There is No Other Gospel

Prayer

Introduction

This morning we begin a brand-new journey through the book of Galatians. Whenever we start studying a new book of the Bible, I always remind us of something important: these aren't just collections of inspiring thoughts. These are real letters, written by real people, to real churches facing real problems.

And if we're going to understand Galatians, we have to understand the heart of the man who wrote it.

So before we ever read Galatians chapter one, I want us to go back and watch something happen in Paul's life.

Turn with me to Acts chapter 14.

Read Acts 14:8–20 “8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.”

Invite the church into the story.

Imagine standing in Lystra.

A man who had never walked suddenly stands to his feet.

The crowd erupts.

"They're gods!"

The priest of Zeus begins preparing sacrifices.

Flowers are gathered.

Bulls are led through the streets.

Thousands are ready to worship Paul and Barnabas.

But instead of receiving the applause…

Paul tears his robes.

Then only moments later…

The crowd changes.

The very people who wanted to worship him now pick up stones and leave him for dead outside the city.

Pause.

Ask:

"What kind of man refuses worship one moment and endures stoning the next?"

Transition:

A year later, churches in Galatia gather for worship.

A letter arrives from that same man.

Not from someone writing comfortably from a desk…

But from someone who had already proven he would rather die than compromise the gospel.

Read Galatians 1:1–10 “1 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—2 and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 6 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—7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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! 9 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! 10 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.”

I. The Gospel Belongs to Christ

Galatians 1:1–5 “1 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—2 and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Acts 14:14–18 “14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.”

Before Paul says anything about false teachers…

Before he corrects anyone…

He begins with Jesus.

Not his credentials.

Not his experience.

Not his authority.

Everything begins with Christ.

Notice what Paul emphasizes:

Jesus gave Himself for our sins.

Jesus rescues us from this present evil age.

Jesus deserves the glory forever.

Now return to Acts.

Why does Paul tear his robes?

Because the crowd was giving Jesus' glory to someone else.

Paul understood something we easily forget:

The gospel is never about making much of us. It is always about making much of Christ.

One of Satan's favorite strategies isn't always convincing people to reject Jesus.

Sometimes it's convincing us to admire something more than Jesus.

Sometimes a celebrity.

Sometimes a political movement.

Sometimes a church.

Sometimes a pastor.

Sometimes ourselves.

Whenever Christ is no longer at the center…

We've already begun drifting from the gospel.

And if the gospel belongs to Christ…

Then we don't have the authority to rewrite it.

II. The Gospel Cannot Be Changed

Galatians 1:6–9 “6 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—7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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! 9 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!”

Paul skips his usual thanksgiving.

Normally he begins by thanking God for the churches.

Not here.

Instead:

"I am astonished..."

Why?

Because this isn't merely a theological disagreement.

Paul says,

"You are deserting Him."

The issue isn't simply bad doctrine.

The issue is abandoning Christ Himself.

Explain the Judaizers.

Their message sounded close to Christianity.

Jesus…

plus circumcision.

Jesus…

plus keeping the Law.

Jesus…

plus religious performance.

But every "plus" eventually becomes a subtraction.

If Christ is not enough…

then Christ is no longer Savior.

Connect back to Acts

The people in Lystra were sincere.

They were passionate.

They were deeply religious.

They were completely wrong.

Sincerity is not the same thing as truth.

Not every message about God is the gospel.

Not every spiritual experience leads to Christ.

Truth matters because souls matter.

Every generation faces the temptation to add something to Jesus.

Jesus plus morality.

Jesus plus politics.

Jesus plus tradition.

Jesus plus success.

Jesus plus being a "good person."

Paul's answer is simple:

There is no other gospel.

If the gospel cannot be changed…

Then it also changes us.

III. The Gospel Frees Us From Living for the Crowd

Galatians 1:10 “10 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.” Acts 14:11–20 “11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.”

Paul asks:

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

Acts 14 has already answered the question.

The crowd shouted,

"You're a god!"

A few verses later…

"Stone him!"

Same city.

Same crowd.

Same preacher.

Everything about the crowd changed.

Nothing about Paul changed.

Why?

Because his identity wasn't built on applause.

It wasn't destroyed by criticism.

It was anchored in Christ.

That's gospel freedom.

Paul wasn't controlled by praise.

He wasn't crushed by rejection.

He belonged to Jesus.

Most of us won't face crowds trying to worship us.

But we know what it feels like to chase approval.

To fear criticism.

To measure ourselves by recognition…

Success…

Popularity…

Reputation…

Social media…

The approval of family…

The expectations of others.

The gospel doesn't make us stop loving people.

It sets us free from needing people to tell us who we are.

Only Christ can do that.

Conclusion

Return to Galatians 1:4.

"Who gave Himself for our sins…"

This is why Paul could refuse applause.

Because the glory belonged to Jesus.

This is why Paul could endure stones.

Because Jesus first endured the cross.

This is why Paul could stop living for the approval of people.

Because at the cross, he had already received the only approval that ultimately matters.

The gospel doesn't simply forgive our sins.

It changes who we live for.

As we begin our journey through Galatians, we have to ask ourselves three questions:

Is Christ truly at the center of my faith?

Have I added anything to the finished work of Jesus?

Whose approval am I really living for?

Because there is only one gospel.

It belongs to Christ.

It cannot be changed.

And it is the only message powerful enough to set us free.