Questions: Am I called by God? What does a “Call” from God mean?
Galatians 1:11-24
BackgroundPaul wrote Galatians
Galatians is a polemic: refutation (in contrast to an apologia—defense) -->(gr.) lit. means “war-like”
Fierce, argumentative, “fiery”
Paul wrote a polemical epistle to the Galatian churches
Opponents (conjecture)
Outside opponents: Christian “Judaizers”--Jewish Christians who wanted all followers of Christ/God to obey Jewish customs (circumcision)
Inside opponents: Galatians reading Hebrew bible and following its customs/traditions
Inside opponents: Converts who incorporated Jewish/Pagan religious thoughts/rituals into Paul's teachings
Paul's Gospel? One of inclusion—Gentiles to be followers of God as Gentiles. Inclusive community which grounds its identity in the grace of God, not in physical actions/works/rituals (circumcision)Doesn't negate the value, worth, or place of circumcision, but situates circumcision as a uniquely Jewish custom that is not necessary for God's Grace, for “Justification” before God
Typically Paul begins his letters with words of thanksgiving, here he begins his letter with “astonishment”-->indicates something is wrong, immediately
Paul blasts Galatians for skewing his message (by incorporating circumcision-as necessity)
Paul has to re-establish his authority—claiming divine right to give this message and taking evidence from his own life to corroborate his claim
Paul's life is one of divine appointment (as he claims)--his message has divine authority—no human motivations
**Paul's words seem to imply that his authority and motivation have been questioned
[Paul issuing his response—reacting to his accusers]
v.13-24
Paul's “conversion” and missional purpose
Paul was in the Pharisaic sect of Judaism, he advanced eagerly, he persecuted followers of the Messiah, Christ
Revelation of Christ left him with an unforgettable encounter that drastically changed his world
From persecutor to motivator, from opponent to supporter, from Pharisaic Judaism to Messianic Judaism
Paul's antagonistic past was transformed by his encounter with Christ, so much so, that Paul took on a new purpose, a new meaning, and a new direction (symbolized by a new name—Saul to Paul)
Call from God was a Call to action
Immediately Paul went and proclaimed the message of God's Grace, the message of Christianity
Paul, called by God, devoted his life's work to the gospel message
It is not too late for us
We all have our regrets, failures, and imperfections
Yet we all have the opportunity to be confronted and transformed by Christ
Nobody is too far gone, too hopeless—Saul the persecutor became Paul the missionary
Problem: we are too complacent, too satisfied, too apathetic to change the world around us—being called by God is a compelling challenge to act, to labor for God.
Going to church, serving on occasion, doing “our part” feels like enough—but is that radical enough? Have I the radical shift in focus that Paul had? Have I really embraced my call from God? Have I met my call in action, in deed?
We are all “called by God”--we each have the opportunity to be confronted by God and transformed by God—coming face to face with Christ's message, sacrifice, and meaning challenges us to take upon ourselves that message, sacrifice, and meaning- transforming us
Will we be confronted, will we be transformed, will we hear God's voice calling us?
I pray you do.
“The final test of religious faith is whether it will enable men to endure insecurity without complacency or despair, whether it can so interpret the ancient verities that they will not become mere escape hatches from responsibilities but instruments of insights into what civilization means.”
--Reinhold Niebuhr
Finally, a Call by God is a call to endure, and whats more: overcome. Being called to action does not make life easy or simple. Being called to action is a challenge to overcome the new obstacles and difficulties that accompany God's Will for God's Kingdom. Paul, the disciples, and Jesus all faced the road of difficulty, but found a hope and peace that enabled them to overcome all they faced. They endured. A call from God is a call to action, a call to continual action, a call to endure.
I hope this morning you sense that God is calling you. That God is calling you to more than church attendance and spiritual superficiality. I hope you hear the voice of God calling you to service, to action, and to perseverance. For in those things we, as Christians, find our deepest sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose. May that be made real to us this morning. May we answer that call this morning. May we follow God's voice into the untamed wilderness of service and labor, and give God the Glory.
Hymn
Benediction:
God of Majesty and Grace, we come into your House and Magnify Your name, and Worship You. We offer to you our thankfulness and ask to be guided by Your hand of Peace, Your Will of Love, and Your Call to service. May we be listening and ready to do Your work in this world, to build it up for the good of all and the Glory of God. Grant to us mercy when we fall short of your divine appointments, and give to us forgiveness for our sinfulness and shortcomings. For it is in the cross that we find forgiveness, mercy, grace and a Hope that overcomes.
Amen.
