Galatians 3:15-29 "Promises through faith, not works"

Introduction: (V13) Christ rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law

Why does Paul refer to it as a curse of the law?

Over plus laws and ordinances to follow perfectly, which was impossible to do

***Promises of Abraham are received through faith, then, as well as, now….

1. (V16) God gave the promises to Abraham and his child (Jesus)

Genesis 12:3 (Promise of blessing) “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.””

Genesis 12:7 (Promise of land to descendants) “Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”

Genesis 13:15 (Land is permanent) “I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.”

Genesis 24:7 (Promise of a child through his wife Sarah) “For the Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants. He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.”

Genesis 22:18 (Through his descendants all nations will be blessed) “And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” (There was no law, speaks of faith)

a) The point Paul is making is this, all these promises are unconditional, meaning Abraham didn’t work for them, he simply had faith in the promises of God

Romans 4:13 “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.”

Galatians, why are you going back to the law?

2. (V17) God does not break His promises

a) God does not break promises or go back on his word. He is unchanging and cannot lie

c) Promises given were not based on obedience but through faith

Romans 4:13 “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.”

Galatians, why are you going back to the law?

3. (V19) Why was the law given?

a) To show people their sin (V19)

b) Placed under guard by the law (To protect us from harm) (V23)