November 24, 2019

The Way of Salvation

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Galatians 3:6-18
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Did you wonder what the passage was about?
    • Some parts of the Bible are easier to understand
    • Some parts of the Bible are more difficult to understand
  • Some ask if the passage is out of date?
    • It is not out of date - it is bang up to date!
    • It needs to be preached in many churches
    • Example of survey results
  • The church of Galatia had been infiltrated
    • Many Jews had believed...
    • ...but wanted to add Jewish tradition (e.g. circumcision and the Mosaic law)
    • Not "faith plus"
    • The Bible teaches "faith alone"
  • Rom 3:6, 3:10 - we have all sinned and fallen short
    • How can we be justified and made right in the sight of God?
    • In the finished work of Christ
    • By faith in Christ
    • John 3:16
    • The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
    • Salvation is a free gift received in faith
  • Faith
    • Will produce good works
    • Will result in a holy life
  • Doctrinal section
    • Chapter 1-2: Paul defending his position as an apostle
    • Chapter 3: Reviews the Scriptures
      • The Old Testament - Abraham believed God, consider Leviticus, Deut, Habbakuk
      • There is only one message in the Bible
  • Previously: 3:1-5 - a strong rebuke issued by Paul
    • v1 - Who has bewitched you?
    • v2 - How did your Christian life begin?
    • v3-4 – How did they continue in their Christian life?
    • v5 - How did the Holy Spirit work in their Christian life?
  • Now: v6 - straight to the Scriptures

Not your background but faith (v6-9)

  • v6 - The Jewish people placed great importance in their father Abraham
    • They considered themselves the children of Abraham
    • They were the children of God
  • Paul points out that Abraham believed God
    • He was initially a pagan man called from the Ur of the Chaldeans
    • He believed God and went
    • God made promises to Abraham
    • Abraham wonder how this would be accomplished
    • He had faith in God - 14 years before he was ever circumcised!
  • Abraham was made right with God simply by faith
    • People are made right with God by faith
    • John 8:32-44
      • Following your family religion or tradition - does not save
      • v32 - The truth shall set you free
      • v33 - They were offended are being told they were in bondage
      • v34 - They were in bondage to sin
      • v37 - They did not receive God's word
      • v39 - They considered themselves Abraham's children and not God's children
      • v41 - They cast aspersions on Jesus' birth
      • v43 - They were not able to listen to His word
        • Do you list to God's words?
      • v44 - The devil was their father
    • The Jews were holding onto their religion
    • Christianity brings a gospel promise - believe in Jesus Christ and you shall be saved
      • Simple
      • Profound
      • Have you believed?
  • v7 - Only those who have faith are children of Abraham
  • v8 - The Scriptures state the Gentiles will believe
    • They 'preach'
    • cf John 8:56 - Abraham saw the day of Christ
    • Example at Mount Moriah
  • v9 - Those who believe are of the worldwide Church
  • Application: not about our background but our faith in Jesus Christ
    • Not just a Christian ethic but trusting in Him

Not the deeds of the law but Christ (v10-14)

  • Consider last weeks sermon [on the fall]
  • v10 - All are guilty, all have sinned
    • The law was given to show us how sinful we really are
      • Yes, it would act as a restraint as well
    • God requires perfection
      • God's curse and hatred is toward sin
    • If you break one area of the law, you break all the law
  • v11 - Habbakuk - the just shall live by faith
  • v13 - Jesus took our sin and curse to the cross ...
  • v14 - that the blessing of Abraham and God may come upon us
  • Application: faith alone

A certain promise (v15-18)

  • We cannot trust politicians - examples
    • We live in uncertain times
    • Our health is uncertain - example
  • We can trust God
    • The covenant promises of God
    • v15 - Consider man's binding covenants - consider God's binding covenants
    • v16 - God promised Abraham
      • There would be a single seed - Christ
    • v17 - Christ
      • This was the first promise
      • This was the first covenant
    • v18 - An inheritance in law, is not of promise
      • But God gave inheritance by promise
  • Example
  • Application: we live in turbulent times but we can depend on Christ