FREEDOM IN CHRIST; BACKSLIDING INTO LEGALISM

Speaker: Fred Sigle

SUNDAY LESSON, 7/14/24
 
GALATIANS: FREEDOM IN CHRIST
BACKSLIDING INTO LEGALISM
Galatians 3:1-14
 
I will be back at GCC on Sunday from vacation.  Thanks to Ben Noll for preaching in my place.
We will resume our Summer Sermon Series on the book of Galatians: FREEDOM IN CHRIST.
I know this has been a very challenging study, and the first part of the book of Galatians is not as practical as the latter part.  However, I believe this is important series because legalism is still alive and well, and raises its ugly head in many forms.
Paul writes this letter because of he is concerned about the salvation of the Christians of Galatia as they are turning away from the gospel of grace to a works-salvation religion.   To help them understand the seriousness of such a move, he asks a series of questions in hopes to cause them to think about what they are doing in turning away from grace to the Law of Moses to complete what Jesus did on the cross.  These questions are very relevant to the church today, as we have a tendency to believe that our performance is what appeases God and affirms our salvation.
Come join us this Sunday as delve into Galatians 3:1-14 and consider the questions that Paul asks the Galatian church.
GALATIANS 3:1-14

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[c]

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 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.”[d] So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[g] 13 Christ 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 pole.”[h] 14 He 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.