Righteous Through Faith Only! Really?

·37 min·3 clips

Paul confronts the Galatians: did you receive the Spirit by observing the law or by believing what you heard?

The sermon opens with a reading from Galatians 3:1-14, where Paul confronts the Galatians about receiving the Spirit by faith, not law. It then reads James 2:14-26 on faith and deeds. The preacher introduces the central question: how do sinners get right with God? He frames this using a courtroom analogy with God as judge. The sermon analyzes three erroneous paths. First, the 'Mr. and Mrs. Do-It-Yourself' approach, exemplified by the Pharisees, who believed perfect law-keeping could restore God's favor; this is declared impossible and leads to a guilty verdict. Second, the 'Mr. and Mrs. Combined Effort' approach, seen in the Judaizers of Galatia who taught 'Christ plus' works like circumcision; this is condemned as blending clean and dirty water, robbing Christ of his sufficiency. Third, the 'Mr. and Mrs. No Effort' approach from James, where faith is mere intellectual assent without deeds; this is labeled dead faith. The sermon contrasts these with the true path of faith, using Abraham as a model who believed God and it was credited as righteousness. It emphasizes that righteousness is found only in Christ, received by faith, which then produces thankfulness and good works. The conclusion reiterates that Christ alone is our righteousness, and the sermon closes with a prayer of thanks for this truth.

As heard by us

A courtroom frame and a cup of water sharpen the sermon’s case for Christ’s sufficiency.

This PlayNext review follows a sermon from Langley Canadian Reformed Church as it works through Galatians 3:1-14 and asks how a person is declared right with God.

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Why you'd press play

When faith alone sounds simple, this sermon lets Galatians 3 press on every tempting Christ-plus formula.

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