The Gospel of Grace – Part 1

Galatians 1:1-10

Scripture Reference

Galatians 1:1-10 KJV

“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father; To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 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. 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.”

Introduction

Sermon Title: “The Gospel of Grace – Part 1”

Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu

Tonight we begin an eleven-part study through the Book of Galatians. The heart of Galatians is the Gospel of Grace—what it is, how it works, and why any addition or subtraction to it is deadly. Paul writes with urgency: the churches of Galatia are drifting from the grace they first received and are listening to another message that perverts Christ’s finished work. We will examine the summons to the Gospel of grace, its claims, and the practical duties God places upon every believer who calls themselves a follower of Christ.

Future. We have an eleven part series that we are going to do out of the Book of Galatians. And this is going to be an exciting study and a fun study. I thoroughly enjoy this book.

Quote from Preacher

This opening quote is Dr. Terry LeQuieu’s own word for beginning the series — an invitation to give attention to Galatians and the Gospel of Grace.

Outline

The Summons: The Undertaking of the Galatian Church (Galatians 1:1-5)
1. Realize your responsibility
  Paul identifies himself as an apostle—not by man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. While apostleship is unique to the New Testament foundation, every believer carries responsibility: to know our calling (saints, witnesses, teachers, preachers, parents, workers) and to faithfully fulfill it. If leaders fail to confront error, who will speak for truth?
2. Reverence the Lord
  Paul directs authority to Christ and the Father, not his own fame. The minister’s aim is to point people to Jesus, not to himself. Our worship and loyalty must be to Christ first; titles and personalities must never replace the reverence due our Savior.
3. Recognize the brethren
  Paul includes “all the brethren which are with me.” Ministry is not lone-ranger work. We are part of the body; we support, encourage, and correct one another. Remember those who invested in you and invest in others in return.
4. Repeat grace
  Grace and peace are not just theological niceties; they are daily necessities. Grace saved us and grace sustains us. We must be as quick to extend grace to fellow believers as we are to strangers. Grace is for salvation and for sanctification — grow in and give out grace.
5. Remember the cross
  Paul reminds them Christ “gave himself for our sins” to deliver us from this present evil world. Regular contemplation of the cross fosters humility, gratitude, and holiness. The cross is the foundation for both deliverance and the motivation for holy living.
6. Rejoice in God’s glory
  All that the Gospel accomplishes points to God’s glory. We live under the purpose of exalting God now and forever. Gratitude and praise are natural responses to grace.
The Uniqueness of the Gospel’s Claim (Galatians 1:6-10)
1. It will not cause you to part ways with Christ or the Word
  Paul is amazed they so quickly “removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” The true Gospel points to Christ and to Scripture. If a teaching requires abandoning biblical authority, it is not the Gospel.
2. It cannot be perverted
  “Which is not another”—the Gospel is singular and settled. Men may try to add works or traditions, but the Gospel of grace resists additions: it is “Jesus plus nothing, Jesus minus nothing.”
3. It will not preach another Jesus
  False systems often recast Christ (denying His deity, changing His work, or redefining the Gospel). Paul warns: beware those who present a different Jesus or require something other than Christ’s finished work.
4. It will not be shaped to please men
  True Gospel preaching seeks to please God, not man. If teaching is tailored merely to be popular or uncontroversial, truth is compromised. Faithful ministers will sometimes reprove and rebuke; their aim is Christ’s glory and the souls’ good, not applause.
Four Marks to Test Any Gospel
1. Does it cause you to part ways with the Word of God?
  Any message that directs away from Scripture is false.
2. Does it pervert the Gospel (add or subtract)?
  If salvation requires human works in addition to Christ, it is perversion.
3. Does it preach another Jesus?
  True preaching declares Jesus Christ as the eternal Son, crucified, buried, risen, and reigning.
4. Is it predicated on pleasing man rather than pleasing God?
  If the primary aim is popularity, beware—the message will eventually distort truth to satisfy men.
Practical Warnings and Responsibilities
1. Be discerning about teachers and translations
  Paul’s urgency applies to our day: guard the text and guard doctrine. The KJV believer is reminded to hold the Word as our authority and to be cautious of teachings that contradict Scripture.
2. Stand against compromise
  If heresy enters a local church, godly leaders must speak and act. Our independence does not mean isolation when doctrine is at stake.
3. Practice grace without compromise
  Extend patience and love to fellow believers, while maintaining a firm stand against sin. Gospel kindness and biblical correction go together.

Summary

Galatians 1:1-10 is Paul’s urgent call to preserve the purity of the Gospel of Grace. The summons lays out the church’s duty: recognize responsibilities, give glory to God, remember the cross, and practice grace. The uniqueness of the Gospel is non-negotiable: it does not lead us away from Scripture, cannot be meaningfully altered, preaches the true Jesus, and refuses to be shaped merely to please men. Believers must be discerning, faithful, and bold. The Gospel saved us and now must shape our doctrine, our worship, and our daily living.

If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Quote to Ponder

This solemn declaration from Galatians 1:9 underlines the seriousness of preserving doctrinal purity in the church and in our own lives.

Application for the Week

Practical steps to apply Galatians 1:1-10 this week. These are simple, biblical, and actionable for young adults and for the whole church family.

Daily cross-focus
Spend 5–10 minutes each day this week meditating on the cross. Read Galatians 1:3-4 and one short account of the crucifixion (e.g., John 19). Let the cross humble you and motivate holy living.
Practice extending grace
Identify one person in the church you have judged or been impatient with. Intentionally extend a gracious action—encouraging text, a note, or a brief conversation—without compromising doctrinal truth.
Examine your influences
Keep a short list this week of the sermons, podcasts, or social media teaching you listen to. Ask: “Does this point me to Christ and the Word? Does it add works to the Gospel? Does it please men more than God?” If something fails the test, stop consuming it and seek better teaching.
Join a discipleship accountability
Pair up with one other believer for mutual encouragement and accountability—share prayer requests, Scripture readings, and one practical step for holiness. Meet (or call) once this week to report progress.
Pray for your pastors and churches
Paul included “all the brethren with me.” Pray for your church leaders to preach truth boldly. Pray for protection against false doctrine and for boldness to correct error in love.
Memorize Galatians 1:6–7
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another.” Hide this warning in your heart so you will recognize the subtle drift when it appears.

Use these applications to ground yourself in the Gospel of grace. Let the cross shape your week, let Scripture be your standard, and let grace be your posture toward others. Above all, live to please Christ alone.