IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017

Transcription

1 IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, [SERIES] This month marks the 500 th anniversary of an event in Europe that changed the face of Christianity. Does anybody know what that event was? a. On October 31, 1517 (All Saints Eve), a Roman Catholic monk by the name of Martin Luther, nailed his 95 Theses (a list of questions submitted for academic debate) to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany. 2. Luther was concerned about traveling preachers who had been authorized by the Pope to sell certificates known as plenary indulgences that reduced the punishment for sins committed by the purchasers, or their loved ones stuck in purgatory. a. They were sold to help pay for the construction of St. Peter s Basilica in Rome, but Luther questioned the Pope s authority to grant such a thing; he worried that this would minimize the importance of repentance, and encourage people to buy these Get Out of Jail Free cards instead of helping the poor. b. Luther s writings and preaching about corruption within the Catholic church eventually led to his excommunication, and the issuance of what amounted to a death warrant, on May 26, c. Despite being labeled an outlaw, Luther escaped the clutches of the Holy Roman Empire, and became one of the most notable leaders of what became known as the Reformation until his death in The Reformation was like a rebellion, or protest that swept across 16 th -century Europe, which resulted in the founding of many of the Protestant denominations that exist today. a. The Reformers believed that the church had abandoned the original teachings of Christianity, especially with regard to how people can be forgiven of sin, and have eternal life through faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. b. # The Reformation: What began as a question of the limits of the Pope s power, resulted in the discovery of the unlimited power of God s grace. 4. I share this bit of history with you because, for Martin Luther, the idea that we are save by faith alone was the most difficult theological concept to understand, and the one that impacted him most profoundly. a. [LUTHER #1] Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience I was angry with God, and said, As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind 1

2 of calamity by the law of the Decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath! b. [LUTHER #2] At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of (Rom. 1:17) the words namely, In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. (Luther's Works, Volume 34, P ). c. [LUTHER #3] I lacked nothing before this except that I made no distinction between the law and the gospel. I regarded both as the same thing and held that there was no difference between Christ and Moses except the times in which they lived and their degrees of perfection. But when I discovered the proper distinction namely, that the law is one thing and the gospel is another I made myself free. (Luther's Works, Volume 54, P442). 5. [SERMON] It seems that the idea that we are saved by grace through faith, not works (cf. Gal. 2:8-9) was as unbelievable to Luther, as it was to the people in the Roman Province of Galatia that the Apostle Paul wrote to some 1,500 years earlier! a. This morning, as we continue this series with a look at Galatians 3:6-14, we re going to discover that the conflict between those who believe that our salvation is secured by faith, and those who assert that it is works that make one pleasing to God is not a modern-day problem, or a 500-year-old problem (Luther), or even a 2,000-year-old problem(galatians) it goes back as far as God s people. b. Thankfully, however, through Paul s extensive knowledge, and masterful use of the Old Testament, we are going to see how this explosively controversial premise ( faith alone ) can be found throughout the writings that have guided God s people for thousands of years. 6. [GALATIANS 3:6-14] Total = 3 slides. Hold on [SERMON] during prayer. 7. Luther s breakthrough on the connection between righteousness and faith occurred as he struggled through Romans 1:17 but it was in Galatians where this doctrine took root and bloomed in his heart and mind. a. Galatians was Martin Luther s favorite book of the Bible This is my epistle, he said. I am wedded to it. b. Galatians consists of six short chapters, but Luther's commentary fills seven hundred and thirty-three pages; as a friend was preparing to translate some of his works, Luther reportedly said, "If I had my way about it they would republish only those of my books which have doctrine. My Galatians, for instance. 2

3 8. The reason this book is so powerful is that it not only provides overwhelming practical and theological support for Paul s argument against the Judaizers (Christian Jews who were trying to enforce elements of of Moses like circumcision, table fellowship, and ritual cleansings on Gentile converts), it also lays out for us how we are to live in the light of the freedom we ve been extended by God s grace through faith. a. In other words, it gives us vital insight not only into how we are saved (justification), but how we should also live as the people of God (sanctification). 9. It all boils down to an understanding of two fundamental concepts that we need to establish, and put a hard and fast line between: relationship and fellowship. a. [RELATIONSHIP/FELLOWSHIP] Step through chart to illustrate the difference. 10. In the passage we just read, Paul uses key historical points from the Bible to make his case that faith is the operative force or agent that secures us in our relationship with God. a. That relationship has nothing to do with us; it is all on God; it is our faith in the Gospel [GOSPEL] What is it, again? that delivers us from sin, cleanses us from our trespasses against God, causes the HS to enter and empower us, and seals us as God s children. b. Paul also does something else in this passage that is new: he begins to talk about the proper connection between faith and works. 11. He does this by using the Bible to show how faith, or belief in God has never changed as the requirement for relationship; only the activities that maintained our fellowship with God (or as one friend put it, what kept them in the blessing zone ) have changed. a. According to Paul s logic and we re going to see this unfold over the next two chapters God has always been in relationship with His people through faith; but through progressive changes 1 in the way people maintain fellowship and blessing with Him (which are tied to works), He s been preparing humanity for the Gospel, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. b. In other words, because of the cross the focal point of God s plan (known as redemptive history ) the journey got easier, safer, and even more secure for everyone, not just the Jewish people! 12. Let me show how this develops, beginning with the hero of the Jewish faith, Abraham 13. [VV 6-9] The Jewish people prided themselves on their belief that they were by heritage and heredity sons of Abraham. 1 These changes are sometimes referred to as dispensations, distinctive arrangements or period in history that form the framework through which God relates to mankind. 3

4 a. To defend his positon that faith not works of is the basis of our righteousness before God, Paul is going to use their superhero against them by beginning his argument with Abraham, since his relationship with God predates both the Jewish people, and! 14. In verses 7 8, Paul tells us much to the shock of his opponents two things about those who may have a relationship with God a. Only those with faith qualify. The Jews identified themselves by their association with, more than their faith in -Giver, so not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel (Rom. 9:6). b. All of those with faith qualify. Yup, the pesky Gentiles can get in because of God s promise to Abe!, not ethnicity, identifies the true people of God! 15. [CHART #1] On this chart, we are going to follow Paul s arguments for justification by faith (relationship with God), and then the implied or direct requirement for sanctification (fellowship with God) through each of the periods of biblical history presented 16. [CHART #2] : The Dispensation of Promise (Patriarchs). Paul points to Gen 15:6 And he [Abram] believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness to validate the terms of relationship; remember, Abraham s faithfulness was credited as righteousness before, before there was anything for him to do that would merit God s favor! a. So, the basis of relationship with God is what?. 17. Next, by citing Gen. 12:3, Paul points to the result of Abe s relationship with God In you shall all the nations be blessed but he also does something else: Paul points to the terms, or conditions (fellowship/sanctification) by which the blessing would come to pass: Abraham had to walk! a. He had to Go from your [his] country and your [his] kindred and your [his] father s house to the land that God would show him (Gen. 12:1); if he hadn t done this guess what there d be no blessing to pass on to the Gentiles; we wouldn t be talking about this guy at all! b. And, if you remember our series on Abraham s from this past Summer, you ll remember that his belief (faith) grew over time, and had its ups and downs. c. But it was his faith that secured his relationship and started the journey, and it was his faith that carried him onward through it (even through times of victory and times of failure) to the land that would become the home of God s people, and the blessing we now benefit from! 18. [CHART #3] So, what is the requirement for Abraham s sanctification, the reason the blessings came to pass, the basis for fellowship with God? Walk, man, walk! 4

5 a. And how did he walk? Point back to the first column. By faith! (Cf. 2 Cor. 5:7) 19. [VV 10-12] Since the Judaizers love so much, Paul now moves forward in time to when was first given. 20. He quotes Deut. 27:26 Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them which is set during an elaborate ceremony where the Israelites called out the blessings and curses of to one another from the sides of Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim after entering the Land. a. This is an important reminder to Paul s present-day adversaries because as they surely know God s people did not keep, and so, as a nation, they had been punished through famine, occupation, and exile repeatedly since then! 21. This is why Paul grabs hold of Luther s epiphany verse, Habakkuk 2:4 The righteous shall live by faith. to remind them that really wasn t the problem, a lack of faith and belief was the problem! a. In that passage, the prophet asks the Lord why the wicked proper at the expense of the weak; then he asks how a righteous God can use wicked nations for his divine purposes. Don t they ever come under judgment? b. The Lord s answer is that His ways and time are beyond our reason and comprehension, but those who are righteous will survive on account of their faith in God and His plans. 22. We ve got to remember that the Judaizers were teaching that works of secured your relationship with God a. But Habakkuk s words remind us that even when bad things happen, or when God punishes His people those with faith are still His people! 23. [CHART #4] : The Dispensation of (Mosaic). The basis of relationship with God?. 24. So, what was the role of in that age? Why did the Israelites find themselves time and time again on the wrong side of God s wrath and judgement? It had to do with prosperity and blessing a. Paul points to Leviticus 18:5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord. to show those who claimed that is the basis for relationship and fellowship must, therefore, keep the whole Law; they have to live by it completely if they want to receive both security and blessing which they already knew was impossible! b. The Law was the mechanism for sanctification before Christ; keeping it helped people grow in their dependence upon God, and reflect His holiness; by keeping 5

6 it, they were blessed with the good things that flowed out of Law keeping with faith. When they didn t, well, it s obvious, ain t it? 25. [CHART #5] The basis of fellowship with God? Walk the line! 26. [VV 13-14] The Roman crosses that dotted the horizon throughout Judea reminded the Jews that their home was no longer theirs; it belonged to somebody else. a. When Jesus went to the cross, He literally took the symbol of exile and occupation, and turned it into an emblem of freedom. He eradicated the curse, and opened a way to renewed relationship, and sustained fellowship with God. 27. Jesus had the power to do what we could not (keep ), so that the Spirit of God could be released to save us, seal us, cleanse us, and empower us to live a life that is pleasing to God and through it, receive the blessings that God has always wanted to pour out upon His people. a. Matthew 5:17 20 (ESV) Total = 2 slides. 17 Do not think that I have come to abolish or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 28. [CHART #6] : The Dispensation of Grace (Church Age). The basis of relationship with God?. (now in Christ, or the faithfulness of Christ Gal. 2:16). 29. [CHART #7] The basis of fellowship with God? Walk in the Spirit! 30. [RBI] # All of history points to the cross! 31. God literally purchased us out of slavery with the blood of His Son. a. Explain redeemed 2 in v. 13 and its association with the manumission of slaves. b. This purchase opened up a new way in which people could begin a relationship with God, and remain in fellowship with Him: through the Holy Spirit. c. Through Christ, all of history, all of God s plans, and all the hopes of His people met at the cross. 2 ἐξαγοράζω exagorázō; to buy. To buy out of, redeem from. Used of our redemption by Christ from the curse and yoke of (Gal. 3:13; 4:5). To redeem as spoken of time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). The word generally means to buy up, to buy all that is anywhere to be bought, and not to allow the suitable moment to pass by unheeded but to make it one s own. 6

7 32. When Jesus said in Matt. 5:20, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven, because of your faith in His life, death, and resurrection, the Holy Spirit has come, and today you are more righteous! 33. [SERMON] Transition to close: Talk about how the idea of relationship and fellowship became crystalized in my mind when one of my children expressed regret over being adopted because of their mistakes and bad behavior. 34. [TIH #1] Know your Bible. a. If you don t yet see how the OT stories, themes, and quotes relate to the NT, then you don t know the Bible well enough. Highlight 2018 plan for The Story. b. Get a Bible with good study notes and concordance, or an almanac, Bible handbook, or dictionary to help you understand difficult passages; get an audio Bible if like me reading puts you to sleep; then, get in the Word! c. Highlight stories and characters where faith alone, or trust and belief in God are the primary lesson. Compare those others where people do things outside of God s will, or where they distrust, disobey, or run ahead of Him. You will see your own faith journey in those same stories, which will help you grow in your aspirations, attitudes, and actions. 35. [TIH #2] Check your motivations. a. If you find that you are taking comfort in the trappings of your religion, or if you become confident or prideful about the feeling of holiness that your works bring, you are in dangerous territory. b. Re-evaluate those beliefs, works, and deeds, and then re-commit them to the Lord in humility and repentance for His use and glory; remember that your justification flows from your faith in Him, not the things you do! 36. [TIH #3] Get into community. a. There is no better place to keep from getting puffed up then being in community; and there is no better place to shed light on wrong doctrines, beliefs and attitudes than with people who accept you as you are, yet are committed to seeing grow into what God wants you to be. That s why our One Another Groups are so important 37. [BLACK] Invite Prayer Team Members forward, and close in prayer. 7

8 10/14/17 Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience I was angry with God, and said, As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the Decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath! At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of [Romans 1:17] the words, namely, In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. ~ Luther's Works, Volume 34, pp ~ I lacked nothing before this except that I made no distinction between the law and the gospel. I regarded both as the same thing and held that there was no difference between Christ and Moses except the times in which they lived and their degrees of perfection. But when I discovered the proper distinction namely, that the law is one thing and the gospel is another I made myself free. ~ Luther's Works, Volume 54, p. 442 ~ GALATIANS 3:6 9 6 [J]ust as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness [,] 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, In you shall all the nations be blessed. 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of, and do them. 11 Now it 1

9 10/14/17 GALATIANS 3: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of, and do them. 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for The righteous shall live by faith. 12 But the law is not of faith, rather The one who does them shall live by them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so GALATIANS 3: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Justification Not Guilty How to enter the Family One-time, instantaneous act Costs me nothing God s love for me My position in Christ, not works! Sanctification Now Growing How to realize the blessings On-going, life-long activity Costs me everything My love for God The power of Christ in me fulness through works CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD! GALATIANS 3:6 9 6 [J]ust as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness [,] 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, In you shall all the nations be blessed. 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of, and do them. 11 Now it 2

10 10/14/17 Walk! GALATIANS 3: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of, and do them. 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for The righteous shall live by faith. 12 But the law is not of faith, rather The one who does them shall live by them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so Walk! Walk! Walk the Line! GALATIANS 3: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. 3

11 10/14/17 MATTHEW 5: Do not think that I have come to abolish or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from until all is accomplished. MATTHEW 5: Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Walk! Walk the Line! Walk! Walk the Line! Walk in the Spirit! THE REALLY BIG IDEA ALL OF HISTORY POINTS TO THE CROSS! 4

12 10/14/17 THE REALLY BIG IDEA Know your Bible. THE REALLY BIG IDEA Know your Bible. Check your motivations. THE REALLY BIG IDEA Know your Bible. Check your motivations. Get into community. 5