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Galatians 2:15-21; 3:1-5Page 989 in Pew Bibles

15. We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners”;

16. yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…

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…And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.

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17. But if, while seeking to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not!

18. If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.

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19. For through the law I have died to the law, that I might live to God…

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I have been crucified with Christ;20. and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The

life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

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21. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

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Continuing to Chapter 3…

1. You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified?

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2. I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?

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3. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?

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4. Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing?

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5. So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?

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Seven Questions:Reasoning about the Nature

Of the Christian Faith

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Question 1:Does Grace Lead to Sin?

An Anticipated Question

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The Idea that Grace Leads to Sin

• 2:17 “But if, while seeking to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not!”

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The Life-Changing Dynamic of the Gospel

Salvation Includes a Changed Life, Not Forgiveness and Heaven Only

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Alive to God

• 2:19-20 “For through the law I have died to the law, that I might live to God…”

• Died to the Law: Jesus, in a way that fulfilled the terms of the law, ended the law’s demands on the believer’s life

• Live to God: No longer separated from God and able to respond to God

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Christ in Me

• 2:19-20 “…I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me...”

>

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Living by Faith

• 2:19-20 “…The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

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Question 2:Why Do You Think

Jesus Died on the Cross?An Implied Question

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If We Can Be in Good Standing withGod on the Basis of Our Own Record,

Then What’s the Cross About?

• 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.”

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Question 3:What’s Gotten into You?

A Rhetorical Question

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So, Tell Me Again—How Did You Miss the Cross?

• 3:1 “You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified?”

• Foolish: Lacking good moral judgment• Hypnotized: Cast a spell on them• Could the cross have been made more clear? . >

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Question 4: How Did Your Christian Life Begin?

A Direct, “Either or” Question

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A Supernatural Beginning

• 3:2 “I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?”

• Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”

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Question 5: How Does Your Christian Growth Continue?

A Direct, “Either or” Question

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A Supernatural Growth Process

• 3:3 “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?”

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Question 6: Did You Endure All that Persecution for Nothing?

A Question to Consider

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Do They Persecute You For Being Like Everyone Else or For Being Different?

• 3:4 “Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing?”

• If the Gospel is false, and they suffered for it, then they suffered for nothing

• If the Gospel is true, then they were faithful to the truth and God will reward them in the end

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Question 7: What is the Secret of a Supernaturally

Empowered Church?A Direct, “Either or” Question

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A SupernaturallyEmpowered Church

• 3:5 “So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?”

• You: plural -> supply ya’ll• The Spirit’s presence and power in the

church. .

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