September 22, 3023

Handling the Hypocrite

Galatians 2:11-21

Over the course of time, there have been things that have been passed down in my family from generation to generation.  I remember when my grandfather gave me a particular coin.  I didn’t know much about the coin, but what I did know is that I’d never seen anything like it, there weren’t any of them in circulation, and I for sure knew I had never paid for any goods or services with a coin like this one.  I was grateful that he would pass down such a collector’s item, such a historic relic to me.  But to be honest, I never thought about the coin until years later after my children were born. 

Fast forward, both of my kids were old enough to start hearing their great-grandparents tell the stories of their past, their growing up, and what it was like “back in the good old days”.  After one particular visit with my grandpa, I was reminded of this coin he had given me.  I was able to track it down and I begin to do a little research on this coin – what turned out to be a very special silver dollar.

This coin was produced in an effort to decrease the amount of money needed to print paper money.  They weren’t too successful in their efforts, however, and these coins quickly faded away and become more and more rare – for many, a family heirloom that would be passed down from generation to generation.  Then I had the thought of what the coin might be worth.  So I did what any intelligent person would do – I googled it.  I was AMAZED at what this coin was worth, and what people were willing to pay to get their hands on one.   Turns out, I had been given something that had greater value than I could have ever imagined.

When I think about this event in my life, I am reminded of so many Christians and how they treat the Gospel.  We have been given the gift of the life of Jesus Christ – His blood poured out for us so that we could be free from sin and live in freedom from sin and the expectations of man.  There have been times in my life where I was certainly grateful for the gift but wasn’t living my life in the full awareness of the value of the Gospel.  Can you relate to that? 

I hope you will join me on Sunday as we look at Galatians 2:11-21 and consider an interaction between Paul and Peter that reminds us of the TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL.  Looking forward to worshiping with you.

Grateful,

Pastor Brandon