Preparing for the Lord's Day
Paul tells us that he was punished five times by the Jews for preaching the gospel, and each time he received forty lashes minus one for his crime (2 Corinthians 11:24). Tradition holds that when a prisoner was being whipped, he was required to read out the twelve curses of breaking God’s law recorded in Deuteronomy 27. This reading acted as a sign that the prisoner was cursed by God. As the last lash was given Paul would have repeated the last curse,
Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them. (Deuteronomy 27:26 ESV)
A curse is upon all who do not obey the law perfectly. This truth is central in his defense of the gospel. All those who would seek the blessing of the Lord through obedience to the law will inevitably fail and in their failure come under the righteous curse of God. While Paul’s punishment was unjust, it was a reminder of the suffering that flows from the laws condemnation of human sin.
How then might one be freed from the curse of the law? What we will see in our text is that Christ took on the curse of the law to free all those who trust in him for salvation. He was crushed for our iniquities and by his stripes we are healed. Our sin turns the blessing of the law into a curse but Christ by his grace has taken upon our curse that all who trust in him might be blessed. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Galatians 3:10-14, Genesis 12:3, Leviticus 18:5, Deuteronomy 21:23; 27:11-26, Isaiah 44:3, Habakkuk 2:4, and this article on the curse of the law.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”, the Acclamation of Praise “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” and the Hymn of Response “What Wondrous Love Is This?” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information:
Text: Galatians 3:10-14
Title: The Curse of the Gospel
Outline:
- Our Sin Makes the Law a Curse (vv.10-12)
- The Law Makes Christ a Curse (v. 13)
- Christ Makes Us Blessed (v.14)