Unity and Identity: Sons of God Through Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Transforms Identity

Faith in Christ, not adherence to the law, is the means by which we become sons of God. This faith leads to a profound transformation, where our old identity is replaced by a new identity in Christ. The law once served as a guardian, guiding us until faith was revealed. Now, through faith, we are no longer under the law's guardianship. This transition signifies a new identity in Christ, where all believers, regardless of their ethnic, social, or gender distinctions, are unified as one in Him. This unity in Christ is not superficial but a deep transformation that changes our very essence. [01:38]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What old identity or label do you need to let go of today to fully embrace your new identity in Christ?

Day 2: Baptism as a Symbol of Faith

Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self and the resurrection of the new self. It is an expression of faith, not a ritual that in itself brings about regeneration. Through faith, we embrace this new life in Christ. Baptism vividly illustrates this transformation, marking the end of the old and the beginning of the new. It is a public declaration of faith, signifying that we have put on Christ and are now living in His likeness. This act of faith is a powerful reminder of the promises we inherit through Christ. [07:28]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: How can you live out the reality of your baptism today, showing the world your new life in Christ?

Day 3: Unity in Christ

In Christ, all believers are unified, regardless of ethnic, social, or gender distinctions. This unity does not erase individual roles but affirms equal standing before God. The distinctions that often divide us in society are rendered insignificant in the light of our shared faith in Christ. This unity is a testament to the transformative power of faith, which brings together diverse individuals into one body. It challenges us to see beyond our differences and embrace the common identity we have in Christ. [10:06]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: Who in your life do you struggle to see as an equal in Christ? How can you begin to change that perspective today?

Day 4: Sons of God: Full Rights and Privileges

The term "sons of God" conveys the full rights and privileges of inheritance, shared equally among all believers. This equality is rooted in faith, not in cultural or religious distinctives. Being called sons of God means that we are heirs to the promises made to Abraham, and this inheritance is not based on law-keeping but on sharing the faith of Abraham. It is a profound truth that elevates our status and affirms our value in God's eyes, regardless of our earthly status or background. [12:53]

Romans 8:17 (ESV): "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Reflection: What does it mean to you personally to be an heir of God? How does this impact your daily life and decisions?

Day 5: Heirs of the Promise Through Faith

The promises made to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ, and through faith, we become heirs to these promises. This inheritance is not based on law-keeping but on sharing the faith of Abraham. It is through faith that we are grafted into the lineage of Abraham and become partakers of the blessings promised to him. This truth invites us to live with the assurance and hope that comes from being part of God's eternal plan, knowing that our faith connects us to a legacy of divine promise and purpose. [14:14]

Galatians 3:9 (ESV): "So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Reflection: How can you actively live out the promises of God in your life today, knowing you are an heir through faith?

Sermon Summary

In this session on Galatians 3:23-29, we explore the profound truth that we are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, not through adherence to the law or any cultural or religious distinctives. Before faith in Christ was revealed, the law served as a guardian, leading us to the point where we could be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the law's guardianship. This transition from law to faith signifies a new identity in Christ, where all believers, regardless of their ethnic, social, or gender distinctions, are unified as one in Him.

The concept of "putting on Christ" is central to understanding our new identity. It is not a superficial change, like putting on a jacket, but a profound transformation where the old self is replaced by the new self, created in the likeness of God. This transformation is vividly illustrated in baptism, which symbolizes the death of the old self and the resurrection of the new self in Christ. Baptism is an expression of faith, not a ritual that in itself brings about regeneration. It is through faith that we embrace this new life, and through faith, we become heirs to the promises made to Abraham.

This passage also addresses the equality of all believers in Christ. In terms of justification and being heirs to God's promises, there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female. This equality does not erase the unique roles and distinctions that exist in life, such as those between men and women, but it does affirm that all are equally valued and have the same standing before God. The term "sons of God" is used intentionally to convey the full rights and privileges of inheritance, which are shared equally among all believers.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith in Christ, not adherence to the law, is the means by which we become sons of God. This faith leads to a profound transformation, where our old identity is replaced by a new identity in Christ. [01:38]
2. Baptism symbolizes the death of the old self and the resurrection of the new self. It is an expression of faith, not a ritual that in itself brings about regeneration. Through faith, we embrace this new life in Christ. [07:28]
3. In Christ, all believers are unified, regardless of ethnic, social, or gender distinctions. This unity does not erase individual roles but affirms equal standing before God. [10:06]
4. The term "sons of God" conveys the full rights and privileges of inheritance, shared equally among all believers. This equality is rooted in faith, not in cultural or religious distinctives. [12:53]
5. The promises made to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ, and through faith, we become heirs to these promises. This inheritance is not based on law-keeping but on sharing the faith of Abraham. [14:14]
** [14:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to Galatians 3:23-29
[00:36] - The Role of the Law Before Faith
[00:55] - Transition from Law to Faith
[01:15] - Becoming Sons of God Through Faith
[02:25] - Unity in Christ: No Distinctions
[03:00] - The Meaning of "Putting on Christ"
[04:37] - Transformation: From Perishable to Imperishable
[06:04] - Identity in Christ: Crucified and Resurrected
[07:28] - Baptism as an Expression of Faith
[09:31] - Faith as the Ground for Unity
[10:06] - Equality in Christ: No Advantage
[11:09] - Distinctions in Roles and Equality
[12:53] - Sons of God: Full Rights and Privileges
[14:14] - Heirs of the Promise Through Faith

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Galatians 3:23-29

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 3:23-29
- 1 Corinthians 15:53-54
- Ephesians 4:22-24

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Observation Questions:

What role did the law serve before faith in Christ was revealed, according to Galatians 3:23-25? How does this relate to the concept of a guardian? [00:36]
In Galatians 3:27, what does it mean to "put on Christ"? How is this concept illustrated through baptism? [02:25]
How does Galatians 3:28 address the distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female? What is the significance of this unity in Christ? [10:06]
According to the sermon, what does the term "sons of God" convey about the rights and privileges of believers? [12:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the transition from law to faith signify a new identity in Christ, and what implications does this have for believers today? [01:15]
In what ways does baptism symbolize the death of the old self and the resurrection of the new self? How does this relate to the concept of "putting on Christ"? [07:28]
How does the equality of all believers in Christ, as described in Galatians 3:28, challenge cultural or religious distinctions that may exist within the church today? [10:06]
What does it mean to be heirs to the promises made to Abraham through faith, and how does this shape our understanding of inheritance in Christ? [14:14]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own journey of faith. How have you experienced the transition from living under the law to living by faith in Christ? What changes have you noticed in your identity? [01:15]
Baptism is described as an expression of faith. If you have been baptized, how did this experience impact your understanding of your new identity in Christ? If not, what questions do you have about baptism? [07:28]
Consider the unity of believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic, social, or gender distinctions. How can you actively promote this unity within your church community? [10:06]
The sermon emphasizes the full rights and privileges of being "sons of God." How does this understanding influence your relationship with God and with other believers? [12:53]
Reflect on the promises made to Abraham and how they are fulfilled in Christ. How does this inheritance through faith inspire you to live out your faith daily? [14:14]
In what ways can you embrace and celebrate the unique roles and distinctions that exist in life while affirming the equal standing of all believers before God? [11:09]
Identify one area in your life where you struggle to see yourself as a new creation in Christ. What steps can you take this week to embrace your new identity and live it out? [06:04]

Sermon Clips

"Now before Faith came we were held speaking of the Jewish people in particular but the whole world by implication we were held captive under law imprisoned for the sake of Faith which was to be revealed so the law was going to lead to Faith which was coming this is Faith in Jesus." [00:00:32]

"So then the law became our Guardian unto Christ in order that we might be justified by faith not by lawkeeping but now that faith has come so before Faith came now that faith has come faith in in Jesus we are no longer under a guardian so the law has finished its work for those who turn to the Lord because in Christ when you turn to Christ you are a son of God through faith just like you're Justified when you turn to Christ through faith you are a son of God through faith." [00:01:01]

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ there's neither Jew nor Greek there's neither slave nor free there's no male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus and if you are Christ's then you are Abraham's offspring HS according to the promise." [00:02:25]

"He's not arguing for how we become sons of God because he says that here it's through faith so what's the argument for and I suggest the argument is for the all here you are all Jew or Greek all slave or free all male and female you are all sons of God through faith." [00:03:06]

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable and the Mortal puts on immortality then she'll come to pass the saying that is written death is swallowed up in Victory indeed swallowed up is a good word here because when the perishable puts on the imperishable the perishable is swallowed up it's not perishable anymore when the Mortal puts on the immortality immortality swallows up mortality it's not mortal anymore." [00:04:55]

"I have been crucified with Christ that happened in baptism I have been crucified with Christ it is no longer I who live no longer I who live but Christ Christ swallowed me up my decisive new identity is Jesus when I relate to people or to God I am decisively Christ I'm identified with Christ." [00:06:04]

"Put on the new self or literally the new man put on the new person created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and Holiness in other words you you don't put the new self on like a jacket over the old self or a hat on top of the old self the new self replaces the old self it's a new creation after the likeness of God." [00:06:38]

"When you are buried in the waters of baptism and rise up out of the Waters of baptism expressing your faith that is a real death to the old man and a life of the new person who is Christ and I'm going to underline that baptism is an act of or expression of Faith." [00:07:24]

"Baptismal regeneration which teaches that the very Act of the water either sprinkled or um poured or dipped in does the SA or does the raising does the justifying does the replacement of old with new is dead wrong it happens through faith it doesn't happen ex oper opar doesn't happen by the operation itself it's not the water it's not the mere act it is an expression of Faith or it's nothing." [00:08:44]

"Therefore Jews have no advantage over Greeks and free men have no advantage over slaves and males have no advantage over females when it comes to justification because it's by faith when it comes to being sons of God because it's through faith when it comes to being unified in Christ when it comes to being Abraham's offspring when it comes to being heirs according to the promise." [00:10:06]

"You are all sons of God through faith not lawkeeping you are all Abraham's offspring heirs according to the promise not by lawkeeping but by sharing the faith of Abraham those are the main points they go back and pick up the whole thrust of chapter 3 which began You Remember by saying that we receive the spirit not through works of law but through hearing with faith." [00:14:01]

"Know then that it is those of faith not those of the works of the law who are the sons of Abraham The Offspring of Abraham those who are of Faith are blessed along with Abraham the man of faith and that's because we are in Christ Jesus who is The Offspring and thus we are all Abraham's offspring and all of us heirs of the promise because we are sons of God." [00:14:48]

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Unity and Identity: Sons of God Through Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Transforms Identity

Day 2: Baptism as a Symbol of Faith

Day 3: Unity in Christ

Day 4: Sons of God: Full Rights and Privileges

Day 5: Heirs of the Promise Through Faith

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Unity and Identity: Sons of God Through Faith

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