His purpose for Coming

Galatians 3

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

An American soldier was dying on the battlefield in World War II. A soldier stopped to assist him. He moistened his lips and made his head rest easier. The dying man said, “My father lives in Detroit, and he is a wealthy man. I want to write him a note so he can repay you for your kindness.” He wrote, “Dad, the bearer of this letter made my last moments easier and helped me die. Receive him and help him for Charlie’s sake.” The war ended and the soldier, in worn clothing, looked up Charlie’s father. At first the wealthy man almost refused to see him because of his appearance. “I have a note in which you may be interested,” the veteran said. He handed him a soiled piece of paper. When the father’s eyes fell on the name of his son, everything instantly changed. He threw his arms about the soldier, and put at his disposal whatever he needed. It was the son’s name that made the difference. We can stand before God only because of the intercession of His Son.

Last week we mainly focused on our need for a Savior. We discovered that we are a sinful and fallen race

Jesus came for a purpose of restoration.

Galatians 3:1–16 ESV

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.

Paul asks rhetorical questions. These are questions where the answers should be obvious but are highlighting the issue.

What Paul is revealing is that we must put our faith, our trust in God.

The receipt of the Spirit and works in our lives our done through our faith and not our own works.

Galatians 3:1–16 ESV

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall 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 hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. 15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

I. The Law Was Temporary

A. Scripture reveals God’s three basic provisions for dealing with men over the centuries

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Mark 4:28 ESV

28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

Recall God’s promise (

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Paul points to the curse of the woman and identifies the promise of the Savior, Jesus.

Genesis 12:3 ESV

3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Paul moves to the Promise God made Abraham when he leaves his home at God’s direction.

Galatians 3:16 ESV

16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

Paul directs our attention to the singular offspring and connects that to Christ.

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

B. The law was inadequate, but not erroneous. It was not complete because it lacked the shedding of blood in a perfect sacrifice (

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Galatians 3:10–13 ESV

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall 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 hanged on a tree”—

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

II. The Law Was Fulfilled

A. Jesus regarded the law as provisional (

Galatians 3:1–29 ESV

17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

III. The Gospel Is Our Permanent Authority

A. Jesus has all authority for all time (

Sermon Outlines on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians The Christian and the Old Testament Law (Galatians 3:1–29)

Illustrations

Why Obey the Law?

Some object, “But if I am not now obligated to follow the Ten Commandments why am I not to kill?” In brief, the answer is, “Because Jesus said not to.” He went even further, warning us against the anger that causes murder (