Title: Grace Worth Fighting For
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00:00 - Introduction: A Broken Fellowship
08:43 - Reading Galatians 2
09:51 - Tasting the Radical Unity of the Gospel
10:46 - What Social Pressures Caused Peter to Back Away?
13:18 - Peter Led Others Astray, Even Barnabas
14:48 - Paul Confronts Peter as a Brother, Not as a False Teacher
16:37 - Why Did Paul Respond So Strongly?
17:06 - 1. Gospel Compromise Kills Fellowship
19:42 - 2. For Those Trusted with the Gospel, Even Your Welcome Has Consequences
26:36 - 3. In Order to Guard The Gospel, You Must Rest in the Gospel
27:00 - What Is Hypocrisy?
32:05 - What Is Legalism?
34:06 - Rest in the Gospel Leads to Victory
38:45 - Conclusion & Invitation
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Galatians 2:11–16
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (ESV)
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In Galatians 2:11-16, Paul recounts confronting Peter in Antioch over a moment of hypocrisy that threatened the gospel's truth. Peter, once freely sharing meals with Gentile believers in joyful unity, withdrew when Jewish visitors from James arrived, fearing the circumcision party's disapproval. This act, driven by social pressures for salvation, safety, and evangelism, led other Jews, including Barnabas, to follow suit, implying Gentiles must adopt Jewish customs to belong. Paul opposed Peter publicly, not as a false teacher but as a brother whose conduct strayed from convictions, asking how Peter could live as a Gentile yet compel others to Judaize.
Paul highlights three truths for guarding the gospel. First, compromising the gospel destroys fellowship, while clarity in grace fosters peace-filled unity among believers. Second, those entrusted with the gospel, like leaders, bear responsibility in their welcome; even a simple withdrawal signals second-class status, distorting grace and pressuring others toward legalism. Third, to defend the gospel outwardly, one must rest in it inwardly. Peter's fear exposed unrest, allowing hypocrisy to emerge as he concealed true beliefs under a mask of conformity.
Hypocrisy here means acting against known convictions, not mere failure in sanctification, but concealing grace amid fear. Legalism, Paul insists, cannot justify anyone. Instead, justification comes by faith in Christ alone. Resting in God's unmerited favor dispels internal fears, enabling grace to flow through actions. Sins thrive on soul unrest, but gospel light transforms, cutting roots of hypocrisy and legalism for true freedom.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.
