Preserving the True Gospel in a World of Idols

 

Summary

In this message, I reflect on the urgency of preserving the true gospel and the true nature of God amidst a world filled with false teachings and idols. As I approach the later stages of my life, I am reminded of the importance of standing firm in the faith and calling others to do the same. The book of Galatians warns us about the dangers of altering the gospel, emphasizing that any deviation from the true message is met with a curse. This is a call to vigilance, as the gospel continues to face assaults both from outside and within the church.

I delve into the misrepresentation of God within contemporary Christianity, particularly the rise of a "pop god" in evangelical circles. This false god is portrayed as lacking power, knowledge, and authority, a stark contrast to the true God who is perfect in all these attributes. This distortion is not just a theological error but a blasphemous idol that has infiltrated the church, leading many astray.

I draw attention to popular books and teachings that promote a self-centered, prosperity-driven gospel, which is far removed from the biblical truth. These teachings, often propagated by well-known figures, promise health, wealth, and success, appealing to the desires of the flesh rather than calling for repentance and submission to God's will. This is a false Christianity that offers what sinners already desire, rather than the transformative power of the true gospel.

Turning to Acts 17, I recount Paul's experience in Athens, a city full of idols, where he boldly proclaimed the true God to a culture steeped in false religion. Paul’s message was clear: God is knowable, transcendent, and immanent. He is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He calls all people to repentance. This is the God we must worship, not the idols of our own making.

In conclusion, I urge the church to return to the true worship of God, recognizing our dependence on Him and the need for His grace. We are called to worship in spirit and truth, honoring the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- The true gospel is under constant assault, both from external forces and within the church. We must remain vigilant and steadfast in preserving its purity, as any alteration leads to a curse. The gospel is the only message that can save, and its integrity is crucial for the church's mission. [01:06]

- Contemporary evangelicalism often presents a distorted view of God, a "pop god" who lacks power, knowledge, and authority. This false god is a blasphemous idol that undermines the true nature of God, who is perfect in all His attributes. We must reject these distortions and uphold the truth of who God is. [07:59]

- Popular teachings that promise health, wealth, and success are a false gospel that appeals to the desires of the flesh. These teachings are rooted in pagan ideas and offer what sinners already desire, rather than calling for repentance and submission to God's will. True Christianity calls us to deny ourselves and follow Christ. [12:14]

- In Acts 17, Paul confronts the idolatry of Athens by proclaiming the true God, who is knowable, transcendent, and immanent. God is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He calls all people to repentance. This is the God we must worship, not the idols of our own making. [36:02]

- The call to repentance is central to the gospel message. God has spoken through His Word, and He commands all people to turn from their sins. A day of judgment is coming, and the only hope is found in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. We must proclaim this truth boldly, as Paul did in Athens. [41:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Standing for the True Gospel
- [01:06] - The Danger of Altering the Gospel
- [01:47] - Misrepresentation of God in Christianity
- [02:16] - The Pop God of Evangelicalism
- [03:50] - Paul's Experience in Athens
- [04:32] - The False God of Contemporary Evangelicalism
- [05:33] - The Limitations of the Pop God
- [06:02] - The Prosperity Gospel's False Promises
- [07:59] - The True Nature of God
- [08:39] - The Influence of Popular Books
- [09:20] - The Shack and The Secret
- [10:30] - The Power of Words and Visualization
- [11:19] - The False Christianity from Hell
- [12:14] - The Prosperity Gospel's Deception
- [16:07] - The Real Source of False Teachings
- [17:48] - The True Gospel's Call to Repentance
- [20:10] - The Importance of Knowing God
- [21:52] - Paul's Message in Athens
- [23:25] - The Idolatry of Athens
- [26:14] - Paul's Agony Over False Religion
- [29:05] - The Mockery of Paul's Message
- [30:36] - The Novelty of the Gospel Message
- [32:36] - Paul's Proclamation of the True God
- [36:02] - God is Knowable and Transcendent
- [38:50] - The Immanence of God
- [41:13] - The Call to Repentance and Judgment
- [43:26] - The Response to the Gospel Message
- [44:25] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 1:8-9
- Acts 17:16-34

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Observation Questions:

1. What warning does Paul give in Galatians 1:8-9 about altering the gospel, and what are the consequences mentioned? [01:06]

2. In Acts 17:16, what was Paul's reaction to the city of Athens being full of idols, and how did it affect his actions? [03:50]

3. How does the sermon describe the "pop god" of contemporary evangelicalism, and what attributes does this false god lack? [07:59]

4. What was the response of the Athenians when Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection, according to Acts 17:32? [42:40]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon emphasize the importance of preserving the true gospel, and how does this relate to the church's mission? [01:06]

2. How does the misrepresentation of God within contemporary Christianity impact believers' understanding of God's true nature? [07:59]

3. What does Paul's approach in Athens teach us about engaging with a culture steeped in false religion and idolatry? [23:25]

4. How does the call to repentance in Acts 17:30-31 challenge the modern "prosperity gospel" teachings? [41:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own understanding of the gospel. Are there any areas where you might be tempted to alter its message to fit personal desires or cultural trends? How can you guard against this? [01:06]

2. Consider the attributes of the "pop god" described in the sermon. Are there any misconceptions about God that you have held or encountered in your faith journey? How can you seek a more accurate understanding of God's nature? [07:59]

3. In what ways can you actively reject the prosperity-driven gospel and instead embrace the call to repentance and submission to God's will? [12:14]

4. How can you, like Paul, be bold in proclaiming the true God in environments where false beliefs are prevalent? What practical steps can you take to share your faith in such settings? [23:25]

5. The sermon highlights the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily life to deepen your worship and reliance on God's grace? [45:24]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt provoked by the misrepresentation of God or Christ. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to address such situations? [26:14]

7. Identify one person in your life who might be influenced by false teachings. How can you engage them in a conversation about the true gospel and the nature of God this week? [41:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Preserving the True Gospel
The true gospel is under constant assault, both from external forces and within the church. It is crucial to remain vigilant and steadfast in preserving its purity, as any alteration leads to a curse. The gospel is the only message that can save, and its integrity is crucial for the church's mission. The book of Galatians warns against altering the gospel, emphasizing the severe consequences of deviating from the true message. In a world filled with false teachings and idols, believers are called to stand firm in their faith and encourage others to do the same. [01:06]

Galatians 1:6-9 (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."

Reflection: What are some ways you can actively guard against false teachings in your daily life, ensuring that you remain rooted in the true gospel?


Day 2: Rejecting the Pop God
Contemporary evangelicalism often presents a distorted view of God, a "pop god" who lacks power, knowledge, and authority. This false god is a blasphemous idol that undermines the true nature of God, who is perfect in all His attributes. Believers must reject these distortions and uphold the truth of who God is. The rise of this "pop god" in evangelical circles is a significant concern, as it leads many astray from the true worship of God. It is essential to recognize and reject these false portrayals, returning to the worship of the true God who is perfect in power, knowledge, and authority. [07:59]

Jeremiah 10:6-7 (ESV): "There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you."

Reflection: In what ways have you been influenced by a distorted view of God, and how can you seek to know and worship the true God more fully?


Day 3: The Deception of the Prosperity Gospel
Popular teachings that promise health, wealth, and success are a false gospel that appeals to the desires of the flesh. These teachings are rooted in pagan ideas and offer what sinners already desire, rather than calling for repentance and submission to God's will. True Christianity calls us to deny ourselves and follow Christ. The prosperity-driven gospel is a significant deviation from biblical truth, as it focuses on self-centered desires rather than the transformative power of the true gospel. Believers are called to reject these false teachings and embrace the call to repentance and submission to God's will. [12:14]

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

Reflection: How can you identify and resist the allure of prosperity teachings in your life, choosing instead to focus on the true call of the gospel?


Day 4: Proclaiming the True God
In Acts 17, Paul confronts the idolatry of Athens by proclaiming the true God, who is knowable, transcendent, and immanent. God is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He calls all people to repentance. This is the God we must worship, not the idols of our own making. Paul's bold proclamation in Athens serves as a powerful example for believers today, as they navigate a world filled with false religions and idols. The true God is both transcendent and immanent, and He desires for all people to know Him and turn from their sins. [36:02]

Acts 17:24-27 (ESV): "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."

Reflection: How can you actively proclaim the true God in your community, following Paul's example in Athens?


Day 5: The Call to Repentance
The call to repentance is central to the gospel message. God has spoken through His Word, and He commands all people to turn from their sins. A day of judgment is coming, and the only hope is found in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. Believers must proclaim this truth boldly, as Paul did in Athens. The urgency of the gospel message is clear, as it calls all people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In a world filled with distractions and false teachings, believers are reminded of the importance of proclaiming the truth of the gospel with boldness and conviction. [41:13]

2 Peter 3:9-10 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the call to repentance, and how can you share the hope of the gospel with them today?

Quotes

"At this point in my life, I am still fighting for the true gospel. In fact, at Grace Church, we're going through the book of Galatians, and probably the most familiar part of Galatians is chapter 1 verses 8 and 9, which says 'If anybody preaches another gospel, even an apostle or an angel from heaven, let him be damned…let him be anathema.' You would think that people would understand that they better be careful about tampering with the gospel with a curse, double curse, pronounced upon them if they do anything to alter the gospel. But it continues to be continually assaulted one way or another. That goes for the nature of God as well." [00:44:44]

"My responsibility today is to talk about the true God, worshiping the true God. None Other, the title for that little book that you have seen around these days. And we could talk a lot about the true God, a lot about God from the standpoint that you are to have no other gods, there's only one true and living God. And we could talk about it from the standpoint of false religions, idols of which there are endless numbers and more being added all the time. And now, we're living in a kind of culture where everybody is given the privilege to create the god of his own making and be satisfied with that god because truth is absolutely relative, so there is no end to the idols." [00:55:30]

"I think a lot about the pop god of the evangelical movement. He is an idol. In fact, there are many forms of pop gods in evangelicalism. There are many different idols. And I want to talk about that a little bit, and I want to talk about it in the frame of reference of Acts 17. So, if you'll open your Bible to the seventeenth chapter of Acts, I just want to draw you down to verse 16, and we'll look at that text a little bit as we come further into the message. But this is Paul at Athens, and his spirit was being provoked within him, verse 16, as he was observing the city full of idols." [00:58:16]

"This god lacks ultimate power. He has good ideas and good intentions, but he really struggles to see them realized. And Satan presents great difficulty for this god. He hinders him in his efforts. Satan produces trouble and war and conflict and disaster and pain and suffering and death, and Satan seems to be able to thwart god, even though god has great power. The pop god of evangelicalism today also lacks knowledge. He has a desire for his kingdom. He has a desire to build his kingdom. He has a desire to accomplish purposes according to his will but is severely limited, because he doesn't know the future." [01:04:32]

"Now, that's kind of a composite god of contemporary evangelical thinking. That is a frighteningly blasphemous picture of the true God. The true God is perfect in power, perfect in knowledge, perfect in wisdom, perfect in holiness, perfect in authority. And a kind of blasphemy exists pervasively within the framework of so-called Christianity that makes an idol like I've just described, take the place of the true and living God." [01:17:10]

"Popular teachings that promise health, wealth, and success are a false gospel that appeals to the desires of the flesh. These teachings are rooted in pagan ideas and offer what sinners already desire, rather than calling for repentance and submission to God's will. True Christianity calls us to deny ourselves and follow Christ. In Acts 17, Paul confronts the idolatry of Athens by proclaiming the true God, who is knowable, transcendent, and immanent. God is the creator and sustainer of all things, and He calls all people to repentance. This is the God we must worship, not the idols of our own making." [01:22:56]

"According to Scripture, the Lord does not offer sinners what they already desire. He does not offer them what already enslaves them. He offers the sinner the gospel, and with it the hope of being rescued from all the things that they long for. The gospel calls the sinner to flee everything that perishes, deny self, take up the cross, and follow Christ at all costs. In the self-God movement, you change your own life, and God and Christ have been lowered to some kind of genie that serves your wishes." [01:47:06]

"The first commandment, to have no other gods, and there is masquerading within the framework of Christianity, ubiquitous idolatry and violation of that first command. Where is the loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Back in 1855, Spurgeon said, 'Would you lose your sorrows? Would you drown your cares? Then go plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea.' The true knowledge of God is everything. You must know and worship the true God." [01:57:04]

"Knowing God is absolutely everything. Man's purpose is to know God, the true and living God, and to enjoy Him forever. The Apostle Paul knew well the plight of pagans and sought to tell them about the true God, of course. On his second missionary tour from the church at Antioch of Syria, he came to Macedonia and founded churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. In each case, of course, you remember the history of the book of Acts, there was great opposition that broke out and he had to flee for his safety." [02:10:04]

"God is knowable. They were very religious. Petronius said it was easier to find a God in Athens than it was a person. There were many altars, by the way, to unknown gods. They were all over that place. Six hundred years before, a terrible pestilence had hit the city. Nothing could stop the pestilence. A Cretan poet by the name of Epimenides came up with a plan – a flock of black sheep, a flock of white sheep were set loose through the city from the Areopagus. Wherever each sheep laid down, it was sacrificed to the nearest idol. They were trying to figure out which god was bringing the plague." [02:23:04]

"God is unknown to the world. God is unknown to those outside His kingdom, but He is knowable. And then Paul says this, 'He is not identified by anything material, He is eternal Spirit,' verse 24. 'The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.'" [02:35:41]

"God has spoken, spoken in His natural revelation, but more importantly, He has spoken in the revelation of Scripture, and at this point, through the apostles. And what is His message? 'All people everywhere should repent.' Obviously, this is a summation of Paul's great message there. He must have talked to them about sin and depravity and the consequences of that, death and eternal judgment. He goes on to say, 'Because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness.'" [02:48:41]

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Transcript
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