It's Always Been Faith

Theme: Justified by faith

Scriptures: Galatians 3:1-29

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Justification has always been through faith, even in the Old Testament.

Think: Maintain an awareness that I am totally dependent on Christ for salvation and for power to live for Him each day.

Do: Continue to walk by faith each and every day.

B1 Galatians 3:1-5 NKJV O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

C1 What did the Galatians have a clear description of?

C2 Why did they not obey the truth? (Wilbur Pickering notes, Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “that you not be persuaded by the Truth (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.)).

C3 How does this verse apply to the Galatians (and perhaps, to us): Proverbs 14:15 NKJV The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

C4 How would you summarize Jesus’s death? Give some physical aspects of Jesus’s death and some spiritual aspects.

C5 Does keeping the Law bring salvation, forgiveness of sins, and reconciliation with God?

C6 Can any human keep God’s Law?

C7 Could Paul, the Apostle, keep God’s law?

C8 There are 3 questions in this text. How do WE answer these questions?

D1 You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?

D2 Did all your experience mean nothing at all?

D3 Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?

C9 Note the contrast between works of the law and hearing of faith. The Galatians knew little or nothing of the Law. What they had experienced was a result of hearing the Gospel, not keeping Mosaic Law.

B2 Galatians 3:6-9 NKJV just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

C1 The Scripture referred to is the spoken word that God spoke to Abraham. The only written Scripture at that time was possibly Job.

C2 What did Abraham do to be accepted by God as righteous? Did He keep the Law or believe? How could Abraham have kept the Law of Moses?

C3 How are Israelites put right with God? How about Gentiles?

C4 What Gospel did Abraham hear? How is that Gospel different from the Gospel of today?

B3 Galatians 3:10-12 NKJV For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

C1 What does trying to keep the Law result in?

C2 How much of the Law is each person required to obey?

C3 Is keeping the Law just in outward actions or in thoughts, desires, words, AND deeds?

C4 How many people have been justified by the Law?

C5 What does the Law have to do with faith?

C6 What does the Law require?

B5 Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

C1 Explain how Christ became a curse for us.

C2 How does Christ redeem us from the Law’s curse? Redeem has the idea of buying back something. We humans are sold under sin; we are enslaved to it. We are set free by faith and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

C3 How does a person receive the Spirit promised by God?

B6 Galatians 3:15-18 NKJV Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

C1 Wilbur Pickering notes: Less than 3% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit “in Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). Without Christ, the Seed, there would have been no promise.

C2 If 2 people agree on a business or legal matter, they have a written contract. Can it be changed or broken without the other agreeing to it?

C3 Who then can break God’s agreement with Abraham?

C4 Who is the descendant (singular, not plural)?

C5 What does God’s promise to keep this covenant mean today?

C6 What is the difference between a gift and an obligation?

C7 Did Abraham earn righteousness or receive it as a gift?

B7 Galatians 3:19-20 NKJV What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

C1 What is the purpose of the Law? Is it to forgive sins and find reconciliation with God?

C2 What was keeping (trying to keep) the Law meant to do?

C3 How long was the Law to last (stay in effect)?

B8 Galatians 3:21-22 NKJV Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

C1 Does this mean that the Law is against God's promises?

C2 Does the Law bring life?

C3 What is the whole world (every human) enslaved to?

C4 What is the gift of salvation based on?

C5 Who receives this gift of salvation? Is it law keepers or those with faith in Christ?

B9 Galatians 3:23-25 NKJV But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

C1 What did the Law do to us before faith (the Gospel) was revealed?

C2 What was the purpose of the Law?

C3 How are people put right with God?

C4 Does the Law have authority over us?

B10 Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

C1 God looks upon believers as His children. Was it through keeping God’s Law or faith in Jesus Christ?

C2 Is salvation’s status different if one is a male or female, a slave or nonslave, between Jews or Gentile?

B11 A topical study on...Obey the truth…

C1 Truth is reality (the correspondence theory of truth).

C2 Truth needs to be in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C3 Yahweh is the only source of 100% truth.

C4 The Bible, given by inspiration by the Holy Spirit, is 100% truth.

C5 The Gospel is truth.

C6 Truth is rejected by many because it may bring discomfort in revealing the real person we are.

C7 God desires for us to come to the full knowledge of truth: 1 Timothy 2:4 WEB who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

C8 How can a person be deceived?

B12 Next week:

C1 Rags to Riches

C2 Theme: Heirs of God

C3 Scriptures: Galatians 4:1-31

There Can Only Be One

The true gospel

Scriptures: Galatians 1:1-12 and Galatians 2:15-21

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: The true gospel is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Think: Live with the assurance that I have eternal life through faith in Christ.

Do: Trust in Christ alone for salvation, and share the true gospel with others.

Notes and questions:

B1 False Gospels:

C1 Gospel of the Kingdom: repentance, baptism, faith that Jesus is Messiah and keep Moses’ Law. Source: here, here, and here. This is similar, if not the same, as the Judaism that Paul rebuked the Galatians and others.

C2 Faith plus works. Many believe this. There are the 3 sources above.

C3 Faith plus baptism, even just baptism.

C4 Being moral.

C5 The prosperity gospel, Social justice gospel, Unity gospel, All ways lead to heaven gospel, Self help, positive gospel, Mystical gospel. See the link for explanation.

C6 If someone believes into these gospels, they will end up in hell.

B2 Gospel Explained

C1 Only through Jesus Christ

D1 John 3:17 NRSV Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

D2 Acts 4:12 (MEV) There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

D3 1 Timothy 2:5 (MEV) There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

C2 After God initiates salvation and opens the heart of any human, they must request salvation: Acts 2:21 (MEV) And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

C3 Must believe God: Acts 16:31 NRSV They answered, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.

C4 Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ: Romans 5:9 NRSV Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.

C5 Through the resurrection (we must believe it) and life of Jesus Christ: Romans 5:10 NRSV For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

C6 After believing and being saved, we want to proclaim it: Romans 10:9-11 NRSV Because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. (11) The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame.

D1 Matthew 10:32 NKJV Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

D2 1 John 4:15 NKJV Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

C7 Ask: Romans 10:13 NRSV For, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

C8 John 20:31 NRSV But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

C9 An angel of God during the Tribulation also preaches the Gospel: Revelation 14:6-7 NRSV Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation and tribe and language and people. (7) He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.

B3 Only one Gospel. There are no multiple gospels

C1 Example 1—Abraham

D1 Moses wrote about it: Genesis 15:6 NKJV And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

D2 Paul wrote to the Romans about it: Romans 4:3 NRSV For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

D3 Paul wrote to the Galatians about it: Galatians 3:6 NRSV Just as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

D4 James wrote about it: James 2:23 NRSV Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.

C2 Example 2—Calling

D1 Joel writes: Joel 2:32 NKJV And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

D2 Peter preached: Acts 2:21 NKJV And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

D3 Paul writes: Romans 10:13 NKJV For Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

C3 Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NRSV Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, (2) through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. (3) For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, (4) and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.

B4 Galatians 1:1-12,

C1 Is faith really all a person needs to be saved?

C2 Galatians 1:3-5 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

D1 Our Lord Jesus Christ

E1 Ours—believers

E2 Lord—King of kings and Lord of lords. We have submitted to Him.

E3 Jesus—the Jesus who is spoken of in the Bible.

E4 Christ—Messiah. He always has been Messiah and always will be.

E5 How should this affect us?

D2 Who gave Himself for our sins

E1 What does the word gave signify?

E2 Why is it important that it was Himself that He gave?

E3 What was His purpose?

D3 That He might deliver us from this present evil age

E1 What is the condition of our present age?

E2 Why should we be delivered from it?

D4 Why would God want this?

D5 Can anyone not glorify God?

C3 Galatians 1:6-12,

D1 What would be some reasons the Galatians are turning to another gospel?

D2 How do people distort the gospel?

D3 Why would they?

D4 What is God’s opinion of those who preach a false gospel?

D5 How does Paul know he preaches the correct gospel?

D6 How do we know what the true gospel is?

D7 What is the source of false doctrine?

B5 Galatians 2:15-21,

C1 Is the law written by Moses, who received it from God Himself, good?

C2 Can anyone keep the law? (James 2:10 GW If someone obeys all of God's laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them). Breaking God’s law can be in thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds.

C3 What important points of doctrine can we learn from Galatians 2:16?

C4 Do people sin after becoming Christians?

C5 If we start trying to live by the law, what does that do to us?

D1 Consider this translation: Galatians 2:18-19 GNB92 If I start to rebuild the system of Law that I tore down, then I show myself to be someone who breaks the Law. So far as the Law is concerned, however, I am dead—killed by the Law itself—in order that I might live for God. I have been put to death with Christ on his cross.

D2 Adam Clarke on this passage: For if I build again the things which I destroyed] If I act like a Jew, and enjoin the observance of the law on the Gentiles, which I have repeatedly asserted and proved to be abolished by the death of Christ, then I build up what I destroyed, and thus make myself a transgressor, by not observing the law in that way in which I appear to enjoin the observance of it upon others.

D3 If someone wants to follow the law, do so, but if in doing you think it is necessary for salvation, you are a heretic. If you keep the law and think you are more spiritual than others, you are in grave error. And, you will be judged by God on the basis of keeping that Law, so you will fail.

D4 So called, Torah following Christians, feel it is important, necessary to follow God’s (Mosaic) Law. They do not, of course, but feel they are more spiritual and enlightened than others. But, Paul, the Apostle, stated that this Law is what condemned him to spiritual death, which is why he exclaims, “Galatians 2:20-21 WPNT I have been crucified with Christ, so it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; what I now live in this body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself in my place. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”

D5 2 Corinthians 3:6-9 NKJV who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

C6 Galatians 2:21 NKJV “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

D1 Is anyone more spiritual trying to keep the Law?

D2 Does righteousness come through the Law?

D3 Can we be more spiritual doing these works?

D4 Paul is not condemning the Law. Paul is saying that no one can be justified by keeping the Law. The Law condemns. The Law made Paul realize that he was a sinner and could not be justified by keeping the Law.

B6 Next week:

C1 It’s always been faith

C2 Theme: Justified by faith

C3 Scriptures: Galatians 3:1-29