In Don’t Mess With The Gospel (Part 2), we explore the various distortions of the true gospel that have infiltrated the church, including the prosperity gospel, the poverty gospel, the social gospel, and the liberal gospel. Paul warns in Galatians 1:6-10 that turning to a different gospel is a serious matter, and those who pervert the gospel of Christ are under a curse. The true gospel is salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone—any attempt to add to or subtract from it is a false gospel. Join us as we stand firm in the truth of the gospel of grace.
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Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called
you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Galatians 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want
to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:8 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.
Galatians 1:9 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.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
I) GOSPEL DISTORTIONS AND PERVERSIIONS.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called
you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Galatians 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want
to pervert the gospel of Christ.
1) THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though
He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty
might become rich.
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and
showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Matthew 4:9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down
and worship me.”
1 Timothy 3:3 “… not greedy for money…”
Titus 1:7 ” …not greedy for money.”
Luke 9:57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him,
“Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
2) THE POVERTY GOSPEL.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though
He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty
might become rich.
Proverbs 30:7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die):
Proverbs 30:8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty
nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor
and steal, and profane the name of my God.
3) THE SOCIAL GOSPEL.
Matthew 25:44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see
You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not
minister to You?’
Matthew 25:45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch
as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous
into eternal life.”
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were
of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews;
but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Adrian Rogers said, “If all we do is preach a social gospel then all we do is make this
world a better place to go to hell from.”
4) THE LIBERAL GOSPEL.
Jude 1:4 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.
Jude 1:4 (AMP) They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted
long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral
freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny
and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:4 (ERV) They have used the grace of our God in the wrong way—to do
sinful things. They refuse to follow Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.
Jude 1:4 “… who turn the grace of our God into lewdness…”
Jude 1:4 (AMP) for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral
freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want],
Jude 1:4 (ERV) They have used the grace of our God in the wrong way—to do
sinful things. They refuse to follow Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.
Cheap grace wants to justify the sin rather than the sinner.
True grace on the other hand, justifies the sinner, not the sin.
What this gospel says is come on in.
The water’s fine.
You come just as you are.
You stay just as you are.
You live just as you are.
You die just as you are.
Romans 5:20 “…. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
Romans 5:20 (NCB) “… but the increase in sins was far exceeded by the increase
in grace.
Romans 5:20 (NLT) “… But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace
became more abundant.
Hymn lyrics
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin
Those great theologians the Animals once sang:
I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
I) GOSPEL ACUSATIONS AND ANSWERS.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
The gospel is the foundation of the church, and any distortion of it is a serious matter. In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul warns against turning to a different gospel—one that is not truly the gospel at all. He declares that those who pervert the gospel of Christ are under a curse. This message, “Don’t Mess With The Gospel,” explores the dangers of legalism, works-based salvation, and man-centered religion. The true gospel is salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. Join us as we dive into Paul’s passionate defense of the gospel and its implications for our faith today.
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Notes
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called
you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Galatians 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want
to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:8 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.
Galatians 1:9 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.
The gospel is the reason why this church or any church exists.
The gospel brings us together.
I) PAUL’S CONCERN: ANOTHER GOSPEL IS NOT THE GOSPEL.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called
you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away … to a different gospel,
Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be
justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
Galatians 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want
to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Works-Based Man-Centered Religions:
Judaism: keeping of the law
Islam: five pillars
Buddhism: eight fold path
Hindu:reincarnation and karma
Mormonism: law of eternal progression
Jehovan’s Witnesses: works
Catholism: grace plus the sacrments
Religious Legalism: If you clean up your act,follow rituals, display religious dedication,
perform, perform, perform
Cardinal Francis George (quote)
“It boils down to this: Even though the Church is often less than what God intends
it to be, we still encounter Christ through the sacraments, especially through
Baptism and the Eucharist. This is how Christ comes to us, this is how we experience
God’s grace, this is how we find assurance. It is through the church and its ministries
that Christ comes to us to save us.”
As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.
The moment your money thumps in the chest, one of your relatives finds heavenly rest!
Here is a quote from someone experiences raised in a protestant church:
Some of the churches I went to growing up had a tendency to emphasize conformity
to a set of rules as the mark of a real Christian.
Real Christians do this; they don’t do that.
The problem was these rules is that they were the center of Christianity for us, the
thing we focused on—if we did them God would accept us and we would be spiritual.
So, I usually left church thinking about what I needed to do to make myself more
acceptable to God rather than trusting in what God had done for me and promised
to do in me.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
II) PAUL’S CURSE: FROM A HYPOTHETICAL ONE TO AN ACTUAL ONE.
Galatians 1:8 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.
1 Corinthians 16:22, If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed,
Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,
my countrymen according to the flesh,
Matthew 25:41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you
cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
Galatians 1:9 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.
John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow
rivers of living water.
John Newton: “I am not what I ought to be .. I am not what I wish to be … I am
not what I hope to be … Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish
to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, I am not what I once was; a slave to
sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the apostle, and acknowledge, ‘By the
grace of God I am what I am.'”
Augustus Toplady words in the hymn Rock of Ages
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill thy laws’ demands
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save and Thou Alone..
Notes:
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those
who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and
the church that is in his house.
Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also
in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have
received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
Grace be with you. Amen.
1) Tychicus — The Friend with a Servant’s Heart.
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:7 “… fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
2) Onesimus is the Friend with the Sinful Past.
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ignatius, who is a pastor of the Smyrna church, wrote in his epistle to the
Ephesians these words at the beginning of his letter:
“I received therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus,
a man of inexpressible love, and your bishop in the flesh whom I pray you by
Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be
He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop.”
Ignatius in his epistle to the Antiochians writes in his benediction:
“Onesimus, the pastor of the Ephesians salutes you.”
3) Aristarchus: The Friend with a Sympathetic Heart.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
It’s been said, “Your true friends are the ones who are walking in when
everyone esle is walking out.”
Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
4) Mark — The Friend with the Surprising Future.
Colossians 4:10 “… with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received
instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ”
Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga
in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 15:37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
Acts 15:38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had
departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts 15:39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.
And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
Acts 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren
to the grace of God.
2 Timothy 4:11 “… Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for
ministry.”
5) Jesus aka Justus — The Friend with the Strong Commitment.
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:11 “… they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
Matthew 25:36 ” … I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Hebrews 13:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them–those who are
mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also.
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility
and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly
puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:19 And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished
and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the
world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
Colossians 2:21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
Colossians 2:22 Which all concern things which perish with the using–according
to the commandments and doctrines of men?
Colossians 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed
religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the
indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward,…”
I. MORE EXTREME EXAMPLES.
1) EXTREME SELF-HUMILIATION.
Colossians 2:18 “… taking delight in false humility …
Colossians 2:23 “… false humility …”
Colossians 2:23 (Amp) “… they delight in self-humiliation …”
2) EXTREME SELF-FABRICATIONS.
Colossians 2:18 “… and worship of angels, intruding into those things which
he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:18 “… and worship of angels …”
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an
angel of light.
Revelation 22:8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and
saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these
things.
Revelation 22:9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow
servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of
this book. Worship God.
Matthew 12:39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous
generation seeks after a sign …”
3) EXTREME SELF-REGULATIONS.
Colossians 2:20 “… Do you subject yourselves to regulations–
Colossians 2:21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
Colossians 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in
self-imposed religion …”
Here are some of the rules and regulations that must be followed by those
families who are part of the Institute in Basic Life Principles:
Women are expected to wear ankle-length dresses and to never cut their hair;
The presence of text printed onto dresses is not allowed, as it is thought to bring
attention to the body.
Wearing makeup, perfume, nail polish and high heels, is seen as lustful.
Women are also discouraged from attaining a higher education.
Men are expected to wear dark suits and white shirts, and blue jeans are seen
as ungodly.
Males are clean-shaven and short-haired.
Men are also expected to be circumcised, as being uncircumcised is seen as
being unpure.
The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music and the
internet, is not allowed, though non-contemporary Christian music is accepted.
Dancing is not allowed, and the consumption of alcohol is also banned.
They practice chaperoned courtship, in which a couple becomes acquainted
only in a group setting
John 17:15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You
should keep them from the evil one.
4) EXTREME SELF-INFLICTION.
Colossians 2:23 “… and neglect of the body,
Colossians 2:23 (NASB) “… severe treatment of the body …”
Colossians 2:23 (NIV) “… their harsh treatment of the body …”
5) EXTREME SELF-MUTIALATION.
Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s
womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are
eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.
He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
II. OBVIOUS ANSWERS TO EXTREME EXAMPLES.
1) DON’T LOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THE HEAD.
Colossians 2:19 And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body,
nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase
that is from God.
2) DON’T LIVE FOR THE WRONG WORLD.
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the
world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
3) DON’T SEEK THE WRONG HELP.
Colossians 2:23 (NLT) These rules may seem wise because they require strong
devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no
help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
Christianity is not a religion of rules and regulatons but of a living relationship
with Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
Colossians 1:20 And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of
His cross.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
Colossians 1:22 In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and
blameless, and above reproach in His sight —
Colossians 1:23 If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became
a minister.
I. THE VARIOUS MEANINGS OF RECONCILIATION.
1 Corinthians 7:10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord:
A wife is not to depart from her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be
reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
Reconciliation can be defined as restored favor, goodwill, and friendly relations
between two parties formerly at odds with one another.
Reconciliation has been described as putting back together the pieces of a
broken vase.
Reconciliation has been defined as,”The restoration of trust in an interpersonal
relationship through mutual trustworthy.”
Reconciliation has also been defined in counseling “as mutually agreeing to
not proceed with divorce. ”
Colossians 1:18 ” … that in all things He may have the preeminence.
The Message translate this verse “He’s there towering far above everything,
everyone.., everything of God finds its proper place in Him.”
II. THE VICTORIOUS MEANS OF RECONCILIATION.
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
There is only one LIVING God.
But there have always been man-made gods.
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the
Lord thy God am a jealous God,
1 Chronicles 16:25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to
be feared above all gods.
1 Chronicles 16:26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made
the heavens.
Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked
within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY wise
God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:16 “… Who is the blessed and ONLY Potentate, the King of kings,
and Lord of lords;
1 Timothy 6:16 Who ONLY hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man
can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour
and power everlasting. Amen.
Jude 1:4 “… the ONLY Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:25 To the ONLY wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion
and power, both now and ever. Amen.
John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
Colossians 1:20 And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, …
Colossians 1:20 “… having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
Song lyrics “Written in Red”
God wrote His love on the hillside so long ago
For you and me Jesus died, and love’s greatest story was told
I love you, I love you that’s what Calvary said;
I love you, I love you, Written in Red.
III. THE VIRTUOUS MARKS OF RECONCILIATION.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.
1. RECONCILIATION DEALS WITH OUR PROBLEM.
I am friend of God, He calls me friend
What a friend we have in Jesus
2. RECONCILIATION DEALS WITH OUR POSTION.
Colossians 1:22 In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and
blameless, and above reproach in His sight —
3. RECONCILIATION DEALS WITH OUR PERSERVERANCE.
Colossians 1:23 If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became
a minister.
IV. THE VALUABLE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself
through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
2 Corinthians 5:19 That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to
God.
