The "Gospels" We Hear

Welcome

Have Veterans stand

Introduction

Today we are looking at a call to awareness and we are going to be using some pop culture to do that. Pop culture is Popular culture. Usually secular and Refers to movies, books, music, etc. That are popular in mainstream culture.

Galatians 1:6-9

Galatians 1:6–9 CSB

6 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—7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!

In this letter Paul is speaking to people who have laid aside the Gospel of Christ. The Good news that is what Gospel means comes from the words good spell. Spell meaning words or news not like magic spells which means magic words. So the Gospel of Christ is the Good news or words of Christ: About his birth, His life, Death, His resurrection, But especially His proclamation as King.

But people in Galatia have been turning away from this gospel for another Gospel. Which in fact is not a gospel or good news at all. Looking at the rest of the letter it was probably legalism. In a way in which you can work your way into heaven and God’s grace. Instead of a grace that is freely given.

Looking at verse 8

But in any case it was a false gospel and Paul said that even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a contrary gospel. It was wrong.

Angeles?

Paul probably writing hypothetically here; neither he nor an angel from heaven would ever proclaim a different gospel.

We need to be aware of the false gospels that we hear all the time. Sometimes it comes in the form of a false teacher or a false preacher but we hear sermons in many different medias in today’s time that is unlimited in the ways in which we can take in information. Never before has information been so freely available to so many people.

Sermons are everywhere.

In the books we read.

In the music we listen to

In the shows we watch on TV

To make an example I am going to look at a series of movies that have a very large fan basis. These movies have been seen by a majority of Americans. Even though I know many of you don’t watch tv or movies.

This movie series still makes a good example that can be applied to whatever media you do partake in. And as I say this I am not saying don’t push everything but the bible out of your life. But be aware of the messages that you are hearing. Because these messages do effect our lives.

The movies series we are going to talk about is a Popular one first one, even though it came out in the 70’s.

Star Wars

Hard to find a person who has never heard of these even if they have not seen them.

In these movies created by George Lucas there is a message.

George Lucas is (at least was) a professing Buddhist Methodist.

And in these movies he barrows freely from multiple religions

Lucas said “I see Star Wars as as taking all the issues that religion represents and trying to distill them down into a more modern and easily accessible construct – that there is a greater mystery out there. I remember when I was 10 years old, I asked my mother, “if there’s only one God, why are there so many religions?” I’ve been pondering that question ever since, and the conclusion I’ve come to is that all religions are true.”

And with that when the film came out, almost every single religion took Star Wars and used it as an example of their religion

The force is one of my favorite parts of the movies the Jedi’s and the Sith are people who can use the force

Jedi’s use the force for Good and The Sith for evil.

And the force is defined as “an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It contains both good and evil.

It is something that guides and allows the Jedi or Sith to perform extraordinary feats Like move things with their minds or with their control of the force, Jump really high, Move faster than normal, Jedi’s can see the future And Sith can shoot electricity out of their fingers.

Lucas says “I put the Force into the movie in order to try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality in young people – more of a belief in God than a belief in any particular religious system. I wanted to make it so that young people would begin to ask questions about the mystery.

The force is something like what we Christians would call God But being used and controlled by those who were “strong in the Force” something like a prophet. Think Elijah meets Buddah.

In this myth that is Star Wars.

There are messages of Virgin birth

There are things of redemption

Of lies

Of corruption

Of absolutes

In Star Wars only the Sith deal in absolutes. Says Obi-Wan in the Revenge of the Sith. So there is no absolute truth according to Star Wars.

And I could Go on and on about the messages in this movie and many other movies that are good and bad

But the point isn’t that the message of Star Wars is untrue and we shouldn’t watch it. I use to enjoy watching them, though I don’t so much anymore. They are a lot of fun. The Point isn’t don’t watch TV. Here is another rule to follow.

The point is that we need to be aware of the False Gospels that are preached at us through many different types of Messages. Because we tend to look more towards movies and what not than we do at The Gospel for our inspiration.

We are bombarded by sermons of “good News” all the time. People and fallen angels want us to see their news as the truth. And if we are not aware of the deceiver at work. Then we can be lead astray.

So with this passage is a message of caution and a call to awareness. Pay attention to what you are taking in and what is being put in front of you. In Movies, TV, Radio, News, Books, Signs on the side of the road, Friends, Pastors and any things else. Don’t be Lead to a false gospel. There is only one Gospel that is actually Good News. That is of Jesus Christ.

Next Steps

False Gospels are all around us. There is no way to not hear them. So awareness of the truth is of utmost importance.

Accept the true Gospel Of Jesus Christ. Be found in one place BIBLE. Not a movie not even one that is true and has good message like Fireproof. THE BIBLE

Been Deceived

Wake up and Be aware

Pray