Flesh or Promise
Notes
Transcript
I. Welcome & Opening Prayer
I. Welcome & Opening Prayer
Turn to GAL 4…
Pitch BAPTISM again — COME CELEBRATE TOO
!! Open in Prayer !!
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II. Introduction: Two Paths
II. Introduction: Two Paths
IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN HIKING/RUNNING in the WOODS—YOU’LL KNOW SOMETIMES MULTIPLE PATHS LEAD to SAME DESTINATION
HELPFUL for ME—I’M DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED.
Illustration: TRAIL RACE YESTERDAY— TWO ROUTES// LONGER & SHORTER
SAME MISSION
SAME START
SAME END
BUT SOMETIMES DESTINATIONS AREN’T the SAME…
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SOME DESTINATIONS ONLY HAVE ONE PATH
WRONG PATH = DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT DESTINATION…
Focus: TODAY’S PASSAGE—WE’LL SEE TWO PATHS/WAYS to LIVE— DIFFERENCE BETWEEN the TWO = DRASTIC
BOTH in the PRESENT
& the DESTINATION
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Transition ➡ I’D INVITE YOU to LOOK W/ ME @ OUR PASSAGE…
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III. Passage Reading
III. Passage Reading
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
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Transition ➡ Church this is God’s Word for us this morning.
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IV. Context Recap: Proper Pursuit
IV. Context Recap: Proper Pursuit
Problem: GALATIANS RESORTING BACK to “WORKS-RIGHTEOUSNESS”
FALSE TEACHERS//JUDAIZERS
THEY WERE OBSERVING SPECIAL DAYS, MONTHS, YEARS
BEING TOLD THEY MUST BE CIRCUMCISED…
Response: PAUL MAKES an APPEAL— “BECOME as I AM! (I.E.: NOT UNDER the LAW)
Solution: PURSUE CHRIST—RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH, NOT SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS…
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Paul recapped HIS INITIAL VISIT—DESPITE HIS ILLNESS THEY RECEIVED HIM
NOW—SEEING HIM as an ENEMY?!
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Paul’s Pastoral Care: AGONIZING UNTIL “CHRIST BE FORMED in THEM”
Passage Idea: The Christian life is a pursuit of Christ and Christlikeness.
IT is NOT TRYING to REACH GOD VIA WORKS
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Transition ➡ THIS WEEK—PAUL WILL SHIFT GEARS a BIT AGAIN…
FROM PERSONAL TESTIMONY— to SCRIPTURAL WITNESS
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 21-23
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V. Passage Exposition
V. Passage Exposition
Thought 1: Appeal from Abraham & His Children (v21–23)
Thought 1: Appeal from Abraham & His Children (v21–23)
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
Setting: PAUL SHIFTS ARGUMENT AGAIN to SCRIPTURE
Helpful Note: “the “LAW” — REFERS to LAW of MOSES…
&& ALSO the “TORAH” (1ST 5 BOOKS)
BEING “UNDER the LAW” — FOLLOWING GUIDELINES
NOT HEARING “THE LAW” —REFERRING to TORAH
Paul’s Argument: 2 SONS of ABRAHAM—ISAAC & ISHMAEL
1 HIS WAY
1 GOD’S WAY
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Recapping the Life of Abraham:
Recapping the Life of Abraham:
HELPFUL— RECAP SOME of ABRAHAM’S LIFE…
Essential Note: ABRAHAM = FATHER of JEWISH PEOPLE…
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Key Point: ABRAHAM WAITED 25 YRS for PROMISE to BE FULFILLED
C.C. — WE DON’T LIKE to WAIT.
FAST FOOD...MICROWAVES…
CROCK POT QUALITY— INSTANT POT!
SHIPPING in 2 WEEKS?? — NO, 2 DAYS....1 DAY… SAME DAY!
25 YRS = LONG TIME…
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GOD CALLED ABRAHAM (ABRAM) @ 75 YRS OLD (GENESIS 12)
Promised— GREAT NATION
Problems:
OLD
BARREN WIFE
GEN 15 — GOD MEETS ABRAHAM AGAIN
ABRAHAM UPSET— HEIR is a SERVANT
GOD TAKES HIM OUTSIDE— LOOK @ STARS…
ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD —RIGHTEOUSNESS (GEN. 15:6)...
NEXT CHAPTER.… THE NEXT CHAPTER—10 YRS LATER— ISHMAEL.
SARAH SAYS—TAKE HAGAR—SHE MIGHT WORK.
**Disclaimer** MULTIPLE MARRIAGES in SCRIPTURE = NEVER IDEAL—ALWAYS PROBLEMATIC— NOT GOD’S PLAN.
4. 13 YRS LATER—GOD INSTITUTES COVENANT of CIRCUMCISION (FINAL PROMISE)
5. 1 YEAR LATER— BABY ISAAC is BORN— ABARAHAM = 100 YRS OLD
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Returning to Context (Galatians)
Returning to Context (Galatians)
Focus: PAUL = COMPARING ISHMAEL to ISAAC
Ishmael — BORN “ACCORDING to the FLESH” — HUMAN EFFORT, APART from GOD.
“FLESH” in PAUL—USUALLY NEGATIVE—ALWAYS REPRESENTS HUMANNESS…
NLT: GAL. 4:23
23 The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.
Isaac—BORN ACCORDING to PROMISE—WORK of GOD.
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Exhortation: Doing Things God’s Way
Exhortation: Doing Things God’s Way
CHURCH—ACROSS the BOARD— WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD’S BLESSING if WE DON’T FOLLOW HIS WAYS…
GOD HAS PATTERNS/DESIGNS for LIVING…
DO THINGS GOD’S WAY— IT WORKS
DO THINGS YOUR WAY—OFTEN DOESN’T.
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Illustration: CHILDREN MUST TRUST PARENTS:
Illustration: CHILDREN MUST TRUST PARENTS:
CARE/LOVE THEM
KNOW BETTER THAN THEM.
WE MUST TRUST—GOD’S WAY = BETTER…
WANT to KNOW GOD’S WILL?? OPEN GOD’S WORD.
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Abraham’s Desire for Ishmael
Abraham’s Desire for Ishmael
Abraham Failed—TRIED to FULFIL PROMISE in HIS FLESH— & WANTED to HAVE ISHMAEL BE FULFILLMENT…
19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.
21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”
GOD HAD DIFFERENT PLANS…
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Tracing the “Seed” Promise
Tracing the “Seed” Promise
THROUGHOUT the AGES—GOD HAD a CHOSEN LINE,, CULMINATING in CHRIST.
Promise— “OFFSPRING of the WOMAN (GEN. 3:15)
ABRAHAM CALLED (GEN. 12)
ISAAC,, NOT ISHMAEL
JACOB,, NOT ESAU
JUDAH (SCEPTRE),, NOT HIS BROTHERS
DAVID
CHRIST— THE OFFSPRING of ABRAHAM— THE SON of DAVID.
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Transition ➡ W/ HISTORICAL FRAMEWORK in PLACE… ROOTED in GOD’S LAW…
PAUL MAKES an INTERPRETIVE CONCLUSION
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 24-25
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Thought 2: Hagar—An Allegory of the Present Jerusalem (v24–25)
Thought 2: Hagar—An Allegory of the Present Jerusalem (v24–25)
24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
**Disclaimer** ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION DOES NOT DENY HISTORICITY of GENESIS.
PAUL FINDS a PRINCIPLE HERE: SARAH & HAGAR REPRESENT 2 COVENANTS
EVEN MORE,, 2 WAYS to LIVE
TRYING to REACH GOD’S PROMISE in YOUR OWN WAY
SUBMITTING to GOD’S WAY…
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Covenant Interpretation:
Covenant Interpretation:
HAGAR = MT. SINAI (Background: WHERE the LAW WAS GIVEN in EXODUS)
Conclusion: HAGAR, SINAI = PRESENT JERUSALEM—JUDAISM WITHOUT CHRIST
PRESENT JERUSALEM = SLAVERY
Reason: YOU’LL NEVER MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN!!
WORKS-BASED RIGHTEOUSNESS DOESN’T WORK!
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Gospel Invitation
Gospel Invitation
WE’VE SEEN AGAIN & AGAIN— TRYING to EARN YOUR WAY = BONDAGE…
Problem: NONE of US ARE GOOD ENOUGH—IF WE’RE HONEST.
O.T. Sacrificial System:
O.T. Sacrificial System:
DAILY & EVENING OFFERINGS “UNDER the LAW”
+ PERSONAL OFFERINGS
+ DAY of ATONEMENT!
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RIGHTEOUS BY YOUR WORKS??? MUST BE PERFECT—NOT “GOOD ENOUGH”
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
IT’S LIKE WALKING UP AN UN-ENDING,, “DOWN” ESCALATOR…
Sad Reality: A LOT of PEOPLE SEE CHRISTIANITY — MERELY a SET of MORALS
LADDER to CLIMB
RIGHTEOUSNESS to ATTAIN
EARNING YOUR WAY to GOD IS NOT the GOSPEL!
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Good News: WHEN WE WERE HOPELESS in OUR ASCENT, CHRIST MADE the DESCENT…
REACHED US WHERE WE ARE
EXTENDED GRACE & FORGIVENESS
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
SINNERS. HE CAME to SAVE SINNERS…
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WE MERELY HAVE to BELIEVE ON CHRIST—PUTTING OUR TRUST in HIM
SEEING OUR SIN for WHAT it IS— TURNING to CHRIST for SALVATION HE PROVIDES
Invitation: YOU CAN RECEIVE CHRIST TODAY— & BE RECONCILED to GOD… NOT BY YOUR WORK, BUT CHRIST’S. NOT BY YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS...BUT BY CHRIST’S
Questions? See me after…
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Transition ➡ RETURNING to CONTEXT…
CHILDREN of SLAVERY—TRYING to EARN THEIR WAY...
… BUT THERE IS ANOTHER KIND—of CHILDREN.
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 26
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Thought 3: The Jerusalem Above (v26)
Thought 3: The Jerusalem Above (v26)
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Contrasting “Present Jerusalem” — SLAVERY
EARNING YOUR WAY to GOD = BONDAGE
LAW—GIVEN TEMPORARILY—UNTIL “FULNESS of TIME!”
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Ref. Tom Schreiner— JERUSALEM ABOVE = HEAVENLY JERUSALEM—REACHING DOWN INTO the PRESENT AGE
“Jerusalem Above” = FREE
**Disclaimer** DOESN’T MEAN—LIVE LAWLESSLY
DOES MEAN: RIGHT-STANDING W/ GOD DOESN’T DEPEND UPON YOU.
FREE from LEGALISTIC BONDAGE
Message of the Law: YOU AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH
Message of the Gospel: CHRIST WAS GOOD ENOUGH.
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Transition ➡ PAUL HAS FURTHER SUPPORT from SCRIPTURE…
HE’S GOING to QUOTE ISAIAH 54…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 27
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Thought 4: The Barren Rejoicing (v27)
Thought 4: The Barren Rejoicing (v27)
27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”
THIS = PROPHECY in ISAIAH for “POST-EXILE” ISRAEL.
ISRAEL GOING INTO EXILE = DESOLATE, BARREN, SUFFERING
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ISAIAH PREDICTS FUTURE HOPE & RESTORATION…
NOT ONLY of RETURN to HOMELAND—
BUT ALSO of GENTILES GRAFTED IN…
Scholar, Doug Moo— NOTES THAT ISAIAH 54… = RIGHT on the HEELS of ISAIAH 53—PREDICTION of SUFFERING SERVANT—CHRIST.
ULTIMATE “RETURN from CAPTIVITY” = ACCOMPLISHED in CHRIST!
WHO FREES the SINNER—BOTH JEW & GENTILE
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Transition ➡ PAUL WILL MAKE THIS CLEARER
LOOK W/ ME @ VS 28-29
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Thought 5: Children of Promise, Persecuted by Children of the Flesh (v28–29)
Thought 5: Children of Promise, Persecuted by Children of the Flesh (v28–29)
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Recap: GAL 3:16-17…
PROMISES to ABRAHAM’S OFFSPRING = SINGULAR— “CHRIST”
ALL “IN CHRIST” = HEIRS of the PROMISE
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IF WE ARE “IN CHRIST”… NOT “IN ADAM” … WE ARE CHILDREN of PROMISE
**MEANING ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH GOD’S SPIRIT—NOT HUMAN STRIVING**
ISAAC = GOD’S WORK
OUR SPIRITUAL REBIRTH = GOD’S WORK.
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(V29) THOSE WHO WANT to EARN THEIR WAY DETEST GRACE
ISHMAEL CAUSED PROBLEMS for ISAAC…
JUDAIZERS CAUSED PROBLEMS for GALATIANS…
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Transition ➡ TO THIS… PAUL HAS a FINAL CONCLUSION.
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 30-31
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Thought 6: Conclusion—Casting Away the Children of the Slave (v30–31)
Thought 6: Conclusion—Casting Away the Children of the Slave (v30–31)
30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Historical Background: AFTER PROBLEMS BETWEEN ISAAC & ISHMAEL— ISHMAEL & HAGAR WERE SENT AWAY
Paul’s Conclusion: CAST OFF WORKS-RIGHTEOUSNESS…
& THOSE WHO PUT FORTH WORKS of LAW in CONTRAST to GRACE
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Scary Reality: FLESH & PROMISE HAVE DIFFERENT INHERITANCE…
MANY TRY to WORK THEIR WAY to HEAVEN & NEVER MAKE IT.
TRYING to CLIMB the LADDER of SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS… LADDER = SET AGAINST WRONG BUILDING.
**RECAP: SALVATION BY WORKS = DOCTRINE of DEVILS…
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(v31) CLIMAXING ARGUMENT: WE ARE CHILDREN of the FREE—THOSE of PROMISE…
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Transition ➡ ALL in ALL…
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VI. Application
VI. Application
Passage Idea: Heirs of promise are free, for they depend on the Promiser, not their own efforts.
IN LIFE—WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT PATHS:
DOING THINGS OUR WAY
DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY.
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THIS CAN APPLY to ANY AREA of LIFE
Most Important: SALVATION
GOD’S WAY = CHRIST.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Exhort: WE DON’T GET to PAVE OUR OWN WAY to HEAVEN—WE MUST TRUST in CHRIST & DEPEND WHOLLY UPON HIM…
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Challenge: IF YOU’RE a CHILD of PROMISE—BORN of GOD’S SPIRIT—DESTINED for GLORY…
… YOUR PRIMARY DECISION-MAKING PARADIGM SHOULD BE DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY.
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AGAIN THERE are TWO PATHS WE CAN CHOOSE:
GOING OUR WAY
FOLLOWING SINFUL DESIRES
FOLLOWING WORLD’S STANDARDS/WAYS of DOING THINGS
PURSUING PERSONAL GAIN
GOING GOD’S WAY
FOLLOWING CHRIST, NARROW GATE,, on PATH of LIFE
OPENING GOD’S WORD— INSTRUCTION for HOW to LIVE…
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
IF WE HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST & GOT THAT RIGHT—
THEN THAT SAME DECISION of GOING GOD’S WAY
SHOULD GUIDE US DAY BY DAY. AMEN?
!! Close in Prayer !!
**Prep for Communion**
