Sermon Outline Title: People Pleaser or God Pleaser
Bible Text, Theme, Big Idea
Text: Galatians 1:6-12
Theme: Rejecting false doctrine and resisting the pressure to compromise
Big Idea: The true gospel cannot be altered, and those who live to please people will drift from truth; believers must anchor their convictions in God’s Word.
1. A Sudden Drift Away From the Gospel (Galatians 1:6-7)
a. Paul “marvels” that the church turned from grace so quickly; spiritual erosion often begins subtly—usually unnoticed until damage is done.
b. False teachers distorted Christ’s work by blending works with grace; whenever you add human effort to salvation, you diminish the cross.
c. Masterful, persuasive speakers can twist Scripture; if you don’t know what “Thus saith the Lord” truly means, deception is easy.
d. Satan quoted Scripture to Jesus (Matthew 4), changing wording slightly; what failed against Christ now succeeds among many today.
2. No Angel or Spiritual Experience May Change the Gospel (Galatians 1:8)
a. Paul warns that even an angel preaching a different message is cursed; supernatural appearances do not override Scripture’s authority.
b. Satan transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); deception often looks holy, sounds spiritual, and feels good.
c. If a message contradicts the Bible, it is not from heaven; one of God’s true angels will not revise what God already wrote.
3. The Gospel Is Final—Not Open to Revision (Galatians 1:9)
a. Scripture has been settled for 2,000 years; new doctrines are not revelations—just distortions dressed as innovation.
b. Many believers chase novelty; they want something “fresh” instead of something faithful—yet truth does not expire.
c. Different preachers may present Scripture in unique ways, but the meaning stays unchanged; God’s Word is timeless, not trendy.
4. You Cannot Please God While Chasing Man’s Approval (Galatians 1:10)
a. Paul refuses to soften truth for popularity; the gospel is offensive to those who love sin, but life-giving to those who love God.
b. People who stand on Scripture often face rejection, isolation, and ridicule; Jesus was despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3).
c. Conviction irritates compromise; standing firmly on the Word exposes what others try to justify.
5. Your Heart Reveals Who You Aim to Please (Galatians 1:10-12)
a. People-pleasers bend truth to keep friends; God-pleasers stand firm even if friends leave.
b. You cannot call wrong “right” and sleep peacefully; conviction is God’s alarm system for the soul.
c. Alignment with the world betrays allegiance to Christ; friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
Illustration / Example
A compass always points north regardless of pressure. But place a magnet nearby and it spins off course. Culture is that magnet—pulling believers from truth. Only Scripture keeps our compass steady. When we seek the applause of man, the needle moves. When we seek the approval of God, we remain true north.
Alliterated Main Points
1. Departure — Leaving the true gospel.
2. Deception — Angels of false light.
3. Distortion — Twisting timeless truth.
4. Devotion — Pleasing God over man.
5. Direction — The aim of the heart.
Conclusion / Invitation
Don’t let culture magnetize your faith. Don’t trade truth for applause. The gospel has not changed and neither should your loyalty to Christ. Stand firm. Love truth. Reject counterfeit doctrine. If your heart has drifted toward pleasing people, repent and return to pleasing God. Eternity rewards those who stand with Christ now.