No More Curse
Christian Clarity: Galatians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Intro
Trying to explain Star Wars now. People want to know what is going on in new shows, but there is so much back story that we have to tell.
Same with this passage. This passage is so good, but the truth can only be revealed if we put it in Salvation History.
Galatians 3:10-14
What is a curse? A curse biblically is God’s judgment. To be “under a curse” is to be under God’s judgment for failure to live up to his covenant requirements. Not from Hocus Pocus. Must go to salvation history.
Truth #1: The curse is for law breakers (10-12)
Exp. Verse 10. He says “all.” Not only Jewish people, but Gentiles too. Deuteronomy 27:26, “Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them. And all the people shall say, Amen.” Paul’s argument is to use the OT to prove his point. ALL THESE THINGS. Everything perfectly. Abide and do.
Ill. Bowl of sugar story. Never ate a bowl of sugar again. Paul is telling them what would happen if they went that route.
Arg. The curse is for law breakers. Searching for justification. Being made right with God.
Ill. Like being on a scale from 1-10. I can move the needle by doing more. God will bless my doing more.
Exp. Verse 11. Answers that question. Habakkuk 2:4. The law cannot be kept perfectly, so the curse abounds. But righteousness is given to those who display faith.
App. Here’s why the thinking is faulty: You can never do enough. You will never make it to 10. He previously mentioned that you won’t even move the needle.
Exp. So, what’s the relationship between the law and faith? Verse 12. Not connected. Law and faith, for Paul, are unrelated: the gospel calls for faith, but law requires work. - Bruce. Verse 12 and 11 mirror each other. The OT don’t contradict each other, but prove each other.
App. What’s the difference between faith and the law?
Law is about us; faith is about Jesus. We can’t boast in ourselves. We boast in Jesus.
Law hopes for victory; faith moves from victory. We have victory in the cross. We don’t have to strive for the 10, because Jesus already put us there.
Law is based on fear; faith is based on grateful joy. We obey because we feel like we have to vs. we obey because we get to.
Truth #2: The curse is placed on the law maker (13-14)
Exp. In order for the curse to be reconciled, there had to be someone who could finish it. Paul says, this was Jesus. Verse 13. In Paul fashion, he quotes OT. Deuteronomy 21:22-23, “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.” They didn’t hang them to die, they hung the bodies afterward as a sign. Other occurrences: Josh. 10:26, Num. 25:4, 2 Sam. 21:6-9.
Ill. Pirates of the Caribbean scene. Bodies hanging.
Christ - Becomes a curse. Noticed he used “Christ” or “Messiah.” Savior. Very similar is 2 Cor. 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” He is our rescuer, our savior. What did he save us from? Sin and the curse of the law. God’s judgment.
Arg. Retribution Theology
Obey = Blessed
Disobey = Cursed
So, does God bless our disobedience? No, Paul said he didn’t serve sin. God blesses the law breakers by pouring out his judgment on the law maker.
App. Well, then where does obedience exist here? We are called to obedience. But not to earn something. To show gratitude.
We read Scripture to hear from God. Not check a box. H.E.A.R. model.
We pray to be in his presence. Not to get something from him.
We worship to exalt his name. Not to prove our singing voices. Not to make ourselves feel better.
We gather to be a part of his people. Not for social entertainment.
We go because Christ left heaven to get us.
Conclusion
Exp. Verse 14. He is remembering OT passages here. Isaiah 32:15 and Joel 2:28-29. Isaiah is pre-Babylonian exile, Joel is post-Babylonian exile. The spiritual exile is over. The HS was promised, and we have it. All of the trinity is in these verses.
Bow heads:
Struggle with law based mentality. Preach the gospel to yourself.
How do I know? Is there conviction with the Spirit?