Outline

“Advocating for the Promise”
(Gal. 3:15-29)

Intro/Set-Up
· Review From Gal. 3:1-14

I. God’s Promise (vv. 15-18)
· A human analogy for a Spiritual reality
· Promise vs. Law

II. God’s Purpose (for the law) (vv. 19-24)
· The Law exposes our sin (vv. 19-20)
· True Righteousness (v. 21)
· Jail (v. 22)
· Tutor (vv. 23-24)

III. God’s People (vv. 25-28)
· Born in Christ (v. 26)
· Baptism– A picture (v. 27)
· Barriers– Broken (v. 28)
· Belonging– Adoption (v. 29)

IV. Conclusion
· Belonging in Christ (v. 29)

“...God granted it to Abraham [as a gift] by virtue of His promise.”
–Gal. 3:18b [AMP]

“20 Now the mediator or go-between [in a transaction] is not [needed] for just one party; whereas God is only one [and was the only One giving the promise to Abraham, but the Law was a contract between two, God and Israel; its validity depended on both].” –Gal. 3:20 [AMP]

(Deuteronomy 27:11-28:14; Joshua 8:30-35)

“Guardian” Greek Definition: παιδαγωγόν (paidagōgon) — 1 “properly, a legally appointed overseer, authorized to train (bring) up a child by administering discipline, chastisement, and instruction, i.e. doing what was necessary to promote development.”

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God”
–John 3:3; 5

Quotes:

“Do you believe you will be blessed by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Will you earn and deserve your blessing from God, or will you believe and receive it?” –David Guzik

“Paul first establishes the principle that even with a covenant among men, the covenant stands firm once it is made – no one annuls or adds to it. Paul’s point isn’t really about covenants among men, but to say “How much more certain is a covenant God makes.” –David Guzik

“God gave it to Abraham by promise: The word gave here is the ancient Greek word kecharistai, which is based on the Greek word charis – grace. God’s giving to Abraham was the free giving of grace. The word is also in the perfect tense, showing that the gift is permanent.” –David Guzik

“James Montgomery Boice called Galatians 3:20 “probably the most obscure verse in Galatians, if not the entire New Testament.” Another commentator said he has read more than 250 different interpretations of it; another commentator raises the figure to 300.”

“The Scripture has confined all under sin: Paul paints a picture of imprisonment. The bars of the cell are sin, keeping us confined. The Scripture put us in the prison, because it pointed out our sinful condition. So we sit imprisoned by sin, and the law can not help us, because the law put us in the prison.” –David Guzik

“The Scripture declares that we’re law breakers, so the whole world is a prisoner of sin and it has put us in jail so that the promise might be the key to our release…[what is the promise?]
The promise that God gave to Abraham: “The just shall live by faith” [and] It is our inability to keep the law that shows us the desirable, indispensable nature of God’s promise.” –Alistair Begg

“By using this illustration, Paul was saying several things about the Jews and their law. First, he was saying that the Jews were not born through the law, but rather were brought up by the law. The slave was not the child’s father; he was the child’s guardian and disciplinarian. So, the law did not give life to Israel; it regulated life. The Judaizers taught that the law was necessary for life and righteousness, and Paul’s argument shows their error. ” –Warren Wiersbe

“When the Law drives you to the point of despair, let it drive you a little farther, let it drive you straight into the arms of Jesus who says: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” –Martin Luther

“The phrase put on Christ (Gal. 3:27) refers to a change of garments. The believer has laid aside the dirty garments of sin (Isa. 64:6) and, by faith, received the robes of righteousness in Christ (see Col. 3:8–15). But to the Galatians, this idea of “changing clothes” would have an additional meaning. When the Roman child came of age, he took off the childhood garments and put on the toga of the adult citizen. The believer in Christ is not just a “child of God”; he is also a “son of God” (see Gal. 3:26, where “children” ought to be translated “adult sons”). The believer has an adult status before God—so why go back into the childhood of the law?” –Warren Wiersbe

“We don’t simply belong to God, we belong to each other
There is now in Christ:
· No racial distinction
· No social distinction
· No sexual distinction
“Does this mean we become raceless? Sexless? No. It does not mean that these things are obliterated, like they don’t exist… they do exist, but they don’t matter.” –Alistair Begg

“Do you want significance in life? Do you want to be a significant person? Do you have an identity crisis this morning? It’s answered right here: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” –Gal. 3:29
In Christ, you belong– we have a family that we are adopted into that connects us with other believers all around the world and all through time, it is a rich heritage based in Christ.” –Alistair Begg

Galatians Resources:

Galatians Summary (GotQuestions.org):
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Galatians.html

Summary of Paul's Life (GotQuestions.org):
https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Paul.html

Paul's Missionary Journeys:
https://bethanygu.edu/news/missionary-journey/

An article exploring the subject of God's grace:
https://www.gotquestions.org/grace-of-God.html

External Link:
The True Gospel that Paul proclaimed:
(Article at GotQuestions.org)

gotquestions.org/gospel-of-Paul.html