When the Gospel Gets Twisted

Today we begin a new series titles: No Other Gospel

We will spending some time in the book of Galatians.

The author is Paul and it was written around AD 49.

The purpose of the letter - the churches of that region were facing a theological crisis. The essential truth of justification by faith rather then by human works was being denied by the “Judaizers”. The Judaizers were leaglaiistic Jews who insisted that Christians must keep the Mosaic Law, especially the requirement of circumcision. The churches in Galatia included both Jewish and Gentile converts so Paul needs to address this issue and confirm them in the faith.

Today passage is from Galatians 1 - the message - When the Gospel Gets Twisted.

Galatians 1:1–10 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead—2 and all the brothers who are with me: To the churches of Galatia. 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. 5 To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 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! 10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

There is only ONE gospel!

The simple gospel or the “good news” is this - Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, so that all who repent and believe in Him will be saved and have eternal life.

Sure we can add detail without diluting the gospel. Details like: God created us in His image to know Him, love Him, and bring Him glory. We were created perfect but man chose to disobey God and sinned. Sin brought separation and death (both physical and spiritual). We cannot save ourselves through any good works, religion, or effort. We need a Savior. Jesus came but fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life and dies on the cross as a substitute for us. His death satisfied God’s justice and displayed His love. On the third morning Jesus rose from the grave conquering sin and death. If we confess with our mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe with you heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Part of that confession involves our confessing that we have sinned and need Jesus as Savior and Lord of our life. Salvations brings freedom from sin, and gives us blessings in this life and provides eternal life in the presence of God.

Adding other hoops to jump through is not the gospel.

We need to be cautious of a twisted gospel.

First, we need to be watchful for those who attempt to present something other than the biblical gospel.

We also need to be watchful that we do not present something other than the biblical gospel.

The job is not to make people happy but to serve Christ.

We are not to purposely try to make enemies but the reality is that serving Christ will lead to trouble.

We have an audience of ONE.

Jesus saves!!

Not only has Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin but He has also delivered us from the power of sin.