Law And Grace

Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2009

Galatians 3:10-29

Introduction:

A. We have studied the faith of Abraham and found that his faith is our faith!

1. I believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who died for my sins, was buried, and rose again for my justification. My faith is in the Messiah!

2. That is what Abraham believed! He may not have know the name Jesus Christ but he did understand the “Seed” that was to come (vs. 16). He understood the reason for sacrifice and the reality of resurrection through the “gospel” that was preached unto him in Genesis 22.

B. In our text tonight, I want to contrast law and grace. That was the problem being confronted here in the Book of Galatians.

1. Is salvation law? Is salvation grace? Is salvation a mixture of law and grace(in any dispensation)?

2. Many today teach a works salvation. Many are even in the independent Baptist movement. They may teach grace for salvation today but they also teach faith mixed with works before the cross and after the rapture. This teaching is heretical!

3. Martin Luther said, "He is a good theologian who rightly distinguishes between the law and grace."

C. These verses contrast law and grace:

1. The Law brings a curse while faith brings blessing. Vs. 10-11
2. The Law brings condemnation while faith brings conversion. Vs. 13-14, 22-24
3. The Law brings bondage while faith brings liberty. Vs. 12
d. Tonight, I want to look at four reasons that salvation is not by the works of the Law.

1. The Law And Curse – vs. 10

a. Israel Cursed Upon Their Transgression - Daniel 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

b. Christ Cursed Upon The Tree - Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (The Law was never meant to be a means of salvation because it brought about a curse, not a conversion. When God curses something or someone, then on God can remove that curse.)

2. The Law And Justification – vs. 11

a. The Law Could Not Save Because Of The Defilement Of Man - Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Titus 3:3-7 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

b. The Law Could Not Save Because Of The Demand Of God – Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Hebrews 9:12-22 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (It was the blood in the Old Testament and it was the blood in the New Testament. It’s still the blood!)

3. The Law And Promise – vs. 15-18

a. Justification Was Promised To Abraham’s Seed Through Faith - James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

b. Justification Was Purchased For Abraham’s Seed Through Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (God’s Promises are always kept! The Law would have made Abraham’s Promise null and void.)

4. The Law And Purpose – vs. 19-25

a. The Law Was Intended To Stop The Boaster - Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

b. The Law Was Intended To Save The Believer - Galatians 3:22-26 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (The Law was never meant to replace faith. It was meant to produce sinfulness which is to produce repentance which is to open the door to faith.)

Conclusion: Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.