Sermon Tone Analysis

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Galatians 2:15–21 (ESV)

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Opening Prayer

Self-righteousness is a Delusion

Works for the purpose of self-righteousness are anti-gospel.

They are ways used by mankind to find hope and justification in ourself.

Our fallen nature is bent on suppressing the truth of God...

Which includes:

Our fallen condition.

Our lack of righteousness.

Our willful sinning against God.

Our certain and justified condemnation before God.

We live life doing our best to:

Ignore these truths...

Forget these truths...

Suppress these truths...

And seek a righteousness of our own, nonetheless.

But, the gospel teaches us that any mission to obtain self-righteousness before God...

Is a delusional mission that is destined for failure.

And, this kind of mission is the every day life of the world.

And, even those inside the church.

The false teachers in Galatia were saying that the way to be presentable to God is...

Yes, Jesus, but also the Ceremonial Laws.

The important thing is not so much what they were adding, but that they were adding.

The important thing is the fundamental truth of the gospel:

Is Jesus Christ’s work and love enough to cleanse and beautify you all by itself?

Paul’s answer is “Yes.”

For these false teachers the answer was “No.”

The False Teachers are saying...

Faith + Works = Justification

Paul is saying...

Faith = Justification + Works

The difference between these two statements is not insignificant.

It’s not the difference between denominations.

They are two different religions.

So, I want us to begin this morning by looking at the prevalent and tragic reality of so many “religious” people who consider themselves to be Christian...

The Misapplication of the Gospel

Galatians 2:17–18 (ESV)

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

We notice that Paul is speaking of the pursuit of being justified in Christ...

But it going wrong…off path.

How can that be?

What does Paul mean here?

How can someone pursue to be justified in Christ and be found a sinner?

I thought Christ removed all our sins.

I thought Christ gave us His righteousness.

How can someone pursue to be justified in Christ and still be found a sinner?

Let’s read it again...

Galatians 2:17–18 (ESV)

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, [this is important because your endeavor is defining this, not the biblical doctrine of justification] we too were found to be sinners, [the biblical doctrine of justification does not leave someone to be found a sinner, quite the opposite][But this type of endeavor allows for it.

So, again it is the endeavor that defines this cause and effect][And, if that happens…] is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, [the rebuilding of what was tore down is the endeavor here]I prove myself to be a transgressor.

So, here’s the thing...

Paul is telling us that there is more than one way to pursue justification from Christ.

He’s not saying there is more than one right way or biblical way.

He’s saying that people twist the doctrine of justification...

And use Jesus in ways that will not justify them.

Because remember the context of what Paul is telling us...

Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Let’s look at an example that Jesus gave us of how people misapply the doctrine of justification...

Which is also a misuse of Jesus.

Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

This is a daunting passage…And it should be.

It should cause every person, including Christians to sit up straight in their seat and take note.

What’s the issue here?

Why are these people being rejected by Christ?

They call Him “Lord.”

So, they claim Him.

They claim that they’ve done all sorts of ministry in His name.

What is the issue here?

The issue is their faith is not in Christ...

Their faith is in their works.

His name, Jesus…as Lord…is just a logo that gets slapped on their hope in their own works...

Their hope in a self-righteousness.

Their faith is not really in Him…not truly in Him.

If it were, their answers would have been...

Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy [trust] in your name, and cast out demons in [trust] your name, and do many mighty works [trust] in your name?

But, that wasn’t what they said...

And Jesus wasn’t who they were truly trusting in.

The reality was that they were trusting in their works.

And our works produce lawlessness.

Our works are tainted with sin.

This is what is going on here in Galatia.

If you’re trusting in your works at all...

You’re not fully trusting in Christ.

John Bunyan once said, “The best prayer I ever prayed had enough sin to damn the world.”

Listen God the Father did not provide His Son in order for us to feel better about our works.

He provided His Son in order for us to fully understand our works...

Abandon all hope in our works...

Know that our works are corrupt and bring condemnation...

And place all our hope in the work of Christ.

And, so, as I stated last week...