Sermon Text: Galatians 2:17-21

Theme: The Christian’s unity to Jesus in His crucifixion means that by faith he must consider himself dead to the law and alive to God only through Christ, lest he nullify God’s grace by trusting in his own righteousness.

Structure/points:  It should have been a tremendous encouragement for Paul to write to the Galatians about their justification in Christ by faith alone.  But he knew that his teaching would be fiercely resisted by the Judaizing heretics in Galatia.  Paul had to anticipate their argument, counter it, and uphold the true gospel against their influence.  Yet God the Holy Spirit brought good from the evil of the heretics.  Gal. 2:17-21 reveals to us our unity with Christ in His crucifixion.  Because of Jesus’ saving work, all Christians are unified to Jesus and that bond gives every reason for comfort and encouragement in the Christian life.

1. Paul’s defense of Christ’s character
2. Paul’s unity with Christ’s crucifixion
3. Paul’s refusal to subvert Christ’s cross