Pastor Rusty Milton

"Not Man-Pleasing, but What God Was Please to Do"

Galatians 1:11-24 ESV

Do you yearn for the approval of those around you, but feel overwhelmed with the fear of rejection ? To follow Christ is to be free from the slavery of man-pleasing. Paul addresses this notion in Galatians 1, declaring that his message is focused not on pleasing those in the church, but on spreading the Gospel of Christ. And the Gospel fundamentally focuses on what God was pleased to do for mankind, not on what will please mankind. Let the spreading of the Gospel be your guide for how you should act toward others. If we are focused on Christ as our audience, then the fear of men will decrease.

Galatians 1:11-24 English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Called by God

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[a] 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And 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. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,[b] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[c] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[d] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But 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!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.