Galatians Series # 7 For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God Galatians 3:26-4:20

For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free I. Freedom Through Revelation (Chapters 1-2) II. Freedom Through Justification (Chapters 3-4) III. Freedom Through Sanctification (Chapters 5-6)

Justification is when we are declared “not guilty,” and freed from the penalty of sin and given eternal life. Sanctification is a life-long process where we are freed from the power of sin in our daily lives through the supervision and power of the Holy Spirit living in each believer.

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God I. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Privileges (3:26-4:7) A. We Are Children of God (3:26-27)

Galatians 3:26-27 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God I. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Privileges (3:26-4:7) A. We Are Children of God (3:26-27)

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God I. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Privileges (3:26-4:7) A. We Are Children of God (3:26-27) B. We Are All Equal (3:28)

Galatians 3:29 – 4:3 “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. 4:1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.”

Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God I. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Privileges (3:26-4:7) A. We Are Children of God (3:26-27) B. We Are All Equal (3:28) C. We Are All Heirs (3:29-4:7)

By grace through faith in the blood. The only way of salvation: By grace through faith in the blood.

“when time had fully come” (4:4) Greek Influence: The Greek Religions were dying. The Greek Religions were dying. The Greek philosophies destroyed the faith of the people in the pagan gods. The Greek philosophies destroyed the faith of the people in the pagan gods. Spiritual hunger was everywhere. Spiritual hunger was everywhere. The Greek language was the universal language of that area. The Greek language was the universal language of that area.

“when time had fully come” (4:4) Roman Influence: The Roman Peace ( Pax Romana), 200 years of peace which allowed for free travel and cultural exchange among nations. The Roman Peace ( Pax Romana), 200 years of peace which allowed for free travel and cultural exchange among nations. The Roman Roads, a modern road system allowing for safe and speedy travel to all parts of the empire. The Roman Roads, a modern road system allowing for safe and speedy travel to all parts of the empire. Crucifixion became the Roman form of capital punishment. Crucifixion became the Roman form of capital punishment.

“when time had fully come” (4:4) Hebrew Influence: The Jewish synagogue – during the Babylonian captivity the Jews formed synagogues. The Jewish synagogue – during the Babylonian captivity the Jews formed synagogues. The Hebrew Scriptures - Ezra brought together the Hebrew Scriptures that we now call the Old Testament. The Hebrew Scriptures - Ezra brought together the Hebrew Scriptures that we now call the Old Testament. The Septuagint - Old Testament in Greek The Septuagint - Old Testament in Greek

“God sent his Son, born of a woman, under the law” (v 4) If Christ had not been God he would not be able to save anyone. If Christ had not been human, He could not have redeemed humans by dying. If He had not lived under the law and been a sinless law-keeper, He could not have redeemed sinful law-breakers.

“that we might receive full rights as sons” (v 5) “adoption as sons.” Redemption moves us from slavery to freedom Adoption moves us from freedom to heirs with full rights as sons.

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” Galatians 5:16 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Contrasts Between Slaves and Sons: A son has the nature of his Father, while the slave does not. A son has a father, while the slave has a master. A son obeys out of love, while a slave obeys out of fear. A son is rich, while a slave is poor. A son has a future, while a slave does not.

Ephesians 1:13-14 “…Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance...”

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God I. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Privileges (3:26-4:7) A. We Are Children of God (3:26-27) B. We Are All Equal (3:28) C. We Are All Heirs (read 3:29-4:7)

Galatians 4:8-11 “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God-- or rather are known by God-- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.”

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God II. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Responsibilities (4:8-20) A. A Responsibility Not To Return To Legalism (4:8-11)

The Way To Christian Maturity The Way Is Not Legalism Legalism is the keeping of religious rules by the power of my own human ability in order to impress God and earn His favor. The Proper Way Is Walking In The Spirit The opposite of legalism is living an obedient, disciplined and holy life under the supervision and power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 4:12-16 “I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God II. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Responsibilities (4:8-20) A. A Responsibility Not To Return To Legalism (4:8-11) B. A Responsibility To Maintain Proper Fellowship (4:12-16)

Galatians 4:17-20 “Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!”

Justification By Faith And Our Relationship With God II. Justification Gives Us Spiritual Responsibilities (4:8-20) A. A Responsibility Not To Return To Legalism (4:8-11) B. A Responsibility To Maintain Proper Fellowship (4:12-16) C. A Responsibility To Maintain Proper Motivation (4:17-20)

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”