Freedom is Already Ours
Galatians, Part 9
Galatians 4:21 – 5:1
Introduction
- Purpose of the letter
1. To teach
2. To correct
3. To point us to Jesus
- Recap from last week:
- IMP: We ought to be able to show the world who we serve by our actions/words
- This is the encouragement Paul gives the church; to live fully for God always
-- 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
- For example, Paul’s encouragement is not how we would take a cup of coffee
• There is no sin found in wanting some sugar in your coffee
• Nor is drinking black coffee any more spiritual than flavored creamer
- But how we would live our lives for Christ; focused intently on Him always
- Read Galatians 4:21-31
- Pray
∆ Point 1 - Scripture Testifies to Scripture (21-27)
- Following his personal appeal to the church, Paul now makes a scriptural appeal
-- This appeal is based on scriptural doctrine, which the church was built on
-- It is critical for you and I to understand this and stand firm on this teaching
- IMP: Remember, scripture ALWAYS testifies to scripture (it is God’s testimony)
-- If you cannot find it in scripture, that is an implied CAUTION to your action
-- John 5:39, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”
- His first inquiry is a question … do you want to be under the Law? (v21)
-- Many even wish they could’ve been part of the first century church
-- While we all wish things were simpler, but the Law was anything but simple!
- It is written (v22) – this is a factual account that we can verify
-- There was a man named Abraham, and he had two sons (one out of wedlock)
-- This is not only biblical, but historical as well if we researched
- Now watch how Paul reminds the church of how they came to be (v23)
-- Re: Abraham decided to hurry up God’s promise, rather than waiting on Him
-- The first son was born out of fleshly desires; 2nd out of divine promise
- This is what gets believers into trouble on a regular basis; we rush God’s timing
-- When God makes a promise we try to make things happen in our time
-- This action always gets us into a bind; especially when it’s a desire we have
-- EX: Abraham figured he’d give God a nudge, and help Him out a little bit
-- But consider the implication: Does God need our help to get things done? No!
-- Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
- As Paul delivers this message to the Galatians, he makes this point strongly
-- IMP: If you make things happen, God is not obligated to bless it …
-- Said another way: Just because you want it, doesn’t mean God has to do it
∆ CHANGE SLIDE
- Therefore, because of Abraham’s “rushing to get things done”; consequences
-- This story could actually be the named, “The Story of Two Families”
-- These sons are the foundations of two religions we know so well
• Isaac: Jews claim they descend from this promise (divine)
• Ishmael: Muslims claim they descend from this promise (man-made)
- v25 tells us that Hagar and her children represents slavery; bondage in sin
- However, Sarah delivers the promise of God; her heirs are considered free
-- APP: Is it any wonder that these two religions have so many troubles today?
- Then Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1 (v27); Why? B/C in God there is complete joy
-- In God there is satisfaction and delight and we are reminded to trust in Him
- There are shouts for joy when the Lord brings forth a promise
-- Hence the reminder (v21): “… are you not aware of what the law says?”
- We should desire the things of God when He delivers them; not beforehand
-- Our hearts should rejoice when His promises are delivered to us
-- Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- TRANS: If we will trust in the Lord, there is freedom that only He brings
∆ Point 2 - Freedom is Already Ours (28-31)
- Paul now completes the thought of scripture’s promise with a homerun
-- (v28) We are NOT children of the bond servant; but children of promise
-- The Law is not something that a Gentile convert wants to be a part of
- APP: How silly is it that we would want to be slaves under the Law?
-- Christ has come to bring salvation, not to enslave us under rules/regulations
-- IMP: This is why there is freedom in Christ; b/c of the promise (divine)
- Turn to Genesis 17, read verses 1-22
- Paul THEN gives us direct orders to throw away the bonds of slavery (v30-31)
- We are made free; not made to be slaves; and here this church is living as slaves
-- They were under the bondage of sin; of false teaching; bound to not live for God
- There is no reason to remain slaves to bondage; and this is Paul’s warning
-- IMP: It’s a warning to the first century, as well as to the 21st century
-- We are not children of the slave woman – but of the free woman (Re: promise)
- TRANS: Let me draw this together …
-- Mike preaching this next week … but I need to tie this together
∆ Big Idea
- In order to see this fully, we have to look at the next verse of scripture
- Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
- It is FOR freedom that Christ has set us free (so we can live for Him)
-- Standing firm is not a suggestion; it is a command of how we should live
-- Starting from the very beginning of the Law we are told to stand firm
-- Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
- We must live with God at the forefront of our lives; stand firm always
- We cannot go back into a life of slavery (because we might enjoy our sin …)
-- Remember: Galatians 4:9, “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 forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?”
- Do we wish to become slaves again? If not; we need to listen to the Word
-- To not be a slave; we need to live completely for Christ; in total submission
-- This is Paul’s plea to the Galatian church … and to us as well
- What will you live for: the bonds of slavery or the divine promise to be free?
- Pray
