Episodes
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
The Old Rugged Cross - Part 2 (Gal. 3:10-14)
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
GALATIANS EXPOSITORY SERIES
If the law cannot bless us, then how can we receive God's blessing? This is the question Paul has been wrestling with throughout this letter. How do I stand in right relationship with God? What must I do to gain his favor? In a word, how can I be justified?
There are two possibilities: Either I am justified by works of the law or I am justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's answer is that justification comes only by faith and not by works. He has stated this before, but here he repeats it: Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith.' But the law is not of faith, rather 'The one who does them shall live by them' (Gal. 3:11-12). Justification cannot come by works of the law; it must come by faith.
Luther rightly understood that only Christ can justify a sinner, and only through his cross. Paul explained it to the Galatians like this: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree' (Gal. 3:13).
The love of Christ is wondrous. He was crucified to remove the curse. Since we are no longer subject to the death penalty of the law, we can receive the promise of the gospel, that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith (Gal. 3:14).
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Today’s podcast is brought to you by Time in the Word.
As God ministers to you through this series of studies and as you experience God’s love and grace in your own life, share these podcasts with others, so that they too may be blessed by God’s Word and His amazing grace.
Time in the Word with Bible teacher Dr. Miguel Gonzalez is a ministry of Reasons for Faith International Ministries, a ministry committed to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the clear exposition of God’s Word.
For additional resources, or if you have enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting www.rffiministries.org.
Monday Sep 06, 2021
The Old Rugged Cross - Part 1 (Gal. 3:10-14)
Monday Sep 06, 2021
Monday Sep 06, 2021
GALATIANS EXPOSITORY SERIES
Imagine the scene: An entire nation gathers on the sides of two mountains to worship. Half the people stand on one side, half on the other. They worship responsively, alternating their praise. First one group cries out to God, and then the other, with every man, woman, and child shouting in unison.
This was the scene when the Jewish people crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. According to the command of Moses, six tribes stood on Mount Gerizim and six on Mount Ebal to form an antiphonal choir. Rather than singing in harmony, they recited a litany of blessings and curses. The tribes on Mount Gerizim blessed the people of God, while the tribes on Mount Ebal cursed them.
What curses they were! Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image (Deut. 27:15). Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother (Deut. 27:16). Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow (Deut. 27:19). Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them (Deut. 27:26). The Levites recited a dozen curses in all, and after each one, all the people said, "Amen!"
_______________________________________________________
Today’s podcast is brought to you by Time in the Word.
As God ministers to you through this series of studies and as you experience God’s love and grace in your own life, share these podcasts with others, so that they too may be blessed by God’s Word and His amazing grace.
Time in the Word with Bible teacher Dr. Miguel Gonzalez is a ministry of Reasons for Faith International Ministries, a ministry committed to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the clear exposition of God’s Word.
For additional resources, or if you have enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting www.rffiministries.org.