Paul: From Terrorist to Evangelist Galatians 1:11-24 (NIV)

Galatians 1:11-24 (NIV)
Sermon By: Ho Gaik Kim 



Introduction 

Sis Ho reminded us that the word "terrorist" naturally evokes intense emotions, dark images, and severe events in our minds. While calling the Apostle Paul a "terrorist" might sound like a provocative title, she pointed out that the New Testament explicitly unpacks his pre-Christian life as one defined by intense opposition and brutal violence against the early church. Looking closely at Galatians, Philippians, and Acts, Sis Ho stressed that Paul was unrivaled in his rigid religious zeal, striking a genuine, terrifying sense of dread into early believers. Bringing this reality closer to home, she warned that while we wouldn't label ourselves "terrorists," many of us still exercise terrorizing behaviors in our everyday relationships—or live as the broken victims of such oppression. Crucially, Sis Ho emphasized that God in His amazing grace reaches out to both the oppressor and the victim, inviting us to honestly confront our realities and walk toward radical transformation, freedom, and wholeness in Christ.
              

Main Points

1. Paul the Terrorist 

Scripture: Galatians 1:13; Acts 7:58, 9:1-2, 13-14, 26:9-11 

• Great Despise and Hatred: Sis Ho explained that Paul deeply despised Jewish Christians, viewing them as heretical blasphemers who were actively betraying their own race and religion. Because of this, he showed them no mercy and openly rejoiced in their brutal execution, such as the stoning of Stephen.

• Passionate Belief in Violence: She highlighted that Paul was driven by his strict religious pedigree and genuinely believed he was carrying out God's cause. Consumed by murderous threats, he cast votes to imprison or kill Christian men and women, even traveling to foreign cities as an international terrorist to hunt them down.

• Modern Parallels of Terror: Sis Ho heavily stressed that humans still terrorize one another today. She gave sober examples: parents terrorizing children physically or psychologically, toxic bosses making employees' lives a daily misery, spouses weaponizing a deafening silent treatment, or even students terrorizing teachers.

Sis Ho’s Key Warning: She pointedly reminded us that one can be completely sincere and passionate about a religious or personal cause, yet be deadly wrong.

2. Paul and the Turning Point 

Scripture: Galatians 1:12; Acts 9:3-18; Philippians 

• Personal Encounter with Jesus: Sis Ho underlined Paul's dramatic Damascus Road experience as the decisive and pivotal moment that changed his entire life. She noted that it doesn't matter if our conversion story is dramatic or quiet; what matters is that genuine transformation is sparked by a direct, personal encounter with the living Christ, not by legalistic works or external systems.

• Justification by Faith: She explained that Paul came to understand that despite his unrivaled zeal for religious laws, there is absolutely no righteousness to be obtained by keeping human systems.

• Allegiance and Obedience: Sis Ho stressed that true faith demands total personal allegiance and obedience to the person of Jesus Christ, rather than a mere devotion to human creeds, secure systems, rituals, or traditions.

Sis Ho’s Key Truth: She reminded us that unless each of us has our own personal encounter with Jesus and experiences His undeserved love, we cannot move on to be true proclaimers of the gospel.

3. Paul the Evangelist 

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-12, 15-19, 23; Acts 9:15, 15 

• Evangelist of the True Gospel: Sis Ho stressed that the true gospel is pure grace—never grace plus or minus human additions like circumcision or cultural conformity. She strongly warned against counterfeit, human-centered messages arising from within the church, such as the prosperity gospel, universalism, or a watered-down "social gospel" that presents a God without wrath bringing humans without sin into a kingdom without judgment through a crossless Christ.

• Not from a Place but from God: She reminded us that the true gospel is not tied to a specific holy city or group; nobody holds a monopoly on the truth. Its ultimate validation is a 180-degree transformed life. She pointed out that Paul did not run away from his dark past, but openly shared it to magnify God's transforming grace.

• Persevering Commitment: Sis Ho praised Paul's refusal to quit or retire despite severe hardships, false teachers, legalistic opposition, or personal attacks. She challenged the congregation, warning us not to let our initial zeal decay into lukewarm apathy or cynical realism as responsibilities pile up.

• A God-Entrusted Ministry: She reminded us that Paul recognized he was merely a chosen instrument and a servant in a ministry entrusted solely by God. Because it is God who produces the results, she stressed that there is absolutely no room for pride, boasting, or worker jealousy.

• Part of the Body of Believers: Though called directly by divine revelation, Sis Ho stressed that Paul was not an unaccountable, rogue "freelance" preacher. He submitted to church leadership and partnered with the local body. She lamented seeing modern Christians willing to drag the church down over disagreements, pointing out that even when Paul and Barnabas had a sharp personal dispute, they never tried to destroy each other or the body of Christ.

Sis Ho’s Key Truth: She concluded that the gospel needs no human advocate, but a life truly transformed by the gospel bears undeniable witness to it.

Conclusion 

Sis Ho reminded us that the account of Paul points directly to the amazing, unconditional grace of God, which is profound enough to reclaim even those actively fighting against Him. She emphasized that when we encounter the living Christ, the Holy Spirit does not erase our distinct personalities, but rather molds, guides, and channels them toward His redemptive focus. Having been entrusted with this true gospel, she called on us to protect its purity, preserve our zeal, and work together in total humility within His harvest field.

Takeaway Message 

• Sis Ho reminded us that no person is too far gone, too hostile, or too broken to be reached and redeemed by God's amazing grace.

• She stressed that the true gospel is anchored in pure grace alone, completely set apart from human-centered compromises or counterfeit versions.

• She urged us to remember that personal transformation, enduring commitment, and mutual accountability within the body of believers are essential to a faithful ministry.

May we declare with confidence as Sis Ho urged:

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14)

Amen 

Reflection and Discussion Questions

1. Share how we can bring the gospel to the "terrorists" and the victims of "terrorists"?

• To the "Terrorists" (Oppressors/Ab abusers): As Sis Ho reminded us, we must remember that no one is beyond the reach of God's amazing grace. Like Ananias, we must overcome our natural fear and limited understanding to approach them. We bring the gospel by boldly proclaiming the message of complete repentance, holding onto Sis Ho's reminder that a terrible past does not disqualify anyone from being redeemed and used as God's instrument.

• To the Victims: We must gently walk alongside them, anchoring them in the deep love of God to guide them toward emotional wholeness and spiritual freedom in Christ. We help them process their trauma and, through the Holy Spirit, gradually learn the radical step of forgiveness—echoing Corrie ten Boom's powerful realization, which Sis Ho quoted, that "there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper."

2. Why are personal faith and a transformed life crucial in proclaiming the gospel?

Sis Ho stressed that a personal encounter with Jesus is the absolute catalyst that shifts our motivation from keeping rigid religious rules to expressing genuine allegiance to a person. A transformed life serves as the ultimate visible proof of the gospel's authenticity. As she beautifully put it, the gospel requires no human defense, but a life turned 180 degrees—just like Paul’s transition from a destructive persecutor to a passionate church planter—bears undeniable witness to the power of the Holy Spirit. Without personal faith, she warned that we risk offering people empty rituals, social improvement, or human systems rather than the life-giving presence of Jesus Christ.

3. Discuss why Christians may be tempted to give a version of the gospel that is not really true?

Sis Ho pointed out that Christians are frequently tempted to preach counterfeit gospels because they are human-centered, comfortable, and highly appealing to a secular culture. In a world that increasingly rejects absolute truth and authority, it is tempting to preach a "progressive" or "social" gospel that focuses solely on benevolence while discarding the reality of sin, wrath, judgment, and the necessity of the cross. Furthermore, she reminded us that legalism prompts people to preach "grace plus something else" (like cultural traditions or specific rituals) because human pride naturally desires to force others to look and act exactly like us.

4. In your view, how committed are we as a church in proclaiming the gospel? What about you personally? Why?

• Corporate View: As a church body, Sis Ho challenged us to evaluate whether we are genuinely cooperating in humility within God's harvest field, or if we have allowed legalistic bickering, regional biases, or internal disputes to distract us from the Great Commission. We must firmly guard against counterfeit gospels filtering into our ranks.

• Personal Reflection: Sis Ho directly challenged each of us to go home and honestly examine the "graph" of our spiritual passion. She warned that it is dangerously easy for our "first love" to evaporate over time, allowing life's responsibilities and knocks to turn our initial excitement into lukewarm apathy or a cynical "realism". In her closing prayer, she urged us to ask the Holy Spirit to stir the flame within us once again, reminding us of how far His amazing grace has brought us so that we can boldly proclaim Him in our homes, schools, and workplaces.

• .