Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
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WHEN TO CAUSE TROUBLE IN THE CHURCH

Galatians 2:1-10

1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. {2} And it was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. {3} But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. {4} But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. {5} But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

{6} But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. {7} But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised {8} (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), {9} and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. {10} They only asked us to remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do. NASB)

KJV

1.  Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem
with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

INTRODUCTION:       

I heard James Dobson relate that he would not sit silent in a church if the gospel message were compromised. Paul caused some excitement in the Jerusalem church with his stand for the Gospel. We can be great full today for the stand he took.

In the text I find two reasons to cause trouble; they are:

1. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Defended.

         2. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Dispersed.

1.     When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Defended.

A.     Our Defense through . . Revelation. v 1 - 2 a

    1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with

         Barnabas, taking Titus along also.

    2 And it was because of a revelation that I went up;

B.     Our Defense through . . Submission. v 2 b - 3

    ". . . and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I

    did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running,

    or had run, in vain. {3} But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a

    Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

C.     Our Defense through . . Refusing to Submit. v 4-5

    {4} But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our

         liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

    {5} But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of

         the gospel might remain with you.

ILLUSTRATION  Topic: Gospel    Index: 1440-1442 

The story is told of a lighthouse keeper who worked on a rocky stretch of coastline and who received his new supply of oil once a month to keep the light burning. Not being far from shore, he had frequent guests. One night a woman from the village begged some oil to keep her family warm. Another time a father asked for some to use in his lamp. Another needed some to lubricate a wheel. Since all the requests seemed legitimate, the lighthouse keeper tried to please everyone and granted them all.

Toward the end of the month he noticed that the supply of oil was very low. Soon, it was gone, and the beacon light went out. That night several ships were wrecked and lives were lost.

When the authorities investigated, the man was very repentant. To his excuses and pleading their reply was: "You were given the oil for one purpose -- to keep that light burning!"

Application 

We were given the gospel to keep the light shining. We should defend the purpose of the church as a gospel light house.

2.    When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Dispersed.

A.    Dispersed . . Remembering God Does Not Show Partiality

    {6} But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.

B.    Dispersed . . Recognizing Different Ministries but the Same Message.

    {7} But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the

uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised      {8} (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),

C.     Dispersed . . Recognizing The Grace of God.

    9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

10 They only asked us to remember the poor-- the very thing I also was eager to do.

ILLUSTRATION      Topic: Gospel Index: 1440-1442 Title: Unnecessarily Blind

A woman named Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. "I just can't believe it!" she gasped as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes after her recovery from delicate surgery in an Ontario hospital. She wept for joy when for the first time in her life a dazzling and beautiful world of form and color greeted eyes that now were able to see. The amazing thing about the story, however, is that 20 years of her blindness had been unnecessary. She didn't know that surgical techniques had been developed, and that an operation could have restored her vision at the age of 30. The doctor said, "She just figured there was nothing that could be done about her condition. Much of her life could have been different."

As I read the news account of her case, some questions came to mind. Why did she continue to assume that her situation was hopeless? Had no one told her about the wonderful advances in eye surgery? Then I thought of the plight of those unreached by the Gospel. How many will go on living in moral blindness unless we bring them to the Savior? Millions will never know anything but spiritual darkness because no one has shared with them the Light that has come into the world. (Romans 10:14)

APPLICATION

Today there are many people who will respond to the gospel if we will share the good news. There blind eyes can see.

CONCLUSION

1. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Defended.

2. When the Truth of the Gospel is not . . Dispersed.