Text: Galatians 3:1
Intro: This truth is the truth of the Gospel! Note 2:5 and 2:14 In Galatians chapter 3, Paul presents five arguments for the sufficiency of justification by faith alone! We should obey the gospel:
I Because of the Negative Effect of Disobedience! 3:1-5
A. We became believers by turning to the gospel vs.1-2
B. We are being bewitched when we turn away from the gospel vs.3-5
Eph 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience
II Because of Abraham our Example of Faithful Obedience! 3:6-9; 15-18
A. How was Abraham saved? Vs.6-9
1. His salvation vs.6 He was justified by faith!
2. Our salvation vs. 7-9 Both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith!
B. Who saved Abraham? Vs. 15-16 It was Jesus, who came thru the lineage of Abraham!
C. When was Abraham saved? Vs. 17-18 430 years before the law was given!
2 Cor 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
III Because of the Purpose of the Law! 3:10-12; 19-25
A. The problem the law presents. Vs.10-12 Those who try to live under the law and do not obey all of the law are cursed!
B. The purpose of the law: vs.19-25
1. It points out our sin vs.19-20
2. It points us to the Savior! vs. 21-25
Eph 3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
IV Because of the Finished Work of Christ! 3:13-14
A. What Jesus did . vs. 3:13a He redeemed us from the curse of the law!
B. How Jesus did it. vs. 3:13b He was made a curse for us on the cross!
C. Why did Jesus do it? vs. 14 He did it to fulfill his promise to Abraham!
Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
V Because of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit! 3:26-29
A. What the Spirit does: vs.3:26-27 He baptizes believing Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ.
B. Why does He do it? vs.28-29 It assures that all can share in the promise once given to Abraham!
1 Cor 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
World War II was at its height. Forces were engaged in what was known as, “The Battle of the Bulge” — or “The Christmas War of 1944.” The fighting was fierce in the bitter cold and snow.
The Allied Forces bombed and established control of a strategic area. The commanding officer turned to several of his men and said, “Sweep across that field, and kill all German soldiers still entrenched in the snow. I want no prisoners. Absolutely none!”
One of the American soldiers selected gives his account of what happened next. “As I walked, I immediately shot and killed two wounded and suffering soldiers.” He continues, “Then, suddenly I approached a tall, young guy with a broad Teutonic forehead.
“He was leaning against a tree. He wasn’t wounded — simply exhausted. He had no food, no water, no comrades in sight, no ammunition. Fear, fatigue, defeat, and loneliness overwhelmed him. He spoke English with a beautiful vonderful- vorld-type accent.
“When I noticed a little black Bible in his shirt pocket,” he reminisces, “we started to talk about Jesus and salvation. Wouldn’t you know it, that lanky German soldier turned out to be a born-again Christian who deeply loved the Lord. I gave him water from my canteen; I even gave him crackers. Then, we prayed and read God’s Word together. And we wept together too.”
His voice began to tremble, as tears splashed down his cheeks. His face began to reflect anguish.
“It seems like only yesterday. We stood a foot or so apart, as he read a Psalm from his German Bible. Then, I read Romans 12 from my King James translation. He showed me a black- and-white picture of his wife and daughter.”
The soldier took a deep breath. “You see, in those days, I was a young man in my early twenties. I had just graduated from a Christian college in Illinois and hadn’t had time to sort out my thoughts on the war.
“Maybe that’s why I did what I did. “I bid my German brother farewell, took several steps away, then returned to the soldier. Romans 13, the ‘thou shalt not kill’ commandment, the promises of eternal life, the Prince of Peace, the Sunday school distinction between killing and murder, the irrationality of war — all swirled in my mind.
“When the German soldier saw me returning, he bowed his head and closed his eyes in that classic prayer posture. Then it happened. I said three crisp sentences that I still repeat once or twice a week when I have nightmares about the war, ‘You’re a Christian. I am too. See you later.’
“In less than a second, I transformed that defenseless Christian soldier into a corpse.”
Jon Johnston, Courage – You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear, 1990, SP Publications, pp. 155-157