Sermon: God’s Promise is Superior to God’s Law Galatians 3:15-18
Truth Taught- Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s Promise to Abraham
Introduction
Through the Epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul has argued very effectively for the superiority of the Gospel over the Law of God.
He has stated…
The Law is not the Gospel nor can it be added to the Gospel for one’s justification. Any addition to the Gospel will only work to actually detract from it distort it and make ineffective.
Galatians 1:6–7 (ESV)
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
The Gospel is superior to the Law of God because the Law cannot justify us before God. It only has the power to condemn.
Galatians 2:16 (ESV)
16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
If the Law of God could justify us then why did Jesus die?
Galatians 2:21 (ESV)
21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Paul told us that all who seek to live by the Law of God for justification are unable to and all who have broken God’s Law live cursed.
Galatians 3:10 (ESV)
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
So, the clear logical deduction is that the Gospel justifies sinners before God while the Law cannot. For this reason, the Gospel is superior to the Law of God.
Now we see a transition in the Apostle’s argument. He highlights something else that is superior to God’s Law and that is God’s Promise.
Let’s see if we can trace his reasoning and praise God for His promise to Abraham and to his offspring…
Please Stand
Galatians 3:15–18 (ESV)
15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
1. A Man-Made Covenant Stands (3:15)
15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.
Notice here that even though these Galatians were giving consideration to what the false teachers were saying that Paul calls them brothers. It seems He knew that they would consider his words and through them God would draw them away from the lies of the Judaizers back to the truth of the Gospel. Brothers, listen to me…
So, his opening words which to some may have seemed a little rough were really words of rebuke as a father to a son. He loved them sincerely.
He turns to another proof that justification does not come to us through the Law. He mentions the idea of a covenant promise.
The one document we can easily use as an example is someone’s will. The last will and testament of a person. As long as the person is of sound mind, they can change their will. One simply goes to an attorney states their wishes and it can be changed. However, once the person is deceased it stands as is and cannot be changed. When the Last Will and Testament is legally ratified it cannot be nullified or changed.
This was especially true in Greek culture. It was binding and could not be nullified or amplified. It stood as is.
2. God’s Covenant Promise is Superior Because it is Unchanging and Leads to Jesus Christ (3:16)
16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
If a man-made covenant is binding and cannot be nullified once ratified then, how much more is God’s Promise sure?
This focus by Paul on offspring and offsprings is a way to explain that the Promise made to Abraham would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
The word offspring can be used as it is for the plural. It comes from the Greek word spermatid which literally means seed, offspring or remnant. Here offspring is in mind.
Paul points our attention back to Genesis 3:15
Genesis 3:15 (ESV)
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
Here, it is used in the singular sense. Offspring in Genesis 3:15 means one person. Now for us on this side of the cross, we know who this particular offspring is, Paul tells us that the Genesis promise that was made by God to the serpent was none other than Jesus Christ. He will crush Satan’s head.
This Promise was then made to Abraham…
To Abraham, the word offspring is used in its plural sense…
Genesis 15:4–6 (ESV)
4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
This multitude of descendants would be for the purpose of producing the one Offspring.
This covenant promise would continue through the generations and find it spoken again to King David.
2 Samuel 7:16 (ESV)
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
Psalm 89:35–37 (ESV)
35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness;
I will not lie to David.
36 His offspring shall endure forever,
his throne as long as the sun before me.
37 Like the moon it shall be established forever,
a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah
Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Then when we get to the NT, we immediately read in Matthew,
Matthew 1:1 (ESV)
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Literally, offspring or seed…
Jesus Christ is the promised offspring. That’s exactly what Paul tells us in Galatians. It is in Jesus Christ all of God’s wonderful promises come true.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
He is the Offspring promised by God throughout the Scripture. Jesus is the true Son, Jesus is the true Heir, Jesus is the Last Adam, Jesus is the faithful David, Jesus is the true Israel, and Jesus is the true offspring of God. All of God’s promise are true for us who come to Christ by faith.
God’s Promise is superior to God’s Law because God’s Promise cannot be changed or nullified and the Promise leads us straight to Jesus our Savior.
3. God’s Covenant Promise is Superior Because it Precedes the Law
17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Since God made the Promise to Abraham 430 years before God gave the Law to Moses and since Abraham was declared by God to be justified 430 years before the Law came then the Law cannot do anything more or in addition than what God’s Promise does. It cannot add to a ratified covenant promise.
Since Abraham believed God’s promise and not God’s Law we see as Paul’s argument goes the Law cannot do more than the Promise since faith in God and His promise justified Abraham and not any works of the Law.
God’s Promise is superior because the one who believes is justified. The Law cannot save us.
The Promise includes Gentiles while the Law was first and foremost intended for Israelites.
The Promise blesses while the Law curses.
Conclusion
Like Abraham, God tells us truth concerning the fulfillment of the Promise, namely, Jesus Christ. He tells us so that we will believe Him. When we believe all God tells us He justifies us just like He did Abraham.
I pray today that you have placed your faith in Christ alone…do that and you will be justified before God. Try to keep the Law and you will forever be cursed. Come to Christ our great Law-Keeper.
Benediction
Resources Used:
Galatians- Peter Barnes
Galatians- Timothy George
Galatians- William Hendriksen
