The Promise

Here it is, Sunday again and that means it is time for today's sermon. Today we are in Galatians 3:15-25.


15Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.


19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.


21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.


23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.


26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.


God’s promise to Abraham … if Abraham would follow Him then his descendants would be as numerous as the grains of sand. This passage reminds us that because of Christ, that promise is for us. What are the promises we see in this passage?

1. We are prisoners set free

     a. Free from the bondage of the law

     b. Free from the bondage of sin


2. Adopted children of God

     a. Loved by choice

     b. Joint heirs … full inheritance rights


3. Equality in Christ

     a. There is no gender

     b. There is no race

     c. There is no class system

Conclusion: We need to live confidently and freely in the promise of God. The call is to believe and be baptized. That is the starting point for all of us. We are called to live lives of faith and it is time to step into the freedom that God calls us to. Throw off the chains, step into the joy and presence of the Lord.

Just Connie