Introduction: What is Grace? Grace can actually be summed up into one scripture; many of you know this scripture (John 3:16).
How did Grace come about? Many people have probably told you that the law don’t really matter because we are under Grace, “oh its ok to sin because we are under Grace.” Don’t believe that lie! Without the law we wont have Grace. How can we be given Grace if we have done nothing wrong? (Gal 3: 19-25) That is how law plays its part in Grace. Remember God never goes back on His word, if the law wasn’t going to be needed do you think he would’ve put it in the bible?
My message tonight is divided into three sections, namely: Grace defended; Grace explained; Grace applied. I hope by the end of tonight that you will fully understand the basics of Grace and how to live a life pleasing to God while under his Grace.
Grace extended: (Gal 1:1-6) Paul is shocked that the Galations believers are turning against God’s Grace and embracing a lie. If you preach a message of salvation different from the truth you shall suffer eternal destruction (Mark 10:42-47).
(Gal2:1-10) Paul traveled to Jerusalem, false teachers tried to force Titus to keep Old testament law and be circumcised. Paul defended the truth that Christians aren’t made right with God by legal observances, his message was affirmed by the leaders of the church – likely James, Peter, and John. So now we know we are under Grace, but the Question still remains: what happens to the law? Well the answer is quite simple guys. Because we are under Grace does this mean that we can still sin? DEFINITELY NOT! (Rom 6:15). (Gal 2:19)-Go back to intro’- (Gal 2:20) That what it is to live in Grace.
Grace explained: (Gal 3:1-9) Not only does our relationship with God Begin in Grace, it grows because of Grace. Human effort can’t enable us to live in a way that is pleasing to God, because our failure to keep the all of God’s commands places us under a curse. We receive the Holy Spirit as a gift when we believe, and the work of the Spirit in our lives is how we grow. What is living under the law? Living under the law is when you believe that the law is what makes you right with God and what gets you to heaven, so you see the difference between living the law and obeying the law? (Gal 3:15-18) Paul goes back to the Old Testament to prove his point. He notes that Abraham was made right with God long before the law; he was made right by Grace through faith when he believed in God’s promise. The purpose of the law is to reveal our sin and alienation from God. The law is good, but it can’t make us good (Gal 3: 24-25)
Grace applied: (Gal 5: 1-6) Christ set us free so we could live free, but anyone who tries to please God through the law is obligated to keep the law. Christ becomes worthless to those who let themselves be circumcised (meaning if you choose to use any law in that manner). What matters God isn’t an outward symbol but an inward transformation, faith that results in love. Love fulfills the law, Jesus died for us with love, that why he fulfilled the law! The law can be written as: love your neighbor as yourself (Gal 5 :14)
Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are evident:
- Adultery
- Fornication
- Jealousness
- Selfish ambitions
- Envy
- Murders
- Drunkenness
Those who practice these will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5: 19-21)
Fruit of the spirit:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Longsuffering
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Self-control
Against such there is no law. And those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5: 22-24). Live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
As believers we have an obligation to bring back people who wander from God to sin. Yet each person ultimately is responsible for his own decisions. Good choices feed the process of maturity going on inside us, bad choices cause destruction. God can’t be fooled, and he brings a great harvest to those who persist in doing right.
Preached by: Tyler Herron
