Galatians–1:6-10 The One and Only - Cameron Clausing Assistant Pastor

Galatians–1:6-10 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. Foolish hearts why will ye wander from a love so true and deep? Here at the beginning of Galatians 1, Paul wastes no time expressing his dismay that the churches he has nurtured in the faith have drifted from the doctrines of grace back into man-centered religion. The temptation to rely upon works of the law or human goodness for our salvation is no less dangerous for us than it was for the church of the first century. In this morning's service, hymns such as Jesus, Shepherd Of Thy People and My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less will point us back to the sufficiency and exclusivity of Christ's work: we "wholly lean on Jesus' name," and "by His power alone we stand." In contrast to the fruitless striving required by the false teachers' "different gospel," the invitation from Matthew 11 and hymns like Jesus Shall Reign, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, and Come Ye Souls, By Sin Afflicted, offer us rest in the grace of Jesus. The question, "are you weak and heavy laden," is answered with "take His easy yoke and wear it." In Him, "the weary find eternal rest." I pray that each of us this morning would be refreshed by the rest found in the true gospel. —Henry C. Haffner Key Words: Astonished, Gospel, Accursed Keystone Verse: 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 1:10)