Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem | Galatians 2:1-5 | Pastor Drew Rowley

Week 5 | September 11, 2024
In this sermon, we explore Paul’s bold defense of the gospel of grace in Galatians 2:1-5. Paul recounts his journey to Jerusalem, where he faced the pressing issue of whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish laws like circumcision to be saved. With Barnabas and Titus-a Gentile believer-as his companions, Paul stood firm against false teachers, the Judaizers, who sought to impose legalistic requirements on Gentile Christians.
By meeting privately with the church leaders, including Peter, James, and John, Paul ensured unity in the message of grace and defended the freedom we have in Christ. His refusal to let the gospel be distorted emphasizes that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, without added burdens or rituals. The leaders’ agreement with Paul affirmed that God’s grace transcends cultural and religious boundaries, uniting Jews and Gentiles in the same gospel.
Join us as we discuss:
1. The importance of defending the gospel of grace.
2. How Paul’s stand impacts the freedom we have in Christ.
3. Practical ways to uphold the truth of the gospel in our lives.
We hope you are encouraged as we unpack the significance of this pivotal moment in the early church and reflect on how we can continue to uphold the purity of the gospel today.