1. If I Could Preach Another Gospel No man has the right to do this. Gal. 1:6-8- that right does not even belong to the angels. 2 John 9-11- to do so is to walk without God and to fail to rebuke those who preach another gospel is to bid them godspeed and be equally condemned with them. Paul did no cater to the Athenians in Acts 17:23- he talked to them of the God that was unknown to them and Jesus talked of those who worshipped Him in vain ( Mt. 15:9). To not preach the gospel or to worship in a way that is not in accordance with the will of God- is to be in danger of hellfire. BUT consider with me:

2. What Would I Preach If Not The Gospel? If I had this liberty- I would probably preach a people pleasing gospel- like many do today. If we had this liberty then I would certainly want to preach a popular message that would draw a crowd and “grow a church.” I would not worry about pleasing the Lord- I would customize the message to the “feelings of the people.” I would customize truth to satisfy feelings, not customize feelings to accommodate truth.

3. The Gospel Gets In The Way! Gal 1:10-12- 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. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ

4. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would preach- the kingdom is yet to come- but the gospel prohibits that in Mk. 9:1; Mt. 16:18; Dan. 2:44. I would preach divorce for every cause and remarriage- but the gospel prohibits that in Mt. 19:9; 5:32; Rom. 7; 1 Cor. 7. I would preach there is no hell and no heaven ala John Lennon- hence no judgment day- no accountability for our actions- but the gospel prohibits that in Matt. 25:44.

5. The Gospel Gets In The Way Again Rom 14:10-12…for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Matt 12:36-37- But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

6. The Gospel Gets In The Way Again John 12:48-50- He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." 2 Cor 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

7. If I Could Preach Another Gospel: I would preach that each one can choose the path they want to get to God. I would preach a broad way and not a narrow one. I would proclaim loudly that you can live like the world a little or a lot- just as long as you don’t hurt feelings. BUT- the gospel gets in the way again: Mt. 7:13,14- Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. John 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

8. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would teach that men are saved by faith only. This would eliminate most religious arguments and we could all play nice and get along. BUT- Here comes that gospel again- Jn. 12:43-48- “ For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

9. Faith Only & The Gospel James 2:14, 17-19-What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:20-26- But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

10. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would preach that immodesty is a purely a matter of judgment. Dress as you please. Anything short of public nudity is alright brethren. No one can judge you in these things- it is all a matter of opinion- Dance- Dance- Dance- social drink if you want to- be as like the world as you can so as to blur the lines as to whether you are a separate- holy individual. Believe me- my life would be easier if I preached such things BUT- guess why I don’t? That’s right- The gospel gets in the way- once again.

11. The Gospel Speaks 1 Tim 2:9-10- In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. James 1:27- Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Gal 5:19-21-Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, * fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, dolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

12. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would preach that attendance on Wednesday and during meetings is optional for all Christians. Local membership means little. Come when you please and stay away whenever you want. BUT- the gospel gets in the way again Heb 10:24-25- And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Acts 20:28- Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Peter 5:2- Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof…

13. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would preach that discipline of our brethren is mean- spirited and unloving. I would preach that God’s plan for discipline is not kind and is unloving. BUT- Here comes the gospel again- 2 Thess 3:6- Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 1 Tim 6:3, 5- If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;…from such withdraw thyself.

14. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would preach one church is as good as another. Pick one- doctrine does not matter. BUT… Eph 4:4-There is one body Eph 1:22-23-…and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Col 1:18- And he is the head of the body, the church: Matt 16:18-8 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church,

15. If I Could Preach Another Gospel I would preach that baptism is not for remission of sins- but just to join the church of your choice. BUT- Acts 2:38- “repent and be baptized every one of you for remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…” Acts 22:16- “now why do you tarry- arise and be baptized and wash away your sins…”