13-Oct-14 1 David Beresford. The Gospel of Grace. Justification by Faith

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1 13-Oct-14 1 David Beresford The Gospel of Grace Justification by Faith Paul wrote this to a group of churches in Asia Minor that he, Barnabas and Silas had founded on his first two missionary journeys The churches included Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe The reason he wrote to them was A group of legalists taught that certain Old Testament laws were still binding on Christians. They reasoned that God s promise extended only to Jews and that Gentiles must be circumcised before they could fully experience salvation. They taught that faith in Christ was necessary but inadequate one must add to faith - the observance of the Law as well. This teaching was in direct contrast to Paul teaching that Salvation was by Grace through faith. The legalizers sought to discredit the message Paul preached by discrediting Paul himself saying he was a second class apostle inferior to Peter or James. They also argued that Paul was compromising the gospel by making it more attractive to Gentile by removing the legal requirements of the Law. They were spoiling his hard work They were teaching a different gospel They were nullifying the sacrifice of Jesus They were bringing confusion to the new believers They were bringing them into bondage a kind of slavery They were getting them works centred and not faith centred They were getting them self-centred and not God centred Paul wrote this wonderful explanation of the true gospel The main theme of the New Testament Salvation is by Grace through faith alone. If you can grasp it, it will revolutionize your Christian life. Gal 2:15-3:10

2 13-Oct-14 2 David Beresford Discussion in Oxford about how Christianity differed from other religions. C.S. Lewis came in and said - Grace no other religion has that. KJV says Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. NKJV We introduce the word Justification Galatians 2:16 The word justified occurs here for the first time. It is a legal term, borrowed from the law courts and means "to declare righteous." Its opposite is "to condemn." Justification = just as if I d never sinned Lying = not guilty Cheating not guilty Lust Not guilty Sexual sins Jealousy Envy Pride Covetousness -- Selfishness Unbelief Rebellious Moodiness Not loving God enough Neighbour --- Righteous means - virtuous good blameless upright honourable respectable

3 13-Oct-14 3 David Beresford In a right standing with a holy God The opposite is sinful How is this righteousness obtained? By trying your best? By living according to the golden rule = do to others as you would have them do to you? Always trying to be honest? Trying to keep the Ten Commandments? It can never be enough! By faith in Christ alone Believing in Christ alone - trusting in Christ alone. The Judaizers and Peter by his actions said, you must trust Christ, be circumcised and keep the Law as well to be a real Christian. This is not biblical teaching on divorce Rom 7:1-4 Now, dear brothers and sisters you who are familiar with the law don't you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries. 4 So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. Identification with Christ The Judaizers argued that if there was no law people would go on sinning Christ would be promoting sin. Rom. 6:15-16 Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!

4 13-Oct-14 4 David Beresford Dr Martin Lloyd Jones said, if your preaching of grace does not throw up that question you have not preached grace properly We are not under law How would you react if all traffic signs gone? We died with Christ. To the law - What happened to him happened to us. Paul said, Gal 2:20-21 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. NKJV Imagine if you died Died to the Law - Someone else would be sitting in your seat People could say horrible things about you and you wouldn t be offended People could say flattering things Proud You would not worry about the opinions of others. Paul said, I m identified with Christ in his death I am crucified with Christ Life Christ lives in me I live by faith in Christ If righteousness came via the law Christ death was irrelevant it was all for nothing. The biggest mistake in the universe Chapter 3 Paul gave them four reasons why they only needed faith in Christ 1. How did you receive the Holy Spirit? By keeping the law or believing the message? Speaking in tongues, prophesy etc.

5 13-Oct-14 5 David Beresford 2. Did you Reach Spiritual maturity (Sanctification) by keeping the law or believing the message. You grew as a Christian 3. Have you suffered persecution for nothing - from the Jews Acts 14:21-23 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 4. On what basis did God perform miracles Miracles were happening in their church/fellowship. The Example of Abraham Abraham was declared righteous by God because he believed Gods promise this happened before he was circumcised God saw that he would justify the gentiles through faith preached this good news to Abraham. Gen 15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. KJV Reckoned bank account. Those who believe are the spiritual children of Abraham. You are a spiritual child of Abraham s great son Jesus. Jesus is the seed You are justified by believing the message of Christ crucified, raised and ascended. Grace = God s riches at Christ s expense.

6 13-Oct-14 6 David Beresford Suggested Questions. Please try to keep the answers personal rather than theoretical 1. What does Peter s inconsistency tell us about the importance of fully understanding the implications of the gospel? Are there Christian groups you don t feel comfortable with? 2. Discuss this statement To add to the gospel is to take from it 3. Why can we never be right with God by keeping The Law? 4. Discuss the statement Get saved and do as you like. 5. Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Rom. 6:15-16 a. Why does the doctrine of Grace throw up this question? 6. Chapter 3 Give four reasons why the Galatians were foolish in going back to a rule keeping mentality?