From Bondage to Freedom: Embracing Our Adoption in Christ
Summary
In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul addresses the profound implications of Christ's coming into the world. The central theme revolves around the transition from bondage under the law to the freedom and adoption as sons of God through Christ. Paul writes to the Galatians to correct the false teachings that had infiltrated their churches, which suggested that adherence to Jewish laws, such as circumcision, was necessary for true Christianity. This teaching threatened to pull the Galatians back into a state of bondage, contrary to the liberty offered through faith in Christ.
The essence of the message is that Christ's coming was not only to redeem us from the curse of the law but also to grant us the adoption of sons, allowing us to experience the full privileges of being God's children. This adoption signifies a coming of age, a transition from being under guardianship to enjoying the full rights and responsibilities of sonship. It is a call to examine whether we are living in the freedom and joy of this adoption or if we are still bound by legalistic practices or personal inadequacies.
Paul emphasizes that the spirit of adoption is characterized by a deep, intimate relationship with God, where we cry out "Abba, Father," reflecting a heartfelt and passionate connection with Him. This spirit liberates us from fear and bondage, filling us with joy and assurance of our salvation. The sermon challenges us to reflect on our spiritual state: Are we living as children or as mature sons, fully embracing the liberty and joy that comes with our adoption in Christ?
Key Takeaways:
1. Redemption and Adoption: Christ's coming was to redeem us from the law's curse and to grant us the adoption of sons, moving us from bondage to freedom. This adoption is not just a legal status but a relational reality, inviting us into a deep, personal relationship with God. [12:01]
2. Freedom from Bondage: Many Christians live in bondage due to a lack of understanding of justification by faith alone. True freedom comes when we rest entirely on Christ's work, not on our own righteousness or deeds. [07:21]
3. Spirit of Adoption: The spirit of adoption transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to cry "Abba, Father" with confidence and intimacy. This spirit replaces fear and bondage with joy and assurance. [23:29]
4. Knowing God and Being Known: To know God is to experience Him as Father through Christ, but even more profound is being known by God, which signifies His special care and election. This knowledge brings a deep sense of belonging and purpose. [38:01]
5. Living in Liberty: The Christian life is meant to be one of joy and freedom, not of legalistic bondage. We are called to stand firm in the liberty Christ provides, avoiding any return to a yoke of slavery. [46:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Galatians
- [00:32] - Fullness of Time and Christ's Coming
- [01:17] - False Teachings in Galatia
- [02:42] - The Danger of Returning to Bondage
- [03:56] - The Purpose of Christ's Coming
- [05:09] - Self-Examination in Light of the Gospel
- [06:30] - Believers in Bondage
- [07:21] - Justification by Faith Alone
- [08:20] - Applying the Gospel Personally
- [11:44] - Redemption and Adoption
- [16:42] - Beyond Forgiveness: Adoption as Sons
- [23:29] - Spirit of Adoption
- [31:23] - Freedom from the Spirit of Bondage
- [38:01] - Knowing God and Being Known
- [46:36] - Living in the Liberty of Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 4:4-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says that God sent forth His Son "when the fullness of the time was come"? How does this timing relate to the message of redemption? [00:32]
2. In Galatians 4:6, Paul mentions that God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. What is the significance of the phrase "crying, Abba, Father"? [23:29]
3. According to the sermon, what were the false teachings that had infiltrated the Galatian churches, and how did they threaten the believers' freedom? [02:12]
4. How does Paul describe the transition from being a servant to becoming a son and heir of God through Christ? [00:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "adoption as sons" change the way believers should view their relationship with God? What does this imply about our identity in Christ? [17:15]
2. The sermon mentions that many Christians live in bondage due to a lack of understanding of justification by faith alone. How might this misunderstanding affect a believer's spiritual life and freedom? [07:21]
3. What does it mean to be "known by God," and how does this knowledge impact a believer's sense of belonging and purpose? [38:01]
4. How does the spirit of adoption transform a believer's relationship with God, and what are the practical implications of this transformation in daily life? [23:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel you are still living in bondage rather than in the freedom offered by Christ? What steps can you take to embrace the liberty of your adoption in Christ? [06:30]
2. The sermon challenges us to examine whether we are living as children or mature sons. What does spiritual maturity look like in your life, and how can you pursue it more intentionally? [22:37]
3. Consider the phrase "Abba, Father" and its implications for intimacy with God. How can you cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with God in your daily routine? [23:29]
4. The sermon warns against returning to a yoke of slavery. Are there legalistic practices or personal inadequacies that you need to let go of to fully experience the joy of your salvation? [46:36]
5. How can you ensure that your understanding of justification by faith alone is clear and applied in your life? What resources or practices might help reinforce this understanding? [07:21]
6. Reflect on the idea of being "known by God." How does this truth affect your view of yourself and your purpose? How can you remind yourself of this reality in times of doubt or insecurity? [38:01]
7. The sermon emphasizes living in the liberty of Christ. What practical changes can you make in your life to stand firm in this liberty and avoid returning to old patterns of bondage? [46:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Redemption and Adoption: A New Identity in Christ
Christ's coming into the world was not merely an event in history but a transformative moment that redefined our relationship with God. Through His sacrifice, we are redeemed from the curse of the law, which once held us in bondage. This redemption is not just a legal transaction but an invitation into a new family, where we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. This adoption signifies a profound shift from being under the guardianship of the law to enjoying the full rights and responsibilities of being God's children. It is a call to embrace our new identity and live in the freedom and joy that comes with it. [12:01]
Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
Reflection: How does understanding your identity as an adopted child of God change the way you view your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: Freedom from Bondage: Embracing Justification by Faith
Many Christians struggle with living in the freedom that Christ offers because they do not fully grasp the concept of justification by faith alone. This misunderstanding can lead to a life of bondage, where one feels the need to earn God's favor through personal righteousness or deeds. True freedom comes when we rest entirely on Christ's finished work on the cross, recognizing that our salvation is not based on our efforts but on His grace. This freedom liberates us from the pressure of legalistic practices and allows us to live in the joy and assurance of our salvation. [07:21]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's favor? How can you begin to rest in the freedom of justification by faith today?
Day 3: Spirit of Adoption: A Relationship of Intimacy and Confidence
The spirit of adoption transforms our relationship with God, allowing us to cry out "Abba, Father" with confidence and intimacy. This spirit is not one of fear or bondage but of joy and assurance, as it affirms our place in God's family. It invites us into a deep, personal relationship with God, where we can approach Him with the confidence of a beloved child. This relationship is characterized by a heartfelt connection with God, where we experience His love and care in profound ways. [23:29]
Romans 8:15 (ESV): "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God in your daily life, approaching Him as your loving Father?
Day 4: Knowing God and Being Known: The Depth of Divine Relationship
To know God is to experience Him as Father through Christ, but even more profound is being known by God. This knowledge signifies His special care and election, bringing a deep sense of belonging and purpose. It is not just about our pursuit of God but His pursuit of us, as He knows us intimately and loves us deeply. This relationship invites us to rest in the assurance that we are fully known and fully loved by our Creator, which transforms the way we live and relate to others. [38:01]
1 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV): "But if anyone loves God, he is known by God."
Reflection: Reflect on the truth that God knows you intimately and loves you deeply. How does this change the way you view your relationship with Him and others?
Day 5: Living in Liberty: Standing Firm in Christ's Freedom
The Christian life is meant to be one of joy and freedom, not of legalistic bondage. We are called to stand firm in the liberty that Christ provides, avoiding any return to a yoke of slavery. This liberty is not a license to sin but an invitation to live in the fullness of life that God intends for us. It challenges us to examine our lives and ensure that we are not bound by legalistic practices or personal inadequacies but are living in the freedom and joy of our adoption in Christ. [46:36]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given you, avoiding the traps of legalism and embracing a life of love and service?
Quotes
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts, crying Abba Father. [00:20:34]
Now here in these words we really have the very nerve and center of the great argument of the Apostle in this epistle to the Galatians. He is writing to these people concerning the results of the consequences of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, into this work. [00:01:27]
He himself had been preaching in these areas and under his preaching another number of people had been converted and it become Christians and he had formed them into churches, but unfortunately certain other teachers, false teachers, had followed the visit of the Apostle and they have been teaching these Galatians. [00:01:58]
He can see that many of these Galician Christians were liable to go back into a state and condition of London and the Apostle is very anxious that they should see that in Christ they are delivered from every form of bungle, and that as he puts it later to them in chapter 5 they must stand fast. [00:03:00]
The Apostle shows us the purposes of the objects of the sending of the Son of God into the world. He came in order to do certain things and here we are told what those things are. Very well we test ourselves therefore by asking this question: can we experience these results? [00:05:00]
It is possible, I say, for us to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet to be in a state of abundant. Yeah, where people the Apostle makes it plain there was no doubt about there being believers. He acknowledges that he says that they were believers, and yet he says if you accept this teaching. [00:06:34]
There are others in the state of bondage because they have known and have understood intellectually quite clearly this message they haven't applied it to themselves or they haven't gone on applying. They've accepted the theoretical statement about justification by faith. [00:08:27]
The first consequence of his coming of course is the redemption itself. When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law. What for? To redeem them that were under the law. We're redeemed. [00:11:44]
The essence of the Apostles argument just here he says all of us who belong to that old dispensation though we were children though we were fully children of God yes but we were like this air that is still under name and hasn't yet entered into the state of adoption. [00:25:35]
The spirit of adoption manifests itself in this way first he delivers us entirely from the spirit of bondage even so we he says in verse 3 when we where children were in bondage under the elements of the world yes children of God but in London he puts it again in verse 7. [00:30:28]
The knowledge of God what does he mean by this knowledge of God that what do you mean by to know God well it doesn't just mean a knowledge about God it includes this but a mere knowledge about God doesn't give this expression of the spirit of adoption he means this to know God as he alone can be known. [00:36:16]
There is something which is more wonderful even than our knowing God and it's this it's to know that God knows me but show me sir someone God knows everybody not in this sense to be known of God has a very special meaning you'll find the meaning given to you in the book of the Prophet Amos. [00:38:01]
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