Paul's Epistles - Galatians Part 7 – The Law and the Promise

Paul's Epistles - Galatians

Part 7 – The Law and the Promise

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Paul has continued to preach “Christ the Deliverer”, the only one who can deliver us from the Law!

Remember, the 10 commands of God, the Law of Moses, was given by God, NOT to justify or save anyone, but to show our guilt and need for a savior.

Paul, being educated by one of the greatest teachers of the Law, Gamaliel, understood the Pentateuch  (Greek), or Torah, Paul came to realize that the Law does not justify anyone, nor does it save, Christ however, was the answer to the condemnation brought by the Law.

Putting Faith in Christ allowed one to receive His Grace, which was our Salvation.

Saved by Grace.

The ONLY salvation there is, which can only be found in the one who satisfied the requirements of sin, which was sacrifice.

Paul was upset and confronted Peter when Peter began to bend to pressure from the circumcised.

Peter began to separate himself from the Gentiles, and began teaching things such as obedience to the Law and circumcision, which is contrary to the work of Christ, and therefore, not only is it not necessary, it negates the work of the Cross, and paints a picture of Christ as being insufficient.

This offended Paul because it was contrary to the teachings of Christ, therefore Paul confronted Peter and opposed him on this front, claiming that Peter was not only teaching false doctrine, but causing brothers and sisters to fall, including Barnabas.

Paul’s opposed Peter, and last week looked at Abraham’s Faith to prove works cannot save. This week we will look at the Law and the Promise.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Galatians 3:15-22

Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. ²⁰ A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ²² But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

    I.      HUMAN COVENANT OR LEGAL CONTRACT

a. No one can set aside (ignore) or add to a legal contract that has been officially established

                                                                                  i. The Abrahamic Covenant of Justification by Faith is still in force

                                                                               ii. It cannot be “set aside” or broken

b. The promises were spoken to Abraham and his seed (singular)

                                                                                  i. All those who are brought in through Salvation by Faith in Christ have part in this Promise

                                                                               ii. The Abrahamic Covenant which is Justification by Faith

c. The Law was established 430 years later

                                                                                  i. The Law “Law of Moses”

                                                                               ii. The Law of Moses did not annul the Abrahamic Covenant

                                                                            iii. The “inheritance” is ONLY established by God in the Promise of the Abrahamic Covenant!

II.      WHY WAS THE LAW GIVEN AT ALL?

a. The Law was added because of transgressions (sin)

                                                                                  i. The Law was given to define sin

b. The Law was given through angels and entrusted to mediator

                                                                                  i. In other words, Moses was the mediator

                                                                               ii. For there to be a mediator, there has to be more than one person involved

                                                                            iii. The mediator is the middle person between two or more people who are at enmity or hostile with each other.

c. Mediator implies more than one party, but God is one

                                                                                  i. God is the mediator of the New Covenant

1. But in a different way than Moses

                                                                               ii. Jesus is God, and Jesus is also man

1. Consequently, the New Covenant doesn’t depend upon man, but rather the man Christ Jesus.

                                                                            iii. Therefore this Covenant cannot fail

III.      IS THE LAW IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROMISES OF GOD?

a. Absolutely not

b. If a Law had been given that could impart life then righteousness would certainly have come by the Law

                                                                                  i. The Law of Moses could only show man what he was without God

1. sinful

                                                                               ii. but it had now power to change the man!

                                                                            iii. When we have Faith in Christ, we become part of the Promise, which is the New Covenant

1. Then we are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit

c. But scripture locked everything up

                                                                                  i. The Law cannot give eternal life

                                                                               ii. It could only exact its penalty, which is death

CONCLUSION – The promise by faith of jesus christ might be given to them who believe

Eternal life comes by Faith in the Promise.

That Promise is Jesus Christ, and what He accomplished at the Cross!

The word “believe” demands that Christ and the Cross ever be the object of our faith!

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

Paul's Epistles - Galatians Part 6 – Abraham’s Faith

Paul's Epistles - Galatians

Part 6 – Abraham’s Faith

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Paul has continued to preach “Christ the Deliverer”, the only one who can deliver us from the Law!

Remember, the 10 commands of God, the Law of Moses, was given by God, NOT to justify or save anyone, but to show our guilt and need for a savior.

Paul, being educated by one of the greatest teachers of the Law, Gamaliel, understood the Pentateuch  (Greek), or Torah, Paul came to realize that the Law does not justify anyone, nor does it save, Christ however, was the answer to the condemnation brought by the Law.

Putting Faith in Christ allowed one to receive His Grace, which was our Salvation.

Saved by Grace.

The ONLY salvation there is, which can only be found in the one who satisfied the requirements of sin, which was sacrifice.

Paul was upset and confronted Peter when Peter began to bend to pressure from the circumcised.

Peter began to separate himself from the Gentiles, and began teaching things such as obedience to the Law and circumcision, which is contrary to the work of Christ, and therefore, not only is it not necessary, it negates the work of the Cross, and paints a picture of Christ as being insufficient.

This offended Paul because it was contrary to the teachings of Christ, therefore Paul confronted Peter and opposed him on this front, claiming that Peter was not only teaching false doctrine, but causing brothers and sisters to fall, including Barnabas.

Paul’s letter (epistle) to the Galatians will bring light to this, as Paul tries to correct the direction of the believer’s.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Galatians 3:1-14

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ² 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? ³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? ⁴ Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ 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? ⁶ So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

⁷ Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ⁸ 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.” ⁹ 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.”

¹¹ Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” ¹² The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 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.” 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.

    I.      HOW DID YOU FIRST RECEIVE?

a. Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law?

                                                                                  i. The Galatians (as well as other Jews) had been living by their works, trying to keep the Law for generations.

                                                                               ii. In that time, the Spirit of God NEVER came to the people.

                                                                            iii. After Christ paid our debt to sin and was crucified, the Spirit was now available to all who believed by Faith.

1. John 14:15-21 “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

b. Do you foolishly think you began by the Spirit but will finish in the flesh?

                                                                                  i. God gave them the Spirit, and worked miracles among them proving the Gospel in which they believed was true and Christ crucified was the path to salvation through Faith. (Saved by Grace)

c. Did those miracles & Spirit come by works of the Law?

                                                                                  i. Or was it by believing what you heard? (The Gospel)

                                                                               ii. Abraham believed (had Faith), and it was credited to him as Righteousness!

Because we are justified by Faith, not works.

Salvation by Grace through Faith, not works.

We are righteous, not because of who we are, but because we belong to Him, we have His righteousness through the Holy Spirit.

II.      THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH ARE ABRAHAM’S CHILDREN

a. Scripture foresaw God would justify the Gentiles by Faith

                                                                                  i. God revealed the Gospel to Abraham in advance!

b. ALL NATIONS will be blessed through you (Abraham)

                                                                                  i. What was the Great Commission in Matthew 28?

                                                                               ii. “Go to ALL NATIONS” preaching the Gospel!

                                                                            iii. So those who rely on Faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of Faith

c. In Scripture, God states

                                                                                  i. God says to Abraham in the Old Testament, “All nations will be blessed through you.”  So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

                                                                               ii. Sounds a lot like what Jesus said to Peter in the New Testament, Matthew 16:16-18 “Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

1. God tells Abraham, Faith makes you Righteous in God’s eyes.

2. Jesus tells Peter, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah (Savior), the Son of the Living God, is revealed through the Holy Spirit, making you part of the “Church”, which will not be defeated.

III.      CLEARLY, NO ONE WHO RELIES ON THE LAW IS JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD

a. Because, “The righteous will live by Faith.”

b. The Law is NOT based on Faith.

                                                                                  i. On the contrary, the Law states, “The person who does these things (works of the Law) will live by them.”

c. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law

                                                                                  i. The curse of the Law is condemnation for all who do not keep it perfectly, forever, never failing on any point.

                                                                               ii. Christ, who kept the Law, paid the price demanded by the Law through being a “perfect” un-blemished sacrifice.

                                                                            iii. He redeemed us so the blessing Abraham received would also come to the Gentiles through Christ.

                                                                              iv. By Faith we receive the promise of the Spirit.

CONCLUSION – all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse

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.”

Paul makes it clear, we are saved by Grace, and through Faith we are righteous, because when we have Faith in Christ, we receive the Spirit of God.

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

Paul's Epistles - Galatians Part 5 – Paul Opposes Peter

Paul's Epistles - Galatians

Part 5 – Paul Opposes Peter

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Ø  Began looking at Paul’s ministry in 2011 starting with the beginning of his journey in Christ. The foundation and start of the story found in the book of Acts.

Ø  Examined Acts 4 - 20 in 2012

Ø  Finished Acts and selected chapters of Revelation in 2013

Ø  Studied Romans & started I Corinthians in 2014

Ø  Then completed I Corinthians & II Corinthians in 2015

109 sermons and nearly four years later, I pray you are beginning to get a grasp on the life and ministry of Paul, as well as get an understanding from the book of Acts how a church is to operate, and through Paul’s letters, see how we are to correct the issues we face in a modern church.

Leaving II Corinthians, we have begun looking at Galatians.

If you remember, the Galatian church was founded in a land taken by the Gaul’s, whose historical persona was to embrace change, even look for it.

Saul met the Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and was converted and later the Lord changed Saul of Tarsus to Paul. (Around Acts 13:9)

Paul did NOT go to Jerusalem to consult the Apostles, but to Arabia, then back to Damascus. After 3 years, Paul went to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas (Peter), staying there 15 days. Then he went to Syria and Cilicia.

After another 14 years Paul returned to Jerusalem.

17+ years following Christ before returning to Jerusalem.

Today we will read how Paul opposed Peter (Cephas)

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Galatians 2:11-21

 ¹¹ When Cephas {Peter} came to Antioch {Syria}, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. ¹³ The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

¹⁴ When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

¹⁵ “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles ¹⁶ know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

¹⁷ “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! ¹⁸ If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

    I.      PETER STOPPED PREACHING SALVATION BY FAITH

a. Peter reverted to preaching The Law

                                                                                  i. Paul states this began when certain men sent by James began speaking with peter

                                                                               ii. Peter used to eat with Gentiles, and preach Salvation by Grace

                                                                            iii. After pressure from these circumcised men, Peter changed his behavior, and teachings.

                                                                              iv. Peter “drew back” and separated himself from Gentiles out of fear of conflict with the circumcised

b. This is a perfect example of why we do not follow men

                                                                                  i. Psalm 146:3 “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save”

                                                                               ii. Whether Apostle, bishop, priest, pastor or pope, they are NOT the final word, no matter how tall their hat, how white their robe, or how much “authority or title” has been given to them by man, ONLY the Word of God has the final say on all matters!

c. The other Jews joined Peter in the Antioch Church

                                                                                  i. Paul, out of fear of men (the circumcised) created the first “click” in the Antioch church.

1. Romans 16:17-18a “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites…”

2. I Corinthians 1:10-13 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

3. Luke 11:17 “But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.”

II.      DIVISION, JUDGMENT, CORRECTION

a. Peters actions and teaching caused division in the church

                                                                                  i. The Jews joined him, and he even led Barnabas astray

                                                                               ii. Paul refers to Peter’s actions as “hypocrisy”, because he rejected “Saved by Grace, and Faith in Christ” and returned (or reverted) to The Law, which does not save, but condemn.

                                                                            iii. Peter caused a division in the Antioch church, and their first “click”

                                                                              iv. When Paul sees this, he rebukes Peter (correcting judgment)

b. Paul rebuked (corrected) Peter on this matter

                                                                                  i. “When I {Paul} saw they did not believe in line with the Truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter, “You are a Jew living like a Gentile, how can you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?”

                                                                               ii. Paul properly judged his brother in Christ!

                                                                            iii. We are commanded by Christ to judge our brothers and sisters according to the Word they claim they belong.

                                                                              iv. We are NOT supposed to judge the lost, but call them to repentance and Salvation in Christ Jesus!

                                                                                 v. As far as judging we can never do, is whether someone is going to heaven or hell, for no one but God knows the heart of man, and only Christ is worthy to judge on this matter!

c. The difference between judging and judging

                                                                                  i. Judging Brothers and Sisters (Those who are Saved!)

1. Matthew 18:15-17a “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan (non-believer, unsaved)...”

2. James 5:19-20 “¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth (fall into sin) and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner (a brother or sister who wandered from the Truth) from the error of their way will save them from death (second death at judgment day) and cover over a multitude of sins. (They will be forgiven and back in a right standing with God)”

                                                                               ii. Not judging Sinners (Unsaved)

1. John 12:47-48 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I (Jesus) do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸ There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

a. A judgment of heaven and hell IS coming, but on the last day!

b. Jesus is NOT judging sinners right now, but trying to save them!

c. Shouldn’t we be doing the same?

2. Matthew 28:18-19a “Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

a. The order on instruction is crucial!

                                                                                                                                                                                                            i.      Make disciples (Salvation)

                                                                                                                                                                                                         ii.      Baptize fully

1         Father (The Law)

2         Son (Solution to Law)

3         Holy Spirit (Connection to God)

                                                                                                                                                                                                      iii.      Then teach to obey Christ’s Teaching

d. Paul rebuked Peter in front of the church

                                                                                  i. Why? Because he was an Apostle, and his error was before the entire church, therefore the correction had to be as well.

III.      JUSTIFICATION COMES BY FAITH ALONE NOT LAW

a. A person cannot be justified by the works of The Law

                                                                                  i. The Law only shows the need for a Savior

                                                                               ii. The Law only condemns us

                                                                            iii. Vs 16 “By the works of the Law, no one will be justified!”

b. When one fails, is it the fault of Christ?

                                                                                  i. If in seeking to be Justified in Christ we find ourselves among sinners (in sin), is Christ a minister of sin? (or rather, is He to blame for us falling into sin?)

1. God forbid!

2. Christ has not failed us, it is us who have failed Christ.

c. If we revert to old ways, we sin

                                                                                  i. If I build what I destroy (Paul destroyed the Law by preaching Salvation by Grace, building it again means returning to it.), THEN I would be a sinner.

                                                                               ii. To revert to the Law or ANY state of being before our Salvation by Grace in Jesus Christ would be a departure from the Truth of the Gospel! Departure from the Truth is sin!

1. James 5:19-20 “¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth (fall into sin) and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner (a brother or sister who wandered from the Truth) from the error of their way will save them from death (second death at judgment day) and cover over a multitude of sins. (They will be forgiven and back in a right standing with God)”

                                                                            iii. Through the Law (which Christ perfectly kept and suffered penalty on our behalf) I am dead to the Law

1. Though the Law is not dead

a. Romans 6:3-5 “don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

                                                                              iv. I might live for God

1. Only possible through Christ Jesus, not the Law

CONCLUSION – I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 

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

 I do not set aside the grace of God (or return to The Law or Works), for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

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