Galatians 4:1-7I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

Galatians 4:1-74 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:1-76 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Live Out the True Gospel Mar 9 Live out the true gospel: Introduction Galatians 1Mar 16 Live out the true gospel: Free from legalism Galatians 2Mar 23 Live out the true gospel: Faith not work Galatians 3Mar 30 Live out the true gospel: Grace and forgiveness Galatians 4Apr 6 Live out the true gospel: Bearing one another's

burdens Galatians 6

Apr 13 Live out the true gospel: By the Spirit not our flesh Galatians 5

Live Out the True Gospel:Grace and Forgiveness

Galatians 4:1-7

IntroductionGalatians 3:26-29 - for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Main IdeaThe Gospel reveals God’s grace and forgiveness which makes us sons of God and heirs by faith in Christ

OutlineI. we were enslaved (v 3)

II. we were made sons (vs 4-5)

III. we are heirs (vs 6-7)

Galatians 4:33 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

I. We were enslaved“elementary principles of the world”Comparing this to the negative dimensions of the previous era (Gal 3:15–25) - it must refer to the law that came after the promise (vv. 15–18), to its sin-revealing purpose (v. 19), to its temporal limitations (v. 19), to its inferior status because of its need for mediation (vv. 19–20), to its inability to bring life (v. 21), and to its imprisoning function (vv. 22–25).

- NIV Application Commentary

I. We were enslaved“elementary principles of the world”

Thus, it is best to see “basic principles” as a reference to the law in its negative and suspended features.

I. We were enslavedGod intended the law to reveal sin and to drive men to Christ; Satan uses it to reveal sin and to drive men to despair.

God meant the law as an interim step to man’s Justification; Satan uses it as the final step to his condemnation.

God meant the law to be a stepping-stone to liberty; Satan uses it as a cul-de-sac, deceiving his dupes into supposing that from its fearful bondage there is no escape.

-John Stott

II. We were made sons Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

II. We were made sonsA God sent his Son,

B born of a woman, born under the law,B´ to redeem those under the law,

A´ that we might receive our full rights as sons.

III. We are heirsGalatians 4:6-7 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Conclusion