New Clothes From The King Series

06/03/2007

New Clothes from the King (Gal 3: 26-29)

Intro: Common Ground:

Friends: What draws you to each other?

Usually it is something that you have in common. You have common interest in something - - could be a job (both salesmen, both farmers, both teachers)

It could be a hobby, you both fish, both play basketball, both watch same TV programs

It could be your lifestyle, both live on a farm, both have kids same age, both ex-military,

When it comes to Christians, we are so good at fellowship, at loving each other and caring for each other, and we have something extremely powerful in common with each other.

A few months ago, we had an association board meeting here, and after the meeting we were all in the fellowship area having refreshments, and I walked over to a group of people where Jim Andrews from the Camp was telling stories. I sat down and we introduced ourselves and Jim asked me if I do any hunting, I said I haven’t been hunting in years. He said, “I think you and I may have something in common – THE LORD” and he went back to telling his story.

The thing is – we do have the Lord in common, and that is enough. We seen each other several times since then, and we always have something to talk about – THE LORD

We have Christ in common, a mutual friend, a mutual Master. He draws us to himself, and he draws us to each other. And because of His love, we reach out to others, regardless of who they are.

Today our passage is about our common ground as believers and followers of Christ

Gal 3: 26-29 (NIV) 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I. SONS OF GOD

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus

You are all children of God. Through faith in Christ Jesus, so the backdrop of Galatians is still there, justification by faith and not by works.

But that statement, sons of God, children of God. Does that statement have an impact on you?

To the Galatian Gentile believers it did, because that was a title reserved for the Jews before Christ came along

The Gentiles were considered outsiders when it came to God’s favor. Sinners, unclean

So to be called Sons of God reminded them that as believers they are equal in God’s eyes to Jewish believers. – no longer 2nd class citizens.

But what about us, today, does being called Sons of God, children of God, have an impact on us today.

It helps to contrast the title Sons of God with what we were before our adoption through faith in Jesus

The term children of God gets tossed around pretty loosely these days.

I hear people say, we’re all God’s children – Oh really? that’s not what God’s Word says

We are all God’s creatures, we were all created by God, and God loves the whole world, every single person in it, but that doesn’t make us all God’s children

Turn with me to the Gospel of John, chapter 8, and let’s see what Jesus had to say about this.

John 8 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you do what you have heard from your father." 39 "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham’s children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the things your own father does." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!