Liberty in Loyalty

Turn your bibles to Galatians 1:6-11

See you at the pole was today - hopefully many of you went to it at your school

The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic recited verse that promises allegiance to the flag of the United States and the republic of the United States. The first version was written in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch, a Union Army officer in the Civil War who later authored a book on how to teach patriotism to children in public schools. Balch was a proponent of teaching children, especially those of immigrants, loyalty to the United States, even going so far as to write a book on the subject and work with both the government and private organizations to distribute flags to every classroom and school.

Let’s stand - The pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Remain standing as we read from God’s word

Let us pray

Galatians 1:6–11 NKJV

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

When we say The Pledge of Allegiance - that is showing our loyalty to the United States of America

There is even a pledge to the Christian flag -

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

As we are going to see tonight where is our loyalty, our allegiance ?

As Paul starts out Galatians :

Missing here are the expressions of thanks or praise that Paul often wrote in the beginning of his letters. Romans 1:8-15, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Philippians 1:3-11, Colossians 1:3-8, and 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 are each examples of Paul giving thanks and praising the churches in his opening words. But he did not do this with the Galatians and the directness of his approach indicates the severity of their problem.

Paul is amazed (“shocked!”) that the Galatian Christians were switching their allegiance to a “different gospel,” even though there is only one true gospel—the good news that Jesus died to save us and that faith in Him alone is enough for forgiveness and friendship with God.

The Allegiance to a different gospel

Paul was concerned that they would turn from the gospel

Paul recognized that this different gospel was not really another gospel at all.

“We know our message is different than Paul’s message. He has his truth, and we have ours. He has his gospel, and we have ours.”

Paul rejected the idea that their message was a legitimate alternative gospel in any way

When you add to or change the meaning of the gospel it is no longer the good news of Jesus Christ.

In Paul’s time they were turning to

This alternative “gospel” insisted that salvation depended on faith in Christ plus adherence to Mosaic law, especially the rituals for Gentile believers.

Paul describes it as a perversion or distortion of the true gospel of grace. The true gospel proclaims salvation by grace alone through faith alone, not grace plus works.

The teachers known as “Judaizers” promoted this message, saying that non-Jewish believers must adopt Jewish customs and law to truly belong to God's people

The gospel of the Mormon church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is defined as Heavenly Father’s plan for happiness and salvation, centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and realized through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end by keeping God's commandments and making sacred covenants.

The gospel of the Catholic church Salvation is a free gift that restores communion with God, received through faith, baptism, participation in the sacraments, repentance, and living according to Jesus’s teachings and the Church’s tradition

The gospel of Jehovah’s Witnesses centers on salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as a ransom for sin, obedience to Jehovah (God), and association with their organization, along with a hope for everlasting life either in heaven (for a small number) or on a restored paradise earth

Illustration

Imagine someone gives a birthday gift—an amazing game console—and all you have to do is accept it gratefully.

But suppose someone comes by and says, “That’s not enough—you need to earn it by mowing lawns, cleaning dishes, and getting perfect grades before you can play.”

That ruins the gift and takes away the joy! Paul says believing we have to add extra requirements to the gospel ruins the true gift: Jesus did it all.

Bring it down - Dark Chocolate (Jayla Glenn) , Blue Rasberry Fizz (Jase Adams) , Sour Patch (Karli Brandt), Reeses (Wyatt Friend)

Adding anything (extra rules, good actions, popularity, traditions) means abandoning Jesus Himself, not just trading one idea for another.

The Dangers of a false Allegiance to another Gospel

Galatians 1:7–9 NKJV

which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

another version says.....

Galatians 1:7–9 NET

not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!

Which is: Galatians 1:7 tells three things about this different gospel.

First, it was an illegitimate gospel (which is not another).

Second, it was not good at all but trouble (who trouble you).

Third, it was a distortion of the true gospel (pervert the gospel of Christ).

A solemn curse upon those who bring a false gospel.

Paul didn’t care who brought the false gospel. Even if it were himself, or an angel from heaven, it was to be rejected.

Any person who spreads a false gospel was worthy only of a particular curse from God (let him be accursed).

Paul seemed to have in his mind the solemn curses pronounced by God upon those who break His covenant (Deuteronomy 27).

For Paul, it wasn’t enough to say, “Don’t listen to these people.” Paul soberly thought that they should be cursed.

So now I say again: The curse was repeated for extra emphasis; it is really impossible for Paul to express this idea with any more strength than he did here.

He didn’t just ask God to curse the message, but to curse the people who spread the message.

Paul’s love was for souls that were in danger of hell. If a gospel is false, and not “another good news” at all, then it can not save the lost. Paul looked at this false, perverted gospel and said, “That is a rescue ship about to sink! It can’t save anyone! I want to do everything right before God to warn people away from the wrong rescue ship.”

The stern waring not to turn away from the true gospel of Jesus for any message that adds or changes what God has done - because only the real gospel brings freedom and life

Where is your Allegiance to the Gospel

Stick to the Real Gospel: Trust that Jesus saves completely; don’t be tricked by anyone who adds extra steps, rules, or requirements for God’s love.

Don’t Follow People-Pleasers: Paul says being a Christian means caring most about what God thinks—not just fitting in or making others happy.

Spot Fake Gospels: If any teacher or influencer says “God will only love you if _____” (if you act a certain way, earn it, or become popular), recognize that this is not the true message of Jesus.

When feeling like friendship with God takes more than trusting Jesus, remember: Jesus said, “It is finished!” Nothing needs to be added.

Ask: “Am I believing in Jesus alone, or am I trying to earn my place with God?” If it’s the second, pause and talk with God about trusting Him fully.

Stand firm when someone offers a message that says Jesus isn’t enough. Courageously say, “I know the real gospel—Jesus saves, and my faith is in Him.”

This passage calls students to base their life on the unchanging good news and not to let anyone talk them out of the gift and freedom Jesus offers.