5. Alive in Christ

What this episode covers

We all attempt to secure peace, security, and even salvation through out own effort. But is that even possible? Paul argues for a better, truer way. Sermon Outline: I. No one can earn justification through human effort II. Depending on human effort leads to death III. Life comes through trust in Jesus Christ Quotes: A Christian is not he who has no sin, but he to whom God counts not his sin, through faith in Christ. -Martin Luther, 16th c. By the works of the law no mortal will obtain justification. This is the foundation of a freely bestowed righteousness, when we are stripped of a righteousness of our own. Besides, when he asserts that no mortal is justified by the righteousness of the law, the assertion amounts to this: that from such a mode of justification all mortals are excluded, and that none can possibly reach it. -John Calvin, 16th c. Of such half-justification Paul knew nothing. For, when he instructs us that we are justified by faith, because we cannot be justified by works, he takes for granted what is true: that we cannot be justified through the righteousness of Christ unless we are poor and destitute of a righteousness of our own. Consequently, either nothing or all must be ascribed to faith or works. -John Calvin, 16th c. Cheer up! You’re a worse sinner than you ever dared imagine, and you’re more loved than you ever dared hope. -Jack Miller, 20th c. We are not acceptable to God because we actually become righteous. We become actually righteous because we are acceptable to God. -Timothy Keller If you can save yourself by works, Jesus’ death is not loving; it is pure stupidity. If, however, you are lost and dying and unable to save yourself, his death means everything. -Roger Nicole Scripture text: Galatians 2:15-21 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Liturgy bulletin link Sermon transcript link Outline of Galatians “Alive in Christ” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org. Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com. The post 5. Alive in Christ first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church.