Don’t Fall for That!!!
Galatians 1:6-10
May 6, 2007
Galatians 1:6 (HCSB)
I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are turning to a different gospel-
The Lure of False Teaching
The Judaizers
Taught Christ plus….
Circumcision
Dietary laws
The problem
Implies that Jesus sacrifice was not enough
False teaching today
Teaches a salvation of works
Good deeds
Acts of Penance
Sacrifice
Implies that Jesus sacrifice is not enough
Galatians 1:7 (HCSB)
Not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the gospel of Christ.
Examples of Other Gospels
1 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.
John 1:1, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
13 If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.
Doctrine & Covenants 6:13, Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints
Even Christians Can Be Guilty
Works based faith
Giving
Service
Baptism
Communion
Jesus and…
Anything that requires more than Jesus
Salvation is a free gift of grace
Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.
Galatians 1:8 (HCSB)
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!
Adding To
God’s Word is given in completeness
There is nothing left to add
There is nothing that is meant to be removed
God’s warnings
Deuteronomy 12:32
Revelation 22:18
Deuteronomy 12:32 (HCSB)
Carefully obey all the commands I give you. Do not add to them or subtract from them.
Revelation 22:18 (HCSB)
And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.
Galatians 1:9 (HCSB)
As we have said before, I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
Testing the Spirit
Consistency
Verify the consistency with the rest of Scripture
Acts 17:11
Acts 17:11 (HCSB)
The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Testing the Spirit
Consistency
Verify the consistency with the rest of Scripture
Acts 17:11
Testing the teaching
Begins with the teacher
1 John 4:1
1 John 4:1 (HCSB)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Testing the Spirit
Consistency
Verify the consistency with the rest of Scripture
Acts 17:11
Testing the teaching
Begins with the teacher
1 John 4:1
Commitment to the Body of Christ
Lifestyle
Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit in their ministry
Galatians 1:10 (HCSB)
For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.
An Audience of One
The teacher of truth
Guided by God’s direction
Does not base decisions on approval ratings or popularity
Captive to the call
Would give everything
The false teacher
Seeks earthly gain
Seeks power and accolades
Are You Examining or Blindly Accepting?
**Powerpoint available on request
