Devotional

What is the Gospel of Christ? Paul was writing to the Galatians because they were forsaking the Gospel that he had preached to them. He says that they were turning to a different gospel , of which there is no other. They were turning to a distorted gospel . Do you know the Gospel of Christ? We only have one Gospel and that is the Gospel of Christ. Any other gospel apart from the Gospel of Christ is no Gospel at all. The Gospel of Christ is this, Jesus Christ was crucified, died, was buried and on the third day, He rose again. And by this, we receive the forgiveness of sins. This is the Gospel of Christ, anything contrary to this is no Gospel at all. Paul articulates the components of the Gospel in the introduction of his letter to the Galatians. Ressurection - "...but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-" v.1 Jesus Christ was raised by God the Father from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then we are most to be pitied. Our faith is futile. Death of Christ - "...and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself..." v.3b-4a He gave Himself willingly as a sacrifice for sin. The wrath of God was satisfied at the cross. The death that we deserved, Christ took it at the cross. Therefore whoever puts their faith in Christ, the wrath of God is no longer upon them. They are counted righteous. Forgiveness of sins - "...who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age..." v.4 Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. He was the perfect sacrifice for sin. Anyone who preaches to you a Gospel contrary to this, let him be accursed. Paul puts a lot of emphasis on this point that he even mentions the angels. It doesn't matter who it is, it may be someone you respect so much in the faith, your pastor, or even myself; if they preach a contrary gospel to this, let them be accursed. Do not listen to any other Gospel. Let this Gospel be the foundation of our faith. We have lots of things that may influence our way of life - media friends, family, environment, - but may we not be swayed from this foundation. For whose approval do we seek? Who are we trying to please? Do we seek the approval of friends or family? Are we trying to please them? If that is you, I ask you today that you may shift your attention to God. Do not seek the approval of man or try to please anyone. May you seek the approval of God alone by holding on to the gospel of Christ.

notes

Main Point Summary

I am shocked that you are leaving Him who called you and turning to a different Gospel of which there is no other. Therefore, anyone who preaches a different Gospel, let him be accursed. For if I seek the approval of man and try to please man, then I will not be a servant of Christ.

Phrase

NT

Galatians 1:1-10

esv

Introduction

Paul an Apostle through Jesus Christ and God with all the brothers to the Church of Galatia

Paul, an apostle— ... and all the brothers

not from men

Negvative

nor through man,

but through Jesus Christ

Agency

and God the Father,

who raised him

from the dead—

Seperation

who are with me,

To the churches

Destination

of Galatia:

Source

Grace

to you

and peace

from God

Source #1

our Father

Explanation

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Source #2

who gave himself

for our sins

Purpose #1

to deliver us

Purpose #2

from the present evil age,

according to the will

Standard

of our God and Father,

Possessive

to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No other Gospel

You are deserting God and turning to a different Gospel

I am astonished

that you are so quickly deserting him

Ground #1

who called you

in the grace

Sphere

of Christ

and are turning to a different gospel—

Ground #2

not that there is another one,

Negative

but there are some

who trouble you

and want to distort the gospel

Purpose

of Christ.

Do not listen to a different Gospel

Anyone who preaches a different Gospel let him be accursed

But even if we

or an angel

from heaven

should preach ... a gospel contrary to the one we preached

Content

to you

to you,

[then] let him be accursed.

Result

As we have said before, so now I say again:

If anyone is preaching ... a gospel contrary to the one you received,

to you

[then] let him be accursed.

Whom do I please?

I'm I trying to please man or God?

For am I now seeking the approval

of man,

or of God?

Or am I trying

to please man?

If I were still trying

Answer

to please man,

[then] I would not be a servant

of Christ.

Relationship

The qualification of an Apostle was; someone who had seen Jesus. Like all the 12 disciples. Acts 1:21-22. So, Paul was qualified by Jesus to be an Apostle.

Component of the Gospel: Resurrection - It is a key component of the gospel. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then we are most to be pitied. 1 Cor 15:12-18.

Component of the Gospel: Death - Christ had to die for the wrath of God to be satisfied. Now anyone who puts their faith in Christ, the wrath of God is no longer upon them.

Component of the Gospel: Forgiveness of sins - Christ is Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world at the cross.

Doxology

This is a distorted Gospel for there is no other Gospel apart from the Gospel of Christ.

It doesn't matter who, but anyone who preaches a different gospel apart from the gospel of Christ, let that person be accursed.

Paul repeats the same point for emphasis.

I am shocked that you are leaving Him who called to a different Gospel of which there is no other.

Anyone who preaches a different Gospel, let him be accursed.

If I seek the approval of man and try to please man, then I will not be a servant of God.

phrasing