The Uniqueness Of The Gospel
Book of Galatians 1:6-12
The word unique means a thing unparalleled, or one of a kind. A thing that has no equal, and is unmatched in it's kind and in it's excellence.
Uniqueness is the quality of being unique!
What is pluralism? Pluralism is a worldview that says one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus the acknowledgement that at least some truths and true values exist in other religions.
What is humanism? Humanism is a worldview that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and rejects the importance of a belief in God.
Humanism is the world of the Atheist. The Atheist say that there is no God or that there is no such thing as a Supreme being.
Humanism is the world of the Agnostic. The Agnostic says we live in a world that cannot know that a God exist. Their belief is based on an assumption that for something to exist it must be scientifically verifiable. Since God cannot be proven by known science, then God cannot be discussed as an option for life.
Evolution is based on Humanism which says that there is no God and then they seek to explain away Creation by the design of our Supernatural God by using false science. Science by definition is based on facts and Evolutionists have no facts to prove their false science!
The Bible describes all these people as lost!
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, "and without God in the world":
These are Gentiles that do not know God!
1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, "even as the Gentiles which know not God":
As Christians we know that we may all have fit into these categories at one time.
Paul informed these Galatians that even if you do not believe in God you are still serving a false god!
Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, "ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods".
Polytheism says that there are many gods.
Pantheism says that everything can be a God and God can be everything. God is all and all is God!
Deism is a belief that there may be a God but He cannot be personal and He will not relate to mankind and mankind cannot relate to Him. Deist may acknowledge a god but they deny a sovereign God of any religion!
God says:
Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
So, how does God respond to all these things? King David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us the answer.
Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The greatest lie that is told today is, that there is truth in all religions and it does not matter which religion you choose to believe, as long as you believe something good.
It is taught that there are many roads to Heaven and the only choice you need to make is to get on one of those many roads.
This is pleasant sounding and this false thing is used by many governments and many false religions in order to try to appease it's people but this is all a lie!
This is totally false and no false thing can be of the truth!
In the words of Jesus, He said now is the time for the truth!
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
And Jesus also said it is only the truth that can make you free!
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall "make" you free.
And Jesus said that it is the Word of God that is true!
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
If the Word of God is true then all others are false according to the Word of God!
And the Apostle Paul added:
2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
What is the truth?
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
What is the truth?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
There is absolutely nothing in these two verses that cannot be easily understood!
When we are bombarded everyday by the teachings of this world, we can sometimes drift from the truth of the Word of God but there is only one "Gospel".
There is only one source of "Good News" for this world we live in!
And there is only one Judgment!
When we stand before God and we will all stand before God, "and every knee will bow before our Holy God", we will have to give an account of our relationship to the truth of God!
It is our eternal living soul that hangs in the balance!
Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
So lets begin:
*****Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
In many of Paul's letters it would be at the time of his introduction that he would brag about the faith of the believers, but not this day.
Not only was the apostleship of Paul at stake, the life of the early church was at stake and the precious souls that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for, were all at stake!
It is God's "Gospel", that must be obeyed, preached, taught, and it alone!
Even before God's first breath of creation God knew the outcome, so God's plan all along was to save us by Jesus Christ!
Paul was astonished at how easily these "Babes in Christ" had been so quickly led astray by false doctrine.
We sometimes forget that Satan does not like to loose to the Lord and he will immediately attack those that have recently trusted in the Lord.
Satan cannot rob them of their salvation but he can make them useless servants of the Lord!
That word "another" means "another of a different kind".
That means any "Gospel" that is not centered on the "Gospel of Grace" and that "Grace" can come only by Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ died so that we could be delivered from sin and death and then by this same means have an eternal home with God in the New Heaven and on the New Earth!
What are the facts? When any person surrenders to the truth of Jesus Christ and truly believes that Christ took their sins upon Himself and then died for them, God counts them as sinless as His Son was sinless.
It does not get much simpler than that!
It is not this world that we have to please, it is only our Father in Heaven that we have to please and this is His plan of salvation!
God does not need my help to save me and God does not need my help to keep me saved, God just needs me to believe and trust in the work of His dear Son. That's why it is called "Faith"!
How do we become acceptable to God? There is only one way!
We must look to the Lamb of God!
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world".
What was Paul's message?
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
It is the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" that must be protected from all those that would pervert the Word of God!
Men of a false gospel had come into the newly formed churches of Galatia and had preached their false doctrine and this brought confusion to people who did not have a Bible but only the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul and those who traveled with him.
As we follow the "Gospel of Grace" we must be very aware that there will always be those who just cannot accept the simplicity of salvation by Jesus Christ.
It is this verse 6 that gives us the purpose that Paul wrote this Holy Ghost inspired Book to the Galatians.
We already know that the other Apostles were preaching the same "Gospel" as Paul because there is no other "Gospel" by which we can be saved!
*****Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
In verse 6 the Greek word "heteros" was translated into our English word "another" which meant another of a different kind.
Now in verse 7 we see the Greek word "allos" is translated into our English word "another" but it has a slightly different meaning of "another of the same kind".
In other words the so-called gospel of these false teachers and preachers did not just have minor variations that can be seen throughout Christianity but the message that they had was altogether opposite of the "Gospel of Grace" which is a "gospel of works".
The Apostle Paul was giving a strict warning to these Galatian Christians and we must also give a strict warning today!
God had these words in the Book of Revelation.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
We have been warned not to alter or pervert the Word of God in any way!
Any person that turns away from the "Gospel of Grace" is turning away from God Himself!
You see it is not some preacher or teacher that leads us into salvation, it is God Himself who sends us His Holy Spirit to bring us under conviction and then leads us to Jesus Christ.
When we turn away from God's message we are rejecting the "Love of God"!
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We must remain grounded in the "Love of God"!
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
There is no other place to turn when the "Gospel of Grace" is rejected!
We should be more like Peter. Peter was just a fisherman but even Peter realized that there is no other place to turn but to Christ Jesus!
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke the Words of eternal life!
It is only the message of Jesus Christ that can get us into God's New Heaven!
There may be many who teach and preach in this world "but there is only one message of truth"!
Jesus said:
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
And the Apostle Paul cautioned all believers as we see in the Book of Hebrews:
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
And we must caution each other, and teach each other and all our children and all our friends to avoid any message other than the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace", for anything else is just a lie of Satan!
*****Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
***What are the facts? We have a God who because He is God, absolutely cannot contradict Himself!
That word "accursed" means to excommunicated, doomed, damned, cast into Hell!
We can see that God is very serious about the truth of the "Gospel"!
Without the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace" no person can be saved from the wages of death! No person could be reconciled to God! No person could have eternal and everlasting "life"!
The Apostle Paul may have been the most committed servant of God that has ever lived, but if Paul had deviated even one time from the message of the "Gospel of Grace", he would have been accursed and he knew this!
Paul said no matter how much you care for me, if I return to you preaching some other gospel than the "Gospel of Grace", I will be condemned to Hell!
The "Gospel" is much greater than the Apostle Paul!
***The "Gospel" is much greater than any Angel!
Though an Angel come from Heaven but preached not the "Gospel of Grace" even that Angel would be doomed to an eternal and everlasting Hell.
We already know that God will actually send an Angel from Heaven, after the "Rapture" of the Church and during the seven year Tribulation Period but that Angel will preach the same "Gospel" as the Apostle Paul.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
There is only one "Everlasting Gospel"!
We can see that the"Gospel of Grace" also includes the truth of Creation by the Design of God as well as the "Death, the Burial, and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ"!
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
It is also during the Tribulation Period that the false prophet will come forth with his message of a false gospel as he does today.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
We just cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the false message that is taught today in our world!
We must the Word of God literal!
There is still only one way for salvation!
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
And this warning is worth repeating, over and over again!
*****Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
If the "Gospel" is greater than God's hand selected Apostles, and greater than God's most powerful Angels, then the Gospel is far greater than any man and anything that man says!
Any preacher or teacher that preaches or teaches a "Gospel" other than the "Gospel of Grace" will be doubly cursed!
I can think of some mighty big names that I will not mention who have changed their message to be inclusive of many routes to Heaven and have accepted humanism and have accepted evolution or some part of evolution and these scriptures tell us of their terrible ending.
Jesus told His disciples:
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
We should not judge the growth of our Church by it's size or by it's numbers. We should judge the growth of our Church by the fruit of the believers, that is produced from the truth of the "Gospel of Grace" the "Gospel of God"!
The "Gospel of God" is a life or death message and therefore the most important message that can be taught in this world we live in!
*****Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Not only was Paul accused of being a false Apostle.
Not only was Paul accused of preaching and teaching a false gospel.
Paul was also accused of being a people pleaser.
Paul was accused of using his ministry only for his own livelihood.
Paul was accused of living a life of deception.
Paul was accused of using the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" to satisfy his own personal greed!
How did Paul respond to these accusations?
That word "now" tells us that Paul said there was a time he was guilty of all these things.
Paul was saying, there was a time when he was so zealous of God that he tried to please men instead of God.
This was when Paul served the High Priest and the Sanhedrin Court.
Paul was saying, there was a time when was seeking his own glory and profited greatly in the Jewish religion.
Paul was saying, yes at one time he was a man-pleaser but that time "was not now"!
And Paul fired back: Am I "now" seeking to please men? No!
Am I "now" seeking to please God? Yes!
Paul said: "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ"
What is the one thing that God has given to every human being that sometimes gets us in the most trouble?
THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE!
Paul had made his choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!
We cannot serve the Lord Jesus Christ and at the same time serve any man!
The act of choice means we have to decide between one or the other!
Jesus Christ had these words for each of us.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
We must become a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ!
God's "Grace" is free and unconditional but we must still make a "Choice" and that "choice" must be to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and not mankind.
There were still those that said Paul could not be a true Apostle of the Lord so Paul added these words.
*****Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is certainly true that Paul had not followed the Lord Jesus when He was upon this Earth.
The same can be said for each of us also!
Paul's critics said that Paul's "gospel" was then man-made.
Still in our day the lamest excuse that is most offered is when the lost say the Bible was written by men and therefore just man’s words.
The Apostle Paul uses that word "certify".
Paul said "I want you to clearly understand the Gospel I preach is not of me or any other man"
That word "Gospel" means "good news", not "good works", not "good advice".
The "Gospel" is the "good news" of the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the forgiveness and the salvation that only He can provide!
The "Gospel" is not some improved information about some Divine Laws which must be kept in order to be reconciled with God!
The Word of God is not man-made!
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
***The "Gospel" was not handed down to Paul, like some tradition.
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
**The "Gospel" was not learned by Paul, from some educational institute.
**The "Gospel" was not taught to Paul by some other man.
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
The "Gospel" that Paul preached came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ!
The "Gospel" that Paul preached is not some basis for a new religion!
The "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ as preached and taught by the Apostle Paul is the only basis for salvation in this dark dreary world we live in!
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Tit 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
If Jesus Christ is not revealed in our lives than we are not saved and are still bound for a burning Hell!
If you do not know for sure, then it is time to make a choice!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Galatians 1:6-12
The word unique means a thing unparalleled, or one of a kind. A thing that has no equal, and is unmatched in it's kind and in it's excellence.
Uniqueness is the quality of being unique!
What is pluralism? Pluralism is a worldview that says one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus the acknowledgement that at least some truths and true values exist in other religions.
What is humanism? Humanism is a worldview that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and rejects the importance of a belief in God.
Humanism is the world of the Atheist. The Atheist say that there is no God or that there is no such thing as a Supreme being.
Humanism is the world of the Agnostic. The Agnostic says we live in a world that cannot know that a God exist. Their belief is based on an assumption that for something to exist it must be scientifically verifiable. Since God cannot be proven by known science, then God cannot be discussed as an option for life.
Evolution is based on Humanism which says that there is no God and then they seek to explain away Creation by the design of our Supernatural God by using false science. Science by definition is based on facts and Evolutionists have no facts to prove their false science!
The Bible describes all these people as lost!
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, "and without God in the world":
These are Gentiles that do not know God!
1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, "even as the Gentiles which know not God":
As Christians we know that we may all have fit into these categories at one time.
Paul informed these Galatians that even if you do not believe in God you are still serving a false god!
Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, "ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods".
Polytheism says that there are many gods.
Pantheism says that everything can be a God and God can be everything. God is all and all is God!
Deism is a belief that there may be a God but He cannot be personal and He will not relate to mankind and mankind cannot relate to Him. Deist may acknowledge a god but they deny a sovereign God of any religion!
God says:
Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
So, how does God respond to all these things? King David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give us the answer.
Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The greatest lie that is told today is, that there is truth in all religions and it does not matter which religion you choose to believe, as long as you believe something good.
It is taught that there are many roads to Heaven and the only choice you need to make is to get on one of those many roads.
This is pleasant sounding and this false thing is used by many governments and many false religions in order to try to appease it's people but this is all a lie!
This is totally false and no false thing can be of the truth!
In the words of Jesus, He said now is the time for the truth!
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
And Jesus also said it is only the truth that can make you free!
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall "make" you free.
And Jesus said that it is the Word of God that is true!
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
If the Word of God is true then all others are false according to the Word of God!
And the Apostle Paul added:
2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
What is the truth?
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
What is the truth?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
There is absolutely nothing in these two verses that cannot be easily understood!
When we are bombarded everyday by the teachings of this world, we can sometimes drift from the truth of the Word of God but there is only one "Gospel".
There is only one source of "Good News" for this world we live in!
And there is only one Judgment!
When we stand before God and we will all stand before God, "and every knee will bow before our Holy God", we will have to give an account of our relationship to the truth of God!
It is our eternal living soul that hangs in the balance!
Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
So lets begin:
*****Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
In many of Paul's letters it would be at the time of his introduction that he would brag about the faith of the believers, but not this day.
Not only was the apostleship of Paul at stake, the life of the early church was at stake and the precious souls that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for, were all at stake!
It is God's "Gospel", that must be obeyed, preached, taught, and it alone!
Even before God's first breath of creation God knew the outcome, so God's plan all along was to save us by Jesus Christ!
Paul was astonished at how easily these "Babes in Christ" had been so quickly led astray by false doctrine.
We sometimes forget that Satan does not like to loose to the Lord and he will immediately attack those that have recently trusted in the Lord.
Satan cannot rob them of their salvation but he can make them useless servants of the Lord!
That word "another" means "another of a different kind".
That means any "Gospel" that is not centered on the "Gospel of Grace" and that "Grace" can come only by Jesus Christ!
Jesus Christ died so that we could be delivered from sin and death and then by this same means have an eternal home with God in the New Heaven and on the New Earth!
What are the facts? When any person surrenders to the truth of Jesus Christ and truly believes that Christ took their sins upon Himself and then died for them, God counts them as sinless as His Son was sinless.
It does not get much simpler than that!
It is not this world that we have to please, it is only our Father in Heaven that we have to please and this is His plan of salvation!
God does not need my help to save me and God does not need my help to keep me saved, God just needs me to believe and trust in the work of His dear Son. That's why it is called "Faith"!
How do we become acceptable to God? There is only one way!
We must look to the Lamb of God!
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world".
What was Paul's message?
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
It is the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" that must be protected from all those that would pervert the Word of God!
Men of a false gospel had come into the newly formed churches of Galatia and had preached their false doctrine and this brought confusion to people who did not have a Bible but only the "Gospel" as preached by the Apostle Paul and those who traveled with him.
As we follow the "Gospel of Grace" we must be very aware that there will always be those who just cannot accept the simplicity of salvation by Jesus Christ.
It is this verse 6 that gives us the purpose that Paul wrote this Holy Ghost inspired Book to the Galatians.
We already know that the other Apostles were preaching the same "Gospel" as Paul because there is no other "Gospel" by which we can be saved!
*****Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
In verse 6 the Greek word "heteros" was translated into our English word "another" which meant another of a different kind.
Now in verse 7 we see the Greek word "allos" is translated into our English word "another" but it has a slightly different meaning of "another of the same kind".
In other words the so-called gospel of these false teachers and preachers did not just have minor variations that can be seen throughout Christianity but the message that they had was altogether opposite of the "Gospel of Grace" which is a "gospel of works".
The Apostle Paul was giving a strict warning to these Galatian Christians and we must also give a strict warning today!
God had these words in the Book of Revelation.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
We have been warned not to alter or pervert the Word of God in any way!
Any person that turns away from the "Gospel of Grace" is turning away from God Himself!
You see it is not some preacher or teacher that leads us into salvation, it is God Himself who sends us His Holy Spirit to bring us under conviction and then leads us to Jesus Christ.
When we turn away from God's message we are rejecting the "Love of God"!
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We must remain grounded in the "Love of God"!
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
There is no other place to turn when the "Gospel of Grace" is rejected!
We should be more like Peter. Peter was just a fisherman but even Peter realized that there is no other place to turn but to Christ Jesus!
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke the Words of eternal life!
It is only the message of Jesus Christ that can get us into God's New Heaven!
There may be many who teach and preach in this world "but there is only one message of truth"!
Jesus said:
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
And the Apostle Paul cautioned all believers as we see in the Book of Hebrews:
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
And we must caution each other, and teach each other and all our children and all our friends to avoid any message other than the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace", for anything else is just a lie of Satan!
*****Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
***What are the facts? We have a God who because He is God, absolutely cannot contradict Himself!
That word "accursed" means to excommunicated, doomed, damned, cast into Hell!
We can see that God is very serious about the truth of the "Gospel"!
Without the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace" no person can be saved from the wages of death! No person could be reconciled to God! No person could have eternal and everlasting "life"!
The Apostle Paul may have been the most committed servant of God that has ever lived, but if Paul had deviated even one time from the message of the "Gospel of Grace", he would have been accursed and he knew this!
Paul said no matter how much you care for me, if I return to you preaching some other gospel than the "Gospel of Grace", I will be condemned to Hell!
The "Gospel" is much greater than the Apostle Paul!
***The "Gospel" is much greater than any Angel!
Though an Angel come from Heaven but preached not the "Gospel of Grace" even that Angel would be doomed to an eternal and everlasting Hell.
We already know that God will actually send an Angel from Heaven, after the "Rapture" of the Church and during the seven year Tribulation Period but that Angel will preach the same "Gospel" as the Apostle Paul.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
There is only one "Everlasting Gospel"!
We can see that the"Gospel of Grace" also includes the truth of Creation by the Design of God as well as the "Death, the Burial, and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ"!
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
It is also during the Tribulation Period that the false prophet will come forth with his message of a false gospel as he does today.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
We just cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the false message that is taught today in our world!
We must the Word of God literal!
There is still only one way for salvation!
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
And this warning is worth repeating, over and over again!
*****Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
If the "Gospel" is greater than God's hand selected Apostles, and greater than God's most powerful Angels, then the Gospel is far greater than any man and anything that man says!
Any preacher or teacher that preaches or teaches a "Gospel" other than the "Gospel of Grace" will be doubly cursed!
I can think of some mighty big names that I will not mention who have changed their message to be inclusive of many routes to Heaven and have accepted humanism and have accepted evolution or some part of evolution and these scriptures tell us of their terrible ending.
Jesus told His disciples:
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
We should not judge the growth of our Church by it's size or by it's numbers. We should judge the growth of our Church by the fruit of the believers, that is produced from the truth of the "Gospel of Grace" the "Gospel of God"!
The "Gospel of God" is a life or death message and therefore the most important message that can be taught in this world we live in!
*****Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Not only was Paul accused of being a false Apostle.
Not only was Paul accused of preaching and teaching a false gospel.
Paul was also accused of being a people pleaser.
Paul was accused of using his ministry only for his own livelihood.
Paul was accused of living a life of deception.
Paul was accused of using the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" to satisfy his own personal greed!
How did Paul respond to these accusations?
That word "now" tells us that Paul said there was a time he was guilty of all these things.
Paul was saying, there was a time when he was so zealous of God that he tried to please men instead of God.
This was when Paul served the High Priest and the Sanhedrin Court.
Paul was saying, there was a time when was seeking his own glory and profited greatly in the Jewish religion.
Paul was saying, yes at one time he was a man-pleaser but that time "was not now"!
And Paul fired back: Am I "now" seeking to please men? No!
Am I "now" seeking to please God? Yes!
Paul said: "for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ"
What is the one thing that God has given to every human being that sometimes gets us in the most trouble?
THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE!
Paul had made his choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!
We cannot serve the Lord Jesus Christ and at the same time serve any man!
The act of choice means we have to decide between one or the other!
Jesus Christ had these words for each of us.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
We must become a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ!
God's "Grace" is free and unconditional but we must still make a "Choice" and that "choice" must be to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and not mankind.
There were still those that said Paul could not be a true Apostle of the Lord so Paul added these words.
*****Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is certainly true that Paul had not followed the Lord Jesus when He was upon this Earth.
The same can be said for each of us also!
Paul's critics said that Paul's "gospel" was then man-made.
Still in our day the lamest excuse that is most offered is when the lost say the Bible was written by men and therefore just man’s words.
The Apostle Paul uses that word "certify".
Paul said "I want you to clearly understand the Gospel I preach is not of me or any other man"
That word "Gospel" means "good news", not "good works", not "good advice".
The "Gospel" is the "good news" of the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the forgiveness and the salvation that only He can provide!
The "Gospel" is not some improved information about some Divine Laws which must be kept in order to be reconciled with God!
The Word of God is not man-made!
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
***The "Gospel" was not handed down to Paul, like some tradition.
2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
**The "Gospel" was not learned by Paul, from some educational institute.
**The "Gospel" was not taught to Paul by some other man.
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
The "Gospel" that Paul preached came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ!
The "Gospel" that Paul preached is not some basis for a new religion!
The "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ as preached and taught by the Apostle Paul is the only basis for salvation in this dark dreary world we live in!
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Tit 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
If Jesus Christ is not revealed in our lives than we are not saved and are still bound for a burning Hell!
If you do not know for sure, then it is time to make a choice!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
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