Galatians 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."

What is something similar from chapter one to chapter two? 

What do you think about Paul's revelation? 

⚓️He said he went to check that he had not run in vain. The Lord shows us things often by revelation, not a teaching but revealing to our hearts. True Bible knowledge does not come through our own "realizations, but rather by the Father revealing them to our heart. If we speak of things the Holy Spirit revealed to us, those spoken words can touch others hearts because it's not from us, but from the Lord using these broken vessels for His glory!

"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— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you."

We have freedom in Christ, what do you think Paul meant by that?

Do you think it means we can do whatever we like?

⚓️We have freedom IN CHRIST. Thus, if we are in Him we can bear fruit that will last by His power. If we are not in Him, we can do nothing. We must be IN Him to be free. 

"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. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."

What did the Lord give Paul in order that he might go to the Gentiles?

Do you think we might be able to perceive power from God given to the brothers and sisters around us?

⚓️The Lord also gives us power to do special tasks He has assigned for us. Peter perceived this grace given and exhorted and encouraged Paul. When we see others given power to do something for God and we're not, instead of being jealous we ought to encourage them in what God has called them to do. He has give us a different task and if we are not willing to preform what He desires. God's work will get done, but will He have to find someone else who is willing?

"But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. Do you think it was right for Paul to confront Peter?"

Do you think it was right for Paul to confront Peter?

In what way do you think Paul had love in this? 

⚓️There is more than one thing we can learn from Peter. First something I struggle with greatly, is caring for the opinions of people. Perhaps we think very well of them, we ought to care more about what God thinks of us, than even their opinions. Also, when we are rebuked, how are we going to handle it? Will we love correction and heed it? Both of these are very challenging, but by God's power He can help us live in such a way to bring Him glory even through things like this.