Bible Readings:
Luke 18:9-17
Luke 19:1-10
Philippians 3:1-21
Sermon Outline:
Galatians 2:15–21 (NKJV)
15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
17“But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
20I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
I Paul’s hot pursuit of a legalistic righteousness before his conversion
II Paul’s relationship to the law after his conversion
III Living by faith in Christ alone
Because Christ is man, he can make atonement for man and sympathize with man. Because Christ is God, His atonement has infinite value, and the union which he effects with God is complete.
Augustus H. Strong
Union with Christ is a unique emphasis among the world’s religion.
John R. W. Stott