Grace Over Legalism: Embracing Faith in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. What a wonderful way to begin our day of worship than with baptism. This morning, we had the privilege of baptizing Joseph Brownfield, who is about to become a father for the first time. This water doesn't save us; it's the blood of Jesus that saves us. Joseph has committed his life to Jesus Christ, and we celebrate his decision to follow Christ and be a loving husband and father ([09:41]).
Today, we continue our series, "Amazing Grace," studying Paul's letter to the Galatian church. Paul helped the church in Galatia, and us as well, see that not only does the Spirit begin God's work in our lives, but He also carries it on to completion. We are works in progress, and the Lord is chipping away at us every single day. Becoming more like Jesus is often a road of tears, but Jesus said that in this world, we will have troubles, but He has overcome the world ([46:28]).
From the very beginning, the church had one mission: to exalt the Lord Jesus, to know Him, and make Him known. The church was meant to be centered around a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not around religion. The gospel is that everyone who is willing to be saved can be saved by the grace of God. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done; when you cry out to Jesus in repentance and faith, you will be saved ([48:07]).
Paul's letter to the Galatians addresses the issue of legalism. The Judaizers were trying to replace the message of God, grace, and the gospel with rules, regulations, and restrictions. This battle between relationship and religion still goes on today. Many people have left the church because they believe it's all about following rules. But God's grace abounds in us and should flow out of us. Paul took this beautiful message of grace to the Gentile believers in Galatia, teaching them that the only ticket they needed was faith ([49:12]).
Paul uses strong language in his letter, calling the Galatians foolish for being tempted to go back to the slavery of legalism. He appeals to their intellect and their hearts, reminding them that Jesus did everything necessary on the cross for them to be accepted by God. It makes no sense to add anything to that. Once you truly experience Jesus, you don't want to turn from Him or add to Him ([57:43]).
Paul also reminds the Galatians that their acceptance by God is not based on their performance but on God's provision. Jesus was good enough for all of us, and once we accept Him, God completely and totally accepts us. As Christians, we should not walk around feeling defeated; we have victory in Jesus. The church should be about redemption and reconciliation, not rules and regulations ([54:06]).
Paul emphasizes that the gospel is not an invitation to do anything for God but a declaration of what God has done for us. The Galatians were guilty of spiritual treason by saying that Jesus is inadequate. We must always first look to the Son because He is enough. Second, we live in the Spirit. A Christian is someone who has received the Spirit of God by trusting in Jesus. The Spirit never bypasses the Son; the only way to get the Spirit of God is through the cross of Jesus ([01:04:13]).
Finally, Paul appeals to the Galatians' emotions, saying they have been bewitched by satanic influences. They were shifting their focus from the perfect gift of Christ to their own performance of rule-keeping. The vast majority of the world believes they can earn their way to God, but this makes Jesus' sacrifice meaningless. You cannot earn your way to God; you can only receive the Spirit by believing the gospel ([01:00:09]).
In conclusion, our relationship with God is always based on our faith and His grace. We don't have to fall into a performance trap. Being accepted by God is not related to what we do for Him but what He has done for us through Jesus Christ. When we take our eyes off God, we are susceptible to satanic deception. Trust in Jesus, and you will be saved. Amen ([01:21:31]).
### Key Takeaways
1. The Journey of Faith: Becoming more like Jesus is often a road of tears, filled with trials and tribulations. However, Jesus has overcome the world, and through Him, we can endure and grow. This journey is a lifelong effort from the altar to heaven, where the Lord continually works on us and chips away at our imperfections. [46:28]
2. The Essence of the Church: The church's mission is to exalt the Lord Jesus, to know Him, and make Him known. It is not about religion but about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The gospel message is revolutionary: anyone willing to be saved can be saved by God's grace, regardless of their past. [48:07]
3. Freedom from Legalism: Our acceptance by God is not based on our performance but on His provision. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for our salvation. Adding anything to His finished work is unnecessary and diminishes the power of the gospel. We are accepted by God through faith in Jesus, not by adhering to rules and regulations. [54:06]
4. Living in the Spirit: A Christian is someone who has received the Spirit of God by trusting in Jesus. The Spirit never bypasses the Son; the only way to receive the Spirit is through the cross of Jesus. This relationship with God is based on faith and grace, not on our ability to keep rules or perform good deeds. [01:04:13]
5. Beware of Deception: The world often believes that they can earn their way to God through good deeds and rule-keeping. This belief makes Jesus' sacrifice meaningless. We must focus on the perfect gift of Christ and not be deceived by the notion that we can earn God's acceptance. Trust in the gospel, and you will receive the Spirit and be saved. [01:00:09]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [09:41] - Baptism of Joseph Brownfield
3. [46:28] - The Journey of Faith
4. [48:07] - The Essence of the Church
5. [49:12] - Freedom from Legalism
6. [54:06] - Living in the Spirit
7. [01:00:09] - Beware of Deception
8. [01:04:13] - The Gospel of Grace
9. [01:21:31] - Conclusion and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 3:1-9 (ESV)
> "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham 'believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he calls the Galatians "foolish" and says they have been "bewitched"? ([01:00:09])
2. According to Paul, how did the Galatians receive the Spirit? Was it by works of the law or by hearing with faith? ([01:05:02])
3. What does Paul use as an example to explain that righteousness comes by faith and not by works? ([01:12:02])
4. How does Paul describe the relationship between the Spirit and the Son in the process of salvation? ([01:05:58])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that the Galatians received the Spirit by faith and not by works of the law? How does this relate to the concept of grace? ([01:05:02])
2. What is the significance of Paul using Abraham as an example of faith? How does this help the Galatians understand their own faith journey? ([01:12:02])
3. How does Paul’s strong language ("foolish" and "bewitched") reflect his concern for the Galatians? What does this tell us about the seriousness of turning back to legalism? ([01:00:09])
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between living under grace and living under legalism? What are the practical implications of this difference for a believer's daily life? ([54:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to follow religious rules rather than focusing on your relationship with Jesus. How did that affect your faith? ([49:42])
2. Paul talks about the journey of faith being a road of tears and trials. How have you experienced this in your own life, and how did you see God working through those challenges? ([46:28])
3. The sermon emphasizes that our acceptance by God is based on His provision, not our performance. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily walk with Christ? ([54:06])
4. In what ways can you ensure that your focus remains on the perfect gift of Christ rather than your own performance or rule-keeping? ([01:01:28])
5. The pastor mentioned that many people leave the church because they feel it’s all about following rules. How can you help create a church environment that emphasizes grace and relationship over legalism? ([49:42])
6. Think of someone in your life who might be struggling with the concept of grace versus legalism. How can you share the message of grace with them in a way that is both loving and clear? ([48:07])
7. The sermon warns against satanic deception and the belief that we can earn our way to God. What are some practical steps you can take to guard against this deception in your own life? ([01:00:09])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: The Journey of Faith
Description:
Becoming more like Jesus is often a road of tears, filled with trials and tribulations. However, Jesus has overcome the world, and through Him, we can endure and grow. This journey is a lifelong effort from the altar to heaven, where the Lord continually works on us and chips away at our imperfections. As we face challenges and hardships, we must remember that these are opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation. Jesus promised that in this world, we will have troubles, but He has already overcome the world, giving us the strength to persevere. [46:28]
Bible Passage:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a recent trial or hardship you have faced. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how can you allow it to shape you to be more like Jesus?
Day 2: The Essence of the Church
Description:
The church's mission is to exalt the Lord Jesus, to know Him, and make Him known. It is not about religion but about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The gospel message is revolutionary: anyone willing to be saved can be saved by God's grace, regardless of their past. This means that the church should be a place of welcome and acceptance, where people can encounter the transformative love of Jesus. Our focus should be on deepening our relationship with Him and sharing His love with others, rather than getting caught up in religious rituals and traditions. [48:07]
Bible Passage:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on how you can contribute to the mission of the church in your daily life. How can you help others know Jesus and experience His love and grace?
Day 3: Freedom from Legalism
Description:
Our acceptance by God is not based on our performance but on His provision. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for our salvation. Adding anything to His finished work is unnecessary and diminishes the power of the gospel. We are accepted by God through faith in Jesus, not by adhering to rules and regulations. This freedom from legalism allows us to live in the joy and peace of knowing that we are fully accepted and loved by God, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done for us. [54:06]
Bible Passage:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider areas in your life where you might be trying to earn God's acceptance through your actions. How can you shift your focus to rest in the grace and provision of Jesus?
Day 4: Living in the Spirit
Description:
A Christian is someone who has received the Spirit of God by trusting in Jesus. The Spirit never bypasses the Son; the only way to receive the Spirit is through the cross of Jesus. This relationship with God is based on faith and grace, not on our ability to keep rules or perform good deeds. Living in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us in our daily lives, transforming us from the inside out and helping us to live in a way that honors God. [01:04:13]
Bible Passage:
"But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:10-11, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Spirit?
Day 5: Beware of Deception
Description:
The world often believes that they can earn their way to God through good deeds and rule-keeping. This belief makes Jesus' sacrifice meaningless. We must focus on the perfect gift of Christ and not be deceived by the notion that we can earn God's acceptance. Trust in the gospel, and you will receive the Spirit and be saved. It is crucial to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His finished work on the cross, rather than being swayed by the false belief that our efforts can contribute to our salvation. [01:00:09]
Bible Passage:
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify any areas in your life where you might be relying on your own efforts to earn God's favor. How can you refocus your trust on Jesus and His finished work on the cross?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You see, through the gospel of grace, we are free from the shackles of legalism. Our acceptance from God is not up to our performance. Our acceptance of God is based upon his provision. We don't have to be good enough for God because we could never be good enough for God. Understand that. You can't do enough for God. Jesus was good enough for all of us. And once we accept Jesus and the free gift of grace through him by placing our faith in him, God completely and totally accepts us. As a Christian, do not walk around feeling defeated. You have victory in Jesus. Put a smile on your face, not a phony smile, a smile that comes from your heart, knowing that you are accepted by God just the way you are, but you're being changed by him every single day." [54:06]
2. "It does not matter who you are. It does not matter what you've done. You're sitting in a church row on Sunday or a death row on Monday. It doesn't matter. When you cry out to Jesus in repentance and faith, trusting in his death, burial, and resurrection to save you, the Bible says you will be saved. Regardless, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. That grace that God extends to us was provided by the death and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ." [49:12]
3. "You see, you cannot earn your way to God. You cannot work your way to God. And you're never going to be good enough for God. The second problem is it puts you in an impossible situation. Because then you have to answer this question. How many rules do I have to follow? How perfectly do I have to follow them? How many regulations do I have to keep? And where do I find all these regulations? What are all these restrictions? And how do I keep all these restrictions? The good news is, you can't. And you don't have to worry about it. Jesus Christ is our perfect sacrifice. Trust in Him." [01:03:17]
4. "The vast majority of this world has been bewitched with a spell. That they can earn their way to God. That they can work their way to God. That if they keep enough rules, abide by enough regulations, or effect enough restrictions, that God will accept them. And there's two problems with that. First of all, if that's true, then that makes Jesus' dying on the cross. Meaningless. And in fact, it makes it foolish. That's why the Bible says the preaching of the cross is foolish to those who are perishing. Because the message doesn't make any sense to people who don't know Christ Jesus." [01:02:42]
5. "You get to do certain things. Somebody said to me, do you have to preach today? No, I get to preach today. And what a blessing it is to preach the Word of God. If you'd asked me 20 years ago, do you ever think that you'll be a preacher? I would have said, ha, ha, you're so funny. But what I found was that God has a sense of humor. And God will use anyone who is willing to be used by Him. You see, for a lot of people, they leave the church because they get disillusioned by certain things. It's kind of like the same reason that people get a divorce. They fall in love with an ideal, then it becomes an ordeal, and then they start looking for a new deal. And that's why a lot of folks leave the church." [57:02]
### Quotes for Members
1. "From the very beginning, the church only had one mission and one God-given assignment. And as a church, Oak Grove has the same mission. For nine years, I was on WXCY radio. That ministry ended this year. I wish it hadn't, but it did. And at the end of every single recording, I said the same thing. Oak Grove exists to exalt the Lord Jesus, to know him and make him known. Visit us online at oakgrovebaptist.com. Now the second, the last part, really doesn't matter, but I got so used to saying it, I can't stop saying it. But from the very beginning, the church was to be unique from every other institution in the world. Every institution that came before it, and any that came after it. Because it was never to be centered around religion, and it was never to be centered on being religious, but quite the opposite. It was centered on a relationship. Trying to get people to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ." [47:36]
2. "You see, where the church is supposed to be all about redemption and reconciliation, there's always been a movement to try to turn it back to religion, which is all about rules, regulations, and restrictions. Not long before he passed, Muhammad Ali, who changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali to avoid the Vietnam War, was asked about what he saw in his future. This is what he said, quote, I just want to get to heaven, and I've got to do a whole lot of good deeds to get there. Now, that's sad. It's sad that he felt that way. But Islam is a works-based religion. have to do, do, do, do. And when you get there, there's a scale. And if your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, you get in. It's a crapshoot, right? You're rolling the dice. Am I going to get there? A Christian knows, based upon what Jesus Christ has done on the cross, that when you put your trust in Jesus, you're going to heaven." [55:15]
3. "Paul had clearly told them that how Jesus had done everything necessary on the cross for them to be accepted by God. He freed them from the notion that somehow you had to be good enough. But now they're being tempted to go right back into the slavery of legalism and law keeping. Now, I want to call your attention to two words. The first one is the word foolish. It means without knowledge or reason. He's saying you're being illogical and you're being unreasonable. So, see, first he appeals to their head. He appeals to their intellect. And that's what he's telling them. You're being illogical and unreasonable. Because once you truly understand who Jesus is, and not only that he died on the cross and what he did on the cross, was to make one final full payment for all of our sins and give us an absolutely free ticket that always grants us access to God. And it makes absolutely no sense to add anything to that. You have to turn to Jesus to subtract anything from Jesus or to accept anything outside of that free offer of grace. In other words, once you truly experience Jesus, you don't want to turn from him. You don't want to add to him. You don't want to subtract from him. Why would you even think about doing that?" [59:29]
4. "You see, God promised him that he'd be the father of a great nation, and a blessing to the entire world. That nation was Israel, and that blessing was Jesus Christ. Abraham simply believed God, took him at his word, and followed him for the rest of his life. And at that moment, Abraham was justified. God credited him with his life. Perfect righteousness. In other words, God fully and finally accepted Abraham. And so, in effect, Paul is saying to these Judaizers, these legalists, these people that are more concerned about rules and regulations, take note that God accepted Abraham, and he had not even been circumcised yet. He had not kept the law, because there was no law. It hadn't even been given. How did God start with Abraham? By grace. How did Abraham start with God? By faith. How did God end with Abraham? By faith. How did God end with Abraham? By grace. How did Abraham end with God? By faith." [01:16:21]
5. "The gospel is not an invitation for you to do anything for God. It is a declaration of what God has done for you. See, what Jesus did for you on the cross is not only all you need to be accepted by God, it is all you ever need to be accepted. God's grace covers it all. And these Galatians were guilty of spiritual treason. They were saying that Jesus is inadequate, Jesus is insufficient, and adding anything to Jesus is an insult to Jesus. So we always first look to the Son because He is enough. Second, we live in the Spirit. Paul cuts right to the chase and asks the question that these Galatians needed to hear. Let me ask you only this. Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Now, Paul has only one question, and he knows that once they answer this question truthfully, they will have, in effect, solved their own problem. And in this, he gives us the classic definition of what it means to be a Christian. A Christian is someone who has received the Spirit of God. A Christian is someone who has trusted in Jesus to save them. And once we do that, we receive the Spirit of the Lord. That's what a Christian is." [01:04:13]
6. "You see, for a lot of people, they leave the church because they get disillusioned by certain things. It's kind of like the same reason that people get a divorce. They fall in love with an ideal, then it becomes an ordeal, and then they start looking for a new deal. And that's why a lot of folks leave the church. Now, the way God starts with us is the way that He finishes with us. We start with God through His grace and our faith, and that's the way that we finish with Him. And the way that you avoid the shackles of legalism and continue to breathe the fresh air of liberty is that the gospel brings to us life. And there's three things that we should always do. Number one, we should always look to the Son." [57:02]
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