15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 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.
1 I 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. 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. 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. —Galatians 3:15-4:7
Big Idea: In Christ we are
1. Unbreakable Freedom (v.15-25)
- a. The law does not annul Abrahamic Covenant (v.17)
- b. God deals in promises (v.18)
- c. The law was our guardian until Jesus (v.19-25)
We were held in
2. Putting on Freedom (v.26-29)
- a. Family through Faith (v.26)
- b. Put on Christ to be one in Christ (v.27-28)
- c. In Christ we are heirs to the promise (v.29)
The Gospel of
3. Inheritance of Freedom (v.1-7)
- a. Slaves set free (v.1-3)
In Christ, we are not only saved
something but also welcomed something—the incredible . —Tim Keller
- b. The adoptive work of Jesus (v.4-5)
Freedom is found when we know God is not a
- c. A change in relationship (v.6-7)
Our identity as God’s
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
In what ways can we practically “put on Christ” in our relationships, workplaces, and communities to reflect the reality of being part of God’s family?
How does understanding the adoptive work of Jesus shift our perspective on our relationship with God? What does it mean to be adopted into God’s family?
Share about a time when your relationship with God shifted from one of obligation to one of sonship/daughtership. How did this impact your faith journey?