Galatians: Son or Slave

Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris continued in our series through the book of Galatians. Chris shared how we were created to live intimately with God as our loving Father. In His desire to be close to us, God sent His son to restore relationship with us as his heirs and children. Chris encouraged us to ask ourselves how we approach the Father: as an heir or as a slave? If we view God as a father rather than a Pharoah, we will live in light of the inheritance He has generously promised us.

Under the Law or Under Grace?

Galatians 3:23–25 (ESV)

²³ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. ²⁴ So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

3 categories of Laws in the Old Testament 

1. Ceremonial Laws
   1. Relates specifically to Israel’s worship (Leviticus 1:1-13). 
   2. Primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ. Therefore, the laws are no longer necessary after Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Ex: animal sacrifice). 
2. Civil Laws
   1. Dictated Israel’s daily living (Deuteronomy 24:10). 
   2. At times, Paul asked Gentile Christians to follow some of these, not because they had to, but in order to promote unity. 
3. Moral Laws
   1. Example is the ten commandments. They reveal the nature and will of God. 
   2. Followers of Jesus desire to live these, not to obtain salvation, but to live in this way by following the Holy Spirit. 

The Kingdom Salad Bowl

Galatians 3:26–29 (ESV)

 ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Matthew 19:4 (ESV)

⁴ He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,

Mark 10:6 (ESV)

⁶ But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’

One New Man with Jesus

Ephesians 2:14–16 (ESV)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵ by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Ephesians 1:23 (The Message)

²³ The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

Son or a Slave?

Galatians 4:1–3 (ESV)

¹ I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 

Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)

⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 

Galatians 4:6–7 (ESV)

⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

How do you see the Lord: Pharaoh or Father?

Do you live as a son or a slave?

• The slave has a master. The son has a father. 

Romans 8:15–16 (ESV)

¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

• The slave is a hireling. The son is an heir. 

Romans 8:17 (ESV)

¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

• The slave is driven by duty. The son is driven by devotion. 

Luke 10:41–42 (ESV)

⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Living in Relationship with God 

Galatians 4:8–9 (ESV)

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

1. God desires to be your Father.  

2. Remember it’s all about relationship, not rules. 

3. Come to Him with your whole heart. 

Jeremiah 29:13–14 (ESV)

¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Psalm 23 (ESV)

A Psalm of David. ¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. ³ He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Discussion Questions

1. What was the goal of the Old Testament law (see Galatians 3:24)?

2. How did Jesus’ birth abolish the law?

3. How do strongholds distort our picture of who God is? Give a personal example from your life.

4. Why is it vital for us to see God rightly (as our Father, not a Pharoah)?

Application Questions

1. Ask yourself this week: how did you approach your earthly father? Has this impacted how you approach the Lord?

2. Do you have strongholds keeping you from approaching the throne of grace? Get prayer this week to work on dismantling these areas.