In and Out (Galatians 4:21-31) Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, March 10, 2013

Study on Galatians Early letter Focus on freedom Use in history Main ideas so far – Paul’s right to speak – It’s a mistake to exclude people because we all (Jew and Gentile) come to God through faith (not laws)

Galatians 4: Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.

Galatians 4: This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.

Galatians 4: For it is written, “Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For more numerous are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband.”28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

Galatians 4: But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.

Allegory Son of bondwoman, Ishmael of Hagar, born according to flesh, representing the covenant that comes from Mount Sinai (Law) and the current state of affairs in Jerualem Son of freewoman, Isaac of Sarah, born according to promise (‘of the Spirit’), representing a covenant built on faith and grace and ‘the Jerusalem above’

Question of Law—true Law Martin Luther King, Jr. in ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ to ‘fellow clergymen’ who criticized him for breaking ‘the law’

Who’s In and Out? One system ‘casts out’ those that don’t keep similar laws, those that don’t eat or live ‘the right way’ The other accepts everyone who will allow the real goodness of God to be born in their souls How can you tell who’s in this group?

Perhaps it has to do with John 14:6? 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Possible Meanings Prayer-based conversion of the soul A real act that changed everything for all people (whether they know it or not) A Life and teaching that is completely in line with the flow and direction of God’s life (we participate in it to the extent that we flow in the same direction) Jesus is the Judge as well as the ultimate means by which we are transformed

Simone Weil: two kinds of people those who recognize and appreciate a foundation of goodness outside of themselves and grab hold of it... are changed by it

Sheep and Goats There is a distinction in Scripture between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ from God’s perspective

Implications For Others For Ourselves For the Church