The Law Served Its Purpose Series

The Law Served Its Purpose

Galatians 3:19-26

July 18, 2007

Galatians 3:19-20 (NLT)

Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. But this system of law was to last only until the coming of the child to whom God’s promise was made. And there is this further difference. God gave his laws to angels to give to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. [20] Now a mediator is needed if two people enter into an agreement, but God acted on his own when he made his promise to Abraham.

The Law

- The purpose of the law

- To reveal the sin of the people

- A temporary measure

- Until Christ fulfilled the law

- The beginnings of the law

- Given to Moses

- To mediate

- The Abrahamic covenant

- Came directly from God

Galatians 3:21 (NLT)

Well then, is there a conflict between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could have given us new life, we could have been made right with God by obeying it.

No Conflict

- The law does not make one righteous

- Reveals God’s standard

- Reveals man’s inability to attain that standard

Galatians 3:22-23 (NLT)

But the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so the only way to receive God’s promise is to believe in Jesus Christ.

Until faith in Christ was shown to us as the way of becoming right with God, we were guarded by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until we could put our faith in the coming Savior.

Held Captive

- Prisoners of sin

- In bondage to our flesh

- Unable to make our way out

- The way out

- Faith in Jesus

- The fulfillment of the covenant of faith

- The law kept guard over us

- Defining boundaries

- Revealing sin

Galatians 3:24-25 (NLT)

Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God. [25] But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

The Replacement

- The law was the guide until Christ

- Giving direction

- Creating a moral foundation

- Faith in Christ

- Makes us right with God

- Gives direction

- Creates a foundation for life

Galatians 3:26 (NLT)

So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

You’ve Been Adopted

- Children of God

- The privileges of family

- The intimacy of family

- Heirs of the Kingdom

- The adoption process

- Our redemption at the cross

- Faith in Jesus

- The completeness of His sacrifice

**Powerpoint available on request.