Use Your Heads

USE YOUR HEADS
Galatians 3:15-29

Pastor Terry Wilcox

The Christian faith is a logical faith. We need not fear science, history, or rational thinking.

Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia (southern Turkey) was to address the confusion and division caused by those claiming that salvation is by grace plus keeping religious laws.

In the first two chapters, Paul argues on the basis of his credentials.
In chapters three and four, he outlines the reasonable doctrine of saved by grace alone.

Galatians 3:15-18

1. THE PROMISE PRECEDES THE LAW
   The promise was made to Abraham about B.C.
   The law of Moses about B.C.

   Abraham did not promise God 
   God promised Abraham

   Galatians 3:15-16

   a. God made the promise to Abraham, and to .
       This goes back to Genesis 3:15

        John chapter eight includes the dispute over who Jesus is and whose child his opponents
        are.
        John 8:38-39; John 8:42-44

   b. Paul’s argument is that God made His promise with Abraham through Christ and the only
        ones who can change it are God the Father and God the Son.

2. THE PROMISE IS GREATER THAN THE LAW
   a. Galatians 3:19 – the law was      The benefits of grace are accessed by faith.
        The benefits of the law are dependent on obedience.

   b. The law came through angels
        Acts 7:53
        The promise was made by God directly to Abraham.

3. THE LAW  GRACE
   a. The law regulated life, but could not provide spiritual life.
   b. The law shows us our sin – Galatians 3:21
        Romans 3:20
   c. The law was the guardian preparing people for Christ.
        Galatians 3:23-26
        “Guardian” or “tutor” in the NKJ refers to the “child conductor” common to Roman and
        Greek families.

        They were not the child’s parent but  and disciplinarians.

        The law did not give life to Israel; it regulated life. – Dr. Warren Wiersbee

4. JESUS DOES WHAT THE LAW CAN’T DO
   a. Only grace can  the sinner.
        Romans 4:3-5

   b. Only grace gives us “ with Christ.”
        I Corinthians 12:12-14
        Galatians 3:27 “clothed yourself with Christ” had additional meaning in Roman culture

   c. Only grace can make us  of God.
        Old Testament laws are relevant to us today because they show us God, our separation from
        him, and bring us to his solution.

        Paul’s passion was that the message of redemption by God’s grace through our faith is for
        everyone.

PERSONAL NOTES