The Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:13 - 26 (Copy)

June 15 2025

Nathan Sherwood, Jimmie MassieJimmie MassieJune 15, 2025City Church Church Chelmsfordeaster, Galatians, Gospel

Stand Firm Trusting the Salvation of Jesus , Galatians 5:1 - 12

June 8 2025

Nathan Sherwood, Jimmie MassieJimmie MassieJune 8, 2025City Church Church Chelmsfordeaster, Galatians, Gospel

The promise you have: Galations 4:8- 5:1

June 1 2025

Nathan Sherwood, Jimmie MassieJimmie MassieJune 1, 2025City Church Church Chelmsfordeaster, Galatians, Gospel

We are Abraham's children through faith in Christ not law - Galatians 2:11-3:6

May 25 2025

We apologise but the sermon failed to record this week

Understanding the Bible: How Does the Old Testament Fit with Jesus?

Have you ever tried to read through the Bible?

Starting from the beginning? How far did you get? Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy... It’s tough. Especially when we get to the intricate laws and sacrificial systems.

But maybe it’s not just difficult—it’s unsettling. The Old Testament feels so different from what Jesus says. Is it really the same God behind both? How do they fit together?

What Galatians Reveals

In the book of Galatians, Paul helps early Christians see how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament. Some were being told they needed to follow the laws of Moses to be properly saved. But Paul insists: Jesus is enough!

Through chapters 3 and 4, Paul proves—both historically and theologically—that salvation has always been a gift through faith.

1. God Has Always Blessed Those Who Trust Him

Paul points to Abraham, a key figure in the Bible. God made incredible promises to him—not because Abraham kept the law (it didn’t even exist yet!), but because he simply believed God.

"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Galatians 3:6)

Faith, not law-keeping, made Abraham right with God. And that’s how God still works today. He blesses those who receive his promises through faith, just as he did with Abraham.

How do we apply this?

This is good news! Our salvation doesn’t depend on how well we performed this week—whether we read the Bible daily, treated others perfectly, or avoided trouble. No!

God blesses those who receive His promises. If you believe that Jesus came to save you— you’re in! Hallelujah!

2. Relying on the Law Leads to a Curse

Paul warns that trying to earn God’s blessing through the law is impossible.

"Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do EVERYTHING written in the Book of the Law." (Galatians 3:10)

The only way to be truly righteous by the law would be to follow all of it, all the time. But we don’t—we fail. And that leaves us under God’s curse.

But here’s the good news:

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." (Galatians 3:13)

Jesus took that curse upon himself when he died on the cross—so that we could be set free. His sacrifice proved God’s love and gave us a way out of sin’s punishment.

3. Why the Law Exists

If salvation is by faith, why did God give the law?

Paul explains:

- The law exposes our sin. It shows us that we don’t measure up.

- The law leads us to Jesus. It humbles us, proving that we need a Savior.

God always intended the law to prepare people for Jesus—not to be a different path to salvation.

How Does This Shape Our Lives Today?

Many still try to earn salvation—thinking that being "a good person" makes them right with God. But the only way in is through Jesus.

A preacher once imagined a conversation in heaven:

"If you were to die today, what would you say to get into heaven?"

If your answer starts with “Because I…” —we’ve gone wrong.

The only correct answer? “Because HE.”