From Slaves to Sons | Digging Deeper

Summary

Paul demonstrates that God’s promise to Abraham predates and is not nullified by the law. The law served as a temporary guardian to expose sin, but in the fullness of time, Christ came to redeem us and adopt us as sons, making us heirs of God’s promise.

Key Points from the Sermon

God’s promise to Abraham is greater than the law and cannot be annulled by it (Galatians 3:15-18)
The law’s purpose was to expose sin and serve as a temporary guardian, not to give life or righteousness (Galatians 3:19-24)
In the fullness of time, God sent His Son, born under the law, to redeem those under the law (Galatians 4:4-5)
Redemption cost God the blood of His Son—a price we can never repay and were never expected to (Galatians 4:5)
Believers are no longer slaves but sons who cry ‘Abba, Father’ and are heirs of God (Galatians 4:6-7)
Returning to legalism after receiving grace is returning to slavery; we are called to live in gospel freedom (Galatians 4:8-11)

Scripture Readings

Galatians 3:15-22 - Paul argues that the law, given 430 years after the promise, cannot annul God’s covenant with Abraham, which is fulfilled in Christ.

Galatians 3:23-29 - The law served as a guardian until Christ came; in Christ all believers are sons of God and heirs of the promise.

Galatians 4:1-7 - Paul illustrates how Christ redeemed us so we might receive adoption as sons, with the Spirit crying ‘Abba, Father’ in our hearts.

Discussion Questions

Read Galatians 3:15-18

According to Paul, what is the relationship between God’s promise to Abraham and the law that came later? Why is the timing significant to his argument?

Read Galatians 3:19-24

What does Paul say the purpose of the law was? How does the image of a ‘guardian’ help us understand the role of the law in redemptive history?

Compare Galatians 4:4-7 with Romans 8:14-17

How do these passages together describe what it means to be adopted as sons of God? What is significant about being able to cry ‘Abba, Father’? To the original readers, this adoption language would have meant more than just being brought into a family. Being adopted as a son would have also meant full inheritance rights. How rich are God’s blessings!
Pastor Orrin noted that redemption cost God the blood of His Son—a price we can never repay. How does understanding that we cannot ‘earn back’ our redemption change the way we relate to God?

Read Galatians 4:8-11

In what areas are you tempted to live like a slave trying to earn God’s approval rather than as a son resting in His promise? What would change if you truly lived as an heir? How does this relate to our sanctification?
Pastor Orrin asked three questions: Do we believe God loves us? Do we believe He wants what’s best for us? Do we believe He knows more than us? If yes to all three, why do we still struggle to obey (Romans 7:14-25)? How can the group encourage one another toward gospel freedom this week?

Application

This Week’s Challenge: This week, pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal any areas you are living like a slave trying to earn God’s favor (through performance, religious activity, or self-condemnation). Thank God regularly that your standing rests on His unbreakable promise in Christ, not on your performance.

Prayer Focus: Pray that the Holy Spirit would be correcting our hearts, pushing us away from any notion that we can earn God’s favor and drawing us towards the truth of the Gospel.

Memory Verse

“So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” — Galatians 4:7

Resources

Galatians for You by Timothy Keller
Commentary on Galatians by Martin Luther