Galatians 3 B: Don't Forget About Abraham! Series

Video Transition: Grace Skit by Skit Guys

Series: Galatians (The Gospel of Grace)

Thesis: Have you lost your mind, gone crazy, become stupid or are you hexed by a demon into thinking your works are what saved you? Are you slapping away faith, grace and Jesus’ sacrifice as not necessary and deceived into thinking you can get to heaven on your own good works? Have you chosen to rob Jesus of His glory, making the cross un-necessary? Have you told grace to take a hike I don’t need you? You must have been bewitched!

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:1-29(NIV)

1You foolish Galatians! (You stupid, ignorant, dumb Christians) Who has bewitched you? (Who put you under a demonic spell or hex?) Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. (Have you lost your minds and vision of Jesus?) 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (We start with faith then switch to works - Many are still doing this today - the major religions of the world believe this and promote works to get you to heaven – even some Christian denominations push this) 4Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? (Did you receive divine miracles by doing works or having faith in Jesus to heal you? Do you think you can do your own miracles of healings or other any types of miracles by doing or saying a magic formula (which is about works not faith?)

6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Faith is what made Abraham a child of God not works – believing in the Lord – putting His faith and trust in Him)

10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 3:23 reminds us of the fact - for all have sinned and fall short – All – this even applies to the very religious the Pharisees) 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” (The law is a works orientated system not a belief system which is centered in Jesus) 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

15Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. (Faith as the path to salvation preceded the law as in the case of Abraham) 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. (Those who believe in him will be saved).

19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. (The law was given by the Lord to show we are sinners and unable to get ourselves into Heaven it was a temporary way to God until the time of Jesus coming and ultimate sacrifice was completed) 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. 21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. (Right standing with God comes from faith in Jesus not works) 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. (Do you believe in Jesus or your good works to save you?) 23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (So don’t return to bondage of rules and regulations to save you! That is a foolish way to live in freedom!)