BIG IDEA:
ANY PERVERSION OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF CHRIST DESERVES GOD’S STRONGEST CONDEMNATION
I. (:6-7) GOSPEL PERVERTERS ENTICE GOSPEL DESERTERS
A. Susceptibility to Fundamental Error is Shocking
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you”
“Deserter” is a nasty label
Note the emphasis on the sovereignty of God in the concept of “calling”
B. The Defining Characteristic of the True Gospel = The Grace of Christ
“by the grace of Christ”
C. There is Really Only One True Gospel
“for a different gospel; which is really not another”
really no such thing as “another gospel”
Greek word means another of a different kind
D. Gospel Perverters Cause Serious Problems
1. Disturbing the Brethren
“only there are some who are disturbing you”
2. Perverting the Gospel
“and want to distort the gospel of Christ”
II. (:8-9) GOSPEL PERVERTERS DESERVE GOD’S STRONGEST CONDEMNATION
A. (:8) Pronouncement of the Curse
1. Universal in Scope
“But even though we, or an angel from heaven”
2. Measured Against a Known Standard = the Gospel Preached by Paul
“should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you”
3. Unwavering in its Execution
“let him be accursed”
B. (:9) Emphasis by Repetition
“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed”
III. (:10) GOSPEL PERVERTERS OPERATE AS SLICK POLITICIANS
A. Paul is No Slick Politician = a Man-Pleaser
“For am I now seeking the favor of men”
“Or am I striving to please men?
If I were stil trying to please men”
B. Paul is a True Bond-servant of Christ = a God-Pleaser
“or of God?”
“I would not be a bond-servant of Christ”