Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Salvation may be understood in different ways

a) From a theological standpoint
The key idea: Justification by faith

b) From a personal standpoint
“The Lord Jesus lives in the believer”

2. The Apostle Paul

a) He defends both approaches

b) Both are important and closely related

REMEMBERING WHO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS

1. He is Jesus Christ   (Galatians 1:1)

a) The word “Christ”

b) The Anointed One

c) The Messiah

d) The One raised from the dead   (Galatians 1:1)

2. He is our Lord

a) All authority has been given to Him as Lord   (Matthew 28:18)

b) He has the power to deliver us from this present evil age   (Galatians 1:4)

3. He is the Saviour who offers the Gospel of Grace

a) The Grace of Christ   (Galatians 1:6)

b) The Gospel of Christ   (Galatians 1:7)

4. He is the One who gives revelation   (Galatians 1:12)

a) God reveals His Son   (Galatians 1:16a)

b) That one may preach Him   (Galatians 1:16b)

THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

1. The Doctrine of Justification Stated

a) We are not justified by works   (Galatians 2:16a)

b) We are justified by faith   (Galatians 2:16b)

2. The Doctrine of Justification Applied

a) “Even we have believed in Christ Jesus”   (Galatians 2:16c)

b) “That we might be justified by faith in Christ Jesus”   (Galatians 2:16d)

3. Restated for emphasis

“For by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified”   (Galatians 2:16e)

PROBLEMS IN APPLING THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

1. Justification and the Problem of Sin

a) If we seek Justification by Christ   (Galatians 2:17a)

b) We ourselves also are found sinners   (Galatians 2:17b)

c) Is Christ therefore a minister of sin?   (Galatians 2:17c)

d) Certainly not!   (Galatians 2:17d)

2. Seeking to find Justification again?

a) By building a system of theology?

b) “I make myself a transgressor”   (Galatians 2:18)

c) This is unnecessary and erroneous

RAMIFICATIONS OF OUR JUSTIFICATION IN CHRIST

1. We are dead to the Law   (Galatians 2:19a)

a) The Lord Jesus was crucified for us

b) We are crucified with Him   (Galatians 2:20a)

c) The penalty of our sin has been paid

d) The Law cannot be applied to the dead

2. We live to God

a) That we might live to God   (Galatians 2:19b)

b) It is no long we who live   (Galatians 2:20b)

3. Christ lives in us   (Galatians 2:20c)

a) This is a wondrous Truth
that we celebrate at Easter

b) This is a life-changing Truth

4. Our Life in the flesh

a) We live by faith in the Son of God   (Galatians 2:20d)

b) We live in Him

i) Who loved us

ii) And gave Himself for us   (Galatians 2:20e)

CONCLUSION

1. We do not set aside the Grace of God   (Galatians 2:21a)

2. Righteousness (Justification)
Cannot come through the Law   (Galatians 2:21b)

3. Or Christ would have died in vain   (Galatians 2:21c)