Galatians 1:11,12

Galatians 1:11-12 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” We have seen in recent weeks that the gospel is being distorted among the church and it seems to be happening the same way that all biblical doctrines are distorted. Even today, just like back then, distortions of the gospel are arising within the church. But these distortions are always the gospel of man. Man-centered gospel leads to man centered theology, which in turn leads to man-centered worship which, produces more man centered gospel (although it’s not really gospel). You may be reading this and thinking, “aren’t you being a little extreme?” Well, let’s look at some aspects of your local congregation and when they gather to see if this cycle is true; Man-centered gospel verses God-centered gospel. Man-centered gospel—a message that focuses on man being the chief end for which Christ came to die. God-centered gospel—a message that focuses on God’s glory being the chief end for which Christ came to die. Example of man-centered gospel: Jesus came and died for me. Example of God-centered gospel: Jesus came and died for me for the glory of God. This may not seem like too much of a difference but let’s see how this affects your theology. Man-centered theology—a system of theology that makes man the center of all doctrine. God-centered theology—a system of theology where all other doctrines are subject to the doctrine of God. Example of man-centered theology: All events in life are ultimately determined by man. Example of God centered theology: All events in life are ultimately determined by God. This greatly affects our worship. We do not sing of the glory of God but of the glory of man. Man-centered corporate worship—man becomes the focal point of songs, prayers, and preaching God-centered corporate worship—God becomes the focal point of songs, prayers, and preaching Example of man-centered corporate worship: “He took the fall, and thought of me, above all” Example of God-centered corporate worship: “God of wonders beyond our galaxy, you are holy, holy” The problem with man being the center of the Gospel stems from pride, which stems from our sin nature. The gospel is not something that we can afford to get wrong. We are not talking about stuff such as infant baptism verses believers baptism or taking communion every week verses quarterly. We are talking about the message of the cross. That message is the very power of God for those who are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18). I have said this before and I will say it again—we must preach the gospel to each other as believers. And it can’t be a man-centered gospel. The church in Galatia was experiencing the affects of a man-centered gospel. Paul is writing to the church to clear up the confusion. The gospel that Paul is preaching is not man’s gospel. He received it from the Lord. He was not taught it. Christ revealed it to him. Paul did not learn the gospel from Ananias but received it from the Lord (Acts 9). The gospel as laid out in the bible is the only gospel that has the power to save and sanctify. I cannot say this enough; WE MUST GET THE GOSPEL RIGHT!!