Faith and Abraham

Galatian Liberty • Galatians 3:6-9 • May 15, 2022 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Paul told the story of the incident in Antioch, where he corrected Peter for not standing up for the gospel truth. Peter distanced himself from the Gentile believers when certain men from Jerusalem arrived. His hypocrisy influenced other Jewish believers, including Barnabas. Paul would then explain that justification is through faith and not through the works of the law. After which, Paul would once again express his disappointment by calling the Galatians foolish and asking a series of rhetorical questions.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 

Galatians 3:6-9 ESV

6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Notes

Paul continued to make a point of justification by faith and not by the works of the law. He referred to Abraham, the Patriarch of the Jewish people. Paul quoted Scripture that Abraham believed in God and was reckoned to him as righteousness. The point was that the law did not exist during the time of Abraham. God counted Him righteous because he believed in the promise. Paul explained that God’s promise was the gospel promise to the nations. Abraham believed in the promise of God. True descendants of Abraham believe in the promise of God through Christ and not by the good works of the law. There is value in receiving the promise given to Abraham, but the path to it is not by the law but through faith in the gospel of Christ.

  1. True Descendants
    Paul argued that those of faith, and not the law, are true sons of Abraham. If Gentiles truly have faith in Christ, they are sons of Abraham. It is not through circumcision or the works of the law (3:6-7).
    6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.

  2. Gospel and Abraham
    Paul explained that the promise to Abraham included the gospel. In what way? That Abraham will bless all the nations. How? Through the gospel of Christ proclaimed by His followers (3:8).
    8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justifythe Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

  3. Blessed through Faith
    Paul concludes that the blessings promised to Abraham are truly about believing the gospel. It is through faith and not the works of the law. Abraham was a man of faith, not a man of the law (13:9).
    9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Application

  1. See the connection
    God promised Abraham that in him, all the nations should be blessed. Scripture revealed the coming of the gospel through him. And we see Christ commanding His disciples to go to all nations. Let us appreciate Scriptural harmony

  2. Proclaim the gospel to all nations
    God’s promise to Abraham is the blessing of salvation in Christ Jesus. If we genuinely believe in Him, we shall, by faith, obey His command to proclaim the gospel to all nations.

  3. Defend the gospel
    The blessing under Abraham is not through the works of the law of Moses, not through good works or morality. But through faith in Christ and what He did. Paul defended against any distortions. We should defend the gospel as well.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. Why did Paul cite Abraham to support his arguments?

  2. Explain the connection of Abraham and the gospel of Christ.

  3. How may we participate in bringing the gospel to all nations?