From Being a Slave to Philial Relationship 

Sermon: From Being a Slave to Philial Relationship
Bible Passage: Galatians 4:8-11 & 21-31

1. Comparison between the two sons of Abraham Ishmael Isaac

(a) Ishmael
(a1) Born of a slave woman
(a2) Born of normal relationship
(a3) Nothing special about the birth
(a4) Social status: slave by birth
(b) Isaac
(b1) Born of a free woman
(b2) Born of promise
(b3) Special birth
(b4) Social status: free by birth

2. The purpose of the comparison is to let the Christians know that they need not live like Ishmael when they are made to be Isaac like (vv. 28-31) [verse 28 “Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise”]

3. Christians tend to live as slaves when they are already freed (4:8-11)
(a) They like to think that they are sinners [Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus]
(b) They like to establish their relationship with the Father through good works and like to have some religious activities:
(b1) Circumcision (5:2)
(b2) Special days and months; seasons and years (4:9) [“how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces”]

4. Paul’s message for the believers is that they must cast out the slave relationship (4:30 cf. 4:22-23) (4:30 ” Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son”)

5. The son of the promise has the following (3:6-4:7)

(a) The Spirit (3:14 “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit”)
(b) Righteousness (3:11 “the righteous will live by faith”)
(c) Adoption (4:7 “So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir”)
(d) Inheritance (3:29 “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”)

Takeaway

Identify “slave spirits” in you and replace them with the Spirit of the Son