May 20, 2012
Morning Service

Galatians 4

 

Review:   Wednesday evening we began studying  the letter to the Galatians.  We were able to cover the first three chapters.  In this letter Paul is refuting the teachers of Judaism, that are saying that these Gentiles must keep the law, and customs of the Jews in order to be saved.

Chapter 1:

1. Paul makes a very strong statement, Gal 1:8-9 KJVR  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

So we can see how important it is to know the gospel the Apostle preached, and preach it.

2. He went on to explain how he received it.  “Not from man, but direct revelation from God.”

Chapter 2:

1. Paul told them of taking this before the leaders of the church in Jerusalem, Acts 15.
2. Then tells of his confrontation with Peter, and Barnabas.
3. Then makes this statement;  Gal 2:20 KJVR  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
4. Then, vs 21, “if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Chapter 3:

1. Tells them that the Holy Spirit had been received by them through faith, not works.

And in case you didn’t know it, next Sunday is Pentecost.  It was on this feast day of Pentecost, that the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the disciples in the upper room, and Peter preached the first sermon concerning Jesus, and the church was born.

2. The next thing he tells them is that Abraham was justified by faith, and not by works. Gen. 15:6.
3. Paul also explained how that Jesus, by being hanged on a tree, became a curse for all mankind.  Because in Deut. 21:23 it says “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”
4. He then explains how the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ;

Gal 3:24-29 KJVR  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

It’s important for us to realize that the promise to Abraham was that “through his Seed, as in singular, all people would be blessed.”  That Seed is Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

 

NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN, AND HEIRS OF THE PROMISE.

Gal 4:1-20 KJVR  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;  (2)  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.  (3)  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 

• One thing a Christian should not be is in bondage under the elements of the world.  The THINGS of this world should be fading out of our lives, and we should be putting on more of Christ.

(4)  But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

• Fullness of time;  There is a time for everything God has in His plans.  We gotta be ready.

(5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  (6)  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

• Do you not think that there is feeling involved in this action.  You can’t have the Spirit of Christ in your heart crying Abba Father, without some feeling. 
• Always crying out to Him, in praise, in thanks, in need.  Jesus knew we would need this feeling, and that’s why He told His disciples, “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.”

THIS SON, AND DAUGHTER SHIP IS YOUR’S CHRISTIAN;

(7)  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  (8)  Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 

• Oh to know, and be known of God, how wonderful is that, and important.

(9)  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  (10)  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  (11)  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. 

• We observe days, months, times, and years, but we don’t say they contribute to our salvation.

(12)  Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.  (13)  Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.  (14)  And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.  (15)  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.  (16)  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?  (17)  They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.  (18)  But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.  (19)  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,  (20)  I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

• I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.  I keep preaching, and teaching until I look at you, and see Jesus.
• This is our ultimate goal, to be like Jesus.  Not to look physically like Him, but to possess His attributes.  Love, kindness, patience, understanding, longsuffering, compassion.  Oh to be like Him, our heavenly Father.

 

GREG HAS BEEN CHALLENGING US IN THE MEN’S LEADERSHIP MEETINGS TO BE AN EXAMPLE, AND LEADER TO ALL THOSE AROUND YOU. 

 

PAUL IS CHALLENGING US TO LET JESUS IN US, SHOW FORTH TO THE WORLD WHAT A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE, AND LOOK LIKE, JESUS.

 

MAY GOD ADD HIS BLESSINGS TO HIS WORD.