But if we our an angel...
Would you desert The Gospel? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We are in a series considering this question: Would you desert the gospel?
Taken from Galatians 1:6-1.
Last week looked specifically at verses 6-7.
We considered how many are changing sides by deconstructing their faith into something completely unlike what we find and know in the bible.
We learned how amazed Paul was because they were abandoning the gospel of grace so quickly.
We then considered how the experience of the Galatians is happening in our day through a movement called “deconstruction.”
What does it really mean?
If deconstruction is simply rethinking what you believe, engaging your doubts, or asking hard questions then declaring war on it would be unbiblical and down right mean.
I went through rethinking what I believe, and I would have called it deconstruction but the process included reconstructing.
After all my recent study I would probably say I Disentangle my beliefs, not deconstructed.
However, that is not what was happening to the Galatians, and certainly not what is happening to day.
I have entitled our lesson today - But if we or an angel…
Like in Paul’s day the deconstruction movement has influential leaders and teachers.
These influential voices are actively attempting to dismantle historic Christianity, discredit the church, and promote an atmosphere of faith deconstruction.
Paul speaks to theses kind of leaders and we can’t try to find some easier way to consider these verse for today.
As many Christians and teachers are trying!
Today we are going to dive into verses 8-10.
Chair Bible pg. 778
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
10 For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Are you ready for the message God has for us today?
Cool let’s dig into our notes!
Who to watch out for…
Who to watch out for…
Paul begins by telling the Galatians who to look out for.
“If we or an angel from heaven…”
Who might the “we” be?
Apostles
Paul himself
Like in Acts 15:24
24 Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have confused you by their teaching, upsetting your souls,
Paul is saying that nothing or no one has the authority to override the truth of the gospel.
This includes Paul, an Apostle, or even an angel from heaven!
False teachers have always been a problem; for Israel in the Old Testament who had to deal with false prophets and Disciples in the New Testament.
Why are they a problem?
12 But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the opportunity from those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
See it has to do with the influence behind their message.
What are they doing?
What are they doing?
Paul then talks to the message - “Should preach a gospel…”
The message being brought seems to be good news, and is certainly pleasing to the ears, but that alone does not make it the gospel.
In fact Paul is denying that a different gospel even exists!
As Paul has already stated this is not another gospel this is an altogether different gospel, because there is only one gospel of Grace through Jesus Christ!
He makes sure they understand - “contrary to what we preached to you..”
They formally received the true gospel from Paul and those who traveled with him.
These were the approved source of the good news the Galatians received, implying these false teachers were not approved.
These principles brought by Paul here applies today as we deal with the promoters of deconstruction and false doctrine.
They try to dismantle and disqualify the word of God so they can be the approved source of a better Gospel.
The implication again is to know the true gospel, the gospel of God’s grace in Christ so well that theirs will stand out immediately as false.
What are Christians to do?
What are Christians to do?
Here people, Christians and theologians alike get hung up.
The response Paul gives is a command that “they are to be accursed.”
The NLT says “Let God’s curse fall…”
The NIV “let them be under God’s curse!”
The word accursed means anything devoted destruction. You shall devote it to evil.
The Greek word is Anathema.
Put together if some preacher or teacher presents a different gospel, then let them fall under Gods curse!.
Paul is so emphatic about this that he repeats it twice!
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
I find it interesting that Paul rarely includes curses in his letters.
It is clear then that what was happening in the churches of Galatia disturbed Paul.
Not once but twice he pronounces a curse on these false teachers, and anyone who would dare teach a different gospel!
Also they way Paul is saying this makes it a timeless truth for all people in all ages!
That would be our day as well.
In fact Paul is commanding this response!
“He is to be accused” is a command to be fulfilled by Galatia or Christians of any age!
You see this wasn’t careless on the part of Paul, he is serious and he means!
Now we don’t do the cursing God does, our part is to have nothing to do with them.
I must say, this is a hard application for me, Develop and explain!
Why did Paul say this?
Why did Paul say this?
Paul does something interesting here
10 For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
It’s possible that what Paul said in verses 8-9 would offend some the Galatians because of how strong the language is, especially those who had accepted the false message?
That is why Paul wrote verse 10.
He is not writing for the approval of men, or to be pleasing to them.
Paul cares about God’s approval more than theirs!
The purity of the gospel is so important that even if the apostles or an angel should be cursed if they tampered with it.
Paul’s doesn’t care about how they feel about it or how good it may sound!
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
10 I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is.
11 But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.
12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
The response was clear!
Conclusion:
Another hard lesson from the Apostle Paul!
Paul displays indignation toward the false teaches, upon whom he pronounced a solemn curse.
We need to recognize the true influence behind deconstruction and its false teachers
1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
We need to guard ourselves from the wrong influences!
Paul has something to say about that:
8 See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.
But what about the Christians who are on the path of deconstruction following the false teaching?
We need to love them, listen to them, ask them questions to help them see what has taken them captive.
It is not a time to be mean, but prayerful!
The false teachers and influencers on the other hand the commanded response is clear!
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!