Gal. 4:1-7: In the Fullness of Time ("Because He Exists: God the Father")Slaves or Sons

Intro:

Series on “Because He Exists: God the Father”

There is such thing as a “Most Stuf” oreo. My journey in progressive sanctification is like my progression in Oreo. It all started with the origional, then I found out there was a double stuf! that was the best, I didn’t think it could get any better. Then, I found out about the mega stuf from Lisa Stepney a few years back. Life was going great! and then Danessa informed me that there is such thing as a “most stuf” Oreo! It blew my mind! Isn’t that what walking with God is like in progressive santfication?! We taste the sweetness of His grace and we get hooked. Then, over time, as we enjoy the grace we know about we are informed that there is more! So, we enjoy what we understand and live out the new reality of what we have in Christ until a season comes where we are shown even more of God’s grace! It is so good, you don’t want to go back, but you keep building on what you enjoyed at first.

We join the book of Galatians Paul is super concerned for the people hear! He is concerned that even though they have been set free in Christ they are now reverting back to previous ways of living, rules and rituals that act as guardians and managers which actually enslave them. When it comes to the fight against sin, nothing is better than Jesus!

Outline:

Heir: “No Different From a Slave” (v. 1)

Under Guardians: “Until the Date” (v. 2)

Enslaved: “Elementary Principles” (v. 3)

Fullness of Time: “God Send His Son” (v. 4)

Redeemed and Receive: “Adoption as Sons” (v. 5)

Under the Law: “Abba Father” (v. 6)

Heir: “Through God” (v. 7)

Summary: God always sends what we need exactly when we need it.

Prayer:

Heir: “No Different From a Slave” (v. 1)

Child (v. 1)

I mean that the heir- in the book of Galatians we are talking about being a son of God whether or not you are a descendant of Abraham. 3:23-29 go really well with last weeks sermon where we are in the book of Colossians.

Heir- a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another.

as long as he is a child- “n-eh-pois”- a very young child; often of a child still nursing

is no different from a slave- to be worth more than

thought he is the owner (Lord) of everything (all, every)

Application/Implications:

We have seen what Paul is describing in our own lives as we observe live across the pond in the Royal family.

We see this in our families when we send our kids to school, have a baby sitter over

Transitional phrase: Just because someone is an heir doesn’t mean that they live like it nor that they are treated that way. Don’t these make up some of our favourite stories/movies. Why, Paul takes us to the reality of being under Guardians and Managers

Under Guardians: “Until the Date” (v. 2)

But (“alla”) he is under- emphatic

guardians- “epitropous” managers; foremen; stewards; legal guardians, plural

and Managers- “oikonomous” stewards; managers; administrators, plural

Until the date set by his father- appointed day. Even in the Roman society maturity of a child, by law, was set by the father. It involved a ceremony of the toga virilis formally acknowledging the son as heir.

Application/Implications:

So what is that date in our culture, puberty, shaving, first job? Our culture has something similar, bedtimes, some provinces have designated that it happens at 12 when you are able to stay at home alone, 16 with getting a liscence, 18 being able to vote, 19 being able to drink...

The father is meant to be involved in the process of determining this date.

Transitional phrase: Okay, so there is something that changes drastically when the date is set by the father. So what does this have to do with our heavenly Father and Christmas. Because I don’t know about you, but when I was under those dates, it seemed more punative than good dates of opportunity. Well keep reading...

Enslaved: “Elementary Principles” (v. 3)

In the same way- making a connection to what has just been discussed about the common practive of an heir being managed and guarded until the date set by his father. going from the simple to the complex

We also

when we were children- “n-eh-pios” same word as before, he is speaking to the church in Galatia, these are Christians.

were ensalved (perf., pass)- even though we are heirs of God, his offspring

to the elementary principles- “stoicheia”- rudimentary principles (corelating to the guardians and managers)

(Col. 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Col. 2:20 “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—”

of this world- seeing existence in this world the most important

Is this a principle in Child-rearing?

Application/Implications:

Who likes being enslaved? Who likes being held under the thumb of other people? None of us! We didn’t like it as a kid and sought to get out from under it, “I can’t wait until…cause then I won’t have to deal with this anymore, I won’t have to listen to… anymore

The connection to us today is not whether or not we are Jewish but whether we grew up in a christian home or not.

Has the day come in your life where you are no longer under managers and guardians? What do I mean by that, we are not all indepentant business owners or adults living on our own. If we have not put our trust in Jesus than we are still slaves to this world with its demands on our lives, which are weak (cannot deliver), and worthless (cannot bless). God’s appointed time is today! Today He wants you to follow Him. If He knew the right time to send His son, don’t you think He knows the times you need help today?

Transitional phrase:

Fullness of Time: “God Sent His Son” (v. 4)

p1 (v. 4)

But

When the fullness (“pleroma” one of the themes) of time had come-

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 4:4

This “time” was when the Roman civilization had brought peace and a road system which facilitated travel; when the Grecian civilization provided a language which was adopted as the lingua franca of the empire; when the Jews had proclaimed monotheism and the messianic hope in the synagogues of the Mediterranean world

God sent forth his son- Here Paul highlights the actions of God the Father.

born of woman- Deity became human, He was born just like everyone else, to a family that had its faults and difficulties. Let’s not forget, Mary was pregnant and not married, there was a stigma there. Relatively poor

born under the law- just like everyone else. The law of Moses. Just like a child is under the guardians and managers, Jesus was born under the authority of the Mosaic law. Some of us might think we had a strict upbringing, well, try being raised under the Mosaic law with 613 rules. The purpose of it was to reveal sin and drive people to their rescuer, God.

Application/Implications:

God sent His son

God knows the family you were born into

Good- this is only a glimpse, the guardians and managers if you will, that is meant to lead you to the best family, which is belonging to God’s family

bad- but it is not about the guardians and managers, it is about belonging to God’s family. If you grew up in a bad family, God has provided a way for that to only be until you become a part of His family.

For some of us, Christmas can be one of the hardest times of year because we are expected to interact with family.

Transitional phrase:

Redeemed and Receive: “Adoption as Sons” (v. 5)

To redeem- “exagorase” verb, aor, act, SUB, 3rd, sg to deliver, redeem (buying something back). “In order to” redeem.

those who were under the law

so that

we might receive- “apolabwmen” verb, aor, act, SUB, 1st pl

adoption as sons- “a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; with the adopted child being entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child (including the right to inherit)”.

The purpose was not just to rescue the people from slavery but to adopt them as sons also.

Application/Implications:

What is it that you feel you have been “born under” and have no choice about the matter ? Family, body type, weaknesses, struggles, attraction, identity,

God the Father was willing to send the Son from the perfect family to a human family so that regardless of our family, we could belong to God’s family

Transitional phrase:

Under the Law: “Abba Father” (v. 6)

p1 (vs. -)

And because you are sons

God has sent the Spirit of His Son

into our hearts

crying, Abba Father

God not only sends His son, but He also sends the Holy Spirit. These are the two best gifts that could ever be given! God is a generous Father that knows exactly what His children need.

Application/Implications:

The

Transitional phrase:

Heirs: “Through God (v. 7)

So you are no longer a slave- “doulos”

But (“alla”) a son

and if a son

then an heir through God

Application/Implications:

Are you an heir of God this morning? Why celebrate the coming of Jesus if we are not a son? Why celebrate our older brother Jesus if we are not in the family?

Let’s not get caught up in the guardians and managers of Christmas, without it pointing to the real lights, gift, and family that are only found in God the Father’s gift of His Son Jesus.

No matter how good or bad we would say our fathers are or were we all still found ourselves saying, “We didn’t always connect, I wished he would have been there for me when I was going through, or my dad was there all the time, but he didn’t make the effort to know me. Our heavenly Father was willing to sacrific by sending His Son to know what it is like to live the human experience and sending the Holy Spirit to connect emotionally and relationally with us. Oh but wait, there is more, you see God did not only send what was necessary for salvation, to achieve His goal and plan, no, He gave and sent so that you and I would received and go from slaves to heirs. That we would be redeemed and adopted, that the cry of our heart would be “Daddy” when it comes to our relationship with Him.

In what ways are you in need of the “fullnes of God’s timing” this week? Don’t forget, He has given you Jesus, don’t turn to the elementary principles of our world to fill your need, that will just enslave you! Turn to the way of escape as 1 Cor. 10:13 says, Jesus.

God sent His Son into the World- how does the fact that Jesus lived the human experience give you hope with your circumstances this week?

God sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts- how does the fact that the Holy Spirit, the encourager, has taken up residency in you give you hope with the responses of your emotions and throughts this week?

Jesus is coming back again, when he comes in the fullness of time, will you be a slave or a son?

Transitional phrase:

Summary

Song:

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

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