He Came and is Coming Again
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· 13 viewsJesus came as a baby in a manger and will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
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Introduction
In September of 2015, Mary and I were truly blessed when Amber and Erin became part of our family. It would not be until April of 2016, that their adoption would be final and they would truly become heirs. In September of 2019, Mary and I would be blessed again with the Kaia, Alissia, and Chloe becoming part of the family. Would not be until March of 2020, when they would become join heirs with Amber and Erin. If you will notice, I placed a difference in the steps that followed within the lives of the children as they became part of the family and then heirs. As we look at our text, we see a few key truths that we must identify this Christmas season. We need to know that there is a difference between being part of the family of God and being an heir of Jesus Christ. We need to understand what Christmas is all about. We need to know and live in the benefits that we have an heirs with Christ.
As we come to our text, we see that Paul was writing to a collective body of churches, thirteen to be specific in the region of Galatia. His intended purpose was to combat Judaizers who were trying to promote legalism over grace. Within this portion of his letter to the churches of Galatia, we see that Paul brings about a message, an unlikely Christmas message. He speaks of the gift of salvation that was afforded to man through the birth of Savior, Jesus Christ.
Focus Passage : Galatians 4:1-7
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Outline
What We Were: Children Under Bondage (vv.1-3)
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
We are all in the same boat without Christ. We are in the same boat, even as the Jew during Paul’s time without Christ. We were dead in our trespasses and sin. Even as new babes in the Lord, we are as those who have not matured and grown in the Lord. We may be part of the family of God, but there is a difference in being part of the family of God and being a son of God. As children of God, we are part of the family of God, yet are not able to exercise the full blessing of that relationship. This is pointed out through Paul’s letter to the church’s of Galatia.
A child is no different than a servant
Paul writes, That the heir, as long as he is child, differeth nothing from a servant. What does he mean by this. As a child, although he is heir of all, has all the wealth and power of the father, even ruler of the kingdom, he cannot exercise the rights that come with those privileges. He has the power, the prestige, and the position, but he cannot take advantage of any of it. This was a perfect picture of the spiritual condition of the Jews. They had the rights as children of God, children of Abraham. They had the privilege of knowing God’s law. They had the position of being God’s chosen people, yet they were not able to use this advantage. Why? Because, they as we, are under the bondage of a servant.
A child is under the bondage of a servant
A child, no matter their power, prestige, and position, was under the protection and direction of a servant until they became an adult. When Paul writes of adoption, this is what is speaking of. Adoption, when one is adopted within our current culture, they are child. They come in as a child and are part of the family. This was not the case in the 1st Century. The idea for adoption in the Greek is “to place as an adult son”. One was only part of the family, but did not become an heir until adulthood. They were under the direction of a servant, which was under the direction of the father, the master of the house.
For the Jew, this was their picture. It is our picture too. We are all under the bondage of the law until we accept Christ and mature in Him. The law is our school master. The law is that which God uses to teach us right from wrong and reveals to us the need for a genuine relationship with Him.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
A child must learn until the time comes
Paul writes, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of this world. In laymen terms, as Wiersbe writes...
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: It’s Time to Grow up! (Galatians 4:1–18)
This word elements means the basic principles, the ABCs. For some fifteen centuries, Israel had been in kindergarten and grade school, learning their “spiritual ABCs,” so that they would be ready when Christ would come
Praise God, some two thousand years ago, He came. His coming is why we celebrate Christmas. Let us not forget why Christmas is so important.
What God Did: He Came (vv.4-5)
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
We must understand the importance of Christmas. Christmas is one of the most opportune times to share the Gospel message. Praise God for Christmas. Praise God for the Son that was given and the Son that was born...
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Praise God for the Alpha and Omega...
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Within our text Paul identifies four points to remember not only during Christmas but everyday of the year!
4 Points to Remember at Christmas and Beyond
Paul identifies who came, God’s Son
He, who came that blessed Christmas morn, was none other than the Son of God, God sent forth His Son, This was not just another baby being born. This was God come in the flesh. This was the wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace spoken of by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 9:6). This was the Logos, the Word of God in the flesh (John 1:1-2, 14). He was incarnation of God, God in the flesh. As Jesus testified of Himself...
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
Paul identifies when He came, in God’s Timing
Paul writes, but when the fullness of time was come. Paul is stating, when God planned for Jesus to come, He came. Jesus came at the perfect time in history to bring salvation to mankind. This truth is brought to light within the Holman New Testament Commentary on Galatians.
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians A. The Argument from Sonship for the Jews (vv. 1–7)
He came right on schedule, arriving on the earth when the time had fully come. Some suggest world conditions were ripe for the spread of the gospel. The Romans had ushered in an era of relative peace through law and order. Their network of roads made travel more convenient. Widespread use of the Greek language simplified communication. At the same time, the proliferation of empty religions among many people created a spiritual hunger for something genuine.
We find similar conditions within our time today. We live in world with many different religions and a whole grouping of cults and sects. They all promise the answer, but there is but one answer and that answer is Jesus Christ. The message of Christmas, is the answer to the question, Jesus Christ’s birth, life, and passion. We may live in one of the most religious times in history, but as in the times of Jesus’ birth, we live in a time of spiritual bankruptcy. People need assurance. People need hope. People are needing an answer. There is but one assurance, one hope, and one answer, Jesus Christ. This truly is what Christmas is all about. God providing the assurance, the hope, the answer. He did this through sending His only begotten Son.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He did this be sending His Son, in His timing, according to His plan, and He did His way.
Paul identifies how He came, God’s Way
Jesus being born in Bethlehem was no coincidence. It was according to Divine providence. It was according to God’s plan. Jesus came just way God had always said he would come. If you remember the proto gospel of Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Jesus would be from the seed of a woman not the seed of man. Everyone else would come from the seed of man (man, woman, boy, and girl), but not Jesus. How would this take place? How would this happen? It would be through the virgin birth, made of a woman, that Jesus would come answering the question and proving God’s way is the Way.
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus came with a dual nature, both of equal importance to as why He came. Jesus came with the nature of man, born of a woman. While in the flesh, Jesus would face every temptation that you and I face. Yet he would not fail as we all do.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Not only was Jesus born in the flesh, but He was born with the same expectations and rules that we all are given, born under the law. He was not born outside of the law, beyond the law, or above the law. He was born under the law. It is this truth that reveals that Jesus was able to fulfill “why” He came.
Paul identifies why He came, to bring God’s Salvation to man
The blessed Christmas season the angel of the Lord stated why Jesus was coming, being born of a virgin...
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Paul reminds those of Galatia why Jesus came, to redeem them that were under the law.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: It’s Time to Grow up! (Galatians 4:1–18)
Redeem is the same word Paul used earlier (Gal. 3:13); it means “to set free by paying a price.”
There was some 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. Anyone could purchase a slave and do with that slave what they will. They would be under the bondage. However, Jesus did not come to place one in bondage but to free man from the bondage of sin. He has paid the price for our sin debt (Rom. 6:23). He, Himself, placed Himself on a tree and became our replacement, our propitiatory sacrifice.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Jesus came to make us more than just children of God. He wants us to Sons of God.
Warren Wiersbe brings clarification when he writes in his commentary on the book of Galatians...
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: It’s Time to Grow up! (Galatians 4:1–18)
Under Law, the Jews were mere children, but under grace, the believer is a son of God with an adult standing in God’s family.
Perhaps at this point a chart will help us understand better the contrast between being a “child of God” and a “son of God.”
The Child
The Son
by regeneration
by adoption
entering the family
enjoying the family
under guardians
the liberty of an adult
cannot inherit
an heir to the Father
What We are: Sons and Heirs (vv.6-7)
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The contrast that Paul brings within our text is not about immature sons and adult sons. The contrast he brings is between the servant and the son. They were Sons of God and no longer servants. They wanted to be as the prodigal and come to the father as a servant not realizing the blessing, the position, and gift they had in the Lord being delivered from the Law rather than under the bondage of the Law. Many within the church today are living this same defeated life not realizing the great gift of salvation and deliverance that came through the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
As sons of God, we have the same nature as God
We are partakers of the divine nature of God (2 Pt 1:4)
As sons of God, we have a father
Paul writes, because ye are sons.
When a sinner accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, they become sons of God and the Holy Spirit of God within the repentant son testifies that they are children of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
As sons of God, we obey out of love
As sons of God, we are rich
We have the riches of God’s grace (Eph. 1:7; 2:7)
We have the riches of God’s glory (Php 4:19)
We have the riches of God’s goodness (Rm 2:4)
We have the riches of God’s wisdom (Rm 11:33)
We have all the riches of God in Christ Jesus (Col 1:19; 2:3)
As sons of God, we have a future
Conclusion
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: It’s Time to Grow up! (Galatians 4:1–18)
In one sense, our adoption is not yet final, because we are awaiting the return of Christ and the redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:23). Some scholars think that this second stage in our adoption corresponds to the Roman practice when a man adopted someone outside his family to be his son. First there was a private ceremony at which the son was purchased; then there was a public ceremony at which the adoption was declared openly before the officials.
Christians have experienced the first stage: we have been purchased by Christ and indwelt by the Spirit. We are awaiting the second stage: the public declaration at the return of Christ when “we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:1–3). We are “sons and heirs,” and the best part of our inheritance is yet to come (see 1 Peter 1:1–5).