The Limits Of The Law
Galatians 3:19-25
Galatians 3:19-25
What, 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. 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. 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. 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.
Intro: Last week, we discovered that God makes good on His promises. We found out that the curse, which the Law pronounces on all men, was born by our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We also learned that God’s promise of blessing through Abraham is still possible, but only through faith (13-14). We discovered that the Abrahamic Covenant preceded the Mosaic Covenant by 430 years, and thereby has preeminence (15, 17-18).
Since God Himself ratified the Abrahamic Covenant, it cannot be modified or set aside by the later covenant, which was made with Israel through the mediation of Moses.
In this case, newer is not better. Finally, we learned that the promise made to Abraham demands fulfillment because it was also made to his seed, Jesus Christ (16).
Quote: “Paul shows that the Abrahamic Covenant had a singular promise, one made to the Son through whom all the promises will be fulfilled. Since God is both the promissory and the beneficiary in Christ, the promise and its blessings are assured to all, unhindered by the Mosaic Covenant with its curse. Therefore, the Law did not nullify the promise.”
But Paul wants us to understand that but this does not mean that there is no purpose to the law. There are limits to the Law, but there is a definite purpose as well. Let’s look at the limits and the purpose of the Law this morning and see just what it means to us in 2003. But first, let’s pray.
I. The Law Shows The EXPECTATIONS Of A Holy God – vv. 19-20.
A. It EXPOSES the sin of mankind – v.19a
1. the law helps us understand something about the nature of God.
2. We get a glimpse of His holiness in the law.
3. The Judaizers were saying that the law took care of sinfulness.
4. Paul says that the Law demonstrates man’s sinfulness.
5. The Law makes visible what is already true, but remains hidden inside of each of us.
6. There is an invisible rebellion that is taking place within every one of us.
7. The Law brings it out to be seen.
8. illustration: like dye in the engine block
9. Rom. 5:20 – “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”
10. not only is sin exposed, it actually increases
a) illustration: Do not touch sign on new Keyboard at church.
b) The Judiazers saw the Law as weed killer for sin, but Paul saw it as fertilizer.
11. even a free gift is worthless if you don’t need it.
a) Salvation is free, but you have to know you need it
b) Illustration: like free items at a garage sale.
B. It provides a BRIDGE until the seed comes – v. 19b
1. The law was temporary.
2. The law was only meant to last “until the Seed” had come.
3. The law was only meant to last until Jesus came.
4. God’s promise to Abraham was eternal.
5. God’s law given to Moses was only “until the Seed…had come.”
6. it was provisional and temporary
7. illustration: like the emergency spare tire
8. the law provided a temporary solution until the flat tire could be fixed
9. once Christ came, the Law was no longer needed
C. It reveals the PROMISE of God’s blessing – v. 20
1. the Law was supposed to make us hunger for righteousness
a) it was a preparation for the Messiah
b) it was designed to point to the promise
2. After the realization set in that the Law was impossible to keep, it was supposed to cause a longing for something more.
3. the Law was inferior because it needed a mediator
a) angels
b) Moses
c) Acts 7:52,53 – “Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."
4. the promise comes directly from God
a) the promise trumps the Law
b) Abraham had no part in keeping the covenant. All the responsibility was God’s
c) The promise comes from God and is carried out by God
d) Our responsibility is to receive it by faith
5. illustration: the Law is to grace what an x-ray is to healing. It diagnosis the problem, but can’t bring healing.
II. The Law PUTS Us In Prison – vv. 21-23.
A. No one can PERFECTLY obey it.
1. if you could keep it then you would earn righteousness
2. the law can’t save because no one can keep it
3. we inherit the promise because we cannot keep the law
B. No way out of JAIL.
1. Prisoner – Gk. sunekleisen – “to close together like fishnet – to close all sides”
2. the Law locks us in prison until Christ sets us free.
3. Christ became a curse for us so He might pay our penalty
4. there is no bail from this jail, but Christ offers us a pardon
5. When we finally see ourselves trapped in sin, we find God offering us redemption.
6. Grace is meaningless to a person who feels no inadequacy or need of help.
7. The Law’s intention is to drive us to despair over our sins and to a desire to receive the salvation that God’s sovereign grace offers to those who believe.
III. The Law POINTS Us To Christ – vv. 24-25.
A. The Law is a GUARDIAN to keep us on track.
1. paidagogos – “custodian, governess, guardian”
2. I Cor. 4:15 – “Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”
3. the Law is our tutor until Christ makes us sons
4. Christ calls us to a sonship that allows us to obey God out of love not fear
5. the law was never intended to save anyone; it was intended to deliver people tot the One who could save them
6. the law was not a savior, but it was important in pointing to Christ.
7. illustration: John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, “Pilgrim standing out in back of his home, dressed in rags and has a great burden on his back. He is reading a book (which represents the law of God.) As he reads, he lets out a great cry of anguish, “What shall I do?” At this point another character enters—Evangelist—who says to the Pilgrim: “Do you see yonder light? And just beyond the light, the little wicker gate and just beyond the gate, a hill, and on top of the hill, a cross? If you can get to the cross, your burden will be rolled away. You will find light and life and salvation.”
8. The Law makes us long for the promise’s fulfillment.
a) It points us to faith, belief and grace.
b) It shows us our need, a new heart given by the Holy Spirit.
B. The Law makes us READY for grace.
1. Our sin bound us, the law keeps us shackled still but Christ sets us free...
2. Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death"
3. The law of the spirit of life sets us free from condemnation under the law and sets us free to live in the grip of grace, not in the grip of sin.
Conclusion:
1. You can never fully appreciate the blessings of God’s grace and mercy until you see yourself against the backdrop of the law.
2. When we see how much the law had enslaved us, we appreciate how fully God’s grace has delivered us.
3. When we see how completely the law had condemned us, we appreciate how freely we’ve been forgiven.
4. When we see how trapped we were under the law, we appreciate how free we are under God’s grace.
5. When you see how desperately wicked you were, you appreciate how graciously forgiven you are.