Galatians: Live Free A Promise, the Law, and a Rescue.… · Now before we dive into the sermon I...

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Transcript July 8 and 9, 2017

Galatians: Live Free | A Promise, the Law, and a Rescue Jake Barker | Galatians 3

NowbeforewediveintothesermonIwanttocelebratesomethingthathappenedlastweekend.LastweekendwasthefirstweekendofJuly,andeverymonthonthefirstweekendwehavebaptisms.Andbaptismforusisouroutwardexpressionthatwereceivedthegiftofgraceandwe’regoingallinforJesus—thatwe’renolongerlivingforourselves,butwe’regoingtobelivingforGod.Lastweekweopeneditupforanyonetorespond.Acrossthreecampusesandnineserviceswehad50peoplegoallinforbaptism.That’samazing—so,so,cool.Andifthat’syou,wecelebratewithyouandwewanttobealongsideyouasyoubeginyourjourneywithJesus.Thatisthefirststepofsomany,andwecouldnotbemoreenthusiasticwithhavingyourbackandseeingyougrowinyourfaith.OverthelastcoupleofweeksandovertheweekstocomeweareinaseriescalledLiveFree.WestartedacoupleofweeksagowhenweintroducedtheideathatfreedomoughttobeoneoftheprimarydescriptorsofChristianity.Contrarytopopularbelief,andmaybecontrarytotheoverallperceptionofChristiansintheworld,freedomissupposedtobeoneofthehallmarksofthefaith—freedomfromanoldwayofthinking,anoldwayofliving,andanoldwayofunderstandingGod.Inordertoreallydiveintothatidea,we’vebeenstudyingourwaythroughabookoftheBiblecalledGalatians.We’vetakenonechapteraweekandaskedthequestions:WhatdoesthisteachusaboutGod?Howshoulditchangethewaywelive?Inweekone,ourcampuspastorsrolledouttousthatthereweresomepeopleinthischurchinGalatia,atowncalledGalatia,whoboughtintosomefakenews.Theyboughtintotheideathatthegoodnewswasn’tenough,thatJesuswasn’tenough,andtheyneededtoaddreligiousritualontopoftheirfaithinJesustoreallybeloved.Butwefoundoutit’sactuallyJesusplusnothingequalseverything.Andthenlastweekwelearnedthat,asChristians,wearefreefromthechainsofhypocrisyandlegalism.WecanbeconfidentinoursalvationandpatientwithourgrowthaswebecomethemenandwomenGodintendedustobe.Soifyoumissedthosepreviousweeks,Iencourageyoutogoonline,orintoourchurchAppandcatchup.Buttodaywe’regoingtodigintothenextchapter.SoifyouhaveaBibleoraBibleApp,I’dloveforyoutojoinmeinGalatians3.That’swherewe’regoingtobehangingouttoday.Ifyoudon’thaveaBible,it’snosweat.Theverseswillbeonthescreennexttome.

Galatians:LiveFree|APromise,theLaw,andaRescueJuly8and9,2017

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Paul’sgoingtocontinueunloadingthisnotionoffreedombecausewecan’ttalkaboutitenough.ThewayheisgoingtodoitisheisgoingtoreachbackintotheOldTestamenttofurtherpaintthepictureoffreedom.NowtheOldTestamentisthefirstpartoftheBible,andit’slifebeforeJesus.IttellsusthehistoryofthenationofIsrael.SometimeswhenpeoplehavetriedtoreadtheBible,theOldTestamentcanbetheconfusingpart.Whenyou’rereadingtheBibleandyoumaybestartatthebeginningbecausethat’showyoureadbooks.Youstartedreadingthroughit,thestoryunfolded.Andallofthesuddenyou’reintheOldTestamentanditseemedlikeGodwasmaybekindofangry,punitive,orjudgmental.AndthenyougottotheNewTestamentanditseemslikeHegotniceallofthesudden.Heisloving,gracious,andforgiving.Foryou,you’rewrestlingwith,“Howdothesetwothingsgotogether?Itfeelsliketwopuzzlepiecesthatdon’tquitealign.”Andifyou’veeverdoneapuzzleandyou’vegotthosetwopiecesyou’reconvincedoughttogotogether,youkindoftrytosmashthemtogether,itneverreallyworks.Andmaybethat’sbeenpartofwhathasconfusedyou.Isthisataleoftwodifferentgods?Arethesetwodifferentmessages?Howdothesethingsgotogether?Andbeyondconfusingtherearesomepeople,andwe’vetalkedtoplentyofthem,whohavereadtheOldTestamentandsaid,“Youknowwhat?Ifthat’swhoGodis,ifHethinkslikethat,actslikethat,andtalkslikethat,I’mout.Ifthat’sreallywhomyouwantmetobelieve,Ican’tbelieveinaGodlikethat.”Itmayhavegonebeyondconfusingforyou.Itmaybetheveryreasonyou’veself-selectedoutoffaithentirely.WhatPaulisgoingtodoisheisgoingtoshowushowtheOldTestamentandtheNewTestamentarenottwopuzzlepiecesthatfittogether.Theywereactuallyonepiecetheentiretime.Thisisnotataleoftwodifferentgods.ThisisthesameGodthroughoutallofhumanhistory.AndevenmoreimportantlythemessageofgracewasnotsomethingthatwasintroducedwiththebirthofJesus—it’sactuallybeenthewholestorytheentiretime.SoPaulisgoingtopointthatoutallthroughoutGalatians3.We’regoingtopickitupwhereweleftoffinverse1.YoucanfollowalongasPaulsetsthesceneforwhathe’sabouttoexplain.Hesaysitlikethis,“OhfoolishGalatians!Whohascastanevilspellonyou?ForthemeaningofJesusChrist’sdeathwasmadeascleartoyouasifyouhadseenapictureofhisdeathonthecross.Letmeaskyouthisonequestion:DidyoureceivetheHolySpiritbyobeyingthelawofMoses?Ofcoursenot!YoureceivedtheSpiritbecauseyoubelievedthemessageyouheardaboutChrist.“Howfoolishcanyoube?AfterstartingyournewlivesintheSpirit,whyareyounowtryingtobecomeperfectbyyourownhumaneffort?Haveyouexperiencedsomuchfornothing?Surely



itwasnotinvain,wasit?Iaskyouagain,doesGodgiveyoutheHolySpiritandworkmiraclesamongyoubecauseyouobeythelaw?Ofcoursenot!ItisbecauseyoubelievethemessageyouheardaboutChrist.”Now,ifyou’vebeenaroundforthelastcoupleofweeksyouknowthisletteriswrittenbyamannamedPaul.PaulwastheonewhostartedthechurchinGalatia.Heplantedit.HefoundeditonthegoodnewsofJesuswhichsaysthatJesuscameandHepaidthepriceyouandIdeservedtopayforoursin,andgaveusnewlife.That’showhestartedthechurch.ButthenwordhadgottenbacktoPaulthattheyhadgottenoffcourseandthattheyhadboughtintotheideathatJesuswasn’tenoughandtheyhadtodomoretomakeGodhappy.TheyhadtodomoretomakeGodlovethem.SoPaulisfrustrated.He’slike:Icouldnothavemadeitclearertoyou.It’slikeyousawJesusonthecrossin3D,IMAXasclearasday.Itwasinfrontofyou.Howhaveyougottensofaroffthepoint?AndwhattheyhaddoneismaybetheywerecoolwiththeideathatJesushadsavedthem,butnowtheyweregoingtoliveareallygoodlifethroughtheirowneffort.AndPaulsays:That’scrazy.Whatareyoutalkingabout?Hesays:Youarefoolish.Thetruthis:Notonlyarewesavedthroughfaith,wealsogrowthroughfaith.Faithwasn’tjustforoursalvation,likefreeingusfromsin,freeingusfromtheconsequencesofsinbutitalsogrowsusinourfaith.Sowhatyouhavehereareapeoplewhoweresayingthatmaybewecouldbeforgivenfromoursinbygrace.Weknowtherewasthiswholeembarrassingbitabouthowwecouldn’tbegoodenough,Jesushadtosaveme,andgrace,grace,grace—that’sfine.Butnowthatwe’reChristianswe’regoingtotryreally,reallyhardtobegoodatthis.Throughourowneffort,wewillshowGodwewereworthsaving.Sowewilldoeverythingwithinourpowertobeasgoodaswepossiblycanbe.Paulsays:That’snotthepoint.Whatareyoudoing?Andhere’swhyIthinktheystruggledwiththiswholeideaofgracecontinuingbeyondsalvation.BecauseIdon’tthinkwe’reallthatdifferent,youandme.Ihaveafeelingwecannotenjoyanythingwedidnotearn.Isthattrueaboutyou?Theideathatsomeonejustgavemethis,theideathatIdidn’tdeservethis,theideathatIdidn’tdoanythingtomakethisthinghappenmeansIcan’treallyenjoyit.SoIreturntothisreligiouslifethatsaysthatmyperformanceisthewayGodseesme.WhenIdothingsreallywell,Godlovesme.WhenIdothingsreallypoorly,Godisoutonme.Butit’sallaboutthewayIperform.NowthatmaynotbethewayIwassaved,butnowthatI’vebecomea



ChristianIhavetoperformreallywellifIwanttokeepGodhappy.SoI’mgoingtoreadmore,I’mgoingtopraymore,I’mgoingtogivemore,andI’mgoingtobethebestChristianthroughmyowneffort.Paulwaslookingbackatthem,andhe’slookingatyouandmetodaysaying:Areyoucrazy?Justbecauseyou’reaChristiannowdoesn’tmeanyou’reactuallygoodatthisstuff.Infact,thereisnosuchthingasagoodChristian.There’sonlysavedChristians,that’stheonlydifference.Nowthatyou’vebeensaved,itdoesn’tmeanyou’reactuallygood.Sowhywouldyoutrythisthroughyourowneffort?Allowyourselvestobesaved,andallowGodtobetheonewhogrowsyou.Youhaveanewlife.Whywouldyoureturntotheoldone?It’sjustascrazyasifoneofuswouldgooutforaruntodayintheJulyheat.Wecamehomesoakedwithsweat,tookandshower,andputbackonthosesamesweatyclothes.That’scrazy.Acrazypersonwoulddothat.Butthat’sexactlywhatitislike.I’vebeengivenfreedom,savedfrommysin,butIwanttogobacktothewaywhereI’mgoingtoearnmywayintoGod’slove.AndPaulsays:Whydoyouwanttodothat?That’snotalifeoffreedom.AndinordertopaintthispictureheisgoingtoreachbackintotheOldTestamentandtalktousaboutaguynamedAbraham.NowiftheBibleisnewtoyou,ifallthischurchstuffisnewtoyou,thenletmejustgiveyouaquicksnapshotofwhoAbrahamis.Heisareallybigdeal,notjustinthisstoryhere,notjustinGalatians3,butactuallyifyouwanttounderstandworldreligions,Abrahamreallymatters.Thethreeprimarymonotheistic(whichmeansyoubelieveinoneGod)religions,Christianity,Judaism,andIslam,theyactuallyalltietheirrootsbacktoAbraham.He’sareallybigdeal.AndintheBiblewereadintheBookofGenesisthatGodpursuedAbraham.AndIcannotoverstatehowimportantthatis,notonlyforAbraham’sstory,butforyouandmeaswelltoday.GodwastheonewhosoughtoutAbraham.Abrahamdidn’tfindGod.Abrahamwasnotonsomeexistentialsearchfortruth,andthenfoundGod.Hedidn’tgoonthishunttodisproveallthescienceandalltheapologetics.Hedidn’tdigintothatandfindGod.Godfoundhim.HepursuedAbraham,andHeinterruptedhislifeinamajor,majorway.AbrahamwasnotlookingforGod.AbrahamwassofarfromGod,itwasn’tevenfunny.GodinterruptedhislifeandsaidHehadapromiseforAbraham.AndthispromisewasnotjustforAbraham,butit’sforyouandmeaswell.Solet’sletPaulexplainwhatthepromisereallymeans,“Inthesameway,‘AbrahambelievedGod,andGodcountedhimasrighteousbecauseofhisfaith.’TherealchildrenofAbraham,then,arethosewhoputtheirfaithinGod.What’smore,theScriptureslookedforwardtothistimewhenGodwouldmaketheGentilesrightinhissightbecauseoftheirfaith.GodproclaimedthisgoodnewstoAbrahamlongagowhenhesaid,‘Allnationswillbeblessedthroughyou.’SoallwhoputtheirfaithinChristsharethesameblessingAbrahamreceived



becauseofhisfaith.”NowhereiswhatPaulisreferringto.BackintheBookofGenesis,GodpursuedAbrahamandHeinterruptedhislife.AndGodgaveAbrahamapromise.Abrahamatthatpointwasover90yearsold,andGodlookedathimandsaid:Abraham,youwillbethefatherofnations—plural,multiplenations.Here’sthecrazypartaboutthatpromise.Abrahamwasover90yearsoldandatthatpointhedidnothaveanychildren.Hisentirelifeexperiencehadbeenoneofinfertility.Hehadwatchedotherpeoplehavekids,otherpeoplehavegrandkids.Hedidnothaveanyofthat.HerecomesGod,whohewasnotpursuing,hewasnotlookingfor,whofoundAbrahamandsaid:Youwillbethefatherofnations.AndAbrahambelievedGod.Nowwe’vegottostopforasecondandjustkindofappreciatehowhardthatpromisewouldhavebeentobelieve.BecauseIdon’tknowaboutyou,butIhaveyettomeeta90-year-oldwhohadababy.Thatwouldbeweird.IwouldfreakoutifIsawa90-year-oldhaveababy.Thatiscrazytalk.ThereweresomanyreasonsnottobelieveGodwhenHesaidthatlikescience,humanhistory,somanyreasonswhythisisacrazypromise.HerecomesGodandAbrahambelievedHim.NoticePaul’sphrasingthat’ssoimportant.Itwasn’tlikeAbrahambelievedinGod.Itwasn’tlikehebelievedinsomekindoftheoretical,divinepowerinthesky.HeactuallybelievedGodwoulddowhatHesaidHewoulddo.That’sfaith.AndthatwasthereasonGodwaswillingtouseaguylikeAbraham.Itwasn’tbecausehewasallthatgreatbecausehonestly,ifyoureadAbraham’sstory,it’snotlikehekilleditallthetime.Hereallywaskindofcowardly,andhelostsightofwhatGodhadforhim,andheshort-circuitedalotofGod’splansinhislife.Itwasn’tthathewasbetterthanyouandme.ItwasbecauseheactuallybelievedGodwoulddowhatHesaidHewoulddo.ThatiswhywecanalsohaveaccesstothesameblessingGodwouldgiveAbraham.It’sthroughourfaith.Nowagain,whenyou’retryingtoreadthiswholething,thewholebigpictureoftheBible,andyou’rereadingfromstarttofinish,itcankindofseem,andthere’vebeenpeoplewho’vesaidthisbefore,itcankindofseem,ifyou’rereadingitchronologically,thatGod’sjustkindofmakingthisupasHegoes.LikemaybeHecreatedtheworld,andHehadlikeageneralideaastohowitwouldturnout,andthenwemesseditupreallyearly.FromthenonHewasjustkindofthrowingouttheserulesandregulationstokeepusontrack.Thatdidn’twork.AndthenHethrewusJesusjusttobailusout.That’skindofthewayitfeels.



It’salotlikethewaymywifedescribesfootball.It’sastretch,Ipromise,sohangwithme.WhathappensisIlovesports,shedoesn’t,andeveryonceinawhileI’lltrickherintowatchingfootball.Andsheisconvincedthatineverysinglefootballgame,theyarejustmakinguptherulesasthegameishappeningbecausethereisnowayillegaltouchingwasanactualrulebeforethegamestarted.Theyarejustmakingallthisup.Shegetssofrustrated,shewalksintotheotherroom,andIfinishthegame.That’sthewayitalwaysworks.Sometimesitcanfeellike,maybeifyou’rereadingthisthing,Godhadagoodideaanditwentbad.OrmaybewemessedupHisblueprintsanditallfellapart.Buttherealityis:Salvationthroughfaithwasalwaystheplan.Wehavetounderstandthisorwe’llthinkthesearepuzzlepiecesthatkindoffittogether;OldTestamentandNewTestament,pre-Jesusandpost-Jesus.Thisisthedeal.Thisistheonestory.Salvationthroughfaithwasalwaystheplan.GodneverhadtheideathatyouandIwouldbegoodenoughtosomehowearnourwayintoeternity.Healwaysknewthatitwasgoingtobesalvationthroughfaith.AnditstartswithAbraham,way,way,waybeforeJesus.Salvationthroughfaithwasalwaystheplan.IlovethewayourDowntowncampuspastorPetieputitjustlastsummer:ThegospelisplanA.TherewasneveraplanB.Ourgoodworks,ourgoodefforts,andgettingouracttogetherwereneverpartoftheplan.ThesamereasonAbrahamwasacceptablebeforeGodwasthesamereasonyouandIareacceptablebeforeGod.It’sbecausewebelieveHim.WebelieveHeiswhoHesaysHeis,andHe’lldowhatHesaysHewilldo.That’scalledfaith.Thechallengewehavehereisthatitwasalwaystheplan.Youwouldthinkthatwouldbeenough.Youwouldthinkthegoodnewsthatwedon’thavetoearnthisandwedon’thavetobegoodenough—youwouldthinkthatwouldbeenough.Wewouldbeaffirmed,wewouldbecomforted,andwewouldbeconfident.AndwecouldjustrestinthefactthatGodhasus,andwedon’tneedtodoanythingelse.ButthenGodgaveusthistoolandithadaveryspecificpurpose,butweuseditforanotherpurposeanditendedupwithdisastrousresults.Maybeyou’vedonethisinyourlifeinotherscenarios.Youhadataskathandandyoudidn’thavethetoolstodoit.Youjustgrabbedwhateverwasavailabletogetthethingdone.Forinstance,sometimesatourhousetherewillbeaflybuzzingaround.MywifewilltellyouIhateflies,Igocrazy.Icannotchilluntilthatflyiseliminated.Iwillgrabanythingthatisavailable,amagazine,ashoe,achild,Idon’tcare.IwilltakecareoftheflybecauseIcannotrelax.That’snotwhatthey’refor,butI’llusetheminthatway.



Maybeyouatelunchandyou’vegotameetingcomingupandnooneactuallyhasatoothpickwhenyouneedone,soyoujusttakeyourcarkeysandstartdigging.Notthinkingoftheunimaginableplacesyourkeyshavebeen,andnowthey’reinyourmouth.That’sgross.Butyougotthejobdone.Afewweeksagomysonuseddiapercreamasfacemoisturizerandshampoo—Ithinkwe’redoingitwrong.Idon’tknowwhatwedidtodeservethat.Butthat’snothowit’sdone.Youcan’tuseitforthatpurpose.Whatwedoiswekindoftakestuffandrepurposeittodosomethingelse.Godgaveusatoolwithaveryspecificpurpose.Weuseditforadifferentreasonanditreallyhurt.HereisthetoolHegaveus:TheLawAndwhenyou’rereadingintheOldTestament,maybeyou’vehearthelawreferredtoastheTenCommandments.You’veprobablyheardthat.Itisreallyfamous.Therewereabunchofotherrulestoo,like:Youcaneatthis,butdon’teatthat.Youcanassociatewiththesepeople,butnotthosepeople.Youcanworshiphereonthisdayatthistimeinthisway.Thisishowyoudolife.Therewereabunchofrulesandregulations.Godgaveusthelawforaveryspecificpurpose.Butwetriedtouseitforadifferentreasonanditreallyhurtus.Solet’sletPaulexplainwhythelawwasactuallygiveninthefirstplace.Here’swhatitsays.“Why,then,wasthelawgiven?Itwasgivenalongsidethepromisetoshowpeopletheirsins.Butthelawwasdesignedtolastonlyuntilthecomingofthechildwhowaspromised…Isthereaconflict,then,betweenGod’slawandGod’spromises?Absolutelynot!Ifthelawcouldgiveusnewlife,wecouldbemaderightwithGodbyobeyingit.ButtheScripturesdeclarethatweareallprisonersofsin,sowereceiveGod’spromiseoffreedomonlybybelievinginJesusChrist.”Paulissaying:Look,thelawandthepromisegotogether.Youcannotunderstandonewithouttheother.SoGodfirstgaveusapromisethatifwebelieveHim,thatHewoulddowhatHesaidHewoulddo,ifwehadfaithinHim,Hewouldtakecareofusandgiveustheblessing.Thelawcamearoundtoshowusjusthowsinfulwereallywere.Theideawasthatthelawwouldexposeusforwhowearedeepdownontheinside.Andthenoncewesawourselvesthroughthelaw,thepromisewouldbeallthemorespectacular.Thepromiseandthelawarenotadversaries,they’renotmutuallyexclusive.Theyworktogether.Sothelaw,thereasonwehadit,wastoshowushowsinfulwereallyaresowewouldrealizehowspectacularthepromiseit.TheLaw=amirror



Whatthelawdoesisitcomesandputsamirrorinfrontofusandsays:Thisiswhoyoureallyare.Idon’tcarewhoyoupretendtobe.Idon’tcarehowyoureallyact.Thisiswhoyoureallyareinyourhonestmoment,whenyou’reallbyyourselfthisisyou.Nowwhenyouwakeup,whenallofuswakeup,andwelookinthemirrorforthefirsttimeinthemorning,weallhavevaryingresponses.Someofus,wereallylikewhatwesee,maybealittletoomuch.We’relookinginthemirrorandwespendalittletimeflexingshowingthemuscleswehavethatothersdon’t.Maybeyouflipyourhairalittledramatically,dooneofthoseInstagramposeswheretheyputtheirhandontheirhip.Idon’tknowwhyit’salwaysso,butitis.Idon’tknowhowyoudoitinthemirror,butsomeofuslikeitalittletoomuch.Andthelawwouldlookbackatusandsay:It’snotasgoodasyouthink.Honestly,youarewaymoregreedy,selfish,andarrogantthanyouwouldcaretoadmit.Thelawishonestandsays:It’snotasgoodasyouwantittobe.Andthentherearesomeofuswhowakeup,lookinthemirror,andwedon’tlikewhatweseebutwe’redeterminedtofixit.Wethinkthroughdiet,exercise,alittletanningcream,andmaybesomeofthathaircolorinaboxwecanfixwhatishappening,what’slookingbackatus.Andthelawholdsthemirroruptousandsays:Itdoesn’tmatterhowhardyoutry.Itdoesnotmatterhowmucheffortyouputintothis.You’renotgoingtowin,becausethestandardofthelawisperfection.Ifyoubreakoneofthelaws,it’sasifyouwereguiltyofbreakingallofthem.Youcannotgetittogether,itwillneverbeenough.Andthentherearesomeofus,wewakeupandlookinthemirror.Wedon’tlikewhatwesee,sowejustavoidit.Weavoidallreflectivesurfaces.Weavoidallpicturesofourselves.Wejustdon’twanttoseewhatwereallylooklike.Andthelawchasesusdown,becauseitisaruthlessevaluatoroftheconditionsofourhearts.Sothelawhasajobanditdoesitvery,verywell.Thelawsays:Here’swhoyoureallyare.Andthepointisthatwewouldseeourselvesinthemirrorofthelawandstandinaweofthegloryofthepromise,“Ican’tbelieveGodstilllovesme.Ican’tbelieveGodstillwouldhaveme,eventhoughIlooklikethat.”Butinsteadofusingitasamirrorthatpointsustothegloryofthepromise,wetrytouseitasourstandard.Insteadofsaying,“Ohman,I’mreallybadoff.Ican’tbelieveGodstilllovesme,”whatwedoiswesay,“I’vegotthis.Icanlivethatlife.Icanbegoodenough.Icanstrivehardenough.AndIcangetmyacttogethertowhereGodwilleventuallyloveme.”Wetrytousethelawtojustifyourselves,whenthatwasneverthepointinthefirstplace.Andthechallengeis:NomatterhowhardItry,mygoodisnevergoodenough.



Goodisnevergoodenough.Itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodIam,thereisalwayssomeonebetter.Itdoesn’tmatterhowlongI’vegonewithoutfalling,eventuallyIwillslip.Itdoesn’tmatterhowwellIthinkI’mcoveringupmymistakes,someoneisgoingtofindmeout.Thelawleadsustothisplaceofexhaustion,depression,anddespair.Becausethat’swhatitwasdesignedtodo.AndthisweekIexperiencedtheverydespairthatlookinginthemirrorofthelawcreates.MywifeandIwereonadoubledatewithanothercouplewereallylove.Theyarelikefamilytous.SowewerehangingoutandIthought,“ThiswillbeagreatopportunitytoasksomepeopleIloveforsomefeedback.”Isaid,“Givemeoneortwothingsthatwillhelpmeinmylife,inmyrelationships,inmyleadership.Layitonmeandchallengemetobeabetterman.”Betweenyouandme,Ijustthoughttheyweregoingtobenicetome.Ireallydid.Ithoughttheywouldsay,“Youcaretoomuch,”or,“Jake,youaresogoodatthingsitmakesotherpeoplefeelbadaboutthemselves.”That’sreallywhatIwaslookingfor.Theydidn’tdothat.Theylookedbackatmeandsaid,“Sometimeswhenyou’retalkingtopeople,youdon’treallylookatthemanditmakesthemfeelliketheydon’treallymattertoyou,andwhattheysaydoesn’tmatter.”“Andthensometimeswhenwe’rehangingoutwithyouandyourwife,youhaveopportunitiestoeitherbetenderandlovingtowardherorsarcasticandrude,andyouchoosesarcasmalmosteverytimeandyoureallyneedtoworkonthat.”That’snotgood.Haveyoueveraskedforfeedbackandimmediatelyregrettedit?That’swhereIwas.Ithinkoneoftheworstpartsaboutfindingoutwhatpeoplereallythinkaboutyou,iswhenthey’reright.Iknewthat.Iknewthataboutmyself.IknowsometimesI’mnotthemostrespectfulwhenI’mtalkingtosomeone.IknewIcoulddobetteratbeingabetterhusband.Betweenyouandme,IreallythoughtIwascoveringitupbetter.Ididn’tknowpeopleactuallysawit.Iknowtherealme.I’vegotthewallstaringmedowneverysingleday.IknowwhoIam.IjustthoughtIwasabetteractor,andapparentlyIamnot.Andwhatitledmetowasthedespairofthehonestyofthemirror.Forthenext36hoursIcouldn’tgetovermyself.Iwasbeatingmyselfup.IwastellingmyselfthatIshouldknowbetter.I’vebeenaChristianfor20years.I’mapastor.Whatiswrongwithme?Iallowedthehonestyofthelawtocondemnme.Idon’thaveittogether,andwhoamItostandonthestageandtalktootherpeople?WhoamItobeahusband?WhoamItobeafriend?Ijustkilledmyself,forasolidday-and-a-half.Anditruinedmyotherrelationshipsforthose36hours.Icouldn’tgetoverit.Ittookmeaday-and-a-



halftorememberthatIhavebeenrescuedfromthedespairthelawcreates.Goddidnotleavemeindespair.Heledwithapromise,Hefollowedwiththelaw,andthenHeprovidedarescue.WatchhowPaulexplainsitinGalatians3,“ButthosewhodependonthelawtomakethemrightwithGodareunderhiscurse,fortheScripturessay,‘CursediseveryonewhodoesnotobserveandobeyallthecommandsthatarewritteninGod’sBookoftheLaw.’SoitisclearthatnoonecanbemaderightwithGodbytryingtokeepthelaw.“FortheScripturessay,‘Itisthroughfaiththatarighteouspersonhaslife.’Thiswayoffaithisverydifferentfromthewayoflaw,whichsays,‘Itisthroughobeyingthelawthatapersonhaslife.’ButChristhasrescuedusfromthecursepronouncedbythelaw.Whenhewashungonthecross,hetookuponhimselfthecurseforourwrongdoing.“ForitiswrittenintheScriptures,‘Cursediseveryonewhoishungonatree.’ThroughChristJesus,GodhasblessedtheGentileswiththesameblessinghepromisedtoAbraham,sothatwewhoarebelieversmightreceivethepromisedHolySpiritthroughfaith.”Paulislikedesperatelyscreamingtousfrom2,000yearsago:Youcannottryandearnit,becauseit’snevergoingtobeenough.Itwasnevertheplaninthefirstplace.Thelawwasatool,anditdidits’job.Thelawdidwhatitwassetouttodo.Itledustoanhonestunderstandingofoursin.Itledustounderstandthatwereallyaren’tthatgreatinthefirstplace.Paulislookingatyouandhe’ssaying:You’renotthatgreat,andit’sokay.It’sokaythatyoudon’thaveitalltogether,andit’sokaythatyoukeepfalling,becauseitwasapromise,alaw,andthenarescue.Andyou’vebeenrescuedfromthedespair.You’vebeenrescuedfromtheexhaustion.You’vebeenrescuedfromthedepressionthattryingtoliveuptoGod’sstandardreallycreates.You’rerescuedfromallofthat.Sodon’treturnbacktotheoldwayoflife.Youarefree.ThenPaulpaintsthispictureofwhatourlifecanlooklikebecausewe’vebeenrescued.Hesays:YouareallchildrenofGodthroughfaithinChristJesus.AndallwhohavebeenunitedinChristthroughbaptismhaveputonChrist,likeputtingonnewclothes,notthesweatyrunningclothes,butnewclothes.ThereisnolongerJeworGentile,slaveorfree,maleorfemale.ForyouarealloneinChristJesus.AndnowthatyoubelongtoChrist,youarethetruechildrenofAbraham.YouareHisheirs.AndGod’spromisetoAbrahambelongstoyou.HereiswhatPaulisexplaining.Backinthisdaytheinheritancegamewasdifferentthanitisnow.Inthisday,theeldestsongotthelion’sshareoftheinheritance,andthentheyoungersonsgotalittlebitofit,andeverybodyelsewasoutofluck.Thedaughter,theotherfamilymembers,theyreceivednothing.



WhatPaulissayinghereis:You’renotonewhoisleftout.Notonlyhaveyoubeenrescued,butyou’vebeenadoptedaswell.You’renotjustrescuedfromyoursin,you’readoptedintothefamilyofGod,whichmeansyouhavethesameaccesstotheblessingofGodthateveryoneelsedoes.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyoulooklike.Itdoesn’tmatterwhereyou’vebeen.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyou’vedone.Youcanbeaccepted.Itdoesn’tmatterhowmuchorhowlittlemoneyyouhave—you’relovedbyGod.Itdoesn’tmatterthecolorofyourskin,thechurchyougrewupin,orwhatthatonepersonsaidtoyouthatonetimethatyoucan’tforget.Youareloved.Youareadopted.AndnowyouandIhavethesameaccesstothepromisethatbeganwithAbraham.Ifwe’lljustbelieveHim,morethanbelievinginHim,ifwe’llbelieveHim,thatHeiswhoHesaysHeisandthatHe’lldowhatHesaysHewilldothenwehaveaccesstoeverythingGodhasavailable.Sohere’smyquestion.It’stheonequestionI’dloveforyoutowrestlewiththisweek.Ifyourgroupmeets,I’dloveforyoutotalkaboutit.It’stheoneI’llbewrestlingwithaswell.Whatdoyoudowithyourdespair?Likeinthemomentwhenthelawdoesitsjob,inthatmomentwhenyou’relookinginthemirrorandyouseethatrealyou,whatdoyoudothen?Here’smytheory.Ithinktherearefartoomanypeoplewhoaregatheredherewhoarelikeme,towherewegetstuckindespair.Maybethelawdiditsjobwithyou,anditkindoftoldyouwhoyoureallywere.Yousawtheuglinessandthedarkness,andyoudidn’treallylikewhatyousawbutyougotstuckthere.Andfortherestofyourlifeyou’vejustbeenbeatingyourselfup.You’renotgoodenough,notholyenough.Youcan’tstoplookingatthosewordsandgoingbacktothatperson.Youcan’tstopbeingyou,andyouaredepressed.Youareexhaustedbecauseyoucan’tdoitonyourown.Paulsays:Thatwasneverthepoint.Thepromiseandthelawcamebeforetherescue.Here’smyprayerforyoutoday.Whenyoufindyourselfinthatmomentofdespairthatallofusfindourselvesin,you’llremembertherescueandtherescuer.ThatJesuscametoliveamongstus,andHediedforoursinsothatwenolongerweredefinedbyourmistakes,nolongerdefinedbyoursin,nolongerstuckindespair.Wehavehope.Wehavehopebecausewe’vebeenrescuedfromthepit,themire,thedepression,theexhaustion,andthedespair.TurntoJesus.Heistheonlyonewhocanpullyouout.Atallofourcampusestherearegoingtobepeoplewhowouldlovetopraywithyou,theywouldlovetotalkwithyouaboutwhatitlooksliketolivealifeoffreedom,notalifeofbeatingyourselfup.We’dlovetopraywithyouandtalkaboutthattoday.



Letmeprayforyou.Father,wearegrateful,gratefulforYourmessage,gratefulforthetruth,humbledbytheideathatYouwouldsaveuswhenwedidn’tdeserveit.Yousaveduswhenwecouldn’tgetouracttogether,becausethatwastheplanthewholetime.RightnowIspecificallyprayforthosewhohavebeenbeatingthemselvesup,whocan’tgetoverthefacttheyarejustnotgoodenough.Ipraythisclearmessageofrescuecanringloudintheirlives,notjustbeforonemorning,butcanbelifetransforming.God,speaktothemclearlyandremindthemoftherescuethatwaspromisedinJesus.It’sinYourgoodnameIpray.Amen.

Galatians: Live Free A Promise, the Law, and a Rescue.… · Now before we dive into the sermon I...

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