In the text for this sermon, we see that trying to earn our way to salvation actually separates us from Christ. The Apostle Paul sums up the whole letter and in some ways the whole of the Bible by telling us the only thing that matters is faith working through love!

This week's sermon covers Paul's allegory of Sarah and Hagar's sons, Isaac and Ishmael. One was a child of promise, a product of faith in God. The other was naturally born. One relates to Israel under the law, the other to children of God through faith in Jesus. The freedom we have as children of God is not only the ability to say no sin but to let the life of Christ be expressed through us.

Man prefers religious rituals over relationship because rituals are much less costly. We can perform them and go on with whatever we want to do. That is why so many religions are built around them. Even denominations fall into that pattern.

But real freedom is found in an intimate relationship with Jesus. It is freedom from the rituals of the Law and methods and routines that don't have any effect on our relationship with God. We were created for intimacy with God, and that is the only place we find true freedom.

In this passage in the letter to the Galatians, we can see some wonderful truths. All believers are in Christ who is THE Son and therefore we are called sons of God. The sermon touches on the gender issue and why it distorts the message. We also see the promise that as those who have faith like Abraham's we receive the promise given to Abraham. We become heirs of God because we are in His Son.

In spite of the judgment we deserve, God pleads with us to repent. He cries out for us to turn away from their sin and turn towards Jesus. The good news is that God has made a way for all men to be reconciled with him. Though most refuse to take it, many have and are and will take hold of the hope found in Jesus our savior. Hallelujah!

In this passage, God reaches out to the southern kingdom of Judah, warning them against the temptation they have to let go of the LORD. In it, he calls them to emulate Jacob, who sought God's favor above all else; who understood his own sinful nature and yet clung to God, yearning for his mercy and grace. Will you cling to God?

The law that came centuries after the promise to Abraham cannot change the promise. The promise was that a singular male descendant would be a blessing to the world. That descendant was even predicted in Jewish writings to make us righteous because of His righteousness. That man was of course Jesus!

The Laws of Moses actually put the nation of Israel under a curse if they did not obey all 613 laws. So what was the purpose of the law? It was to show us how fallen we are and have us turn to God in faith that He would provide a way. That way was not the animal sacrifices, for God says He was never pleased with them. They only pointed forward to the sacrifice He would provide. The righteous are not those who try to keep the laws, but those who live by faith in His Word, just as Abraham who believed in God's promise to Him.

The Laws of Moses actually put the nation of Israel under a curse if they did not obey all 613 laws. So what was the purpose of the law? It was to show us how fallen we are and have us turn to God in faith that He would provide a way. That way was not the animal sacrifices, for God says He was never pleased with them. They only pointed forward to the sacrifice He would provide. The righteous are not those who try to keep the laws, but those who live by faith in His Word, just as Abraham who believed in God's promise to Him.

After eight chapters of God expounding his case for Israel's infidelity and necessary destruction, we are brought to this heart-wrenching passage. God reveals the pain within him as his perfect justice demands their destruction and his perfect mercy pleads for their lives. What will God do? Let us find out together.