October 4: the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
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I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. –Galatians 2:21
The Apostle Paul knows the law. He probably came closer to keeping some it than most of us ever could. He also knows that he is a sinner, even the chief of them. There’s a correlation: proper understanding of the law gives us a better understanding of ourselves, viz., just how sinful we are.
But, you’d think he’d make the point clear that justification (being declared righteous by God) cannot come through the law. Well, he does make the point clear, but he goes a step further: he makes it clear that Christ died for nothing, died in vain, if being righteous before God comes through the law. You have to ask yourself about your preacher: how does he handle the law? Does he say justification is not through the law, but then preaches a bunch of law as if it is, pinning the gospel tail on the donkey at the end? Or is his preaching of the law something that drives you away from yourself to Christ?
Paul suggests here that Christ did die for a purpose. What is that purpose? From this passage we see that the purpose is to justify us by faith and not by works of the law. That’s preaching Christ.
And that’s the gospel! Come hear it preached and enacted in the Supper with Jesus this Sunday.
Rev. Perry Brackin will be preaching on the above passage as Pastor Mark takes a week off.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
Come, Christians Join to Sing
Why Are Nations Raging (Psalm 2)
Thy Works, Not Mine, O Christ
Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (on Reformed Treasures) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.
Visitors are always welcome!