The Foolishness Of Trusting In The Law Series

The Foolishness of Trusting in the Law

February 23, 2025, Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: Salvation is by faith, not works.

Focus Passage: Galatians 3:1-14

Supplemental Passage: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB)

Introduction: Dictionary.com defines bewitch as to affect by witchcraft or magic; cast a spell over. Paul accuses the church at Galatia of being under the effect of witchcraft or magic.

I. The Danger of Relying on the Law (Galatians 3:1-5)

a. Paul rebukes the Galatians for being deceived: "Who has bewitched you?" (v.1).

b. They began their journey in faith but are now trying to attain righteousness through works.

c. We tend to do the same thing.

II. Abraham: A Model of Faith (Galatians 3:6-9)

a. Abraham was counted righteous because of faith, not works (v.6).

b. The true children of Abraham are those who believe, not just those who follow the law.

c. True Children of God are those who trust in Jesus, not in the law or their own good deeds.

III. Redemption Through Christ, Not the Law (Galatians 3:10-14)

a. The law brings a curse because no one can keep it perfectly (v.10).

b. Christ redeemed us from the curse by becoming a curse for us on the cross (v.13).

c. Through faith in Christ, we receive the blessing of Abraham and the Holy Spirit (v.14).

Application/Call to Obedience: Are we living by faith in Christ, or are we still trying to earn God's approval? The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 NASB)