WHEN IS IT RIGHT TO PRONOUNCE A CURSE? Gal 1:6-9
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is {really} not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. NAS
INTRODUCTION:
Cursing should not be part of a Christians’ lifestyle. What about pronouncing a curse on someone or something? We would probably say a Christian should not pronounce a curse either.
In this text Paul pronounces a curse on a false gospel, and the presenters of it. You and I can learn from Paul to do the same. Notice when Paul pronounced a curse and when we should do the same.
1. We Can Pronounce A Curse on One With a . . Distorted Gospel.
2. We Can Pronounce A Curse on One With a . . Dissenting Gospel.
1. We Can Pronounce a Curse on One With a . .
Distorted Gospel. v 6-7
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is {really} not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Introduction:
JUDAIZERS [joo dee EYE zurs] -- early converts to Christianity who tried to force believers from non-Jewish backgrounds to adopt Jewish customs as a condition of salvation. Evidence of this movement within the early church first emerged about A.D. 49 AD, when "certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ’Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved’" (Acts 15:1).
Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." NKJV
Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." NKJV
Acts 15:24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ’You must be circumcised and keep the law’--to whom we gave no such commandment– NKJV
A. Because a Distorted Gospel Represents a . . Different Gospel. v 6
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of
Christ, for a different gospel;
1. A . . Defaming Change in this Deserting gospel. v 6 a
". . . I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him . . . "
a. Replaces Christ.
2. A . . Damaging Change in this Deserting gospel. v 6 b
". . . who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; . . . "
a. Removes salvation by Christ alone.
B. Because a Distorted Gospel Represents a . . Disturbing Gospel. v 7
7 which is {really} not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and
want to distort the gospel of Christ.
1. Disturbing because they want to . . Exchange the Gospel. v 7 a
". . . which is {really} not another; . . . "
2. Disturbing because they want to . . Exploit the Gospel. v 7 b
". . . only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Gospel Index: 1440-1442 Date: 5/1986.12 Title: The Yellow Gospel
Some years ago a terrible railroad accident occurred, killing many people. A commuter train had stalled on the tracks just a few minutes before a fast freight was due to arrive. A conductor was quickly sent to flag down the approaching "flier." Being assured that all was well, the passengers relaxed. Suddenly, however, the speeding freight came bearing down upon them.
The crash left a ghastly scene of horror. The engineer of the second train, who escaped death by jumping from the cab, was called into court to explain why he hadn’t stopped. "I saw a man waving a warning flag," he said, "but it was yellow, so I thought he just wanted me to slow down." When the flag was examined, the mystery was explained. It had been red, but because of long exposure to the sun and weather it had become a dirty yellow.
APPLICATION
We Can Pronounce a Curse on One With a . . Distorted Gospel and Their Gospel.
Let me call your attention to a comparison of the Beliefs of those who call them
self Jehovah Witnesses, and those of Historic Christianity.
Supreme Being:
Historic Christianity— One God, who is Himself Person. He is Creator & Lord of History. He eternally exists as Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Gen. 1.
Jehovah’s Witnesses— One God, properly called Jehovah. His Holy Spirit is an impersonal force. Reject the doctrine of Trinity.
Key Figures in History:
Historic Christianity— Jesus, the Christ, eternally one with God and incarnated supernaturally through the Virgin Mary. John 1:1-12; Matt. 1:18-25.
Jehovah’s Witnesses— Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)
Person of Jesus Christ:
Historic Christianity— One divine Person, eternal, with two natures— human and divine. Born on earth as a fully human being. Supreme example of God’s character and His love for humanity. Full and final revelation of God and His love. John 1:1:13.
Jehovah’s Witnesses— A created being with stages of existence: 1. Archangel Michael or the Word. 2. Jesus, Perfect man, became Messiah at his baptism; 3. After his spiritual resurrection, became Michael again but retains the name Jesus.
Work of Jesus Christ:
Historic Christianity— Jesus was born, lived, and died in a given time and place as a unique historical event. He lived a sinless life and willingly died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. He is Messiah (Christ), Lord and Savior. John 1:14-18; 3:16.
Jehovah’s Witnesses— Christ’s ransom sacrifice on a "stake" made salvation possible.
Holy Writings:
Historic Christianity— Bible (Old and New Testaments). Infallible, revealed, factual, accurate & inspired Word of God. Sole authority for faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
Jehovah’s Witness— Bible (New World Translation of Holy Scriptures) as interpreted by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Doctrine of Humanity:
Historic Christianity— Humanity is part of creation, but distinct from the rest of creation & from God. Human beings are created in God’s image. Every person is a unique, precious being of dignity and worth. Gen. 1:26-28.
Jehovah’s Witness— Created in Jehovah’s image; a soul, not immortal; capable of responding to Jehovah.
Solution to the Basic Human Problem:
Historic Christianity— Salvation--release from the guilt & power of sin— is God’s gift of grace through Christ’s atonement, received through personal faith in Christ. Eph. 2:8-9.
Jehovah’s Witnesses— Allegiance to Jehovah plus works (baptism, faithfulness in Kingdom Hall work; those ignorant of Jehovah given a chance to believe during millennium.)
Life After Death:
Historic Christianity— Eternal communion with God (heaven) or eternal separation from God (hell). Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:11-15.
Jehovah’s Witnesses— 144,000 "elect" to reign with Christ in Kingdom of God (heaven). Other Jehovah’s Witnesses to live on glorified paradise earth. Annihilation for all who reject Jehovah.
Do you see why such a belief system must have a curse pronounced on it? It causes a distortion of the gospel.
2. We Can Pronounce a Curse on One With a . .
Dissenting Gospel. v 8-9
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
A. The . . Rationalization of the Curse. v 8
8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
1. If Paul shows up with a different Gospel . . Let Him be Accursed.
2. If an Angel from heaven shows Up with a different Gospel . . Let Him be Accursed.
Illustration
Suppose you come to church and you are awe stuck by an angel who is in the pulpit. Everyone is convinced it is an angel. The Angel says he has a new gospel that God has sent him to declare. Do you believe this angel?
This verse says don’t believe the angel. It is a confirmation of the written word.
Did you know the Mormons believe an angel gave Joseph Smith the tablets from which to print the book of Mormon? When they come to your door with this distorted, and false so called gospel don’t receive them. Mormons say the angels who gave Joseph Smith those printing plates was named Moroni. Paul would say let their gospel be accursed.
B. The . . Repeating of the Curse. v 9
9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
1. The Curse Applies to Any . . Preacher with a false gospel.
2. The Curse Applies to Any . . Presentation of a false gospel.
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Heresy Index: 1577
Thirty years ago, Walter Martin said, most churches would not take him seriously when he said he wanted to speak on the cults. Today, Martin and the others have more calls for help and information than they can begin to answer. The cults, it seems, are no longer taken lightly.
Let me point out a comparison of Historic Christianity, and the Mormons.
Supreme Being:
Historic Christianity— One God, who is Himself Person. He is Creator & Lord of History. He eternally exists as Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Gen. 1.
Mormons— God, (Heavenly Father) is an exalted man with a physical body of flesh and bone. Was a man in a preexistence.
Key Figures in History:
Historic Christianity— Jesus, the Christ, eternally one with God and incarnated supernaturally through the Virgin Mary. John 1:1-12; Matt. 1:18-25.
Mormons— Joseph Smith Jr. (1805-1844)
Person of Jesus Christ:
Historic Christianity— One divine Person, eternal, with two natures— human and divine. Born on earth as a fully human being. Supreme example of God’s character and His love for humanity. Full and final revelation of God and His love. John 1:1:13.
Mormons— Jesus is the spiritual and physical offspring of God by procreation. Had a preexistence as God’s spirit child and the brother of Lucifer.
Work of Jesus Christ:
Historic Christianity— Jesus was born, lived, and died in a given time and place as a unique historical event. He lived a sinless life and willingly died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. He is Messiah (Christ), Lord and Savior. John 1:14-18; 3:16.
Mormons— His death guarantees immortality to all regardless of their faith, but one’s exaltation must be completed by works. Suffered in Gethsemane for Adam’s original sin.
Holy Writings:
Historic Christianity— Bible (Old and New Testaments). Infallible, revealed, factual, accurate & inspired Word of God. Sole authority for faith and practice. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
Mormons— Bible (except the "errors"); The Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants; Pearl of Great Price; revelations of the Mormon prophets.
Doctrine of Humanity:
Historic Christianity— Humanity is part of creation, but distinct from the rest of creation & from God. Human beings are created in God’s image. Every person is a unique, precious being of dignity and worth. Gen. 1:26-28.
Mormons— Preexistent spiritual offspring of God; basically good; gods in embryo.
Solution to the Basic Human Problem:
Historic Christianity— Salvation--release from the guilt & power of sin— is God’s gift of grace through Christ’s atonement, received through personal faith in Christ. Eph. 2:8-9.
Mormons— Exaltation or godhood through obedience to Mormon teachings: repentance, faith, baptism, endowments, celestial marriage, tithing. Baptism for the dead saves some non-Mormons.
Life After Death:
Historic Christianity— Eternal communion with God (heaven) or eternal separation from God (hell). Heb. 9:27; Rev. 20:11-15.
Mormons— One of three kingdoms: 1. Celestial-renewed earth, where men become gods or angels; 2. Terrestrial-planet for righteous non-Mormons; 3. Telestial-planet for the wicked. Perdition is reserved for Satan and most wicked.
It is interesting that Joseph Smith claims an angel from heaven gave him the tablets from which the book of Mormon is printed. Paul said "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed."
The false doctrine of the Mormons needs to have a curse pronounced on it.
Conclusion
When is it Right to pronounce a curse?
When we pronounce it on a false Gospel.
We do not want to curse a person but a belief system.
Interestingly on the top of every Mormon Temple is a representation of the angel Moroni. On the steeple of most Christian churches it the Cross of Christ. Why is the angel on top of a Mormon Temple. Because they are a false gospel which really is not a gospel at all.
ON TOP OF MY CHURCH
On top of my church I want a cross
A cross that reminds all of the saviors loss
The loss of His life and limb for me.
So I from my sin can be set free.
But be sure to make this an empty cross
because my savior was taken down;
And placed in a tomb with a guard all around.
In spite of the guard, He arose, and is alive today.
He lives, and it is to Him I pray.
Before His death He said "If I be lifted up I’ll draw all men to Me.
So that’s why I want a cross atop my church for all to see.
Jesus died for you and me.
For more sermons by James McCullen go to: www.preachhim.org
