Gal 1:11 

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was
preached by me is not man's gospel. 
Gal 1:12  For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I
received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 
Gal 1:13  For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted
the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 
Gal 1:14  And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among
my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 
Gal 1:15  But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who
called me by his grace, 
Gal 1:16  was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach
him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 
Gal 1:17  nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me,
but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 
Gal 1:18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and
remained with him fifteen days. 
Gal 1:19  But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's
brother. 
Gal 1:20  (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 
Gal 1:21  Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 
Gal 1:22  And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are
in Christ. 
Gal 1:23  They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us
is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 
Gal 1:24  And they glorified God because of me. 

The passage deals with Paul’s testimony of his life before and after believing
the gospel. Formerly, his “conversation, kjv” (behavior) is indifferent to the
gospel. He persecuted believers of the gospel. But now he was a propagator
and defender of the faith he once tried to destroy.

Theme: the gospel must be defended from behaviors that will destroy
true Christianity.

The gospel is a teaching. Other than the gospel is another teaching. If the
teaching is not or a diversion from the gospel. Whatever the teaching is, it
follows that behaviors are dependent on the teaching. What makes it worse is,
any behavior that is not dependent on the gospel will destroy the gospel. This
is the former life of the apostle.

1. Behavior that is against gospel faith

Gal 1:13  For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted
the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 
Gal 1:14  And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among
my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 

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The traditions – teachings that were passed from generation to generation
The zealousness of Paul to the teachings believed by his ancestors pushed him
to have a behavior hostile to the faith of the gospel. His hostility drives him to
persecute both the faith and the believers of the faith.

Point: behaviors against gospel faith persecutes both the faith and the
believers.

Paul persecutes Christianity and Christians. To him Judaism is prior to

Christianity. They have the oracles of God both the written law and the words
of the prophets.

The problem with Judaism is to fail to recognize Jesus as the Christ promised
by the law and the prophets. The result is hostility.
Joh_15:20  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater
than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they
kept my word, they will also keep yours.

The persecution that Jesus experienced is physical, emotional and spiritual.

This is the same for the apostles and Christians.

We are blessed today because we do not need to experience the same

persecution Jesus, the apostles and early Christians experienced.

We still experience behaviors hostile to true gospel faith.

But we need to be warned of behaviors coming form us that destroys both

Christianity and Christians. The reason why such behaviors is the attitude of
Christians not to willingly submit to scriptures.

Not attending to gatherings is a destruction of gospel faith.

Not sharing the gospel is a behavior destructive of the gospel. This is the
mandate of the church and followed by Paul in Rom 10.

Worse is, behaviors that are caused by personal interest and disregard the
principles of the gospel.

Challenge: do we have behaviors that are destroying and persecuting other

believers and even the gospel itself?

Maybe personal issues with other Christians. Maybe because of some desires
that is being hindered by teachings of christianity or other believers.

Illustration:

Application:

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Let us examine ourselves. Our basis for “God’s will” is God’s word. If we have
personal issues against the gospel faith or gospel believers, let us be willing
enough to go to the word of God. The true solution to such issues is only from
the teachings of the gospel itself. Let us be willing to look into the word and be
willing to submit to the word.

Let us remind ourselves that behaviors contrary to the teachings of the gospel
is not from God no matter how old and good it is.

The teachings of the gospel should be our final authority in our personal
issues.

2. Gospel faith prevailing over behavior

Gal 1:11  For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was
preached by me is not man's gospel. 
Gal 1:12  For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I
received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 

The reason why a man so zealous of Judaism was changed to faith in the
gospel is because of the origin.

Point: what authenticates the genuineness of a teaching is its origin

The gospel originates from God. This can not be claimed by the JW, the INC,
etc.
This is the hope that whatever behavior that struggle to destroy the gospel and
its believers will never prevail is because of God. God will not allow behaviors
to destroy the gospel. the gospel will be persecuted even believers but they
will not be destroyed.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing
power belongs to God and not to us. 
2Co 4:8  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
driven to despair; 
2Co 4:9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of
Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 

It is possible to be hurt and even die because of persecution but in reality

cannot be destroyed. Even in the death of the body, there is hope in the
resurrection because of the gospel.

Challenge: what are behaviors that will sway us away from the gospel
faith?

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The gospel is the proof that God will never leave us and forsake us.
Believers of the gospel are not in misery. They are hopeful and blessed
because of the final event of the gospel.

Application: Let us put in our minds that the gospel prevails over behaviors
because it is from God. Nothing is more powerful and better than God.

Let us identify those behaviors that are destroying our faith and resolve they
cannot destroy us because God promised so in His gospel.

Illustration: Mano po legacy. The old matron of the family insist on the
traditions of the family but was encouraged by the daughter to stand up and
win over her fears of not following the traditions.

If there are behaviors contrary to the gospel, we can change it because of the
power of the gospel.

Let us defend true Christianity from behaviors that destroy it by

believing in the power of God that can change behaviors.