Galatians # 6 Gal 3-5 thru 3-9
We’re going to continue on the book of Galatians. Last time we were on (GAL 3) so let’s turn there.
I) GAL 3:1-5
A) Paul calls the Galatians FOOLISH because they were going back to keeping the Law.
B) Paul brings out several points here. 1st he says in (V 2) “Did you receive Salvation and the Spirit of God by faith or by keeping the Law?”
1) Of course, it was by faith.
2) Next thing that he says to them in (V 3), “You have begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?”
(a) (V 3) from the NIV says, “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” NIV
(i) The Flesh is never going to cause you to reach the mark, or obtain perfection.
(ii) The only way that we are going to grow and mature is to follow after the Lord in truth and in Spirit.
3) The 3rd question that Paul asks is found in (V 4) “Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. KJV
(a) This third question looked back on the persecution the apostles and new believers experienced.
(i) He says did you suffer all these things for nothing.
(ii) For them to go back to the Law, they would have suffered for nothing.
(b) Jesus even told us that we are going to have persecution. He said in (John 16:33) “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. KJV
(i) He said that we are going to have persecution, but He also told us why.
(ii) In (Mark 4:17) He said, “Persecution ariseth for the word’s sake.”
(iii) Those that are not preaching the Word or living by the Word don’t have persecution.
(c) Persecution is not sent by God to test our faith, it’s sent by Satan to destroy our Faith.
(i) Jesus said in (John 10:10) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” KJV
(d) Even though there is persecution and Tribulation it always ends up in Victory for the Faithful child of God.
(i) Back in (JOHN 16:33) Jesus said that “We are going to have persecution, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
(ii) His Victory in Overcoming the world is also our Victory.
4) The 4th question that Paul asked is found in (GAL 3:5) where He says, “The miracles that were done among you, were they done by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith.”
(a) The NIV translation of (Galatians 3:5) Says, “Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?” NIV
(i) I like that last part, “The miracles that were done among you, was it by the Law or BECAUSE YOU BELIEVED WHAT YOU HEARD?
(ii) Their faith was involved in the miracles that were done.
(b) In the Book of ACTS we have recorded some of the miracles that were done in the cities of Galatia.
(i) Look at ACTS 14:1-3, 8-10 and in V 19-20.
(ii) Their faith was involved in each of these miracles.
(iii) When we have prayer for people at the end of the service, it’s not time to be picking up your things and getting ready to leave, it’s time to stand in faith for these people and believe God that they will receive their miracle.
II) GAL 3:6
A) Abraham was born, lived, and died before the Law ever came into existence. YET he was SAVED and SPIRITUAL.
1) If Abraham could do that before the Law ever existed, surly you and I can do it after the Law has been fulfilled. (Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law.)
(a) The reason we can do it is that neither salvation nor spirituality is contingent upon KEEPING THE LAW but upon BELIEVING THE LORD.
2) In (Genesis 15:6) it says, “And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” KJV
(a) (James 2:23) Says, “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” KJV
(i) To be called “A friend of God,” you would have to be spiritual.
3) Abraham was saved and spiritual because he had faith in God.
(a) Because he had faith in God, he simply did what God told him to do. He knew that whatever God told him to do would be the best for him.
4) You and I are also saved and made spiritual based on our faith in God.
(a) And now that we have placed our faith and trust in God, we just simply do what He says, knowing that whatever He says is the very best for us.
(i) I’ll add this, Faith in God does not come without the Word and a Relationship; and Relationship doesn’t come without Fellowship.
(b) How do we know that Abraham had Fellowship with the Lord?
(i) In (GEN 18:1-8) Abraham sat with the Lord, and ate with Him.
(ii) They spent some time in fellowship. The Word says that when the Lord came to Him he asked Him to stay and eat, when the Lord agreed they had to make the bread 1st then cook the meat.
(iii) They spent some time in fellowship.
III) Let’s go on reading GAL 3:6-9
A) In these passages Paul is giving proof that the Old Testament teaches salvation by faith rather than works.
1) Those that place their faith in God and in His finished work are children of Abraham.
(a) Abraham was the 1st Jew. So what Paul is saying is that the true Jews are those that be of faith and not because of works.
(i) Even at the end of this chapter we’ll get into that again.
2) In (V 9) Paul says, “So then they, which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
(a) Because we are called the Children of Abraham, we are also partakers of the Abrahamic Covenant, sometimes referred to as the Blessing of Abraham. (GAL 3:14)
(b) GEN 12:1-3
(i) Because you are in the family of God and have a covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ, you also are partakers of the Abrahamic Covenant.
(ii) Because of that, there are some spiritual laws in force.
(c) 1st he says that He will bless those that bless you.
(i) Anytime someone does something good to you; God will bless them for it.
(d) But notice the middle of (V 3), “I will curse those that curse you.”
(i) This spiritual law is also in operation. If someone does something evil or wrong to you that same thing is going to come upon them.
(ii) That’s why Paul says, in (Romans 12:14) “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” KJV
(iii) Jesus said in (Mark 9:41) “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” KJV
(iv) (Galatians 6:7-8) “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” KJV
Galations#6 Gal 3:5-3:9
Thursday 4/3/97 WOLCC