Falling From Grace I

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Galatians 4:1-7

I. The Galatians were leaving Christ for the Old Law

A. Some Galatians thought one should follow the Law as well as Christ

B. Galatians 4:8-11

C. They were formerly idolatrous but became Christians Now Paul worried for they sought justification through the Law

D. Paul condemned this “false gospel”

E. Galatians 2:19-21 – Paul died to the Law in order to live for Christ Galatians 3:1-3 – They were perfected through Christ, not the law Galatians 3:10-12 – Those who want to be justified by the Old Law are fighting a losing battle for they will never be justified by their works

II. This is still a problem today

A. Many who claim to be Christians teach that the Old Law, at least the Ten Commandments, is still binding.

B. Some try to get around obvious difficulties such as “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy” by calling Sunday the “Christian Sabbath”

C. Exodus 20:8 – God explicitly calls the seventh day the Sabbath

D. Colossians 2:16

E. Under the Old Law, you could be killed for violating the Sabbath Under the New Law, no one can judge in regard to the Sabbath There is no Christian Sabbath; there is only the Lord’s Day

F. Some separate the Law into the Moral Law and Ceremonial Law; saying that the Ceremonial Law was ended.

G. There is nothing from Jesus or the apostles that would suggest that they considered the law in such divisions. This is another attempt by men to “twist the Scriptures” to teach something that is not taught in the New Testament.

III. Meeting in Jerusalem regarding the Law

A. Acts 15:1, 5 – Some taught that Christians must keep Moses’ law and circumcision which preceded the Law

B. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel given to Abraham hundreds of years before the Law.

C. The Old Testament law was a covenant between God and the Jews.

D. Exodus 24:3, 7-8 Israel was bound by the covenant to obey God. If the Old Law were still in force, we would not be bound to it because we are not Jews.

E. The Gentiles were told to avoid idolatry and things associated with it and that they were not bound to keep the Old Law.

IV. Paul wrote that the Law was no longer binding

A. Ephesians 2:14-15 – The Old Law was abolished.

B. Colossians 2:14 – Blotted out and nailed to the cross.

C. Romans 7:4 – Dead to the Law through Christ

D. Romans 7:6 – Discharged from the Law

E. Hebrews 7:12 – Priesthood changed/Law changed

F. Hebrews 10:9 – The first covenant removed to establish the second

V. Did Jesus say that the Law would not be destroyed?

A. Matthew 5:17

B. Would not pass away until it was fulfilled Luke 24:44 – Jesus fulfilled the work of the Messiah John 19:28 – Jesus completed His work

C. Galatians 3:22-25 – Law brought us to Christ

D. The Law fulfilled its purpose and Jesus’ law replaced it.

VI. Paul told the Galatians to leave the Law and cleave to Christ

A. Galatians 5:1-3

B. The Law enslaved; Christ gives liberty. Those who want to keep part of the Law are obligated to keep all of it.

C. Those who desire to be justified by Law fall away from the grace through Christ.

D. Galatians 5:4 Galatians 5:7

E. Galatians 5:5-6 – The Old Law is not important in Christ but faith working through love.

VII. Let us not fall prey to those who insist that we integrate elements of Old Testament worship and practice in our worship and Christian living. The Old Law is important for teaching us about God and examples to consider as we make decisions. However, we are not bound by its precepts for we are dead to the Law through Jesus Christ.

VIII. Falling From Grace