WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
As we gather today, we are reminded of the truth found in Psalm 34, where the psalmist invites us to bless the Lord and declare His goodness. In verse 1, it says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
This is our call today—to lift up the name of the Lord, to praise Him for His grace, and to stand firm in the truth of the gospel.
Psalm 34 continues in verse 8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
Just as God delivered His people then, He continues to deliver us today, and it is this gospel that we stand on.
Let this truth fill our hearts as we come before God in worship, seeking His face and proclaiming His greatness. May our hearts be open to receive His Word and be reminded of the freedom we have in Christ.
Songs
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Today, we offer back a portion of what You have entrusted to us, as an act of worship and thanksgiving.
Lord, we pray that You would bless these gifts and use them for the work of Your kingdom. May they bring hope to the hurting, comfort to the lost, and spread the message of Your love and grace to the ends of the earth.
Teach us to give with cheerful hearts and a spirit of generosity, knowing that all we have comes from You. As we offer these gifts, may our lives also be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
CONFESSION:
Gracious and Holy God,
We come before You, acknowledging that we have not always been faithful to Your gospel. We confess that we are often tempted to follow paths that lead us away from the truth of Christ. We have sometimes sought to please others rather than seek Your approval. We have allowed false teachings, worldly priorities, and our own desires to distort the message of grace You have so freely given us. Forgive us for the times we have doubted the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Forgive us for any ways we have turned from Your unchanging truth to follow lesser things.
Silent confession.
Lord, we repent and return to You, trusting in Your mercy and the gospel of grace. Renew us by Your Spirit, so that we may live lives that reflect the freedom and hope found in Christ alone. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, rescued, and restored by His grace. Stand firm in this truth: there is no other Gospel but the one revealed in Christ. In Him, you are set free and made whole.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Set Free: Journey Through Galatians
The One True Gospel
Today's Message: Pastor Dave Page
Good morning, church! Today, we set out on an exciting and transformative journey through a series we’re calling Set Free. We are using Paul’s letter to the Galatians as our foundation for this series. We have been preparing for this series for quite some time and we think that what you’ll find is that this letter today, as it has throughout the ages stands as a beacon of hope and clarity for anyone longing to break free from the chains of falsehood, legalism and religion, all of these that can bring real and troubling confusion. Over the coming weeks, we’ll discover what it means to truly live in the freedom that Christ offers—a freedom grounded in the One True Gospel.
I truly think this is one of Paul’s most passionate and transformative letters—his epistle to the Galatians. At its heart, this letter is a declaration of freedom and grace. Paul writes with urgency, defending the true gospel against distortion and reminding the Galatians—and us—of the liberty we have in Christ Jesus.
The book of Galatians confronts themes of legalism, faith, and identity in Christ. Paul’s message is clear: salvation is not earned through the works of the law but is a gift received through faith. This truth shattered boundaries in Paul’s time, and it continues to challenge us today as we navigate a world often ruled by performance, comparison, and self-reliance.
In a time when we might feel burdened by expectations—be they religious, societal, or self-imposed—Paul’s words remind us that we are not slaves to these things. Instead, we are called to live freely, walking by the Spirit, and embracing the grace that empowers us to love and serve one another.
Our focus today is on the opening verses of Galatians, where Paul wastes no time in confronting a serious issue: the Galatians were being lured away from the gospel of grace to a distorted version that could not save them.
As we look at these verses, we’ll notice that the challenges facing the Galatians are not unlike the ones we face today. Our world is flooded with messages that claim to offer truth, meaning, and salvation. From self-help philosophies to prosperity promises, from cultural ideologies to religious traditions that add to the gospel, these voices tempt us to stray from the simple, yet profound truth of Jesus Christ crucified. Paul’s letter to the Galatians serves as both a warning and a call. It warns us to stay vigilant against anything that might distort the gospel. But it also calls us to marvel again at the beauty and sufficiency of what God has done for us through Jesus. The One True Gospel is not about what we can do to earn God’s favor, trying to live up to that can be burdensome and exhausting; no, the one true gospel is about what Christ has already done to set us free.
So, as we open this letter together, I want to seed a question here at the very beginning:
What voices are competing for our allegiance?
Are we being tempted, like the Galatians, to trade the gospel of grace for a counterfeit? And, most importantly, how can we, as individuals and as a church, be set free by the joy and power of the One True Gospel?
Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:1-10
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Prayer for the Word:
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we come ready to hear Your Word and receive Your truth. Thank You for the gift of the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—that saves us, transforms us, and sets us free.
Holy Spirit, we ask that You open our hearts and minds as we listen to Your Word. Illuminate the truth of Paul’s letter and help us to see the beauty of the gospel with fresh eyes. Give us discernment to recognize anything that seeks to distort Your truth and the courage to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us.
Be with us now, Lord, as we seek to honor You. May Your Word accomplish all that You desire in our hearts and lives today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Introduction
Have you ever held something in your hands that looked real but turned out to be fake? Imagine discovering that the $100 bill you just received is counterfeit. At first glance, it might look authentic, but closer inspection reveals flaws—the ink is slightly off, the paper feels strange, and the security features are missing. This counterfeit is worthless. It holds no value and cannot fulfill its intended purpose.
In much the same way, Paul writes to the Galatians because they were being deceived by a counterfeit gospel. This false gospel promised salvation through works and adherence to the law, but it could not deliver what it claimed. Paul knew that anything less than the One True Gospel would lead people away from God and into spiritual ruin.
Today, the world is full of counterfeit messages. From self-help philosophies promising self-fulfillment to ideologies that make salvation seem attainable by human effort, we are constantly bombarded by voices offering “another gospel.” These messages appeal to our pride, our desire for control, or our longing for approval, but like counterfeit currency, they ultimately leave us empty and lost.
Paul’s Greeting: Grace and Peace (vv. 1-5)
Paul opens his letter with a reminder of the heart of the gospel: grace and peace. In verses 1-5, he sets the tone by emphasizing these two profound gifts:
- Grace: The Unmerited Favor of God
Grace is the foundation of the gospel. It is God’s undeserved kindness toward sinners, freely given through Jesus Christ. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Grace shatters the lie that we can earn our way to God. It humbles us, reminding us that salvation is not based on what we do but on what Christ has done. This truth is countercultural in a world that values merit, achievement, and self-reliance.
- Peace: Reconciliation with God
Where grace is the root, peace is the fruit. Through the gospel, we are reconciled to God and experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. This is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of a restored relationship with our Creator.
Paul beautifully summarizes this in verse 4: “[Jesus] gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.”Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate act of grace that brings peace to a broken world.
Martin Luther once said, “The gospel is nothing less than laughter and joy.” When we grasp the magnitude of God’s grace and the peace it brings, our hearts overflow with gratitude and joy.
A Warning Against False Teaching (vv. 6-9)
Now, watch what’s about to happen. After his warm introduction, Paul’s tone shifts dramatically in verses 6-9. He expresses shock and urgency: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all” (vv. 6-7).
Paul’s concern is not just theological—it’s deeply pastoral. He knows that any deviation from the gospel of grace leads to spiritual destruction.
The Danger of Counterfeit Gospels
In 2 Corinthians 11:4, Paul warns about those who preach “another Jesus” or “a different gospel.” These false messages often sound appealing because they mix truth with error. They might emphasize moral behavior, self-improvement, or religious rituals, but they deny the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.
Counterfeit Gospels in Today’s World
The world today is awash with counterfeit gospels—messages that promise salvation, fulfillment, or meaning but deviate from the truth of God’s Word. These false gospels often appear attractive because they appeal to deeply rooted human desires: the desire for control, the longing for comfort, and the pride that resists the idea of dependence on God’s grace. Let’s examine three prevalent counterfeit gospels in our world today:
1. The Gospel of Works
The gospel of works is rooted in the belief that we can earn God’s approval through our good deeds, moral behavior, or religious practices. It often masquerades as piety and discipline, but it is fundamentally flawed because it denies the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross.
This counterfeit gospel whispers, “If I pray enough, serve enough, give enough, or live a good enough life, God will accept me.” While these actions are good and should flow from a heart transformed by grace, they become dangerous when seen as the basis for our salvation.
Why It’s Appealing:
The gospel of works appeals to our pride and sense of control. In a culture that values performance and self-reliance, the idea of “earning” salvation resonates. It gives us a checklist—a sense that we can control our destiny by meeting certain standards.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Paul explicitly refutes this idea, reminding us that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, so no one can boast. The gospel of works cannot save because it denies the central truth that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient to cover our sins. When we rely on our own efforts, we fall into a cycle of anxiety, guilt, and burnout, always wondering if we’ve done enough.
2. The Gospel of Prosperity
The gospel of prosperity teaches that faith in God guarantees health, wealth, and success. It promises a life free of struggle or hardship, equating material blessing with spiritual favor. This counterfeit gospel is often packaged as a positive, empowering message: “God wants you to live your best life now!”
Why It’s Appealing:
In a world that prizes comfort, wealth, and success, the gospel of prosperity seems like good news. It aligns with cultural values and offers a feel-good theology that focuses on personal happiness. Who wouldn’t want to believe that God’s primary goal is to make us happy and prosperous?
Why It’s Dangerous:
The gospel of prosperity distorts the character of God and the purpose of the gospel. While God does bless His people, the gospel is not about material gain; it’s about spiritual transformation and reconciliation with God.
- Biblical Truth: Jesus warned in John 16:33 that in this world, we will have trouble. The apostle Paul, one of the most faithful servants of Christ, experienced hardship, persecution, and suffering (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). The true gospel prepares us to endure trials with faith, not to avoid them altogether.
- Spiritual Danger: When hardship comes—and it will—those who believe the gospel of prosperity are left disillusioned, wondering if their faith was insufficient or if God has abandoned them.
3. The Gospel of Relativism
The gospel of relativism proclaims that truth is subjective and that all paths ultimately lead to God. This message is pervasive in today’s culture, which values tolerance, personal autonomy, and the rejection of absolute truth. It says, “What’s true for you may not be true for me, but we’re all on our own journey to God.”
Why It’s Appealing:
The gospel of relativism offers an inclusive and non-confrontational approach to faith. It allows people to avoid the difficult questions of sin, repentance, and judgment while affirming their own beliefs and lifestyles. In a pluralistic society, it feels comfortable to embrace the idea that all religions are equally valid.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Relativism denies the exclusivity of the gospel. Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” By rejecting this claim, relativism undermines the heart of the gospel and leaves people in spiritual darkness.
Relativism also denies the need for a Savior. If all paths lead to God, then sin is minimized, and grace is unnecessary. But the Bible is clear: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Without recognizing our need for salvation, we cannot experience the grace and peace of the true gospel.
These Messages Cannot Save!
While the counterfeit gospels of works, prosperity, and relativism offer the illusion of hope, they are ultimately empty. They appeal to our pride, promising control, comfort, or inclusivity, but they fail to address the deepest problem of humanity: our sin and separation from God.
- The gospel of works cannot save because it denies the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
- The gospel of prosperity cannot save because it misrepresents God’s purpose and promises.
- The gospel of relativism cannot save because it denies the exclusive truth of Christ as Savior.
Paul’s words serve as a warning to us today: any message that twists and distorts the gospel is no gospel at all. The true gospel—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ—is the only message that offers true hope, peace, and freedom.
Challenge:
Which of these counterfeit gospels have you encountered?
Are there subtle ways these false messages have influenced your faith or priorities?
Take time this week to reflect on the purity of the gospel and ask God to help you stand firm in the truth.
Trust in His grace, rest in His peace, and as we discussed this past week, boldly proclaim the One True Gospel in a world full of counterfeits.
The Exclusivity of the True Gospel (v.8)
Paul leaves no room for ambiguity: “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” (v. 8). This is a sobering reminder that the gospel is exclusive. As Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John Stott offers this wisdom: “Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love; love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth.” We must hold firmly to the truth of the gospel while sharing it with love and grace.
Pleasing God, Not People (v. 10)
In verse 10, Paul asks a probing question: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” This question strikes at the heart of our motivations.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul declares, “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” These statements of Paul remind us of our ultimate calling as followers of Christ: to live in a way that honours and pleases God above all else. It contrasts the fleeting and often fickle approval of people with the eternal and steadfast approval of God.
The Liberation of the Gospel
The true gospel of grace, as Paul outlines in Galatians and elsewhere, frees us from the endless and exhausting cycle of seeking human approval. We live in a world where people often define their worth by the opinions of others—chasing likes, recognition, or affirmation to feel valued. Yet this pursuit is a heavy burden because human approval is inconsistent and conditional.
But in Christ, we are reminded that our worth is not tied to what others think or say about us. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has declared us fully accepted, fully loved, and fully forgiven. This truth gives us a new identity as God’s children, chosen and cherished. With this foundation, we no longer need to strive for the approval of others, because we already have the approval of the One who matters most.
Boldness and Confidence in Christ
When we live with the knowledge of God’s unwavering acceptance, it transforms our actions and attitudes. Instead of being motivated by fear of rejection or the desire for validation, we are empowered to live boldly and authentically for God. Our focus shifts from pleasing people to glorifying Him.
This doesn’t mean we dismiss the opinions or needs of others; rather, it means that our ultimate allegiance is to God. We are freed to love and serve others without needing their approval because our sense of worth and purpose is rooted in Christ. As Paul demonstrated, this boldness allows us to speak the truth, pursue justice, and remain faithful to the gospel, even in the face of opposition.
God’s Testing of Our Hearts
The passage also reminds us that God “tests our hearts.” This doesn’t imply a harsh examination but rather a loving refinement. God knows our deepest motivations, and He calls us to align our lives with His truth. Living for God’s approval means regularly examining our hearts and asking:
- Am I seeking to honor God, or am I trying to please others?
- Are my choices shaped by the gospel, or by the fear of human rejection?
God, in His grace, continues to guide and transform us so that our lives reflect His glory and His gospel.
The Joy of Living for God
Living for God’s approval doesn’t lead to restriction but to true freedom and joy.
Resisting Cultural Pressures
Living for God’s approval often means going against the grain of culture. The world pressures us to conform—to prioritize success, popularity, or comfort over faithfulness to Christ. But the gospel calls us to a higher standard.
Illustration: Jimmy Carter
The Peanut Farmer’s Faithful Stand
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and lifelong servant of Christ, stands as a remarkable example of a life shaped by the gospel rather than by cultural expectations. Like the humble peanut plant, which Carter tended as a farmer, his life reminds us that true strength is found in quiet faithfulness, deeply rooted in Christ, even in the face of societal pressure.
The peanut plant thrives in challenging conditions, sending its roots deep to draw nourishment. It doesn’t strive for attention but works persistently, producing a harvest that sustains others. Similarly, Carter’s life was marked by an unshakable reliance on the gospel, enabling him to resist cultural pressures to conform. In politics, he emphasized integrity over popularity, often standing against the tide of public opinion to uphold human rights, justice, and peace. As a devout Christian, he resisted the temptation to compartmentalize his faith, living it boldly and unapologetically in his public and private life.
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something. The something I’ve chosen is my faith. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.” Jimmy Carter
Carter’s reliance on the teachings of Jesus was evident in his humility, his commitment to peacemaking, and his tireless advocacy for the least of these. When societal norms pushed for power and self-promotion, Carter modeled servant leadership, building homes for the homeless, teaching Sunday school into his 90s, and championing human dignity around the globe. His courage to defy the cultural expectation of self-interest came from his trust in Christ’s promise that greatness is found in serving others.
At his recent state funeral, this truth was captured in these words:
“Jimmy Carter’s life was one of selfless service, lived with a humble heart and unwavering commitment to love God and love others.”
Application: Are there pressures in your life where the cultural “winter” feels overwhelming? Perhaps you feel isolated in your beliefs, or the values of society clash with your faith. Remember that, like Jimmy Carter, your strength comes from being deeply rooted in Christ.
Spend time in His Word, draw nourishment from prayer, and trust that He is working through you to bear fruit, even in seasons of difficulty.
Conclusion
The gospel of grace is the only genuine message of salvation. It is the divine exchange where our brokenness meets God’s unmerited favour. It offers us grace, peace, and freedom—gifts that cannot be earned, bartered for, or found anywhere else in this world.
No matter how hard we try or how good we may become, nothing we do can earn the favour of God. It is His gift, freely given.
In contrast, every counterfeit gospel promises something it cannot deliver. They all lead to disappointment, confusion, and ultimately spiritual ruin.
Paul’s words in Galatians are a wake-up call for us. They remind us of the urgency of defending the truth of the gospel—not just as a theological concept, but as a life-transforming message that changes everything. We cannot afford to take this truth lightly or allow it to be diluted by the world’s pressures. Let me leave you with this question, one that I believe each of us must wrestle with: What will you do with the One True Gospel? Will you cling to its truth, live in its freedom, and allow it to shape every aspect of your life? Or will you be swayed by the counterfeits of the world, seeking shortcuts that ultimately leave you empty?
It is not an easy question to answer, but it is one that we must answer truthfully in our hearts. The gospel of grace is powerful enough to transform lives, but it requires our full trust and unwavering commitment.
As we close, let’s pray together, committing ourselves to stand firm in the gospel of grace, knowing that the one true gospel is more than enough to guide us, sustain us, and empower us to live faithfully for God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
We come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for the gospel of grace—an unmerited gift that has transformed our lives. We thank You that through Jesus Christ, we are no longer bound by the weight of our sin, but we are set free by Your love and mercy. You have called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light, and for that, we give You all the praise and honor.
Lord, we confess that in this world, we often feel the pressure to conform. The world offers so many counterfeit gospels—promises of success, comfort, and acceptance—that can distract us from the truth of Your Word. Father, we acknowledge that there are times when we are swayed by these empty promises. We may find ourselves looking for approval from people, seeking comfort in worldly things, or relying on our own efforts to earn Your favor. Forgive us for these moments of weakness, and help us to cling to the true gospel, which tells us that it is by grace alone that we are saved.
We ask for Your strength to live boldly for You, even when it’s difficult. Give us the courage to stand firm in the gospel of grace, knowing that it is the only message that can save. Help us to be like the lighthouse in a storm—shining Your truth unwaveringly, regardless of the pressures of the world around us. May our lives reflect the peace and freedom that only come from You.
Lord, we pray for the courage to reject the counterfeit gospels that we encounter daily, whether in the media, our workplaces, or even in our relationships. Help us to discern truth from lies, and to stand for what is right, even when it costs us. May we live not for the approval of people, but for Your glory and Your pleasure alone.
We pray for those who have not yet heard or embraced the truth of the gospel. May our lives be a testimony to them, a beacon of hope that points them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Give us hearts that long to see others come to know You and experience the freedom that we have found in Christ.
As we close today, Father, we commit ourselves to You. We thank You for Your amazing grace, and we ask that You would help us to walk in the freedom and peace You’ve given us. May we live for You with boldness, standing firm in Your truth, and resisting the temptations of this world. We trust in Your Holy Spirit to empower us, and we place our lives in Your hands.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen.
Song
Benediction
As you leave this place, may you walk in the freedom that comes from knowing the One True Gospel, and may you shine as a beacon of hope to a world in need of His saving grace.
Go in His peace, go in His strength, and go with His blessing. Amen.