Transcript Galatians 2:15-21; 3:1-5 Page 989 in Pew Bibles 15. We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners”; 16.

Galatians 2:15-21; 3:1-5
Page 989 in Pew Bibles
15. We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile
sinners”;
16. yet we know that no one is justified by the
works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…
…And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so
that we might be justified by faith in Christ
and not by the works of the law, because by
the works of the law no human being will be
justified.
17. But if, while seeking to be justified by Christ,
we ourselves are also found to be sinners, is
Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not!
18. If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I
show myself to be a lawbreaker.
19. For through the law I have died to the law,
that I might live to God…
I have been crucified with Christ;
20. and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for
me.
21. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if
righteousness comes through the law, then
Christ died for nothing.
Continuing to Chapter 3…
1. You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized
you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was
vividly portrayed as crucified?
2. I only want to learn this from you: Did you
receive the Spirit by the works of the law or
by hearing with faith?
3. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the
Spirit, are you now going to be made complete
by the flesh?
4. Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact
it was for nothing?
5. So then, does God supply you with the Spirit
and work miracles among you by the works of
the law or by hearing with faith?
.>
Seven Questions:
Reasoning about the Nature
Of the Christian Faith
Question 1:
Does Grace Lead to Sin?
An Anticipated Question
The Idea that Grace Leads to Sin
• 2:17 “But if, while seeking to be justified by
Christ, we ourselves are also found to be
sinners, is Christ then a promoter of sin?
Absolutely not!”
->
The Life-Changing Dynamic
of the Gospel
Salvation Includes a Changed Life,
Not Forgiveness and Heaven Only
Alive to God
• 2:19-20 “For through the law I have died to
the law, that I might live to God…”
• Died to the Law: Jesus, in a way that fulfilled
the terms of the law, ended the law’s
demands on the believer’s life
• Live to God: No longer separated from God
and able to respond to God
>
Christ in Me
• 2:19-20 “…I have been crucified with Christ;
and I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me...”
>
Living by Faith
• 2:19-20 “…The life I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave Himself for me.”
.>
Question 2:
Why Do You Think
Jesus Died on the Cross?
An Implied Question
If We Can Be in Good Standing with
God on the Basis of Our Own Record,
Then What’s the Cross About?
• 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if
righteousness comes through the law, then
Christ died for nothing.”
.>
Question 3:
What’s Gotten into You?
A Rhetorical Question
So, Tell Me Again—How Did
You Miss the Cross?
• 3:1
“You
foolish Galatians! Who has
hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus
Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified?”
• Foolish: Lacking good moral judgment
• Hypnotized: Cast a spell on them
• Could the cross have been made more clear? . >
Question 4: How Did Your
Christian Life Begin?
A Direct, “Either or” Question
A Supernatural Beginning
• 3:2 “I only want to learn this from you: Did you
receive the Spirit by the works of the law or
by hearing with faith?”
• Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the
flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God
lives in you. But if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
.>
Question 5: How Does Your
Christian Growth Continue?
A Direct, “Either or” Question
A Supernatural Growth Process
• 3:3 “Are you so foolish? After beginning
with the Spirit, are you now going to be
made complete by the flesh?”
.>
Question 6: Did You Endure All
that Persecution for Nothing?
A Question to Consider
Do They Persecute You For Being Like
Everyone Else or For Being Different?
• 3:4 “Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in
fact it was for nothing?”
• If the Gospel is false, and they suffered for it,
then they suffered for nothing
• If the Gospel is true, then they were faithful to
the truth and God will reward them in the end
.>
Question 7:
What is the Secret of a Supernaturally
Empowered Church?
A Direct, “Either or” Question
A Supernaturally
Empowered Church
• 3:5 “So then, does God supply you with the
Spirit and work miracles among you by the
works of the law or by hearing with faith?”
• You: plural -> supply ya’ll
• The Spirit’s presence and power in the
church
. .