Week 4 | The Promise Fulfilled

Big Idea: God’s promise is greater than our performance.

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-4:7

Introduction:

Illustration: The Inheritance Mix-Up

Imagine a family where a wealthy grandfather writes a will promising a massive inheritance to his grandkids. But instead of trusting in that promise, the kids spend their whole lives trying to earn the inheritance—working odd jobs, impressing their parents, doing everything to prove they’re worthy. When the lawyer reads the will, they realize the inheritance was never about what they did—it was always theirs because of the grandfather’s promise.

That’s exactly what Paul is talking about in Galatians 3 and 4. God made a promise to Abraham long before the Law was given, and that promise was fulfilled in Jesus. But the Galatians were acting like they still had to work for what God had already given them.

Tension:

We live in a world that rewards effort. We study hard to get good grades. We train to make the team. We work to earn money.

And if we’re honest, we sometimes carry that same mindset into our faith. We think:

If I do enough good things, God will love me more.

If I mess up, maybe God will take His promises away.

But here’s the question:

Do we really believe that God’s promises depend on His faithfulness—or on our performance?

Big Idea:

God’s promise is greater than our performance.

Truth:

Before we dive into the passage, let’s step back and understand why Paul is writing this and what is at stake.

The Galatian Dilemma: Confusion Over Faith vs. Works

Paul is dealing with a serious issue in the Galatian churches. Some false teachers, known as Judaizers, were convincing Gentile Christians that faith in Jesus wasn’t enough. They were saying:

“Yes, believe in Jesus, but you also need to follow the Jewish law.”

“If you don’t follow these laws, you aren’t fully saved.”

This was a major problem because it distorted the gospel—turning salvation into something people had to work for instead of receiving by grace.

Paul had already argued in the previous chapters that we are justified by faith alone. But now, in Galatians 3:15-4:7, he takes it further: What was the role of the Law in the first place? How does God’s promise to Abraham fit into this?

The Bigger Picture: God’s Promise Came Before the Law

The Judaizers were obsessed with the Law. They saw it as the ultimate sign of belonging to God’s people. But Paul reminds them:

God made a promise to Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17) long before the Law even existed.

The Law came 430 years later (through Moses).

The Law was never the foundation of God’s salvation plan—faith was.

Paul is making an important argument. If the Law came centuries after the promise to Abraham, then the Law cannot be the basis of salvation. The promise was always about faith.

This is a direct challenge to the Galatians who were tempted to believe that keeping the Law would make them right with God. Paul is saying that the Law was never meant to replace God’s promise—it was just a temporary guide.

Why This Matters for Us Today

Many of us still struggle with this same mindset. We know that we’re saved by grace, but deep down, we feel like we still have to earn God’s love by:

Doing enough good things

Reading the Bible enough

Praying enough

Avoiding the “really bad” sins

But just like the Galatians, we need to be reminded that our relationship with God is based on a promise, not our performance.

Now, let’s read what Paul says in Galatians 3:15-4:7 and break it down.

1. The Law vs. The Promise (Galatians 3:15-22)

Galatians 3:15–22 ESV

15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Paul uses a legal example: When a contract is made, it can’t just be changed later.

God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12) was made before the Law was given.

The Law was never meant to replace the promise—it was meant to point us to Jesus.

👉 Key Verse: Galatians 3:18 – “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.”

2. The Purpose of the Law (Galatians 3:23-29)

Galatians 3:23–29 ESV

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

The Law was like a guardian (a babysitter, a temporary guide) until Christ came.

But now that we have faith in Christ, we are children of God—not slaves to the Law.

Through Jesus, we are one family, whether Jew or Gentile.

👉 Key Verse: Galatians 3:26 – “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

3. From Slaves to Sons (Galatians 4:1-7)

Galatians 4:1–7 ESV

1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Before Jesus, people were like heirs too young to receive their inheritance—still under the Law.

But God sent Jesus to redeem us so we could be adopted as sons and daughters.

Because of Jesus, we don’t just obey God out of fear—we cry out, “Abba, Father!”

👉 Key Verse: Galatians 4:7 – “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Application:

Too often, we live as if God’s promises depend on us—our behavior, our effort, our ability to measure up. But Paul reminds us that we are heirs, not employees of God. Our relationship with Him isn’t a contract—it’s a covenant. We don’t work for His love; we live from His love.

Here’s what that means for us practically:

Stop Trying to Earn What’s Already Yours

💡 “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.” (Galatians 3:18)

Think about this: If someone gave you a free car, would you keep trying to pay for it?

Yet, we do that with God all the time—we try to earn what He already freely gave.

The Galatians were tempted to go back to rule-following, thinking it would make them “better” Christians.

But Paul says: Faith, not performance, makes you right with God.

🔥 Challenge: This week, when you catch yourself thinking, “I need to do better so God will be happy with me,” stop and remind yourself: God’s love for me isn’t based on what I do, but on what Jesus has already done.

Live Like a Son, Not a Slave

💡 “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:7)

Slaves and sons live very differently:

Slaves live in fear—afraid they’ll be punished if they mess up.

Sons live in confidence—secure in the love of their Father.

Slaves work to earn approval—Sons know they’re already fully accepted.

Slaves have a temporary place in the house—Sons have a permanent inheritance.

Many of us live like slaves—we feel guilty when we don’t read the Bible enough, pray enough, or feel “spiritual” enough. But Paul reminds us: You are already in the family. You don’t have to strive to belong—you already do.

🔥 Challenge: Every morning this week, pray:

“God, thank You that I don’t have to work for Your love. Help me to live today as Your child, not as a slave to fear.”

Embrace the Freedom of Grace

💡 “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” (Galatians 3:26)

Freedom in Christ means:

✅ You don’t have to prove yourself.

✅ You don’t have to be perfect.

✅ You don’t have to live in guilt or fear.

Some of us struggle to believe this because we feel unworthy. But the truth is, none of us were worthy—that’s why Jesus came! Our worth isn’t based on our performance, but on God’s promise.

🔍 Reflection:

Where in your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval?

Do you trust that His grace is enough for you?

🔥 Challenge: This week, find one area where you’ve been putting pressure on yourself to be “good enough” for God. Surrender it to Him and trust that His grace is enough.

Share the Inheritance

💡 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Paul reminds us that this inheritance isn’t just for us—it’s for everyone who believes.

We live in a world that divides people into categories: “good enough” and “not good enough.”

But God doesn’t see races, social statuses, or performance levels—He sees sons and daughters.

If you’ve received this gift, who do you need to invite into God’s family?

🔥 Challenge: This week, share what you’ve learned with a friend who might be struggling with feeling “good enough” for God. Remind them: “It’s not about what we do—it’s about what Jesus has done.”

Landing:

Paul’s message to the Galatians is just as important for us today as it was 2,000 years ago.

We live in a world that constantly tells us:

“Work harder.”

“Prove yourself.”

“Earn your worth.”

“You’re only as good as what you do.”

But the gospel says the exact opposite:

👉 “You are already loved. You are already accepted. You already belong—not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done for you.”

Summarizing the Truth

The Law was never meant to replace the promise—it was meant to point us to Jesus.

God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled not through works, but through faith in Christ.

If you are in Christ, you are no longer a slave, but a child of God.

As God’s children, we don’t have to live in fear or insecurity—we live in freedom and confidence.

A New Way to Live

This truth should change everything about how we see ourselves and our relationship with God.

1. We Live FROM Acceptance, Not FOR It.

You don’t need to prove yourself to God. You are already accepted in Christ.

Your faith isn’t about performing for God—it’s about resting in His promises.

2. We Obey Out of Love, Not Fear.

A slave obeys because they’re afraid of punishment.

A child obeys because they trust in the love of their Father.

When we understand God’s grace, we obey not to earn His love, but because we already have it.

3. We Walk in Freedom, Not Bondage.

The Law isn’t our master anymore—Jesus is.

We don’t have to be controlled by guilt, shame, or legalism.

True freedom comes when we stop trying to earn what God has already given us.

Final Challenge: This week, when you feel unworthy or like you have to prove yourself, stop and remind yourself:

👉 “I am not a slave—I am a child of God.”

Pray.