October 19, 2014
Morning Service

Gal. 3

 

            I don’t know about you, but I never tire of reading how the church began.  We saw in Matthew Jesus prophesied that His church would be built, and the gates of hell should not prevail against it.  In the book of Acts we saw that prophecy fulfilled.  We saw the growth, and the ones Jesus used to further this gospel message, of forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life, by faith, and obedience to this wonderful gospel message.

            Here in this letter to the Galatian churches, we see the Apostle Paul, speaking in all authority of God, tell us that there is a gospel given by God, and if anyone preaches another gospel he is to be accursed.  Strong words from God Almighty.  This gospel message is found within the writings of our New Testament.  God entrusted these men, Peter to the Jews, and Paul to the Gentiles, to deliver this message to all mankind.

            It was very clear in chapter two that the false gospel that was being preached was Judaism, disguised by calling it Christianity.  In chapter two Paul also reminded the Galatians of what happened at the first council meeting in Jerusalem.  This helped confirm his argument that Christianity is separate from Judaism, and Christians are not bound by the laws of Moses.

 

This morning we are looking at chapter three of Galatians:

 

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? 

·         Jesus lived, was crucified, buried, and arose from the grave, went up into heaven, and gave gifts unto men, for the edification of the ones left behind.  THE SIMPLICITY IN THE GOSPEL.

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

·         Paul’s way of teaching is to ask questions in which the people knew the answer.

·         They received the Spirit by believing, and receiving the gospel message of Paul.  Paul is saying this is how you started, now what in the world has happened?

(3)  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

·                     Referring to circumcision., and the law of Moses.                                                                                            (4)  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.  (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? 

·         Paul speaking of the miracles he worked among them.  The miracles Paul worked showed that he was speaking in the authority of God, and he wasn’t doing it by the law, but by faith.

 

(6)  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  (7)  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  (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.  (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. 

·         We speak of rightly dividing the Word of God.  James also uses this illustration of Abraham, but he uses it to build an argument for works.  However, James is writing to the Jews scattered in the dispersion.  There is a difference in the expectations of the Jews, and Gentiles. 

·         The Bible teaches us that we are not saved by works, but if we are saved, the works will follow.

 

 

(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.  (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:  (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. 

·         Now the promise of the Spirit is eternal life, and you can’t possess eternal life without possessing the Holy Spirit, in which, you received a measure of, upon receiving the gospel message.

(15)  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  (16)  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  (17)  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  (18)  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 

·         Can we see what Paul is saying?  The promises of blessings of all mankind were given to Abraham, and his Seed, meaning the Messiah, or Christ the anointed, was given 430 years before the law was given, and the law, which came after the promise, does not make the promise of none effect.

(19)  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  (20)  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  (21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 

·         In another place Paul said the law was just, holy, and good.  However, there was no law that could give eternal life.

(22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 

·         Now here Paul is speaking to Jewish Christians.  He says, once we were under the law, and we were kept under the law, and this law was teaching us God’s will, but it could not produce eternal life in the keepers.  It was our school teacher, telling us about this Messiah that would come, and deliver us from bondage, and give unto us eternal life.  Since this Messiah has come we do not need a school teacher anymore, for He will teach us the things we need to know.

(26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

            FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.  THERE IS NONE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD, THAT IS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE, WE ARE ALL SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE.

 

God wants you to enjoy your walk with Him.  Jesus said, “ you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”  The joy of sins forgiven, and the promise of eternal life.  These promises should produce good works in all of us.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL PLAN OF SALVATION.