Freedom – Week 7

Galatians 3:29 – 4:7 – And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.  ¹I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, ²but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.  ³In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.  ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,  ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  ⁶And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  ⁷So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. 

Outline:

1. EXPLAIN THE TEXT:
   1. 3:29 – And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
      1. Belong to Christ = heir = future hope in Christ.
   2. 4:1-2 – ¹I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, ²but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
      1. Paul illustrates a child born into a wealthy family. He will one day inherit the family fortune, but when he is a child, he’s not given full responsibility in the business.  He’s being trained up, he’s “under tutors”.  He’s being taught things he needs to know in order to appropriately handle responsibility.
      2. The law was this tutor, looking forward to, preparing the way for the appointed time when Messiah would come.
   3. 4:3 – ³In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
      1. We have to grow up. We have to endure the maturing process. Growing up is a basic, elementary principle.  This is God’s design.
   4. 4:4 – ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law
      1. When He came, he was born under the Jewish OT law, the Torah. He grew up in a Jewish home, in Jewish culture, and lived under the law. We know from scripture that He was “without sin”.  He followed the law perfectly.  And therefore He became the “spotless lamb” who would be sacrificed for the sins of the world, for you and I.
   5. UNDER THE LAW – If you are under the law, you are under the sentence of the law.
      1. Break the law = penalty due
      2. Excuses do not = innocence, nor negate the penalty.

• EXAMPLE – speeding, 30 over, excuse – GUILTY – PENALTY DUE. Once paid, I’m FREE.

1. Penalty for breaking the OT law = DEATH!
   1. So until Messiah, all were under the law because no one kept it perfectly. So all were sentenced to death.  (ref. 2nd death).
   2. OT law did not bring salvation. It pointed to the One Who saved us.

• Paul is stating that it is foolish, even an afront to God, to be going back and living under this OT law when Christ has PAID THE PENALTY, He has FULLFILLED THE LAW and to set us free from it, to reconcile us to God.

1. Back to Example – If someone walks in the court and pays the fine, I won’t pay more.

1. 4:5 – ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
   1. Why God sent Jesus
   2. To redeem those who were under the law, that is everyone.
      1. All are born subject to the penalty of the law – death.
      2. W/O Christ, we owe the penalty for breaking the law (sin).

• So that we might receive adoption as sons.
  1. He wants us in His family.
  2. Once we’re in, we are an heir.
  3. Heirs need to mature (grow up).

1. OUR ADOPTION – we need to understand what it is all about.  Only have time for some highlights.
   1. Come to 1st hour class for more insight.
   2. Jesus was the “only begotten Son”. Although He was always a son, He was also begotten (born human).
   3. He was a child who did not receive the inheritance until He was ready. Jesus had to grow up physically, etc., just like we do.  (without sin though!)
   4. Matthew 3:13-17 – “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
      1. Not just telling everyone who Jesus is.
      2. It is a declaration of placement in the Father’s business, to obtain the inheritance.
         1. Signifies that the time has come for Jesus to receive the inheritance.
         2. Now He was already part of the trinity before He came to Earth. (See 1 John).
      3. What inheritance? Earth and those created to rule over it. (us)
      4. Jesus (2nd Adam) accomplished what 1st Adam failed:
         1. Earned right to take back Earth
         2. Rescue His bride from Satan’s grip
      5. 4:6 – ⁶And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
         1. As a son we are brought into a close, intimate relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.
      6. 4:7 – So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
         1. No longer slave to OT law
            1. Part of His family, heirs.
            2. No need to try to justify self before God. Jesus did it.
         2. We still try sometimes:
            1. Try to earn our way.
            2. Try to prove to God, self, or others that we are worthy to be part of God’s family.
            3. We are not worthy.
            4. Christ is.
            5. What we cannot do, He did.

• Here we are: Children of God.
  1. In our “growing up” phase – Sanctification
  2. When we are confronted with sanctification, it can be easy to look at our failures (sin) and then look at our relationship with God in light of the failures.
     1. We cannot earn our way into the kingdom.
     2. Christ did that for us to bring us into the family and into our sanctification.
     3. This is where we need clarity.
  3. Michelle and I have 5 children.
     1. All 5 are “begotten”, but even if we had adopted them, they would always be our children.
     2. No matter how they mess up or even rebel, it does not change their position as children or our sincere and faithful love for them.
     3. BUT, because of that love, we work with great intention to “train them up”.
  4. FREEDOM def. – Liberation from human led legalism to Spirit led righteousness.

2. Application/Take away – Grace Vs. Holiness.
   1. BECAUSE WE ARE HEIRS we are tasked with maturing, we are called to pursue righteousness, holiness.
   2. Grace vs. holiness.
      1. We know He saved us.
      2. We’re not under the law.

• BUT now I have to obey? Can be confusing.

1. In my 1st hour class I’m teaching on Rewards, many of which we have to earn. And here we are talking in Galatians about “not by works”, what a great opportunity!

1. 3 “ifications” – Justification – Sanctification – Glorification
2. Justification – by the work of Christ.
3. Sanctification – He sets us apart for Himself AND calls us to action, to pursue holiness, and to work out our salvation.
   1. 2 Cor. 7:1 – Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 
   2. Eph. 4:22-24 – ²²to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

• Heb. 12:14 – Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

1. 1 Thes. 4:3-7 – ³For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, ⁵not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. ⁷For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
2. 1 Peter 1:15-16 – ¹⁵but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
3. Phil. 2:12-13 – ¹²Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
   1. Work of sanctification, not saved by works
   2. “Fear and trembling” = realize how important it is, wanting to do well, taking it seriously.
   3. He sets us apart AND we are called to holiness.
      1. Like “repent and believe” – unto salvation
      2. God sets us apart and makes us holy, yet we are called to pursue holiness.
         1. Illustration (from Voddie Baucham) – wedding ring.
         2. My wedding ring is a symbol of being set apart for Michelle alone

• I’m not married because I wear the ring, I wear the ring because I’m married.

1. Holiness is not something we do so that we can be set apart for God. (LEGALISM)
2. We make that mistake and make lists of what not to do and what to do.
3. God does not receive us because of our obedience (holiness).

• We seek holiness because God has set us apart (makes us Holy).
• Me not pursuing another woman before marriage, was not virtuous. I had to pursue Michelle. Have to pursue them…..

1. But once married, the not pursuing means something different. Because I am set apart for her, I pursue her alone!
2. Same as our holiness. We pursue holiness, Christlikeness, pleasing Him, BEAUSE OF THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP.

1. John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
   1. Christ has no sin nature perspective.
   2. We can think of a selfish, insecure (sin nature) person saying something like this to a family member in a demanding tone.

• If we love Him, then we will desire to please Him (seek His will).

1. Obedience is not:
   1. Proving our love to Christ
   2. Proving our love for Christ to others or self
2. Deeper Knowledge of Christ/Knowing Him more = deeper love for Christ = deeper desire to be like Christ (die to self, obey Him, sanctify)

3. RECAP
   1. We are heirs according to the promise.
   2. Our present sin (failures, rebellion, etc.) do not determine our relationship (child) with God.
   3. Christ paid the fine, don’t try to add to it. It’s done!
   4. Because He paid and we are heirs:
      1. We are called to mature
   5. God has set us apart, calling us toward holiness.
   6. In fact: by His Grace we have:
      1. The Word
      2. The Holy Spirit

• The church (each other)

1. To work us toward maturity.

1. You are free to know Him, to pursue Him, to obey Him, and to be like Him.