2025-10-26 Sermon Notes
| Speaker | Archibald Allison |
|---|---|
| Date | 2025-10-26 |
| Location | Emmaus Orthodox Presbyterian Church |
| Passage | Galatians 1:24 |
| Title | Glorifying God For Saving Sinners |
| Takeaways | [object Object] |
| Subjects | [object Object] |
💡Big Idea
Takeaways and Next Steps
📖Bible Passage
So they glorified God in me.
Points
Why God is glorified in the salvation of a sinner
- The conversion of Paul the Apostle was a colossal event which had effects all throughout the church across the world.
- They were edified and encouraged greatly
- In Paul, they were given a great theologian, pastor, teacher and so much more.
- Acts 9.31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
- Nevertheless the people doubted Paul afterward. Because Paul wasn't one of the original 12 disciples, he was doubted and treated like an invalid outsider.
- Galatians 4:13-16 but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
- Paul had the confidence of the apostles, so he should have the confidence of the Galatians and Christians in general also.
- Galatians 2.9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.
Such a change can only be by God's great work
Galatians 1:23-24 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.
- Because the Christians saw that Paul was persecuted they "glorified God in me"
- Note they glorified God, not Paul. Why? Because only God could do something so marvelous as converting Paul, the persecutor of Christians.
- Before he met Christ, Saul was an enemy of Christ and the church.
- Acts 8.3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.
- Acts 9:1-2 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
- Acts 26.10 I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
- The conversion of Paul was overwhelmingly unlikely. There could hardly be any person more unlikely to be converted.
- Paul was deeply indoctrinated into Judaism and surely would not give it up.
- Galatians 1.14 I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
- One's own self-righteousness is even harder to give up than one's own sins. Our pride separates us from God.
- How in the world could this happen? How could someone like Paul be converted? The answer is that it was in God's pleasure.
- Galatians 1.15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through his grace
The Way God prepared Paul for Conversion
- Before Saul was converted, his heart was hardened before God.
- It can be quite discouraging to see an unbeliever's heart hardened, to stubbornly refuse God, to kick against the goads. But let us remember that God can use even this hardening for His glory.
The Way God called Paul
- Acts 9:4-5 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He said, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 1It is hard for you to kick against the goads.
- ⭐: The Christian religion is a revealed religion. We do not discover it or discern it. God reveals it to us and we must believe it in faith.
What This Means
- What does this mean that they glorified God in me?
- Notice they glorified God, not Paul. Because this conversion so profoundly shows God's glory
- ⭐: God is the author and source of Paul's conversion, and indeed all of ours.
God's Patience And Forbearance
- Look how much patience God had for Paul. For decades God endured Paul's wretched vengeful actions against His people.
God's Mercy
- Zechariah 2.8 For Yahweh of Armies says: 'For honor he has sent me to the nations which plundered you; for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.
- The pupil of the eye has so much to protect it. It is delicate and precious. In the same way God's own people are the apple of his eye, precious to Him. And God protects that which is precious to Him.
- In the same way Paul persecuted the church for years and years. God would have been in his right to smite Paul, and yet God had mercy for Paul
God's Power
- 2 Corinthians 4.6 seeing it is God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- The power of God calls out sinners into repentance and obedience and none can resist God's call and power.
- The same thing happened with Matthew the tax collector. This sinner lived against God for years but the one true God called Matthew with the words "Follow me".
God's Wisdom
God's Blessing
- You might think to yourself My conversion wasn't miraculous like Paul but this is not so. The miracle is that you were converted at all. Yes your conversion was miraculous.
- The same miracle that needed to overcome the stubborn sin in Paul's heart was needed to overcome the stubborn sin in your hear.
- ⭐: Do not give up on anyone, not any sinner, no matter how hardened.
- Those rejecting Him today could be receiving Him tomorrow.
- If you say this person cannot be saved then you are denying the grace of God.
- Conversion is the blessing of God
Application
Where This Leaves Us
Conversion Displays God's Glory
- If you are not converted, then this is a great incentive for you to seek conversion because your conversion displays God's glory
Pray For the Glory of God to be Displayed in the Conversion of Sinners
- And if your are converted then pray for the conversion of sinners, so that God will be glorified through it.
- Romans 11.36 For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
God is glorified when He Gives Grace
- God is glorified as we pray and when we continue faithfully standing in the Gospel and proclaiming it to the lost.
- To Him be the glory
Further Study
💬Discussion Questions
2025-10-26 Sermon Notes
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On this page
💡Big Idea
Takeaways and Next Steps
📖Bible Passage
Points
Why God is glorified in the salvation of a sinner
Such a change can only be by God's great work
The Way God prepared Paul for Conversion
The Way God called Paul
What This Means
God's Patience And Forbearance
God's Mercy
God's Power
God's Wisdom
God's Blessing
Application
Where This Leaves Us
Conversion Displays God's Glory
Pray For the Glory of God to be Displayed in the Conversion of Sinners
God is glorified when He Gives Grace
Further Study
💬Discussion Questions