February 14, 2016 Welcome Church Family.

Galatians 3:23-29 “Heirs to the Promise” (Vs. 29)

Galatians 3:23-29 “Heirs to the Promise” (Vs. 29)

Introduction: Paul wrote the book of Galatians to confirm that salvation is made possible through justification by forgiveness which in turn is by God’s grace, and that no one has or will achieve it by living the perfect life that God’s righteousness demands. Some were saying that the new Gentile converts to Christ were obligated to keep portions of the Law of Moses to be justified. The Law did not justify sinners; it merely showed them their sin and their need for a Savior; it told them that God would one day provide such a Savior; and it helped them be pleasing to God in the meantime. 1) Kept in custody under the Laws: The human race was beset by sin and in need of a Redeemer. The Law was providing “protective custody” for sinners till Jesus came. The Law instructed, restrained, punished and guarded but it did not save. (Galatians 3:23)

2) The Law has become our Tutor: Paul uses yet another illustration of the role of the Law of Moses played in God’s plan. The Greek term translated “tutor” or “schoolmaster” would be well known by it’s readers. The Greek word had reference to a family servant who would become a young boy’s “guardian trainer.” Having total control, he would teach the boy good manners and even punish if necessary. (Galatians 3:24) 3) We are no longer under a Tutor: Since the tutor Paul has been talking about was the Law, this means we are no longer under that Law. Why because Christ has come to set us free in keeping His commandments, the “Law of Christ.” Those who live by faith keep the commandments of Christ (John 15:10; James 1:22-25; I John 2:4,5; 5:2).

4) Sons of God through Faith (Galatians 3:26): We are sons of God through our faith in Him. This is available to all races, genders, social or economic statuses. 5) Baptized into Christ: This act of baptism is a clothing of ourselves with Christ. When we do this it is not an act of faith in ourselves or in our own power to save ourselves but it is an act of faith in the working of God, who raised our Savior from the dead. (Galatians 3:27) 6) One in Christ Jesus: (Galatians 3:28) The gospel is for all, and all are made one in Christ.

7) We are “Heirs” of God Himself: (Galatians 3:29) “And if you are Christ’s, then your are Abraham’s seed”: Christians belong to Abraham’s seed. The running battle in Galatians had to do with whether Gentiles must become Jews in order to be saved. Paul says that Christians are Abraham’s seed at the point they placed their faith in Christ. “and heirs”: The Christian receives eternal Life, not temporal life, at the point of salvation ( Jn. 6:47; 10:27,28; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 5:8,9; 9:12). “according to the promise”: These words are saying that just as Abraham received eternal Life by faith, so we receive eternal life by claiming God’s promise of salvation. (Gn. 15-17)

Conclusion: God gives Eternal Salvation with Eternal Security Conclusion: God gives Eternal Salvation with Eternal Security. God gives us eternal salvation and security because it depends on His power not mine. (Rom. 8:31-32, 38, 39) God loves us and has the power to deliver, preserve, defend and see our salvation thru this world. In Christ as Abraham’s offspring thru Faith, God’s Himself is ours! (Not by race, by becoming like Abraham in obedient faith, Inheritance)