
Galatians 3:15-22 (ESV)
15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Intro: How does the relationship of the law to grace get difficult?
THERE’S NO CONFLICT
Why is it unthinkable that God’s Word would ever conflict with itself?
THERE IS SIN & HOPE
Why was this even a question?
BUT GRACE IS ALWAYS A GIFT
How is one principle greater than the other?
YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His kindness to free sinners like us from our sin and wreckage. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that He takes people like us from prison to His palace as His children!
2 - How have you lived blind to your captivity in sin, and really preferring this world than you would want to be with the Lord? Confess your sin and foolishness to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and heal your heart.
3 - Give thanks to Jesus for bearing the curse we deserve in His death. And thank Him for His success in loving His Father perfectly, and giving us His Spirit so that we can become loving and faithful to His Father as a true son.
4 - Who do you know that might try to live “a good life” but they do so in the power of their own effort? Pray for them, asking the Lord to open their eyes to their need for Him, and His saving grace.
5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you His fruit of love, joy and goodness. Pray for His help to live in light of the gift of His dwelling in you, trusting Him to enliven you to live out His design and will with joy and gratitude.