Freedom in Christ: Free At Last Part 1: Gal. 4:21-5:17

I. The Allegory of Bondage and Freedom: 4:21-31

A. Paul uses an allegory from Genesis to show the problem, by using Father Abraham’s life against them.

B. Hagar is a picture of the law, flesh, and bondage.

C. Sarah like the New Covenant of grace.

D. Ishmael is the child of bondage, and Isaac the child of freedom. Just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, so children of bondage always persecute the children of freedom. (Get saved or get out! ex) Titus 3:10

Titus 3:10 ESV

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

II. The Appetite of Bondage: 5:1-12

A. Stand firm and don’t let anyone put you under bondage.

B. Paul is saying by going back into bondage you are saying Jesus isn’t enough. And you need to keep the whole law. Basically let your legalism play out to it’s logical conclusion. (Micheal Catt’s pastor who wore a suit to paint his shutters on a ladder ex).

C. With Jesus faith not an appearance matters. Appearances can be deceiving. Jesus just wants you to be real.

D. A little bit of bondage kills, you’ve got to get rid of it.

E. Paul wishes these guys harping on circumcision would go ahead mutilate themselves like some of the cultic priest did since they were so extreme. Again, when you let legalism go to is logical conclusion it is a bizarre extreme place.

III. The Appeal of Freedom vs. 13-17

A. The way you can tell where someone is free or a congregation is free there is love.

B. This means you still stand firm, but you don’t let it devour you. It will mean letting people go, not begging them to stay. Sometimes the most loving thing is telling people bye.

C. This is accomplished by walking in the Spirit. Be careful to not get in the flesh.