February 26, 2023
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
I. The Law Can’t Change the Promise
Galatians 3:15-18
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. 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. 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. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
II. The Law Can’t Be the Promise
Galatians 3:19-20
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. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
Romans 5:20
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more
III. The Law Can’t Work Against the Promise
Galatians 3:21-22
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. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Romans 11:32
For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Since we are saved by a promise, we must avoid the lie and trap of performance.
Next Steps
- I confess my sin and trust Jesus as my King for the first time.
- I commit to rest in the promise of God and not lean on my performance.
- I choose to find my identity in who Christ is and not in my own behavior.
Deep Dive
- Read James 2:14-26. How do you compare Paul’s teaching on justification with James’ words about faith and action?
- How does the Law help us see and understand the weight of our sin?
- Read Galatians 3:15-22. How did Jesus fulfill the law of Moses?
Springboards
- When were you baptized? What difference did it make in your life?
- Why does the method of baptism matter?
- Read Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38. Discuss what this suggest about baptism by immersion.