Galatians 3

Galatians 3:1-5 – “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

• Galatians 3:2 – The word “rejoice” here could refer to several different things:
  • Holy Spirit
  • The gospel (by metonymy)
  • Salvation that comes from the gospel
• Galatians 3:5 – They had been given forgiveness – were they now going to try and be saved by their own effort under the Law of Moses?

Galatians 3:6-14 – “it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham”

• Galatians 3:6 – Three times this is said about Abraham:
  • Genesis 15:6
  • Romans 4:18-22
  • Genesis 22 – Referenced in James 2:21-24.
• Galatians 3:7 – Confess and faithfully submit to God. This is how to be a true son of Abraham.
• Galatians 3:8 – See Genesis 12:1-7. These are the three promises to Abraham.
• Galatians 3:9 – When I have faith like Abraham, I will also be blessed.
• Galatians 3:10 – See Deuteronomy 27:1, 26. The Law was never intended as a way of justification.
• Galatians 3:12 – See Leviticus 18:4-5. If you try to live by the Law, you must perform it flawlessly. No one except Jesus ever has!
• Galatians 3:13 – No one performed the Law of Moses perfectly and thus, all were cursed (Galatians 3:10). This is quoting Deuteronomy 21:23. Jesus was innocent of our sins but was the blameless sacrifice for us. Jesus died physically so that we could live spiritually.

Galatians 3:15-19 – “Now the promises were given to Abraham and to his seed”

• Galatians 3:17 – The Law of Moses did not invalidate the promises to Abraham that predated it.
• Galatians 3:18 – Salvation is through God’s promise to Abraham, which was before the Law of Moses.
• Galatians 3:16 – See Genesis 22:18. God was talking about one seed in particular – Christ.

Introduction

• Acts 1:1-8

These are inspired, authoritative books.

• I Corinthians 2:13
• Acts 8:18 – The apostles could bestow spiritual gifts on others.
• Galatians 1:1
• The New Testament was written by:

• II Peter 1:13-21 – Peter wanted them to remember these things after he was gone.
• This is the word of God they were passing on!
• II Peter 3:1-3, 15-16 – Peter was referencing Paul’s writings as authoritative.
• We must also respect these words as authoritative.
• Colossians 4:16

They are full of practical instructions.

• John 20:30-31
• Romans 1:5 – These books were written so that people would obey.
• Romans 12:9-14 – These are practical instructions.
• James 1:22-27 – Be “doers of the word.”
• We need to be reading the Bible for the right reasons.
• Luke 7:24-26; 3:10-14 – John’s instructions were simple and practical.
• Let us not alienate the average person trying to understand the Bible by overcomplicating the language we use to talk about it.

Christians 2,000 years ago were struggling with the same problems we face today.

• I John 2:15-17
• III John 1:9 - Diotrephes was lifted up with pride and wanted to rule.
• Jude 1:3-4 – People were trying to turn God’s grace into a license to sin.
• Every generation faces the same sins. They may be dressed up a little differently, but the underlying temptations and sins are the same.
• This is timeless wisdom!
• Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; 12:13-14

Review of the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 8

Matthew 8:1-4 – Jesus heals a leper

• Matthew 8:2 – This shows Jesus’ sympathy. He was willing to help.
• Matthew 8:3 – See Acts 4:16. Jesus’ miracles were undeniable.
• Parallel passages: Mark 1:40-44; Luke 5:12-16.

Matthew 8:5-13 – Jesus and the centurion

• Matthew 8:10, 13 – The centurion showed great faith and acted on it.
• Matthew 8:8 – See Proverbs 29:23. We need to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus.
• Matthew 8:13 – See John 20:30-31 regarding the purpose of these miracles.

Matthew 8:14-15 – Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law

• Matthew 8:14 – This conflicts with the Catholic idea of Peter acting as the first pope since popes are to be celibate. Clearly Peter was married since he had a mother-in-law.

Matthew 8:16-18 – Jesus heals those who were demon-possessed

Matthew 8:19-22 – Jesus warns about troubles brought about by following Him

• If the teacher has earthly difficultie4s, following Him may lead to your own difficulties.
• Matthew 8:22 – We must be careful to not let the cares of the world crowd out spiritual things. These sayings may have been hard on purpose to test those in the audience that would eventually become apostles.

Matthew 8:23-27 – Jesus calms the storm

• The disciples should have known they would survive since they were with Jesus