The sermon outline I am working on for Galatians 4:21-31. No introductions or illustrations yet, but a way to get at the text.
downoload webcopierGalatians 4:21-31 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband." 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Illustration:
How can you tell the "teams" apart? (NTW)
How can you tell someone is really a policeman?
How can you tell God's true Family? Denominations? Outward behavior? What is the real mark, "badge" of God's family?
God's Family is made of those who believe God's Promise in the Gospel.
Q1: Who desires to be "under the Law?"
Romans 10:1-4 SV Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Q2: The Back Story of Abraham's Two Sons/Two Mothers
Was this story used by the Judaizers to say that, without circumcision, the Galatian Christians won't really be part of God's family?
Q3: The Allegorical Interpretation of this Story: How do we interpret the Bible?
Accurately.
In a Christ centered way.
Flesh/Promise
Old Covenant/New Covenant
Earthly Jerusalem/Heavenly Jerusalem or Mt. Zion (City as Mother)
Slave/Free
Law/Christ
Rejoice! The Lord is your husband! God is bring a new creation out of the sinful desert of this world. He is giving a song of praise to those in despair. A promise-keeping, gracious God is the best news any of us can hear.
Q5: What difference does it make?
A. A love for Christ, not for experience.
B. A suspicion of methods and their claims.
C. Freedom from superstition
D. Freedom from silly legalism (One child persecutes the other.)
-A Decisive break- Cast out the slave woman.
E.The Joyful Fear of the Lord
F. Freedom in my personal life and relationships
G. _______ing Christ is my Motive, and my Joy
An invitation to join the Family of God by believing HIM and HIS PROMISE..
Posted by Michael Spencer at February 5, 2005 02:32 PM