2.1-10
Due to technical difficulties, the first few words of the sermon were cut out. Summary: Jewish Christians place their culture above the gospel and go so far as to attach their justification to it. They've added to the gospel and lost grace. As Christians we can become just as guilty as the Judaizers when we create our own "church culture" that we require new believers to conform to.
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Galatians 1.10-24
Paul defends against the charge that he is a "people pleaser." He is anything but that, taking a stand for the truth before an audience of one. He points to the source of his gospel (Jesus), and explains how he did not receive anything from flesh and blood--the only true explanation for his own personal transformation. The test and evidence of his ministry is not in his popularity or comfort, but in how closely it is aligned with what Jesus said.
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Galatians 1.6-9
Paul shares is astonishment about how quickly the Galatians have abandoned a gospel of grace for a "new law" that they can keep but cannot be saved by. They add works to a gospel of grace and begin to follow a different gospel. Like Galatians, today we too add to the gospel or replace Jesus entirely. We look to someone or something else to be our savior.
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Galatians 1:1-5
Paul's greeting of grace and peace reveals the heart of the gospel message. Paul defends his "credentials" by grounding his authority and power in Jesus Christ alone. The only thing that qualifies us for grace and peace is Jesus and his death - not good works or pedigree.
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