To Know & Be Known

Who do you know?

One of the ways we stick out in this world is by who we know. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

What do you know?

Related to the first but sometimes more important. Sometimes knowledge leads to passion.

We want what is familiar.

This is a constant struggle of humanity. We want what we know. This is the issue of our passage this morning.

The struggle to go back.

Churches, individuals, and others are all wanting to go “back to pre-covid” and for the most part 30 years prior. This is not new. The nation of Israel in the wilderness, and beyond.

Legalism is a step backwards from Christ.

A list of things one must or must not do. If we are not careful in our desire for the familiar we will create a system that goes to being “told” what to do and then we run the risk of missing Jesus all together.

Legalism/works is about what you know.

This is all about what is known and doing the “right” thing.

Legalism/works/rules leads to slavery.

Any system set up like these will lead to slavery and immaturity.

In your efforts, don’t miss Christ.

This is what happened with Sarah which led to Ishmael.

Having Christ formed in us is hard work.

Notice the analogy Paul uses in this. Maturing in Christ is not some sort of “easy” process. It is going to hurt at times. In fact, this is why some stop following Jesus and go back to an “easier” way; It takes constant effort and intentionality to have Christ be formed in us.

This leads to being known by God.

Being known by God starts with his grace and is sustained by his grace and ends in an act of his grace when he brings us home.

Being known by God leads to freedom.

This is the point of what Paul is trying to make here. This is why Paul allegorically uses the story of Sarah and Hagar.

Where are we trying to get back to?

As a church, as a community, as a family?

Is your passion for good?

Is it drinking from a hose or a firehose? Does your passion divide or unify. Does your passion leave room for grace and freedom?

May our familiar not get in the way of the future.

The Judaizers were familiar with the Law, so was Paul, and that became a stumbling block for their salvation and for future generations.