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by Denis Beausejour Series: Road to Freedom: A Hitchhiker's Guide to Galatians
The meditation music that accompanied this sermon can be found at: I Love You, Lord©CCLI The "Put On ... Put Off" handout mentioned in this message can be found at: "Put On...Put Off" ©Life Action Ministries.
Until Christ Is Morphed In You Text: Galatians 4:1-31 Background - In our last two Sundays in chapter 3 of Galatians, Paul made masterful arguments for the validity of the Gospel, and thoroughly destroyed the false-teaching of the Judaizers. In the process, he linked the three main figures in biblical history: Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Abraham received God's promises by faith. Moses mediated the Law, which convicts us of ouropposition to Godand our need for His forgiveness, and Jesus brought the fulfillment of the Law and the proof that God's promises were real. Those that trust Jesus are given Abraham's inheritance. In today's passage, chapter 4, we see a warmer Paul - the apostle, theologian, debater, gives way to the man, the pastor, and the lover of the Galatians' souls.He wants them to apply the previous chapter's truths. 1. We were once slaves, but are now sons and daughters: why go back? (verses 1-11) Note the idea of weak and miserable (elemental) principles -enslaving spiritual powers – do you have any of these? Note the focus on days, months seasons - Thanksgiving and Christmas without meaning?
2. The contrast of Isaac and Ishmael (verses 21-31) The historical aspect (verses 22-23 - see Genesis 16 and 21) The allegorical aspect (verses 24-27) The personal aspect (verses 28-31) - expect persecution and the inheritance! Isaac | Ishmael | - true son | - slave | - supernaturally born | - naturally born | - child of promise | - child of flesh (law) | - trusts in Christ | - trusts in self | - lives in freedom | - lives in bondage | - persecuted | - persecutor |
3. Pastor Paul pleads with his flock (verses 12-20) Paul is like an angel - God's messenger, with the authority of Jesus - all apostolic truth is authoritative - even the parts we do not like! Paul accuses the false teachers of not loving the people. Paul reveals his true goal –UNTIL CHRIST IS MORPHED IN YOU (See Romans 12:2, Matthew 17:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 2:6-7)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
—Psalm 139:23-24
PERSONAL REFLECTION TIME - Using the handout (link above) follow Denis' instructions. [The music in the audio may make hearing the instructions difficult. Spend time meditating on the list. Circle all that you sense applies to you. Choose three to work on, and share that information with a trusted friend and prayer partner.] Closing comments and prayer for morphing! |
