The False Gospel

The False Gospel

Scripture Reference: Galatians 1:6-10

Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on September 22, 2019

Delivered by Rev. John Daniel Johnson

www.mountzionfamily.com

Illustration—A few years ago, I was at our local convenience store and happened to see an old friend. She and I talked for a few minutes and she was commenting about the church where I was preaching at the time. She was a member of another local church and I asked how her church was. She replied, “It’s about time our pastor resigns. He’s been there too long.” That peaked my curiosity and I wanted to find out why. She continued, “All his sermons are exactly the same. I’m thinking about joining your church because I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about your church.” I then asked about the topics of his repetitive messages. She replied, “He’s always preaching about Jesus. He’s always preaching about Jesus’ crucifixion, His death, and His resurrection. That’s all he preaches about!” I then had to break the news to my dear friend. I politely told her, you wouldn’t be happy at my church either, because there is no other topic that should be preached in church besides that one.

Opening—This morning I want to want to give you ‘The False Gospel.” I’m not going to give you a false gospel, but I’m going to preach against the false gospels out there. In this society, there are false gospels or teachings that are being preached from a lot of pulpits by a lot of pastors today. We’re going to be examining what those false gospels are, point out the errors in those teaching, and present what the true gospel is. I’m going to let the LORD lead this morning, but my goal is to preach this whole message today, but for sake of time, it might have to be a two part message.

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There is a word that is repeated twice in today’s reading that should have stuck out to you. That word is “accursed.” That word only appears 6 times in the Bible, and two times here in today’s passage. God’s Holy Word states that anyone who comes and preaches any other gospels, whether it be a human agent or an angelic agent, besides the true gospel he or she will be accursed.

That is a strong word in the Greek language. It is “ANATHEMA (a-noth-e-ma),” and literally means something that is set apart for complete destruction or cursed. That’s powerful! Another place that word is used is in First Corinthians 16.

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.” (1 Corinthians 16:22)

That verse is speaking of eternal judgment. A person, who does not love Jesus, will not see glory. He or she will be cursed. It is used twice in today’s passage. That is doubly cursed. Scripture is telling us that if someone preaches a false gospel, they are going to be destroyed and cursed! That is why preachers and teachers of God’s Word need to take His Word so seriously, because there is a judgment for teaching or preaching something that is in violation against the true Gospel.

These will be the one who will say to Jesus in the last day…

“‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

I really like the way the Apostle Paul begins this letter to the Galatian church. He doesn’t beat around the bush. He preaches it straight. He begins this letter by telling stating his name, then who the audience is, then jumps right into this declaration about being cursed for preaching a false gospel and allowing these false teachings into the church. Paul was truly one of the early “Hell, Fire, and Brimstone” preachers in this text.

Do you know why God is so stern on the punishment for allowing a false gospel into the church? Because the salvation of souls is at stake. Countless people will face the reality of Hell because preachers are afraid to preach the true word. I fully believe that there are people in Hell today that sat under the teaching of a pastor their whole life. I even believe that there down there wondering why their pastor didn’t tell the truth. Don’t worry, that pastor will be punished, but it is also the persons fault. Because the Bible tells us that people will seek out teachers and preachers that will tell them only what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” (Matthew 25:41)