Are you true to the gospel?

There’s a problem

Background: Paul writing to the churches of Galatia in whom he loves, but has concerns for them.

Paul marvels that they are so quickly turning from the gospel to a different gospel

They are letting themselves be troubled by those who are perverting the gospel.

Galatians 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 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, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

We have spent eight weeks in this series leading up to today on looking at what the gospel is, believing the gospel, obeying the gospel, presenting the gospel. This morning we are looking at making sure we are not perverting the gospel.

We need to know the true gospel and perverted gospels to be able to refute that which is not a gospel at all. For to not obey the true gospel leaves one to face condemnation (2The1:7-8)

2 Thessalonians 1:6–8 “6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

Or think of what Peter said: 1 Peter 4:17 “17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

This morning we will look at a few of the perversions and refutations to the perversions.

The Gospel of Faith Plus the Law

Perversion is must have faith and keep the Law of Moses (Act15:1-5; Gal2:1-5)

Galatians 2:1–5 “1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.”

Refutation: Counsel of Jerusalem (Act15:22-31) Letter to Galatians (Gal5:1-6)

Galatians 5:1–6 “1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

The Gospel of works excluding faith

The perversion: exalted the efficacy of certain ordinances excluding faith, such at infant baptism; you have heartd it, you have seen it, but you do not find it in the bible.

Refutation: Faith is essential to please God (Heb11:6; Jn8:14; Mk16:16); Repentances of sins are a prerequisite to baptism (Act2:38, 8:35-37); Faith is in the working of God that results in new life (Col2:12-13)

Hebrews 11:6 “6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

and then add Col2:12-13, but should keep in context Colossians 2:9–13 “9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,”

Gospel of Good works

Perversion: If you are a good person you will be saved. If your good deeds outnumber you evil, bad, deeds you will be saved. A good moral person, a religious person is assumed to be saved.

Refutation: Cornelius was a good moral, devout, generous person (Act10:1-6), yet he had to be saved

Acts 11:12–14 “12 “The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. 13 “And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’”

The examples we read in book of Acts were of religiously devout people. 3,000 on day of Pentecost (Act2); The Ethiopian Eunuch (Act8) and Lydia from Thyatira (Act16) to name a few.

Better yet, let scripture speak for itself that we are not saved by good works. Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The gospel of faith alone

Perversion: You may have heard it, or heard it by grace alone, by faith alone. No mention of repentance, confession or baptism as scripture states must come with faith.

Refutation: Jesus is author of salvation to those who obey Him (Heb5:9); Paul calls for an obedience of Faith (Rom1:5, Romans 16:25–26)“25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;”

Peter warned of those who do not obey the gospel (1Pt4:17); Paul too (2Th1:7-9)

James says not by faith alone (Jm2:17-26)

How about some good reminders about different works

Works of Law (Gal2:16) in which no one can be justified

Meritorious works (Eph2:8-9) which do not earn salvation.

Then there is works of God (Jn6:28-29) Not to earn salvation, but to receive God’s grace

Faith in Jesus is a work of God (John 6:28–29) “28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.””

Confessing Jesus is a work of God (Romans 10:9–10) “9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

So, is baptism a work of God, or man?

It was commanded by Jesus and apostles (Mk16:15-16; Act2:38, 22:16)

God does the work (Colossians 2:11–12) “11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

or you may chose to add in (Titus 3:5)“5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

Which is where we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26–27)“26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Conclusion of the matter

There are perverted gospels out there, we have only touched on a few. We need to be careful to be true to the gospel, the gospel of truth, the gospel of the bible.

The true gospel was preached by apostles, and if anyone, anything else, including angels preach anything else, what does the scripture say?

Galatians 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 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, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

We are to preach the truth in love, with gentleness and respect, not trying ot please man, but God

Galatians 1:10 “10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Listen, look at Jesus words Matthew 7:13–14 “13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Be true to the gospel, the gospel of truth which can save anyone.

So, only one question left

(put are you saved slide)

(song) (Prayer) (Exit)