I am really excited that today we began to dive into our new sermon series for 2025 on the book of Galatians. Here is a brief recap of the message:

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Missionary Family of the Week

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Prayer Request

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Sermon Recap

The book of Galatians is Paul’s Epistle (letter) to the church at Galatia → modern-day Turkey. Galatians addresses a critical issue facing early Christian communities:  some people trying to blend the Gospel w/ the Mosaic Law in an attempt to distort the Gospel.

Paul’s Argument rings true today and always: the message of the gospel is what Jesus did on the cross, revealed by the Scriptures, proven by the resurrection.
Salvation is by Faith Alone: Justification (being declared righteous before God) comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the Law (the Law was a temporary guide fulfilled and superseded by Christ’s sacrifice)

If we preach Jesus + “anything” to be saved, we are preaching a false and evil distortion of the Gospel. In the church today, this often looks like legalism.

 Paul’s Introduction Steers Us Clear from Legalism (v. 1-5)

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me: To the churches of Galatia. 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. 5 To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - Galatians 1

“He wanted to tell the Galatians straight out that atonement for sins and perfect righteousness are not to be sought anywhere but in Christ… So glorious is this redemption that it should ravish us with wonder.” (Calvin)

Legalism flies in the face of this truth. Legalism →belief that salvation is achieved through following rules and regulations; rather than through faith in Christ . Always man-made rules, Often personal preferences. When that personal preference is elevated to the level of biblical absolutes… for example: What translation of the Bible to read, what kind of songs to sing, How long your hair can be, what type of clothes to wear, etc.

Paul’s Amazement & Declaration (v. 6-9)

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling 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 what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! - Galatians 1

“Heretics do not advertise their errors. Murderers, adulterers, thieves disguise themselves. So the devil masquerades all these devices and activities. He puts on white to make himself look like an angel of light.” (Martin Luther)

The other gospel was really a perversion or a distortion of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
It used the names and ideas familiar to the Galatian Christians, but it slightly twisted the ideas to make their message all the more deceptive.

Paul’s Desire is to Please God (v. 10)

10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. - Galatians 1

Paul’s first obligation was to please God and not to please men.
He refused to shape his message just to please his audience.
There are those even today who do so …..It is part of fallen human nature that even those charged with the responsibility of proclaiming the gospel can fall into the trap of trying to be popular rather than faithful.

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold - 2 Timothy 4:3

What does this all mean to us?

If we are to be Intentional “Tellers” and “Senders” of the Gospel in 2025, then this must be the Gospel that we tell, the true Gospel. To be effective and faithful in our role as witnesses of Christ must ensure that we communicate the authentic message of Scripture and not any distortion of it.
The message must be:
*Grounding in Scripture – Devoid of Personal Bias – The Whole Counsel of God – Presented with Humility/Dependence on the Holy Spirit – Communicated with Love and Grace

Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for the gospel—
the good news of Your love, grace, and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Thank You for entrusting us with the privilege of sharing this life-changing message with the world.
Lord, we confess that we are often weak, distracted, or hesitant in fulfilling this calling.
Forgive us for the times we have distorted or withheld Your truth out of fear, pride, or misunderstanding.
Purify our hearts and align our words with Your Word so that we may proclaim the gospel faithfully and boldly.
Help us to be rooted in Scripture,
that we might know and share the truth in its fullness.
Teach us to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our words, soften hearts, and bring conviction to those who hear.
Let us not lean on our own understanding
but trust in Your power to work through us.
Father, give us courage to speak when the opportunity arises and wisdom to do so with gentleness and respect.
Let our lives reflect the gospel we proclaim, demonstrating the love, grace, and humility of Christ.
Guard us from hypocrisy,
and may the fruit of the Spirit be evident in all that we say and do.
We pray for those who hear the gospel….
Prepare their hearts to receive Your truth
Lord, as we share,
help us to be faithful stewards of Your message,
always pointing others to Jesus and never to ourselves.
May our words and actions glorify You and advance Your kingdom.
We commit to being faithful sharers of the gospel. Empower us, guide us, and use us for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen

To hear the full message from today, check out our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/FirstBethanyBaptist

God bless you all,

Pastor John