Sermon Big Idea: True freedom begins when we anchor our lives to the unchanging gospel of grace. Don’t Settle for a Counterfeit Gospel 1. The True Gospel Is Rooted in God's Grace 1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. 3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. Galatians 1:1-5 (NLT2) “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1 (NLT2) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) ⇨ You are not saved by your performance. You are saved by Christ's sacrifice. 2. The Counterfeit Gospel Leads People Away from Christ 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:6-10 (NLT2) • Those who Add: “I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” Galatians 2:21 (NLT2) • Those who Subtract: “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 (NIV) ⇨ Anything added to Jesus ultimately subtracts from grace. 3. The Gospel of Grace Has the Power to Transform Lives 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. 21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:11-24 (NLT2) “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” Galatians 6:14 (NLT2) ⇨ The gospel is not merely information; it is transformation. ⇨ Are you interested in real peace, lasting freedom, and the power to live a new life? My Next right steps to freedom, I will: Accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior Read the book of Galatians three times this week and make personal notes Follow Jesus in believers baptism Set Free to Live Free TALK IT OVER Welcome & Opening Prayer Take a few moments to reconnect and share a highlight from your week. Icebreaker: Have you ever bought something that looked real but turned out to be an imitation? How did you discover it wasn't genuine? Transition: Just as counterfeit products can fool us, there are counterfeit versions of the gospel that can pull us away from the freedom Christ offers. Big Idea: True freedom begins when we anchor our lives to the unchanging gospel of grace. Read the Passage Together: Galatians 1:1-24 If children are present, invite different family members to read a few verses. Family Questions (Kids & Parents) What is the gospel? Parent Help: The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone who trusts Him. Key Verse: Galatians 1:4 2. Why do we need Jesus? Parent Help: We all sin and cannot save ourselves. Jesus came to rescue us and bring us back to God. Key Verse: Romans 3:23 What is one thing Jesus has done for you that makes you thankful? Family Application: Take turns thanking Jesus for His love, forgiveness, grace, or blessings. Teen & Adult Discussion What stood out most to you from Sunday's message? Paul seemed shocked that the Galatians were turning away from the gospel so quickly (Galatians 1:6). Why do you think people are often drawn toward “counterfeit gospels”? What are some examples today of people adding something to Jesus for salvation or acceptance with God? Examples might include: ✔ Good works ✔ Religious traditions ✔ Moral performance ✔ Personal achievements Why is grace sometimes difficult for people to accept? What makes it easier to trust ourselves than trust God's grace? Paul's testimony shows a dramatic transformation (Galatians 1:13-24). How does his story encourage people who feel too far gone for God to save or use? Supporting Verses: Acts 9:1-19, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Have you ever struggled with trying to earn God's approval? How did that affect your relationship with Him? What area of your life needs to be more firmly anchored in the gospel of grace right now? Examples: Guilt from the past? Fear of failure? Performance mentality? Take a few quiet moments and ask yourself: Am I trusting Jesus alone? Have I added anything to the gospel? Have I subtracted from the gospel? Am I living in the freedom of God's grace? Write down one truth from Galatians 1 that you want to remember this week. Close In Prayer