Being Made a Curse for Us (Gal 3:12-14)
Speaker: Rev Dr Jose Lagapa
Date: 03 Jul 2022

 Download Sermon

Sermon notes taken by:

Mrs Sara Wong


Many want a just judgment. But a truly just judgment is possible only when the just Judge, Jesus Christ, comes. Then, everyone will appear before Him (Heb 9:27). Nothing, and no one, will be hidden, exempted or excused. If judgment is based on works, all of us will be cursed for eternity. We thank God for His plan of salvation for us: He sent His only begotten Son, who is sinless, to be made a curse for us by His death on the cross, and paid the penalty for our sins. Hence, all who believe in the Lord Jesus have the assurance that their sins are all paid for and there is now no condemnation for them in Christ Jesus.

  1. Why is there a need for somebody to be made a curse for me? (Gal 3:12) No one can be justified by the works of the law. No matter how good we are, there is always the stain of sin (Rom 3:10-18). The man who has begun to do the works of the law must continue to live according to it in order to be saved. And Paul said no one has started to do good and continued to do good. Thus, we need someone who can live a perfect life and who will die on the cross for our sins in order to save us. It is only through faith in what He has done for us that we can be forgiven.
  1. Who is this person who can be made a curse for us? (Gal 3:13) Christ alone. By being crucified, He was made a curse for us (Deut 21:23). He paid the penalty for our sins (which include the curse of the original sin) to satisfy the wrath of God. Only Christ can do it, and He did it willingly for us, without any merit on our part (for we were chosen before the foundation of the world). Thus, we must glorify Him by living for Him to show our love for Him.
  1. What is the result of having someone made a curse for us? (Gal 3:14) We receive “the blessing of Abraham.” Abraham believed in the Lord and it was counted as righteousness for him (Gen 15:6). Abraham’s blessings are also for Gentiles, through Christ. When we believe by faith, Christ’s robe of righteousness will be put on us. Our salvation is all God’s work. And when we believe in Christ as our Saviour, the Holy Spirit will indwell us. When we serve and live, we must do all in the Spirit. Then it will be pleasing to God. May we be moved to do what the Spirit wants us to do, according to His guidance, with understanding and wisdom from God’s Word.

Beware of the new doctrine called the “New Perspective on Paul” (NPP). It is a denial of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. It is blasphemous for these proponents to claim that the reformers’ view of salvation by faith alone is a mistake. Jesus is made a curse for us, to save us from all our sins. He alone can save us and when we believe in Him, we are justified by faith.

  © Copyright 2018 Truth Bible-Presbyterian Church     PDP