Jesus + Anything Ruins Everything | Kate Southward

21 June 2026In this message, Kate takes a look at Paul’s letter to the Galatians and the simple but powerful truth of the gospel: salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone. This message challenges us to recognise the ways we may add human effort, religious performance, or feelings of unworthiness to the finished work of Christ.Notes: In this message, we look at Galatians and the danger of drifting from the gospel of grace into a faith built on performance.The message begins with the story of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Luther lived in a time when many people believed they had to work throughout their lives to remain acceptable to God. Through his study of Scripture, especially Galatians, he rediscovered the central truth of the Christian faith: we are made right with God by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone.Paul wrote Galatians to churches that were facing a similar problem. They had received the gospel of grace, but new teachers were telling them they needed to add obedience to the Old Testament law, including circumcision, to truly belong to God’s family.Paul responds strongly because this was not a small issue. A gospel of “Jesus plus” is not the gospel at all. If we add anything to the finished work of Jesus, we strip the cross of its power.The message reminds us that good works matter, but they do not save us. Baptism, prayer, Bible reading, generosity, serving, and spiritual growth are good responses to God’s grace. They are not ways to earn His grace.The danger comes when we start to believe, even quietly, that we need to perform for God to be accepted by Him. This can show up as legalism, self-righteousness, religious activity, judging others, or a transactional faith where we think, “If I do this, God will do that.”It can also show up in a more hidden way: feeling unworthy, never good enough, exhausted from striving, or unable to truly believe we are forgiven and loved by God.The message invites us to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the shadows we may have brought into our faith journey. These hidden beliefs and experiences can shape how we see God, ourselves, and grace.The good news is that Jesus has already done everything needed for our salvation. We do not need to strive for a place in God’s family. In Christ, we are already loved, accepted, forgiven, and free.The challenge is not only to receive the gospel of Jesus alone for ourselves, but to make sure our words, actions, and attitudes do not communicate “Jesus plus” to others.When people encounter us, do they experience the burden of religious performance or the freedom of Jesus alone?Key Scriptures:Galatians 1:6-10Galatians 2:16Galatians 2:21Galatians 3:21-26Galatians 5:1Ephesians 2:8-9James 2Matthew 11:28-30Key Thought:Jesus plus anything else ruins everything. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone.______________________________Find out more about Jesus⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/Jesus⁠Find the answers to life's biggest questions. Try Alpha.⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/alpha⁠Can we pray for you? Request prayer.⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/⁠ and click 'Prayer Request' Button.To give/tithe to the work of Hills Church, follow the link below⁠https://hillschurch.org.au/give⁠#hillschurch #beencouraged #katesouthward #evertonhills #brisbanechurch #brisbane #wesleyanmethodistchurch #hillschurchsermon