There is no other Gospel
Galatians, Part 1
Galatians 1:1-10
- Background: The churches in Galatia were formed partly of converted Jews and partly of Gentile converts. Paul asserts his apostolic character and the doctrines he taught, that he might confirm the Galatian churches in the faith of Christ, especially with respect to the important point of justification by faith alone.
- Galatians challenges us to look deeper at ourselves and our purpose
-- By way of introduction, we are going to jump into and unpack this book together
- The author is obviously Paul, and the purpose of this letter is three fold:
1. To teach the right message
2. To correct incorrect doctrine
3. To point us to Christ in everything that we do
- Paul’s writings normally have the same theme: to instruct and correct
-- If the message doesn't glorify Christ, we must examine what’s being said
- Galatians was not written as an essay in contemporary history
-- It was a protest against the corruption of the gospel of Jesus Christ – period!
-- APP: Once we understand that; we are able to see his intent and mission
- Read Galatians 1:1-10
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – Why is this written? (1-5)
- Paul begins (as always) by identifying himself as the author of this letter
-- But notice his wording ... Right up front he says he isn't from man
- This is very important to the reader of the time ... Since they are being deceived
-- He clearly identifies that he is not just another guy, but he is sent from God
- I am not just a traveling evangelist …
-- I am not just another person trying to make a buck …
-- I am not someone who thought he could blow into town …
- But, I am Paul, a servant of Jesus and to Him I owe everything that I am
-- Paul’s mission is clear; he is sent of God (implication: Do others say that?)
-- This is the first indicator that these people are being deceived
- Why? Most likely, those who are "leading" are not proclaiming Jesus Christ
-- But, they are proclaiming some false religion and calling it Christianity
-- Paul’s confession of who he represents is critical: It’s his resume; credentials
-- APP: Our understanding this is also critical: It’s God’s word being affirmed
- V3 - Grace is something that is only given by God through Jesus (note: “from”)
-- It is not trivial, nor is it flippant ... It is salvation! It’s a gift delivered from God
-- 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
- V4 – Paul confirms that it is Jesus who has given His life in exchange for ours
-- The confession is very clear ... It is instruction for all and for some, rebuke
-- APP: God has given new life to all that will accept it … as only God can
- The tone of this letter to the reader should begin to stir their hearts
-- It should have the same effect today … the heart should be changed by it
-- It is in this reading that we see Paul's very clear, unmistakable confession
-- “God has given us everything we need by giving Himself for us”
- V5 – “… to whom be the glory for ever and ever, Amen.” (let it be so)
-- When Christians hear things like that, it should act like a battle cry for us
-- It is not a gloss by it statement, but one of sincere, honest conviction/purpose
-- IMP: Paul’s declaration captures his entire mission … do we say the same?
- TRANS: So we have the why, now … what is the “what?” of this letter?
∆ Point 2 - There is no other Gospel (6-9)
- Paul is astonished and shocked that these people have been swayed so easily
-- These people are in a church, claim to be saved by Christ, yet have changed (v6)
-- And now they are now listening to preaching that isn't about Christ at all
- If you need a real world application to this today consider this:
-- If the message is not salvation by Grace because of Christ: It is in error!
-- Put another way: If the message being preached is not about YOUR repentance because God is a Holy and Righteous God who gave His Son for you, you are not hearing the truth (see v3 … from God because and Christ)
- This is the exact position that these people are now in in Galatia
-- TJ paraphrase: "I can't believe how easily you have been fooled by this trash ..."
-- Paul warned about this also in 2 Corinthians 11:4, “For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” (APP: How easily we change our focus …)
- Warning: v7, you are turning to a Gospel that is really not a gospel at all!
-- The word Gospel means “good news”; it is a term of rejoicing; of proclamation
-- APP: Paul just proclaims what they are listening to really isn’t good news at all!
- Message: The Gospel is being perverted and you aren’t hearing the truth
-- APP: How can you possibly stay if the teaching isn't the truth about Jesus?
-- When the Gospel is preached, lives should be altered and hearts affected
-- This is the message of the Gospel ... and where is YOUR reaction to it?
- Paul backs this up with probably his strongest words ever (read v8)
-- Not only angels, but if I preached the wrong Gospel then I should go to hell
-- IMP: This is where the rubber meets the road: Do we water the Gospel down?
- We need to be preaching the same Gospel we heard when we were saved
-- For some it might have been repentance; for others God may have spoken love
-- But the message was the same, wasn't it? Jesus is the only way ... (John 14:6)
- Remember when Bible says something twice … (ex: verily, verily)
-- Anyone who preaches a false Gospel should be cursed for it (v9)
- For you and I, a challenge has been issued straight from Paul’s words:
-- Who do we preach? Who do we serve? Who do we live for? Is it Christ?
- Paul is not afraid of men … or of what man can do to Him
-- APP: When you and I run into the tough times, we should still glorify Jesus
-- It is the true measure of our faith, and how strongly we hold to it
- TRANS: Let’s explore this a little more …
∆ Point 3 – Who do you serve? (10)
- V10, I cannot make men happy and proclaim Jesus, it will never happen!
-- Consider this about the Bible:
• 66 books in the bible
• Written across hundreds of years
• Transcribed in different languages
• Myriad of authors throughout history
- All of them unify in one message: A messiah is coming (OT)
-- Or has come (NT) and to Him we owe our complete devotion and life
-- APP: v10, nothing else matters … so whose approval are you living for?
- IMP: Man would never confess that we need someone else to save us
-- Man would never write a book about how sinful and wretched he is
-- In our generation we have seen more puffing up of chests than ever before
-- We witnessed the marvels of technology … but forgot who gave us the brains
- V10 ... If I were still (meaning at one time he was) trying to please men …
-- HUGE: “I would not be a servant of Christ.”
- Remember, Paul was the chief persecutor of followers of “The Way”
-- He admits that his orders were from man … and he abandoned them! Why?
-- Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Conclusion
- If ever there was an introduction to a letter that I wouldn't want to read, this is it!
- When we look to the Word for strength; what we see is the revelation of Jesus
- However, it gets even better because again … Paul is writing to do three things:
1. To teach the right message
2. To correct incorrect doctrine
3. To point us to Christ in everything that we do
- Next week we look deeper into Paul's confession of the message he preaches
- One challenge for today and forward: Read v10: Who are you trying to please?
- Pray
