Galatians 2:11-21

In the last three weeks, we have seen that there is only one gospel message, that one true message came from Jesus Christ, and that salvation comes through Christ alone – not by man’s good works (cf. Isa 64:6; Gal 2:15-16, 3:10-14). This week, we read about a massive threat to all the truth claims Christians have – our own hypocrisy. This is duplicity is rightly called hypocrisy. 

As mentioned this morning, a 2007 Barna Research survey revealed the three biggest reasons unbelievers had with Christianity were not evidenced based but morally based. One of those top three moral problems with Christianity was hypocrisy. Another Barna Research survey in 2017 concluded “most of today’s [professing] Christians are more like the Pharisees than Jesus.” Only 1 in 7 manages to hold Christlike beliefs, and 1 in 2 tends “to have attitudes and actions that are characterized by self-righteousness.”

Even apostles are not immune to this sin (Gal 2:11-14). This sermon explores hypocrisy, how we can avoid the sin of hypocrisy, and how we can display the power of the true gospel.