We Are Sons of God

Sermon Notes

Galatians 3:26–4:7 NKJV

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 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 neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 3. The Exegesis of the Letter

He cries Abba. The word pater (πατερ) (father) is the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic word Abba. Aramaic is the language which the Jews spoke in Palestine in the first century. Paul translates the word Abba for his Greek readers who were not acquainted with Aramaic. It is possible that the use of the name Abba was derived from the Lord Jesus. When reporting in Greek the word Jesus used, His hearers would use the Aramaic Abba with a sort of affectionate fondness as the very term Jesus used to express the wonderful thought of filial relationship to God.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: The Logic of Law (Galatians 3:15–29)

This does not mean that our race, political status, or sex is changed at conversion; but it does mean that these things are of no value or handicap when it comes to our spiritual relationship to God through Christ. The Law perpetuated these distinctions, but God in His grace has declared all men to be on the same level that He might have mercy on all men (Rom. 11:25–32).

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: It’s Time to Grow up! (Galatians 4:1–18)

It is unfortunate that many translations of the New Testament do not make a distinction between children of God and sons of God. We are the children of God by faith in Christ, born into God’s family. But every child of God is automatically placed into the family as a son, and as a son he has all the legal rights and privileges of a son. When a sinner trusts Christ and is saved, as far as his condition is concerned, he is a “spiritual babe” who needs to grow (1 Peter 2:2–3); but as far as his position is concerned, he is an adult son who can draw on the Father’s wealth and who can exercise all the wonderful privileges of sonship.

Observations

Through Faith we are all sons of God. (3:26-27)

All believers are one in Christ. (3:28)

We are all heirs to God’s kingdom in Christ. (3:29)

Jesus redeemed the church bringing them into the family of God. (4:1-5)

We have the indwelling Holy Spirit who leads us closer to God. (4:6-7)

Sermon Outline

At this moment in time we are in a battle.

The battle is long, hard and it escapes no one.

In this battle everyone strives for identity.

In this battle people who were once companions have now become enemies.

In this battle the world is dictating the story.

In this battle, the church finds itself right in the middle of.

At this moment vaccine mandates have turned friends to enemies.

The world is commentating on how we should act and treat each other and a place where we all should no better you would think the church knows better.

Yet here we are. Friend against friend. Is this really what Jesus meant by the church.

We are fighting like this is our kingdom.

When the church allows the voice of the world to drive their personal agenda, this means only one thing; our eyes have come off Jesus Christ.

When the church allows agendas to divide and seperate, this means that she has taken her eyes off Jesus.

When the church allows politics to drive a wedge between brother and sister, then she has taken her eyes off Jesus.

The Galatians Gentiles were one is Christ.

They had everything they needed for unity and prosperity.

So what changed? Their position in Christ? Absolutely not!

What changed was when they fixed their eyes off Jesus and onto those whom would decieve them.

With this, Paul brought some great truth back to their attention in the hope it would motivate them to return back to their first love.

Paul gives five fundamental truths to the unity of these believers.

His aim was to win back their focus back on Jesus their first love.

It is this aim that I wish for us to return this morning and moving forward.

There are Five ways we are connected as sons of God.

We are connected through faith. (3:26-27)

We are connected in Christ. (3:28)

We are connected by promise. (3:29)

We are connected by means of redemption. (4:1-5)

We are connected by the indwelling Holy Spirit. (4:6-7)

“Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; he waited until one of them turned to him.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

Jesus has no obligation to make our lives any easier to live than His was.

Jesus has no obligation to make our lives any more prosperous then His.

Jesus doesnt have to do anymore than what He has already done on the cross.

The obligation rests on each of His people to do what is right and benefitial to spiritual growth.

Galatians 6:7 NKJV

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

1 Peter 5:6–7 NKJV

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.