Sermon Tone Analysis

Back to Bondage

After a long, dry sermon, the minister announced that he wished to meet with the church's board following the close of the service.

The first man to arrive and greet the minister was a total stranger.

"You misunderstood my announcement.

This is a meeting of the board members," explained the minister.

"I know," said the man, "but if there is anyone here more bored than I am, I'd like to meet him."

Tonight is going to be more of a study than a typical sermon but these verses are a great help in understanding the entire context of this epistle.

When I finish tonight some of you may get together and go buy me a dog! Tonight is going to be more of a study than a typical sermon but these verses are a great help in understanding the entire context of this epistle.

In these few verses Paul begins to draw some contrasts between the Abrahamic & Mosaic covenants.

So let's dig in and see what Paul had to say to the recipients of this letter.

I.

The Reference -

Here Paul specifically refers to those who believed it was necessary to keep the Law of Moses.

The reference that he uses is one that would clearly speak to his readers... he uses Abraham as an example.

Abraham had two sons:

1) Ishmael who was from Hagar (a bondwoman)

2) Isaac who was of Sarah (a free woman)

Throughout this epistle the Law has represented bondage.

We have also seen time and time again that grace represents freedom.

Paul states in verse 23 that "Ishmael was born after the flesh; but Isaac was born promise".

The Flesh - The reason that Ishmael was born was because Abraham and Sarah were impatient and showed a lack of faith in God's promise.

Things didn't happen when and how they thought that it should so they took matters into their own hands.

Regardless of their rebellion, in His time... GOD FULFILLED HIS PROMISE!

Illustration of the Flesh - Just react ------ purchase a conversion van; a firebird

Even in their old age God enabled Abraham and Sarah to conceive Isaac.

Even in their old age God enabled Abraham and Sarah to conceive Isaac.

Israel and the Law were symbolic of the bondwoman's children.

Isaac and eventually Abraham's promised seed (Jesus) came from the freewoman as a result of promise.

It was important for Paul to address this issue among the Galatian believers.

It was a way of refuting the teaching of the Judaizers.

But it was also beneficial information for them to possess.

Paul was reminding them what they had been delivered from.

Example - what we have been freed from - Sin the flesh and the devil ....

It is beneficial for us to look at God's Word and His work thought history that has brought us to where we are.

It is beneficial for us to look at God's Word and His work thought history that has brought us to where we are.

And even more so, He will eventually lead us home!

This morning we talked about those who have "retreated".

Those who have experienced the freedom that comes through Christ and then have voluntarily returned to bondage.

Bondage of the world....

Maybe you are here and you are on the verge of retreating yourself.

Maybe you are facing difficulty and have began to lose ground spiritually speaking.

Can I encourage you to remember where you were before Jesus.

Consider where He has brought you from and all that He has done for you!

And remember the bondage and oppression that you came out of.

I believe that if you consider those things it may help keep you from retreating!

Paul starts this section of his letter with a reference, but as he goes on he begins to reveal some important truths to his readers.

Do you really want to go back to that?

Illustration - sin of weekend partying ----- never ending cycle of living for the weekend then doing it all over again

II.

The Revelation -

gal 4.24-

In these verses Paul goes further in explaining what he calls an "allegory.

Allegory (al-uh-gawr-ee) A story that has a deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning.

The Greek word was used of a story that conveyed a meaning beyond the literal sense of the words.

In this account Paul uses Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, Ishmael and the Mosaic and Abrahamic covenants to illustrate a spiritual truth.

Ultimately what we have here is a contrast between the Law and Grace.

Paul revealed several contrasts in this allegory:

2 Mothers (Sarah & Hagar) - Sarah was the wife of Abraham.

In this "allegory" Sarah represents the covenant of promise.

Hagar was Sarah's handmaid (personal servant) It was Sarah's idea for Abraham to conceive a child with her handmaid.

gne 16.1

2 Sons (Isaac & Ishmael) - Ishmael represents the flesh and the Law.

Isaac represents the Spirit, freedom and grace.

2 Births (Fleshly & Spiritual)

Hagar represents the Mosaic covenant (the law).

Paul states that this covenant "gendereth to bondage" it produces children for slavery.

Hagar (a slave) gave birth to a son named Ishmael.

Ishmael was born into bondage or slavery because of his mother.

The Law puts those subject to it into spiritual slavery.

There are two births for us today!

There is the physical birth (flesh) and then the spiritual birth (spirit)

2 Covenants (Abrahamic & Mosaic)

D. 2 Covenants (Abrahamic & Mosaic)

Paul mentions two covenants.

The Mosaic and Abrahamic.

We saw in chapter 3 that God's covenant with Moses could not and did not supersede or interfere with God's covenant with Abraham.

Paul mentions two covenants.

The Mosaic and Abrahamic.

We saw in chapter 3 that God's covenant with Moses could not and did not supersede or interfere with God's covenant with Abraham.

The Mosaic covenant had a purpose but as we saw back in chapter 3 it was never intended to be a way of salvation.

Many people believe that there was a way of salvation for the Old Testament saint.

And that there is another way of salvation for the New Testament saint.

* Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.

He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The Mosaic covenant had a purpose but as we saw back in chapter 3 it was never intended to be a way of salvation.

Many people believe that there was a way of salvation for the Old Testament saint.

And that there is another way of salvation for the New Testament saint.

This concept is refuted throughout this Epistle:

gal 3.10-1

* For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

* Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

The purpose of the Mosaic Covenant was only to show all who were under its demands and condemnation their desperate need for salvation by grace alone .

Simply put the Law was intended to point people to the Savior!

2 Jerusalem's (Old & New)