GOD’S PROVISION OF GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

 

 

GOD’S PROVISION OF GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD

Galatians 1:1-5

Introduction: I read a story about a man who was approached by a young lad who was selling subscriptions to a newspaper many years ago. The boy was very insistent about the benefits of a newspaper brought to his home and the cost only 25¢ per week. The boy then continued, “The best thing about this newspaper is that it prints only the good news.” We live in a world that is desperate to find some good news. It seems our world is crammed with more bad news, and we find ourselves believing. They see the worst of things and have little hope of ever gaining any respectability anywhere. This is the condition of the world today with all the political turmoil, the transgender issue, and many more things that has divided our nation and individuals. Many people feel they cannot compete in life and are relegated to a life that is filled with disappointments and no hope for the future. The book of Galatians identifies the “Good News” and shows how life can have significance, even when the odds are totally against us. It is my conviction that the condition of the world, with people trying to find significance in drugs, alcohol, sex, and other behaviors that leave them empty and hopeless, does so because they have not heard any good news in life and have been fed a bowl of bitterness. I came across a website called “Goodnews Network.” The site's stated goal is to share stories of good news that will encourage and excite you. For instance, here is a story that you probably won’t hear on the nightly news: “Czechs Send $200 thousand to Blast-hit Texas Town.” It seems that the Czech Republic sent $200 thousand to help a West Texas town recover from the devastating explosion in a fertilizer plant exploded where several were killed and injured several hundred. Another told about some homeless men who gave pennies to help a cancer patient. Our world needs some good news, but I fear that the good news they need is being neglected. The website said nothing about the Good News of the Gospel.

The exciting thing about the Bible, and especially the “Gospel,” is that there is some good news. In fact, the word “Gospel” has the meaning of “good news.” Paul wants to share that with the people he writes to in his letter with the title “Galatians.” We need some good news so let’s explore the first few verses of this book to see what is said about good news. The good news of the Bible is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day according to the scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. We want to look at three things to get us to the good news. Listen to Proverbs 25:25 (KJV) As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 

As we look at this epistle, there are three major sections. These help us understand the content by analyzing these sections. They are (1) Personal, (2) Doctrinal, and (3) Practical. This sermon will demonstrate the apostle's deep personal involvement with these people. He visited this area on the first two missionary trips. One with Barnabas and the other with Silas.  

  1. Paul, the Apostle, Galatians 1:1. As a beginning, let me share with you something that will aid us in understanding the word “apostle.” This is taken from the book Galatians: Chapters 1 & 2, written by Laurence Vance, one who sits among us. He gave me a copy of the book, and I have found some information that is not always found in other commentaries. It is about the word “apostle” and provides a clear understanding of how it developed beyond the Twelve Apostles, who were called by Christ. They were also known as “apostles,” and yet the word is used in a somewhat prolific way in the book of Acts and other epistles. His explanation is worth knowing. This discussion is important since Paul was called an “apostle.” He said,

Paul did not meet the qualifications to be a replacement for Judas, since he had not been baptized by John, companied with the Twelve, or been a witness of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). . . there are other apostles, both by name and unnamed, besides Paul and the original twelve. James, ‘the Lord’s brother’ (Gal. 1:19) is termed an apostle (Gal. 1:9); 1 Cor. 15:7, cf. 15:5), as are Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14) and the unnamed ‘all the apostles’ who are distinguished from the Twelve (1 Cor. 15:5, 7). In 1 Thessalonians, when Paul makes reference to his visit to Thessalonica, he speaks of himself and his fellow-laborers as ‘apostles of Christ’ (1 The. 2:6). This would include Silvanus, who, besides being named with Paul in the salutation of 1 Thessalonians, is mentioned in Acts as being with Paul at that time (Acts 17:4), but apparently not Timothy, whom even though he is named with Paul and Silvanus in 1 Thessalonians, and was also with them in Thessalonica (Acts 17:14), Paul seems to exclude from the apostleship (2 Cor. 1:1; Col. 10:1). . . So, even though he [Paul] was not one of the original twelve apostles, Paul claims equality with them. His apostleship stands or falls with them (cf. Gal. 2:7-8).

  1. People of Galatia, Galatians 1:1-2. The word “Galatia” means “land of the 

Gauls.” These were people of Ireland, Scotland, and France who migrated to this area of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). The book was written probably somewhere between A.D. 51 and 55. The observer will note that the letter is addressed to the “churches of Galatia,” not to a church, because Galatia is a region, not a church. It consists of the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Paul visited these cities in Acts 13-14 during his first missionary journey. What is interesting about this trip is that Paul made his first declaration to “turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). We are told that when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord (Acts 13:47). Note with me the statement in Acts 13:49 (KJV) And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. On this journey, Paul discovered how well the Gentiles responded to the word of God and the preaching of the truth about Jesus Christ. I want you to go with me to the book of Acts and see some things there. Look with me at Acts 14:1-7 [READ]. The Jews opposed the preaching of Paul, and stirred the people about the message of Paul. The people of the area were very receptive to the message, but there was strong opposition from the Jews. This is the main thrust of the epistle of the Galatians. Paul is combating the false teachers and teachings that were plaguing the churches there in Galatia. The book is an apology of the truth and an exposition of the message of the Gospel and how a believer and a church can stand against false teaching. If there was ever a time when a stand was needed against the heresy of the day, it is now. Folks, we live in a time when the meltdown of truth is so severe that it is scary. While doing jail ministry in Louisiana, one of the men asked me about an incident in Samson's life. He said, “. . . that a statement was made that, when Paul had his eyes put out, he could see better without them than with them.” Do you know where that came from? The movie, “The Bible,” had been airing on the Discovery Channel he had been watching. Hollywood and the television industry have no use for the Bible and its truth, so the way to fight against it is to distort the message and make the public believe that they know more than the Bible does about historical truth. 

  1. Provisions of Grace, Galatians 1:3. This verse needs very little explanation. The combination of grace and peace that Paul uses is one of his favorite ways to state an important principle. Grace comes before peace. In his writing of epistles, you will find that grace always comes first. Look at Romans 1:7 (KJV) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon 1:3 (KJV) Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Even Peter knows the sequence of the two words, grace and peace. Look at 2 Peter 1:2 (KJV) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. You have no peace until you have the grace of God. Turmoil in your life is because you have no answers to life’s biggest questions and one of them is what is life about. How can I have the peace that seems to evade me? It is by knowing the grace of God. Paul said in Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. We have all heard this before but we desperately need to remember it to the point that we might point people to the one who gives grace and the best by-product of grace is peace. We need to remember that the “peace of God” comes only through “our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Ephesians 2:14 (KJV) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. One will never know the peace of God until they have the grace of God. We get both in Jesus Christ. The provision of grace is a major undertaking by God. 

Look with me at Romans 5:15 (KJV) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 1 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV) I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ. Now look at an application of this with me in Galatians 2:21 (KJV) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. We can be guilty of “frustrating the grace of God” by going about trying to be righteous and godly by keeping the law. We also do this by keeping secure by doing certain things in the Christian life. We are secure by the grace of God, not by our works. This is the heart of Calvinism. They talk about the “perseverance of the saints.” We fail to recognize what the definition of perseverance is. By dictionary definition, it is “Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose, steadfastness.” (www.answers.com/topic/perseverance). If perseverance means our ability to be “steadfast” and to “adhere to a course of action, belief, or a purpose,” then we are captains of our faith. We are the ones who keep us secure because if we do not persevere then we probably have failed in the pursuit of eternal life. Calvinism defines perseverance as “the continuance in grace of people elected to eternal life…” (www.yourdictionary.com/perseverance). Folks, we can frustrate the grace of God. Look at Galatians 2:21 (KJV) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. When we try to secure ourselves by adhering to certain laws, regulations, etc., we frustrate the grace of God. Now, understanding the grace of God, we come to the next point: the reason for Jesus Christ’s coming and sacrifice.  

  1. Problems in the world, Galatians 1:4-5. Galatians 1:3 goes with these two verses. Let’s read them Galatians 1:3-5 (KJV) 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. 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The little relative pronoun “who” must relate to a noun, and that noun is a personal noun in verse 3, “our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is not hard to understand what is being said. Note what is said about Him. 
  • He gave Himself
  • That He might deliver us
  • According to the will of God

Now, we need to realize what the gospel, the good news, is all about. It is about the work of redemption on our behalf by the Lord Jesus Christ. He “gave himself” or he died on the cross

  1. He gave himself: Look at these verses.
  • Galatians 1:4 (KJV) 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: 
  • Galatians 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
  • 1 Timothy 2:6 (KJV) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 
  • Titus 2:14 (KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 
  1. That He might deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV) Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. The word “deliver” means to “pluck out, to rescue from danger.” We live in a world dominated by evil. I’m not sure we understand that. This makes the Bible so relevant. We are delivered from: This present evil world. There are so many illustrations we could use here. There is a curious verse in the Old Testament that pertains to what is going on in this world. Isaiah 5:20 (KJV) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! We live in the midst of this philosophy of life right now. Did you ever think that Christians would be classified as evil? The reversal of normal thought is an indication that evil is in control. When evil is seen as good and good as evil, we are in for a rough ride. Here is some stark information. Several years ago, the U.S. Military temporarily blocked access to the Southern Baptist Convention’s website on many military bases. They claim it contains “hostile content.” As it turned out, a “video check” flagged the content and indicated it did not meet their criteria. When the true reason came out, they removed the block. Now I have no idea what criteria are used to determine what constitutes “hostile content,” but I am doubtful that the SBC website contains any. Why not try a Muslim website? Do you think you will find “hostile content” there? Do you see what is happening in our nation? It is my conviction that Christians in the U.S. are in for a tough time as we find the government becoming more hostile toward a group of people who operate on love and grace rather than hate and killing. What has happened to our world? 

THERE IS ONLY ONE SOLUTION TO THE “PRESENT EVIL WORLD” AND THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Proverbs 25:25 (KJV) As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Our world still needs the “good news” and we have it. Why not share it with a “thirsty soul?”

  1. According to the will of God and our Father. God wants the best for you and has provided it. Will you accept the “good news?” 
  1. Eph. 6:6, Not with eye service, as me pleases; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 
  2. 1Thess. 4:3, For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication.
  3. 1Thess. 5:18, In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 
  4. 1 Peter 2:15, For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 

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