Galatians 2

 Wednesday Night:   Galatians 1:18-24, 2:1-  10                                June 24, 2026

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUSTED SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP:

1.    Paul established solid ground by living transparently before God and people.

a.    Galatians 1:18-24 

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUSTED SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP:

2.    Paul demonstrated that credible leaders develop privately before they are publicly recognized.

a.    Galatians 2:1 

b.    Before seeking influence, Paul sought intimacy with God. 

c.     John 5:44 

d.    Paul spent years alone with God before public ministry. But this was not unique with Paul:

e.    Exodus 3,4 Moses spent forty years in Midian before God sent him.

f.      1 Kings 17,18 Elijah’s private preparation preceded his public victory on Mount Carmel.

g.    Luke 2:52 

h.    Mark 1:35 Jesus regularly withdrew to pray before ministering.

i.      The principle is: God often prepares leaders in obscurity before He promotes them.

j.      Galatians 2:1  

k.     He associated with a trusted leader.

l.      Galatians 2:2   

m.   He submitted to respected leaders. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUSTED SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP:

3.    Paul demonstrated that credible leaders welcome accountability without compromising truth.

a.    Galatians 2:3,6 

b.    The emphasis remained on the gospel—the gospel always withstands careful examination. 

c.     Galatians 2:4-5 

d.    He stood up to those who opposed God’s truth.

e.    Galatians 2:6 

f.      He put no confidence in people’s infallibility but trusted in God.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUSTED SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP:

4.    Paul demonstrated credible leaders seek unity around the gospel.

a.    Galatians 2:7-9  

b.    The Jerusalem leaders didn’t merely tolerate Paul, they recognized:

c.     God’s grace.

d.    God’s calling.

e.    God’s authority.

f.      Galatians 2:10  

g.    He cooperated with the present leaders by honoring their requests.