MEET YOUR MOTHER Galatians 4:19-31

Paul longed to see Christ formed in Galatians believers “Travail” Paul longed to see Christ formed in Galatians believers Paul used the law appealed by Judaizers to prove that Christian are not under the law. Ishmael & Isaac (Gen 16-21) Allegory: narrative that has a deeper meaning behind the story Example: John Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress Hidden meanings

75-Abraham was called by God to go to Canaan Historical Facts (4:19-23) Gen. 12-21 75-Abraham was called by God to go to Canaan 85-Sarah was impatient & allowed Hagar to be pregnant through Abraham 86-Ishamael was born, Abraham’s son (Gen. 16:4- 16) 99-God spoke to Abraham & promised again that he will have a son through Sarah. God appeared again & reaffirmed the promise to Sarah (Gen. 17-18) 100-Isaac (laughter) was born (Gen. 21:1-7) 103-Jews wean their children at age of 3 years Ishmael started to mock (Gen 21:8ff) Hagar and Ishmael had to go

Abraham, two wives & two sons represent spiritual realities. The Old Covenant Law Hagar the slave Ishmael, conceived after the flesh Earthly Jerusalem in bondage The New Covenant Grace Sarah the free woman Isaac, miraculously conceived Heavenly Jerusalem which is free

The Spiritual Truth (4:24-29) Two sons, Ishmael & Isaac The physical birth that makes us sinners & the spiritual birth that makes us the children of God Isaac – He was born by God’s power. 25 years waitng Abraham: faith & Sarah: grace Eph. 2:8-9 He brought joy Isaac means laughter Salvation: an experience of joy

He grew and was weaned (Gen. 2:18) Salvation is the beginning We must grow (I Peter 2:2, II Peter 3:18) We must lay aside “childish things” (I Cor. 13:11) A child doesn’t enjoy being weaned He was persecuted (Gen. 21:9) Ishmael caused problems for Isaac; likewise, our old nature causes problem for us Ishmael caused no problem at home until Isaac’ birth; likewise our old nature causes

problem when we trust Christ & receive the new nature Hagar vs. Sarah; law vs. grace Ishmael vs. Isaac-flesh vs. Spirit Judaizers taught that law made the believer more spiritual while Paul explained clearly that the law only releases the opposition of the flesh (Romans 7:19) Hagar was Abraham’s second wife God begins with Sarah, not Hagar God began with grace in Eden by providing

Adam & Eve with coats of skin for coverings With Israel, God worked on the basis of grace Covenant with Abraham was with grace Deliverance from Egypt was a basis of grace Law was added like Hagar, Abraham’s second wife Hagar performed temporarily like a law (4:24-25) Hagar was a slave 5 times: bondmaid or bondwoman (4:22-23, 30-31)

Hagar though married was still a servant Law was given as a servant (3:19) Law was given as a mirror to reveal man’s sins (Rom. 3:20) Law was given as a monitor to control men and lead them to Christ (Gal. 3:23-23) Law was never a mother Hagar was not meant to bear a child Out of will of God due to Abraham’s and Sarah’s unbelief and impatience Law couldn’t give life, gift of the Spirit, or spiritual inheritance

No religion, or law could give dead sinner life unlike Christ Hagar gave birth to a slave Ishmael was a wild man and nobody can control him Old nature at law with God and law can’t control or change it Hagar was cast out God approved this. Impossible for law & grace, flesh & Spirit, to compromise and stay together Hagar was not married again

Judaizers wants to wed Mt. Sinai & heavenly Mt. Sinai (Heb Judaizers wants to wed Mt. Sinai & heavenly Mt. Sinai (Heb. 12:22), but this would deny what Jesus did at Calvary Practical Blessing (4:30-31) Christians like Isaac are the children of promise by grace The covenant of grace is our spiritual mother The law and old nature want to persecute us & bring us into bondage We can try to change them This will fail for we can’t change neither law nor old nature (John 3:36)

We can compromise This doesn’t work in Abraham’s home “How turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements?” (4:9) We can cast them out That’s what we supposed to do. Legalism is barren for it can’t give life or fruitfulness Holding on to grace church spread across the world in fruitfulness Legalism is one of the major problem among Christians today

Legalism means worshipping spiritual standards Pharisees held high standards yet they crucified Jesus Old nature loves legalism Legalistic religious people often fight & have division “Ye bite and devour one another” (5:15)

“Cast out the bondwoman & her son” You can’t mix law & grace for it will lead to frustrated, barren Christian life What’s the secret to fruitful life? Holy Sprirt