5 responses to our identity as children of the promise
I. Rejoice Because We Are Not Enslaved to a Cruel Taskmaster
Galatians 4:21-23 - Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.
A. Abraham’s sons help us see the pattern of two ways to live all throughout the scriptures
B. Ishmael was born “according to the flesh” (human effort)
C. Isaac was born “through promise” (God’s power)
II. Appreciate That We Have a Better Covenant
Galatians 4:24-26 - This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.
A. Embrace your heavenly identity as a free citizen of the new Jerusalem
Hebrews 8:6 - But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
III. Focus on Spiritual Reproduction
Galatians 4:27 - For it is written, “Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband.”
A. Scripture calls us to rejoice as we share our faith and more are reborn as new creations in Christ
1 Corinthians 4:15 - For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
IV. Recognize the True Conflict In Order to Endure Persecution
Galatians 4:28-29 - And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.
A. The ongoing conflict between exalting mankind and exalting the promises of the Lord
V. Turn Away From Works-Based Salvation and Hold Fast to Your Inheritance
Galatians 4:30-5:1 - But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman. It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
A. Cast out false teachers and man centered works-based righteousness that enslaves
Galatians 1:8-9 - But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
B. Stand firm and embrace freedom and our inheritance that allows us to live for Christ
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 - So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
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