June 28, 2009
Morning Service

Galatians 3:1-14

 

Review:

1.      As Paul greets the Galatian Christians with this letter, he begins by rebuking them for leaving the gospel that he had taught them. 

2.      So stern was his rebuke to the false teachers, that he placed a curse on anyone who would preach another gospel than that which they had received from him.

3.      In chapter two Paul tells us that, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem approved his gospel of grace.

4.      Paul even rebuked Peter for not walking according to the gospel of grace, which says all men are equal, and shows no partiality among men.

 

Today we want to look at chapter 3, let’s begin.

 

Gal 3:1-29  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 

• This is the primary truth of the gospel.  The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• It’s not by the works of the law that you will please God, but by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ as your savior.  Putting you faith in His atoning work on Calvary.

(2)  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

• Received ye the Spirit?  Receiving the Spirit is to receive the things of God.  Receiving Paul’s gospel is to receive the Spirit of God. 
• Paul is reminding them through a question that they had received the Spirit by the hearing of faith, and not the works of the law.

 (3)  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  (4)  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 

• You have suffered many things because you believed in the Crucified Redeemer, are you willing to throw all that away? 

(5)  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

• There are some that believe the he here is speaking of God, but the common thought is that Paul is speaking of himself.  Of course it is a combination of both, Paul preaching the gospel, and God confirming it with miracles, and the Spirit.
• But Paul is saying “you didn’t do anything by the law that allowed you to enjoy this freedom of grace.  It is all by faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and His atoning work on Calvary.

(6)  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 

• This is one of Paul’s main points in his argument for, faith alone saves.   Gen. 15:6.

(7)  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 

• Paul here refuting the teachers of the law, for they would say that the children of Abraham would keep the law, and Paul is saying, you are children of Abraham because you have faith.

(8)  And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  (9)  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 

• This is that story found in Gen. 15:6.

(10)  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 

• James said it like this;  Jam 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

(11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  

·          Hab 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

 

(12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 

• Jesus said, “I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”  Even the curse.

(14)  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

• The promise of the Spirit.  Listen to this:  Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  That’s the promise.
• Again:  Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
• Let me show you how this works. 

1.       You want a relationship with God, you are hungering for the things of God.

2.      You hear the gospel message, and believe it, or receive it.

3.      So you repent, and let God know you are sorry for the sins you have committed.

4.      And you ask Jesus to come into your heart, and life to help you live for Him.  THERE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT, AND PROMISE, THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.

• Now notice, because you have received Him look what He does for you;  1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

5.     Look at Paul’s example to build your faith:  Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

6.      The promise, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”, Paul said I called on His name at baptism, and I’m saved.        Paul called himself the Chiefest of sinners?

 

This is the gospel that Paul preached.  A gospel of love, mercy, and grace.  So it doesn’t matter what you have done in the past, if you are hungering, and thirsting for a walk with God, If you are feeling remorse over the life you have been living, and you want God’s forgiveness, He will accept your confession, and place you in a good relationship with Him.  He will not turn you away.   FOR THE PROMISE IS “WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”

 

This could be your first time coming to the Lord, or you may be a Christian, and just want to rededicate your life to God.  Another promise we have is, “1Jo 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

 

There is nothing more comforting to know that everything is alright between you, and your God. 

 

Jesus is here this morning to take your confession, you don’t have to give it to a man, give it to your Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

 

Won’t you come this morning if you have a need while we stand and sing a song of encouragement?