Not Slaves but Sons.

Greeting:

“Peace be with you!” Also, with You.

Reading:

Galatians 4:4–7 NASB95

4 But when the fullness of the 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. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Let’s Pray.

Father may your will be done.

Jesus may your word be proclaimed.

Spirit may your work be accomplished.

Intro: Family Meetings.

When I was little, we had these family meetings where we would all gather in the living room, huddled on the couch, and have conversation. The conversations ranged from rebukes to big family decisions, life lessons, or confrontation. The meetings were helpful to steer someone right or for Dad to instill in us how we ought to behave. Though the conversation may have not been enjoyable at times, I did enjoy these family meetings because the whole family was there in the same room, doing the same thing, even if it meant that wrongs were being set right, I just loved how safe and together we all were. I was willing to endure whatever interventions that were taking place in our family meetings because I enjoyed more how being together felt and moved me.

It is my intention today to have a family meeting of sorts. To remind ourselves of the kind of Family we are. Paul covers quite a bit in Galatians during this letter that serves as its own kind of family meeting but in these three verses Paul reminds them: How is it that they came to be family, and what holds this family together.

With today being New Years Day and with people making resolutions, I thought that I would suggest some resolutions of our own as an HP Family that we may comprise from Paul’s reminder. But before we get to those, Let’s look to what the scripture has to speak to us today.

I. How we became family.

A. The Father’s will- sending His Son (v.4) and Spirit (6a)

B. The Son to purchase the adoption. (v.5)

C. The Spirit to confirm the delivery. (v. 6b)

Without having to read the whole book of Galatians, here in these verses we observe the process by which we have been made sons of God. At first glance this feels very relational doesn’t it? All members of the trinity are employed and active in adopting slaves and establishing them as sons. Paul spends a lot of time in the rest of the book defeating the many ways the Galatians have been confused about how they are identified as sons of God. For many have come in and claimed that they need to practice certain jewish rituals to have rights as the sons of God but here in these verses Paul reminds them that it isn’t through religion but a relationship that gives your the rights. It is so relational that all persons of the trinity are engaged to assure that the rights we have received are accomplished.

This is very important to frame the rest of our conversation for today. For I desire above all to make much of our rights as sons of God are fashioned through the burning fires of love manifested among the trinity in relationship, than in the forges of law. So to be clear we are made the family of God because of relationship and we are held together as family in relationship not religion...

II. What holds us together?

A. Relationship not Religion.

Galatians 3:26 NASB95

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 NASB95

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The law has no relationship with you. It is not mindful of the person or their status. It seeks to restrict and confine all. At best its motives are fear and punishment. But the Lord is not this way. He substitutes punishment for grace. Fear with love. He makes slaves that have nothing, into sons that inherit everything. A Child of God is not left with rules but is met with a loving Father, a leading Brother, and a guiding Spirit. The Lord brings the relationship that the Law could not. Both serve a purpose and those purposes should not be confused.

We can see this distinction more clearly when we contrast the Law with our Lord...

B. A Lord Not Law.

1. Law:

Prison guard- preventing/penalty Gal. 3:23

Slave attendant- promoting Gal 4:3

Tutor- preparing Gal 3:24

Guardian/steward- protects Gal. 4:2

Witness- profiling

Buys time- prolongs

Promote punishment and fear.

Provides Restraint- Slavery

Promotes Religion- Law enforcement .

2. Lord:

Sets free- Salvation

Obtains the promise

Adopts- Sonship

Gives life- Spirit

Promotes love and grace.

Provides Relationship- adoption.

Promotes freedom- Spirit Empowerment.

Galatians 4:7 NASB95

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

The Law makes slaves, but the Lord makes Sons. This distinction is clear by the very nature and actions of the two.

You are no longer a slave,

Confined in a prison to restrain you from being free.

But a son, who walks by the Spirit who directs your liberty.

You are no longer a slave,

needing your life managed by a steward employed.

But a son, who receives a life empowered to enjoy.

You are no longer a slave,

defined by what religion you do.

But a son, defined by the relationship of who you belong to.

You are no longer a slave,

forced to work out of punishment and fear.

But a son, that works in love that casts out all fear.

You are no longer a slave,

living a life that’s moving towards death.

But a son, who’s moving toward life with every breath.

You are no longer a slave,

weak in spirit asking for a drink of water.

But a son, who’s fill with Spirit crying out to God as a Father.

No, you are not a slave but a son and if a son, an heir.

C. Motivated as Sons not Slaves.

It is our adoption that we are granted all the promises of God not in our in what we practice. Our Father gives to those who are repentant because they have broken a heart instead of those who are sorry for breaching a law. Those who are heavily motivated by relationships more than obeying rules are those who are have the Spirit of Christ in them confirming their sonship and their inheritance.

Family Resolutions:

1. Resolve to establish our relationships with love not fear.

Our aim should be to stir and encourage others towards love not legalism. Enforcing a lot of rules promotes a lifestyle of legalism that seeks to make slaves not sons. Guiding others towards a relationship will establish a lifestyle motivated by love. We are not out to steer others to just do what they are told so they don’t ruin their lives or make inconveniences for ours. We want to steer the hearts of others to love what is good and right. And what is good and right is having a relationship with the Living God.

Are you leading others to have a heart for Christ or an appetite for the Law? Life is meant to be lived not controlled but because of sin there requires restraint, but the life that Christ offers is freedom and liberty to live a good and right life which is only accomplished by the Spirit working in you. How often do we lead others towards a restricted life of law rather than the glorious life of a child of God. Christ has set us free and we are free indeed. The Spirit of Christ has been given to us to direct us in our freedom. The Law was given to us to keep us from death. The Spirit is given to move us towards life.

2. Resolve to part with our old life of slavery and embrace our new life of adoption.

We need to continue the process of having our hearts turn towards relationship instead of religion. The more you fall in love with Jesus the more your heart will be moved by your relationship.

3. Resolve to live guided by the Spirit not guarded by the law.

Romans 8:14–16 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,

What have you done to encourage others towards life in the Spirit? How are you teaching them to walk by the Spirit? How to discern the Spirits movement within them? How have you encourage their hearts to desire the life that Christ offers verses the life that the law produces. Practical ways to encourage A spirit empowered life:

Acquire the Spirit.

1) Through faith in Jesus- Eph 1:13

2) Ask the father for the spirit and he will give it. Luke 11:13 “13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?””

Ask the Spirit to fill. Self control, patience.

Acknowledge the Spirit. You see patience and self control acknowledge it as the work of the spirit.

Assess the Spirit. Listen to what they are prompted to do but still unsure. Trust that it maybe the spirit. When you assess the spirit you learn more how to recognize what is of spirit and what is not.

Accommodate the Spirit. The spirit accompanies God’s Word. A life empowered by the Spirit is also a life in God’s Word.

4. Resolve to cherish our inheritance not forfeit it.

Heir to the kingdom. Some of you live like you have no regard or care that you have been made an heir. You act like prince Harry who doesn’t want, desire, or appreciate his inheritance. You’d rather denounce your legacy as sons and chase the desires of your flesh.

“I love the life I built for myself so I don’t want the life that Christ has passed on to me.”

5. Resolve to rely on our Father and seek His will.

Fullness of time- God has a plan and is working it out. He is never late nor too early. Executes his will perfectly. We may have our opinions and our own interests that we impose upon Him. Because of sin our hearts are more concerned for our will than His. This is why we are impatient. Why we groan. Why we shake our fists with God when things don’t go our way. But God has the whole world in His hands and is executing his perfect will and goodness upon it and have the perfect time. This requires faith, trusting in God to make all things that are bad good. May we Pray, “Not our will, but thine.” And while you wait God has instill a guardian to guard you and keep you. A steward that tends to your life until the appointed time.

6. Resolve to remind each other who we are and what holds us together.