Let's get into the Word of God. On Sunday mornings prior to the prophecy update, we're going through the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, book by book, and chapter by chapter and verse by verse.

And we started about three weeks ago in the book of Galatians, and today we'll finish chapter one.

And our text will be verses 13 through 24. I'll ask you to turn there

if you're not there already. And once you do, if you're able, I'll ask you to stand. You

can follow along as I read. We'll begin in verse 13 where the Apostle Paul is writing to

the churches in the region of Galatia and by the Holy Spirit says,

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church

of God and tried to destroy it.

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely

zealous, that might be a little bit of an understatement, for the traditions of my fathers. But verse 15, when God who set me apart from my mother's womb

and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his son in me so that I might preach him

among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult

any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was,

but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then, verse 18, after

three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Seifus and stayed with him 15 days.

I saw none of the other apostles, only James, the Lord's brother.

I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

Then verse 21, I went to Syria and Cilicia.

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

They only heard the report, the man who formerly persecuted us, is now preaching the faith

he once tried to destroy. And, verse 24, they praised God because of me. Let's pray if you

would join with me.

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