From Bondage to Freedom: Knowing God Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: True Knowledge of God is Relational and Transformative

Before coming to faith in Christ, individuals may have a superficial knowledge of God, often derived from observing the natural world. However, this knowledge is clouded by sin, leading to a state of ignorance that is far from neutral. This ignorance results in bondage to worldly desires and spiritual forces that oppose God. True knowledge of God, in contrast, is deeply relational and transformative. It involves perceiving God's glory, beauty, and worth, which can only be fully realized through a personal relationship with Him. This transformation is not merely intellectual but involves a profound change in one's heart and life. [04:38]

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced a superficial knowledge of God in the past, and how can you seek a deeper, more relational understanding of Him today?

Day 2: Ignorance of God Leads to Bondage

Ignorance of God is not a passive state but an active bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil. This enslavement often masquerades as freedom, offering temporary pleasures and distractions that ultimately lead to spiritual death. The world offers many idols and false gods that promise fulfillment but leave individuals empty and enslaved. Recognizing this bondage is the first step toward seeking true freedom in Christ, who offers liberation from these chains. [10:34]

"They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." (2 Peter 2:19, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel trapped by worldly desires or habits. How can you begin to seek freedom in Christ from this bondage today?

Day 3: The Miracle of Divine Illumination

The transformation from ignorance to true knowledge of God is a miraculous work of divine grace. God, in His sovereignty, shines the light of His glory into our hearts, enabling us to know Him truly. This illumination is not achieved through human wisdom or effort but is a gift from God. It is through this divine intervention that individuals come to a saving knowledge of God, experiencing His love and grace in a profound way. This miracle of grace is available to all who seek Him with a sincere heart. [08:06]

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a profound realization or insight about God. How can you remain open to God's ongoing work of illumination in your life?

Day 4: The Weakness of the Law and Idolatry

The law and idolatrous principles are powerless to save individuals from their bondage to sin. While the law serves as a guide, it cannot bring about the transformation needed for salvation. Idolatry, in its many forms, offers false hope and security but ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness. Only through Christ's sacrificial death can individuals be freed from this bondage and enter into a true relationship with God. This freedom is not earned but is a gift of grace, available to all who place their faith in Christ. [11:49]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you may be relying on rules or rituals for a sense of security. How can you shift your focus to rely more fully on Christ's grace and sacrifice?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of Faith

Coming to faith in Christ results in a radical transformation from ignorance and bondage to true knowledge and freedom. This transformation is a work of God's grace, leading to a personal and relational knowledge of Him. Faith in Christ brings about a new identity, freeing individuals from the chains of sin and enabling them to live in the light of God's truth. This new life is marked by a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment, rooted in a relationship with the Creator. [12:31]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how your life has changed since coming to faith in Christ. What steps can you take to continue growing in your relationship with God and living out your new identity in Him?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we explore the profound transformation that occurs when one becomes a Christian, as described in Galatians 4:8-11. Before coming to faith, individuals are depicted as being under the law, in the grip of the flesh, and enslaved to entities that are not gods by nature. This enslavement is characterized by ignorance of the true God, despite a superficial knowledge of Him through general revelation. This ignorance is not neutral but results in bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil. However, upon coming to faith in Christ, there is a radical shift: believers come to know God truly and are known by Him, which we will explore further in the next session.

Paul introduces a new way of describing the before-and-after state of believers. Before Christ, people did not know God in a saving way, even though they had a general awareness of His existence through creation. This knowledge was suppressed due to the hardness of their hearts, leading to a futile and darkened understanding. In contrast, after coming to faith, believers experience a miraculous transformation where God shines the light of the knowledge of His glory into their hearts through Jesus Christ. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment of God's existence but a deep, personal, and relational knowledge that perceives His beauty, glory, and worth.

This transformation is a work of God's sovereign grace, where He intervenes in our dark and rebellious hearts, granting us the light of true knowledge. It is through this divine illumination that we come to know God savingly, not through human wisdom or effort. The result is liberation from the bondage of sin and the elementary principles of the world, which are powerless to save. Only through Christ's sacrificial death can we be freed from this slavery and come to know God truly.

Key Takeaways

1. The Nature of True Knowledge of God: Before faith in Christ, people have a superficial knowledge of God through creation, but this is suppressed by sin, leading to ignorance. True knowledge of God is relational and transformative, perceiving His glory and worth. [04:38]
2. The Bondage of Ignorance: Ignorance of God is not a neutral state but results in bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil. This enslavement feels like freedom but leads to spiritual death. [10:34]
3. The Miracle of Divine Illumination: God, in His sovereignty, shines the light of His glory into our hearts, enabling us to know Him truly. This is a miraculous work of grace, not achieved through human wisdom. [08:06]
4. The Weakness of the Law and Idolatry: The law and idolatrous principles are weak and powerless to save. Only Christ's sacrificial death can free us from this bondage and bring us into a true relationship with God. [11:49]
5. The Transformative Power of Faith: Coming to faith in Christ results in a radical transformation from ignorance and bondage to true knowledge and freedom. This transformation is a work of God's grace, leading to a personal and relational knowledge of Him. [12:31]
** [12:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to Galatians 4:8-11
[00:37] - Before and After: Under Law vs. In Faith
[00:58] - Knowing God: A New Perspective
[01:13] - The Reality of Knowing God
[02:03] - Faith and Freedom in Christ
[02:42] - Spirit vs. Flesh
[03:15] - Enslavement to Non-Gods
[04:03] - Suppression of Truth
[05:13] - Ignorance and Hardness of Heart
[06:30] - Rebellion and Ignorance
[07:26] - True Knowledge Through Christ
[08:06] - Divine Illumination
[09:41] - Bondage and Slavery
[11:29] - Weakness of the Law
[12:48] - Conclusion and Next Session Preview

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 4:8-11
- Romans 1:18-21
- 2 Corinthians 4:6

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Observation Questions:

According to Galatians 4:8-11, what is the state of individuals before coming to faith in Christ? How does Paul describe their condition? [03:15]
In Romans 1:18-21, what does Paul say about the knowledge of God that people have through creation? How is this knowledge treated by those who are unrighteous? [04:03]
How does 2 Corinthians 4:6 describe the transformation that occurs when someone comes to faith in Christ? What imagery is used to convey this change? [08:06]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the law and idolatry in relation to salvation? [11:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the difference between knowing God before and after coming to faith in Christ? What does it mean to know God in a "saving way"? [01:13]
In what ways does the sermon describe the bondage of ignorance before knowing God? How does this ignorance manifest in a person's life? [09:41]
What role does divine illumination play in the transformation of a believer, according to the sermon? How is this different from human wisdom? [08:06]
How does the sermon interpret the weakness of the law and idolatry in providing true freedom and salvation? [11:49]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own journey of faith. How did your understanding of God change before and after coming to faith in Christ? Can you identify a specific moment or experience that marked this transformation? [01:13]
The sermon describes ignorance of God as a form of bondage. Are there areas in your life where you feel enslaved by ignorance or misunderstanding? How can you seek true knowledge and freedom in Christ? [09:41]
Consider the concept of divine illumination. How can you open your heart to receive God's light and knowledge more fully? Are there specific practices or disciplines that help you experience this illumination? [08:06]
The sermon highlights the weakness of the law and idolatry in providing salvation. Are there "laws" or "idols" in your life that you rely on for security or identity? How can you shift your focus to Christ's sacrificial death as the true source of freedom? [11:49]
How can you cultivate a deeper, personal, and relational knowledge of God in your daily life? What steps can you take to perceive His beauty, glory, and worth more clearly? [04:38]
Reflect on the idea of being known by God. How does this concept impact your understanding of your identity and relationship with Him? How can you live in a way that reflects this profound truth? [01:31]
The sermon discusses the transformative power of faith. How can you actively participate in this transformation process in your life? Are there specific areas where you need to invite God's grace to bring about change? [12:31]

Sermon Clips

formerly not knowing god you were enslaved to those that are by Nature not not Gods but now knowing god or rather being known by God we'll come back to that next time being known I just want to draw attention this time to the fact that this is a new way of talking in Galatians so far now he's saying before Christ you didn't know God and after you came to faith in Christ you you know God [00:00:47]

before Faith came you were held captive under the law imprisoned until the coming of faith would be revealed so then the law was our Guardian until Christ came so Faith came Christ came so faith in Christ hasn't shown up yet he's not on the scene in order that we might be justified by faith but now now that faith has come we're no longer under a guardian [00:01:11]

the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of in of men who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth that's important for what can be known about God is plain to them H because God has shown it to them for his invisible attributes namely his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world and the things that have been made so they are without excuse [00:03:58]

although they knew God they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him but they became feudal in their thinking and their foolish Hearts were darkened so this this knowing of God here is what is suppressed here and down in chapter 1: 26 and 28 it says they did not approve to have God in their knowledge so God intrudes himself like this into their knowledge through the Revelation the general revelation of Nature [00:04:40]

they see they know in a sense and they suppress and thus do not know here's the way the ignorance is described in Ephesians now this I say and testify in the Lord that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do who do not know God in the futility of their minds they are darkened in their understanding alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their heart [00:05:19]

there's knowledge of God down here that God has given them and the hardness suppresses it and results in ignorance of God and in that sense as he says here you didn't know God you didn't know God in any true way any saving way you didn't know his his glory you didn't know his Beauty you didn't know his worth you knew him that condition of how we were before the spirit awakened us to reality [00:05:55]

the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God it does not submit to God's law indeed it cannot and those who are in the flesh cannot please God and we were in the flesh until the spirit enabled us to receive Christ as we ought so there is a rebellion in the human heart that creates ignorance of the true and living God and God knows this is a case this is all a plan [00:06:34]

we wouldn't come to know God savingly through nature but would come to know him savingly through Christ so it says in 1 Corinthians 1:21 for since in the wisdom of God the world did not know God through wisdom to its own Human Resources it pleased God through the Folly of what we preach namely Christ to save those who believe through a true knowledge of God [00:07:14]

God who said let light shine out of Darkness back in Genesis 1 has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ this is the miracle of New Birth this is the miracle of the new creation this is the miracle of the birth of Faith the receiving of the spirit the quickening of New Life and it's described here as God shining by his own Sovereign Illumination in our dark ignorant dead rebellious hearts [00:07:55]

granting us freely light of knowledge true knowledge of Glory it's not just knowledge that there's a Divine being it's not just knowledge that there's an omnipotent being a wise being it's knowledge that perceives the beauty of it the glory of it the worth of it and he becomes desirable to the soul that's what happened here you didn't know God that way but now by God's gracious intervention in your life you know God [00:08:45]

the effect of not knowing god here is in slavery slavery to those that by Nature are not Gods it's not as though this ignorance results in neutrality it doesn't it results in bondage here's the description of it in Ephesians 2 you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you once walked following the course following literally according to the course of this world following or according to the prince of the power of the air [00:09:30]

we're not free before Christ we're following we're in lock step first with the course of this world the age of This World With the Devil and all his forces the spirit that is now at work in the sons of Disobedience among whom we all once lived and then he describes it a third way in the passions of our flesh the desires of our flesh carrying out the desires this is the slavery and it feels so free because we're doing what what the body and the mind want to do [00:10:14]

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From Bondage to Freedom: Knowing God Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: True Knowledge of God is Relational and Transformative

Day 2: Ignorance of God Leads to Bondage

Day 3: The Miracle of Divine Illumination

Day 4: The Weakness of the Law and Idolatry

Day 5: The Transformative Power of Faith

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

From Bondage to Freedom: Knowing God Through Christ

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