Galatians 3:10-14 | Sermon Resources | 15 December 2024
Summary
“Do hard things!” This might be helpful advice and a necessary antidote to the me-first, no-expectations comfort culture of our day. However, in the sermon this week Pastor Billy will challenge us to see the limits of our human abilities. There are some things we simply cannot do for ourselves. No man can save himself. No amount of grit, determination, or goal setting can earn anyone eternal salvation. Redemption is something that must be done for us – not by us. The sermon will explore the implications of this gospel idea.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the sermon this week?
- What does this passage have to say about: (1) the law, (2) the curse, (3) our salvation?
- According to this passage, why is it so bad to “rely on the works of the law”? In what ways do people today rely on works of the law or self-effort for acceptance by God?
- Discuss this quote from the sermon: “Of course God will forgive me; that’s his job.” Why can’t God simply choose to forgive our sins without the cross?
- In the sermon, Pastor Billy, made the case that Jesus did more than just identify with us as sinners, but that he became our substitute. Where do we see this idea in this passage? How is this a good summary of the central truth of the gospel message?
- Thinking about areas in your life where you feel like you must "earn" God's favor, how does the truth that Christ has already redeemed us from the curse of the law bring freedom to these situations?
- How can the truths in this passage help you navigate moments when you feel burdened by guilt or a sense of inadequacy?
- What practical steps can you take to live out a life of faith and reliance on Christ's redemptive work rather than on your own works?
Quotes
“The concept of substitution may be said, then, to lie at the heart of both sin and salvation. For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices himself for man and puts himself where only man deserves to be. Man claims prerogatives which belong to God alone; God accepts penalties which belong to man alone.” - John Stott, The Cross of Christ, p. 160
