The True Gospel

Defending Grace Against Distortion

Title: The True Gospel: Defending Grace Against Distortion

Theme: Paul defends the gospel of grace against false teachings. Key Passages: Galatians 1:6–9, 2:15–21

I. Introduction

The Book of Galatians, written by the Apostle Paul around A.D. 47–49, addresses the churches in the region of Galatia. Paul’s primary purpose in writing was to defend the gospel of grace and reaffirm that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic Law. He passionately confronts legalism and argues that trying to be made righteous by works undermines the very heart of the gospel.

The letter opens with Paul defending his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his message. In chapters 1 and 2, he recounts his conversion and his confrontation with Peter to emphasize that the true gospel isn’t tied to ethnic identity or law-keeping. In chapters 3 and 4, Paul provides a theological defense of justification by faith, using Abraham as an example of righteousness through belief, not works. He argues that the Law served as a temporary guardian until Christ came, ushering in a new era of spiritual freedom. Finally, in chapters 5 and 6, Paul shifts to practical application, urging believers to walk in the Spirit, not gratify the desires of the flesh, and to carry each other’s burdens in love and humility.

It’s one of Paul’s most urgent and heartfelt letters—rich in theology, but also deeply concerned with unity, freedom, and spiritual maturity.

Opening Illustration:

A man once found a perfectly crisp $100 bill lying on the ground. Excited, he picked it up and jokingly waved it around to get friends’ attention. They all cheerfully complimented him on his lucky find, until a friend who worked in a bank explained it was counterfeit. The lesson? We can be drawn to things that appear valuable but lack substance, just like false teachings in our faith.

Connection to the Gospel: Just as counterfeit money has no real value, a distorted gospel leads people away from salvation.

Context of Galatians: Paul writes to churches in Galatia, He had already visited the churches in Galatia before writing the letter to them. During his first missionary journey (around A.D. 47–48), Paul and Barnabas traveled through southern Galatia, planting churches in cities like Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (Acts 13–14). These are the very communities he addresses in the Epistle to the Galatians.

> The letter was likely written shortly after that journeypossibly even before the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15,

> This would make Galatians one of Paul’s earliest letters. His tone in the letter—urgent, corrective, and deeply personal—reflects his prior relationship with these believers and his concern that they were turning away from the gospel he had preached to them. Very much like a worried parent who is eagerly calling their children back to truth.

II. The Danger of Distorting the Gospel (Galatians 1:6–9)

1. Paul’s Shock at Their Desertion (v. 6)

Galatians 1:6 “6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”

Paul is astonished that they are quickly turning to a different gospel.

In Galatians 1:6, Paul expresses shock that the Galatian believers were so quickly turning to what he calls a “different gospel.” This so-called gospel wasn’t truly another gospel at all—it was a distortion of the true message of Christ. Specifically, some individuals (often referred to as Judaizers) were teaching that Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish laws—especially circumcision and other Mosaic customs—in order to be fully accepted by God.

Paul fiercely rejects this idea. He insists that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works of the Law. By adding legal requirements to the gospel, these teachers were undermining the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and leading believers away from the freedom they had in Him.

This moment sets the tone for the entire letter: Paul is defending the purity of the gospel and calling the Galatians back to the grace that first saved them.

Isn’t it amazing how a false Gospel can sound so believable, but yet so far off from what God has said?

How about this? 'Follow your heart; it knows the way.' At first, this sounds like sound advice, almost like a gospel! But scripture warns us that the heart can be misleading in Jeremiah 17:9 “9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

> It’s like following a tour guide who has no clue where they’re going!

What are some other examples of this?

> Real wisdom comes from aligning our hearts with God's Word, which has a map that leads to true fulfillment and joy!

The true gospel is centered on Christ’s finished work, not human effort.

2. The Curse on False Teachers (vv. 7–9)

Paul warns that anyone preaching a different gospel is under God’s curse.

The gospel is not man-made—it is divine revelation (Galatians 1:11–12 “11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”).

Application: Are we trusting in Christ alone, or adding human effort to salvation?

Where are ways we can add things to the gospel? (legalism)

III. Paul’s Personal Testimony & Defense of Justification by Faith (Galatians 2:15–21) (15 min)

1. Paul’s Former Life (Galatians 1:13–14)

He was zealous for the law but blind to grace.

God’s intervention (Galatians 1:15–16) – Paul was called by grace, not by works.

2. Justification by Faith, Not Works (Galatians 2:15–16)

Definition of Justification: Being declared righteous before God.

Faith vs. Works: The law cannot save—only faith in Christ does.

Illustration: A drowning person cannot save themselves; they must be rescued.

3. Paul’s Personal Transformation (Galatians 2:20)

“I have been crucified with Christ…” – Paul’s identity is now in Christ.

“Christ lives in me…” – The Christian life is lived by faith, not by self-effort.

Application: Are we living by faith in Christ, or trying to earn God’s favor?

IV. Application: Stand Firm in the Gospel of Grace (Galatians 2:21) (10 min)

1. Reject Legalism & Self-Righteousness

Galatians 2:21 “21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” : If righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.

Modern Application: Many still try to earn salvation through good works, rituals, or moral effort.

Think of the false religions such as Catholicism, Mormons, Jehovah’s witness. Each on of these are aberrations of the truth. What are the aberrations of truth?

Mormons don’t believe in the trinity

Mormons don’t believe that Jesus is the literal spirit-brother of lucifer and was created. (https://www.christianity.com/church/mormonism-is-not-christianity-11628184.html#google_vignette)

Mormons include temple rituals, priesthood authority, and other works as essential to exaltation.

2. Rest in Christ’s Finished Work

12  He only is safe for eternity who is sheltered behind the finished work of Christ. D. L. Moody “There Is No Difference” sermon (1880)

Dwight Lyman Moody (Evangelist)

Ephesians 2:8–9: Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

What are some others???

Romans 3:23–24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

2 Timothy 1:9 – “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”

Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Acts 15:11 – “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Galatians 2:16 – “...a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ...”

Illustration: A child trusts their parent completely—so must we trust Christ.

3. Share the True Gospel Boldly

Galatians 1:10: Paul was not seeking human approval—he was committed to truth.

Challenge: Will we stand firm in grace, even when culture pressures us to compromise?

V. Conclusion & Call to Response (5 min)

Summarize: The gospel is faith in Christ alone, not works.

Invitation: Trust fully in Christ’s grace—stop striving for salvation.

Closing Prayer: Ask God to strengthen believers in gospel truth.