8. The Superiority of Faith

What this episode covers

Paul says that we are saved by faith and not by the works of the Law. What then is the purpose of the Law? Outline: I. Faith Is Secure II. Faith is Superior III. Faith is Eternal Quotes:  The Law was given to probe our wounds, that we might long for a physician. -St. John Chrysostom, 4th c. We are free from the law, from the prison, and from the schoolmaster; for when faith is revealed, the law terrifies us no more. -Martin Luther, 16th c. The Law requires from man the highest perfection and most exact obedience. It makes no abatement and gives no pardon, but calls to a severe reckoning the smallest offences. -John Calvin, 16th c. The Law cannot of itself impart life, but by showing the bankruptcy of human effort, it shuts men and women up to the grace of God as their only hope. -F. F. Bruce Satan would have us prove ourselves holy by the law, which God gave to prove us sinners. -Andrew Jukes No man has ever appreciated the gospel until the law has first revealed him to himself. It is only against the inky blackness of the night sky that the stars begin to appear, and it is only against the dark background of sin and judgment that the gospel shines forth. -John Stott Many people want a sense of joy and acceptance but they will not admit the seriousness of their sin. They will not listen to the law’s searching, painful analysis of their lives and hearts. But unless we see how helpless and profoundly sinful we are, the message of salvation will not be exhilarating or liberating. Unless we know how big our debt is, we cannot have any idea of how great Christ’s payment was. If we do not think we are all that bad, the idea of grace will not change us. -Tim Keller Scripture text: Galatians 3:15-25 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. Liturgy bulletin link Sermon transcript link Outline of Galatians “The Superiority of Faith” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, September 14, 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 8. The Superiority of Faith first appeared on New Life Ithaca Presbyterian Church.