Monthly Archives: February 2012

The Corrupting Power of Legalism

Wednesday Evening Sermons

Galatians 4:11-31
Preached Wednesday Evening February 29, 2012

Introduction:

We have been studying what happens when you allow someone to mess with the simple plan of salvation. The enemies of the truth would seek to infect believers with doubt, enslaving them once again, to the bondage of the law. Tonight we will see just how divisive this false teaching is. May we all be sober as we see the corrupting power of legalism.

I. Legalism turns a beloved pastor and spiritual leader into the feared enemy.

Galatians 4:12-16
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

A. Paul begs for the restoration of intimacy with the believers. 12

B. Paul suffered and served with the saints in Galatia. 13

C. Paul was received with love and understanding in spite of his physical limitations. (probably his poor eyesight) 14-15

D. Paul preached consistent truth. 16

E. After being infected with legalism, this same truth drove a wedge between the pastor and people.

II. Legalism turns disciples into doubters

Galatians 4:17-20
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

A. False teachers aggressively drove wedges between the believer and their pastor. 17-18

B. False teachers caused believers to doubt the love of their pastor. 19-20

III. Legalism turns freedom into bondage.

A. Legalists ignore the law they claim to believe.

Galatians 4:21
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

B. Moses wrote a great picture of the relationship between the law and grace.

Galatians 4:22-27
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

1. Ishmael = the law – bondage
2. Isaac = grace – freedom

C. We are children of promise not bondage.

Galatians 4:28
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Romans 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

D. That which is fleshly has always persecuted that which is spiritual.

Galatians 4:29
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

E. Cast out the bondwoman = refuse to be placed under the bondage of works whether to obtain or to maintain salvation.

Galatians 4:30-31
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Wrestling with God

Sunday Morning Sermons

Genesis 32:9-12, 24-32
Preached Sunday Morning February 26, 2012

Introduction:

I am told that High School wrestling is one of the most physically challenging sports in which a teenager can compete. In one 6 minute 3 round match, more energy is spent than if one were to participate in 4 football games or two back to back full court basketball games. Wrestling takes endurance and a unique personal resolve not to quit under any circumstances.

I find it interesting that of all the ways the Bible could picture fervent prayer, God chose to use the picture of wrestling with God. In our passage this morning Jacob, the schemer, is turning the corner on his trust in God. He has been to the school of hard knocks for 20 years under Laban. He has learned what it was like to be victimized by underhanded business practices. He has also seen God deliver him. Jacob is learning to trust in God. Last week we saw that after 20 years, God told him that he has graduated from this school of hard knocks and it is time to go back home. The problem was that if he went home, he would have to face his brother Esau who promised to kill him the next time he saw him. Jacob deserved this hatred in a way because of the deceitful way he treated his own brother in times past. Jacob was in a tough spot. Laban’s people did not want him and Esau hated him. God told him to go home, so he was obeying, but he was afraid.

It is with this backdrop that Jacob learned the final element in completely trusting God, fervent prayer. This morning we will see how Jacob wrestled with God for blessing. We will see that there are some things we can gain, not by an occasional mention at the supper table in casual prayer. There are some things for which we must wrestle God.

James 5:16
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I. Wrestle with Skill – know the specific moves which are effective in your wrestling match with God.

A. Plead the promises of God

Genesis 32:9,12
9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

Nehemiah 1:8–11 (AV)
8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. 10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

Psalm 138:2
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

B. Plead for mercy

Genesis 32:10
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

1. Acknowledge your sinfulness
2. Confess your sin

1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. Cry out for mercy

C. Plead for deliverance –specifically

Genesis 32:11
11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

1. From your enemies
2. From the forces of darkness

Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

3. From your circumstances
4. From yourself

II. Wrestle with Tenacity

A. Get alone with God

? Undistracted

Genesis 32:24
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

B. Do not let go of God

Genesis 32:25-26
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

1. Pray all night if you have to
2. You may be permanently changed as a result of this kind of prayer
3. Don’t stop

Luke 11:5-8
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

III. Wrestle to Win

A. You will stop trying to scheme for results

Genesis 32:27-28
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

B. You will prevail and get the victory

Galatians 6:9 (AV)
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Conclusion:

Do you lack life changing power of God in your life or in the lives of your loved ones? Do you long for deliverance, for boldness, for fruit, or for wisdom? God in the Bible and discover the promises that God has for you. Boldly come to the throne of God, praying those promises back to Him, claiming them for your own. Confess your sins, plead the Blood of Jesus and seek His love and mercy. Once you get a hold of God, do not let go! Keep wrestling until you get a specific answer. God will bless you, but you need to learn that it is fervent prayer that will unleash God’s power. You must learn to wrestle with God.

Two Chances to Learn

Sunday Evening Sermons

Daniel 4:1-37
Preached Sunday February 19, 2012

Introduction:

There are two basic ways that we can be motivated to change our behavior. The best way is to learn and live. This happens when we hear the Word of God, or wise counsel and adjust our behavior to match the wisdom we have just acquired. This is the most rewarding and least painful way to learn. The other motivation God uses is for us to live and learn. God uses consequences that are directly ties to our actions to motivate us to adjust our behavior in order to achieve better outcomes in the future. When the first motivator does not work, often God uses the latter as His backup plan.

King Nebuchadnezzar thought that he was the most powerful man in the universe. He was proud of his kingdom. I believe that he thought that the vision he had in Daniel chapter 2 was somehow a sign from God that even God believed that Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king of all time. I believe that this is the reason that the King made a statue of solid gold 90 feet tall. It would seem that Nebuchadnezzar was impossible to reach with the truth, but God knew how to break the king of his pride. God knew how to reach him.

Little by little, God showed Nebuchadnezzar that there was One greater than he. The great Chaldeans magicians could not offer any real supernatural aid. Three young Hebrew men turned out to be fire proof. Tonight’s passage is actually written in the first person by King Nebuchadnezzar. This is a story of a prideful and powerful king who was given two chances to learn.

I. The Personal Testimony of a Changed Man.

Daniel 4:1-3
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

A. A message of peace
B. A personal lesson that must be shared with the world.

1. Great signs and wonders.
2. An everlasting kingdom.

II. The Chance to Learn and Live

Daniel 4:4-7
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

A. God came to the king in a dream.
B. The Babylonian wise men were powerless again,
C. The king remembered the God of Daniel.

Daniel 4:8-9
8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, 9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

D. Daniel interpreted the king’s dream

1. The tree = Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 4:20-22
20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

2. The watcher = an angel of judgment.

Daniel 4:23-25
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

3. The stump = a second chance.

Daniel 4:26-27
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

III. The chance to live and learn.

A. Pride was the reason for his fall.

Daniel 4:28-31
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

B. Sanity was removed for a time.

Daniel 4:32-33
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

C. The sweet relief of a humble heart.

Daniel 4:34-36
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

D. Declare God’s salvation.

Daniel 4:37
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Learning to Lean

Sunday Morning Sermons

Genesis 31:1-55
Preached Sunday Morning February 19, 2012

Introduction:

We human beings are generally a fiercely independent lot. If there is a problem in our lives, we attempt to fix it. If there is a road block, we navigate around it. It there is a barrier, we often attempt to crash through it. That is only natural. It is what everyone does, at least before we trust in Jesus as Savior. Once we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we must learn that He is the one in control. He is the one directing our paths. He is the one on whom we must lean. This is necessary in order to have a happy and successful life, but this kind of trust does not come naturally. This kind of trust comes from a daily persuit and readjustment of our thoughts. It comes as we gain experience walking with our Savior. It is all part of learning to lean.

? God took 20 years to teach Jacob that human efforts do not equal the power of divine intervention. Jacob slowly learned to trust God rather than relying on his own plans and schemes. This morning we will see how God lovingly worked with him through the years as he was learning to lean on Jesus.

I. Trusting God for direction

A. When life’s circumstances change

Genesis 31:1–3 (AV)
1 And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. 2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

1. Hostile situation
2. Ever changing moods within a relationship

3. Jealousy and envy that comes when God’s blessing is evident.

4. God still has a plan

Revelation 3:7 (AV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

B. When others must follow your lead

1. God has protected in the past

Genesis 31:4–5 (AV)
4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, 5 And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

2. God has been just in the past

Genesis 31:6–10 (AV)
6 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. 7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. 8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. 9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. 10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

Psalm 37:25 (AV)
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

II. Trusting God for provision

A. The God of Bethel

1. God heard the vow

Genesis 28:20–21 (AV)
20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

2. God did provide

Genesis 31:11–13 (AV)
11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

B. Those around us learn to trust

Psalm 40:4 (AV)
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

1. Realize that man can not do it alone

Genesis 31:14–15 (AV)
14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

2. Realize that God is the real provider

III. Trusting God for protection

A. From the manipulators

Genesis 31:25–30 (AV)
25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

B. From the oppressors

Genesis 31:31 (AV)
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

C. From the sins of others

Genesis 31:19 (AV)
19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.

D. From the accuser

Genesis 31:32–35 (AV)
32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.

Revelation 12:9–11 (AV)
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

IV. Trusting God for wisdom

James 1:5 (AV) 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

A. Wise and pointed rebuke

Genesis 31:41–42 (AV)
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

B. Some men will never earn trust

Genesis 31:43 (AV)
43 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

C. Good fences make good neighbors

Genesis 31:44–55 (AV)
44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. 45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; 49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. 51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount. 55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

1. God will be watching you
2. Keep your distance

Conclusion:

Life in this sin cursed world can be difficult to navigate from time to time. The Apostle Paul tells us that it takes some experience to discover contentment and trust.

Philippians 4:11–12 (AV)
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Over a 20 year period, God has to work with Jacob to teach him that he can trust God for direction, for provision, for protection and for wisdom. It is not natural to trust God for direction. Search your heart and see that God has been faithful with you so far. He can be trusted. Your stress will decrease and your love will increase as you learn to lean on Jesus.

Fire the Schoolmaster!

Wednesday Evening Sermons

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