A Royal Inheritance • Galatians 3:26-29

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Remember there are 3 sections: Preservation, Explanation, Application

In Ch. 1 & 2 we looked at The Preservation of the Gospel.

In that section we looked at several ways how Paul preserved the Gospel of Grace or how he defended the Gospel of Grace.

We are currently in Ch. 3 dealing with The Explanation of the Gospel of Grace

here in Ch. 3 Paul offers 4 arguments regarding the Gospel of Grace. And so far we have looked at 3 out of the 4 arguments.

And we saw the 1st argument Dealt with the Galatians themselves Vs. 1-5

Paul said, Who Has Bewitched You?

Did you receive the spirit by the works of the law or by hearing of faith?

2nd Argument Dealt with Abraham and his example Vs. 6-9

Abraham was made righteous by believing God way before the law came into the story line of humanity.

3rd Argument Dealt with The Law Vs. 10-14

Those who are under the law are under a curse because anyone goes to the Law for Righteousness has to keep every single law every single second of the their life.

2. Current Study’s Overview

This brings us to Vs. 26 where we look at Paul’s 4th argument dealing with The Work of God. Read…

The Title of Today’s Message Is:

Because as you saw in our quick reading of today’s scripture Paul talk’s about how we are sons of God and that makes us all united as one.

Here Paul is explaining the Gospel of Grace by explaining to us what God has done for us and why He did it.

If your taking notes we want to look at 2 Things regarding God’s Work.

1. The Description of God’s Work Vs. 26-27

1.1 God’s Work Produces Children Vs. 26

1. How Are We Are Made Children of God?

1. By Faith…

John 1:12 NKJV

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Not everyone is a child of God…

2. By The Holy Spirit…

Galatians 4:6 NKJV

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

2. How Does God Deal W/ His Children?

1. God Loves His Children

1 John 3:1 NKJV

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Psalm 103:13 NKJV

13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

Deuteronomy 1:31 NKJV

31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’

2. God Disciplines His Children

Hebrews 12:5–6 NKJV

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Hebrews 12:7–8 NKJV

7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Hebrews 12:9 NKJV

9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

3. God Does Not Abandon His Children

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

5 “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

3. What is the Expected Behavior of a Child of God

1. We Imitate Our Heavenly Father

Ephesians 5:1 NKJV

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

2. We Live By His Standards

Philippians 2:15 NKJV

15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

2 Corinthians 6:17–18 NKJV

17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

4. What Are The Privileges and Blessings of Being a Child of God?

1. God’s Children are Eternally Secure

John 8:35 NKJV

35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.

2. The Needs of God’s Children are Always Supplied

Matthew 7:9–11 NKJV

9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

3. God’s Children Have a Sure Inheritance

Revelation 21:7 NKJV

7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

1.2 God’s Work Produces Identity Vs. 27

So when we gets baptized, what we’re doing is, we are identifying ourselves with Jesus Christ.

That’s what baptism is all about!

Baptism is an outward display of what God did inwardly

When get baptized we are telling everyone that we used to be is dead in Christ and now we are living according the newness of life in Jesus.

When we get baptized we are telling everyone that we identify with Jesus Christ in how we think, in what act, in how we speak.

He is our Identity!

This is why at the end of Vs. 27 it says, we “have put on Christ”.

1. We put on his mind

Philippians 2:5 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2. Put On His Behavior

1 John 2:6 NKJV

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

3. Put On His Speech

Colossians 4:6 NKJV

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

1 Peter 2:22–23 NKJV

22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

If we put on, we first must take off.

Colossians 3:5–14 “5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also mus…”

2. The Motivation of God’s Work

2.1 God Desires Unity Vs. 28

Relationships Between Jew & Greek - This divide was not just religious but also social, ethnic, and cultural.

Jews saw themselves as the chosen people of God, set apart by their covenant with Him, which was marked by practices like circumcision, dietary laws, and observance of the Sabbath.

These practices were not just religious rituals but were central to Jewish identity and a means of maintaining their distinctiveness from the surrounding Gentile nations.

From a Jewish perspective, Gentiles were often viewed as “unclean” because they did not follow the Mosaic Law.

This uncleanness was not just a spiritual matter but also a social one. For instance, Jews typically avoided close interaction with Gentiles, especially when it came to sharing meals, which could involve food considered impure according to Jewish law.

Gentiles, on the other hand, came from diverse cultural backgrounds, often steeped in polytheism, idolatry, and practices that were abominable to Jews.

Many Gentiles regarded the Jewish practices as strange and were often hostile or indifferent to them.

They thought Jews were wierd!

Jews would typically not enter a Gentile’s home or eat with them, for fear of becoming ritually unclean.

This separation was a physical expression of the spiritual and cultural divide.

But, in the early Christian communities, where both Jews and Gentiles were coming to faith in Christ, these old barriers were being challenged.

Paul’s message in Galatians was revolutionary because it declared that in Christ, these divisions no longer held.

Paul argued that faith in Jesus Christ, not adherence to the Law, was the basis for inclusion in the people of God.

Relationships Between Slave & Free - This divide was not only about social status but also about power, identity, and human value.

In the first century, slavery was a widespread institution across the Roman Empire.

A slave was considered the property of their master, with few, if any, legal rights.

They could be bought, sold, and treated as their owner saw fit. Slaves were often employed in various roles, from household servants to laborers in the fields or mines.

Some, particularly those in wealthy households, might have had more specialized roles, like teachers, accountants, or managers, but their status remained the same—they were property rather than people.

The identity of a slave was tied to their master; they had no independent legal standing or personal autonomy.

The law viewed them as part of their master's household, and their primary purpose was to serve the master's interests.

Their value was often reduced to their utility—how well they could perform their tasks or how much they could be sold for.

Now in stark contrast, free people enjoyed autonomy and legal rights that slaves did not.

A free person could own property, enter into contracts, marry legally, and have children who were free citizens.

They had the right to participate in civic life, including voting and taking part in public assemblies.

Freedom also meant having social mobility to some extent. A free person could rise in status through wealth, marriage, or public service.

Their social identity was tied to their family, citizenship, and community rather than to another individual’s ownership.

Impact of the Gospel - So when Paul writes that “there is neither slave nor free” in Christ, he is making a radical statement that challenges the very foundations of the social order.

In the early Christian communities, slaves and free people worshipped together, breaking bread as equals before God.

This was unheard of in the broader society, where the hierarchy was strictly maintained.

Paul’s message emphasized that in Christ, all believers are equal—slaves and free alike are equally valued, equally loved, and equally heirs to the promises of God.

This was revolutionary because it suggested that a person's value was not based on their social status but on their identity in Christ.

The early church became a place where the typical social distinctions were meant to dissolve, and where a slave could be seen as a brother or sister in Christ rather than just property.

Relationships Between Male & Female - In the first century, men held a dominant position in society, both in the public and private spheres.

Men were the heads of households, responsible for providing for their families and making decisions on behalf of their wives, children, and slaves.

They were typically the ones who engaged in public life, including politics, commerce, and religious activities.

Men had legal rights that women did not. They could own property, initiate legal proceedings, and engage in contracts.

In religious settings, particularly within Judaism, men were the ones who participated fully in worship, including temple rituals and public prayers.

The education of men was also prioritized, especially in religious and philosophical matters.

In essence, a man's identity was closely tied to his role as a leader, protector, and provider. His social status and honor were of great importance, and he was expected to maintain the family’s reputation and lineage.

Women, on the other hand, were generally expected to focus on domestic responsibilities—raising children, managing the household, and supporting their husbands.

A woman’s identity was often defined by her relationship to the men in her life—first her father and then her husband.

Legally and socially, women had fewer rights than men. They could not own property independently, and in many cases, their legal and financial transactions had to be overseen by a male guardian.

In some cultures, women’s participation in public life was limited; they were often expected to remain in the private sphere, managing the home and raising children.

In religious life, women were generally excluded from leadership roles.

Within Judaism, women were not required to attend the synagogue in the same way men were, and their involvement in religious instruction was minimal.

While they could participate in certain aspects of religious life, they were largely seen as secondary to men in spiritual matters.

So Paul’s statement that “There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” was again groundbreaking in this cultural context.

It suggested that in Christ, the distinctions that society placed between men and women no longer determined a person’s value or status before God.

In the early Christian communities, women found a new sense of identity and worth.

They were welcomed into the church as full members of the body of Christ, with equal access to salvation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament records women serving in various capacities within the church, from hosting church gatherings in their homes to participating in ministry and even prophesying.

This was revolutionary because it challenged the societal norms that relegated women to a lower status.

Paul’s message emphasized that in Christ, the old divisions were transcended, and both men and women were seen as equal heirs of God’s promises.

APPLICATION: So Paul’s teaching called the early Christians to live in a new kind of community where the distinctions between male and female, slave & free, Jew & Gentile were no longer a source of division or inequality.

and I wonder what typical social barriers we have today in 2024 that in Christ they dissolve?

2.2 God Desires To Bless Us Vs. 29

**1. Heirs to the Promise of a Great Nation**

- **Application Today:**

Believers are part of a spiritual nation, the Church, which transcends ethnic, cultural, and geographical boundaries. This spiritual nation is made up of those who have faith in Christ, making us a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9). The promise of a great nation is fulfilled in the global body of believers who share in the blessings of God's kingdom.

### **2. Heirs to the Promise of Numerous Descendants**

- **Application Today:**

As spiritual descendants of Abraham, believers are part of the countless number of those who have come to faith throughout history and will continue to do so. This promise is seen in the growth of the Church, as it spreads the Gospel and brings more people into the family of God. In Revelation 7:9, we see a vision of this fulfilled as "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" stand before the throne of God.

### **3. Heirs to the Promise of the Land**

- **Application Today:**

The physical land promised to Abraham is a foreshadowing of a greater promise—a new creation where believers will dwell with God forever (Revelation 21:1-4). In Christ, we are promised an eternal inheritance, the "promised land" of heaven, where we will experience the fullness of God's presence and blessings. Hebrews 11:16 refers to this as "a better country, that is, a heavenly one."

### **4. Heirs to the Promise of Blessing and a Great Name**

- **Application Today:**

In Christ, believers receive the blessing of being adopted into God's family (Ephesians 1:5). We are given a new identity and a "great name" as children of God (John 1:12). The blessings of Abraham are now ours in Christ, including the spiritual blessings of being forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled to God (Ephesians 1:3-7).

### **5. Heirs to the Promise of a Covenant Relationship**

- **Application Today:**

The covenant God made with Abraham is fulfilled in the new covenant established by Christ's blood (Luke 22:20). As believers, we are in a covenant relationship with God, where He is our God, and we are His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This covenant guarantees us God's faithfulness, His presence, and the hope of eternal life.

### **6. Heirs to the Promise of Blessing to All Nations**

- **Application Today:**

Believers are called to be a blessing to others by sharing the Gospel and living out their faith in a way that reflects God's love and truth. The promise that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's offspring is fulfilled in Christ and continues through the Church's mission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). We participate in this promise by being ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

### **7. Heirs to the Promise of a Son**

- **Application Today:**

The promise of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah points to the greater promise of Christ, the ultimate "Son of the promise." Through faith in Christ, we become sons and daughters of God (Galatians 3:26), receiving the rights and privileges of being part of God's family.

### **Summary: How We Are Heirs According to the Promise**

Galatians 3:29 tells us that if we belong to Christ, we are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise. This means that all the promises given to Abraham are spiritually fulfilled in Christ and extended to us. We are heirs because, through faith, we are united with Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

As heirs, this looks like:

- **Identity:** We have a new identity as children of God, part of His spiritual family.

- **Inheritance:** We are promised eternal life, a heavenly inheritance, and all spiritual blessings in Christ.

- **Mission:** We are called to be a blessing to others, spreading the Gospel and living out the values of God's kingdom.

- **Hope:** We look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the new creation, where we will dwell with Him forever.

These promises shape our lives as believers today, giving us purpose, identity, and hope in our walk with God.