Galatians 4 Born of Christ

The Galatian Dilemma The Galatians have left Christ They have followed another Gospel This new gospel is “elemental” Paul has a great “fear” for them They have fallen from Grace

In Chapter 4 we will see: They have an adoption in Christ They are turning back to slavery They have true friends and false friends; there is a way to tell them apart

The Inheritance of God The value of the testament of Christ Heirs as sons rather than servants But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

The Inheritance of God The value of the testament of Christ Heirs as sons rather than servants Only as sons is an inheritance possible The blessings as adoptive children Abba, Abba!

That Which Enslaves The observance of religious holidays Colossians 2:20-23 – They can put one into bondage – They can cause apostasy – They can cause vain worship

That Which Enslaves When can WE observe days? Colossians 2:16-17 – Individually – Fully discerning them

An Enemy Who Tells Truth True Friends will: – Speak to you the truth (4:16,20) – You need true friends – Heed Wisdom: Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse Psalms 141:5

An Enemy Who Tells Truth True Friends will: – Speak to you the truth (4:16,20) – You need true friends – Heed Wisdom: Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored - Proverbs 13:18

An Enemy Who Tells Truth True Friends will: – Speak to you the truth (4:16,20) – You need true friends – Heed Wisdom: The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding - Proverbs 15:31-32

An Enemy Who Tells Truth True Friends will: – Speak to you the truth (4:16,20) – You need true friends – Heed Wisdom: Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear Proverbs 25:12

An Enemy Who Tells Truth False Friends will: – Tell you what they want (4:17) – You need to beware of false friends – Heed Wisdom: Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly - Proverbs 26:23-26

Two Covenants Sinai vs. Zion Hagar vs. Sarah Ishmael vs. Isaac Jerusalem vs. New Jerusalem

Will You Hear the Truth? Few people are willing to listen to God Are you willing to be saved? – By obedience to the Gospel Hearing and Believing – Rom. 10:17 Confessing Christ – Rom. 10:9 Repenting from Sin – Acts 2:38 Baptism for forgiveness of sin – Acts 22:16 – By abiding in Christ & His doctrine II John 9 “….Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” Matthew 13:14-15