Accept No Imitations

Pastor James C. Ward

May 3, 2026

Sunday Morning

Galatians 1:6-12

(6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (10) For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (11) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. (12) For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Introduction

Caveat emptor! Buyer beware! Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations. It seems for everything genuine, there is a cheap imitation. You can get imitation diamonds, Rolex watches, pearls, IPhones, and the list goes on. The same is true when it comes to the gospel. There are all sorts of imitation gospels for people to pick and choose. Many people choose the one that fits their present lifestyle. This way, they do not have to change. The true gospel of Christ was in danger of being lost at Galatia. A group called the Judaizers had infiltrated the ranks of the church. Judaizers were Jews who had made a “supposed” profession of Christ, but turned back to Judaism and tried to make Christianity an extension of the traditional systems of “salvation by works,” and of keeping the law. In order for these Judaizers to make headway in the church, they had to discredit Paul, since Paul taught the opposite of what they taught. They attacked Paul personally by discrediting his apostleship, thereby attempting to undercut his authority and doctrine. Paul’s message to the Galatian believers was simple: don’t be fooled by cheap imitations. The true gospel is the message about Jesus Christ, especially His perfect life on earth, His substitutionary death on the cross for the sins of the world, and His bodily resurrection from the dead on the third day. This gracious gift of salvation is received by personal faith through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Exposition

1. The True Gospel Is Christ-Centered And Cross-Concentrated.

(The Color Of The True Gospel Is “Blood Red.”)

(The Gospel Without The Cross Is Like A Banana Pudding Without Bananas.)

2. The True Gospel Is Free, But It Makes Demands On Us.

(We Must Help Those In Need.)

(We Must Witness To The Unsaved.)

(We Must Be Forgiving.)

(We Must Strive To Live A Christ-Like Life.)

3. The True Gospel Comes With An Owner’s Manual.

(Owner’s Manuals Are Not Provided With Imitations.)

(Imitations Do Not Come From Reputable Authorized Dealers.)

Closing Thoughts

The market is flooded with all sorts of cheap imitations. New ones pop up, while old ones are still being pawned. God’s people must not accept cheap imitations. There is only one true gospel. It is the gospel Paul preached to the Galatians. It is the gospel recorded in His Holy Word. Give God Glory! Give God All The Glory!