The Importance of Life: Reflections from Galatians

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This Sunday, we continued our journey through the book of Galatians and recognized Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Below are the highlights:

Missionary/Church Planter of the week

  • One of twenty-nine church plants by the Gwinett Metro Baptist Network
  • Sep 17, 2023 → one year
  • The focus of their ministry is on the Korean community. 
  • The congregation is led by Pastor Sung San Choi

Special Emphasis: Sanctity of Human Life

January 19, 2025 is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:14

Churches around the country observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, commit to protecting human life at every stage.

Important ***

We realize that there are those that have been victimized by society’s disregard for human life in the past. There may even be someone here today who has made the unfortunate decision to end life in the past. I want you to know, our goal is not to bring shame upon you. In fact, we grieve with you over how our society has embraced a culture of death. We grieve with you if you have lost someone to any practice that devalues human life. You have our love. You have our support as we continue to grow and encourage a culture of LIFE here 

Ways that we create a culture of life at First Bethany

  • Connected with our local pregnancy resource center – Crossroads Women’s Center – Greenwood

Christians are called to stand for life and seek justice for the most vulnerable among us; one of the ways we can do that is by praying for life. Let us pray with hope, faith, and love, trusting in God’s sovereignty and reflecting his heart for our neighbors.

Father God, our heavenly Father,

We come to you today asking for LIFE to be considered sacred again in our world. We pray for those who need help and protection, as well as those who have decisions to be made…. For the precious lives of preborn children; that every child, regardless of their circumstances, would be recognized as made in God’s image, deserving of life and protection. Lord, please move hearts to defend and cherish these little ones, not viewing them as a burden, but delighting to give them the opportunity to live, thrive, and glorify you . For mothers facing unplanned pregnancies: Lord, please surround them with love, support, and the resources they need to choose life. Give them the courage, wisdom, and the strength to trust you in uncertain times. For Pregnancy Resource Centers like our ministry partners in Greenwood at the Crossroads Women’s Center. For those serving vulnerable women and their children. Lord, please give them wisdom, compassion, and steadfastness. For more workers, volunteers, and funds to meet the increasing needs in our communities. For vulnerable mothers to find a Christ honoring resource center before they find an abortion clinic and that their hearts would be softened to choose life based on what they learn. For families and couples considering Adoption or Foster Care as way to bless their families. That they would be strengthened and encouraged in their calling to provide loving homes for children in need. Lord, move more mothers/fathers hearts from abortion and toward the beautiful option of adoption, ensuring every child is given the chance to grow up in a nurturing and loving family. For the Church; That we would stand boldly and unwaveringly for life. That our actions would reflect our words as we support life affirming ministries, pregnancy centers, and foster care efforts. That churches continue to rise up as places of refuge, offering resources, counseling, and emotional support. That our churches would be places where every person—born and preborn—is valued and celebrated as a child of God. – Amen

Sermon: No Other Gospel, Galatians 1: 11-24

The Divine Source of Paul’s Gospel (v. 11-12)

11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ. - Galatians 1: 11-12

The Gospel that Paul preached was NOT according to man – Paul’s message was a revelation from God. He received the gospel in a dramatic, direct revelation when He encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul’s message was not a man’s attempt to reach up and understand God; but God’s effort to bow down and communicate with man.
Now more than ever, the world does not need the good advice/wisdom of man, it needs a revelation from God.

This is important – As we become good TELLERS and SENDERS of this glorious Gospel. Especially in arenas that are somewhat controversial (Sanctity of Human Life, for example). Many will accuse us of being puppets / Or just mimicking what we have heard other people say. It is important that we pray… and read and study God’s Word; So that when “our truth (Gospel)” is questioned, We can say as Paul did… “This is not from man, It is from God!”

Paul’s Message was not from Man (v. 13-24)

13 For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you. 21 Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. 23 They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me - Galatians 1: 13-24

Paul’s whole point in the second part of this chapter is important.
His gospel was true. His experience was valid, because it really came from God.
Only what comes from God can really save us and make a lasting difference in our lives.

Application

How does this apply to us?
Most of us probably did not walk in here today questioning the authenticity of Paul’s testimony or the Gospel that he preached. That was then… understandably. Most likely not now.
BUT…… I will repeat myself: As we become good TELLERS and SENDERS of this glorious Gospel, Especially in arenas that are somewhat controversial:
*Sanctity of Human Life
*Fidelity of the Word of God
*Our interaction with society / gov’t / politics
*Our conversations with those who believe differently
Many will accuse us of just mimicking what we have heard other people say. It is important that we pray… and read and study (both personally and corporately) God’s Word, So that when “our truth (Gospel)” is questioned; We can say as Paul did, “This is not from man. It is from God! Let me tell you again how amazing He is !!!!!!!”

Hope to see you all at church very soon,

Pastor John

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