Good evening y’all! Thank you to everyone watching online and everyone here tonight. My name is Sergio Roden, and I am a member of the Preacher’s Guild. With guidance from Pastor Tony, whom we love and appreciate, we are currently exploring a sermon series on the Epistle to the Galatians. This important letter speaks to the heart of grace and faith in our journey of salvation, and I hope that y’all are finding it to be a source of encouragement and understanding during this time.

As we finish tonight, we will reach a significant milestone—we have journeyed halfway through this letter! The study's theme, "AWOL from grace," directly points out the Galatians' departure from the true gospel of grace. The Galatians were in grave danger of abandoning the one true gospel of grace. This letter focuses on a very important topic: salvation. This isn’t just a minor detail; it’s the heart of the Gospel! 

We’re talking about something that carries eternal weight, a crucial concern that could mean the difference between heaven and hell. This is a gospel issue that we simply cannot overlook! This is not merely a disagreement among  Christians; it transcends trivial debates over minor issues. This is not a moment for polite dialogue or agreeing to disagree. What we face here is far more concerning—the insidious influence of demonic teachings. This is a clear instance of heresy. Heresy-belief or opinion contrary to orthodox Christian doctrine: heresy includes rejecting the Trinity, the deity and eternality of Jesus Christ, justification by faith alone, and the authority of scripture alone. The Judaizers taught a heresy that combined faith with obedience to the law,  departing from the original message of the Gospel as taught by Paul the Apostle. This highlights the importance of understanding and embracing the core principles of faith to stay true to the essence of the Gospel. Thus, Paul is dealing with hell-bound heretics with tears of frustration and agony for the saints in Galatia. 

Roman Catholics teach that both faith and works are necessary for salvation. The Catholics hold that grace is received through faith, but it also emphasizes the necessity of tradition and good works, including sacraments, moral living, and acts of charity. Then there is the church of Latter-day Saints,  formerly known as Mormons; this cultish heretical group believes and teaches that while salvation ultimately comes through Jesus Christ, people must do their part by following  God’s commandments as essential for achieving eternal life. However, there is another hell-bound group more minacious than these two; this group is the closest thing we have to Judaizers in our modern world today. 

This group teaches a form of salvation emphasizing faith and law, which are essential for salvation. The group is called the  “Black Hebrew Israelites,” A movement that believes African Americans are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites and that salvation is only for them. They also reject the Trinity, the deity, incarnation, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the authority of scripture alone. I know some, if not most of y’all, have never heard of this fringe group, but this movement is rising, and it’s not just African Americans. Their influence is undeniably increasing, and we need to grasp their teachings and recognize how they and other heretics diverge from the true Gospel. So, I brought this to your attention because one of their central teachings is that justification is earned by obedience to the Law. 

Our text Today outlines Paul’s argument against the Judaizers,  focusing on four main points: the true purpose of the Law, how Jesus Christ, as the promised seed, fulfills the Law, and our freedom from it. It also emphasizes the importance of unity and diversity in Christ while providing guidance on defending the true  Gospel against heretical works-based groups like the Black Hebrew Israelites. 

Title: Embracing the Pinnacle of the Promise 

I. The Purpose (Gal 3:19-21) The first thing I will do is define and explain the purpose of the  Law concerning the promises of God. 

II. The Picture (Gal 3:22-25) Paul creates some striking depictions of the law. I will lead y’all on this captivating and vivid illustrative journey. 

III. The Promise (Gal 3:19,22,23,24) The themes of promise and faith arise repeatedly; we will take a moment to delve into this profound and sacred gift. 

IV. The Pinnacle (Gal 3:26-29) In the final section, we will reach the zenith of Paul’s plea,  the crowning jewel for all the saints. 

Transition into the text: Galatians 3:15-18

1. Covenant Analogy: In verse 15, Paul explains the unchanging nature of God's promises.  This text reassures us that God’s promise to Abraham is unchanging and permanent.  

2. The Promise to Abraham (Verse 16): Paul points out that the promises made to Abraham and his 'seed' (singular) refer specifically to Christ. This means that the covenant made with Abraham was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, offering us a hopeful perspective that the blessings promised to Abraham are rooted in faith, not the law. 

3. Law vs. Promise (Verses 17-18): Paul highlights that the law was given 430 years after  God made a special promise to Abraham. This means the law cannot cancel or change that promise.  

Galatians 3:19-21 -The Purpose 

Why the Law, then? It was added because of trespasses, In other words, what is the purpose of the law if Justification is by faith alone? By asking why the law exists, Paul is clarifying its purpose,  

emphasizing the focus on human sinfulness. The term "trespasses" is crucial here; it suggests that the Law was actually set up to help people see where they fall short. 

The Law managed our entire lives, laying out rules and exposing sin. Setting the stage for understanding what it means to live under grace rather than being shackled by the law. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:20, “…for 

through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Most notably, in Romans  5:20-21, Paul writes, “20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul emphasizes that the law was added to increase our awareness of our sins or trespasses. God wanted to make us painfully aware of our sinful and spiritually fatal condition. 

It has been said, "We will never know how great God's love is until we first see how  great our sin is." 

Sin is not merely a flaw we possess; it is woven into the very fabric of our being. In the Bible, sin is often described using strong images that help us understand what it really is and the consequences that come with it. 

Romans 5:12: “12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned—Because of our inherent sinful nature, we have incurred guilt before God, for which we deserve punishment.  Being conceived with original sin (as stated in Psalm 51:5) means we  inherit a sinful nature so corrupt that Jeremiah 17:9 describes the  

human heart as “deceitful above all things and beyond cure.”  

Eternal damnation (Romans 6:23) is the ultimate reminder of sin's grave consequences. This isn’t just physical death; it signifies spiritual death and separation from God. The realization that sin can lead to eternal separation should push us to abhor it, highlighting why it is crucial to stay aligned with righteousness. We need saving from the consequences of our sins because we can't save ourselves, and the law can't help us. 

AW Pink quote, “The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from Hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many  are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the  Lake of Fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality  and worldliness.”  

What Aw Pink is saying is that the current approach to evangelism is flawed, as it prioritizes fear of hell over the need for genuine repentance and spiritual growth. This misrepresentation has led to a superficial understanding of salvation, where people are more concerned with escaping the consequences of sin rather than their sinful nature. True salvation will result in a desire for holiness and a departure from sin. 

19 Having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator, 20 Now, a mediator is not for one person only, whereas God is one. 

In Acts 7:53, Stephen accuses the Israelites of rejecting the law “given  through angels.” This reinforces Paul's assertion that angels played a role in mediating the law. In Exodus chapters 19–20, Moses is portrayed as the mediator between God and the Israelites, receiving the law on Mount Sinai.  

What Paul is explaining is that The Promise is superior because it came first, it was direct from God to Abram, and it has a superior purpose, which is redemption. Comparing it to the Law, which is inferior because it came later, was indirect, involved mediators, and its purpose was inferior in that it is to condemn or curse. 

Paul is saying that a mediator is unnecessary when only one party is involved in a covenant. It highlights that God spoke directly to Abram  in Genesis 12, 13, and 15 and that during the covenant established in  Genesis 15, Abram was in a deep sleep while God alone cut the  

covenant. 

The law was important but temporary. It highlighted human sin and the urgent need for redemption. Paul emphasizes God's unique promise to Abram, focusing on the promised seed, who is the ultimate mediator between people and God. As 1 Timothy 2:5 states,  5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and  men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be!  For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed be by law. 

Why doesn’t the law contradict the promise? Paul says death to that idea! I  provide four reasons why the law doesn’t contradict the promise. 

Nature of the law: The Mosaic Law consists of commands and regulations that define righteous behavior. However, it does not provide the means actually to fulfill these commands. In this sense, the law reveals sin but does not empower individuals to overcome it.

Human Sinfulness: Scripture teaches that all humans are sinful (Romans 3:23). The law, while good, highlights human inability to achieve righteousness on their own. Because of this inherent sinfulness, the law cannot give life or righteousness; it can only expose sin (Romans 7:7-13). 

Purpose of the Law: The primary purpose of the law was to serve as a guide and a tutor to point us to the promised seed. It points out the need for salvation but does not provide the means of salvation itself. The law's role is to show the seriousness of sin and the need for a Savior.

Death in the Law: Romans 7:10-11 indicates that the commandment that was meant to bring life instead brought death because of sin. The law does not have the power to redeem; it can only bring condemnation when one fails to  

obey. 

Listen, the Law cannot impart life because it is limited to revealing sin and lacks the power to transform the heart. 

Galatians 3:22-25 -The Picture 

What does Paul mean when he claims that Scripture has confined everyone within the boundaries of sin? And how does it feel to be held captive by the Law? What deeper meaning lies behind his description of the Law as our tutor?  

Paul's Illustrations mean that the law serves as a form of imprisonment, similar to prisoners being held in cells. The law was never intended to provide freedom; instead, it restricts and imprisons everyone under sin. This confinement illustrates our inability to fulfill the law's demands, leading to a desperate need for salvation through the promised seed. Thus, the law highlights the necessity of God's promise to save His people, reinforcing that salvation cannot be achieved through the law. 

The Law as a Prison: Imagine a large, old prison standing in a barren landscape. This prison represents the law. Its high walls and barbed-wire fences are designed to keep those inside confined, unable to escape. The inmates represent humanity within the prison, each person locked in their own cell, isolated and alone with their thoughts. 

The prison guards, strict and unforgiving, symbolize the law's demands. They enforce rules that seem impossible to keep, constantly reminding the inmates of their failures and shortcomings. Every time a prisoner tries to reach for freedom, the guards are there to pull them back, highlighting their inability to break free on their own. 

As the days turn into years, the inmates grow weary of the confinement. They begin to realize that the prison, while meant to maintain order, also serves to magnify their sense of hopelessness. The bars of the cells represent the sin that binds them, making it clear that no matter how hard they try, they cannot escape on their own. 

Before wrapping up my illustration of the law being like a prison, let's look at how Paul describes the law as a tutor. 

The Greek word for tutor is ‘paidagogos’. He was the slave attendant who restrained and disciplined the child from about the age of six until he grew up and reached about eighteen.The ‘paidagogos’ were more than babysitters; they were less than teachers. He led, taught, admonished, helped, ruled, protected, guarded, and disciplined the child in his care.  

The paidagogos were seen as strict figures who helped shape the child’s character. An ancient papyrus from the early second century talks about a character called the "paidagogos." This figure seems to be someone who enjoys finding faults or pointing out the mistakes of others. The way they disciplined children was often very strict and sometimes physical. They believed kids needed firm control because they were naturally challenging to manage. One of their favored methods of discipline was to twist the youngster’s ear. the Law was humanity’s paidagōgos (“pedagogue”) before Christ came. He uses the term to illustrate the role of the law as a guide that leads people to the promised seed.

So, to conclude my earlier picture of the Law as a Prison, the law serves as the prison that holds humanity captive, revealing their sinfulness and inability to achieve righteousness. Yet, the arrival of grace offers hope and liberation, allowing individuals to leave the prison of the law and step into the light of freedom through faith in the promised seed Jesus Christ. This transition illustrates the profound message of salvation—moving from confinement to freedom. But now that “faith” has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Paul is saying that through faith in Christ, believers are no longer children of wrath but have become children of God. 

Paul emphasizes that the law is essentially connected to Christ, acting as a precursor to His arrival. It is crucial to acknowledge Christ to truly understand the law, as the law directs attention towards Him. Hey, y'all, if you are a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the promised seed, you are now under grace. Christ has not abolished but fulfilled the law’s demands, and Paul is fixin' to encourage the Galatians, so I want to do the same. Embrace the promises of grace and justification through faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

Galatians 3:19c,22b,23c24, -The Promise 

Jesus Christ is the living crown of the law’s sacred purpose; He is the promised seed who fulfills all the requirements of the law. From the very outset of Galatians 3, Paul challenges the believers' understanding of the law and faith. He begins by asking, "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" (Galatians 3:1, ESV). This rhetorical question stresses his concern for the Galatians. Paul reaffirms the foundational principle of faith in Jesus Christ, contrasting it with reliance on the law. 

In verses 13-14, Paul declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13, ESV). This pivotal moment in the text reveals the crux of Jesus' mission; He willingly took on the curse that the law imposed on humanity due to sin. The law was designed to expose human sinfulness and the inability to achieve righteousness through human efforts (Romans 3:20). By fulfilling the law's demands, Jesus opened the door for believers to receive the blessing of Abraham through faith. Paul states that through Christ, the blessings promised to Abraham are now accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity or obedience to the law (Galatians 3:14). This radical inclusion highlights that through faith in Jesus, the promised seed, Jews and Gentiles are united. 

Further, Paul references the covenant made with Abraham, emphasizing that it was established before the giving of the law through Moses. He asserts, “To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. It does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your seed,’ who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16, ESV). Here, Paul identifies Christ as the singular fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham. This testimony underlines the importance of Jesus as the anticipated “promised seed” and affirms that all who believe in Him share in the inheritance promised to Abraham. 

The zenith of the law is to point us toward someone who perfectly embodies it: The promised seed, Jesus Christ. His flawless obedience to the law shows He met its requirements and provided righteousness for everyone who believes in Him. Paul elaborates, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:25, ESV), signifying that the law no longer imprisons believers, but we are free in Christ. 

Galatians 3:26-29 -The Pinnacle 

Paul beautifully states, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" Galatians 3:26. Paul builds on his earlier thoughts about how faith can change us. Now, Paul shows that all believers have a common bond and shared identity in Christ. By calling us "sons of God," Paul emphasizes that our bond with God is rooted in faith. 

The Pinnacle is that all of us who are born again are Sons of God by faith in the promised seed “Jesus Christ.” What does it mean that we are “Sons” of God? 

The title "Sons of God" is important. Historically, the Jewish people saw themselves as privileged because God chose them from all nations. God viewed Israel as His own son. He spoke  of Israel with fatherly love, saying, “When Israel was a child, I  loved him, and out of Egypt, I called my son.” 

Paul says that anyone Jew or Gentile who looks to Christ by faith is a son of God. Paul drives this point home even further.  Gal 3:27-29“27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave[a] nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. 

Let’s look at V28: 

✓ Feminist: This text supports gender equality in the church and society. It argues that this verse challenges traditional power structures that prioritize male authority over female voices. It advocates for including women in leadership roles, especially in pastoral ministry, a viewpoint known as egalitarianism. 

✓ SJW/CRT: This text calls for dismantling all forms of oppression. This verse speaks against racial, economic,  and gender hierarchies. This perspective promotes systemic change and seeks to address injustices faced by marginalized groups. 

✓ LGBT: Everyone has inherent worth and should be treated equally, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. This verse supports the acceptance of  LGBT identities within the church. 

Believers in Christ are baptized in his name and adopt his identity. Paul says that in Christ, there are no distinctions between Jew and Greek. This means there are no racial privileges in Christ; a Gentile does not need to become a Jew to receive the blessings promised to Abraham. 

In Christ, there are also no distinctions between slave and free. It does not matter whether someone is wealthy or poor;  these differences do not affect their standing with God.  

In Christ, there are no gender distinctions. In Paul’s time,  women often had a lower status than men; they needed another woman to support their testimony in court and could not own property in Israel.

However, in Christ, these social divisions disappear. A woman baptized into Christ is treated not just as a daughter but as a son of God. Sons inherited family possessions, with the firstborn receiving a double portion, while daughters had no claim. However, women in Christ are treated as sons, receiving the promised inheritance and the blessings of God's covenant with Abraham. 

For this reason, Paul concludes by saying that not only is a person who looks to Christ by faith a son of God but he or she is also Abraham’s seed. Paul demonstrates from the Scriptures that what the Judaizers were trying to give the Gentiles through the law—by returning to the schoolmaster and its bondage—God already gave through faith from the very beginning. 

Some Bible translations, like the New Revised Standard Version and the New Living Translation, use the word  "children" instead of "sons" to be more inclusive. For instance, the NRSV says: "For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith." This change makes the message feel more welcoming. 

Changing the word "sons" to "children" in Paul's message can overlook an important point. While it's true that through faith in Christ, we all become part of God's family, it’s essential to see that we are specifically called God's sons. This may seem odd when talking about women, but it highlights that they receive the same rights as men when it comes to being heirs of God's promises. Both men and women hold equal importance and status in God's eyes. Even if changing the wording feels more inclusive, we might want to consider whether it truly reflects the depth of our inheritance in Christ.  

I hope we understand what Paul has written. The law shows us our sins and drives us to Christ. Also, we should see that the promises God made to Abraham do not come from obedience to the law. They come solely from what God gives us: faith in Christ. We are redeemed through our faith in Christ. This faith transforms us into “Sons” of God. 

Cling and hold fast to the promises seed, Jesus Christ, and know that whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, we are all one in Christ Jesus.4 

To the believers in the room: this passage is a profound reminder of the true purpose of the Law. It’s not just a list of rules; it’s a divine signpost pointing us to Jesus. Through faith, we are not merely followers—we are beloved sons of God! This identity empowers us to live boldly, grounded in the assurance of God’s love and acceptance. 

I challenge yall to embrace unity in Christ. In Him, all barriers—social, ethnic, and gender—are shattered. We are called to create a community that reflects this radical love and inclusivity. Let’s be inspired to share this incredible news with others, inviting them to experience the warmth of God’s family. 

And to the nonbelievers: this passage reveals our deep need for redemption. The Law shows us our sinful nature, but it also leads us to the breathtaking grace of Christ—a grace that is open to every single one of us, regardless of our past or present. 

Imagine a life filled with true freedom! It’s not about obeying rules; it’s about stepping into a vibrant relationship with the living God. Paul alluded to the Gospel many times in our text tonight, so if you didn’t catch it allow me to make it crystal clear.  

Jesus Christ is the Gospel—God becoming man in He lived a sinless life, perfectly obeying God's law, revealing the Father’s heart to us. But while we were dead in sin, deserving God’s righteous wrath. In His incredible love, Jesus took upon Himself our lawlessness, becoming our substitute. 

He was obedient unto death, willingly crucified for our sins. When He cried, “It is finished!” He paid the full penalty for our transgressions. After being buried, He triumphed over death on the third day, rising again and offering us eternal life. Now, He is seated at the right hand of God, mediating for us. 

Through faith in Christ, we are united with Him, transformed from slaves of sin into beloved Sons of God. That’s the Gospel.