No Other Gospel

Series Title: Set Free: Galatians—The Gospel Plus Nothing Text: Galatians 1:1–24 Big Idea: Jesus’ finished work is the only way to freedom—adding anything empties it of power. Anchor Phrase (repeat often): Nothing Added. Nothing Needed. Nothing Wasted. Aim: Call students to reject counterfeit gospels and rest in Christ alone.

Introduction

Hook: “We live in a world of upgrades—phones, shoes, even coffee orders. But when you ‘upgrade’ the gospel, you don’t improve it, you erase it.” Context: Around A.D. 49 Paul writes to young churches in Galatia (modern Turkey). After he left, religious influencers arrived, insisting that salvation required Jesus plus Jewish rituals. The pressure to conform to Jesus is alive today: performing for likes, adhering to church rules as a status symbol, and checking off ‘good person’ lists. Roadmap:

Nothing Added: Divine Origin (1:1–5)

Nothing Needed: Warnings Against Distortion (1:6–9)

Nothing Wasted: God Redeems Every Past Detail (1:10–24)

1. Nothing Added (God’s Message, Not Man’s {1:1–5})

Main Truth: The gospel’s source is God; its goal is His glory.

A. Divine Commission (v. 1)

Galatians 1:1 NIV

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

Paul is “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ.”

Greek: ἀπό (apo) “from the source,” διά (dia) “through the means.” Heaven authored this mission.

Application: Truth is not a popularity vote. The gospel stands whether culture claps or boos.

B. Gift of Rescue (vv. 3–4)

Galatians 1:3–4 NIV

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

“Grace to you and peace” — grace (χάρις) produces peace (εἰρήνη).

Jesus “gave Himself … to rescue us from the present evil age.”

Law exposes our need; only Christ rescues.

C. Goal of Glory (v. 5)

Galatians 1:5 NIV

to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

“To whom be the glory forever.”

Salvation ends in worship, not self-credit.

If the message starts with God, tampering with it is not an edit; it’s corruption.

The gospel’s source is God; its goal is His glory.

2. Nothing Needed (Counterfeits Collapse {1:6–9})

Main Truth: Any “Jesus plus” gospel isn’t an upgrade—it’s a fake.

A. Rapid Drift (v. 6)

Galatians 1:6 NIV

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

“So quickly deserting” (μετατίθεσθε, metatithesthe): to transfer allegiance.

Drift begins with distance from Jesus Himself, not just doctrine.

Shows how fast hearts wander when we shift focus from Christ.

B. Distorted Message (v. 7)

Galatians 1:7 NIV

which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

“Not another” (οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλο)—there is no alternate version.

Counterfeits can sound spiritual but cannot save.

C. Serious Consequences(/Warning) (vv. 8–9)

Galatians 1:8–9 NIV

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

“Let him be accursed” (ἀνάθεμα, anathema): Paul repeats it for emphasis.

Paul repeats it: changing the gospel is eternally dangerous.

Even if an “angel” preaches a different gospel, reject it.

Islam:

Mormonism:

Guard your feed and your heart.

Test every message by Scripture, not likes.

2 Timothy 4:3 NIV

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Authentic sneakers vs. knock-off pair.

They look similar, but one can’t endure the real game.

Paul knows this isn’t popular, yet he speaks anyway, which leads to the testimony of his own transformed life.

When we cling to the pure gospel, God does something amazing with our lives; He wastes nothing.

III. Nothing Wasted (Grace That Transforms {1:10–24})

Main Truth: The real gospel changes allegiance, identity, and story.

A. Audience of One (v. 10)

Galatians 1:10 NIV

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”

You can’t chase people’s applause and Christ’s pleasure simultaneously.

Freedom means living for God’s “Well done,” not the algorithm’s approval.

You can’t live for people’s applause and Christ’s approval at the same time

B. Revelation, Not Invention (vv. 11–12)

Galatians 1:11–12 NIV

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul insists the message came “through a revelation of Jesus Christ,” not human creativity.

Paul received the gospel directly from Christ; it isn’t man-made.

Christianity is not a clever philosophy, but a divine rescue plan.

We can rest in the truth of the Gospel

No need to invent a “better” gospel to fit culture.

C. Radical Turnaround (vv. 13–16)

Galatians 1:13–16 NIV

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

Paul’s former life: violently persecuting the church (ἐπόρθουν—ravaging).

Grace doesn’t polish the old self; it makes a new creation.

Application: No past is too dark for Christ to rewrite.

D. Hidden Years, Lasting Fruit (vv. 17–24)

Galatians 1:17–24 NIV

I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me.

Paul spent time in Arabia and Damascus before public ministry.

God often grows roots before fruit. Quiet seasons are preparation, not punishment.

Result: “They glorified God because of me.” Transformation spotlights Jesus, not the convert.

God wastes nothing; even the quiet years are a training ground.

Conclusion — Jesus’ finished work is the only way to freedom

Re-state Anchor: Nothing Added. Nothing Needed. Nothing Wasted Four Gospel Realities from vv. 3–5:

Galatians 1:3–5 NIV

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We have a sin problem.

We live in an evil age.

We need a rescuer, not self-help/improvement

Jesus gave Himself: salvation is received by grace through faith alone.

Sermon Recap:

Nothing Added: The gospel’s source is God alone; it needs no upgrade (vv. 1–5)

Nothing Needed: Any “Jesus + ___” message is a counterfeit and must be rejected (vv. 6–9)

Nothing Wasted: God redeems every past detail and transforms lives by His grace (vv. 10–24)

Call to Response:

Trust: Place faith in Christ alone; stop adding anything.

Turn: Name the “Jesus + ___” you’ve believed and lay it down.

Tell: Share a three-line testimony this week (Before → How He met me → Now).

Galatians 1:10 together as a commitment to live for an Audience of One.

Galatians 1:10 NIV

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Small Group Questions

Where do you feel the strongest pull to “add” something to Jesus for acceptance?

What counterfeit gospels do you notice in culture or online?

How does Paul’s transformation encourage your own faith journey?

Which quiet season in your life might God be using for preparation?