Sermon Notes 5.18.2025
May 15, 2025

“True Gospel”

Rescue Mission Series Lesson 1

Sermon Notes

May 18, 2025

I. Setting the Stage for Galatians…

A. In the book of Acts, we meet a man named Saul, a devout

who hated the Jesus movement!

1. But God had a different

for Saul!

B. In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit called Saul (his name becomes Paul) and Barnabas to go on what we may call the first ever global mission trip. (Acts 13:2-3)

1. As Paul and Barnabas traveled through the region of Galatia (central Turkey today), they increasingly preached to an audience that was more

than Jewish. (Acts 13 & 14)

2. Paul never once told a Gentile that you have to become a

in order to become a Christian. Rather, Paul’s message was rooted in a gospel of grace and in Christ’s power to us! (Galatians 1:1-5)

C. Unfortunately, a group of Judaizing teachers began to infiltrate the Galatian churches, teaching adherence to the Mosaic Law, including

, was necessary for salvation! (Acts 15:1-2)

1. These false teachers denied that the work of Christ was

to rescue people. And Paul is furious because they have changed the gospel!

2. In the book of Galatians, Paul is going to address two questions over and over again: a) Is Christ’s work on the cross enough to save us? and b) Is the Holy Spirit enough to change us? (Galatians 1:6-2:10)

3. Understand that Paul is being accused of not being an apostle and of not preaching the

gospel.

D. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: Consider the following questions after reading Galatians 1:1-2:10: a) In what ways had the Galatian believers shocked Paul? b) Given Paul’s defense of his apostleship and preaching that is embedded in this text, what criticisms or accusations were likely lodged against Paul? c) What might be attractive about a religious system that is rooted in human attainment and following a set of rules? d) What is the value of church leaders today telling the stories of their own spiritual journeys?

II. The One True Gospel…

A. The one true gospel is the one true way to come to God!

  1. All roads do not lead to heaven! There are perverted gospels! (Galatians 1:6-9)

  2. The good news is not that we can be rescued; the good news is that we can be rescued by

    which is from God! (Galatians 1:11-12)

  3. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: Think about how these two truths are challenged today: The one true gospel is from God. And the one true gospel is the one true way to come to God. How are these two truths challenged or even attacked today?

B. The one true gospel is the only gospel that can

people!

1. The one true gospel is not built on attainment; it is built on

!

2. Grace was not just something Paul explained. Grace was the only way to explain Paul. (I Timothy 1:15-16)

3. Some of us are former

and some of us are former “elder brothers.” Some of us not only have a “sin” problem, but we are in bondage to a graceless gospel! (Luke 15:11-32)

4. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: Reflect on your personal testimony of God’s grace? How does grace explain your life? What do “elder brothers” need rescuing from?

C. Only the true gospel and the

can change people!

1. Rules can manage behavior, but they are never going to produce character

! External rules cannot change internal desires! Titus is exhibit “A” that grace can change what rules could never produce. (Galatians 2:1-5)

2. Grace doesn’t let you get away with sin; grace motivates you to do away with sin. (Titus 2:11-12)

3. Discussion Questions for Life Groups & Families: What can God’s grace and the Holy Spirit do to move us toward Christlikeness that “rules” cannot do?