JESUS + NOTHING (BY ZACH BUNYE)

• Jesus + Nothing is all we need.
• In the Book of Galatians, Paul was addressing a problem. The believers had been influenced by Judaizers – supposedly Jewish Christians who said Jesus Christ is not enough for knowing God or heaven. They added that it is Jesus plus circumcision, plus dietary laws, and plus traditions around the Sabbath. This is legalism.
  • Legalism – Taking a tradition and making it a non-negotiable.
• Galatians 1:1 – Paul was appointed by Jesus Christ Himself and by God the Father.
• There is only one gospel.
• Galatians 1:6-7 – You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News (works-based gospel), which is not the Good News at all.
• Galatians 1:8-9 – Let God’s curse fall on anyone who preaches a different kind of Good News.
• What is the gospel that Paul was teaching?
  • Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
  • Romans 11:6 – It is not works, otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.
• Grace is a gift. It is free. We do not work for it.
• Galatians 1:10-14 – Paul’s teaching came from Jesus Christ Himself.
• Galatians 1:15-17 – Paul did not consult with the apostles. He went to Arabia, then to Damascus, and preached in the synagogue after his conversion (Acts 9:20).
• Galatians 1:18-20 – Three years later, he went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter and met James.
• The apostles accepted Paul:
  • Galatians 2:1-2 – It was only after 14 years that Paul went back to Jerusalem to meet the apostles and compare the Gospel he had been preaching to the Gospel that Peter, James, and John were preaching.
  • Galatians 2:3 – James, Peter, and John agreed with him regarding his Gospel. They supported him.
• Circumcision – Entering into a covenant with God to follow all His laws. Circumcision is not needed for salvation because we are not under the Law.
  • We do not dismiss the Law; it is perfect, holy, and good, but it is not the gospel message.
• Sadly, even today, there are still legalistic views.
• As a church, we must be firm: Our salvation is faith in Christ alone. Christ is enough!
• Context of Paul returning to Jerusalem – Acts 15:1-11.
  • Acts 15:9 – It is by faith, not works.
  • Acts 15:11 – We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.
• Galatians 2:11-14 – It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
• The apostles supported Paul regarding his gospel message.
• There is only one gospel but different preachers:
  • Peter was for the Jews, Paul was for the Gentiles. Same message, but different responsibilities. They preached the same thing.
• Galatians 2:11-14 – To them, if you weren’t circumcised, you were unclean. But Paul openly rebuked Peter.
• Leaders, our actions can affect other leaders.
• In the gospel of grace, we are all one in Christ. We are all equal.
• We see how strict Paul was; even actions must be in line with the Gospel.
• Practice what you preach! Do not be a hypocrite like Peter.
• Galatians 2:16 – We are made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law.
• Galatians 2:19 – The law was made to show us that we need a savior. The law is a mirror for us to see how dirty we are.
• Galatians 2:20 – I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
• We are not living in the flesh anymore but in the Spirit. We do not need the law; we have the Holy Spirit in us. Siya ang guide natin.
• Galatians 2:21 – If we can be saved by following the law, then Jesus died for nothing.
• Jesus + Nothing is all we need. Our salvation is faith in Christ alone. Christ is enough!
  • It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
  • Therefore, we are not saved by keeping the law or circumcision. We are saved by His grace.
  • There is only one Gospel.
  • We have to keep the Gospel message pure!
  • Our actions must align with the Gospel.
  • Jesus + Nothing!
• Keeping the law is an insult to Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. It’s like saying, “Jesus, I don’t need You; I got this.”
• Even begging for His forgiveness is like saying, “Bumalik Ka dito, mamatay Ka ulit kasi kulang ang ginawa Mo.”
• But Jesus is the once and for all sacrifice. He is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. So do not beg, because you already have His forgiveness.