November 13
Acts 14:21-28; Galatians 1:1-3:23
Could God's plan have moved forward if there was no Moses? Yes. God would have raised another like Moses. Could God's plan have moved forward without one or any of the prophets, or King David? Yes, God would have raised another like them. Could God's plan have moved forward without Jesus Christ? Absolutely not! God's plan hinges on Jesus. He is the central character in the plan of salvation. It is Him, in His perfection, crucified for all mankind, and Him alone that permits sinners eternal life in heaven. There is no other way. There is no alternative or replacement. That is why we read in Philippians 2:9-11, "Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." That is why in Hebrews 12:2, He is called "the Author and Finisher" of our salvation. There is no other road, no other method, etc. It is Jesus. Everyone and everything hinges on Him and Him alone.
This is the foundation of why Paul wrote the letter to the churches in Galatia that he just founded on his first missionary journey. We read in Galatians 1:6-7, "I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.[a] You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ." Paul then artfully describes life under the law and under the grace of Jesus Christ, as we read in 3:19-23, "Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham. Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
May we never miss Jesus' discussion with HIs Father in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He was to be crucified for the sins of humanity. We read in Matthew 26:39, "He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” We see this conversation concluding in 26:42, "Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” He accepted the cup, the cup of wrath poured out for all mankind, that is God's acceptable response to sin. He did what we could not. So, when we go to the church, it must center on the gospel. When we engage others for the faith it must center on the gospel. When we get together in small groups it must center in the gospel. Everyone is accepted or rejected by the Father based on their acceptance of the Son. Salvation is possible in His name and in His name only. May we wake up each morning thanking Him for this and go to sleep every night praising Him for this. He and He alone is our living hope.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: