Jesus Does the Redeeming
Galatians, Part 5
Galatians 3:1-14
Introduction
- Purpose of the letter
1. To teach
2. To correct
3. To point us to Jesus
- This letter was given to churches in Galatia who were young
- The teaching that Paul is doing here is admonishing them to change
- Chapter 2 brief recap:
-- Paul has to have an honest conversation with Peter
-- Note that Paul does not just decide to stir up things with the group
-- He doesn’t take cheap shots at Peter behind his back; but talks right to him
-- APP: This is a critical app for believers today; don’t sin and gossip …
- (Ch2, v17) We must realize who we are in God’s sight
• Sinners in need of a Savior (why?)
• Depraved without life (filled with death)
- This is why this letter is so poignant and in some cases, painful to a believer
• We must be willing to give it ALL to Him
• Not withholding any part of ourselves
• Else, we do not truly belong to Him
- Read Galatians 3:1-14
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – Following Your Own Law is Never Right (1-9)
- (v1) says, “You foolish Galatians …” CEV = “You stupid Galatians”
-- Paul’s admonition continues because of the need to see the church change
-- He is direct; often blunt; for the purpose of pointing others to Christ
- It is important that we understand who we are; else we will NEVER get Christ
-- This was problem with the churches in Galatia; they felt they were “the point”
- There was bad leadership that didn’t point to the cross
-- They agreed with whatever they heard, with no biblical basis
-- Literally, these bad teachers made it like they had the answers; bad doctrine
- IMP: The reason it sounded good (in case you were wondering) is two-fold:
1. They had forgotten that they saw (personally) Jesus crucified
2. They were totally infatuated with themselves (the heaviest to overcome)
- They weren’t able to let go of themselves; which is not easy = sin of PRIDE!
-- This second issue is really the one to focus on here; it’s not about them/us
- IMP: (v3) Again we see Paul stressing the NON-importance of “self”
- It is not about us, nor the Galatians, nor even Adam and Eve … but about God!
-- Even Jesus came to reveal the Father and the Father’s glory … not His own
- So, when Paul asks (again) who has fooled them -- he’s asking us too
-- APP: We need to see this honestly and ensure we are under biblical teaching
- The Galatians have been shown how to live, and what the Spirit has done
-- But, this is where their faith stops … and they begin to take over (v3-4)
-- Notice the reference again to Abraham: He believed and God credited him
- The Galatians were under Christ; but they were trying to do it by themselves
-- APP: This is the root problem; and really at the core of examination for all
- (v7) Christians need to remember that it is through faith we are justified in Christ
-- It is not something we’ve done; nor anything that we can ever accomplish
- Galatia is receiving the same explanation we received …
- Jesus + NOTHING ELSE = Salvation
-- APP: It is never Jesus + something else … it’s not: “let’s earn our way”
-- If it is Jesus + something else, then His death wasn’t enough (which is FALSE)
-- IMP: If something else is needed, His words “It is finished” are incomplete
- So, (v9), those who RELY on faith are the ones who are blessed by God
-- It’s not the ones who rely on themselves; this benefits no one and is rebellious
-- Abraham was blessed because he obeyed … not because he was “so awesome”
- TRANS: If we live by faith, what is the outcome of following nothing but Law?
∆ Point 2 – The Law is not based on Faith (10-14)
- Paul stresses the importance (once again) of the FAITH we must have
-- APP: Their faith is that Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law; not to replace it
- If you want to sum up verses 10-12 let me give it to you simply:
-- The Law (Levitical Law, Hebraic Law, Law of Moses, etc.) is NOT what saves
-- It was what was required of the OT believers, but from Jesus forward it’s not
-- John the Baptist said one will come and CLEANSE with fire; to heal and restore
-- Luke 3:16, “John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
- How does this apply to us today? (This is where the gut check begins)
- 1. Which rules and laws are you following?
-- Do we follow the laws of the SBC? The laws of the Association? The Church?
-- John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-- APP: If your rules don’t line up with John 13:34-35 it’s not Jesus you follow!
-- Jesus’ command is very clear: “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you …”
- 2. In your life are there things which are more of a convenience than a command?
- IMP: This is where the devil wants whispers, “You’re ok, I’m ok, & we are ok.”
-- Don’t believe it/don’t listen to it; but bring your life to submission under Jesus
-- It really begins to frustrate the devil when this stuff is said; but we must see it
- Look at Gal 3:13-14 and look at what it says about what Jesus has done …
-- The Law says anyone that hung from a tree was cursed: Deut 21:23, “… because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse.”
- But through the faith displayed by Abraham (to believe what God had said) …
-- We get to see the lineage of Christ who grafts us into the fold and redeems us!
- When it comes right down to it, we are nothing but ones who deserve death
-- Just as the members of the church at Galatia deserved; yet Christ redeemed them
- IMP: GOOD NEWS: He redeems us in the same manner as the Galatians!
∆ Big Idea
- Do you see yourself in this role?
- Do you see yourself as one who likes to follow his/her rules?
- Do you see yourself in the position of asserting your authority instead of God’s?
- This is our task church; and why this letter is so challenging to us
-- Jesus did the redeeming (v14a) … we have done nothing to earn it
-- We have no part in it … yet, we go through life thinking we are everything
- Joshua encouraged us to “choose this day who YOU will serve” (Josh 24:15)
- Will you accept the redemption of Jesus or continue to sit in the driver’s seat?
-- If we are truly going to “Love God, Love People”, it must start here
- (v14b) “… so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit”
- Pray
