Grace Freedom

Galatians 4:21 CSB

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?

INTRO—

“FFFRRREEEEEEEEDDOOMMMMM!!!”

Our history as a country highlights the significance of the fight for freedom…

Revolutionary War (Freedom from tyranny)

Civil War (Freedom from slavery)

Civil Rights Movement (Freedom fully furthered)

John 8:32 “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

[[Which is what Paul brings to his Galatian brothers and sisters to help them…]]

In these closing verses of chapter four, Paul illustrates the case of the blessing of Grace = Promise, Gospel, Redemption, Spirit, Faith…& FREEDOM!

…AND is a set up for Chapter Five picturing the context of true, biblically faithful living V. living Cursed, Flesh, ‘Another’ Gospel, Law, Works…& SLAVERY…

Which he will highlight the importance & beauty of Grace-based living [ = the ONLY way].

Contrast: Flesh v. Promise [Galatians 4.21-23]

Galatians 4:21 “Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?”

Once again Paul asks: “SOOO, you want to be under the law, do ya?”

Galatians 4:23 “But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise.”

Of the two sons (& moms)…

Hagar/Ishmael [Genesis 16] = “The Flesh;” This is the picture of what just happens naturally; Biblically, that which is solely of the flesh does not fulfill what God requires (what honors God). [Like Abe heard the promise and said, “I know how I can get this done.”]

Sarah/Isaac [Genesis 21] = “The Promise;” This is the picture of what can only be explained by the GRACIOUS intervention of God; Biblically, though we may laugh at first, we laugh in joyous resignation later…which is what honors our Lord! [Like Sarah heard the promise and said, “Riiiiigghhtt!”]

Correlation: Slavery v. Freedom [Galatians 4.24-27]

Galatians 4:24 (a) “These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. …”

HAGAR/ISHMAEL — Slavery, Earthly Jerusalem (4.24b-25)

SARAH/ISAAC — Freedom, Jerusalem Above (4.26-27)

[[…we are reminded: Revelation 21:2 “I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.”; also Heb 12.22; Rev 3.12; 21.10]]

Galatians 4:27 “For it is written, Rejoice, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman will be many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.”

Isaiah 54:1 ““Rejoice, childless one, who did not give birth; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord.”

THE REJOICING RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE…applied to God’s children (4.26) — the Church.

Conclusion: Promise, Perseverance (, Persistence) [Galatians 4.28-31]

Galatians 4:28 “Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.” (“of promise” = of Grace!)

[[The ‘GRACE’ verse of this section (4.21-31)]]

PROMISE = GRACE, GRACE…

Galatians 4:29 “But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now.”

PERSEVERANCE

Galatians 4:30 “But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.””

PERSISTENCE

Genesis 21:10 “So she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a coheir with my son Isaac!””

“Drive Out” … anyone who says, “You’ve got to do this…” — and it’s no where found in Scripture (or, even worse, stands contradictory to Scripture).

CONCL—

The ‘bottom line’ as Paul finishes his ‘set up’ for Chapter Five is…

Galatians 4:31 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.”

**GRACE IS FREEDOM!**

INVITATION:

Salvation

Freedom in Christ [freedom to do what you want to do…it’s just that your ‘want to’ should be in line with God’s word.]

Galatians 4:31 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.