The sermon addresses the theme of how well-intentioned projects or beliefs can take a wrong turn and lose their original purpose. The speaker uses the example of a community center in apartheid-era South Africa, which was initially intended to be a place for everyone but ended up being divided by race due to a change in design by new builders.

The sermon then draws parallels to the situation faced by the Apostle Paul in Galatia. After establishing thriving churches, Paul left, and a group of missionaries arrived, altering the core of his teachings. These missionaries suggested that Gentile believers needed to convert to Judaism and follow Jewish laws for salvation. Paul vehemently defended his message, asserting that it came directly from Jesus Christ and that salvation is through faith in Christ, not through adhering to the Mosaic Law.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity within the church despite theological differences, political polarization, social justice debates, worship style variations, and other issues. It highlights that these are secondary matters and should not be used to determine one’s salvation. The speaker quotes Dr. Gordon Smith, who discusses the challenges of the “Age of the New Orthodoxy,” characterized by fear and intolerance.

The sermon concludes by stressing the timeless principle of “In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all things, charity,” and encourages believers to remain faithful to the true gospel while extending love and understanding to one another in all other matters.