You are called to One Gospel

Galatians 1:6–10 ESV

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

There is One Gospel

Galatians 1:6 (ESV)

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

heteros (ἕτερος) - “other” - heterodoxy (heresy)

Contrast with orthodoxy.

There is a true teaching and a false teaching.

There is Heresy (1:6)

Paul had warned others about false teaching:

1 Timothy 1:3 ESV

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

2 Peter 2:1 ESV

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Acts 20:28–31 ESV

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

The Galatian Heresy

Focus was on circumcision

A person can be (justified) saved by works of law.

Justification = Works + Faith

Justification = Faith . . . + Works

There is Only One Gospel

Mark 16:15 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Acts 8:25 (ESV)

Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Because there is only One Savior:

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

There is Still Only One Gospel

“Our era’s ‘tolerance’ isn’t the classic, robust tolerance that allows people to think differently—to put up with error, falsehood, or whatever else they may find disagreeable. . . . Today’s flawed view . . . calls for ‘accepting,’ even ‘embracing’ or ‘celebrating,’ differences—until someone starts making exclusive truth-claims or, worse, evangelizing! The ‘tolerant’ wont’ accept or celebrate ‘narrow’ claims. Persuading people about faith is ‘arrogant’ and upsetting. So people write books to persuade people that it’s wrong to persuade others!” Paul Copan

Deserting the One Gospel (1:6-9)

A Desertion of God (1:6)

Galatians 1:6 (ESV)

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

“Deserting HIM”

“Astonished”

“Quickly”

A Distortion of the Gospel (1:7)

Galatians 1:7 (ESV)

not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

“Distort” = twist, turn around

The Consequence (1:8-9)

Galatians 1:8–9 ESV

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

“accursed” = anathema

Marcion (2nd century)

Taught that OT and NT had two different gods.

Jesus only appeared to be human.

Polycarp himself replied to Marcion, who met him on one occasion, and said, “Do you know me?” “I do know you, the first-born of Satan.” Such was the horror which the apostles and their disciples had against holding even verbal communication with any corrupters of the truth.

Irenaeus

There are Still Desertions and Distortions Today

Galatians ((1) The Crisis in Galatia (1:6–7))

“We do poor service to Christ and his church when we indiscriminately lead men and women to profess faith in Christ but then leave them vulnerable, like the exposed infants of ancient Rome, to the ravenous wolves that seek their destruction.” ~Timothy George

Joseph Smith - an angel “Moroni” visited him preaching a different Gospel.

Word of Faith - Joel Osteen: “I am not a ‘poverty minister.’ I can’t find one place in the Scripture where we are supposed to drag around not having enough, not able to afford what we want, living off the leftovers, living in the land of not enough. No, we were created to be the head and not the tail. Jesus came that we might live an abundant life. We represent Almighty God here on this earth. We should be examples of his goodness, so blessed, so prosperous, so generous, so full of joy that other people want what we have. But you have got to fight a religious spirit that says you’re supposed to be poor, broke, and defeated to show God that you’re really humble. No. When you’re poor, broke, and defeated, all that proves is that you’re poor, broke, and defeated. It doesn’t bring any honor to God.

If I brought my two children up on the platform today and their clothes were all raggedy, worn out, holes in their shoes, hair not combed, you would look at me and think, ‘What kind of father is he?’ It would be a poor reflection on me. Listen, when you look good, dress good, live in a nice place, excel in your career, generous with others, that brings a smile to God’s face. It brings him pleasure to prosper you.”

The Woke Gospel: replaces the Jesus of Redemption, with a Jesus of Immoral Acceptance; Strips the power of the Gospel by not demanding repentance of certain people groups, saying you’re o.k. with the way you are, “Come as you are, stay as you are”; there is “salvation” by “being you”; no redemption for the oppressor; no forgiveness for the oppressor’s sins; There is no salvation in the Woke Gospel, which is no Gospel at all

The Socialist/Marxist Gospel: individual, personal relationship with Jesus for salvation is replaced with a communal existence for “the greater good,” replaces the foundation of salvation in Christ with a salvation based upon equal monetary outcome and envy; even God himself is replaced by the human community

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. We are far too easily pleased.” ~C.S. Lewis

Choice: God or Man (1:10)

Galatians 1:10 ESV

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul gives the Galatians a choice: please God or please man.

Paul himself is going to be a God-pleaser; he’s going to preach the one true Gospel—salvation by grace through faith

Paul is a “servant” - slave (bond-slave)

Acts 4:18–20 ESV

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

The disciples gave their lives for this One Savior and Gospel.

Peter, Paul, Christians under Nero, Domitian

Polycarp: “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

Need picture of polycarp