Sunday, August 18, 2024 | Steve Fish

Deuteronomy 28 and Galatians 3

Are we the head or the tail? Our study this week will challenge us to let go of our negative perspectives and guilty feelings. We can rejoice that we are not under the Law because in Christ the righteous requirements of the Law have been fulfilled. We are not cursed, we are blessed. We are the head and not the tail.

What is the significance of the Old Testament law?

1. Our laws are thought of as an authoritative body of dos and don’ts governed by those who are placed in positions to maintain order.

2. Key Understanding: The Old Testament Law was given as a guardian (Gal. 3:24) to the Israelites to follow the path of righteousness. There are many dos and don’ts given in the commands, but they were to guide to righteous thinking and purity of heart as much as righteous behavior.

3. The Law was put into place to cover the curse of sin and death (Gen. 3) prior to Jesus’ first advent.

Are you the head or tail? (Deut. 28:13)

Deuteronomy chapter 5-26 – Content of the Law
Deuteronomy chapter 27-29 – Blessings and Curses

Stop and Consider: How did this go for Israel? How does it go for Buddhists? How does it go for anyone who wants to rely on their own credit for salvation?

Jesus has taken away the curse. (Col. 2:12)

1. God forgives all our sins – past and present and future.

2. Jesus canceled our debt (legal indebtedness).

3. Jesus has taken away our curse.

Through faith in Christ, we have become the children of God. (Gal. 3:7-27)

1. I am born of God. (1 John 5:18)

2. I am God’s child. (John 1:12)

3. I am Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)

4. I am adopted as God’s child. (Eph. 1:5)

5. I am complete in Christ Jesus. (Col. 2:10)