Text: Galatians 4:8-11
Title: Living like you know God.
Introduction
1. In the past you did not know God (v8)
Every man or woman who does not know God is living in slavery to something.If God is not your God – then something else will be.
2.Now you know God (v9)
Every man or woman who knows God is… known by God
But doesn’t God know everyone?
Jesus says to every unbeliever “Depart from me …I don’t know you…”
If you don’t know God- he does not know you as being one of his children.
But here is the problem
3. Now that you know God - why then are you living like you don’t know God? (V9-11)
“How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”
It’s not any different today…
In America – millions and millions profess-to knowing God. But how many of those millions really live like they know God?
Quote: If you want to know whether a man knows God, don’t ask him, observe him.
What could we observe in order to find out if a person really knows God?
The very same thing Paul observed with the Galatians.
Observation. Where are people turning for their help and guidance?
“How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
If you want to know if a person really knows God observe where they turn for their help and guidance.
Notice that the Galatians had turned back to the weak and miserable principles of this world for their help and guidance -rather than turning to God.
FYI: The word miserable that’s used here means …that which is without grace.
How is it that you are turning back to - that which is without grace?
Don’t you know that every principal that has none of God’s grace in it is…
A.Weak
B.Miserable.
C.Enslaving
It’s like trying to drive a car without any gas in the tank.
That’s why in every one of the 13 books Paul wrote –before he begins offering guidance and help he will tell the reader …
“Grace to you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ….
Why: Without grace what I am about to tell you just does not work!
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Illustration: 3rd verse of the hymn Amazing Grace
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
It does not say –tis worldly principals have brought me safe thus far and worldly principals will lead me home.
Why do people who profess to know God still turn back to weak and miserable principals for their guidance and help rather than turn to God?
Reason #1. They don’t realize how much God knows about them.
“But now that you know God-or rather are known by God.”
We mistakenly think God knows as much about us as we know about him. (Which is not very much.) (God only sees me every Sunday between 10:30-12)
God knows everything about everyone!
He knows our every thought even before we do.
He knows every one of our strengths and every one of our weaknesses
If God knows every thing about us why then would we go instead to someone in the world who knows nothing about us for guidance and help?
I know you know nothing about me but could you give me guidance and help…
The only one who can give us the very best guidance and help is God- because he knows us the best.
Psalm 139 (1-6)
God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too.- your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful-I can’t take it all in!
For the Child of God –realizing how much God knows about them is meant to be something wonderful.
It’s wonderful to be able to go to someone who knows everything about you for guidance and help.
Why then do we go instead to someone in the world who knows nothing about us?
Reason #2 They don’t realize how much power the world still has over them
“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” (v8-9)
Before a person comes to know God all their guidance comes from ungodly sources.
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Even now that we know God -Our nature is to still do things the way we used to do them before we came to know God.
In the case of the Galatians – Jesus was their savior but he was not yet their Lord.
Jesus was not able to lead them and guide them into all truth because the world still had power over them.
Are we going to live by the principals of the world or live by the principals of the Word of God?
Reason #3 They don’t want to put in the effort it takes to find out how to live for God.
“I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.” (v11)
It takes effort to live for God. Living for God demands we make certain sacrifices.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” (Matt 13:44)
“Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38)
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Galatians 6:7
The Galatians were not putting in the full effort to live for God…
“You are observing special days and months and seasons and years.
I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”
They were making the effort only on special occasions
They were not putting in the daily practice…
It was Paul’s fear that men who had once lived in the presence of God would shut him up to special occasions.
We can’t live for God if we only spend time with him on Sunday mornings.
Pick up your cross daily and follow me
Conclusion
If someone was to observe my life would they discover a life that was living for God?
Is that a strong characteristic of my life or is that a weak characteristic of my life?
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
How many of us can say like Paul
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7)
1.Realize that God knows every thing about you
2.Realize that the world will try to stop you
3.Realize that our best efforts are needed
