Jesus + Nothing = Everything: A Study of Galatians
Class #5: Galatians 3:15-29
“Satan would have us prove ourselves by the law, which God gave to prove us sinners.” –Andrew Jukes
Review of Last week
Part of this class is to help you realize how the gospel applies to everyday life.
-At end of class I want people to think if there have been any ways that you are seeing the
gospel apply more to everyday life.
Intro: When someone makes a promise to you what makes you determine whether to expect that promise
to be fulfilled or not fulfilled?
I. Promise vs. Performance
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. 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.
Key players:
Abraham-Gen 15:9-18
430 years later.
Moses
Inheritance by law or promise
What is the distinguishing point Paul is making by comparing the effect of whether we
receive the inheritance of heaven through law or promise?
Law and promise are mutually exclusive.
Law=Based on the performance of the receiver.
Promise=Based on the performance of the giver.
If the law was meant to be a means of salvation, then what happens to the Promise of Abraham?
If the law of Moses was meant to be a means of salvation then the promise to Abraham would
not have been a real promise. Therefore the law of Moses has a different purpose.
II. What’s Law got to do, got to do with it
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.
In v. 19 Paul asks the question, What is the purpose of the law?
What is his answer?
-Specifically states it is to show us our sin.
-Romans 7
-Specifically states that it is not to show us the way to salvation.
So what is the use of the law now?
Paul has been focused on one particular use of the law.
Three uses of the Law:
Civil
Pedagogical
MoralMoral still in effect that is why David can write Psalm 119.
FLIP to Psalm 119.
What surprising things do you see in Psalm 119?
-If we pervert the law to be a means of salvation we can’t say these things.
We either hate the law and give up or change the law and think highly of
ourselves.
III. The Law makes a good guardian but a terrible savior
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.
How exactly does the law lead a person to Christ?
As a Guard.
As a Tutor-tutor was usually a guardian or slave that supervised the children on behalf of
the parents.
Both take away freedom.
Both are impersonal.
Motivate by rewards and punishments
Create anxiety based on standing as separate rather than security as a child.
Tutor shows it is instructive.
Teach:
The gospel allows us to truly honor the law in a way legalistic people cannot. Without
the gospel, we may obey the law, but we will hate it. We will use it, but we will not truly
love it.
This is a picture of dying to the law and living to God. (last weeks verses).
In that we do not obey God any longer for our sake, by using the law as a system to get
things from God. Rather, now we obey God for His sake, using the law’s content to please
and delight our father.
Unless we (embrace this use of the law and) see how helpless and sinful we are, the
message of salvation will not be exhilarating and liberating.
If we do not know how bad we are, then we will not understand what it the hymn
Amazing grace means.
We will sing the words, but they will be disconnected.
Disconnected from “that saved a wretch like me.”
If we don’t acknowledge we were lost we can’t acknowledge we were found.
If we don’t acknowledge we were blind we don’t make a big deal out of being able to see.
ILL: Video-no video of someone seeing for the first time. But there is a video of someone
hearing for the first time.
Cochlear implants. First time a woman ever hears her own voice…Nurse is working with
it. Then the woman says it’s beeping, and when she hears her voice she just starts crying.
Verses 25-26-No longer under guardian, Jesus makes us Sons by faith.
This is a significant part of the Christian life, embracing our standing, rather than striving to
achieve this standing.
Q. 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace,a whereby we are received into the number, and
have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God
Why is this such a significant
v. 27-All have put on Christ,
v. 28-All are equal in Christ.
v. 29-those with faith are abraham’s offspring-By contrast those without faith are not abraham’s
official offspring.
As a Christian you are not striving to become, you are living in the reality of what you already
are.
Yes, you are a work in progress, but he is at work, and will continue to be at work.