Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Galatians 1:6-10
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.
In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul got right to the issue at hand with the churches of Galatia at the time. The issue was that there were false teachers who invaded the churches proclaiming a different gospel than what Paul preached to them. Theor gospel preached that salvation comes through not only believing in Jesus but also they were required to observe the Old Testament Jewish law along with follow with some of the OT rituals such as being circumcised. Paul quickly reminds the Galatian people of the reality that the Gospel which he preached (Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ) was the only true Gospel, and they were called to hold to that truth.
In today’s time, many have fallen into the same deceptive trap that the people of Galatia fell into regarding the Gospel. There are many who preach a message that may sound sweet to the ears but in reality is detrimental to the heart and the soul. The words may sound good, but the message strongly contradicts the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here’s the reality, there is only one Gospel message, and the message is about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! The message has not changed, nor will it ever change Our call is to hold firmly to the Gospel of Jesus!
The question then is why is it important to believe that there is only one Gospel?
-The Gospel is the Power of God Unto Salvation- Romans 1:16: It is only through believing in Jesus Christ, who was fully God, came to earth born of a woman, lived a perfect life that we could not live, and died on a cross for our sins, only to raise from the dead– that we can be saved. There is no other way to a relationship with God but by believing in Jesus. You have religions that may teach that as long as you are good and follow some rules you will be good, but the reality is that there is no other way to God but through Jesus (John 14:6).
-We have been tasked as Missionaries in Sharing the Gospel- Romans 10:15: If we know Jesus, we have been called to be His witnesses, His missionaries in getting the gospel out to the world. How are we supposed to be proper stewards of God’s mission if we do not understand that there is only one Gospel message? Listen in order to share the message, we must know and understand that there is only one message and be faithful to share.
This morning, do not be deceived, understand that there is only one Gospel: Jesus lived, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day to save us from our sins. Cling to that message and share the hope found in the message with those around you! For it is the only message that has the power to save for those who believe.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, thank you for the Gospel. Thank you for loving us enough to send your Son to make a way for us to be brought back to you. Help me to hold firmly to the Gospel message, and help for me to discern those who may preach a message that may contradict the Gospel. Motivate me to be a witness for you today. Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.