Summary

Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to contrast two covenants—slavery under the law and freedom through promise in Christ. Christ has purchased our freedom, not so we could return to legalism or indulge the flesh, but so we could joyfully serve one another in love. True gospel freedom rests on Christ’s finished work alone, not our performance.

Key Points from the Sermon

• Those who trust law-keeping for righteousness are children of the slave woman; those who trust the promise are children of the free woman (Galatians 4:21-31).
• Christ plus anything equals Christ minus; accepting the law as a means of justification severs you from Christ (Galatians 5:2-4).
• The offense of the cross is that it destroys human boasting; the gospel humbles the sinner and exalts the Savior (Galatians 5:11).
• True saving faith cannot be lost; those who ‘fall away’ reveal they never truly possessed saving grace (John 10:27-29).
• Gospel freedom is not freedom from obedience, but freedom for joyful obedience without fear of condemnation (Galatians 5:13).
• The whole law is fulfilled in loving your neighbor as yourself. We are freed to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13-14).

Scripture Readings

Galatians 4:21-31 - Paul’s allegory of Hagar and Sarah illustrating the two covenants. Slavery under law versus freedom through promise.

Galatians 5:1-6 - Paul’s central command to stand firm in freedom and his warning against trusting in the law for justification.

Galatians 5:13-15 - The proper use of Christian freedom; not as license for the flesh, but as opportunity to serve one another in love.

Discussion Questions

Read Galatians 4:21-31

1. What are the two covenants Paul describes through Hagar and Sarah? What characterizes each one, and which one represents Christians?

Read Galatians 5:1-4

2. What does Paul mean when he says those seeking to be justified by the law are ‘severed from Christ’ or ‘fallen away from grace’? Why are these such strong words?

Compare Galatians 5:1 with John 10:27-29 and 1 John 2:19.

3. How do these passages together help us understand what it means to ‘fall away from grace’?

4. The sermon described two ditches on the road: legalism (earning favor) and license (using freedom for the flesh). Which ditch are you more naturally tempted to fall into, and why?

Read Galatians 5:13-15

5. Paul says we were called to freedom, but immediately commands us to serve one another in love. How does true gospel freedom actually produce sacrificial love rather than selfishness?

6. Where in your life are you trusting in ‘Christ plus’ something—your performance, religious activity, or good behavior—rather than Christ alone? What would it look like this week to rest fully in His finished work?

Application

This Week’s Challenge: This week, re-read Galatians 5 and ask God to remove any burden of legalism and to give a desire to freely serve God for His own glory.

Prayer Focus: Pray that God would reveal any area where you’re trusting your own performance for your standing before Him, and would deepen your confidence in Christ’s finished work so that you serve others from freedom, not fear.

Memory Verse

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1

Resources

• Commentary on Galatians by Martin Luther
• Galatians (MacArthur New Testament Commentary) by John MacArthur