Freedom: Justified by Faith (2019)

Have you ever had someone sell you something, giving you the advantages of something only to find out they did not tell you some important details? In our passage tonight we are taking a journey from the Law to the law of grace through faith.

(Attention passengers)

You have settled into your seat on a crowded flight from Des Moines to Hawaii. Your vacation you had scrimped and saved for. And you hear the following message.

“Welcome aboard American Airlines flight 123 for Honolulu. Can I interest anyone in a parachute today? It will make your flight more enjoyable, and in it you will discover a new measure of peace, joy and love.”

You consider it, many are not taking it, you take it, you are uncomfortable, you are sneered and eventually you take it off and you tell the flight attendant that they lied to you, you did not find it more enjoyable, did not find any measure peace, joy and love.

The flight attendant leans in and tells you this is what she wanted to say, but the people don’t want to hear it.

Attention passengers, stop what you are doing, pay attention, the plane is going to go down, who wants a parachute?

When you understand the severity of the situation than you are ready to do anything for the safety of yourself are you not? You are willing to be uncomfortable, to be sneered at, are you not? The Parachute offers safety, as does the Gospel message.

The Gospel message is Good News, it offers safety to those who hear, believe and obey it. But isn’t the Law good too? Did it not offer heaven to those who adhered to it? The Law was needed so we can understand sin and receive true grace. We need to know the Law to know the grace of God and to be justified by God through faith.

Paul continues his defense of the gospel, the true gospel and justification by faith by looking back to Abraham and then coming forward. In the passage we will see:

Purpose of the Law

Justification needed

Teacher of justification

Where, when and how we are justified

Results of justification and then

Rewards of justification

Let me tell you at this point, this is not a six point sermon, so don’t worry, for I don’t want anyone to fall out a window or even off a pew. In our passage tonight Paul is going to paint a picture of the purpose of the Law and justification by faith. What we don’t cover tonight we will next week so be sure to come back and thank you for flying heavenly airlines, please put away your trays and sit in an upright position. For here we are about to take off on today’s journey in God’s Word.

Faith before the Law

Faith of Abraham justified him and declared him righteousness (Gal3:6). Faith today makes us son’s of Abraham (Gal3:7) so today we are going to continue to look at faith and the law, and justification by faith.

Galatians 3:15–16 NASB95

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

Galatians 3:17–18 NASB95

17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

Paul’s aim for this entire passage tonight is about showing the superiority of God’s grace (justification by faith) over the Law. And that grace is older or predated the Law.

Paul is addressing the claim of the Judiazers and is going to speak back to them using their own logic He is using a form of debate, this was very common at the time, this made perfect sense to a Jew, though we may have a hard time comprehending it today, so let me give you a little background.

(Covenant)

When a covenant was entered there were terms to the covenant, acceptance of the covenant, then the covenant was ratified. It was ratified by the death of an animal, the shedding of blood. Oftentimes, like seen with David and Jonathan there would be walking between the halves of the animal that was sacrifice whose blood was shed for the covenant. Once the covenant has been ratified there is no changing it, nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken away from it. When it comes to a covenant both parties agree to the terms and conditions of the covenant and both have a part to play. What does a covenant look like today, a contract that is ratified when both parties sign it.

Paul is speaking to them in terms they would understand (Gal3:15)

Using the covenant of Abraham Paul is showing that it is a covenant of faith. God offered the covenant, He gave the terms, He gave the direction And Abraham had to accept the terms of the covenant (which in this case is worded as a promise).

May we understand that the covenant that was entered was a promise, a covenant for Abraham and his seed, not seeds. It was not for a nation but for a person (Jesus Christ). Though Abraham did not see the fulfillment of the promise, he acted on it in faith. The promise of all nations would be blessed did not come from a Jewish nation, but a Jewish person.

Paul gives argument of faith before law (Gal3:16-17)

Abram received the promise, the terms of the covenant. He was told it would result in his seed, Jesus Christ. Paul makes a point to say seed, not seeds, it is not the people (Isreal; descendants of Abraham) but seed, the person being Jesus Christ.

Salvation came from the Jews, the Jew, Abraham, to Jesus Christ. Salvation (blessings) for Abraham was by faith, obedient faith, covenant faith and it is the same for us, obedient faith. Faith came before the law

Abrahams covenant w/God (Gen12:1-3; Heb11:8; Gal3:6; Gen15:17-18)

I just mentioned Abraham’s obedient faith, here is the promise (the covenant) God offered.

Genesis 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;

Genesis 12:3 NASB95

3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

You can see the fulfillment here in Heb11

Hebrews 11:8 NASB95

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

The covenant, the promise was made to Abraham, he believed and was reckoned as righteousness (Gal3:6)

We receive Christ Jesus by faith, obedient faith, just like Abraham. Abraham heard the terms of the promise (the covenant) and he accepted them. He got up and he went, we too accept the terms of the covenant, the promise of eternal life by faith too, just like Abraham.

In Gal3:17 we see that the Law came in 430 years after the covenant that cannot be changed cannot be altered with Abraham.

Jon Courson says:

“The Law does not legally or logically have the power to negate the blessings God gave to Abraham through Jesus Christ.”

( Abram and God)

I want to you imagine a possible conversation between Abram and God

Hey Abram your descendants will be more than the stares in the heavens (Gen15:5); OK God, I believe You. But God I don’t have any children now, but I believe you (Gen15:2, Gen16:6). Abram I am a shield to you, and great will be your reward (Gen15:1). God told Abram to go get these things and bring them back (Gen15:9); Abram did because he believed God. Abram cut them all in two, except the birds (Gen15:10); Abram did, then came trouble, birds of prey (Gen15:11). Abram had to be wondering what is going on, God told him get these things, what is taking so long, God caused a great sleep to come upon Abram (Gen15:12). See Abram was used to covenants where you meet in the middle and he wondered what was going on with God. God does not meet in the middle, He does not go half way, He comes all the way, all the way through Jesus Christ. It was during the sleep a terror shown, then God told him the promises to come and finally it was time to ratify the covenant

Genesis 15:17 NASB95

17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

Then came the rewards of the covenant

Genesis 15:18 NASB95

18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

A great land was to be given as well as the seed. God had given a seed promise and a land promise and Abram believe and God reckoned him righteousness. And since the sacrifice was already made, there was no altering the covenant.

God goes all the say for us. Abram heard the terms, accepted the terms and walked in the promise without even seeing it. It was for the future, the promise had a view of Jesus and the cross. Abram just did not know it. When God said it, it was done, seal, ratified and there was no changing it.

We may, like Abram, have birds of prey that want to peck away, or try to carry away our promise in Christ Jesus. The vultures of doubt, shew them away with the truth of the Word. Buzzards of cynicism trying to tell you that you have not done enough good works, tell them God already did the work on the Cross of Christ.

Some reminders of the rewards of the covenant with Christ:

He supplies all of our needs in Christ Jesus (Php4:19)

He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb13:5; Deu31:6)

He has prepared a place for you (Jn14:2)

He forgave your sins and gave you His Spirit (Act2:38)

Our inheritance is based on a promise not on the Law (Gal3:18). God gave it to Abraham by means of a promise. Abraham received it by faith and was reckoned as righteousness. So them Paul knowing there would be questions about the Law and the purpose then of the Law brings us to the next part of the passage.

Law’s purpose to show faith needed

So, if it is by faith the promise was given and received, why the need for the Law? Let’s look at the passage and see why.

Galatians 3:19–20 NASB95

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

Galatians 3:21–22 NASB95

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises 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. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

The law was needed until the seed came (Gal3:19)

The law was perfect, able to impart life, but there was a problem (Gal3:21)

The problem declared under the law (Gal3:22)

The promise declared in Christ Jesus (Gal3:22)

So, now, back on the plane again, remember the first message? Offered the parachute and it sounded good, but in the end didn’t keep it on and though the attendant was a liar.

The second message, may we call it the law now, shows the severity and the urgency of the message.

It was 430 years after the covenant, the promise, was given to Abram (Gal3:17) God sent mediators to bring the Law to Moses, and speaking of the One to come, the seed: Jesus. God spoke directly to Abram, there was no mediator, no middle man, it was direct, such as is the point with Jesus, we need no mediator. For He is our mediator.

The Law offers man a choice (Gal3:21) follow perfectly or look at the promise and receive it by faith.

No one can be justified by the Law, there is no means of justification for the law is not of faith (Gal3:12). The law proves we are all sinners in need of a Savior (Gal3:22). We all need the promise, the seed promise given to Abram, that being Jesus who is received by grace through faith.

Grace came before the Law, in the form of a promise to Abram, made into a covenant, whereas God did all the work, did not have to meet half way, just need to agree to God’s terms and receive by obedient faith.

While that first message by the flight attendant offered a feel good love message, it did not speak of the severity of the situation nor the urgency. There are many out there who think they are good enough, but God’s Word says different.

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Faith needed because we all fall short (Rom3:10-11, 3:23 and 6:23)

The word, the law, is simple and perfect, and it restores (Ps19:7)

Restoration is needed, for each person solely (Eze18:20)

The severity of God leads us to know the goodness of God (Rom2:4)

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Faith needed because we all fall short (Rom3:10-11, 3:23 and 6:23)

We all fall short, for there are none righteous

Romans 3:10–11 NASB95

10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;

and all fall short of the glory of God as it says in Rom3:23; and by falling short, outside of Christ the wages of our falling short, our sin, is death.

Romans 6:23 NASB95

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But inside of Christ is eternal life!

The law was needed to show sin, to show the severity of sin and the finality of sin if not dealt with by faith. There are many people who have broken hearts and broken lives who need the Good News of the Grace of God that is available to all. There are others who have heard it but have hardened their hearts to it. We need to help them understand the severity of that decision.

Faith needed because we all fall short (Rom3:10-11, 3:23 and 6:23)

The word, the law, is simple and perfect, and it restores (Ps19:7)

Psalm 19:7 NASB95

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Who is the Law convict? The one who hears it and understands it!

The person who hears, understands the reason for the law then can appreciate the Good News. We need to have a balance of the concepts of salvation and the consequences of sin.

Faith needed because we all fall short (Rom3:10-11, 3:23 and 6:23)

The word, the law, is simple and perfect, and it restores (Ps19:7)

Restoration is needed, for each person solely (Eze18:20)

Ezekiel 18:20 NASB95

20 “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

The person who sins pays the consequences for their sin. It is from the place of love that we want to show, help people to understand the love and grace of God and the severity and finality of sin. May we bring them to know and believe the Good News that Jesus came and paid the price for sin. That He took on the consequences of sin if only they would believe and walk by faith.

Faith needed because we all fall short (Rom3:10-11, 3:23 and 6:23)

The word, the law, is simple and perfect, and it restores (Ps19:7)

Restoration is needed, for each person solely (Eze18:20)

The severity of God leads us to know the goodness of God (Rom2:4)

Romans 2:4 NASB95

4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

The severity of God does lead us to know the goodness of God that is available to all who believe and obey. It is available to all as it said in our passage tonight

Galatians 3:22 NASB95

22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

(encouragement slide - Justified by faith)

Everyone falls short; everyone has the same blessings available to them by faith. The faith that Abram had before the law, that justified him, it is the faith we have today and we can rest assured in “blessed assurance Jesus is mine.”