Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Paul spent the first two chapters defending the gospel of grace, by using his own experience and calling.

These had been challenged.

Paul shows that God rather then man has called him and given him his message.

In Galatians 3 Paul begins his theological discussion around the atonement.

He explains that there is no other way for anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, to be righteous before God except through personal faith in Jesus Christ.

The Law Was Temporary

Scripture reveals God's three basic provisions for dealing with people over the centuries - the patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.

Recall God's promise (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16).

The Gospel preceded the law in the promise.

Galatians 3:19 explains why the law was added.

The law helped expose sin.

So we could see it clearly.

The law was inadequate, but not wrong.

It was not complete because it lacked the shedding of blood in a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22).

No one but Christ could keep the law perfectly (Galatians 3:10-13, 21).

To the Galatians, influenced by Judaizers, Paul made it clear that the law was like a school bus, designed to take us to the proper place (Galatians 3:24).

The Law Was Fulfilled

Jesus regarded the law as provisional (Matthew 5:17,18).

It was good (Romans 7:12,13)., so good that only Jesus could keep it perfectly (Galatians 3:10).

In Him it was fulfilled, filled full, completed.

Some try to limit the "law" to the Ten Commandments, but this is not correct.

Where in them is there a reference to offering turtle doves and pigeons?

(see Luke 2:22).

The Ten Commandments contain the moral law, but they re not the moral law.

Moral law as such cannot be done away with, and has not been.

In the NT, the Ten Commandments (except the Sabbath) are repeated, reinforced, and reissued.

We live by their moral principles, but not by the Ten Commandments as such.

The Gospel is Our Permanent Authority

Jesus has all authority for all time (Matthew 28:18).

Paul reminded his readers how they were saved by pointing to their experience.

(Galatians 3:1-5).

We need no law but love for Christ; no rule of faith and practice but His New testament; no requirements in the church but those He laid down, God offers salvation, not on the basis of our keeping the law perfectly, but because of what Jesus did for us (Galatians 3:26-29).

Big Idea: Jesus is our authority, there is no other way for anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, to be righteous before God except through personal faith in Jesus Christ.