Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:6-9

Introduction

A. Last week we looked at the changes for the better that happened in the lives of individuals in Corinth and Ephesus.

B. Unfortunately, however, not all of the changes that transpired in these cities were for the better.

Discussion

I. The changes that Paul saw coming for Ephesus were not good.

A. So great was his concern that he made a special point to visit the elders of this church (Acts 20:16-17).

B. He knew that some were going to fall away in spite of his best efforts (vv 25-26).

C. The ultimate source of these problems would be covetousness (vv 19, 22-24, 33-35).

D. Later correspondence indicates that these changes did in fact happen (1 Timothy 1:3, 3:1-7; Revelation 2:4).

II. The church in Ephesus was not alone in changing for the worse.

A. Paul saw bad changes in the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 2:1-5; 5:6; 11:17-22).

B. He saw similar change in Galatia (Galatians 1:6-7; 3:3).

C. These changes also happened in the lives of some individuals (2 Timothy 4:10; Philippians 3:18-19).

III. Can this happen to us?

A. We need the courage to change if we need to (Luke13:3), but also the courage to stay the course when we are in the right.

B. We guard against bad change by holding on to the word of God (Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5).

A. Have you made some changes that you are not proud of?

B. If there are some changes you need to make, why not today?