Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
Sunday Service - Galatians 4 pt1
  • All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
  • Awesome Is The Lord Most High
  • Forever
  • Beautiful One

      • Exodus 12:21–27NASB95

  • Scandal Of Grace
  • Thank You Jesus
  • Cannot Say Enough
  • Last week:
    We finished up ch.3, and we got to see that we are children of God through the promise, not the works of the Law.
    In fact, the Law was a tutor, that leads us to Christ.
    But in Christ, we no longer need a tutor, because we now have the Holy Spirit who dwells in us
    Today, we get to see that truth play out and what that means to us.
    Illustration:
    Cleveland police stopped 20-year-old Ricky Flowers for a traffic violation. While the police were writing out the citation, Flowers slipped his car into gear and took off, which triggered a high-speed chase. Flowers eventually jumped out of the car and scaled a fence to evade officers. Unfortunately for Flowers—and fortunately for truth, justice, and the law-enforcement officers—the fence surrounded the yard of a women’s prison.
    This is what it is like to run from Grace, to run from the promises of God. Those who flee from this truth of grace will always find themselves back imprisoned, even though they thought they have found a better way. Today, we learn there is no better place to be than to be in the promises and grace of God
    Children of God (V.1-7)
    V.1-2
    O: Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, (2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
    I: When those who inherit are just children, they are just like slaves, being told what to do, how to do, until the parents finally say it is time for them to step into their inheritance.
    A: Slaves and servants: Being watched, told what to do, No voice, no opinion
    Children are the same way
    “Be seen but not heard”
    When does this status change?? When the father decides
    V.3
    O: So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
    I: In the same way, we too were held captive by the principles of this fallen world
    A: What is interesting: Whether you were a Jew or a Gentile, you were held under bondage, you were under guardians and managers
    Jews were held under the Law
    Gentiles were held under the elemental things, or principles, of this world
    Romans 1:19–20 NASB95
    19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
    Those who live according to the Law, those who live according to the world… it is all the same result… we are slaves. Held in bondage
    V.4-5
    O: But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (5) so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
    I: At just the right time Jesus came so that He could redeem us, or save us, that we could be adopted into His promise
    A: A reminder of what we read in Romans 5:6
    Romans 5:6 NASB95
    6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
    Born of a woman:
    important to note… one heresy that Paul had to defend against was gnosticism.
    This taught that the physical world is evil, so Christ could not have physically came.
    Christ was born of a woman… physically
    Born under the Law:
    Jesus was born a Jew
    So that:
    He could purchase (redeem) those enslaved to the Law
    Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:17
    Matthew 5:17 NASB95
    17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
    we might receive the adoption as sons
    That as He fulfills the Law, we can be purchased by Him, whether our guardian, our manager was the Law or the elemental things of this world.
    V.6
    O: Because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba Father!”
    I: The benefit of being a son is now we have the Spirit and a personal relationship with God
    A: Enjoy this personal relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ
    We don’t need anything else, because as sons, as children, we already have all we need. We have the Spirit, and as Paul says in Romans 8:14-17
    Romans 8:14–17 NASB95
    14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
    V.7
    O: Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
    I: You are no longer on the level of a slave, but the one who has the promise, and because of that, the inheritance is yours
    A: Remember this, your inheritance is by promise, not by your works
    Back to the Old Self (V.8-11)
    V.8
    O: However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
    I: Before you were a son, before you had a relationship with Him, you were serving idols and false gods.
    V.9
    O: But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God,
    I: Because you have come to know God, or more correctly that God knows you…
    A: Specifically to the Gentiles, who were without God
    O: how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
    I: The question Paul has is that do you wish to be enslaved again? Do you wish to go serve those other gods again?
    A: I will not turn back to where I came from, to the darkness that once held me captive.
    What is interesting to me, is that Paul is putting Living by the Law and living in the world on the same level.
    No matter what you choose, to live a life of legalism and self righteousness, or to live a life of sinful behaviour that rejects God, you are the same in one… living according to the old man, not the newness of the promise in Christ Jesus. In either case, this does not bring salvation nor righteousness.
    V.10
    O: You observe days and months and seasons and years.
    I: You hold to things and celebrate things that don’t matter
    A: Remember, Paul addressed this in Romans 14:5-8
    Romans 14:5–8 NASB95
    5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
    Observing these things just puts you back in the camp of legalism.
    V.11
    O: I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
    I: Paul’s major concern is that all his work for the Galatians was for nothing
    A: This is a genuine concern for all who minister to other people, that we have labored in vain.
    Have you labored over someone, and then they get stuck into a cycle of legalism? Is their faith disturbed by others who come in? Especially in the days of the internet, it is easier to get led astray to be enslaved again to worthless elemental things again.
    Laboring For You (V.12-20)
    V.12
    O: I beg you, brethren, become as I am…
    I: How has Paul lived? In freedom. He wants them to live in that same freedom as him.
    O: For I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong.
    I: Paul has lived his life like a Gentile believer
    A: Paul had freedom, and he was able to live more freely because his ministry was to the Gentiles.
    As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:22
    1 Corinthians 9:22 NASB95
    22 … I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
    V.13-14
    O: but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; (14) and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
    I: Paul was able to preach the gospel to the Galatians because of an ailment, and instead of rejecting him, they received him and the words which he shared.
    A: Sometimes we think in order to share the gospel everything needs to be perfect.
    We need good health, we need lots of money, we need the right circumstances
    In fact, often times, these are circumstances the Lord uses to open doors for ministry.
    Your life doesn’t need to be perfect, you just need to be open to be used by the Lord.
    Fair enough, it certainly takes humility, and this is what Paul is reminding them, that they accepted the gospel in these humble circumstances of Pauls
    V.15-16
    O: Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. (16) So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
    I: It was a blessing, a privelage for the Galatians to receive Paul, why has that cahnged?
    A: When we first came to know the Lord, it was such a blessing, a relief.
    But what happens to where that blessing is lost? Its when we begin to find self righteousness, and makes those who preached the gospel for free, those who tell you the truth, your apparent enemies.
    V.17
    O: They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
    I: Paul touches on the reality of these wolves, that their intentions are not good, but rather self seeking.
    A: Wolves want us to run from the truth so they can be promoted themselves
    “If you want to live a righteous life, then just stick with me. Follow my plan. Listen to what I say. And don’t listen to anyone else.”
    Its a dangerous and deceptive lie
    V.18
    O: But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
    I: It is a good thing to have people seek your well being, especially when Paul doesn’t have to be there for them to do it.
    A: We should seek people out for their good and benefit, not ours. Not only because someone tells us, but because we want what is best for them, not because of some influence from a pastoral figure or person of influence.
    That discipleship would happen in our church because people see the need, not because the pastor or elder told them to.
    V.19
    O: My Children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you-
    I: Paul says he is fighting for them all over until they come back to this reality of Christ again.
    A: This is really the work of the ministry, continuing to remind people of the truth, of what it is that they have believed.
    Paul says it differently to those in Philippi in Philippians 3:1
    Philippians 3:1 NASB95
    1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
    This is what real pastors do, those who shepherd the flock among us, they don’t get overwhelmed with discouragement. Instead, they are persistent in laboring until Christ is formed in you, until the grace of God is firmly established
    V.20
    O: but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
    I: Paul wishes to be with them, to walk through these doubts and confusion that the Galatians are going through. Because he can’t believe they have allowed themselves to be disturbed in their faith
    A: It is always perplexing when people turn from what they know to follow others who disturb them.
    It makes one wish they could be there with them the whole time, to see them through all the lies and deception
    Conclusion:
    This is why it is important that we hold to the promises, not works. We have become heirs according to the promise, there is no need to go back to being a slave again, to be mastered by our flesh and our desire to be self-righteous before the Lord. He has done the work, all we have to do is to live in that promise, the promise of salvation and the promise of the Holy Spirit, which we will see the wonderful benefit of the Holy Spirit in CH.5, but for now, we get to enjoy the work He is doing, not because we are so well behaved, but because He is promised to us, and we are heirs and children of God.

      • Romans 1:19–20NASB95

      • Romans 5:6NASB95

      • Matthew 5:17NASB95

      • Romans 8:14–17NASB95

      • Romans 14:5–8NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 9:22NASB95

      • Philippians 3:1NASB95

Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
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