It's All About Faith Series

It’s All About Faith

Galatians 3:1-10

June 24, 2007

Galatians 3:1 (NLT)

Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross.

Losing Sight

 The blurring effect of false teaching

 Caused the Galatians to lose sight of the truth

 The supremacy of Christ’s death

 Nothing else is required

 His sacrifice was eternally sufficient

Galatians 3:2-3 (NLT)

Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. [3] Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

Living in the Spirit

 The indwelling of the Holy Spirit

 Comes by faith in Jesus Christ

 Not a result of works

 Works based doctrine

 Goes backwards from salvation

 Suggests that man can “earn” his way

 Refining

 The Holy Spirit refines us

 Works are the fruit of the refinement

Galatians 3:4-5 (NLT)

You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?

[5] I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

Throwing Away Grace

 Works based doctrine

 Cheapens grace

 Makes grace insufficient

 The truth

 It is by grace you have been saved through faith

 Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Throwing Away Grace

 Works based doctrine

 Cheapens grace

 Makes grace insufficient

 The truth

 It is by grace you have been saved through faith

 Ephesians 2:8-9

 God’s movement is in response to our faith

Galatians 3:6-7 (NLT)

In the same way, "Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith." [7] The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.

The Example of Abraham

 Abraham’s righteousness

 Not the result of his works

 The result of his faith

 Those who live by faith

 Called Abraham’s sons

 Recipients of the inheritance of righteousness

Galatians 3:8-9 (NLT)

What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, "All nations will be blessed through you." [9] And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

A Promise for Everyone

 Righteousness through faith

 Not just a promise for the Jewish nation

 A promise for all who put their faith in Christ

 Level ground at the foot of the cross

 Salvation is available to all

 Faith alone is the key

**Powerpoint available on request