WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.120 A few years ago, a New York-based journalist called A.J. Jacobs, there's a clue in the name, he obviously comes from a Jewish background, decided to try what he then entitled My Year of Living Biblically. 00:00:12.259 --> 00:00:20.199 In his own words, it was my quest to live the ultimate biblical life, to follow every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:25.960 Not just the famous ones like Love Thy Neighbour, but also the hundreds of oft-ignored ones. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:31.760 Do not wear clothes of mixed fibres, do not shave your beard, stone adulterants. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:36.640 Now, as a journalist living in New York, of course he gets lots of laughs out of his experiment. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:42.960 And lots of people like to ridicule the Bible, don't they? Ridicule the Old Testament particularly. 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:47.240 Just full of rules, rules, rules, as that financial science columnist put. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:53.420 Or people will mock the idea of many ideas in the Bible. 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:57.120 So you don't eat pork. So you don't eat shellfish. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:00.420 So you don't wear mixed fabric clothes. 00:01:00.620 --> 00:01:02.040 They like to mock those ideas. 00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:03.760 Why do they do it? 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:07.700 Partly because they like to mock God and mock religion. 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:11.180 But also because they don't actually understand what those things are there for. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:14.740 And that's why Paul is writing here. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:19.319 In Galatia, in this part of Turkey, some false teachers had come in. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:24.579 Telling these new Christians that what they had to do was obey all those Old Testament laws. 00:01:25.019 --> 00:01:27.640 That that was a true sign of belonging to God. 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:29.679 They really wanted to get God's blessing. 00:01:30.179 --> 00:01:32.259 They had to keep the law God had given Israel. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.739 But Paul is saying, no, you have missed the point. 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:38.000 All of that was pointing forward. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:39.519 The Bible. 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:41.879 But what sort of book is the Bible? 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:43.980 If I was to ask you, what sort of book is the Bible? 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:44.760 What would you say? 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:47.780 See, some people would say it's a rule book. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:51.099 Some people might say it's an ethical guide for living. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:53.480 Some people might say it's just made up. 00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:56.920 But Paul here is telling us the truth. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:00.780 The Bible is the story of God's promise. 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:03.879 It's the story of God's unfolding promise. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:09.859 It was actually a promise to give life and blessing to all the nations of the earth. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:12.560 So Paul is saying, remember that promise. 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:16.919 And the way to receive that promise is to keep believing in Jesus Christ. 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:19.719 In order to receive God's promised blessing. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:22.359 So that's the heart of the argument here. 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:24.019 Now let's kind of unpack it and dive in. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:28.599 You can almost hear the people who Paul's writing to complaining. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:30.240 Say, hang on Paul. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:31.680 What about all these rules? 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:36.280 What about those teachers who are coming in and saying, look, God gave Abraham a promise. 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:41.300 Then later on in history he gave a bunch of laws through Moses. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:44.680 Surely the law comes second. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:49.280 So the law, those rules about the clothes you wear and the food you eat. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:51.060 Surely that is more important. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:55.080 Surely we need to keep God's law to get God's blessing. 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:57.580 That's not what Paul says. 00:02:57.700 --> 00:02:59.020 It's his argument, verse 15. 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:07.780 To give a human example, brothers, even with a man-made covenant or a will, no one annuls it or adds to it once it's been ratified. 00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:16.620 Paul's argument is that the covenant, the promises, the relationship God had entered into with Abraham, the great promise he'd made Abraham, 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:20.240 was not superseded by what came later. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:25.960 If human beings don't just go back on their word, God certainly will not. 00:03:26.700 --> 00:03:27.680 Now what was that promise? 00:03:28.820 --> 00:03:34.280 Well that promise was that all the nations would be blessed through Abraham's descendants. 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:38.100 You can see that if you look down and say it here specifically. 00:03:38.640 --> 00:03:40.439 Let's go into this question anyway. 00:03:40.540 --> 00:03:41.760 What is God's blessing? 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:49.959 A number of times in these verses, before and after the verses we've read, Paul talks about the blessing. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:56.099 So back in verse 8 of chapter 3, he talks about the blessing. 00:03:56.979 --> 00:03:58.599 You all nations shall be blessed. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:00.879 That was God's promise to Abraham, verse 8. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:03.579 He goes on. 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:11.540 In verse 14, the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so they might receive the promised Holy Spirit. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.180 So the blessing is to be accepted by God, to receive the gift of his Spirit. 00:04:16.840 --> 00:04:20.100 But the blessing also is an inheritance, he says, verse 18. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:22.960 An inheritance comes by promise. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:26.180 God had promised Abraham a land. 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:31.939 In the New Testament we understand more, it's not just a piece of real estate in the Middle East. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:33.920 But actually it's a whole new creation. 00:04:34.719 --> 00:04:39.139 Where death and mourning and crying or pain are all things that have gone away. 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:45.060 That's why in verse 21, Paul can talk about this promise as being a promise of life. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:48.379 This is what God had promised. 00:04:48.459 --> 00:04:50.060 This is the blessing God had promised. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:52.800 To be accepted by him. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:55.920 To be given his Holy Spirit to live a new life. 00:04:56.279 --> 00:04:59.560 To have an inheritance, a new world to look forward to. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:01.800 And to have life and righteousness. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:03.759 The way life was meant to be. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:06.639 All this is the blessing God has promised. 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:08.939 The key word there is promise. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:16.720 It's always God's purpose to bless people through his promise. 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:23.840 Now there's a big difference between receiving something that's promised and earning something as a wage, isn't there? 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:28.759 There's a big difference between receiving something that's promised and earning a wage. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:30.879 Let me try to illustrate it like this. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:35.099 Imagine you had a great uncle Ron. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:37.979 I don't know if you do have a great uncle Ron, but just imagine for anything you do. 00:05:38.419 --> 00:05:39.739 And he's actually a very wealthy man. 00:05:39.799 --> 00:05:40.620 He's getting quite old. 00:05:41.179 --> 00:05:42.500 And he sends this message to you. 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:47.879 He says, I promise to give you 10 million pounds when I die. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:50.800 Come and meet me to sign the documents. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:54.259 How will you receive what he's promised? 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:57.699 All you've got to do is believe him. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:02.180 And the way you show you believe him is to go and meet him as he suggested and sign the piece of paper. 00:06:04.040 --> 00:06:05.879 See, that's what it's like to receive something by promise. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:07.699 When he dies, then you get 10 million pounds. 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:16.899 However, if your uncle Ron sent you a message saying, I promise to give you 10 million pounds when I die. 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:25.339 To get it, you need to come and live with me as my carer and look after me and nurse me until I die. 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:28.219 Well, that would be a whole different ballgame, wouldn't it? 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:30.800 Then you'd have to go. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.800 You'd have to look after your uncle Ron. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:37.259 You'd have to feed him his meals, clothe him, dress him, wash him. 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:39.099 As his health deteriorated. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:40.060 Do whatever it is. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:44.979 And as you know that is a condition, you'd only get the money if you looked after him. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:47.079 You'd never really feel secure in it, would you? 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:50.740 You need to keep working hard to make sure you've done enough. 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:54.620 You might always worry that one day he might wake up and think, you know what, this isn't working. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:56.219 I'm going to fire this carer and get a new one. 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:01.480 You see the difference between getting something, receiving something as a promise, 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:04.139 and earning something as a wage. 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.899 There's a huge difference. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:07.680 There's a huge difference. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:12.519 And that is the difference that Paul is getting at here. 00:07:13.300 --> 00:07:15.959 It's the difference between receiving what God has promised, 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:22.399 and trying to earn it, trying to do enough to get the blessing that God has mentioned. 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:27.259 So you see, this promise that God gives, 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:31.459 is a promise that can give us glory and security, because it comes from God. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:34.339 It's a promise of the things we really need. 00:07:34.339 --> 00:07:36.699 A promise of being accepted by God. 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:39.219 Of being made new, receiving the Holy Spirit. 00:07:39.479 --> 00:07:41.659 The promise of having a new hope. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:44.019 An inheritance to look forward to. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:49.079 A world where there is no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain. 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:51.279 And that gives us security and joy. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:54.399 Now that's what the promise is. 00:07:55.679 --> 00:08:00.739 Now the people in Paul's day, the false teachers who are disrupting these Christians, 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:04.639 are saying, well hang on, that promise is for Abraham's offspring. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:07.000 Now that promise is for Israelites. 00:08:07.799 --> 00:08:09.119 For people who obey the law. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.339 For people who follow all the Jewish traditions. 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:15.959 Paul says, no, they've got it wrong. 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:18.399 Look at verse 16. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.579 Who is the promise for? 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:24.279 Now the promises were made to Abraham and his offspring. 00:08:24.599 --> 00:08:27.899 It does not say, and to offsprings, referring to many. 00:08:28.539 --> 00:08:29.779 But referring to one. 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:32.759 To your offspring, who is Christ. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:38.639 Now the word offspring in the original language, in the Hebrew of the Old Testament. 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:43.139 Like the English word, offspring, or sheep. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:45.340 Could actually refer to one or to many people. 00:08:46.319 --> 00:08:48.019 Paul says, no, actually it refers to one. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:50.080 It refers to one specific person. 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:55.600 To whom God, through whom, God will fulfill this great promise. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:57.179 Of blessing all nations. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:59.539 And that person is Christ. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.179 That person is Jesus Christ. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:04.239 This God-man who came to live. 00:09:04.239 --> 00:09:05.559 What are generations like offspring? 00:09:07.599 --> 00:09:09.219 There's a different word for generations. 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:12.479 So offspring, literally in the original language, is seed. 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:17.620 So it would normally refer to a child or to the children of many. 00:09:17.959 --> 00:09:19.199 So it can be either. 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:23.859 There are slightly dull technical reasons, which I can go into later if you want. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:27.399 Why in Genesis chapter 22 verses 17 and 18. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:31.259 It refers to plural, many. 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:32.779 In one part of the verse. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:35.220 Then refers to a singular seed after. 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:36.259 So in actual fact. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.399 If you want to look it up later. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:38.500 I'm also using it. 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.480 I just want to have a quick question. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:39.879 Sure. 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:41.919 It doesn't mention much about Joseph. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:43.299 No. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.240 Why is that? 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:46.759 That's too long a question for your answer now. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:48.620 But I can make time and have a coffee with you or something. 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:49.379 I've got to go. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:51.620 So I've got an appointment for the job. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.299 Okay. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:55.299 Because Joseph, do you mean Joseph as in the father of Jesus? 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:56.039 Okay. 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:58.019 He's really not terribly important to the story. 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:01.259 The only reason he's important is that he was descended from King David. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:04.639 Which shows that Jesus, being part of Joseph's family. 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.960 Of course Joseph was only Jesus' stepfather. 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:08.200 Not physical father. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:08.460 Yes. 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:08.539 Yes. 00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:08.779 Yes. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:11.579 Is not so important. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:12.500 So there's a carry. 00:10:12.819 --> 00:10:13.519 So yeah. 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:15.399 Drop me an email if you want to. 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:17.740 EveningLaunchTimeTalks at gmail.com. 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:18.240 Okay. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.019 We can talk further. 00:10:19.219 --> 00:10:20.120 When is next time? 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.219 Next Tuesday, same time. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:22.759 We're here every Tuesday. 00:10:23.219 --> 00:10:26.059 If you give David a back, your email address, I can email you. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:29.120 Can you buy some people in the shops? 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:30.279 You can. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.240 Feel free to take it with you. 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.000 We can talk about it later. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.399 That's right. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.299 I'll wait for you. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:34.000 Please do. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:34.679 Great to meet you. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.179 So what was your name? 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:37.120 Just so I'm remembered for next week. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:37.419 Mark. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:37.879 Mark. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.519 Please meet you. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:38.679 Mark. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.139 I'm Stuart. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:47.980 So God had promised to Abraham that for one of his descendants he would bring this blessing 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.100 to all the nations. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:51.519 The Bible is a story of God's promise. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:55.480 A promise he makes right back in the beginning that unfolds. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:57.320 But it never changes. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:00.200 It just becomes clearer and clearer. 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:02.639 I don't know if you ever used to develop photographs. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:04.299 The old days we used to develop photographs. 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.639 Not just have digital ones. 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:09.179 I remember my brothers used to do this in a dark room at home. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:11.279 He saw it from something that was very unclear. 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:14.319 And gradually the chemicals did their work. 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:16.580 So it became clearer and clearer. 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:18.759 And that is the story of the Bible. 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:19.879 God makes this promise. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:21.139 It becomes clearer and clearer. 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:22.879 As time goes on. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:26.100 This promise is realized through Jesus Christ. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:28.799 So here's Paul's first big point here. 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:31.139 Here's Paul's first big point. 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:35.259 God's unchanging promise is fulfilled in Christ. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:39.259 God's unchanging promise is fulfilled in Christ. 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:41.360 But that then brings a question. 00:11:42.439 --> 00:11:45.220 For all these good Jewish people who have been obeying the law all their lives. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.240 So why then the law? 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:49.439 Paul even asks that question himself, doesn't he? 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.179 Look down at verse 19. 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:52.220 Why then the law? 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:56.500 Why did God through Moses give all these laws to the people? 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.340 Why are they there? 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.440 How are they not relevant? 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:02.100 How do they fit in with this promise? 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:07.820 And Paul's answer in verse 19 is the law serves God's promise. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:09.960 By sending us to Christ. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:14.460 The law serves God's promise by sending us to Christ. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:20.379 So the first thing he said was that God's unchanging promise is fulfilled in Christ. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:26.420 The second thing he wants us to see is that the law serves God's purpose by sending us to Christ. 00:12:27.040 --> 00:12:31.560 And he tells us several ways in which this Old Testament law was temporary. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.600 Or was limited. 00:12:33.400 --> 00:12:36.960 So verse 19, first of all, it was limited in time. 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:43.220 It was, the law was added until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made. 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:48.980 So the law was only relevant, the law of Moses was only relevant until Jesus came. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:51.460 It was temporary in its significance. 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:55.160 You know, we sometimes get temporary traffic lights on our roads, don't we? 00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.620 When roadways are carried out. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.600 And we know we have to stop at those traffic lights while they're there. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:03.240 And then a few months later the traffic lights will go. 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:03.879 It's very temporary. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:07.340 We'd be idiots to stop where the traffic lights used to be, wouldn't we? 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.220 And they'd be taken away. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.460 Because they were temporary. 00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:11.160 They were only there for a short time. 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:13.299 So it is with the law of Moses. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:16.219 It was there until Jesus came. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.980 It's also limited in time. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.139 It's limited in significance. 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:23.419 It was inferior. 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.919 Look at the rest of verses 19 and 20. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:28.980 A complicated sentence here, but bear with me. 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.079 Paul goes on to say, 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:35.519 It was put in place through angels and an intermediary. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:38.000 Now, intermediary implies more than one, 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:40.199 but God is one. 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:47.020 One of the commentaries I read told me that there are over 250 explanations through church history. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.420 That's what that verse means. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.340 So this may not be definitive. 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:55.960 But the basic point here is that God sent representatives. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.400 If you read back to Exodus, 00:13:58.800 --> 00:13:59.700 the people of Israel said, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:02.400 We can't listen to God, Exodus chapter 19. 00:14:02.900 --> 00:14:03.640 We will die. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.460 God said, You're right. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:06.860 So he gave the law to Moses, 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.300 and Moses passed it on to the people. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:13.060 Deuteronomy 33 hints that angels were there as well. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.900 So they're intermediaries. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.900 That means it's less significant. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.900 What is most significant 00:14:19.900 --> 00:14:22.280 is when God turns up in person, 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:24.180 in the person of Jesus Christ, 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:27.719 to give us his good news message. 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.699 So the law is less significant. 00:14:31.719 --> 00:14:33.179 It's only pointing to Christ, 00:14:33.239 --> 00:14:34.139 because it's limited in time, 00:14:34.219 --> 00:14:35.239 it's limited in its significance. 00:14:35.979 --> 00:14:37.939 And thirdly, it's limited in its effectiveness. 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.500 Verse 21. 00:14:40.099 --> 00:14:42.139 Is the law contrary to the promises of God? 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.279 Certainly not. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:46.139 For if a law had been given that could give life, 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.879 then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:51.000 What Paul's saying here is, 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.419 if a law, 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:54.079 if a set of rules could be given, 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:57.500 which we as human beings could actually keep and fulfil, 00:14:57.959 --> 00:14:59.459 so that we could gain life, 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.779 then we wouldn't need Jesus. 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.919 We wouldn't need Jesus. 00:15:05.339 --> 00:15:07.339 But the law was limited in effectiveness, 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.860 because it could not, 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:10.639 it cannot change hearts. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.679 It cannot change hearts. 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:14.939 Rules never change hearts, do they? 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:18.439 The government can make whatever rules it likes, 00:15:18.859 --> 00:15:21.500 outlawing certain drugs that can't be sold over the council, 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:23.199 doesn't change the human heart. 00:15:23.859 --> 00:15:25.319 We have laws about drink driving, 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:27.000 it doesn't change the human heart. 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.919 We can make rules for our children, 00:15:30.359 --> 00:15:31.819 about what is acceptable and what isn't, 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:34.079 but it doesn't change their hearts. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:37.079 See, law is limited in time, 00:15:37.359 --> 00:15:38.240 limited in significance, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.459 limited in effectiveness. 00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:41.919 And so Paul's point in verse 22, 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:45.099 is the law does not supplant the promise of God, 00:15:45.219 --> 00:15:47.239 rather it serves the promise of God. 00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:48.139 Look at verse 22. 00:15:48.859 --> 00:15:51.719 The scripture imprisoned everything under sin, 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:55.120 so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:57.179 might be given to those who believe. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:01.679 See, how does the law serve the promise of God? 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:04.379 The law serves the promise, 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:06.359 by sending us to Christ. 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:08.779 We are imprisoned under sin, 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:14.479 in that we cannot be the people the law tells us we should be. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.439 We cannot be perfect. 00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:18.019 We cannot be good enough. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.639 We cannot do anything, 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:21.759 to reach God's standards, 00:16:21.859 --> 00:16:22.639 or to please God, 00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.539 or to buy his favour. 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:27.079 That's why Paul says back in verse 19, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.639 the law exposes our sin. 00:16:29.719 --> 00:16:30.259 Verse 19, 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:33.500 the law was added because of transgressions. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.939 So the law exposes our sin, 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:38.459 it shows us we are law breakers. 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:40.179 A few years ago, 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.699 on New Year's Day, 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.459 many years ago now, 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:45.319 I was driving back to my parents' house 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.059 in the Scottish Borders, 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:48.000 and I thought I was driving perfectly well, 00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.599 and I thought my car was fine. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:54.060 And I noticed police flashing lights behind me, 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.300 and a siren going on. 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:56.000 So I had to pull in, 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.580 and I looked in all innocence at the officer, 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.420 as I wound down my window. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.659 He said, 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.779 do you know why I stopped you, sir? 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.039 I said, 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.440 no, 00:17:04.620 --> 00:17:05.960 because I was debating the speed limit, 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.539 and I thought everything was fine. 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.099 And he said, 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.420 well, 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.980 we were driving towards you, 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.000 I saw a headlight was out. 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.579 So he thought we'd come and tell you. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.920 As we were driving behind you, 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.319 we saw one of your brake lights was out. 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:19.339 And do you know what temperature is out here, sir? 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:19.839 I said, 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.099 no. 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:20.740 I said, 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.619 probably about freezing. 00:17:21.959 --> 00:17:22.119 He said, 00:17:22.159 --> 00:17:23.199 it's minus 10 degrees. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.699 This was the Scottish Borders of New Year. 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:28.199 You are not driving in a way commensurate 00:17:28.199 --> 00:17:29.319 with the road conditions. 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.980 See what the law had done? 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:33.319 The law had shown me 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:35.259 that I was a transgressor, 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.240 that I was breaking rules 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.279 I didn't know I was breaking. 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:39.299 That I was not living in a way 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.799 appropriate to God's world. 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.419 And that's what the law, 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:44.399 the law of the Bible does. 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:46.079 It exposes our sin, 00:17:46.199 --> 00:17:47.980 it exposes the fact we're lawbreakers. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.620 And so it sends us to Christ. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.000 And secondly, 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.559 verse 22, 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.779 it imprisons us. 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.519 It takes us prisoner 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.799 because we can't get out. 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.380 We can't do enough 00:17:57.380 --> 00:18:00.019 to obey it, 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.140 to get out of a trap. 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:03.039 It shows us we need a rescuer. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.360 It shows us we need a rescuer. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.900 And so it points us to Christ. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.000 It points us to Christ. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:14.140 See, God's promise is fulfilled in Christ. 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.420 And the law of God 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.779 serves that promise 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.440 by sending us to Christ, 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.619 showing us 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:21.539 we are sinners in need of rescue, 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.700 trapping us 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.299 so we know we cannot obey enough, 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.740 we cannot get out. 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.839 Rules will not change hearts. 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.579 We are all by nature rebels. 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:34.579 We can try and outlaw 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:37.139 outlaw racism. 00:18:37.699 --> 00:18:39.099 We can outlaw hate crimes. 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.960 We can put sugar taps 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.960 on sugary drinks. 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:44.859 None of these things 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.659 will solve the problems 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:47.039 of obesity or racism 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.000 or hate crime. 00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:50.119 Because we need a deeper cure. 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.919 We need something to cure 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:53.000 the human heart. 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:56.539 So how then should we use the law? 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.839 If the Bible is not 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.819 rules, rules, rules, 00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.480 then what do we do 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.399 with the laws in the Bible? 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:03.159 Well, let me say this. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.720 The law does not define 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:07.779 our relationship with God. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:11.119 Rather, it drives us to Christ 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:12.500 by exposing our sin. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.519 So every time we find 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:17.159 we have failed, 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:19.439 every time we find sin 00:19:19.439 --> 00:19:20.559 in our own lives, 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.059 we go back to the Lord Jesus 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.939 for forgiveness. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:26.419 As we read the very first commandment 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:28.059 of the law of Moses, 00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:29.220 Exodus chapter 20, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.519 you shall have no gods 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.240 before me. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.220 I know about you, 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.579 but I become so aware 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.920 of the things I've lived for, 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.559 where I've looked for my security, 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.660 whether it's in money 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.799 or other people's praise, 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.319 instead of in God. 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:45.039 Or where I find my identity 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.440 in my work 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.700 rather than in Christ. 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.220 Or where my ambitions 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.920 are shaped by what looks 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.700 good to the world. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.799 Or when I let the world's 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.940 definition of happiness 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:57.340 coming from material possessions 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.299 of financial security. 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.720 When I let those things 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.200 dominate, 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.720 that I'm not, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.819 that I'm worshipping 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:04.480 something other than God. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.440 What do I need to do 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:06.980 at that point? 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.840 I cannot change myself. 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.960 I go back to Christ. 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.920 I go back to believing 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.900 that great promise 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.500 that he has taken 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:18.160 all my sin on the cross. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:20.380 I believe in him 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:21.940 and receive the life 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.940 he promises. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.740 And that is a daily thing. 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:28.100 It's not just the start 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:28.820 of the Christian life, 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.480 it's every day 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.320 of the Christian life. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.320 And that is why 00:20:32.320 --> 00:20:33.300 the gospel of grace 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:34.440 is such good news. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:36.080 Because it's not about 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:36.900 my performance 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.820 or your performance. 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.779 It's not about 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.920 how many rules we've kept. 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:41.400 It's about trusting 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.200 in the gracious 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.180 saviour Jesus. 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:47.759 Without this great promise 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.160 of God, 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.900 we despair, 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.420 wouldn't we? 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.839 We would despair. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.740 We can be tempted 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.259 to despair 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.460 by our own failings. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.480 We can be tempted 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.059 to despair 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.879 when we find things 00:20:58.879 --> 00:20:59.420 in our lives 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:01.039 that we cannot change. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.000 Either that 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.599 or we can be tempted 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.379 to pride. 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.359 If we think 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.319 it's all about law 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.759 then we think 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:08.059 how good we've been. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.099 We either think 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.799 how bad we've been 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.180 because we can't 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.660 keep the law 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.400 or we think 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.240 actually we're pretty good 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.000 because we've done 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.779 certain things. 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.480 Either way 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:15.839 we may not be 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:17.200 pride or despair. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:20.759 Yet none of those 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.599 things help us. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:22.879 None of those 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.660 things help us. 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.460 Because God 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.119 has 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:28.559 God has promised 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.420 us life 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.240 in Christ. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.940 God's promise 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.819 is fulfilled 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.480 in him. 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.660 That promise 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.920 of a new age 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.339 dawning 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.140 with the Holy Spirit 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.700 in our lives. 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.099 The promise 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.119 of righteousness 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.279 credited to us 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.279 being accepted 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.879 by God. 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.559 The promise 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.299 of life 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.140 as we get 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:44.859 to know God 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.500 now and live 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.160 with him forever. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.960 The promise 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.720 of an inheritance 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:49.100 where God's 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:49.560 people will 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.279 one day live 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.880 in God's 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.340 place 00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.500 where there 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.920 is no more 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.940 death or mourning 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.580 or crying 00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:55.100 or pain. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.200 So the Bible 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.880 is the story 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.720 of God's promise 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.420 to bring his 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.600 blessing to a 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.380 broken world 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.420 through Christ. 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.779 The law does 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.460 not contradict 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.300 that promise. 00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:07.360 Rather the law 00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.440 serves that promise 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.660 because the law's 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.140 purpose 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:11.580 is to send us 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:12.180 to Christ 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:14.200 for forgiveness 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.600 for life 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.560 for hope 00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:17.480 that we may 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.340 have that blessing. 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.920 Let me pray for us.