Okay, let's turn to Galatians
chapter 3 Galatians chapter 3 and I just have one verse for my
text I won't necessarily deal upon this verse in say a line
per line kind of thing, but What I want to try to talk about this
morning Is what our brother the Apostle Paul? Said and it's along
this lines. Here's my here's my title kept
under law Shut up on the faith and the verse that I have for
my text is this verse 23 of Galatians 3 but before faith came We were
kept under the law Shut up under the faith, which should afterwards
be revealed Now, let me just get right to the point. The law
is temporary in two respects now the law is over all men by
nature and Christ only did this for certain people. We'll look
at this in just a moment But the law was temporary in two
respects and that's not in our text verse, but that's in the
context of where Paul said But before faith came, we were kept
under the law, shut up under the faith, which should afterwards
be revealed. So here's two ways in which the law was temporary,
two respects, I should say, in which the law was temporary.
One, the law was added, Till Christ should come and of course
we read read that Paul said that in verse 19 wherefore Then serveth
the law it was added because of transgressions Till the seed
should come and we know that's Jesus Christ Till the seed should
come to whom the promise was made and it was ordained an angel
by angels in the hand of the mediator and light of this the
law was temporary a disrespect it was added till Christ should
come and according to the word of God Christ fulfilled the law
as The representative of his people now turn to Matthew chapter
5 if you're following along And this is what our Lord Jesus Christ
is recorded in what people call the Sermon on the Mount and our
Lord Jesus Christ said these words in Matthew chapter 5 in
verse 17 and 18 remember the law was added to Christ's come
and Christ fulfilled the law as the representative of his
people so in Matthew 5 and Verses 17 and 18 our Lord said these
words think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets
I am NOT come to destroy But what's he come to do? He said
I've come to Fulfill for verily or that is for truly I say unto
you till heaven and earth pass away pass on One jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass the law Pass from the law till all be
fulfilled then of course in romans If you want to turn there romans
chapter 3 We read these words by the apostle paul romans chapter
3 verse 21 But now the righteousness of god without the law is manifested
being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness
of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon
all them that believe, for there is no difference, for all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God. So that's the first. Aspect or respect respect in
which the law was temporary. It was added till Christ should
come When Christ came he fulfilled the law now, we'll look at this
in two ways in a moment But here's the second respect in which the
law was temporary Though it's true that Christ fulfilled the
law in his life and in his death nevertheless God's elect were
not immediately released from the law But it's hold on us was
still temporary itself itself Go back to our text in Romans
3 and let's Lee read a couple other verses Galatians chapter
3 let's begin in verse 22 But the scripture hath concluded
all under sin That the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might
be given to them that believe But before faith came we were
kept under the law remember Christ had already fulfilled it He fulfilled
it in his life, the life he lived, and he fulfilled it when he died
on the tree. But yet we're still under the
law. Now he fulfilled the law, but
yet we're under it. But before faith came, we were
kept under the law, but for a purpose, shut up unto the faith which
should afterward be revealed. Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster
unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after
that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. So these Two things that is these
these two ways in which the law was temporary these two respects
in which the law was temporary These were not for all Nor were
they to all and let's look at how it was for all you don't
have to turn this one I'll turn and read it now. Our lord made
it clear that it was not for all And we'll read what isaiah
says of our lord. Jesus christ himself Our Lord
Jesus, remember this, the law's temporary in two respects. One,
it was added because of transgressions till Christ should come. He fulfilled
the law. But yet those for whom he died
were still under the law. They were shut up under the law
until faith should be revealed. Now look at what Isaiah the prophet
wrote in Isaiah 53. Let me look at my verses verses
11 12 will suffice for this. This is God the father speaking
of the son. He shall see The travail of his
soul that is the father shall see the travail of the son soul
and shall be satisfied by his knowledge shall my righteous
servant justify Many, do you see that? Shall justify many,
why? For he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a
portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoiled with
the strong, because he hath poured out his soul unto death, and
he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bear the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors. So we see how
this was true for God's people But not only that remember what
our Lord said when he instituted the Lord's table You don't have
to turn to that one. Look at listen to Matthew 26
in verse 26 and as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed
it and break it and gave it to the disciples and said Take eat. This is my body He took the cup
and gave thanks and gave it to them saying drink ye all of it
and then listen to these words For this is my blood of the New
Testament Which is shed for many for the remission of sins so
we see how that Christ did this for many and in doing this for
many he actually remitted the When he shed his blood he actually
remitted our sins But not only that but he also does this to
us. He releases us from that curse
look at romans chapter 8 if you're turning turn to that one and
read along as I read that one remember the law was temporary
and that it was added because of transgressions till christ
should come and the law was temporary for those for whom Christ suffered.
They are yet under it when they are born by nature, they're under
the law, but there comes a time when they are released from that
schoolmaster. But we read what Paul says about this thing of
he, Isaiah says he did it for us. Our Lord said he did it for
many Isaiah said he would do it for many our Lord said he
did it was doing it for many now Listen to who he done it
to look Romans 8 verse 1 There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh
but after the spirit what's that mean they believe God and They
believe God look for or that is to say or because of this
for the law of the spirit of life where in Christ Jesus Hath
made me free from the law of sin and death For what the law
could not do in that it was weak through the flesh And that it
was weak to the flesh. I'm sorry God sending his own
son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin
in the flesh and Christ kept the law for his people
in his life, as I said, and in his death. And he does this to
his people based upon his life. and his death. And then the next
phrase, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled,
where? Now you see that next two words.
In us, not by us, but that the righteousness of the law might
be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the
spirit. You see, according to Paul, what
he wrote to Titus, God promised eternal life and let me just
turn back and read that but I know I can't quote it Titus chapter
1 and listen to what Paul wrote to Titus Titus 1 verse 1 Paul
a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to
the faith of God's elect and the acknowledging of the truth
which is after Godliness now look at it Hope of eternal life
which God that cannot lie promised before the world began But hath
in due times manifested his word through preaching which is committed
unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior so God promised
eternal life thus We can say upon the direction of the Word
of God thus life will come to some at this sovereign discretion
of the Sun and The master himself said this and let me just read
you his words. I And when it's recorded in by
John in John 5 21 for as the father raises up the dead and
quicken the them Even so the son quickeneth whom he will so
again God promised eternal life Thus someone must have life those
who have life for those for whom the Son of God lived and died
God promised it God will give it And it will come to some at
the sovereign discretion of the son. And then God even illustrated
this by our brother Ezekiel. So turn to Ezekiel chapter 16,
if you're following along and listen to how it's, it's an example
of this is given by Ezekiel and Ezekiel chapter 16, verse one.
Again, the word of the Lord came unto me saying son of man calls
Jerusalem to know her abominations And this isn't that what God
does for us first? Before he really reveals unto
us the glory of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He begins
to show us what we really are Again, the word of the Lord came
unto me, saying, Son of man, call Jerusalem to know her abominations,
and say, Thus saith the Lord God unto Jerusalem, Thy birth
and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan. Thy father was an
Amorite, and thy mother was a Hittite. And as for thy nativity in the
day that thou was born thy navel was not cut Neither was thou
washed in water to supple thee thou was not salted at all nor
swaddled at all none I pitied thee to do To do any of these
unto thee to have compassion upon thee But thou was cast out
in the open field to the loathing of thy person in the day that
thou was born That's not a pretty picture of us. Is it because
that's what god said about us, but look And when I passed by
thee, you see it? And when I passed by thee and
saw thee polluted in your own blood, this is not Calvary, but
it's based upon Calvary. And when I saw, and when I passed
by thee and saw thee polluted in thy own blood, I said unto
thee, when thou wast in thy blood, live. You see that? Live, yea,
I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Leo's do you see
that? This time is declared to be the
time According to what the Apostle Paul says in our text now go
back to it Galatians chapter 3 This is the time of what Paul
is speaking of in Galatians 3 and let's just read from verse 22
all the way the end of the chapter But the scripture had concluded
all under sin, but for what reason? Notice not to give liberty to
all Does it say that? No, but the scripture has concluded
all understand that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might
be given to who a limited number to them that believe but I can
say this to all that believe right to all that believe Therefore
but no man or no woman shut out if they believe right whosoever
shall believe right and But before faith came, we, that is those
of us who are now believers, but before faith came, this is
talking about before we were believers. But before faith came,
we were kept under the law, shut up under the faith which should
afterwards be revealed. Therefore the law was our schoolmaster
or teacher unto Christ that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith has come,
we are no longer under the schoolmaster. For you're all the children of
God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you has been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there's neither bond nor free, there's neither male nor female,
for you're all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ, then
are ye Abraham's seed. We're the Jews. We're the true
Jews. We're the people that God was
really talking about when he said my people in the Old Testament. Because remember, they're not
all Israel, which are of Israel. And if ye be Christ, then are
ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. So again, remember,
God promised eternal life, thus eternal life will come to those
for whom Christ died. They will come at the sovereign
discretion of the Son of God. God illustrated this by Ezekiel,
and this time is declared to be the time when faith is revealed,
when faith comes. Let me give you now four reasons
why this is so. It's going to be fairly brief,
but four reasons why this is a while we are kept there. Okay. God could have released us before
in the death of Christ. All justice was satisfied. All
righteousness was wrought by Christ. Once he died on that
tree, righteousness in his life and righteousness in his death.
But would you want God to have left you where you was in your
deadness of sins? only to find out when you get
to glory, whether you're going to actually make it to glory
or not, whether you actually get to enter into his presence.
No, of course not. Think about it. God ordained
that we experience the liberation of being raised from the dead
of the life. Now, turn back to John 5. We
were there, or I was there a moment ago. Listen to John chapter 5.
I have just a few verses. Remember what I said, there's
four reasons why, at least four reasons. God ordained we experience
the liberation of being raised from death unto life. John 5
verse 24, we read these words. Truly, truly, I say unto you,
he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting
life and shall not come into condemnation, but notice, but
is passed. Wasn't it a glorious thing for
God to take you out of the total rule of unbelief and sin and
deliver you over into faith? To bring faith to you to where
you could believe God. We experienced what? Passing
from death. So it's not just we get to heaven
and find out which we had and which we didn't. We, in this
life, when we believe, we pass, you see, but is passed, not will
pass, but is passed from death into life. That's experienced
by God's people. But not only that, look at chapter
four and verse 14. Listen to how our Lord put it
this way. Chapter four and verse 14 of John. But whosoever Whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst."
Now think about this. But the water that I shall give
him shall be in him a well of water. So it's not just a one-time
thing. It's not just this first initial
experience of liberation from sin. law, death, and condemnation,
but it's ongoing. Look, the water that I shall
give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up, continual,
springing up into everlasting life. And not only that, look
at chapter 10 and verse 10. I know this, what I'm about to
read, these words of our Lord Jesus Christ is abused and misused
by many. But it goes in line with what
i've been saying that god ordained we experience the liberation
of being raised from death and the life And look at our lord's
words in john 10 and verse 10 Well, he kind of starts off with
the negative. I understand that but he'll he'll get the What
is pertinent to my point this morning the thief verse 10 of
john 10 the thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill
and destroy. Look, I am come that they might
have what? Life. But look, it's not just
life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Isn't that glorious? Have it
more abundantly. But, now turn to Acts 13 if you're
following along. Turn to 13 before I give this
second point. That way you'll be ready to look
at the words or, or, uh, or at least listen to the words. And
if you're not turning attorney with me, think of this, remember
first thing, the first reason why for a reason why we were
kept under the law, even though Christ had already fulfilled
the law. He'd already satisfied divine justice. He'd already
established righteousness. Righteousness was brought in
when Christ lived and it was fulfilled when he died on that
tree and it was manifested. It was manifested as righteousness
when God raised him from the dead. But here's the thing, and
God help us to get this. As I said, that chapter 10 of
verse 10 of John, people abuse that, that have life and have
it more abundantly. They try to teach that once you
believe in God, that everything gets better and everything's
nice. And if you believe God enough, then you'll have plenty
of whatever, money and family and friends and all of that kind
of thing. It has nothing to do with it
because the reason I say that is this, here's the second reason.
Believing itself, oh God help us to get ahold of this. But
let me say it then. Believing itself is that liberation. What kept us from believing to
start with? We were dead in sins. What kept
us from believing to start with? The condemnation of the law.
What kept us from believing to start with? Our natural corruption. Believing itself is that liberation. We don't believe so we can be
liberated, our believing is the liberation. And I wish I had
better words to explain that, but I think that's quite clear. But look at what the book says.
I have two passages. First of all, Paul's words, or
actually it's Luke's words, I'm sorry. Luke's words in Acts 13
verse 48, and he's actually summing up this day when Paul preached,
and look at verse 48 of Acts 13. And when the Gentiles heard
this, They were glad that is Paul said since the Jews had
turned from the gospel Paul said you judge yourself he unworthy
of eternal life and I got it. How do you do that? But thanking
you too good for it. You don't really need it. I mean
I can work it up. God don't have to bring it down.
I can I can work it up. But this is what it says verse
48 and when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified
the word of the Lord now look and as many as were ordained
to eternal life. Now, see, here's life. Here's
what life is, okay? As many as were ordained to eternal
life, what'd they do? They believed. Now, I know this,
and I don't mean to be brash when I use this statement, but
I know the world pooh-poohs believing as easy, nothing to it, no big
deal. Anybody can do it if they want
to. Believing is a miracle of God. Believing is a work of God's
sovereign power through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And as many
as were ordained to eternal life, what's the hallmark of this life?
Believing. It's that simple, and as I often
say, it's that profound. But as the second, the second
proof of this verse, turn to 1 John, and it's 1 John chapter
five. Now listen to what our brother
John wrote about it. 1 John chapter 5. And this is just in case someone
says, well, that's kind of your take on Acts 13, 48. I understand
that. It's not just my take, but I
understand that. But listen to this. This is what
John wrote by the Spirit of God. 1 John 5 verses, verse 1, starting
in verse 1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus
is the Christ, that's it, is born of God. Do you see it? That's
where you're liberated. Born of God. No longer just born
of the flesh. No longer just a part of the
flesh, the old Adamic nature, the old corruption, but born
of God. But it's just what? What's the moniker of it? What's
the proof of it? You just believe that Jesus is
the son of God. You see it? No great fanfare. No great soul winning efforts.
Not attending church all the time. Not going to church Sunday,
Sunday night, Wednesday or Thursday too. Whosoever believeth that
Jesus is the Christ is born of God. And we'll we'll we'll see
more proof of than just that and everyone that loveth him
that began Loveth him also is begotten of him and this means
two things one Christ is the eternally begotten Son of God
So if God if you're born of God and you believe Jesus Christ
is the Christ you're going to want love him But you'll also
love those who are also begotten of him. You'll love God's people.
That's what that's saying. But look, by this we know that
we love the children of God. When we love God, keep his commandments. Now not the law, but his commandments.
What's his commandments? Believe and love. It's all based
upon that. Believe and love. But look, and
this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and
his commandments are not grievous. Look. For whatsoever is born
of God overcometh the world. Now I know that's misused, but
look at what it says. Whatsoever is born of God overcometh
the world. And this is the victory. This
is it. This is not what then later you
can get the victory. And this is the victory that
overcometh the world, our faith. Do you see that? Oh, if we could
just remember that every morning When you open your eyes and you
find yourself, whatever that is, I'm not talking about necessarily
right away, but when you open your eyes and you begin to kind
of stir a little and you get dressed and you find yourself
believing God, that's overcoming the world. Because that's what
it takes to overcome the world. Not great deeds not great effort
not great zeal though. All those things have their place
But what is the victory that overcomes the world even our
faith you see? It's that simple and yet no proof
that profound. So that's the second reason Remember
reasons why we were kept under the law Shut up under the faith
that should afterwards be revealed. The first one is god-ordained.
We experience this liberation in our first, the first throes
of conversion. Secondly, we must believe it
so, well, we know it so because believing itself is that liberation. Now turn to Romans chapter six
before I read the third one. Romans chapter six. I'm giving you four reasons why
it was that we were what? Kept under the law, shut up under
the faith which should afterwards be revealed. So I'll begin in
Romans six here in just a moment. Think about, here's the third
one. This glorious liberation includes being liberated from
the law's bondage. its curse, its condemnation,
and the sin that the law incites. And by and through the work of
Christ and his sufferings and his dying and his resurrection,
we're liberated from the law and all of its contrivances. Look at Romans 6, and let's just
begin in verse 6. Knowing this, that our old man
is crucified with him, I ask you this, be honest now with
yourself. You don't have to answer it out loud, but do you feel
that? No, you don't feel that. That
old man seems very much alive, but we're here talking about
what Christ did at Calvary. We weren't even born when he
did this, but look. Now, I like the language, but
let me just go on without saying anything else there. Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him, not ought to be, not
should, it is, right? Isn't that, thus saith the Lord,
that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed. Now, here's where we get to us,
that henceforth we should not what? Serve sin, not that it
wouldn't exist. Not that we won't struggle with
it, but we don't what? It's not our master anymore.
Look, for he that is dead is freed from sin. Now, if we be
dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
him. Now, this is not talking about one day in heaven. It's
talking about what? Now, right? Now, if we be dead,
did we die with Christ? If he died for us, we certainly
did. We died with him. Isn't that what Paul said? I'm
crucified with Christ, right? Nevertheless, I live yet, not
I. Look, now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall
also live with him. Knowing that Christ, being raised
from the dead, doth no more, death hath what? No more dominion
over him, you see it? This is why, even though you
must cry out, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief, your unbelief
doesn't rule you. If it did, you'd leave this place
and go right back to where you were before. Knowing that Christ
being raised from the dead, dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion
over him. For in that he died, he died
in the sin once. But in that he liveth, he liveth
unto God. Now here is a place for us to
engage in, if you will. To put forth effort, okay? Nothing
wrong with that. Why? Because it's God that works
in us, both the will and the do of his good pleasure. That's
not sitting back and just saying, oh, if God's pleased to move
me, I'll move. No, it's moving and praying it's God in it that's
doing it. Look at it. Likewise, reckon. Just count
it to be so. You say, I don't see it. Count
it to be so. Do you believe him? Count it to be so. Likewise,
reckon ye also yourselves. to be dead indeed unto sin, but
alive unto God. How? Not in yourself, not by
yourself, not by your effort, but through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in
your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lust thereof.
Aren't you glad God didn't tell you to get rid of sin, because
how good would have you done so far? Just get rid of it. No, but it says what? Let not
sin reign. Do you see it? When it raises
up its ugly head, and it will. And you'll begin to engage. But
then it's what? Enough's enough. Enough's enough. Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body that you should obey it
in the lust thereof. Neither yield your members as
instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves
unto God. And then that's really the kicker
right there. It's just yielding to God. You
know why? Because most of the time, we
like what we want. That flesh is alluring. Let me
read it again. Neither yield ye your members
as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves
unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members
as instruments of righteousness unto God. And all of a sudden,
he puts this in there. Look. For sin shall not have
dominion over you, for you're not under what? The law, but
under grace. You see that? You've been liberated.
Even though it still exists, you don't have to be dominated
by it. Even though it still raises its ugly head, you don't have
to be controlled by it. Mary Linda, even when your mind
begins to kind of fade from you, you still don't have to be controlled
by it. Why? Because you can believe
God. You can trust Him. So look, what then? Shall we sin because we're not
under the law? But under grace? God forbid. Now here's the thing. Here's
which proves one way or the other. No you not. that to whom you
yield yourself servants to obey, his servants you are to whom
you obey. Do you see it? There's the kicker. There's the proof thing. There's
the test, if you will. Let me read it again. No, you're
not. That to whom you yield. It's not talking about how good
you are at it, but just who do you yield to? Do you see that?
How do I put it? I'm not talking about human effort.
I'm not talking about personal ability. But some of us are better
at some things than others are, right? Some of us are better.
Some of us can go on our way and not hardly lose our cool
no matter what comes down the pike. Some of the rest of us,
some others, it don't take but just a little prick and then
we go off. But here's where it's at. Again,
let me read it. No, you're not. That to whom
you yield yourself servants to obey, his servants you are to
whom you obey, whether of sin of the death, what? Or of obedience
unto righteousness. Now then look at this astounding
statement. But God be thanked. What's that
next phrase? Those of you who are reading
along, read it with me. That ye were the servants of sin. What? What did he just say? Huh? Now, notice it doesn't say, and
you were the servants of sin, but God be thanked that you obeyed
from the heart. That's not what he says, is it?
That's not the way the spirit of God had him put it down. But
God be thanked that you were the servants of sin. How can
that be so? Because it's glorious to be liberated
from it. Do you see that? You see, let
me try to give it an example. Just imagine we had never failed
in that. Oh, it'd be glorious not to have
known the faults and failures and condemnation and guilt of
conscience. But we'd have never known what
true grace and mercy and forgiveness and compassion was, wouldn't
we? But when we fail, God Almighty now can show what? Mercy and
grace. And God is filled with, he's
the God of all grace. Jody was pleased to show it.
The only way for God to show it is to purpose and suffer us
to fall. And even though Christ had already,
what, fulfilled the law in his life and in his death, yet keep
us where? Shut up under that schoolmaster,
that teacher that said things to us like this. Cursed is everyone
that continue not in all things which are written in the book
of the law to do them. And when you think about the law, that's
what it constantly says if you're seeing what it says. Constantly
constantly curse curse curse curse, but wasn't it glorious
and in the glorious now today when you feel that liberation
You can experience that liberation So remember but God bethanked
that she were the servants of sin But you have obeyed from
the heart that form of doctrine not which was delivered to you
But was delivered you were delivered to the doctrine. You see that?
Hmm Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of
what? Believing God. I'm putting it
that way. Righteousness. Believing God. So that's the
third reason. But let me say this. Turn to Romans 8. Let's
turn over probably a page or so. And I say this because we
still feel the effects of sin. The influence of sin. The guilt
of sin when we do sin. We still feel those things. But
let me say this glorious liberation includes being liberated from
the lost bondage, its curse, its condemnation, the sin that
it cites it by and through the work of Christ in his living,
his died, his sufferings, his resurrection. But this is not
all there is to it. You remember the words are that
our beloved brother Paul said, if in this life only we have
hope in Christ, what? were of all men most miserable. Now read, this is not the end,
there's more to come. Romans 8 verse 15. Now look at
this, Romans 8 verse 15. For ye have not received the
spirit of what? Bondage again to fear. I don't
care whether it was the law when you was shut up under. I don't
care whether it was hearing the preaching of hail. You know where
that fear of that came from? If it really come to you, it
come from God. This is not a gift. The devil gives he don't give
gifts. This is not a gift. We give one another we can't
we can't give that kind of gift if you have not received the
spirit of bondage again to free to fear, but we did it one time.
Well, the first thing God did God did for us and to us was
caused us to begin to fear him and his judgment and his condemnation.
Was it not? But ye have not received the
spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit
of what? Adoption. You see that? Whereby
we cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself bears witness
with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if children,
then heirs. Heirs of God and joint heirs
with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may also
be what? glorified Together for I reckon
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy now Paul
is not belittling our sufferings but he's putting them in perspective,
okay? For I reckon that the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory that shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation
Of the creature or you could say the creation waiteth for
the manifestation of the sons of god for the creature or the
creation you could say For the creature was made subject to
vanity. That's emptiness not willingly
But by reason of him who has subjected the same and what?
Who who was it that pronounced the curse upon man and even the
earth? God did Man didn't bring the
curse upon himself man sinned and god brought the curse, but
he did so in what? Hope you see that hope now look
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but
by reason of him with subjected the same in hope, because the
creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
the corruption under the glorious liberation of the children of
God. One day God's gonna release even
the pains of this earth. Look, for we know, verse 22,
for we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain
together in the mouth. Aren't we such self-centered
creatures when all we're concerned about is our pain? Aren't we? We care less about
an angel's pain, don't we? We care less about creature's
pain. We care about us. But look, for the whole creation
grown-ups and trevelleth in pain together unto now. And not only
they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves grown within ourselves, waiting for the adoption,
or that is to say, to wit, what? The redemption of what? This
body, to be done with this. You see that to be done with
this if we are saved by hope But hope that is not seen is
not hope for what a man seeth what if he had hoped for? But
if we hope for that which we that we see not then do we with
what here's the hard part of it patience wait Wait For it. That's the tough part. I know
but the look God don't leave us there to wait on our own to
muster it up. Does he look likewise the spirit
also help with our infirmities. If you ever wondered, but why
am I still here? Why all of this while this pain
look likewise the spirit also help with our infirmities. Here
it is. I think I know we don't like
to admit this and religion will not admit it, but God's people
can for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. We don't even know how to pray
right. We don't know but the spirit itself Maketh intercessions
for us with groanings and we can't even speak of which which
cannot be uttered and he that searches the hearts Knoweth what
is in what is the mind of the spirit? Because he maketh intercession
for the Saints according to the will of God and then that's why
when we read of that verse People are so fond of quoting and we
know that all thing. We just know it. We don't we
can't always feel it We don't rarely understand it, but we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God. To them who are the call to a
cordial purpose. There's your third reason, let
me move along. Number four, wind us down. Here's the fourth reason
why we were kept under the law, shut up, but not just to stay
there and be in misery all of our life. Shut up unto the faith,
which should afterwards be revealed. Here's number four. God shut
us up by the law for two reasons. One, according to our context
in verse three and 23, to him us in. So we'd have no other
place to turn but Jesus Christ. to shut us up here. Quit bragging
about ourselves. See, God didn't save us, so we'd
be better people to start keeping the law, because what would we
do? We'd start opening our mouth. And God says, no flesh or glory
in my presence. You know what he says? But of
God are you in Christ Jesus, who of God has made us wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that according
as written, he that glorieth glory where? in the Lord. Why? Because no flesh show glory
in his presence. But listen, we are set free from
the law when? Now. Yeah, we were kept under
it for a while. Shut up under the faith, which
should afterwards be revealed. But once that faith is revealed,
what must we say? What should we say? Let me restate
that. What should we say, yea, what
must we say to anyone when they begin to talk about but the law,
but do this, but do that? But before faith came, we were
kept under the law. Yes, we were, but we were shut
up under the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore,
the law was our schoolmaster unto Christ that we might be
justified, how? By faith. But after that faith
has come, where's the schoolmaster? He's still there. but we ain't
under him. Is that not what Paul said? That's
what he said. Go back sometime, don't do it
right now, but go back sometime and read Revelation chapter 21,
specifically verse eight. You know the first, the first
type of person that shall be cast into the lake of fire is
the fearful. You ever read that? You ever
read Revelation 21 verse eight? the fearful. Then it says the
unbelieving down a line. It goes down this list. Listen
to me. All legalism and all legalists are fear mongers, but we've not
given been given the spirit of bondage again to do what fear,
but we've been given the spirit of liberty. God has not purpose
that we live under the law because God's not purpose that we live
under fear. We've been liberated by and through
the work of Christ. And when somebody tries to put
you under the law, they are a fear monger. And guess where all the
fearfuls go up here? Apart from the grace of God,
guess where? They may be good people. They
may have very good works. They may be very studious and
zealous. But if they're teaching the fear of the law, they will
find their place in the lake that burns. They're the first
ones mentioned. First one was mentioned. When
I began to see that, that astounded me. All legalists are fear mongers
and bondage taskmasters, taskmasters, who think that God needs the
law to save. Now God might use the law to
convict you, but He don't use the law to save you. Can you
get that? He might use the law. He might. He doesn't have to.
He could use something else. He might use the law to convict
you, but He don't use the law to save you. He saved you. and
does save you and will yet save you by and through the personal
work of the Lord Jesus Christ. These bondage, these taskmasters
who think God needs the law to save men from unbelief and then
thinks that God needs the law to continue to save believers.
It is, according to the apostle Paul, heresy. I'll read this
and then we'll close with a prayer. Chapter six, verse 12, for as
many as desire, that means however one of them. No exceptions to
the rule. Now, pray God he saves one of
them soul. Just like he did Paul. Paul was one of them at one time.
But God had saved him from that. And as many as desire to make
a fire show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised. Why? Here's the real reason why.
Only lest they should suffer persecution for preaching what
we hold to right here, Christ in Christ alone. lest they should
suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves
who are circumcised, don't you, they might be very decent people
in our sight, but not in whose sight? God's sight. For neither
they themselves who are circumcised keep the law. They don't. Don't
care how much they brag about it. They don't want people following
them around pointing the finger either. For neither they themselves
who are circumcised keep the law, but desire to have you circumcised,
that they may glory in your flesh. Here it is, but God forbid that
I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For
in Christ Jesus neither circumcision, Availeth anything no, we're what? Uncertain is not well since I
can't keep the law miles will break the law. That ain't the
point either We don't continue and see him the grace may abound
Why for in Christ Jesus neither? Circumcision availeth anything
nor uncircumcision what matters but a new creature and who does
the creating God? for the law God God don't use
the law to create you new, he uses the law to shut you up until
he creates you new. You see, that's what Paul taught
there. As many as walk according to
this rule, peace be on them. And upon the Israel of God, peace
be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. And then take
a look, Paul sums this, the whole time he just hammered, hammered,
hammered. And then he says this, from henceforth,
let no man trouble me. In other words, I kind of take
it this way. Mary Linda. He said, I'm, I'm
tired. I'm tired of hearing them. I'm tired of dealing with them
from henceforth. Let no man trouble me for I buried
in my body. The marks of the Lord Jesus,
brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Heavenly father. These
things are so far beyond our comprehension to to so lay hold
of that we're never troubled by ourselves again, that we're
never troubled by the flesh again, that we're never prone to go
back under the law again. But Lord, we know by your free
reigning grace that you enable us to believe you, trust you,
and to flee from idols. In Christ's name, amen.