Faith or Works? (2): Faith or Works: Four Penetrating Questions (Galatians 3:2-5) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. The Spirit’s Reception
II. The Believers’ Perfection
III. The Galatians’ Suffering
IV. The Apostle’s Ministry
Psalm singing: 86:9-14; 39:7-13; 143:1-7a; 28:4-9
Scripture reading: Galatians 3:1-14

John Calvin: “In demanding miracles from us, they act dishonestly; for we have not coined some new gospel, but retain the very one the truth of which is confirmed by all the miracles which Christ and the apostles ever wrought. But they have a peculiarity which we have not—they can confirm their faith by constant miracles down to the present day! Nay rather, they allege miracles which might produce wavering in minds otherwise well disposed; they are so frivolous and ridiculous, so vain and false. But were they even exceedingly wonderful, they could have no effect against the truth of God, whose name ought to be hallowed always, and everywhere, whether by miracles, or by the natural course of events. The deception would perhaps be more specious if Scripture did not admonish us of the legitimate end and use of miracles. Mark tells us (Mark 16:20) that the signs which followed the preaching of the apostles were wrought in confirmation of it; so Luke also relates that the Lord 'gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done' by the hands of the apostles (Acts 14:3). Very much to the same effect are those words of the apostle, that salvation by a preached gospel was confirmed, 'The Lord bearing witness with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles' (Heb. 2:4). Those things which we are told are seals of the gospel, shall we pervert to the subversion of the gospel? What was destined only to confirm the truth, shall we misapply to the confirmation of lies?"

Psalm 86:9-14
9 All nations whom thou mad’st shall come
and worship rev’rently
Before thy face; and they, O Lord,
thy name shall glorify.
10 Because thou art exceeding great,
and works by thee are done
Which are to be admir’d;
and thou art God thyself alone.
11 Teach me thy way, and in thy truth,
O Lord, then walk will I;
Unite my heart, that I thy name
may fear continually.
12 0 Lord my God, with all my heart
to thee I will give praise;
And I the glory will ascribe
unto thy name always:
13 Because thy mercy toward me
in greatness doth excel;
And thou deliver’d hast my soul
out from the lowest hell.
14 O God, the proud against me rise,
and vi’lent men have met,
That for my soul have sought; and thee
before them have not set.

Psalm 39:7-13
7 And now, 0 Lord, what wait I for?
my hope is fix’d on thee.
8 Free me from all my trespasses,
the fool’s scorn make not me.
9 Dumb was I, op’ning not my mouth,
because this work was thine.
10 Thy stroke take from me;
by the blow of thine hand I do pine.
11 When with rebukes thou dost correct
man for iniquity,
Thou wastes his beauty like a moth:
sure each man’s vanity.
12 Attend my cry, Lord, at my tears
and pray’rs not silent be:
I sojourn as my fathers all,
and stranger am with thee.
13 O spare thou me, that I my strength
recover may again,
Before from hence I do depart,
and here no more remain.

Psalm 143:1-7a
1 LORD, hear my pray’r, attend my suits;
and in thy faithfulness;
Give thou an answer unto me,
and in thy righteousness.
2 Thy servant also bring thou not
in judgment to be try’d:
Because no living man can be
in thy sight justify’d.
3 For th’ en’my hath pursu’d my soul,
my life to ground down tread:
In darkness he hath made me dwell,
as who have long been dead.
4 My sp’rit is therefore overwhelm’d
in me perplexedly;
Within me is my very heart
amazed wondrously.
5 I call to mind the days of old,
to meditate I use
On all thy works; upon the deeds
I of thy hands do muse.
6 My hands to thee I stretch; my soul
thirsts, as dry land, for thee.
7 Haste, Lord, to hear, my spirit fails:
hide not thy face from me

Psalm 28:4-9
4 Give them according to their deeds
and ills endeavoured:
And as their handy-works deserve,
to them be rendered.
5 God shall not build, but them destroy,
who would not understand
The Lord’s own works, nor did regard
the doing of his hand.
6 For ever blessed be the Lord,
for graciously he heard
The voice of my petitions,
and prayers did regard.
7 The Lord’s my strength and shield; my heart
upon him did rely;
And I am helped: hence my heart
doth joy exceedingly,
And with my song I will him praise
8 Their strength is God alone:
He also is the saving strength
of his anointed one.
9 0 thine own people do thou save,
bless thine inheritance;
Them also do thou feed, and them
for evermore advance.