Embracing the True Gospel: Belonging, Believing, Behaving

Summary

What is the point of being a Christian? Many answers come to mind—getting to heaven, glorifying God, becoming like Jesus, or living with purpose. But so often, the heart of Christianity is reduced to a set of behaviors, a moral code, or a strategy for managing sin. Yet, the story of Jesus is not about making us merely “nice” or moral people. It is about being invited into right relationship with God, with each other, and with creation. The early church, as seen in the ministry of Paul and St. Patrick, emphasized belonging first—inviting people into community, then helping them understand what they believe, and finally, seeing behavior flow naturally from that foundation.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a passionate defense of the true gospel—a gospel that is not about behavior modification or cultural assimilation, but about the radical inclusion of all people through Jesus. Paul’s own story is a testament to this: once a zealous opponent of the church, he was transformed by an encounter with Christ and called to bring the good news to those far from the Jewish tradition. His mission was not self-chosen, but a response to God’s call, and he sought the affirmation of the church’s leaders to ensure he was aligned with the heart of the gospel.

Yet, even in the earliest days, false gospels crept in. Some insisted on adding requirements—like circumcision or cultural conformity—to the simple message of grace. Today, we face similar distortions. One is the dangerous ideology of white Christian nationalism, which twists the gospel into a tool for exclusion and power. Another is the “gospel of sin management,” which reduces faith to a transaction: you’re bad, Jesus saves you, end of story—ignoring the goodness of creation and the hope of restoration.

The true gospel is bigger. It is the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. It is about being invited into the loving dance of the Trinity, participating in God’s mission to heal and restore the world. The evidence of this gospel at work is not in perfect behavior, but in sacrificial love—especially in remembering and caring for the poor. The gospel always looks like Jesus: humble, self-giving, and radically inclusive. If what we believe or practice does not look like Jesus, it is no gospel at all.

Key Takeaways

- Christianity is not primarily about behavior modification, but about being invited into right relationship with God, others, and creation. When belonging and belief are prioritized, right behavior flows naturally as a response to grace, not as a prerequisite for acceptance. This order—belong, believe, behave—reflects the heart of Jesus and the early church. [07:32]

- Paul’s story reminds us that transformation is God’s work, not our own achievement. Even the most zealous opponent of the faith can be radically changed by an encounter with Christ. Our calling and mission are not self-generated, but a response to God’s initiative and grace. [13:32]

- The gospel is always at risk of being distorted by lesser stories—whether through legalism, nationalism, or moralism. White Christian nationalism and the gospel of sin management are two modern examples that either exclude others or reduce faith to mere rule-keeping. Both miss the expansive, restorative vision of God’s kingdom. [23:34]

- The big story of Scripture is creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. When we reduce the gospel to just “fall and redemption,” we lose sight of God’s original goodness and the hope of full restoration. The true gospel invites us to participate in God’s ongoing work to heal and renew all things, not just to escape judgment. [25:00]

- The clearest evidence of the gospel at work is sacrificial love, especially toward the poor and marginalized. Caring for others is not a means to earn salvation, but a natural outflow of being transformed by grace. If our faith does not look like Jesus—humble, generous, and self-giving—it is a lesser gospel. [28:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Gratitude for Sabbatical and Community
[02:20] - Introduction to Galatians and Paul’s Tone
[03:25] - What Is the Point of Being a Christian?
[04:45] - The Problem with Behavior Modification
[06:09] - The Celtic Way: Belong, Believe, Behave
[07:32] - The Order of Belonging and Belief
[09:44] - Paul’s Mission and the Galatian Context
[11:32] - Paul’s Story: From Persecutor to Apostle
[13:32] - Paul’s Radical Transformation
[14:35] - Paul’s Humility and the Jerusalem Meeting
[16:06] - The Inclusion of Gentiles and the Big Story
[18:45] - False Gospels: Then and Now
[20:40] - White Christian Nationalism Exposed
[23:34] - The Gospel of Sin Management
[25:00] - The Big Story: Creation to Restoration
[26:56] - Remembering the Poor: The Heart of the Gospel
[28:29] - The Gospel Always Looks Like Jesus
[29:20] - Evidence of Grace: Loving Others
[31:05] - Gospel Freedom and Sacrificial Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Galatians 1:6–10 (ESV)
> 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
> 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
> 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
> 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
> 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 2:1–10 (ESV)
> 1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
> 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
> ...
> 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
> 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
> 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
> 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
> 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Galatians 1:6–9, what is Paul’s main concern about the Galatian churches, and how does he describe those who are spreading a “different gospel”?
([06:09])

2. According to Galatians 2:1–10, why did Paul go to Jerusalem, and what was the outcome of his meeting with the church leaders there?
([14:35])

3. What specific instruction did the Jerusalem leaders give to Paul and Barnabas at the end of their meeting, and why do you think Paul highlights this?
([26:56])

4. In the sermon, what are the two “false gospels” mentioned, and how do they differ from the true gospel Paul preached?
([23:34])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul insist that the gospel is not about behavior modification or cultural assimilation, but about radical inclusion through Jesus? How does this challenge common assumptions about Christianity?
([07:32])

2. Paul’s story is one of radical transformation—from persecutor to apostle. What does this suggest about the source and nature of true change in a person’s life?
([13:32])

3. The sermon mentions that the gospel story is “creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.” Why is it important not to reduce the gospel to just “fall and redemption”? What do we lose if we do?
([25:00])

4. The evidence of the gospel at work is described as “sacrificial love, especially toward the poor and marginalized.” Why is this the clearest sign of the gospel’s presence, according to both Paul and the sermon?
([28:29])

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Christianity is not about making us moral people... it is the story of Jesus making it possible for us to live in right relationship with our creator and with each other.” In what ways have you experienced or witnessed Christianity being reduced to a set of rules or behaviors? How did that affect your sense of belonging or faith?
([07:32])

2. The “belong, believe, behave” order was highlighted as the way of Jesus and the early church. How does your church or small group currently practice (or not practice) this order? What would it look like to prioritize belonging first?
([07:32])

3. Paul’s transformation was not self-generated but a response to God’s initiative. Is there an area in your life where you are trying to change yourself by your own effort rather than responding to God’s grace? What would it look like to surrender that area?
([13:32])

4. The sermon warns against “lesser gospels” like white Christian nationalism and the gospel of sin management. Are there any “lesser gospels” you have encountered in your own faith journey or in the wider church? How did they impact your understanding of the gospel?
([23:34])

5. The big story of Scripture includes creation and restoration, not just fall and redemption. How does remembering God’s original goodness and the hope of restoration change the way you see your purpose as a Christian?
([25:00])

6. “The gospel always looks like Jesus: humble, self-giving, and radically inclusive.” Think of a recent situation where you had to choose between self-interest and sacrificial love. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time?
([28:29])

7. The Jerusalem leaders asked Paul to “remember the poor.” What is one practical way you or your group can remember and care for the poor or marginalized in your community this month?
([26:56])

---

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Turning to a Different Gospel
Paul warns the Galatians about quickly deserting the true gospel for a distorted version, emphasizing the seriousness of holding fast to the message of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10 (ESV):
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Reflection: What are some “different gospels” or distorted messages about Christianity that you have encountered in your life, and how can you discern and hold fast to the true gospel of Jesus today? [03:25]


Day 2: Belong, Believe, Behave—The Order of Transformation
True Christian transformation begins with belonging in community, which leads to belief, and only then to changed behavior, rather than demanding right behavior before acceptance.

John 13:34-35 (ESV):
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience belonging before belief or behavior—how can you extend genuine welcome and community to them this week? [07:32]


Day 3: The Big Story—God’s Redemption for All
God’s story has always been about blessing all nations and inviting everyone into His family, not about exclusion or behavior modification.

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV):
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Reflection: In what ways can you participate in God’s big story of blessing and inclusion, reaching out to someone different from you this week? [17:27]


Day 4: The Gospel Always Looks Like Jesus
The true gospel is recognized by its resemblance to Jesus—sacrificial love, humility, and meeting the needs of others, especially the poor and marginalized.

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV):
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Reflection: Think of a need you see around you—how can you respond in a way that looks like Jesus’ sacrificial love today? [28:29]


Day 5: Gospel Freedom Leads to Generosity and Service
Because of the freedom we have in Christ, we are released from striving to earn God’s favor and are empowered to love, serve, and care for others as evidence of the gospel at work.

Galatians 2:10 (ESV):
Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Reflection: What is one tangible act of generosity or service you can do this week—not to earn God’s love, but as a response to the freedom and grace you have received? [31:05]

Quotes

Here's one of my spicy takes for this morning: Christianity is not about making us moral people. Now hear me clearly, morals are important, right? Ethics are important, behavior is important, but Christianity is the story not of making us nice people. The story, it is the story of Jesus making it possible for us to live in right relationship with our creator and with each other. [00:08:26] (28 seconds)  #PaulDefendsTrueGospel Edit Clip

And what Paul is going to do throughout the rest of this letter is make a very compelling case for this is the logical conclusion of the gospel. This is what God has been up to the whole time, going back to Genesis 1 and creation, going back to Genesis 12 and choosing Abraham and saying, you, your family is going to be a blessing to every other family on the earth, going to what Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew chapter 28, go and make disciples of all nations, right? Acts chapter 1, Jesus sends them out and says, hey, you're going to go to Jerusalem and then Samaria and then to the ends of the earth. What Paul is saying is that this has always been the story. This is for everybody everywhere. This gospel is open to anyone who calls on the name of Jesus. It is the logical conclusion of God's story. [00:17:06] (57 seconds)  #SinManagementIsLesserGospel Edit Clip

The way we talk about this here, the big story of scripture, and again, this is also a bit of a reduction, but the big story of scripture is creation, fall, can we get that slide? Creation, fall, redemption, restoration. And what the gospel of sin management does is it likes to clip off the top part there and just focus on fall redemption, fall redemption. You are terrible. Jesus saves you. Neglecting, neglecting the goodness of God's creation and the hope, the real true hope that we have of the full restoration of God's good creation back to the way that it was always intended to be. [00:24:09] (48 seconds)  #FreedomToLoveAndServe Edit Clip

These lesser gospels, these lesser gospels leave out the communal relational truth that every tongue, nation, and tribe will worship together around the throne of King Jesus. That's where this is going. Every tongue, nation, and tribe will worship together around the throne of King Jesus. Jesus, yes, of course, at the center of the action, but the other part of the story is that we are not just there to watch. We are active participants, not just passive observers. [00:25:37] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

I am astonished, Paul says, at how often we settle, how quickly we settle for lesser gospels. Discovery, may we never settle for anything less than the big story of redemption redemption that God is telling in the world. Are you with me? [00:26:44] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

The gospel of Jesus always looks like meeting needs. And maybe more specifically and succinctly, the gospel always looks like Jesus. If you are not sure, you've got to ask yourself, does this look like Jesus? Does this idea, does this teaching, does this gospel look like Jesus? [00:28:21] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Does it look like the Son of God humbling himself and becoming a man? Does it look like the God who created everything that you see and know and experience submitting to death on a cross? Does it look like the most powerful being in the world giving up that power in order to save creation? Does it look like sacrificial love? If it does not look like sacrificial love, it is a lesser gospel. It will always look like Jesus. [00:28:46] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

Taking care of the poor is not the gospel, but it is evidence. It is very clear, real evidence that the gospel is at work in the life of an individual or a community. We don't take care of the poor. We don't donate backpacks or serve our neighbors in different ways because we are trying to earn our salvation or justify ourselves. We don't need to do those things to prove our worthiness or to give a good performance of Christian behavior. We remember the poor. We donate backpacks. We love our neighbors because we have been saved by the grace of God. [00:29:44] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

``When you have been transformed by the grace of God, the most natural thing to do is to love other people and to help meet needs. Paul's going to talk a lot about freedom. Gospel freedom is the freedom to be generous. It is the freedom to love. It is the freedom to be sacrificial the way that Jesus is sacrificial. Because Jesus has done the work of justification for us, we're free to love and serve and care for people, to participate in God's healing and redemptive work in the world. It's because of the good news that we remember the poor. It's what the gospel looks like. It will always look like Jesus. When it doesn't look like Jesus, it is no gospel at all. [00:30:20] (54 seconds) Edit Clip