BAD NEWS GOSPEL AND THE GOOD NEWS GOSPEL

SERIES: GALATIANS: BE FREE.

TEXT: GALATIANS 1:3-9.

Freedom comes through God’s grace.

The word Gospel means “good news.” Paul wrote the letter of Galatians to the churches in the province of Galatia. After Paul had preached to the Galatians the Gospel of grace, false teachers followed him teaching the Galatian Christians another gospel, a bad gospel. These false teachers were teaching that the grace of God was not enough to save a person from sin.

The thought that for a person to be saved they had to do some religious acts like keeping the Law of Moses, the Levitical ceremonies and the traditions of the fathers. This was the “gospel” of legalism-Gal. 1:3-9.

Notice how many times Paul uses the word “Gospel.” He is so sure about his last words and statements. He says, “If even an angel appeared with another gospel, then let him be eternally condemned.”

The strong word he used was “Anathema.” Anathema literally means, “Let him go to hell.”

Let me give you three examples of false “gospels” being preached in churches around the world;-

The prosperity gospel, “Believe and succeed.”

• Prosperity gospel is also called “Health and wealth gospel.” Another name for prosperity gospel is the “Trump” gospel.
• “Trump gospel” because we are familiar with “Donald’s” obsession with success and public exposure.
• This prosperity gospel is being preached on television and radio by a host of false preachers 24/7.
• These false prophets tell you to send in your money to them, and God will bless you with more money.
• These false prophets are the only ones who get to “prosper” not their members!!
• These false prophets say, “The lack of money is the root of all evil.”
• These false prophets would say “If you had enough faith, you will receive it, even if it is 10 million shillings.
• These false teachers would teach you that if you buy the anointing oil, handkerchief, clothes, waters, salt, soil, crosses, Holy Communion etc you will prosper.
• Because people are obsessed with possessions, health and wealth they get hooked.
• People have given their lands, houses, cars and others get bank loans to give to these false prophets.
• The prosperity “gospel” uses God as a vending machine. You put in faith and out pops blessings; money, homes, cars and health.
• They teach that God exists to make you healthy and wealthy.

The groupon “Gospel.” The deal of the Day.”

• “Groupon” stands for “Group coupon.”
• It stands for making a “Deal with God.”
• The message of this gospel is that we ought to be able to make a deal with God.
• It goes like this, “God if you will just get me out of this mess, I will give my life to you.”
• “God if you will just heal me, I will serve you forever.”
• “God is you will let me get this job, win the lottery, date this guy, marry that girl, then this is what I will do for you.”
• But you cannot bargain with your creator.
• Lawyers call this legal exercise, “Quid Pro Quo,” “Something for something.”
• It is used for “fair and equitable trade.”
• Others call it “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours.”
• “Quid Pro Quo” may work between people, but it cannot work with God because we have nothing to deal with God-God owns it all-Isaiah 55:8-9.

Gospel lite-“At your convenience.”

• Many products are called “Lite” because they don’t have as many calories as the real thing (Coca cola-lite etc).
• There is a dangerous “Lite” gospel being preached today that is all about feeling good about yourself.
• This “Lite” gospel doesn’t make any demand on you.
• “Lite” gospel is very appealing to human beings including Kenyans.
• Gospel lite is all about you and your feelings.
• Gospel “Lite” does not expect you to tithe, it will give you a spot where to sit in the church, it does not offend you with the truth.
• “Lite” gospel tells you, “You are ok, I am ok.”
• “There is a better you in there, listen to your dreams and give yourself a big hug,” “If it feels good, just do it.”
• “Nike” the goddess of pleasure, “Just do it.”
• The gospel lite says, “God love you; and you do too.”
• At “Gospel lite”-sin and repentance are not mentioned because it might offend the listeners.
• At “Gospel lite” churches, the Bible is not preached, there is not preacher but a speaker, there is not sermon, but a sermonette, devotional or commends.
• At “Gospel lite” church they keep it “short and sweet” and service is strictly 11 o’clock to 12 noon.
• At “Gospel lite” church, the Bible is used as a “proof text,” there is no verse by verse exposition because there are verses of the Bible that not “listeners friendly.”
• At “Gospel lite” church, the speaker is preaching a “sermonette to Christianettes who smoke cigarettes.
• At “Gospel lite churches” they don’t carry their Bible or hymn book and a pen to take notes!!

THE GOSPEL OF GOD’S GRACE.

• We are living in a time when the message of the true gospel has never been more needed.
• These are times that try men’s souls, these are times when satellites are falling out of orbit!!
• These are times of paradox we are living in.
• These are days of taller building, but shorter tempers; bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences but less time, more entertainment but less enjoyment, more knowledge about creation less knowledge of the creator.
• These are days of cleaner energy, but polluted souls. Times of free love, but expensive mistakes, higher incomes but lower morals. Days of taller men and short character, steep profits and shallow relationships. A society with many beautiful parlors and ugly behavior.
• But these are days of good news of the grace of God.
• God still changes lives through His grace.
• Paul was very angry about false preachers because they were polluting the grace of God-Acts 20:24.
• This grace of God:-God the Father “thought it the prophets “taught it,” the devil “fought it,” sinners “sought it Jesus Christ “brought it” the Holy Spirit “wrought it’ and I “caught it” and I “caught it”:-

“God thought it.”

• Salvation comes by grace through faith.
• The plan of salvation was began in eternity by God-John 3:16.

“Satan fought it.”

• The devil has been fuming since the garden of Eden. He knows he is already defeated a defeated for.
• Moses was a deliverer and satan influenced pharaoh to have all the boy babies killed in hopes that he could thwart God’s plan.
• But Moses was born a “basket case.” God’s plan prevailed.
• Jesus was born a Savior. Herod the great killed all boy babies to fight God’s plan. Jesus prevailed-2nd Cor. 4:4.

“Jesus Christ brought salvation”-Gal. 4:4.

“Faith caught it.”

• Grace is God offering us the free gift of eternal life-Eph. 2:8-9.
• Jesus Christ paid the whole cost for your salvation-Please receive this free gift by faith-2nd Cor. 8:9.
• This grace of God is amazing, it saves, it keeps, it satisfies.

CONCLUSION

• The “Bad news Gospel” is believe and you will be successful, the deal of the day and convenience.
• The gospel of God’s grace is God thought it, satan fought it, Jesus brought it, faith caught it.
• The grace of God is a man, Jesus Christ. Do you know Him, is He your Lord and Savior?