GRACE UNCOVERED 11

"Cross Ties"

Kevin Hale - EPC - May 15, 2008

Galatians 3

 ¹⁰For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."^£ 11But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."^£ 12Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."^£

¹³Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"^£), ¹⁴that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

I would conclude that the most popular religious symbol in all the world is the cross.  The cross has become a symbol worn and displayed in many various settings and in jewelry and tattoo's by people that are not in any way tied to it.  It has even gone simply into a fashion statement.

What does the cross actually mean?  What does it to communicate to others?

Does it mean what the Roman Emperor Constantine made it to mean in the 4^th Century A. D. when he converted to Christianity?  Many doubt his conversion.

He had a dream and saw a cross in the sky and was scared and prayed.  "IN this sign conquer" and he made a cross and put on the armor and won the battle and said he now is a Christian.

Is that it?  Onward Christian soldiers...?

Before Christ the cross meant death execution and suffering or the electric chair or gas chamber.  It never meant conquer and strength but rather you lose you are defeated.

It was a symbol of weakness and you had been conquered.  This text refers to the cross as a CURSE not a blessing.

It is amazing that it has become a worldwide symbol.  What does it mean?

John Stott?

Now this is not a beginner book for believers.  It contains the essence of our faith but it requires some effort on your part.  It is the meat of the word.  The necessity the meaning and consequences of the cross is right here. 2Cor. 5:21 later

• 1. The necessity of the cross. (10,11) Why the cross?

¹¹But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God (before God) is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."^£ 

Your bible may say before God that is important.  How does this happen?  How do we walk before God.

Transparent with no shame.  Adam and Eve walked naked and unashamed.  When the sinned they tried to cover themselves.  They lost that innocence.  How do we walk before God and enjoy it.  Il. Trumpet solo no way in a group fine.

Our self conscience gets I the way of walking unashamed BEFORE GOD.  Why is it difficult if even possible to live that way?

Verse 10 reveals why we do not live this way? 

¹⁰For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue(abide) in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."    

Now this is dealing with covenant language and it comes from the OT Deut.  You find cursing if you do not do this or that and then blessing etc.

Now the context in which the law is given is relationship.  Not the condition of relationship but the DEFINITION of relationship.  They were already related.  The law was never given to simply be OBEYED in a vacuum without relationship.  Not abstract like numbers.

The law forms the boundaries and guidelines for a relationship.

The curses are loss of relationship and the blessing are the intimacy or the enjoyment of relationship.

Every relationship has to have built into it law or stipulations.

Ill.  Man and woman.  1.  No smoke  2.  Make money I feel we should live on one and then use one to be intentionally generous to ministry and causes etc.  No I want 2 homes and even in debt to have it.  3.  I want to live in the poorer section to be a blessing and even use half of vacation etc.  No, gated comm.. and big game hunting and skiing.  Glad we talked but it will be my way.  But it was nice to talk and now let me ask you the big question. Will you marry me ?

 

Of course she better not.  Why?  She has no relationship with him.  There are no laws or boundaries or shared values.  He does not care for her at all.

Every relationship has to have shares values and likes and dis likes or law you could say.

True, that you can live by rules and not have love but also you cannot just trample on the passions of the heart of the one you say you love.

 

Every relationship has rules and common values that allow it to work.

If there is no honor of these values then there is curse and if you do there is blessing.  Codependency (no boundaries) loves without anything even if you do not value me but there is no intimacy because there is no calling to account when treated with dishonor.  No blessing at all there.

You can have love without law and law without love but you have to have both working together to have a real relationship.

Now what about this curse and blessing?  God says that those that have no concern or interest in Him whatsoever are under a curse.  Loss of relationship.  THOSE THAT TRY AND DEFINE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD SIMPLY BY LAW also are not able to enjoy the blessing and intimacy of God.

When you never measure up then you lose the joy and intimacy of the relationship.

• 2. What it meant to Christ. (13)

¹³Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"^£), 

The practice was barbaric but when someone broke a covenant they were killed and hung on a tree.  It was more than just killed but shamed and cut off.

So being hung on the tree was not the curse you were cursed and then hung on a pole.  Loss of relationship was the curse.  You broke the law.  They were not buried.

Now commentators have trouble here.  It does not just say that Jesus was cursed but that he became a curse.  2 Cor. 5:21

²¹For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

It was more than being punished for sin though that is true.

The curse always mean the loss of relationship.  Sure the human pain was there but it was the hole in his heart when the father had turned his back on him.

Maybe a friend says I hate you and that hurts but not as bad as when you best friend says I hate you and Parents, spouse, and the level of pain is related to the level of relationship that exists.

Jesus experienced more than the physical pain or rejection but when the oneness was gone he cried out on the cross why?

• CURSED. You might think yes but he knew he would rise. No, it cannot be that way or there would be no suffering.

He experienced what we would experience if we went to hell.  Paul said in him we live and all things are held together.

When that is gone all of our live falls apart.

He always used Abba Father but God only one time on that cross.

He emptied himself or humbled himself Paul says in Phil. even to the death of the cross.  Somehow he gave up his power and foreknowledge and put his life in the hands of God not knowing that God would raise him.  It was God that raised him Jesus           did not raise himself.

• 3. What does the cross mean to us?

Why would Paul say that he became sin for us?  It cannot mean he became a bitter cursing sinner?  No way.  He did not tell the thief to rot in hell. He legally was treated as if he was a sinner.

• It goes further than being punished because then al we get is forgiveness as great as that is we need more. Only go to heaven. If that is it then it means when you blow it you get it again and then try to do better again and again. He loves me he loves me not stuff. Weary. We get more 2Cor. 5:21
• ²¹For He made Him who knew no sinto be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

It cannot mean when you receive Christ and the Spirit regenerates you that you actually BECOME righteous and never sin again or that Jesus became a wicked sinner.  God treated him as if he was a sinner.  Just like God now treats you like a righteous person we get HIS righteousness.

 

He is treated as if he is you and you are treated as if you were Him.  We now can live open before him now never worry about it.

 

Ill.  When bad stuff comes do you start saying what am I doing wrong.  Or are you mad at God.  Then you are relegating Christ as simply an example rather then a  substitute and he is much more than tan example.

Yes he will discipline but punishment is paid. Later.

 

• We have been given his name and Spirit that takes up residence inside you. That is the blessing. It is now possible to live before God open and unashamed.

That is the difference the cross makes.  He took our place but he traded places as well. 

 

How do you live?  As if you are blessed or as if you are cursed.  Living under a curse when...

• Cursed if you have sinned in some and feel that you have to beat yourself up in some way for a period of time before you fell right with God again.
• Cursed if you think I need to try harder and do better.
• Cursed if you think I will give up and never make it anyway.
• Cursed if you are defensive and become overly sensitive to criticism.
• Cursed when you become angry or frustrated with people or circumstances because you cannot control them and make them work out the way you want them work out.
• Cursed when you allow worry fear and anxiety to dominate you.
• Cursed when you are stressed out under the stuff you are given to do.
• Cursed when you cannot make a decision for fear it is the wrong decision and you main concern is being right.
• Curse when you fell down and depressed when do not have somebody's approval.

That is not living knowing that you are accepted and approved before God.  Recognize that we are loved and accepted we are treated like Christ.

 

Bow your heads.  Maybe now it is the time for you to tell God you want him.  You do not have to understand all of this stuff but recognized you cannot do good enough to get it. Trust Him.

Those that have been so busy with life that god really has no place in your life and that he really is just an example and not a substitute.