Title: Unrest: The Curse of Self-Reliance
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00:00 - Bargaining for Blessing
02:41 - God Doesn't Make Deals, He Makes Promises
03:38 - Reading Galatians 3:6-14
04:54 - God's Blessings Flow Through Faith
11:18 - The Sons of Abraham
18:54 - Performing for an Invisible Judge
21:05 - All Self-reliance is Cursed
31:52 - Grace Through Christ Breaks the Curse
35:52 - Finding True Rest
40:38 - Closing Invitation & Reflection
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Galatians 3:6–14
just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (ESV)
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In “Unrest: The Curse of Self-Reliance,” Jed Gillis teaches from Galatians 3:6–14 that God counts faith as righteousness, just as he did with Abraham. The blessing promised to the nations flows through faith, not human performance. When we try to bargain with God by doing more or doing better, we place ourselves under the law’s demand to keep everything, and that brings a curse and inner unrest. Paul points us to Christ, who redeemed us from the curse by becoming a curse for us on the cross. In him, the blessing of Abraham and the promised Spirit come to Jew and Gentile alike through faith. The call is to lay down self-reliance and rest in Jesus, where real peace replaces the constant trial of proving ourselves.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.
