2025-10-05 Sermon Notes - Daniel Lyons' Notes

type:
  - "[[Sermon Notes|Sermon Notes]]"
speaker: "[[Archibald Allison]]"
date: 2025-10-05
location: "[[Emmaus Orthodox Presbyterian Church]]"
passage: Galatians 1:16-24
sermon series: "[[Allison on Galatians]]"
sermon link:
subjects:
  - "[[obedience]]"
  - "[[advice]]"
title: The Christian Obeys Christ
takeaways:

Series	Location	Subjects	Takeaways	Sermon Link
Allison on Galatians	Emmaus Orthodox Presbyterian Church	obedience advice	-	-

💡Big Idea

Takeaways and Next Steps

📖Bible Passage

Galatians 1:16-24

to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. But of the other apostles I saw no one except James, the Lord's brother. Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying. Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." So they glorified God in me.

Points

Paul was filled with all the fullness of God. He possessed much zeal for God.
- I pray that we also may be like Paul.
Unlike most people, Paul was not commissioned by mere people. Paul was converted by revelation by Christ. Paul was sent out to proclaim the Gospel by Christ.

Faith does not need any warrant for its action but God's command

If we have the command then we do not need validation from mere man
- Galatians 1:16-17 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
- Paul did not confer with any of these people. They simply heard the report of work that Paul was already doing.

Good Men In All Ages Illustrate This Truth

Noah, commanded by God constructed the ark. Noah did not seek advice from others, or validation.
- Genesis 6.22 Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.
Abraham:
- Abraham obediently travelled when God commanded him.
- When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham did not confer with his wife. Abraham simply obeyed. Abraham did not even consult Isaac, who was to be sacrificed.
Moses:
- Moses did not confer when he was commanded by God
David:
- Twice, David had opportunity to slay his rival Saul. Human counselors, like Abishai, suggested that David strike Saul, but David knew that this would be disobeying God. David knew that Saul was God's annointed king. David knew that he could not slay God's annointed king Saul, and David trusted at some point God would fulfill his promise and make David king.
Daniel:
- Daniel knew that the law prohibited prayer to God. Did Daniel confer with others? No, he knew precisely what to do. He prayed nonetheless.
Shadarach, Meshach and Abednego
- Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."

This Has Been Faith's Rule All Through The Ages

The early Christians followed Christ even knowing that they would be put to death in the Roman colisseums.
The Christians of the reformation knew they must follow Christ only, and held to this truth even to the point of burning at the stake.

This Rule Still Animates True Faith Today

When God's command comes to you, it is for you to obey it, whether or not others advise you to do so.
- In fact, even to confer with others would be to elevate them in authority over God.
  - Who do you trust, mere men or God?
  - Who do you obey, mere men or God?
Conferring with flesh and blood is antithetical to the way that Jesus operated.
- Peter said that Jesus could not give up His life. Jesus rebuked him and said get behind me Satan.
Observation: When men do consult with flesh and blood, it usually leads to the neglect of the duty of God.
- Our sole reason for all our actions ought to be my Master bids me to do so.

Application

This principle of not conferring with flesh and blood applies throughout our lives.

If God commands you to do something, then do it obediently without conferring with flesh and blood.

Many a great work has been strangled on the vine by well-meaning advisors who, desiring to be prudent or safe, nevertheless advise not to obey God in this.

It Applies to all our known duties

⭐: It is the duty of every Christian to obey God, and not to confer with flesh and blood.
- Are you the friend of the world or the friend of God? The friend of the world is the enemy of Christ.

It applies to the duty of consecration to Christ

Our vocation, our work must be consecrated to God.
- When we know what
Serving God is not pleasing to flesh and blood.
- It is not easy to serve God.
- It does not please sinners, mere men in our lives.
- It does not please our selfish desires, our lusts, our character defects.
- It requires sacrifice for God.
1 Samuel 17:28-29 Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger burned against David, and he said, "Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the evil of your heart; for you have come down that you might see the battle." David said, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"

It applies to all necessary sacrifices

Sometimes serving God requires you to lose friendships, financial wellbeing and safety.
Luke 14:26-27 "If anyone comes to me, and doesn't disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can't be my disciple. Whoever doesn't bear his own cross, and come after me, can't be my disciple.
If you give up everything for the sake of Christ, then you shall have great gain.

It applies to the confession of your faith

It is the duty of every Christian to repent and be baptized.
- After they have given themselves to Christ, it is their duty to give themselves to Christ's church?
  - Do not confer with flesh and blood on this matter. Be obedient to God who commands it.
  - Human advisors will ask you foolish questions like do you really need to be a part of a church?
  - By skipping consultation with flesh and blood you will spare yourself from a great deal of trouble.

This principle commends itself to our best judgment

Some would object but if I did that, then I would grieve my parents.
- Do not unnecessarily grieve anyone.
- But if it is the command of God, then obediently follow it no matter how many people it may grieve.
Psalm 119.60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
This principle commends itself to our best judgment.
- This principle will commend itself when we come to die.
  - You will never hear of a Christian man, on death's bed say I gave too much to Christ's cause. I sacrificed too much for His Kingdom.
  - No! The regret is always in the other direction. They always regret that they did not give more to God and His Kingdom.
Be bold and unashamed that you serve God with all of your strength, life and blessings.
- If you will not serve Him with all that you have take heed for He will come against you with His rod of iron.
- Oh God, give to every one of us loyalty to Him, boldness for Him, and may we obey the Savior who gave Himself for us, that we might grow in Him more and more until the day He brings us home.

Further Study

💬Discussion Questions

2025-10-05 Sermon Notes

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