Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 13 December 2020
Text: Galatians 3
Title: “Heirs according to the promise”

INTRODUCTION

1. The doctrine of being Heirs of God

a) It is complex

b) It is rich

c) It is profound

2. It may be traced to God’s Promise to Abraham

a) This Promise was thought to be a totally Jewish thing

b) This was a wrong understanding that persisted for centuries

3. The outstanding Theologian we need to appreciate

a) The Apostle Paul

b) An astute thinker

c) A great teacher of the Word of God

d) The Apostle to the Gentiles

THE WORLD OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

1. The world was divided simply into two parts

a) The Jew

b) The Gentile

c) They were two separate entities

i) They cannot be integrated

ii) They remained separate

d) The Message of the Gospel

It changed everything!

2. The Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul

a) Before Salvation

i) He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees

ii) His world did not include even Jewish Christians

b) After Salvation

i) He grew in his faith

ii) He grew in his knowledge of God

iii) He grew in his understanding of God’s plan of salvation

UNDERSTANDING THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS

1. The Churches of Galatia

a) He was the founder of the churches in Galatia

b) For a while, the Gentile churches did well

2. Teachings that went against the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Believers were told that they must keep the law of Moses to be saved

b) Many were shaken in their faith in the Gospel that Paul had preached

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS IN A NUTSHELL

1. We are justified by faith alone

2. The Law cannot bring about justification Galatians 2:16

3. Salvation is found only in the grace of Christ
And His death for us Galatians 2:16-20

VITAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO ABRAHAM AS THE FATHER OF FAITH

1. How was he saved?
He was saved by faith as we are Galatians 3:6

2. If we are saved by faith, how are we related to Abraham?
Those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham Galatians 3:7

3. Did the Scriptures foresee the salvation of Gentiles?
The Scriptures foresaw that God would save the Gentiles Galatians 3:8

4. Are we truly and fully blessed?
Those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham Galatians 3:9

5. How are we redeemed from the curse of the law?
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law Galatians 3:13

6. Would we also receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit?
The blessing of the Gentiles includes the promise of the Spirit Galatians 3:14

7. What is the result of having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
We become the sons of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Galatians 3:26

8. How are we made heirs of God?

a) We become sons of God through faith in the Lord Jesus

b) If we are Christ’s, then we are Abraham’s seed

c) And we are heirs according to God’s promise Galatians 3:29

9. God’s promise to Abraham

a) Now to Abraham and His seed were the promises made

b) That Seed is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Galatians 3:16

c) Thus, we are truly One in Christ Galatians 3:28

i) Neither Jew nor Greek

ii) Neither slave nor free

iii) Neither male nor female

CONCLUSION

1. The Promises of God are profound

2. Our challenge

a) To fathom them

b) To appreciate the blessings God has promised us

c) To rejoice in all that God has revealed in the Scriptures

d) To live with great gratitude and joy in our faith in God