Living by Faith
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6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Gal 3:6-
Review
Review
Last week we took at look at a turning point in Paul’s letter. After he outlined the description of the gospel and his defense of the gospel he went on to indite these Galatian believers for their disobedience to the gospel.
He called them foolish - strong language indeed!
He described them as “bewitched” - literally “seduced by these false teachers”
He asked them probing questions designed to help them see the error they were being seduced by - This is a valuable technique - asking questions “you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink” - Paul was leading them to the water but also helping them realize on their own that the water would quench their thirst!
We said that the gospel is something to believe but also something to be lived! We do not start with the gospel and then go on to maturity in our flesh, which is what Paul is so stirred up about! The heartbeat of his message can be found in chapter 3 verse 3:
We said that the gospel is something to believe but also something to be lived! We do not start with the gospel and then go on to maturity in our flesh, which is what Paul is so stirred up about!
The heartbeat of his message .....
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Introduction
Introduction
What was being offered to these Galatians was a way to be accepted by God through the works of their flesh. An idea that was repulsive to Paul. An idea that he spends the next 2 chapters attacking and tearing apart.
He starts with an example - the example of Abraham and more specifically - Abrahams Faith!
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Declaration: A life of faith is essential if we are to properly understand the Christian life
Proposition: Are we living our lives on the foundation of faith in God or are we being drawn away by our flesh?
Transition: As we look at this section of Paul’s letter we will notice 4 aspects of faith and how they will help us to live lives that are pleasing to God!
First notice ...
I. The Origin of Faith
I. The Origin of Faith
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
God’s Promise to Abraham
1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Why is Paul using Abraham as an example of faith? Because the Judaizers were pointing to Moses - Paul was pointing to Abraham and ultimately to Faith in Christ which preceded even Abraham!
“and the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith”
Application - Nothing New
Whenever we are trying to understand something it can often times be helpful to look at the beginning. While at times it can seem like ideas we are being presented with are new, it is often true that they are not new at all, just newly packaged or presented in a different way.
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
The Gospel is not a new truth and access to God did not originate with Moses, we find it all they way back to Abraham and it’s source is God and his word!
The Judaizers were trying to compel these Christians to get circumcised
Circumcision was an important rite of Jews and something they held in high regard as a badge of honor
God’s Promise to Abraham
1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
So we have the origin of our faith…now lets notice
II. The Opposition to our Faith
II. The Opposition to our Faith
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
A. The opposition to our faith is the curse of the law
A. The opposition to our faith is the curse of the law
vs 10 “under the curse...cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written”
“cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written”
The law demands perfection and when that perfection is not achieved or maintained it brings a curse!
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
17:27
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
B. The opposition to our faith is continual weight of the law
B. The opposition to our faith is continual weight of the law
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Illustration: I hated School - When I was a boy I could not wait to get out of school! We would either get on a bus in the morning or be driven there by our parents and the entire time we were there we were “under” their control. We had lessons to learn, books to read, papers to write and problems to solve.
But....there came a day! Graduation day! The day when we walked across the stage and recieved our diploma - what a happy day!
After that day - we were no longer under a “schoolmaster”
In a similar way - the law of God brings us to graduation day - it brings us to the foot of the cross - to Christ himself and by faith we are delivered from its curse!!
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The origin of our faith, the opposition to our faith and also...
III. The Operation of our Faith
III. The Operation of our Faith
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
In other words - How does our faith work?
Illustration: The pieces of a Boeing 737 Jetliner - According to a press release bulletin, the newest generation 737 jetliner has over 600,000 individual parts that have to be assembled before you get a complete and functioning airliner. It is one of the most complex pieces of modern engineering when taken into consideration all of the flight control systems on on board computers.
In contrast, the working of faith is a much simpler to put together...
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
A. The operation of our faith begins with a look inward
A. The operation of our faith begins with a look inward
Vs 13 “…being made a curse for us”
We must first realize the personal nature of faith
It cannot be anyone’s faith but our own
The law opposes us as we just noted, it brings a curse
B. The operation of our faith begins with a look upward
B. The operation of our faith begins with a look upward
Vs 13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Christ became that curse for us and took our place
The blessing of Abraham - the promise made to him - is ours “through Jesus Christ”
The origin of our faith, the opposition to our faith, the operation of our faith and finally.....
IV. The Outcome of our Faith
IV. The Outcome of our Faith
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Gal 3:26
A. The outcome of our faith changes our family
A. The outcome of our faith changes our family
“ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus”
Illustration: You cant change your family - This is the time of year when we get together with family we might not see regularly - and many times we are reminded of how difficult it can be to demonstrate the love of Christ. Someone has aptly said “you cannot choose your family but you can choose your friends”
However, in the case of Christians, you can choose your family!
B. The outcome of our faith changes our frame
B. The outcome of our faith changes our frame
“baptized into Christ have put on Christ”
“neither Jew nor Greek”
“neither bond or free”
“neither male or female”
“for ye are all one in Christ”
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
C. The outcome of our faith changes our future
C. The outcome of our faith changes our future
“…and heirs according to the promise”
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
We may not have control in this temporary world - but faith changes our future and we will reign with Christ
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Flesh & Fear vs FAITH
The real problem with religion in any form is that is promises results without God! It does this in a subtle way by using scripture and crediting works to God himself while constantly pointing to men to the burden of the law. Driving men to “do” when it has all been “done”!
The fear of man and the works of the flesh stand in direct opposition to a life of faith. Christian, we are called to a life of faith!
This faith...
Comes from God and has always been the plan for redemption and righteousness
It has always been opposed by the religious and self righteous
It begins with a look inward at the one who is cursed by sin (you and me) and then looks upward to Christ who took our place
Finally - Faith has an outcome that changes our family, our frame and our future
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Are we living by faith?