Warning The Wavering
Galatians 1:6-12
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Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount about false prophets - “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” - (Matthew 7:15)
Then again when speaking about the end times He said that -“ … many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11)
The Apostle John, in his first Epistle spoke of those who were deceivers - 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
He covers this subject again in - 2 John 1:7 for many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Throughout 2,000 years of church history there have been many examples of those who would pervert the Gospel of Christ and they have deceived many. We have seen some extreme examples of this in our own lifetime. Here are some of the most well known:
- Jim Jones (no relation!) and “The People’s Temple”. His entire congregation followed him to South America and over 900 of them (including many children) drank cyanide laced Kool-Aid in a mass suicide.
- In 1997 Marshal Applewhite, the leader of the “Heaven’s Gate” cult convinced 38 people to commit suicide in order to reach what they believed was an alien space craft following the Hale–Bopp comet.
- In the early 90’s David Koresh (who claimed to be Jesus) and his cult the “Branch Davidians” moved into a compound in Waco Texas. Koresh became the polygamous husband of all the females and there were many reports of sexual abuse and statutory rape in the compound. In a 1993 raid by the ATF & FBI… 76 Branch Davidians died in a fire that was set by the cult itself.
A group does not have to be as extreme as these that we have mentioned to be a considered a cult. There are several groups today who are just as deceived as those we have already mentioned.
- The church of Scientology
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- The Latter Day Saints
- The Nation of Islam
- Islam
- Witchcraft
- Astrology …and many others
These groups already possess massive numbers of followers and are growing rapidly. It is amazing that people would turn away from the true Gospel and follow these false teachings, but it happens daily. Many of those who would join a cult are those who have general knowledge of the bible, and many of them have even made a profession of faith.
> One vivid example is “Mormonism” or “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”
- 80% of converts to Mormonism are professing Christians
- 40% of converts to Mormonism are Baptist
- Southern Baptist’s covert to Mormonism more than any other denomination (http://www.bradmelton.org/assets/Tennessee_Mormon_notes.p)df)
Those are staggering statistics and they should concern us greatly. And the TRUE followers of Christ must do a better job with discipleship and equipping believers to identify and combat false teaching. But the problem of false teaching is not solely found in what we would refer to as a “cult”. Many churches that began with Jesus Christ and the Word of God as their foundation have been infiltrated and deceived by false teachers.
As I mentioned, this is a problem that is as old as the Church itself. Paul dealt with this, and we find one such occasion here in Galatians… Notice what he says in - v7 “there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ”
Paul loved these people. God had used him to establish this church and he cared about their spiritual welfare. Among the Galatian believers were Judaizers who thought that the Galatians (mostly gentiles) should be circumcised.
The term Judaizer is derived from a Greek verb (ioudaïzō) that means to "live according to Jewish customs". Instead of basing salvation on faith in Christ alone, they wanted to add works to their salvation. In verses 6-12 Paul delivers a message of caution to the people of Galatia.
I would like to examine these verses and preach on the thought “Warning The Wavering”. - “Wavering” means “To become unsure or begin to change from a previous opinion or belief”
I know people who once boldly professed to be a Christian….They had every outward appearance of one who was a Christ follower and then somewhere along the way they turned and went in the opposite direction. I know some who have turned to Mormonism, some who have turned to New Age spirituality, and I know many who gave up and turned to the things of this world. There may be someone here today who is wavering, I hope through Paul’s message of caution to the people of Galatia you can see the evidence for the ONE TRUE GOSPEL! Notice first of all:
I. PAUL EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE - v6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7a Which is not another…
These were people that Paul had lead to faith in Jesus Christ. He loved them and he was concerned about their current condition. As mentioned before, the Judaizers were demanding that the Gentiles be circumcised and follow other Jewish practices.
I don’t think that Paul was shocked that there were false teachers causing trouble in the church. What he “marveled” at was the fact that they were “so soon removed” from the true Gospel.
* In verse 4 he reviewed the glorious Gospel of Christ in order to show them what they had turned from. Notice - {Jesus Christ} “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father”
These people had heard the Gospel of Christ, they had believed in the Gospel of Christ and they had trusted in Christ alone for their salvation. Now they are wavering…At this point some had already been deceived and others were on the brink of giving in! Paul says that they were “removed” from “Him that called them unto grace”.
*Removed - (metatithēmi - met-at-ith'-ay-mee) - to transfer, transport or to change sides. This word was used to describe military desertion. It is the equivalent of a soldier leaving the battle with no intention to return. The Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue the legalism taught by the false teachers
> Imagine a soldier in the U.S army being deployed to Afghanistan, after he arrives he is captured and indoctrinated by the members of Al Qaeda. After listing to them for a while he decides to change sides and become a member of that terrorist organization. He has gone from one mission to another that is in direct conflict to the mission he had begun. That seems unbelievable but it has happened.
And it happens in the spiritual battle as well! Some of those at Galatia had in essence “switched sides”. They traded grace for legalism…. They traded the Gospel for false teaching… They traded Jesus for the Law. - You may say “But preacher, didn’t they still teach Jesus?” Yes, but they attempted to add the Law and Jewish rituals to the work that Jesus had performed in turn “perverting” the Gospel of Christ.
Many groups or “cults” today claim the name of Jesus, they may even use the Bible but they pick and choose what they like and don’t like. These are those that Paul spoke of in - 2 Timothy 3:5 as “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”
When it comes to salvation… IT IS JESUS PLUS NOTHING!! Jesus PAID IT ALL for you and me!
Paul was concerned about these people and had enough compassion to confront their sins.
> If you knew that one of your children was experimenting with illegal drugs would you just leave them alone and not say anything to them?? Of course not! You would do everything in your power to stop them and protect them from the physical harm that will follow if they continue on that path. - In the same way, when our brothers and sisters in Christ are wavering, we must do all that we can to prevent the spiritual harm that they will encounter if they continue on their current path.
May the Lord give us an immense burden for our wavering brethren! Not only did “Paul Express His Concern For The People”…
II. PAUL ADDRESSED A CRISIS AMONG THE PEOPLE - v7b but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
These false teachers were causing great harm among this church. Paul says that they were “troubling them”
* Trouble {G} - (tarassō - tar-as'-so) - to stir or agitate. This carries the idea of “shaking back and forth”
The Galatian believers were being disturbed emotionally and spiritually by these false teachers. If you have ever dealt with a false teacher then you will agree that they can be very convincing. - Have you ever had a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness show up at your house? (Usually way too early on a Saturday morning) They always have a good appearance, they are well dressed, they are friendly, they seem to be genuine and they are always passionate about their message. Understand this; they do not know that they are deceived. They wholeheartedly believe their message and it is not their goal to deceive you into joining a cult, they desire to convert you to what they feel is the truth.
And if you are not grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ then you may be in danger of becoming a wavering one! - Many false teachers will come to you with a Bible in their hand; they may use the names of God and Jesus, they may even say that they are Christian and they will attempt to convince you that they are a legit organization. But the problem today is the same problem that Paul had with the Judaizers. They are “perverting the gospel of Christ”
The word “Pervert” here, means to change something into its opposite. The false teachers were attempting to add the Law to the Grace of Christ. The Law and Grace are direct opposites! Through their rituals and traditions they were trying to earn the favor of God. The opposite of this is Grace, which is the unmerited favor of God through Jesus Christ!
The crisis that Paul addresses is the fact that some were causing trouble with their false teaching and the fact that the believers were falling for it! These believers had experienced great hope in Christ, now some are trying to take their hope away! The Law brings condemnation, GRACE brings HOPE AND LIFE! No wonder Paul marveled at the fact that they had turned from the Gospel!
A more common phenomenon that we encounter is when a born again believer of Christ will turn from their walk with the Lord and return to the bondage of sin. The pleasures of sin will never compare to the peace hope and joy that comes with a true sold out relationship with Jesus! But some of you have exchanged that peace and joy for the guilt and shame that comes in a life of sin! Many times we see someone who is on fire for Jesus one week and the next they are gone and like Paul we marvel at those actions.
I mentioned earlier that these believers had in essence “switched sides”. They had gone from the message that Paul had delivered to them (and they received) and turned to the messages being brought by the false teachers. Now Paul addresses the validity of the message that he had delivered to them. Notice:
*v8 but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
This is one of the most important verses of doctrine in the entire Bible! In these verses Paul explains the authority, infallibility and endurance of God’s Holy Scriptures!
- Paul says if I come back to you with a message that is different than what I have already delivered “let me be accursed”!
- He takes it even further “if even an Angel from Heaven comes with another message let him be accursed”!
- If I stand in this pulpit and bring a message contrary to the Gospel of Christ “let me be accursed”!
- If someone knocks on your door and brings a message contrary to the Gospel of Christ “let them be accursed”!
- If you encounter someone in the Walmart parking lot who is sharing a message other than the Gospel of Christ “let them be accursed”!
- If you hear someone on the radio or see someone on the T.V who is sharing a message that is contrary to the Gospel of Christ, “Let them be accursed”!
In verse 8 Paul addresses a hypothetical situation, here in verse 9 he transitions to an actual situation. - v9 as we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
This has already happened to them, apparently SEVERAL men had “another Gospel to them that what they had already received” Paul says the same thing about them… LET THEM BE ACCURSED!
If you don’t take anything else away from this sermon please hear this…
- BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LISTEN TO!
- KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
- LOOK TO THE SCRIPTURES!
- PUT YOUR TRUST IN CHRIST ALONE!
* Listen to what John says in - 1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
There were many false prophets in John & Paul’s day and there are many more in our day. And those today have T.V, Radio & Internet at their disposal!
- Paul Expressed His Concern For These People, He Addressed A Crisis Among These People and in verses 10-12 we see that… Paul Reviewed His Credentials With The PeopleThe false teachers at Galatia were undermining Paul’s spiritual credentials. In the next few verses he defends his apostleship, notice:
III. PAUL REVIEWED HIS CREDENTIALS WITH THE PEOPLE - v10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Just because someone is wearing a suit, holding a bible and standing in a pulpit, does not guarantee that they are of God! In many cases, those who are in the most prominent positions, do the most harm to the cause of Christ.
Let me take just a minute and say that this -“positive thinking”, “best life now”, “every day a Friday” watered down garbage that is getting so popular in our nation today is just as dangerous as what the Judaizers were doing in Galatia. It is equally as dangerous to take away from the scriptures as it is to add to it!
Yes, God is a God of love and I am thankful from that, but also:
- He is a Holy, just & righteous God…
- He is a God of judgment…
- He is a God of wrath…
- He is a God of discipline and chastisement
- He is a God who will not tolerate sin…
It doesn’t matter what any “pastor” says apart from the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We need some men who will do like Paul and declare the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD!! As we consider Paul’s credentials I want you to notice:
A. HIS MOTIVATION- v10 for do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Paul was not motivated by mans approval. He was a devoted “servant of Christ” As a result he faced great suffering and persecution. In chapter 6 he says “for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus”
*We have an in depth record of the persecution that Paul faced as a result of his service to Christ - 2 Corinthians 11:24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
Paul’s life could have been much easier if he had attempted to please men, but he didn’t because he was a SLAVE OF JEUSS CHRIST! Notice:
B. HIS MESSAGE:
1) IT WAS NOT OF MAN– v11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
The Gospel that Paul had delivered to the people of Galatia did not come from man. It was not based on human reasoning. He had been taught the Law from his youth. The teaching that he received and followed made him a Pharisee, not a Christian.
Every false religion or “cult” that you encounter comes from the twisted minds of wicked men (and women).
The ultimate authority is not:
Joseph Smith
Brigham Young
Muhammad
Herbert Armstrong
L. Ron Hubbard
Mary Baker Eddy
Charles Russell
It doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say, the scriptures give us all we need. And the Bible says “LET GOD BE TRUE AND EVER MAN A LIAR”!! If the message Paul delivered to the Galatians was not of man then where was it from? Notice:
2) IT WAS FROM THE MASTER- v12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Not only was this message not “of man” it was not “from man”. Paul was not witnessed to by a mortal man. He did not even receive this message from one of the Lord’s Apostles. He received the Gospel of Christ …FROM CHRIST HIMSELF!
Paul says- I received the Gospel “by the revelation of Jesus Christ” - In Acts chapter 9, Jesus appeared to Paul on Damascus road and called him out. Then later in the chapter Jesus sent Ananias to touch Paul . Ananias was terrified at the thought of going near Saul. Then Jesus said to Him “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:15-16)
Paul’s credentials were in stark contrast to the Judaizers. They had received their religious instruction from the rabbis. The Rabbi’s received their instruction from traditions, Paul got his information straight form the source!
The people he was writing to were saved in much the same way that Paul was. They began walking with Christ just like Paul did. But somewhere along the way, they turned and began “following another gospel that wasn’t the gospel at all”
Don’t be so arrogant as to think that it couldn’t happen to you! There may be someone here today or listening by radio or internet that has been deceived by the false teaching of others. I encourage you to search the scriptures and look to Christ! Maybe you haven’t turned form Christ to another religion or a cult, maybe you have turned back to the bondage of sin that Jesus has delivered your from. You have an opportunity to return to Him today! Maybe you have never been born again. This gospel that Paul speaks of in these verses is just as true today... You can be saved if you repent and turn to Jesus! Maybe you are saved and walking with Jesus today (PRAISE GOD FOR THAT!) This message is for you as well, it is a message of caution. Remember what James tells us “be sober and vigilant because our adversary the devil walked about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
I encourage you to study the scriptures, Know what you believe and why… Like Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 - “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”
There are false teachers everywhere you turn, keep your eyes open and be ready. And remember what Paul says in v8 …though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
However this message applies to you, I pray that you will heed this “Warning To The Wavering”
