As we continue our sessions in the book of Galatians, we continue to learn more about the young Christians in Asia Minor and the broken-hearted Apostle Paul.
Last session we read through some of the other letter introductions that Paul wrote, and this session we begin with a classic, the first letter to the Thessalonian church.
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 ESV
What are some of your thoughts as you hear Paul’s greeting to this other church? How would you feel if you got a letter like this to either your church or ministry?
Now, let us shift back and read the next section in the book of Galatians. Remembering that the churches in Galatia were Paul’s first churches and probably had a special place in his heart, even more precious than the churches of Thessalonia we just read about.
No Other Gospel
6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul called by God
11For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20(In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me. – Galatians 1:6-24 ESV
How would it feel if you received this letter?
A couple of ideas to capture…
v 13 – reference to “former life” and meaning that life is dead.
Abandonment & Disertion
One of the most impactful phrases in the whole section is verse 6, where Paul does not say he is sad or surprised, but he is astonished of their desertion of the gospel. The apostle uses the language of military desertion and political strife, some people are throwing you into confusion, or troubling you.
In this section Paul references the thought of another “gospel”. Or as we can translate it, some other good news. In our world today there are many different theories, practices, denominations and “religions” that people can be influenced by. Individuals get ideas and influenced by thoughts and practices and begin to engage and follow certain practices. Many individuals find hope and security in the concept of some relationship with others. If they are not alone, then the idea must be acceptable, because others are doing the same thing.
We must understand that many engaged and practicing other religions are confident that what they are doing is aligned with their acceptable belief of a “good news”. Individuals that follow other gods, or even people that don’t believe in a god, practice their own religious behavior based on their concept of good news. Or some spend most of their time defending their decisions by tearing down other people’s decisions. Religion is a frame work about a belief and life style. People can be religious about their job, they can be religious about a sports team. Religion and the use of the term in these fashions can be associated with “fanatical, obsessed and consumed with something”. That is not what Paul’s concern is about.
How would you explain to someone the Gospel, and why it is different than just knowing about Jesus or a religious activity, such as going to church on Sunday’s?
The Gospel, referencing the “Good News”, which is the grace of God. Not just an intellectual idea, but eternity changing opportunity.
Some may think that Paul is a control freak and does not want anyone messing with the church’s he planted. There is no other gospel. There is no other “good news”, and there is no other gospel than that of the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
Do you think it is a control issue? Or is there another reason that Paul should be so emotional about the situation he has heard?
Paul even throws in verse 12 in attempts to make is clear:
If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
More than Intellect
We hear often and even witness situations where the Good News is shared and some people “make a decision”, or more truthful, “test the water”. They get an opportunity for eternal change. Each of us have our own unique condition and situation of how we had the “seed” planted in the soil of our soul.
Who shared the Good News with you?
Who shared the Good News with Paul? Does this make any difference?
Another key point that Paul makes a point of is how he was mentored after having the seed planted. What was your “early times” like? Was is just casual in going to church with family? What is an engagement with a community group? Where did you get the opportunity to really ask questions, be instructed and begin to “sprout”?
What was your germination period like?
In your Christian walk, have you had any times where you were led astray or troubled in relation to the good news of the grace of Jesus? What were some of shiny things that caught your attention? What was some of the pressure you felt or experienced?
As we learned today there are many different things to take into account when we discuss the Good News, and we also acknowledge that it is people that impact other people more than is given notice. Next week we will continue to learn about Paul and his discipleship situation with these new Christians in Asia Minor, referred to as Galatians.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ga 1:1–5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.