Before the Word: The Law and the Promise | Galatians 3:15–29

Before the Word: The Law and the Promise | Galatians 3:15–29

Before the Word is a podcast series by Christ Fellowship Northwest in Greenville, SC. Before the Word episodes air weekly, and in each episode one of our pastors walks phrase by phrase through the biblical text that will be preached the following Sunday. From May 25 through August 9, these episodes will walk through the entire letter of the apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia. Summary Galatians 3:15–29 argues that the Abrahamic promise, ratified by God as an unbreakable covenant, cannot be annulled or modified by the Mosaic Law, which came 430 years later, since the inheritance comes through promise rather than through law-keeping. Paul explains that the Law was given not to provide an alternative path to righteousness but to reveal transgression and to serve as a guardian over God's people until the promised Offspring—Christ—arrived, at which point that temporary role came to an end. He then shows that faith in Christ, not the Law, is what unites believers to Christ and to the Abrahamic promise. All who are baptized into Christ have "put on Christ," and in him the old covenant distinctions of Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female no longer determine one's standing before God. All who belong to Christ are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise. Resource If you would like to learn more about the biblical covenants and covenant theology, here is a good starting point. This TGC article provides a helpful summary and points to several additional resources for further study. The Biblical Covenants by Paul R. Williamson [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-biblical-covenants/] Truth Statement God unfolds his unchanging plan of redemption through his covenants, progressively revealing his grace and calling his people to faith in the promised Seed, Jesus Christ. Instruction Put on Christ. Stop looking to external guides as the source of your righteousness and place your faith in him alone. Through union with Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within you and writes God's law upon your heart, enabling you to walk in joyful obedience.

The Cursed Savior | Galatians 3:10–14

The Cursed Savior Galatians 3:10–14 Preacher: Pastoral Resident Nate Cure Date Preached: July 5th, 2026 Paul contrasts two ways of seeking righteousness before God: by the works of the law or by faith in Jesus Christ. Because God's law requires perfect obedience, all who rely on their own performance stand under its curse. The law exposes our sin, but it cannot remove our guilt or secure our justification. The good news of the gospel is that Christ became a curse for sinners by bearing the judgment they deserved on the cross. Through his redeeming work, the blessing promised to Abraham is extended to all who believe, and the promised Holy Spirit is received through faith. Our hope rests not in our ability to keep the law, but in the Savior who fulfilled it and gave himself in our place. Topics: Gospel, Justification, Atonement, Christ's Sacrifice, Abrahamic Covenant, Faith, Holy Spirit, Redemption

Before the Word: The Cursed Savior | Galatians 3:10–14

Before the Word is a podcast series by Christ Fellowship Northwest in Greenville, SC. Before the Word episodes air weekly, and in each episode one of our pastors walks phrase by phrase through the biblical text that will be preached the following Sunday. From May 25 through August 9, these episodes will walk through the entire letter of the apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia. Resource Simply Put: The Abrahamic Covenant [https://learn.ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/the-abrahamic-covenant] (Ligonier Ministries Podcast) Summary In this passage, Paul argues that anyone relying on observance of the law to be justified before God falls under a curse, since the law demands perfect, complete obedience that no one can fully achieve. Quoting Scripture, he emphasizes that the righteous live by faith rather than by the law, and that the law itself is not based on faith. The good news is that Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law by taking that curse upon himself through his death on the cross. As a result, the blessing promised to Abraham is extended to all nations, and all who trust in Christ receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Truth Statement Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse in our place, so that through faith we receive righteousness and the blessing promised to Abraham. Instruction Live by faith in Christ rather than attempting to earn righteousness through observing the law or simply trying to "be a good person." Rest in the finished work of the Savior who became a curse for you.

Before the Word: The Spirit and the Promise | Galatians 3:1–9

Before the Word is a podcast series by Christ Fellowship Northwest in Greenville, SC. Before the Word episodes air weekly, and in each episode one of our pastors walks phrase by phrase through the biblical text that will be preached the following Sunday. From May 25 through August 9, these episodes will walk through the entire letter of the apostle Paul to the churches of Galatia. Resource "What is the gospel according to Abraham?" (RTS, Dr. Nicholas Reid) [https://rts.edu/resources/what-is-the-gospel-according-to-abraham/] Summary Having defended justification by faith, Paul now asks the Galatians a series of pointed questions. They received the Holy Spirit not through works of the law but through faith in Christ. The same principle that marked their conversion continues to shape the Christian life. Looking to Abraham, Paul demonstrates that God's people have always been counted righteous through faith and that the nations are blessed through the promised offspring. The Christian life begins by faith, continues by faith, and rests on God's gracious promise. Truth Statement The Spirit is received by faith, and the promises of God are inherited by faith. Instruction Do not rely on your own efforts to grow in Christ, but trust the Spirit who works in God's people through faith in his promises.

Faith Alone | Galatians 2:11–21

Faith Alone | Galatians 2:11–21 Preacher: Pastor Matt Rogers (Christ Fellowship Northgate) Date Preached: June 21, 2026 When Peter withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers, Paul publicly confronted him because the truth of the gospel was at stake. Though Peter knew that salvation comes through Christ alone, his actions suggested that obedience to the law was necessary for full acceptance among God's people. Paul recognized that even subtle compromises can obscure the message of God's grace. In this passage, Paul declares one of the clearest statements of the gospel in all of Scripture: sinners are justified not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. United to Christ in his death and resurrection, believers no longer seek righteousness through their own efforts but live by faith in the Son of God who loved them and gave himself for them. Topics: Justification, Faith Alone, Gospel, Grace, Union with Christ, Christian Freedom, Peter and Paul, Salvation by Grace