Lesson
47 September 25, 2002
Review:
4:31 Conclusion
So
then (dio indicates
conclusion of paragraph) brethren, (Galatian believers) we are not children of a bondwoman, but (alla) of
the free woman.
Summary 4:30
1. Note the comparisons we've seen in the
allegory:
Bond
woman Free
woman
Hagar Sarah
Son
from legalism Son from promise
Mosaic
Covenant Abrahamic
Covenant
Physical
Jerusalem Spiritual Jerusalem
2. Sons of the bondwoman are slaves to legalism.
3. Sons of the free woman are heirs of the
promise by faith.
4. Sons of
the free woman can become like sons of the bond- woman in their life if they
fall into the trap legalism.
5. But
notice, even though the Galatians had gotten involved in legalism, they are still classed as
"sons of the free-woman."
Galatians Chapter
5
Intro:
5:1 Transition to the last major section of
Galatians [theme and focus]
4:31 So
then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.
5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us
free;
freedom evleuqeri,a release from slavery
This gift of freedom is bound to the giver or
source of this freedom, that Christ
set us free evleuqero,w verb, to make
free or set free
Summary
1. Jesus Christ's work on the cross was designed
to set us free!
2. This
statement totally rejects the possibility that the means of this freedom that
we have in Christ lies within the realm of our own ability or capacity therefore
it is not by works.
3. As freed
slaves we must develop the capacity for freedom.
4. Doctrine
resident in you is the basis for the capacity to enjoy and appreciate this
freedom. John 8:31-32, 36; James 1:25;
2:12
5. This
freedom becomes a reality experientially in our lives, f2, only when the Holy Spirit
is empowering the life. 2 Cor.
3:17; Rom. 8:2-4
6.
Functionally what does this freedom say to us? That we as believers are no longer a slave to
our sin nature with its lust patterns and human good. It no longer has to rule
or dominate our life. Rom 6:16, 18
7. This
freedom can be a reality regardless of the political, or economic system in which one lives.
8. The
Galatians need to remember that they were delivered from slavery to idolatry
and paganism when they believed in Christ and now some have and others are on
the verge of reverting to another form of slavery to live their lives.
9. What
should their lives (and ours) be characterized by? Dependence on the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit who illuminates the truth, fills us with it so that we can be occupied
with Christ and His thinking. Heb.
12:1-2