Sunday, March 6, 2016

Paul's Epistles - Galatians Part 8 – Children of God

Paul's Epistles - Galatians
Part 8 – Children of God
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org


INTRODUCTION
Through the letter Paul wrote to the Galatians, he has continued to emphasize the truth that we are saved by faith, not works, and all that come to the Lord in faith are counted as Abraham, and are part of the Promise of God.

Paul was finding himself arguing against Peter at this time, who had fell to the pressure of the “circumcised” and began to allow teachings that were against Faith, and against the teachings of Jesus.

The false teaching that Peter was allowing because of his fear of the circumcised was that although we put our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, one must also adhere to certain teachings of old, such as circumcision, or certain food laws.

Their influence changed Peter, and he began looking down on non-Jews.

We see in scripture he began to pull away from them, and stopped eating with them.

Paul argues that to say we need anything other than Christ alone was a false teaching.

Paul proves through Old Testament scripture that all we have ever needed was faith.

Using Abraham as his example, Paul showed that faith was all Abraham needed, and God revealed that once the Savior came, all those who put this same faith in Him would also be counted among Abraham’s seed, and be called a child of God.

Not only that, but ALL are invited.

We need to remember that God has three major wills.

1)     All come to a knowledge of Christ Jesus (Great Commission)
2)     All are ministers of that Gospel (Great Commission)
3)     The Way You as an individual accomplish Will #2 (Through Holy Spirit – Spiritual Fruits, Spiritual Gifts, Whole Armor of God)


SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Galatians 3:23-29
 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.



    I.      THIS FAITH
a. Before the coming of this faith
                                                                                  i. What Faith?

                                                                               ii. Faith in Jesus Christ


b. We were in custody (bondage)
                                                                                  i. Under the Law which reveals our sin

                                                                               ii. The Law only shows guilt, does not free us from it

                                                                            iii. Therefore, because of the Law, our guilt was revealed and we were “locked up” in bondage to our sin


c. Until Faith was revealed
                                                                                  i. We were only “freed” when Christ came and paid the debt to the Law

                                                                               ii. Now Faith has come, through Faith (in Christ) we are no longer under the Law, but free from the bondage of sin, which is revealed by the Law



II.      IN CHRIST JESUS YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH FAITH
a. All who were baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ
                                                                                  i. On Judgment Day, we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ
                                                                               ii. If we have put our Faith in Him, we are “covered” in Him

                                                                            iii. We have “clothed” ourselves in Christ

                                                                              iv. It is NOT our Righteousness that allows the forgiveness of our sins and entrance into heaven, but the fact that we are covered by Christ.
1. Parable of the Wedding Party


b. Therefore, there is now no;
                                                                                  i. Jew or Gentile (God is now available to ALL through Faith)

                                                                               ii. Slave or Free (No citizen-class in God’s eyes, He is no respecter of persons)

                                                                            iii.  Male or Female (Both equal in the Kingdom)
1. Just because they have differing roles, does not make one better than the other or more acceptable to God.


c. You are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus
                                                                                  i. We are to be one;
1. In Word (fully accepting the Word of God as Truth)

2. In Deed (being doers of that Word)

3. In Body (no denominations, divisions, clicks, etc.)

                                                                               ii. In God’s eyes we are all equal and the same, therefore no one should think more highly of themselves then they aught, knowing that the ONLY difference between a Follower of Christ, and a sinner is CHRIST!



III.      IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, THE YOU ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED & HEIRS
a. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior
                                                                                  i. He died on the cross to pay the debt to the Law

                                                                               ii. God raised Him again to “new life”

                                                                            iii. He IS Lord and Savior, Messiah Christ Jesus

                                                                              iv. Not merely a “good man” (the worldly view), “prophet” (Islam), “avatar” (Hinduism), etc., but God


b. Believe in (Put faith in) Christ
                                                                                  i. He had to die as an atonement for the requirements of sin


c. Confess to Him your sins
                                                                                  i. REPENT of those sins to be forgiven




CONCLUSIONABRAHAM’S SEED & HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE


The promise God made to Abraham, as well as the foretelling of the coming of Jesus Christ, secured for Abraham, as well as future generations, escape from the coming Law, which would not save, but condemn.

The Law reveals our sin, and the reason our relationship with God has been destroyed.

The coming Faith (Christ) restores our relationship through Christ alone, because He alone has fulfilled the requirements of the Law, so in Him, Salvation can be found.





Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!

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