Galatians - I Am Astonished | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

I Am Astonished | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

How did you see God move this last week?

Summary:

In Galatians 1:1-10, the Apostle Paul expresses his astonishment at the Galatian church's quick deviation from the true gospel. He establishes his apostolic authority and emphasizes that there is only one true gospel, warning against following any other message. The passage underlines the danger of adding human laws to the grace found in Jesus Christ.

Key Points

  1. Paul's Apostolic Authority: Paul emphasizes that his calling is divine, not from human origins, affirming his authority to preach the gospel.

  2. The True Gospel: The essence of the gospel is salvation through faith in Christ alone. Any deviation from this is a distortion.

  3. Warning Against False Teachers: Paul warns about individuals who pervert the gospel by introducing additional requirements.

  4. The Centrality of Grace: The message of grace must remain unaltered, as it is foundational to the Christian faith.

    • Scripture References

    • Galatians 1:1-10 (NIV)

Conclusion:

This passage serves as a strong reminder of the importance of adhering to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. It encourages believers to guard their faith against distortions and to rely solely on God's grace for salvation. Understanding Paul's urgency helps us appreciate our own need for discernment in today’s world.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some modern-day examples of "different gospels" that people might be tempted to follow?

  2. How does understanding our identity as called by God help us resist the pressures of conforming to false teachings?

  3. Why is it significant that Paul mentions his apostleship as being appointed by Jesus and not by human authority?

  4. What implications does the phrase "let them be under God’s curse" have for how seriously we should take the purity of the gospel?

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of the gospel and the grace that you generously bestow upon us. Help us remain steadfast in our faith and not be swayed by false teachings. Grant us discernment to recognize any distortions of Your message. We ask for Your wisdom to stay rooted in Your Word as we seek to live out our faith authentically. May our lives reflect Your glory, and may we share the true gospel with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

One Church