Following are the notes and outline of Sunday’s message.  The message itself did not record due to an error, so it will not be found on the sermon page – sorry about that.  The quotes that I used in the message can be found at the end of this blog under “Quotes.”  These quotes are excellent and will be posted on Facebook as well.

 

No Other Gospel

Galatians 1:6 – 10

 

 

I. Introduction: Desertion from Paul’s Gospel Is Desertion from the Gospel (1:1 – 2:21)

            A. Greeting: Paul’s Apostolic Authority (1:1 – 5)

            B. Problem Explained: Desertion from the Gospel (1:6 – 10)

            C. Paul’s Gospel Delivered from God, Not People (1:11 – 2:21)

                        1. Thesis: Source of His Gospel Was Revelation (1:11 – 12)

                        2. Thesis Support (1:13 – 2:21)

Thomas Schreiner, Exegetical Commentary On The New Testament; Zondervan Publishers, 2010.

 

 

Main Idea

   The central idea to verses 6 – 10 is Paul’s astonishment (amazement) that the Galatians are turning so soon from the grace that is theirs in the gospel of Christ.  It is really Christ that they are abandoning.  Jesus Christ is so connected to the gospel, that to turn from the message of the gospel of God’s grace is to turn away from Christ Himself.  Apart from the genuine gospel of God’s grace as revealed in Scripture there can be no union with Jesus Christ. 

 

Review from last week.  The Galatians had been rescued from this “present evil age.”

Following are some Scripture passages that clearly teach that the present age or world system is evil and will come to judgment.  Thank God for His grace that rescued those who place their faith fully in Christ and His marvelous grace.

 

Galatians 1:4; John 1:1 – 5; 1:10 – 18; Mark 1:1 – 4; Matthew 4:12 – 17; 2 Corinthians 4:3 – 6; 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 26:15 – 18; Revelation 6:9 – 17; 17:12 – 14: 19:11 – 16.

 

Paul may very well have emphasized the gospel message in verse 4 in order to make the point that if the Galatians have been rescued out of this present evil age, then what is the purpose of them going back to the old law?  If they are truly saved, then why try a new way of salvation?

 

– Verse 6: Believers have been called “in the grace of Christ.”

 

– The Greek word for turning away or deserting is metatithemi.  This word means to transfer – oneself to a different purpose, or in a different direction.  This verb can describe departure or apostasy.  Here the Galatians are transferring their devotion, faith and allegiance to another gospel, which is no gospel at all.

 

– Verse 8: Even if an angel (“should preach,” subjunctive verb; it is a possibility; hypothetical).  Angels were instruments in delivering the Law to the people of Israel.

 

– Those proclaiming a false gospel are anathema, “accursed.”  The word has its roots in the Old Testament word “destruction” (Joshua 7:10 – 13: Exodus 22:20).

 

– Verse 7: There is no other gospel.

– The Galatians are being troubled and disturbed.

 

– Verses 8 & 9:  Who are these false teachers?  These Judaizers are most likely from Jerusalem.  Some scholars believe that they are from the Galatian churches.  (See 6:11 – 18)

 

– “Is preaching,” indicative verb.

 

– We must keep in mind that Paul never criticizes the Galatians for a defective Christology.  One can be right about whom Jesus is, that He is Lord and Messiah, yet not be a part of Him and His people.

 

Quotes:

 

Thomas Schreiner:  “We see from 1:6 that even after we become believers, we are prone to wander from God and the good news of free grace in Christ.  Various influences may draw us away, including the sinfulness of our own hearts.  In Galatians we see the influence of false teachers, who probably swayed the Galatians with their knowledge of the O. T.  An effective antidote against false teaching is both a head and heart knowledge of the gospel.  When we truly understand that our righteousness is only in Christ, we will not be deceived by any other gospel.”

 

Martin Luther: “In my conscience not the Law will reign, that hard tyrant and cruel disciplinarian, but Christ, the Son of God, the King of peace and righteousness, the sweet Savior and Mediator.  He will preserve my conscience happy and peaceful in the sound and pure doctrine of the Gospel and in the knowledge of this passive righteousness.”

 

“We should be in wonder of grace, but never assume it” (from a pastor in Tenn.).

 

 

   “You should tell the devil ‘Just by telling me that I am a miserable, great sinner you are placing a sword and a weapon into my hand with which I can decisively overcome you; yea, with your own weapon I can kill and floor you.

   For if you tell me that I am a poor sinner, I, on the other hand, can tell you that Christ dies for sinners and is their Intercessor… You remind me of the boundless, great faithfulness and benefaction of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

   The burden of my sins and all the trouble and misery that were to oppress me eternally He gladly took upon His shoulders and suffered the bitter death on the cross for them.

   To Him I direct you.  You may accuse and condemn Him.  Let me rest in peace, for on His shoulders, not on mine, lie all my sins and the sins of all the world.’”  Martin Luther

 

“Be thou my Shield and hiding place, that, sheltered by Thy side, I may my fierce accuser face, and tell him Thou hast died!”  (From the song Approach, My Soul, The Mercy Seat, by John Newton)