Approval Not of Man: The One True Gospel

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble 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 the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Astonished by Deserting

Galatians 1:6–7 ESV

Paul summarizes the purpose of his letter in this section. This is not a light matter, it is a heavy charge.

One commentary calls this section the Apostolic curse.

Paul uses heavy language in this letter

Paul is not only charging them with the loss of the gospel, but how fast they fell.

There will be straying from time to time within the church. This is the importance of sempre reformada

This was why there was te need for the Reformation

But they did not just wander, the abandoned the gospel. They were walking from the truth of grace seeking to return to a law of works.

We will look more at the issues here in coming weeks, but we see the issue in some individuals come and saying there was a need to return to keeping the law. This is a different gospel.

And the trust is, there is no other gospel, not other good news, no other path.

These people did not come to present a different way, but gave a distortion of the gospel.

These were the trouble makers.

We Must Not Desire the Approval of Man

Its not too late, we may falter, but we can cast out falsehood.

Cast Out Falsehood

Galatians 1:8–9 ESV

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

This section is where we see this Apostolic curse.

Paul states that if anyone preaches a false gospel, let them be accursed. This is a curse and a heavy moment.

The greek word is (anathema), a word we have in english now meaning to shunned

Thats essentially what this means here, let them be turned out.

He emphasizes the point of even if it comes from an angel, they should be turned out as well.

Islam and LDS - angel

It doesn’t matter the source if it is contrary to the true gospel, they shall be cursed and separated.

Our charge toward false teaching generally

Paul emphasises this here, that the gospel he preached is the one true gospel.

If anything goes against this, it is false.

This is why in the 1st section he states his authority

Different times Paul gives his credentials and for different reasons.

Here it is the carrying of the message.

We Must Not Desire the Approval of Man

Who should we wish to please.

Pleasing God Alone

Galatians 1:10 ESV

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

This false gospel is coming from those whom are troubling them

They are wanting to please people.

Must follow Scripture

If we seek to please man we are not servants of Christ.

We will upset people with the gospel

The gospel is offensive (enough)

Bending against truth

We Must Not Desire the Approval of Man

It may be easy to follow the desires of man, but we must follow the truth of Scripture alone.

You

Do Not Desert the Gospel

Cast Out Falsehood

Please God Alone

May we never abandon the gospel of Christ or the true practice of the faith

May we recognize falsehood

May we always seek to please God alone

The reformers were men that sought to follow the gospel and correct it.

The reformers. Hus. Luther. Calvin. Anabaptists.

What are we looking to please. Are we changing the gospel and practice for the sake of man.