Precision Timing ( Galatians 4:1-5)

March 28, 2010

I.     Slaves to the basics, vv. 1-3.
A.     The problem of the Galatian churches.
     1.     They had done well in turning to Christ.
     2.     Judaizers were leading them to trust in religion.
B.     The Galatians were letting themselves be enslaved to religion.
     1.     Paul compared their situation to children.
          a.     Related to the estate children are similar to servants.
          b.     The child "owns" everything but has access to nothing.
          c.     Roman fathers set the age of formal acceptance as adults.
     2.     They were returning to the elemental forces of the world.
          1.     Refers to basic, fundamental principles.
          2.     The Galatians were turning from trust in Christ to:
               a.     Trusting in ritual/religion of Judaism.
               b.     Trusting in ritual/religion of paganism.
     C.     No amount of religion can make us right with God.

II.     The arrival of freedom, vv. 4-5.
     A.     The time was right, "completion of the time came."
          1.     No other time in history was as good.
               a.     Roman empire: roads, commerce, peace, language.
               b.     New religious beliefs challenging dying beliefs.
          2.     God had made all necessary preparations for the Messiah.
     B.     Freedom arrived in the person of Jesus.
          1.     He was both God and man: "His Son, born of a woman."
          2.     Jesus made freedom possible in two ways:
               a.     Redemption: paid the price of sin to buy our pardon.
               b.     Adoption: gives full standing/rights as sons of God.
     C.     Easter means freedom for all believers.
          1.     Jesus accomplished what we are unable to accomplish.
          2.     Living in freedom is a choice.
               a.     Trust God over self.
               b.     Obey out of love instead of duty (religion).
          3.     We are set free to experience real life.

Personal Challenges
1.     Are you a spiritual child or adult?
     a.     If you have not grown much, why?
          1)     Is it a matter of trust?
          2)     Is it a matter of spiritual laziness?
          3)     Is it a matter of not knowing what to do?
     b.     What can you do to grow?
          1)     Choose to trust God more.
          2)     Have daily time with God: Bible reading and prayer.
          3)     Participate in Bible studies.
2.     Do you know God in a personal relationship?