Lord’s Day Message:Galatians 1:11-2:10
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 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, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 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.
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in–who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery– 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)–those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
- The revelation of Paul
- To Paul
a. It is the content of his serving – the gospel he preached was received through a revelation (1:11-12)
b. It is his inward constitution and power for his serving – God revealed His Son in him (1:15-16)
Another aspect, we may also say that the revelation Paul had is Christ and the church (His body) form his experience of salvation
c. It influenced Paul’s life – Because of a revelation he went to Jerusalem for fellowship (2:1-2)
2. To us, is a revelation merely a thought or an idea we see, or is it a vision which we received to change our life and empower us to serve God?
- The revelation challenged in Paul’s visiting Jerusalem and how Paul reacted (2:1-10)
- Not comprising: Paul did not yield for a moment to those false brothers so that the gospel can be preserved and the gentile believers will not be enslaved by law
- Not controlling: Paul was not influenced by those influential people and was confident with what he was committed, yet he still sought the fellowship with other apostles
- Our application/inspiration
- What was a revelation you received from God? (At least there is one when you believe the Lord Jesus Christ.) Was your revelation challenged by others? And how did you respond?
- Can you share the experience of how a revelation you received influences your life?
Message Next Week:Combined Meeting – Special Topic (Psalm 27)
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 31/10 Mon., 7:30pm, (7:00 dinner) Richard & Flora’s
Pursuing of Uni Students: 1/11 Tue. 8:00pm, (7:30 dinner) Yulin’s
Sisters Meeting: 2/11 Wed. 10:00am, Susan’s
Prayer Meeting: 2/11 Wed. 7:45pm,
David Tan: Warrawee
Lydia Xu: Chatswood
(Doorbell number 152)
Pursuing of Words: 4/11 Fri., cancelled
Young People Meeting/Home meeting for Adults：
5/11 Sat. 7:30pm, Sam & Hannah’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today. May God bless you and lead you into this family of God.
- There are gospel calendars available for the saints to purchase, $5 dollar for each copy.
- Next Lord’s Day will be a combined meeting. From 9:00-9:45 there will be breakfast in the hall. We welcome all brothers, sisters and friends to come to enjoy and have more fellowship together.
- On Dec. 11 the church plans to have a gospel meeting of singing hymns and testimonies. We do encourage all brothers and sisters to form a group and participate. You can either sing hymns or give testimonies, but please the details to Brother Yulin Wang for arrangement as soon as possible. If you need more fellowship, please also contact Brother Yulin Wang.
- There are some recycle materials (boxes, papers, & books) stored in the shelter outside the church hall. If anyone has space in the recycle bin at home, please help to bring some back home. For details, please contact Brother Patrick.
<Reminder>
- During the meeting, please turn off your mobile phone or put the volume on silence and not to walk around or to wonder/talk too laud in the kitchen.
- When you prepare the love feast for Lord’s Day lunch, please do not prepare any food containing nuts as someone may have food allergy.
Please refrain from bringing uncooked food for the love feast so we may lighten the work for the serving ones in the kitchen.
Intercession:
- May the Lord bless the gospel friends among us that they can know how precious the Lord is and are willing to believe in Him.
- Pray for the new believers (David Hu, Gerald Huang, Bangde Liu, Peter Zhang and Michael Qiu, 5 brothers and Li Li, Mandy Zhou, Leonie, Berry Fei, Jessica Li, Hennah Dong & Grace Li 7 sisters) May the Lord establish them in the church life and bless their growth in life.
- Brother John Ingalls has rested his labor on earth. May the Lord comfort his family, especially Sister Yvonne.
- Pray for the brothers and sisters or their relatives who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them sufficient grace. Pray especially for the health of Brothers Shanwon Chow and Sister AhSeng Chow.
- Pray for those year 12 students among us as they are taking the exams now. May the Lord give them wisdom and timely help as well as lead them in the future.
Serving This Week: (Oct. 30)
- Message: David Tan & Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: Yulin Wang & Richard Cui
- Serving Bread and Cup: Benchu Guo, Sam Li, Jason Wang & Chuan Ma
- Cleaning: Steven Wang Family, Joe & Lily Family, BangDe Liu，Lian, Richard & Lamee Family, Chuan Ma & Maggie Family
- Kitchen: Lily & Mandy
- Children: Supervisor – Terri, Singing – Sarah/Vasya, Teachers – Christine
Serving Next Week: (Nov. 6)
- Message: Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: TBA
- Serving Bread and Cup: TBA
- Cleaning: Jason & Susan Family, Andy & Anne Family, Richard Huang Family, Benchu Guo Family, Yulin Family
- Kitchen: Julie & DD
- Children: Supervisor – John, Singing – Jono/Pris, Teachers – Holly/Fiona
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