The Way of Salvation
Bible Text: Galatians 3:6-18 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Galatians | 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Some ask if the passage is out of date?
It is not out of date – it is bang up to date!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