Freedom Letter- Your Spiritual Identity Series

Series: Action [#43]

FREEDOM LETTER- YOUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

Galatians 4:21-31

Introduction:

We have been studying our freedom in Christ. In our text, we read about Abraham’s 2 sons- Ishmael and Isaac. Although Abraham and Sarah had been promised that they would have a son, Sarah got tired of waiting and decided to solve the problem herself. She had her Egyptian slave get pregnant by Abraham and his name was Ishmael. Later, Sarah had a son- Isaac. Things were not going well, and Sarah demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Abraham asked God what to do and God told him to send them away.

The 2 sons illustrate our 2 births:

* Ishmael- Physical birth that makes us sinners.

* Isaac- Spiritual birth that makes us children of God.

Isaac illustrates our spiritual identity.

Galatians 4:21-31

Isaac…

1. Was born by God’s power.

God waited 25 years before Sarah had Isaac. Why? Isaac was “born by the power of the Spirit” and so are Christians.

John 3:1-7

Isaac came into the world through Abraham (who represents faith) and Sarah (who represents grace). Christians are born by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Isaac…

2. Brought joy.

Isaac means “laughter”. He brought joy to his parents. Salvation brings joy.

Isaac…

3. Grew and was weaned.

Genesis 21:8

Salvation is the beginning, not the end. After we are born, we must grow.

1 Peter 2:2

2 Peter 3:18

Part of maturity is weaning- We must lay aside “childish things”.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Isaac…

4. Was persecuted.

Genesis 21:9

Ishmael (the flesh) caused problems for Isaac, just as our old nature does for us. Ishmael created no problems in the home until Isaac was born, just as our old nature did not create problems until our new nature was born.

In Abraham’s home we see the same basic conflicts that Christians face:

* Hagar vs. Sarah= Law vs. Grace

* Ishmael vs. Isaac= Flesh vs. Spirit

Conclusion:

We must be born again and grow. We must walk in the Spirit. We are free!