Rockport Baptist Church Unknown

Our identity is not measured by our income. In this passage, James corrects our tendency to gauge our worth by our wealth. He reminds us who we are- by nature, mortal and passing away, by grace, exalted with Christ. Our prosperity does not erase our humiliation. Our poverty does erase our exaltation.

Our thorns and weaknesses are given to us -by God- that his power might be perfected in us. It is in our weaknesses- not our strengths- that we come face to face with His all sufficient grace.

Because the Mosaic Law-Covenant has fulfilled it's role by keeping Israel in custody until Christ came and is no longer in effect as a covenant, we must look to Christ alone as our standard and guide through faith.-I. The Law Served as Israel's Prison Warden to keep them in Custody until Christ Came -v 23--II. The Law Served as Israel's Childhood Guardian until Christ Came -v 24--III. Now that Christ has come, the work of the Old Law-Covenant is finished -v 25-

Because the Law's role is limited and subordinate to the Promise, showing what sin is and why we need a Savior, we must not dismiss it as irrelevant, but must understand the role it plays as well as it's limit as a covenant that is no longer in force.-I. The Limited but Important Role the Law Played in the Purposes of God vv 19-20- -1- The Law was added to make sin's transgression obvious- v 19a- -2-The Law is temporary - given to Israel for a specific time within God's greater plan- v 19b- -3- The Law is subservient to the Promise, as seen in the way it was given vv 19c-20-II. The Law Does Not Contradict the Promises, It Complements Them v 21-III. Scripture Imprisons All of Us in Sin so that Freedom May Be Found in Christ- v 22

Because the salvation of the Gentiles like us is rooted in the unchangeable Covenant of Promise God gave to Abraham, not the Covenant of Law given through Moses, we as Christians must look to the promise alone to secure our inheritance in Christ.- I. Covenant Matters- Keep your eye on the Covenants v 15- II. The Covenant of Promise Centers on the Promised Seed v 16-III. The Difference Between the Covenant of Promise and the Covenant of Law vv 17-18

Because the Law cannot save but instead brings a curse on those who fail to keep it in its entirety, we must look away from the Law to Christ by faith alone to receive justification and life from God- I. The Stark Contrast between the Blessing that Comes by Faith and the Curse of the Law v 10- II. An Obvious Conclusion- No One can be Justified by Doing Works of the Law vv 11-12-III. Our Only Hope- Christ has Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law vv 13-14