Standing Firm in the True Gospel
Summary
The essence of the gospel is that we are saved from the wrath of God through the work of Christ alone. This salvation is the work of a triune God: God the Father decrees our redemption, God the Son accomplishes it, and God the Holy Spirit applies it. The gospel is not about making good people better; it is about bringing the dead to life. We are not merely sick; we are dead in our sins and need the Holy Spirit to regenerate us. The gospel is the work of God in election, atonement, imputation, and regeneration, ultimately bringing us to peace with God.
Paul's letter to the Galatians is a powerful defense of the gospel, warning against false gospels that add to the work of Christ. Martin Luther faced similar challenges in his time, as his congregation was tempted to return to works-based righteousness. Paul, too, was astonished by the Galatians' quick desertion to a different gospel. He uses strong language to emphasize the seriousness of distorting the gospel, declaring that anyone who preaches a contrary gospel should be accursed.
False gospels often combine truth with error. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, adds works to faith, while the prosperity gospel promises temporary, material benefits rather than eternal salvation. Liberalism, too, distorts the gospel by reducing God to a mere sense of love and Jesus to an example rather than a savior. These false teachings infiltrate the church and culture, leading people away from the true gospel.
In response, we must stand firm in the truth of the gospel, proclaiming, defending, and contending for it. We must be vigilant against false teachings and pray for those caught in them. The gospel offers truth in the midst of lies, life in the midst of death, hope in the midst of despair, and joy in the midst of sorrow. It is a message of eternal life and joy, grounded in the finished work of Christ on the cross. As believers, we are called to share this gospel with others, inviting them to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Triune Work of Salvation: Salvation is a divine work orchestrated by the triune God. God the Father decrees our redemption, God the Son accomplishes it through His life, death, and resurrection, and God the Holy Spirit applies it by regenerating us. This underscores the depth and unity of God's plan for our salvation, emphasizing that it is entirely His work, not ours. [00:33]
2. The Danger of False Gospels: False gospels often add human works to the finished work of Christ, distorting the true gospel. Whether it's the Roman Catholic emphasis on works or the prosperity gospel's focus on material wealth, these distortions lead people away from the truth. We must be vigilant in identifying and rejecting these false teachings. [11:39]
3. The Gospel's Offer of True Joy: The gospel offers true joy, not based on circumstances but on the assurance of salvation and peace with God. This joy is rooted in the knowledge that our sins are forgiven and that we are no longer under God's wrath. It is a joy that transcends sorrow and suffering, providing hope and strength in difficult times. [29:31]
4. The Call to Stand Firm: In the face of false teachings and cultural pressures, we are called to stand firm in the truth of the gospel. This requires courage, conviction, and a commitment to proclaiming and defending the gospel. We must not compromise or waver but remain steadfast in our faith. [24:08]
5. The Urgency of Proclaiming the Gospel: We have an obligation to share the gospel with others, inviting them to experience the life, hope, and joy found in Christ. This is not just a duty but a privilege, as we participate in God's work of gathering people for the wedding feast of the Lamb. Our proclamation should be marked by love, kindness, and a deep sense of gratitude for the grace we have received. [39:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - What is the Gospel?
- [00:33] - The Triune Work of Salvation
- [01:18] - The Incarnation and Obedience of Christ
- [01:57] - The Crucifixion and Resurrection
- [03:05] - The Gift of Faith
- [03:45] - No Other Gospel
- [04:29] - Paul's Defense in Galatians
- [05:36] - Martin Luther's Final Sermon
- [07:10] - Paul's Astonishment and Warning
- [11:39] - Identifying False Gospels
- [15:46] - The Prosperity Gospel
- [18:35] - Liberalism's Distortion
- [21:13] - Secularism and Progressivism
- [24:08] - Standing Firm in the Gospel
- [29:31] - The Joy of the Gospel
- [39:46] - Proclaiming the Gospel
- [41:01] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 1:6-9
- Ephesians 2:1-5
- John 14:6
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Observation Questions:
1. In Galatians 1:6-9, what strong language does Paul use to describe those who preach a different gospel? How does this reflect the seriousness of distorting the gospel? [07:10]
2. According to the sermon, what is the role of each person of the Trinity in the work of salvation? [00:33]
3. How does the sermon describe the state of humanity before the Holy Spirit regenerates us? [02:46]
4. What examples of false gospels are mentioned in the sermon, and how do they distort the true gospel? [11:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the curse on those who preach a different gospel in Galatians 1:6-9? What does this tell us about the importance of maintaining the purity of the gospel message? [07:10]
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of being "dead in our sins" and the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration? How does this understanding affect our view of salvation? [02:46]
3. The sermon mentions the prosperity gospel as a false teaching. How does this gospel differ from the true gospel, and why is it appealing to many? [15:46]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the cultural pressures that can lead believers away from the true gospel? How can believers stand firm against these pressures? [24:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on Galatians 1:6-9. Have you ever encountered teachings that added to the gospel of Christ? How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure you remain grounded in the true gospel? [07:10]
2. The sermon emphasizes the triune work of salvation. How does understanding the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in salvation deepen your appreciation for the gospel? [00:33]
3. Consider the description of being "dead in our sins." How does this perspective change the way you view your need for God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? [02:46]
4. The prosperity gospel promises material wealth and health. How can you guard your heart against the allure of such teachings and focus on the eternal promises of the true gospel? [15:46]
5. The sermon calls believers to stand firm in the truth of the gospel. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and resist cultural pressures that distort the gospel? [24:08]
6. How can you actively participate in proclaiming the true gospel to those around you, especially those who may be caught in false teachings? What specific actions can you take this week? [39:46]
7. Reflect on the joy that the gospel offers, as mentioned in the sermon. How can you cultivate this joy in your daily life, even amidst challenges and suffering? [29:31]
Devotional
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Quotes
The gospel is that we are saved from the wrath of God through the work of Christ alone. The gospel is the work of a triune God: God the Father decrees our redemption, God the Son accomplishes our redemption, God the Holy Spirit applies our redemption. [00:00:33]
We are not sick; we are not good people who just need to be better; we are dead, rotting trees. We are fallen, and we cannot get up, and so we need the Holy Spirit who quickens us, as the old King James puts it, makes us alive, regenerates us. [00:02:35]
Paul presents again the gospel. We'll look at Galatians 1:6-9. I am astonished you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and 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. [00:04:29]
If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. You see here in this passage of three verses a couple of things, don't you? First, you see the strong words that Paul's using: I'm astonished. I have no words for this. [00:07:49]
The Galatians were not denying Christ; they were not denying the cross of Christ. That was truth. These false teachers that were infecting the Galatians, they had plenty of space for Christ, but let's make sure all of our bases are covered. [00:12:08]
The gospel promises benefits: freedom from guilt, freedom from sin, forgiveness of sin, union with the triune God, peace with God. But the gospel does not promise you will be saved from sorrow, suffering, sadness, tribulation, difficulty, poverty, financial stress. [00:15:46]
God promises us that we will be kept through trials and suffering and sorrow and sadness, but he never promises us that we will be kept from those things. In fact, sometimes it's in those things, isn't it, that we see the glory of God revealed in ways otherwise we wouldn't have seen. [00:17:38]
The gospel is truth in the midst of lies. We've seen the death of truth in our age. We have careened into absurdity, and in the gospel, we have truth. What a place for us to stand. In the gospel, we have life. It was a saying in Luther's day, in the midst of life we die. [00:27:19]
The gospel is hope in the midst of despair. These are anxious times for people. These are unsettling times for people. There's a strange unevenness to how the events of this past year have affected places. Countries are unevenly impacted, states across the United States are unevenly impacted. [00:28:24]
The joy of the gospel in the midst of sorrow and sadness and even in the midst of anger. What do we have to offer? The joy of the gospel. If we know that we are not under the wrath of God, if we know that our sins are forgiven, if we know that our ultimate problem has been solved. [00:29:31]
May we be accused of being too happy. May we be accused of being too hopeful. May we be accused of talking about life. Do you remember how can you forget that wonderful scene in Pilgrim's Progress where Christian is about to go through the gate? [00:30:18]
We have an obligation to proclaim this gospel to as many people as possible so that we see more gathered in for the wedding feast. The gospel is truth in the midst of lies; it is life in the midst of death; it is hope in the midst of despair; it is joy in the midst of sorrow. [00:39:46]
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