Why the Rules?Galatians 3:15-29

Galatians

Page 893 in the pew Bible

Pagina 294 en el nuevo testamento en la biblias que estan en los bancos

live repentance

refuse repentance

fake repentance

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this:

Transition: God’s covenant promises made to Abraham are binding. (3:15-18)

Transition: God’s covenant promises made to Abraham are binding. (3:15-18)

17 What I am saying is this:

the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise, NASB

The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise, NIV

the Law cannot change or cancel God’s promise that was made 430 years before the Law was given, CEV

The agreement (covenant) God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise, NLT

18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

1.God’s promise to forgive me and fill me with His Spirit is permanent.

A. These promises include:

justification by faith, righteousness credited to Abraham (3:6) and to all who are the spiritual sons of Abraham by faith (3:7) including Gentiles (3:8)

indwelling Holy Spirit for all who believe, both Jewish people (Acts 2) and Gentile people (Acts 10).

B. God’s Law given later to Moses does not negate, invalidate nor nullify the promises made to Abraham.

Well, it can’t be to gain acceptance from God or to get righteousness credited to our account by God.

Righteousness results from believing God’s promise, from faith.

Ever slip into performance-based acceptance-with-God thinking?

Ever slip into the performance-based acceptance-of-yourself…or others?

Remember: the way you think God looks at you, influences that way you look at others.

Paul explains that the Law was given not to teach us about salvation, but about sin.

Transition: Then why was the Law given? (3:19-20)

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, It was given later to show that we sin, CEV having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. (God made His covenant directly with Abraham, whereas the Law was given to the nation through a mediator, angels. The point is that the Law given through mediator (angels) is inferior to the promise made directly by God.)

2. God’s rules show me my sin.

A. The Law provided civil, ceremonial and moral structure, guidelines and rules for the people who came out of Egypt and became the independent, free nation of Israel.

2. God’s rules show me my sin.

B. The Law revealed sin.

C. The Law was intended as a temporary measure until Christ would come and fulfill it for us, in our place, on our behalf.

D. The Law of God shows me that I am guilty of sin.

How do I respond to feeling guilty?

Most people walk away from religion that makes them feel guilty

“I’m done with church guilt.”

Does the Law oppose (disagree with, conflict with) God’s promises? (3:21-25)

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? (opposed to, NIV; disagree with, CEV) 21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?, NLT

May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture (the OT Law) has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

3. God’s rules show me my need for mercy, grace and salvation by faith.

A. Obeying the Law cannot give what believing the promise already provides.

B. The Law shows all people to be guilty of sin, and incapable of keeping its requirements perfectly, and therefore our need for mercy, grace and forgiveness.

C. The Law was like a guardian, keeping the Jewish people in protective custody, until Christ came. (3:23)

The Greek word does not mean teacher, it means child-attendant.

tutorbaby sitterX X guardian?

governess

3. God’s rules show me my need for mercy, grace and salvation by faith.

A. Obeying the Law cannot give what believing the promise already provides.

B. The Law shows all people to be guilty of sin, and incapable of keeping its requirements perfectly, and therefore our need for mercy, grace and forgiveness.

C. The Law was like a guardian, keeping the Jewish people in protective custody, until Christ came. (3:23)

D. What do I do with my guilt?

Repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness.

Cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He grows my in everyday, practical holiness.

27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

4. God’s rules show me how to live as His child.

4. God’s rules show me how to live as His child.

A. Justification, righteousness and full membership in God’s family is available to all people (3:6-8)

4. God’s rules show me how to live as His child.

A. Justification, righteousness and full membership in God’s family is available to all people (3:6-8)

B. The Holy Spirit indwells all who put on Christ. (3:14 and 29)

C. As a mature child of God, I live His way and obey His rules happily, not under coercion or threat of punishment.

4. God’s rules show me how to live as His child.

D. Salvation by believing God’s promise rather than salvation by obeying God’s Law, does not mean that we now disobey, disregard and ignore God’s Law.

I must recognize the seriousness of my sin.

Unless I see myself from God’s perspective, I’ll never really understand His mercy and grace toward me.

And I’ll never truly channel or extend mercy and grace to others.

4. God’s rules show me how to live as His child.

D. Salvation by believing God’s promise rather than salvation by obeying God’s Law, does not mean that we now disobey, disregard and ignore God’s Law.

E. Salvation by belief in God’s promise rather than by obedience to God’s Law frees us to obey God out of love.

God’s Spirit within us prompts and empowers us to show our love by grateful obedience to Him.

Jesus frees me to live God’s way joyfully.

Message

• What if I gave mercy to others, as He has given mercy to me?

Grace?

Forgive?

Reconcile?

So what? Now what?

• What will it look like when we are merciful to others, as He has been merciful to us?

Gracious?

Forgiving?

Rreconcile?

So what? Now what?

• What if I cultivated a humble heart?

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. (Phil 2:3)

So what? Now what?

• What if I were generous with my material blessings and wealth?

So what? Now what?

• What if I live a sexually pure life?

So what? Now what?

• What if I both acted and reacted God’s way, like Ephesians 4:32 says?

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Eph. 4:32)

So what? Now what?

• What if I spoke only wholesome, uplifting things, like Eph. 4:29 says?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Eph. 4:29)

So what? Now what?

• For believers in Jesus, the OT Law is still a moral law by which to live. So what if we joyfully obey the Ten Commandments, just because we love Jesus?

So what? Now what?

1. Have no other gods beside Me.

2. Don’t put anything before Me. (Have no idols.)

3. Be careful with My name.

4. Keep My Day holy.

6. Do not murder.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not lie.

10. Do not covet.

5. Honor your father and mother.

The TenCommandments

The TenCommandments

• How do I live God’s way when I’m surrounded by people who don’t?

So what? Now what?

Follow Jesus even if your spouse doesn’t, even if your family doesn’t, even if your parents don’t, even if your friends and colleagues don’t.

Sunday School

church services

Bible

Christian fellowship

Pray regularly (every week) with a small group of like-minded Christ followers.

Spiritually challenging, spiritually encouraging relationships

Jesus frees me to live God’s way joyfully, and reap the benefits immediately and eternally.

Message

Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” -

Jesus