Galatians 3:14-29
Preached Wednesday February 15, 2012
Introduction:
My favorite teacher, Mr. Illner, who taught American History in my high school, once gave a lesson that I will never forget. As we came into his class that day, those leaving the class that he had just taught were pale-faced. They shook their heads and whispered a solemn warning, “He’s in a really bad mood!”
As we filed in and the starting bell for that period rang, he slammed a ruler on his desk to grab our attention. “I’ve had enough of our lazy attitudes and immoral ways! If the whole world falls into ruin, it will not be because Michael Illner was soft on his students!” He then had us file past him, one by one, with our homework. Mine wasn’t complete. I was called outside. Someone whispered. He was called out as well. Mr. Illner took a four-foot-long paddle with him – he was no lightweight, you know. As we got into the hall, he informed us that he was teaching us what it was like as a student of the Puritans under a strict schoolmaster. We were not going to get a swat, but no one else knew it. He let the paddle slap the floor. – SMACK – Jim walked sheepishly back into a silent class. – SMACK – I did the same. We never forgot the lesson of the schoolmaster.
God tells us that the Law is like that – but there is not need for that Law once faith is found. Tonight we must “Fire the schoolmaster!”
I. Who bewitched you?
Galatians 3:1 – 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?
A. Watered down grace through faith
B. Those who teach works salvation
C. Those who teach that you can lose your salvation
II. How were you saved in the first place?
Galatians 3:2 – This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
A. If it is indeed faith, how can you mix works to keep salvation?
Galatians 3:3 – Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
B. Do miracles come through works?
Galatians 3:5 – 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?
III. No man can be justified by the works of the Law
Galatians 3:11 – But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
A. Abraham wasn’t
Galatians 3:6-9 – 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.
B. All who place themselves under the law are under a curse
Galatians 3:10 – 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.
C. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
Galatians 3:13 – 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:
IV. The law was never part of the covenant of promise.
Galatians 3:14-18
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. 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.
A. The Abrahamic Covenant was sealed by the Ancient treaty – it was a done deal. Genesis 15
B. The Abrahamic Covenant was accepted by faith – and that faith accessed righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 (AV)
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
C. The original Abrahamic covenant was made based upon Abraham’s faith, not keeping the law. The law had not yet been written.
D. Abraham’s seed (not seeds) refers to all who believe God and have righteousness imputed to their account. All are saved the exact same way.
E. The existence of the law did not re-configure God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith. The covenant was already made
F. If righteousness and a heavenly inheritance comes because of our ability to keep the law, then God’s promise to Abraham has been nullified.
V. The Law is our schoolmaster
A. No law gives life
Galatians 3:21 – 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.
B. All are under sin – we all need Christ’s redemption
Galatians 3:22 – But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
C. The Law revealed our sinful condition
Galatians 3:24 – Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
A. It existed whether we knew it or not
B. It was our schoolmaster
D. After faith, we do not need him – fire him!
Galatians 3:25 – But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
VI. The Law did not make us children of God, faith did.
Galatians 3:26–29 (AV)
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.
A. Faith in Christ grants us adoption into the family of God.
John 8:44 (AV)
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 1:12 (AV)
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Romans 8:15 (AV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
B. Our Baptism pictures the faith that unites us – united with Abraham as spiritual seed.
C. There is no difference of classes or genders, all need salvation, all access it the same way, through faith. (This verse has nothing to do with permitting ladies to preach to men!) 1 Tim 2: 9-11