Galatians Lesson 9 - Fairhaven Baptist Church

Galatians

Lesson 9

Text: Galatians 4:8-31

Intro: In the first part of Ch.4, Paul makes the point that they were no longer under the law, but they were sons, and heirs of God. But as we will see, in the next few verses, Paul will explain the difference of being under the law, and being under grace. He will also show his great desire to see them follow after the plan of God for their lives.

What Really Happens when we turn from Liberty to Law.
1. Serving god’s that are no god’s, vs.8-11
  1. When and Now,
    1. these are two important words in the text,
      - Paul is using a Past reference as well as a present reference.
        
        Two different dispensations of time,
    2. then/ when, Vs.8 not now but some time ago,
      - what are the markers of “then”
        
        then they knew not God, vs.8
        
        then they did service to them which are by nature no gods.
        
        He of course is speaking to the different forms if idol worship that the people of Galatia came from,
        
        There were literally dozens of Roman and Greek gods, and many other pagan religions such as Norris, and for my book even Judaism.
      - And during “that” time they did service to them.
        
        Vs.10 says they observe “days, and months, and times, and years ”
        
        this is the number of Jewish festivals, and observances, new moons, the harvest, the planting, the first fruits, the Sabbath years, the year of Julie.
    3. But, Now,
      - what does Paul mean by, Now,
        
        Vs.9 after you know God, or are known of God.
        
        I Corinthians 8:3 “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”
        
        it is important for us to Know God, but also that He knows us,
        
        Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
      - But Paul wanted to make a larger point here, and that is: before they had a personal relationship with God, they did service to small g gods. But now that they know God, they want to turn back to serving those small g gods.
    4. He calls them, weak and beggarly elements, that puts them into bondage.
      - Without strength and impoverished,
  2. Has the labor been in vain?
    1. The work of freeing them, has it been in vain that they want to return to the same bondage?
      - Reality check: how many people get saved, but turn right back to the thing that kept them in bondage in the first place?
2. From Spanking to Embracing, vs.12-20
  1. Paul’s Example, vs.12-16
    1. vs.12, be as I am, for I am as you are,
      - well, the I am as you are, is a reference to the end of Ch.3, and we are all the children of God, all heirs, according to the promise,
    2. Be as I am? What was the example that Paul had set before them?
      - He mentions his time with them,
        
        he reminds them of the fondness they had for him, the way he preached even when he was under prosecution.
        
        But they stood with him,
      - he reminds them that the love they had for him was so great, that they would have plucked out their own eyes for him.
    3. But, what else is he telling them when he says be like me?
      - Think about the last chapter, how he made a point to say how he resisted anyone who added to the gospel.
        
        The Jerusalem counsel, Peter, or any other.
    4. And now, he doesn’t want them to get mad simply because he is telling them the truth,
      - at one time they applauded that, now it is an area of danger.
  2. They want you, but not for the reason you think, Vs.17&18
    1. who are they?
      - The Jews, the old religions, basically the servants of the small g gods, mentioned in vs.8&9,
      - “they zealously affect you”, they try to get you back,
      - but not for the good,
      - they want to alienate (exclude) you from us,
        
        that we no longer have influence on you.
    2. Vs.17 shows they want them back, but not for the gospel, but for their glory,
      - vs. 18 says it is good to be wanted, but for a good reason, not for the glory of man, but for the glory of God.
      - And this is a desire of God, not only when Paul is with them, God had a plan for them even when he is not there.
  3. Vs. 19&20 you see a glimpse of Paul’s heart,
    1. how he would love to be there to comfort them, and to teach them,
      - to speak encouragement to them.
3. The Two Covenants, Vs.21-31
  1. An Allegory of the two,
    1. Paul once again ask them a question, So you desire to be under the law,
      - lets take a page form the law, and show you how it is an allegory between the grace of God, and the Law.
    2. He also goes back to Abraham again, after all, this is where the “promise”was given,
      - it is one of the main points of this book, Who is an heir of the promise given to Abraham.
    3. He explains how Abraham had two sons: Issac and Ishmael,
  2. the bondmaid’s child,
    1. born after the flesh, vs.23,
      - why was the law given? Galatians 3:19 “Because of transgressions” deeds of the flesh.
      - Remember it was Abraham that made the decision to be with Hagar, to bear a son.
        
        A decision that he soon regretted.
    2. His name was Ishmael,
      - God Will hear,
    3. Son of Hagar/ Agar,
      - Her name has no origins meaning, however if you look at the letters:
        
        Hey- see or behold/ Gimmel- pride or self will/ resh- head or important
        
        see pride is head.
    4. From Mt. Sinai, the land of bondage, the place of the giving of the law,
      - Paul uses this to represent bondage,
    5. Vs.30 may seem harsh, but as an allegory, it is a picture to get rid of the bondage that was the law, and to live in freedom which is grace.
  3. In contrast to Ishmael, Issac,
    1. His name means laughter,
    2. Born of the free woman,
    3. Fulfillment of the promise of God
    4. Sarah means queen,
      - actually it is the feminine version of head chief, or captain.
    5. He represents freedom and Jerusalem,’
      - so what mountain was there?
        
        Calvary, the place where God provided freedom form sin.
    6. Paul concludes this section with, we are not the sons of the bond woman, but of the free.

Points for home:

Each of us has a past, however, we are no longer under the power or the influence of that past.
As Paul spoke truth in love, we should also want to tell the truth, but in a loving manner.
The Sons of Abraham represent two different covenants, the one of the bond, and the one of the free. Being free, what would compel us to want to enter back under bondage.