Is There a Distorted Gospel?

If you have ever read the book of Galatians you know there was a problem with the churches in Galatia. Paul is pretty point blank in addressing the issues. We too need to see there is a problem, and has been a problem plaguing the believers. A distorted, a perverted Gospel.

(Slide) Distort (V) 1. pull or twist out of shape. 2. Give a misleading or false account or impression of.

(Slide) Pervert (V) 1. alter (something) from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.

There is a problem still today with a distorted, perverted Gospel that is misleading and has been altered from how it was first intended.

They were turning so quickly to something different then what they were taught, what was responded to in the first place.

Galatians 1:6 NASB95

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

They were turning so quickly to something different then what they were taught, what was responded to in the first place.

Galatians 1:7 NASB95

7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

They were being disturbed by a distorted Gospel

Galatians 1:8–9 NASB95

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

We need to know the simple true Gospel to be able to recognize a contrary gospel that is accursed.

It is vitally important to obey to true Gospel or face condemnation

(Turn to and read 2The1:5-10)

1 Peter 4:17 NASB95

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Paul was concerned, we too should be concerned at the perversions of the Gospel. Tonight will touch on a few. First, let me give you Paul’s view of the problem.

Paul was concerned about perverted Gospel’s so should we today. Tonight we will look at a few of the common distorted Gospel’s

I. The Gospel of Faith plus the Law

I. The Gospel of Faith Plus the Law

I. The Gospel of Faith plus the Law Paul was concerned, we too should be concerned at the perversions of the Gospel. Tonight will touch on a few. First, let me give you Paul’s view of the problem.

This perversion was the problem Paul is addressing in letter to the Galatians, Jewish Christians demanding Gentile Christians to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses as well as obey the Gospel of Christ. - Let us look at Gal2:1-5 together

Galatians 1:6 NASB95

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

Galatians 2:1–5 NASB95

1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

Galatians 2:1–3 NASB95

Galatians 2:4–5 NASB95

4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

(Slide) The refutation of the perverted Gospel of Faith Plus the Law

(Slide) This was the item addressed and discussed with Paul and the Apostles in Jerusalem at the Jerusalem Council

Found in Act15:1-5, 22-31 - - - - - need to summarize this

And we can read Paul addressing it in (Slide)

Galatians 5:1–5 NASB95

1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

Galatians 5:6 NASB95

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

You can also read more on this in Rom- Chpts. 1-3

(Slide) This came about later in church history and lead to the Reformation movement

II. The Gospel of Works without Faith

(Slide) This came about later in church history and lead to the Reformation movement

(Slide) It proclaimed the efficacy of certain ordinances to the exclusion of faith (or no mention of faith).

(Slide) An example is baptism without faith requirement

Infant baptism

Baptism for the dead

(Slide) The Refutation of the perversion

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

(Slide) Faith is required if you want to please God! you can read also in Jn8:24 as well as Mk16:16

Acts 2:38 NASB95

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

as well as

Acts 8:35–37 NASB95

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Repentance as we as faith, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God are required prior to baptism. For it is faith in the working of God that leads to a new life -

Colossians 2:12–13 NASB95

12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

How about another one of works, Good works?

III. The Gospel of Good Works Only

(Slide) If I’m a good person God won’t condemn me

(Slide) As long as my good deeds outnumber by bad things, i’m OK

(Slide) A good moral person, claiming to be religious, well, they are saved

(Slide) The Refutation of the perversion

(Slide) Cornelius was good, but still needed salvation - Let us all turn there together Act10:1-6

(Slide) How about a few other examples of good, devout people needing salvation?

(Slide) 3000 on day of Pentecost ()

(Slide) Ethiopian Eunich (Act8:27)

(Slide) Paul was concerned, we too should be concerned at the perversions of the Gospel. Tonight will touch on a few. First, let me give you Paul’s view of the problem. Paul! (Act22:3)

According to Ephesians we cannot be saved by good works

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(Slide) When you believe what you believe maybe you can overreact, even if what you believe is misguided.

IV. The Gospel of “Faith Only”

We just read Eph2:8-9 but how about another one

Romans 5:1 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Slide) No mention to obedience to the Gospel

(Slide) This is an overreaction to salvation by works without faith, or to the gospel of good works

(Slide) The Refutation of the perversion

The Gospel requires obedience

Must obey Jesus the author of faith - Heb5:9

Paul proclaimed obedience of faith - and 16:25-26

Romans 1:5 NASB95

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,

(Slide) Many fail to distinguish between different kinds of works

(Slide) One cannot be justified by works of Law - Gal2:16

(Slide) Meritorious works look good, but cannot earn salvation - ;

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(Slide) Works of God; commanded of us to please Him -

John 6:28–29 NASB95

28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

(Slide) Now how about some homework? Are you up to a Gospel challenge?

(Slide) Due to time constraints here are some statements and some scriptures, you challenge is to look them up. The point is to show the works of God are done, not to earn salvation, but to receive God’s grace.

(Slide) Faith in Jesus is a work of God - Jn6:29

(Slide) Repentance of sins is a work of God - Act17:30

(Slide) Confessing Jesus is a work of God - Rom10:9-10

(Slide) Such works in and of themselves do not save us - Lk17:10

(Slide) But wait, now I want to give one more point before we close.

(Slide) Baptism is a work of God not of man

(Slide) Commanded by Jesus and Apostles - Mk16:15-16; Act2:38

(Slide) God does the work saving - Col2:11-12; Tit3:5

(Slide) It is where we put on Christ - Gal3:26-27

Obedience is important and it brings thanks to God -

Romans 6:17–18 NASB95

17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Have you obeyed the true gospel? We have only looked at a few of the perversions of the gospel. In closing now

Galatians 1:8–9 NASB95

Are we listening to and sharing the true gospel?

Galatians 1:10 NASB95

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Are we trying to please man or God?

we need to make sure we are on the right path -

Matthew 7:13–14 NASB95

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13–14 NASB95

Let your path be His path; let your path help lead others to the true path to eternal life. - Lead to invitation