“Law is Not It!” Galatians 3:15-25

When we think of law, we tend to think of it as something set in concrete. Most laws that have ever been made have been changed. Some need to be changed…

to better understand why grace is sufficient Purpose: to better understand why grace is sufficient

I The Promise Came FIRST A. The Permanence of Human Covenants

Mary and I have a will… Can anyone change/alter this without our consent?

I The Promise Came FIRST A. The Permanence of Human Covenants B. Law Could Not Add or Subtract from the Promise

II The Promise Came DIRECTLY A. The Law of Moses Came Through Angels

You can read the book of Exodus from beginning to end and never find this; however, Stephen refers to this in Acts 7:52-53; and Paul refers to this in Galatians 3:19 and Hebrews 2:2

II The Promise Came DIRECTLY A. The Law of Moses Came Through Angels B. The Promise to Abraham Was Direct

Hebrews 6:13-14 “For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying ‘I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you.’”

Paul makes clear the promise is unsurpassed, it came first and it came directly from God. Now the third reason why the promise is preeminent:

III The Promise Came TO DO (What Law Could Not)

Galatians 3:21 “Is the Law then contrary to the promise of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.”

III The Promise Came TO DO (What Law Could Not) A. Law Can’t Give Life

Galatians 2:21 “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”

The only way there can be righteousness, is if we stop trying to get it through law and start getting it through Christ alone!

III The Promise Came TO DO (What Law Could Not) A. Law Can’t Give Life B. What Then is the Purpose of Law?

Law is like a vacuum salesman…

Romans 3:20 “…because by work of law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”

Law is like looking in a mirror – it can show what’s wrong… but can do absolutely nothing to correct it!

Would you believe, I was pulled over by a state trooper recently…

III The Promise Came TO DO (What Law Could Not) A. Law Can’t Give Life B. What Then is the Purpose of Law? C. Is the Law Opposed to the Promises of God? D. What Should Our Relation- ship to God’s Law Be?

Rick Atchley (preacher in Texas) Tells of the time when he was a teenager and his dad told him to mow the lawn. Rick put off doing this until his dad came and asked, “Why isn’t the lawn mowed?” Rick responded, “Didn’t want to do it (said it was a rebellious time…).” His dad responded, “Rick, you’re too old for me to…” Rick Atchley (preacher in Texas)

Conclusion and Summary Brethren and friend, there comes a time we all have to grow up and decide instead of being motivated by law, we’re going to be motivated by love, grace and the Cross of Christ! Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me.”