2021-07-04 Grace Vineyard Sunday Morning Service

Galatians: The Gospel of Grace (week 6) July 4, 2021

Promise vs. Performance

Galatians 3:15-29

15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.   17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

"For a promise to bring results it needs only to be believed. For a law to bring results, it needs to be obeyed." -- Tim Keller

• Note vs 16 & 29 -- Abraham's Seed16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ....29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

• when you put your faith in Jesus, you were made right with God AND you became Abraham’s heir, receiving both the benefits and the responsibilities of God’s promises: To be blessed and to be a blessing
  

HOW • WHAT • WHEN • WHERE • WHY

Who – bless everybody, especially those for whom it is most difficult

Luke 6:27-36

27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.   34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

How      in word and in deed

IN WORD – remember: we humans tend to magnify the negative and minimize the positive.  If I tell you 9 positive things and 1 critical observation, you’ll focus on the 1 negative.

Ephesians 4:29-30

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

1 Timothy 6:18-19

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

What     Be a blessing

When   At all times

Where  Everywhere

Why It is our calling, our responsibility, our privilege, and it is the means by which we inherit the blessing.

1 Peter 3:9

9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.