An Unusual Preacher (Galatians 3:7-22)
Rev. Tim Leslie, October 16, 2022Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
In Biblical times, communication was either verbal or written. Now, it is usually electronic. In Biblical times, the Pauline epistles were similar to our post cards today. They were intimate and momentous. Paul chastises the Galatians from departing from the truth they were given. The word usually translated as portrayed is more correctly "placarded." It was an announcement that could not be ignored, this being the atonement of Christ and the reality of His suffering. This placarded announcement was backed up by scripture. Vss. 2-4 proclaim that salvation is by faith, not by works. The backup of this proclamation is found in Rom. 10: 16, Heb. 4: 2 and 1 Thess. 2: 13, among other places. By departing from this, the Galatians were making a turn from life to death. Paul was truly appalled that they would turn away. The Gospel was actually being defaced. The reason behind the placard is in vs. 8. The Scripture preached the Gospel to Abraham. All nations, Gentiles included, would be blessed BY Abraham, namely, by his faith. The Jews in Jesus' time heard the Gospel preached by the Scripture, but they didn't listen, and they didn't belong to God (John 8: 37). Abraham believed and was glad. Jesus showed the witnesses on the road to Emmaus the totality of the Gospel in the Scriptures (Luke 24: 13). We learn in Heb. 4: 12 that Scripture judges. Paul proceeded to woo the Galatians to embrace the truth of the Scriptures. This is also the call of the Gospel to each of us. Samuel responded well to God's call; he said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." We listen to the call of God through His Word--the Scriptures.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Walk In The Will Of God | None | Fulfill The Law Of Christ » |
Galatians 3:7–22 (Listen)
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 the Law, 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 that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
15 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. 16 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. 17 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. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
19 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. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
21 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. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
(ESV)