Consider the source- What Bible Teachers should I listen to?
Galatians 4
11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 13 but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 14 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.
15 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. 16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
We live in a world today where we have legitimate reason to doubt the truth of a lot that we hear. We can’t believe advertisements because they are trying to sell us something. We can’t trust political ads. We can’t trust normal news sources, they all contradict each other, so somebody isn’t telling the truth. We can’t trust social media, because people create stories, and flat-out lie to advance their agenda.
So when we look at spiritual truth, we may also have the same skepticism. So, in the church we follow certain guidelines for ascertaining the truth. We consider what the Scripture has to say.
Well Paul has written this letter to the Galatians to help guide them back to the truth that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works. And he has drawn on some resources to convince them. He to draws on Scripture. He recounts his personal testimony. He recalls the conclusions of the Jerusalem Council. He argues from logic. He argues from the Galatians Spiritual experience. And today we are looking at chapter 4, verses 11-20, where Paul uses another kind of argument.
Paul has been defending the gospel of grace alone. The Judaizers have come in and taught that that is not enough. You’ve got to be circumcised and follow the Jewish dietary, and Sabbath laws, etc. So Paul has been arguing using all these means, then he adds another. I call it the “Consider the source” argument.
Attitudes and Attributes of a Preacher of the Truth—look at who you’re listening to
Don’t be a fool by listening to a fool. Sylvester Stallone
When considering praise or criticism, first consider the source. Jeff Daly
Stop taking constructive criticism from people who haven’t constructed anything.
Or my favorite, from Abraham Lincoln
Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Now, this passage adds another litmus test to your chemistry set to help you see which teachers are true and false. Do they teach the truth, and live the truth. Paul talks about his motives, and his heart, and compares his motives and heart to the Judaizers. He is still defending the gospel, but he’s doing so by reminding them of who he is. His character. How he was among them. And he compares that to how the Judaizers were among them.
Paul is saying, consider the source. And that is a helpful guideline for us as well.
That guideline helps you to be discerning about who you listen to who represents themselves as a Bible teacher. It helps with a question like, how can I know if I am in a church, or following a leader or denomination, that preaches the truth?
Here we really get an even more personal insight into Paul as a preacher of the gospel. This passage is really a look into Paul’s heart. Up until now he has been arguing for the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, by opening Scripture, by logic, and by the Galatians experience. Now it’s as though he is tearing open his heart so they can examine him. Look at me, examine my motives, look at how I acted among you, is there anything about me that tells you that I am lying to you? And compare how I have been with you, to the Judaizers.
I have outlined 7 points this morning. 7 red flags that you are listening to a bad teacher. We’re not going to overanalyze any of them. I just want you to understand what Paul was saying to the Galatians, and to see these points as a guideline for discerning whether certain “teachers” are telling you the truth. Consider the source
Here they are; Ego; A preacher of the truth, is working for you, Hypocrisy; sets an example by his life, selfishness; is self-sacrificial, inspiring selfishness; inspires self-sacrifice, two-faced; faithfully tells the truth, greedy; isn’t in it for the money, indolence; and works hard at teaching the truth.
Prayer
I. Ego; A Preacher of the Truth is Working for you.
11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
Up to this point in the letter, Paul has been defending the truth of the gospel. And his accusers were saying that he was doing it because he was a man-pleaser. He is preaching faith alone, because he wants to gain followers. He preaching easy-believism. But look at verse 11.
11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
The KJV translates that “I am afraid of you.” But a strong case can be made for “for” you. He has no fear for himself, but he is afraid that the preaching and teaching he did among them was wasted. How could it be wasted. Well as I mentioned last week, Paul said to these Galatians, that before Christ, they were in bondage to heathen religious systems, that cannot save them. And when they came to Christ, they were offered freedom from that bondage. But, if they turn to the Jewish law, they are putting themselves back in bondage to a system that cannot save them. So Paul’s efforts were a waste, he might as well have left them heathen.
But again, Paul’s not concerned for himself, “I am afraid for you, I might have wasted my labor for you.”
Red flag-ego. And a preacher of the truth is working for you. He is concerned for you. For your spiritual destiny, for your spiritual enrichment, not his own. There is to be no ego involved in preaching the truth.
Now, I am not saying that you need to find a preacher with no ego. We can debate about whether that is even possible. But far too many teachers and preachers are building their own kingdom, not Christ’s.
Titus 1:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful[a] children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 3:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,[a] 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—
1 Peter 5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
II. Hypocrisy; A Preacher of the Truth sets an Example by their life
2 kinds; word and deed
12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
What is Paul saying here? He is putting himself up as an example for them. “become as I am.” What does that mean? Well he is setting himself as their example in regards to his following the Mosaic law. The Judaizers were saying that the Galatians needed to follow the Mosaic law, be circumcised, Sabbath days and diet, etc. But Paul reminds them that he no longer follows the Mosaic law. “become as I am, for I also have become as you are.” I’ve become like a Gentile, to win the Gentiles.
Paul wasn’t telling Gentiles to do anything he wasn’t doing himself. He wasn’t following dietary laws, he was eating with Gentiles, and eating what they ate. He was restricting his work on the Sabbath day around Gentiles, making sure he didn’t walk too many steps, or carry something too heavy. He was an example of freedom to them. “become as I am, because I have become as you are, you did me no wrong.”
Then he says “You did me no wrong.” This is a powerful statement. When he first took the gospel to the Gentiles, he wasn’t following these Jewish laws, he acted and lived like a Gentile. So now you Galatians have become convinced that you need to follow all these laws, “You did me no wrong.” You never said anything to me about it when I first preached the gospel to you. You didn’t protest my freedom in Christ then, why do you do so now?
Red flag-hypocrisy. Judaizers; bind heavy burdens… Peter, ate with Gentiles then withdrew…Do as I say, not as I do. It always baffles me to see religious gurus who teach poverty and sexual abstinence, but they are wearing lavish clothing and jewelry, and sleeping with their parishioners. Now, no person is perfect. But a preacher of the truth shouldn’t be blatantly hypocritical.
Titus 1:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful[a] children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 3:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,[a] 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—
1 Peter 5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
III. Selfish-A Preacher of the Truth is self-sacrificial
13 but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. 14 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.
This part of the passage is a little confusing. So let me break it down.
13 but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
What Paul is saying is that when he first came to the region of Galatia, he was sick, “weakness in the flesh.” Now what was the nature of his sickness? Well some have suggested malaria. That Paul may not have even intended to stop in the region of Galatia, but that he got sick with malaria. So he came up out of the lowlands to escape the mosquitos and to recover. And recovering from malaria has it’s ups and downs, some days you feel good, and then you are down again with piercing headaches and pain. But then Paul says,
14 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.
How was Paul’s condition a temptation. Well the temptation was to doubt the message because of the messenger. You see, in Jewish and Gentile religion, it was common to believe in “karma.” Good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people. So if you have a teacher come to you who is suffering intense pain from a parasitic disease, you might doubt that their message is from God. But, Paul says, I came to you sick, but you didn’t despise me or reject the message, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
So Paul says, remember my sacrifice to be among you and preach the gospel. I was sick. But I preached when I was able. I preached through the pain sometimes.
That’s a red-flag for false teachers. False teachers are often selfish. They want you to bend, and sacrifice, but they won’t touch the load they put on you with one of their fingers. Now this is not always apparent. Because false-teachers are by definition liars, and hypocrites, they present themselves as selfless, not selfish. But sometimes they slip. I could point to big names of individuals who are padding their own bank accounts, and living in luxury, but remember again the qualifications for a pastor/elder.
Titus 1:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful[a] children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 3:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,[a] 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—
1 Peter 5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
IV. Inspires selfishness; A Preacher of the Truth inspires self-sacrifice
15 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.
"Where, then, is your blessing of me now? Paul is saying, what happened to the way you received me then. When I came the first time, I was sick. You could have rejected me based on appearances and physical weakness, but instead you received me as an angel of God, as Jesus Christ Himself. What happened to that? Why are you now suspicious of me, and accuse me?
For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
Okay, that sounds strange. If possible, they would have plucked out their eyes and given them to him. Well, if Paul’s illness was malaria, that may cast some light on this. Malaria sometimes attacks the optic nerve, can lead to color blindness, or partial or complete blindness. So, if it was malaria, Paul is reminding them of how they cherished him and cared for him at his first coming. They loved him so much, that if it were possible, they would have given them their eyes. Again, he’s asking, “what happened to that?” Why has your demeanor changed toward me.
But I think that it is important to note that a preacher of the truth will not only be selfless, he will inspire selflessness. Paul gave, and gave. He worked tirelessly, even through illness to teach them. And after they believed, they wanted to give back to him.
That’s important to note about preachers/teachers/leaders. Look around at the kind of people who are following this person. Jesus said, a tree is known by its fruit. He also said of the hypocrites that they were making proselytes who were two-fold the child of hell as they were.
Now, you can’t always know the Shepherd by the flock. But it is something to consider. If you go to a church that is full of mean-spirited vindictive people, you might consider who’s leading them. And if the pastor is obviously not mean-spirited and vindictive, then he also may not be the real leader of the church, which is another problem altogether.
V. Two-faced; A Preacher of the Truth faithfully tells the Truth
2 kinds; word and deed
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
What this phrase implies is that three things were true regarding the relationship between Paul and the Galatians. First, he told them the truth. He told them the truth even if they didn’t want to hear it, or it was unpopular. Paul was a rock when it came to confronting hostility. I think he was an extreme type-A personality. So he came the first time to Galatia and preached the truth of the gospel to them. And so the second thing we can gather from this statement is that some people in the churches of Galatia had begun to regard Paul as an enemy because of what he said. He would not recant his original message that one is saved by grace alone. But the third thing we gather from the phrase,
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Is that Paul kept preaching the same message, despite the hostility. That’s tough to do, to tell the truth even when you know the hearers will be hostile to it. Someone put a Scripture verse on this pulpit, it says…
But I think you could also put this Scripture on the front of the pulpit, for the congregation to read,
16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Preaching and teaching the Word can be difficult because you get the privilege of telling people they are sinners, that the religious system they’ve grown up with is false-religion, to tell them they haven’t raised their kids right, or done right in their marriage, or they have not handled their money scripturally, or they are taking an unscriptural political stand, and the list could go on and on. And people love hearing those things.
But you preach them when you need to. A false teacher is two-faced. They claim to believe the Bible, but refuse to preach it, or to preach it all. They change their message according to the group they are addressing. They stay away from the hard questions. So, that’s another red-flag.
Titus 1:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful[a] children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 3:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,[a] 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—
1 Peter 5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
VI. Greed; A Preacher of the Truth isn’t in it for the money
17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
17 They zealously seek you in no good way.
These Judaizers came into the Galatian churches, wooing the Galatians. They were zealous in trying to convince you of their message. They used all their abilities, their seductive speech, their logical arguments. But they are not seeking you for your good.
No, they desire to alienate you,
They are telling you these things in order to alienate you. To break you away from your former loyalties.
Now doesn’t that sound the cults? One of the first things a cult will do is to convince you to be suspicious or hostile toward anyone that doesn’t teach what they teach. They don’t want you to be loyal to family, or friends, or anyone but them.
But in the Galatians case, they introduced suspicion and hostility toward Paul. Why did they do that? Because to get you to believe their message, they had to destroy Paul’s message, so they had to destroy Paul’s character.
No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
Now, Paul is not condemning them for “Zealously seeking” the Galatians.
18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause,
Paul himself “zealously sought” the Galatians with the gospel. But that was a good cause. And here Paul points out the difference between his zeal and theirs.
and not only when I am present with you.
Paul says, I seek you all the time, when I am present, or when I was out of town. I think about you, pray for you, write to you all the time. This is different than the Judaizers. Their “love” and “concern” ended the minute they left town. Let me say this, their love and concern ended once the love offering was taken.
What is Paul saying, I love you, yearn for your salvation, spiritual growth, even when I am out of each of your towns, and am no longer receiving an offering.
You see, in Paul’s day, there were people who made their living, or their fortune, traveling from city to city, peddling stuff. Some of them peddled medicine, some of them peddled home goods, and some of them peddled religion. But when does a peddler make his money? When he is right there. Is he concerned about what he has sold, once his wagon rolls out of the city limits? No
Paul is saying, I “zealously sought” you and not only when I am present with you.
And that’s another red flag of a false teacher. They are in it for personal gain. For the money. They don’t hang around after that.
2 Peter 2:1 “False prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing in swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words.”
Titus 1:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful[a] children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,
1 Timothy 3:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,[a] 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—
1 Peter 5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
VII. Indolence; A Preacher of the Truth works hard at sharing the truth
19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
19 My little children
This is the only time Paul ever used this phrase. John uses it often. This really shows you how much he feels the struggle here. The Galatians are in spiritual peril, and Paul is looking on them as his own children in mortal danger.
of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you
He compares his anguish to childbirth. And not just childbirth, but he’s says, it’s as though I gave birth to you once, and now I have to do it again.
but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone
I wish with all my heart that you would repent, so I wouldn’t have to be harsh with you.
for I am perplexed about you.
I am speechless. I can’ t figure out what to say to get you back on the correct path.
But, despite the fact that he is flummoxed about what to say, Paul still has two and a half more chapters of saying to do. You say, well that’s a preacher for you. No, I think it has to do with verse 19. I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you.
Paul is a hard worker. He is not giving up on the Galatians. He is frustrated. He is at a loss for words, but he’s going to keep trying. And that’s the sign of a preacher of truth. As long as there is a listening ear, they keep preaching, and working.
That’s one thing I’ve noticed about most cult representatives who show up to my door. Once they find out that you can defend your faith, they move on to someone else. They are in it for volume sales. The same holds true for false teachers. They usually don’t want to spend time ferreting out the truth. They’re not interested in the truth.
I find that with people and their attitudes about Scripture. Those who really want to know the truth will seek it, study it, ask questions, wrestle with it. Others just decide what they believe, then look for verses that seem to agree. And if someone challenges that belief from Scripture, unfriend them, shut them up. Churches are the same way. Here's what we believe, don’t question it.
A true preacher works hard at uncovering and preaching the truth.
Paul is really arguing here, saying; consider the source. These Judaizers are Egotistical, Hypocritical, selfish, inspiring selfishness, fork-tongued, greedy and lazy with the word. Compared to Paul who was humble, honest, selfless, forthright, giving, and hard-working with Scripture. That’s the difference for the Galatians and for us; consider the source.
Let us pray