Day 1

Galatians 2

Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along too

 

False teachers can infiltrate from every direction, and they have different motives.

They aim at confusing Christians rather than the non-Christian. Why do cults not fish out of the non-Christian world?

You will discover that whenever somebody is starting a cult, he normally does not go for non-Christians or for Muslims, or for Hindus, but he normally fishes out of the same pond that he used to be in. What happens is that the cultist, will go back to the people they know and tell them hey! I have discovered something new! I was on a mountain and God said something new.

However, given that they are so many people that are not Christians, why wouldn’t you go there and fish among them for your new group? Why do you want to spoil those who already have hope in Christ? It sound like that is one of the marks of cults; they recruit from the people that know God.

Of course, I can guess they do so for several reasons! It is much easier to get this person who is already a Christian to show them how this special revelation which you have discovered will improve their lot.

Number two it is easier to go to people you know, and you feel like since you have  previously succeeded with them you will succeed again. You need to be aware about that. Church dangers are unlikely to come from total strangers. This is because for total strangers you are suspicious of them as soon as they appear. But if the devil uses one of your Pastors, or one of your Bishops, or one of the Elders with the new teaching, it will be far much more difficult to resist him.

For example, being visited by a non-Christian or by a Muslim or somebody else you will take to question the message. So, you need to be aware about it.

 

Day 2

Galatians 2

² I went there with definite orders from God to confer with the brothers there about the message I was preaching to the Gentiles. I talked privately to the leaders of the church so that they would all understand just what I had been teaching and, I hoped, agree that it was right

 

Paul in Galatians 2 continues to give his example about how he himself has kept to the truth and how the others could also keep to the truth despite infiltration by these other people who want to teach other than the true gospel.

Galatians chapter 2 says,

Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. As for those who seemed to be important — whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance — those men added nothing to my message. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter, and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

 

 

That is Paul’s message to all of us facing false teachers. Remember, after three years he had already gone back to verify that the message that he had in the desert from God directly, was in line with what he heard at Jerusalem headquarter.

After another 14 years, he comes back again now to check whether his ministry, because they had been preaching now for many years among the Gentiles, was also in line with the ministry approaches by headquarter****. You know it is very important to have these regular retreats where you check whether what you are doing, is in line with truth. It is important to have group retreats, conferences, where people ministering in various aspects, in different places, come together to share how God is working among them. They then are open for correction and open for direction and open for inspiration so that the work of God can continue without error, and Paul is teaching us that is best to do ministry. That is, do not be so involved in ministry that you forget that it is important to check whether what you are doing is in line.

Ever had of two teams of people that were told to compete cutting a forest? They were given instructions on how to do it. The first group just started cutting from anywhere. The second group first of all did surveys of the place and understand how the forest is and where you can start best. How best can it be done?

By that time the first group is already progressing very well cutting trees, but because of this one planning and checking alternatives and every so often looking at how the progress is, they ended up catching with the first group and finishing first. It pays not only to plan, but also to review regularly what you are doing and how you are doing it. That is what really Paul is doing in coming to the headquarter with Titus and Barnabas. That way you avoid error in your project.

 

Day 3

Galatians 2

⁴ Even that question would not have come up except for some so-called “Christians” there—false ones, really—who came to spy on us and see what freedom we enjoyed in Christ Jesus, as to whether we obeyed the Jewish laws or not. They tried to get us all tied up in their rules, like slaves in chains

 

If you have a constitution for your group, it will have a vision, mission and even co-values. It will be important that every often the group comes back to review whether they are still within their vision and mission. When they have new people who need to hear,’ this is our culture, these are our values, etc;’ It will be easy. So, the new ones and the old ones can be reminded of where the organization is all about.

You should be ready with an agenda of review whenever such a meeting appears, especially noting what could be an unclear issue that may need to be verified in this retreat.

In the case of Paul, clearly the agenda included ministry to Gentiles and what to do about circumcision. So, Paul was open; open to what others would say, in fact in Galatians chapter 2:2 says,

I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

 

Therefore, he is clear on his objective for the review meeting. He even came with one of the uncircumcised Gentiles, who was thoroughly saved and so one of the leaders of the church in the Gentile’s world. Thus, one of the things you can do is review in the retreats, but also do private reviews with the leadership in the headquarter. That would also be important. You do not want to do mob justice to leaders.

You know there are people who do not ever want to ask questions except in the wider group. This because what they are after is to create a name for themselves, which isn’t really a positive attribute. They may also aim to embarrass the leadership, which again is not a positive thing. You are going to spoil everybody’s mood, everybody’s conference just because of your grudge with a leader all for your desire for a name. That is not good.

Day 4

Galatians 2

⁶ And the great leaders of the church who were there had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their being great leaders made no difference to me, for all are the same to God.)

 

Therefore, in review that we are talking about, some of the sensitive matters should be reviewed privately. Be open about your revelation. The things God has shown you, so that others led by the same spirit can test whether it is true. So, that is why for example he came with the uncircumcised man like an exhibit. Must Gentiles be circumcised to be saved?

For a review process I want to emphasize the place for a group Bible study, because that is where, in a group of serious students of God’s word, you can give your interpretation and it can be corrected by others.

In verse 4 we read,

This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

 

So, that is the whole problem that has caused this evaluation. This come back to headquarter is because these people had infiltrated the Christian Gentile world to try to tell them things that are not right, that they must copy Jewish customs. How can you say you are saved, and you are not doing the kind of things we Jews are doing?

These are false people with false doctrines were spreading it. But others who do it today may be the motive is to simply to destroy the church. Anyway, one of the things you need to be aware of is that in every group there is a great likelihood that the tares and the wheat grow together. That is what Jesus told them. He said, let the tares and the wheat grow together, for they are so similar, if you start trying to uproot the tares, you might uproot the wheat. So, wait until the time of harvest, by that time, it is clear what is what.

Similarly, never assume, in your church, that everybody is so holy nothing can go wrong. No, no, no! That is why you need structures, you need accountabilities, despite people being spirit filled, and being full of God’s gifting, you still must create structures that hold people to account. This is because the tares and the wheat are growing together. Let us be clear. If you are looking for a perfect church and you find it, do them a favour, and do not join them! Why? You know you yourself are not perfect, so if you join them, from the moment you join them, it will not be a perfect church anymore.

Therefore, let us be clear, we must prepare every new believer for the possibility that somebody somewhere inside the church is going to do something that is not glorifying God. So, they must hold their standard only as Christ and the scriptures, not the Pastor. That is what you need to teach them.

 

Day 5

Galatians 2

⁵ But we did not listen to them for a single moment, for we did not want to confuse you into thinking that salvation can be earned by being circumcised and by obeying Jewish laws.

 

We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. If somebody is teaching something out rightly unscriptural, my friend, do not give it a chance! Do not say they might be right. No, no, no! Tell them clearly why you think it is wrong. They never gave them a chance for a moment.

ohh, Gentiles must be circumcised they never gave them a chance because Jesus was very clear, he did not come to set up Judaism, he came to set up Christianity. And in Christianity, he came to complete the law. So, he never gave them a chance. If you are differing with someone on cardinal issues, stand your ground! Do not start compromising, because like we have been saying, if you allow small deviation, you will soon be far away from the truth of the gospel. And if you are a Pastor or a Bible study leader, protect your congregation from people who are ‘Christians’ but have small aspect on cardinal issues that are not honouring to God. Teach the right doctrine and then confront anybody who does not have the right doctrine.

Of course, we must repeat, we are only talking about differences in cardinal issues. It is okay for Christians to differ on non-essential issues. Do we face east or west during your worship? Do you jump high or low during worship? All those are not cardinal issues. But accepting falsehood will give a bad legacy for you as a preacher. Protect your church, protect the future church by pointing out clearly what is wrong in any teaching.

Then in verse 6 we read,

As for those who were held in high esteem, whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favouritism, they added nothing to my message.

 

I do not think Paul is teaching that we should not respect leaders. The scriptures are full of admonition for people who do not respect leaders. The Bible does not support anarchy in any way. So, nothing Paul is saying should make somebody start thinking that it is okay to be rude to your Pastor or is okay to be rude to your Bishop or is okay to fail to cooperate with your Deacons or Elders. That is not what he is saying. He is talking about how to handle controversy, how to handle wrong teaching. So, it is not that in normal times you should be trying to be difficult with leadership. You know when you are a difficult sheep to look after; you waste the shepherd’s time. That is when you would have been evangelizing and doing things that would have been good.

Therefore, I think it will be important to understand that we are not being encouraged to have the kind of fellowship that is toxic where people do not enjoy each other’s company. No, no, no! However having said that, you should respect your leaders but remember whatever power they have is delegated authority. You are not saved to obey humans. You are saved to obey God however; God uses your leaders in order for the good of the church and his own glory.

Therefore, you must respect your leaders, but only in as long as they are exercising God’s delegated authority. How do you know they are exercising delegated authority? Because what they are saying is what the master would have said. Like Paul, we should be telling them, follow me only as I follow Christ. So, they have committed themselves to follow Christ, and in that case, why would you not be following them? If you really mean to follow Christ and God is using you to help others to follow Christ that is ok. Why are you being difficult to such leaders? You must understand them, yes, respect them, but no, do not obey them whenever they tell you to do something, not in line with the scriptures.

All Bible study leaders, deacons, elders, even the Bishop himself, is what we call under shepherd, for Christ is the chief shepherd. So, it is very important to understand that Christ is the chief shepherd. Any other shepherd is an underserved. He does not shepherd his own flock, because you see the flock belong to Christ. The Pastors do not have any flock, it belongs to Christ. Remember the Pastor is here today, and then tomorrow is gone, but Christ will always be there. That is why you need to be very clear, if a church belongs to a certain man, do not join it! Even if I start a church, it should not be my church! I repeat, we have only got delegated authority, it is God’s church.

 

Day 6

Galatians 2

³ And they did agree; they did not even demand that Titus, my companion, should be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.

 

I must teach the people who come to my church that,’ I am only a beggar like you, begging bread from Christ, and showing you where you can also get bread. I think that would be very important. So, you are working with people who are under shepherds, under the chief shepherd. That is why the pyramid structure of church is non-biblical where everybody has a shepherd who report to another shepherd. And you cannot make a decision without your shepherd approving it. If you have your father in the faith like that, that is not scripture.

Scriptures show that all of us owe our allegiance direct to God. There is only one mediator between God and man. What is his name? Christ! Only one mediator between God and man. So, you cannot have a Pastor, a Bishop, an Elder or someone who led you to the Lord to have to come between you and God. You must learn to go direct to God.

That does not mean you do not respect them. I repeat myself; it does not mean you do not respect leaders, who are serving the Lord. The moment you sense in your fellowship with God, what this guy is saying is out of line, you should have the freedom not to follow whatever they are telling you. You know, the Holy Spirit is the only source that you cannot question, and he is the one who inspired the Bible. That is why we can’t question the Bible. If both of you are  under the same spirit, your doctrines should not differ. You will be quite similar in doctrine.

Therefore, false teachers will come and go, but the way to ensure they do not do you in, is you should be well trained to question whatever is said by whomever. You know 1st letter of John, chapter 4 says,

test the spirit.

 

So, when you test the spirit, that is means you test the spirit of the Pastor, the spirit of the Bishop; you test any and every spirit. John is talking about the spirit because there were false prophets that were to come. So, it will be critical that you understand the way to handle the infiltration of the gospel with the wrong doctrine. The way to handle is not to be naive. Somebody can tell you, ei! Send money 310 shillings as per Malachi 3:10. Will you send?” surely! That is total nonsense! remember Bible verse were not there when the Bible was written, it is something that happened hundreds of years after the Bible was written, so where is he getting the idea from? Many people are being exploited simply because of this lack of understanding.

Therefore, Paul is saying, I may not be a senior leader as Peter is, but the truth is, God is not a respecter of persons. I can question him. And that is really what Paul wants us to understand. If people understand this, they will understand how important this is, not to tell people to follow them without question. If they learn to follow without questions, then when the wrong teachings come, they will not question it. Paul says, I questioned them; I never gave them a moment. God does not show favouritism.

 

Day 7

Galatians 2

⁷⁻⁹ In fact, when Peter, James, and John, who were known as the pillars of the church, saw how greatly God had used me in winning the Gentiles, just as Peter had been blessed so greatly in his preaching to the Jews—for the same God gave us each our special gifts—they shook hands with Barnabas and me and encouraged us to keep right on with our preaching to the Gentiles while they continued their work with the Jews

 

Therefore, in this evaluation with headquarter what mattered is not just the doctrine alone, but how are you serving the Lord? What is your impact? Are you producing fruit? Fruit of the spirit? Any change in society would also evidence that the Holy Spirit is in work in you. So, peter could see clearly that the work of God, the hand of God was on these people who are preaching to the gentile world, and they recognized whatever they are teaching is the biblical truth. So, he gave Paul his right hand of fellowship. And I think that is something that you need to seriously think about as you minister.

look at verse 9,

James, Cephas, and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

 

You know this idea of doing ministry in a structured way, caused the protest churches movement in Kenya and the Alliance high school was formed. Every church was starting a school and a hospital, so there were many, many primary schools, but few people were going beyond primary school then. So, they came together and said, why don’t we collaborate in starting secondary education, so that all the children who are leaving your primary school in my church school and other schools can go to one high school. That is how Alliance school was formed by protestant of Christian churches. And you can see the impact that it has made. We know it is impact in history. So, it is important to learn to work with others.

James, Cephas and John agreed, we will work together with these people. Let them concentrate here, and we concentrate there, that way the work of God will progress faster. What are we really saying? handshakes expand the work by avoiding wasteful competition. So, learn to work with others. Do not compete for the sake of competing. Or compete for the sake of your name getting known, that is not a sign of a Christian. A Christian is not interested in his name; he is interested in Christ name.

Therefore, whatever method will help like Galatians as ok. Paul in Philippians is talking about people preaching out of envy, and then he says, in whatever way, let Christ be preached! So handshake even with people who have personality differences with you will help Christianity to advance. Division of mission fields into blocks and allocating people to those different blocks, which can speed up outreach, is a good idea.

I think that is what Paul is teaching us in this process, that Galatians need a structure that will help progress the gospel.

Finally verse 10,

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do all along.

 

You know, the social gospel is not part of the true gospel. The so-called social gospel is not part of the gospel. We are not sent primarily to feed the hungry. However,, the moment people become Christians, they get a sense of responsibility for those around them. so, the social gospel is not part of the gospel, it is simply a consequence of the gospel. So, concentrate on the real gospel and the social impact will follow. Is part of what we are calling the holistic gospel.

If you spend too much time on the social gospel, you will be lost! why? A healthier thief is still a thief, oh, we educate him, a cleverer thief is still a thief. So, it is important to understand clearly that if you want to progress the work of the ministry, it will be important that you structure it. It will also be important that you understand the consequence of the gospel, on the poor, the sick, the hungry. Jesus listed them I think in Mathew chapter 25, that

I was hungry; you did not come to see me, telling them that looking after the poor is part of the work of the church. But it will not save. But is expected to be a consequence of anybody who receives the Lord. and accept him as lord and Saviour.

May the Lord help us to understand this message that Paul is giving us about the importance of working within structures so that we prevent false gospel. This is including checking up with headquarters, so that you are coordinated well.

 

 

Audio Preachings

 

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Audio Preachings

 

Find my e-books on Amazon.com

Get access to my books on Amazon:

Marketplace Leadership - The Nehemiah Style
Christianity and Culture
Discover your Life's Purpose
A Leader's Work Ethics
The Secret of Contentment
A Leader's Source of Influence
Christian Professionals - Leading in the Marketplace
The Character of an Influential Leader
Leadership King David's Style
Integrity - The Litmus Test of Good Leadership
The Leader as a Steward
Finding a Life Partner
Friendship

 

  Check out previous devotions on www.johnnganga.org