The Curse Of The Law Series

The Curse of the Law

Galatians 3:10-18

July 11, 2007

Galatians 3:10 (NLT)

But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all these commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law."

The Law Condemns

- The pronouncement of a curse

- Deuteronomy 27:26

Deuteronomy 27:26 (NLT)

’Cursed is anyone who does not affirm the terms of this law by obeying them.’

And all the people will reply, ’Amen.’

The Law Condemns

- The pronouncement of a curse

- Deuteronomy 27:26

- The works of the law do not save

- They condemn

- Perfect adherence is not possible

Galatians 3:11-12 (NLT)

Consequently, it is clear that no one can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

How different from this way of faith is the way of law, which says, "If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands."

Rooted in Faith

- Righteousness

- Not obtained through adherence to the law

- Produced by faith

- Habakkuk 2:4

Habakkuk 2:4 (NLT)

"Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith.

Rooted in Faith

- Righteousness

- Not obtained through adherence to the law

- Produced by faith

- Habakkuk 2:4

- Contrary to the law

- The law – works are the way to righteousness

- Faith – Jesus is the way to righteousness

Galatians 3:13-14 (NLT)

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." [14] Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, and we Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

Cursed

- Redemption through Jesus

- Jesus took upon Himself

- The failure to follow the law

- The curse of the law

- Deuteronomy 21:23

Deuteronomy 21:23 (NLT)

the body must never remain on the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone hanging on a tree is cursed of God. Do not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession.

Cursed

- Redemption through Jesus

- Jesus took upon Himself

- The failure to follow the law

- The curse of the law

- Deuteronomy 21:23

- The blessing of the curse

- Because Jesus was cursed

- The blessing of righteousness could be

experienced by all

- We could receive the promised Holy Spirit

Galatians 3:15-16 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. [16] God gave the promise to Abraham and his child. And notice that it doesn’t say the promise was to his children, as if it meant many descendants. But the promise was to his child—and that, of course, means Christ.

The Heir to the Promise

- A lasting covenant

- The law did not negate the covenant of God to

Abraham

- A singular seed

- Jesus

- Through whom the promise of righteousness would

come

Galatians 3:17-18 (NLT)

This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. [18] For if the inheritance could be received only by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God gave it to Abraham as a promise.

An Ironclad Promise

- Righteousness through the law

- If it were possible would negate the promise of

God that was made to Abraham

- God’s promises

- Trustworthy

- Even in changing times

- Even after years and centuries

- Eternally reliable

**Powerpoint available on request