Untitled Sermon (4)

Part 1: REBUKE BASED ON ARGUMENT FROM ANALOGY (4:8–11)

Gal 4:8-11 “8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.”

V8 Slaves to pagan gods. Idolatry. Slaves to the law.

V9 Be known by God, saved through God and knowing God. Ultimately saved by him knowing us.

V 10 - Judizers following the Mosaic calendar looking for favor in ritual.

V11 Labored in vain because you do not get it.

Part 2: V. A RELATIONAL APPEAL (4:12–20)

Gal 4:12-20 “12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”

V 12 - Follow my example. You brought me in. You rejected legalism as I did. Let us return to the grace of Christ not the false gospel of legalism.

The end of V12 points to 13-14

V13-14 They took Paul in and cared for him. They cared for him at great difficulty.

They did him no wrong and cared for him while listening to his teaching

V15 Where did you go wrong.

V16 Why do you no longer believe me

V17 - The motives of the false teachers is clear, to distract them. To shut them out.

V18 God to be made much of for good, but dont seek it.

V19 Anguish for their growth

V20 I want to come and help you, because I am confused by what you are doing.