No Other Gospel, Part 1

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.

Title - No Other Gospel

Background

Paul was addressing the problem that arose among the churches in the province of Galatia

the believers are being “moved so soon” to a “different gospel”

Paul defends the gospel

there is no such thing as “another” gospel

but there is a “different” gospel - the perverted gospel

another (grk. ALLOS) - another of the same kind

different (Grk. HETEROS) - another of a different kind

those who bring a gospel other that what he delievered to them are to be accursed

What is “perverted” gospel

pervert - grk. metastrepho, to turn or change into something different; assume new characteristics

we cannot identify a perverted gospel until we know how the one true gospel looks like.

the Galatian believers has learned the gospel and was still moved to a different gospel

My Main Point

If we want to discern what perverted gospel is, we need to know first how the one true gospel looks like.

to be assured of one’s salvation

- by which you stand, by which you are saved

- word of truth, the gospel of your salvation

to preach the true gospel

different gospel tends to move in 2 ways

a misrepresentation of biblical truths

a limited view of the gospel focused on the story of the cross, ignoring the rest of the Scriptures

to defend the faith

- the church is the pillar and ground of truth

- the saints are called to contend for the faith

Sermon Points

Importance of knowing the True Gospel

To be assured of one’s salvation

Knowledge of the true gospel gives assurance of salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:1–2 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

in which you stand

by which also you are saved

Ephesians 1:13 NKJV

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

the word of truth is the gospel of your salvation

to preach the true gospel

To preach the true gospel

Knowledge of the true gospel helps us preach the word of truth.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 NKJV

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Acts 20:27 NKJV

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

1 Corinthians 15.3

Acts 4:20 NKJV

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4.20

Acts 20.27

Paul preached what he knew - the whole counsel of God

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NKJV

but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1.23

Colossians 1:28 NKJV

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Paul preached what he knew - Jesus Christ

Note - different gospel tends to move in 2 ways

a misrepresentation of biblical truths

a limited view of the gospel

focused on the story of the cross, ignoring the rest of the Scriptures

focused on feel-good themes

To defend the faith

Knowledge of the true gospel teaches us how to contend for the faith.

1 Timothy 3:15 NKJV

but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

the church is the pillar and ground (support) of the truth

Jude 3–4 NKJV

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

contend earnestly - to fight for

- the saints are called to contend for the faith

faith once delivered

Characteristics of the True Gospel

Christocentric: Jesus Christ is the central theme of the true gospel.

Colossians 1:28 NKJV

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

Acts 1.28

2 Cor

In contrast, the false Gospel is anthropocentric - man-centered

Matthew 16:21–23 NKJV

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Matthew 16.

The true gospel comes by the revelation.

Matthew 16:16–17 NKJV

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Galatians 1:11–12 NKJV

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In contrast, the false gospel is a product of human intellect.

Matthew 16.

The true gospel proclaims the whole counsel of God.

Acts 20:28 NKJV

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:27 NKJV

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Ephesians 1:9–10 NKJV

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

Ephesians 3:14–19 NKJV

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3.14-

In contrast, the false gospel tends to limit the believer’s view:

the 4 gospels - ignores the rest of the Bible

covenant theology - denies the restoration of Israel nation in the end-times

Law-observing Christians - they are justified by

prosperity theology

Conclusion

As believers of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to know what we believe, and to be assured that what we believe is true.

Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Know the Scripture, and you will get to know the Person of the Bible - Jesus Christ.

John 5:39 NKJV

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Hebrews 13:8–9 NKJV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

2 Peter 1:10 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

2 Peter 1:12 NKJV

For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

True faith is not “blind following”.

By faith we understand ()

Knowledge of the truth builds up your faith in God and His Word.

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