2. Grace Defined: Unearned, undeserved, and absolutely necessary favor from God that can empower and motivate us to live a transformed life for God. G. God’s R. Riches A. At C. Christ’s E. Expanse

11. “Transforming Grace” Galatians 3:1-14

12. JustificationSanctification Glorification

13. God declaring us not guilty and are His beloved children Takes away the penalty and controlling power of sin Positional Already/Yesterday God welcoming us into His presence face to face Takes away the presence and influence of sin Final Not yet/tomorrow

14. JustificationSanctification Glorification God declaring us not guilty and are His beloved children Takes away the penalty and controlling power of sin Positional Already/Yesterday God working out His plan in us, transforming us to be more Christ- like Overcomes the influence of sin Experiential Now/Today God welcoming us into His presence face to face Takes away the presence and influence of sin Final Not yet/tomorrow

15. My Hope: We will embrace and experience more of God’s grace in empowering us to be transformed in specific areas of our lives.

16. Our Main Text Today: Galatians 3:1-14 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

17. Our Main Text Today: Galatians 3:1-14 Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no

18. Our Main Text Today: Galatians 3:1-14 one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

19. Outline: God’s grace will transform us as we… 1. Believe Gospel’s Power 2. Follow Abraham’s Example 3. Receive God’s Blessing

20. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

21. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power Galatians 1:6, 2:4-5 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.... some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

22. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power Galatians 3:2-5 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Believe in the Gospel > Receive the Spirit Gospel portrayed > believed > experienced

23. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power Galatians 3:2-5 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Contrast: Self effort vs. Believing faith Humanistic approach or the completed work of Christ?

24. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power JustificationSanctification Glorification By grace through faith In the power of the Spirit By works??? NO!! By grace through faith In the power of the Spirit By grace through faith In the power of the Spirit

25. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power

26. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power Galatians 3:2-5 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Our goal/problem: seeking completeness via moral, vocational, and relational achievements.

27. 1. Believe Gospel’s Power Galatians 3:2-5 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? The problem of going back to self-effort: Pride, guilt, critical, anger, resentment, despair...

28. 2. Follow Abraham’s Example Galatians 3:6-9 Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

29. 2. Follow Abraham’s Example Galatians 3:6-9 Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. God declares us clean and not guilty when we trust in His Gospel promise!

30. 3. Receive God’s Blessing Galatians 3:10-12 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Self effort only leads to condemnation, guilt, anxiety, insecurity, and pride.

31. 3. Receive God’s Blessing Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Jesus has redeemed us by taking on our curse and bringing us God’s blessing! The presence and the power of His Spirit to transform our lives!