A Call to Serve

 Galatians 1:15-24

The apostle Paul clearly lays out what it means to be called into the service of God. His testimony of God’s call upon his life should be an encouragement to all believers. From this passage we discover that all God’s children have a calling.

Paul’s Reaction to the Call of God:                                                                                           v. 15

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased

1.         He received the word .                                                      Galatians 1:11-12

2.         He repented of his failures .                                               Galatians 1:13-14

3.         He recognized its importance .                                           Galatians 1:15-17

4.         He related to the family .                                                    Galatians 1:18-24

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Paul’s Identification with the Call of God:                                                                                 v. 16

to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man

1.         He had experienced saving grace.                                            1 John 4:14

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

2.         He had experienced sanctifying grace.                  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

3.         He had experienced sustaining grace.                                 Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

4.         He had experienced sending grace.                                           John 20:21

Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.

Our Response to the Call of God:                                                                                        vv. 17-24

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. ¹⁸Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹I saw none of the other apostles only James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. ²¹Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. ²²I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³They only heard the report: The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. ²⁴And they praised God because of me.

1.         We must surrender to the will of God.                                      Romans 6:13

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

2.         We must study the Word of God.                                         Ephesians 3:16

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

3.         We must seek the fullness of God’s Spirit.                                  John 14:26

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.