Slaves to sons

Topics: slaves, sons

I. Slaves to the Law!

1. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:29)
2. Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father(Galatians 4:1-2).
3. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world (Galatians 4:3).
4. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest (Ephesians 2:1-3).
5. Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions (Galatians 3:19a)

II. Sons under Christ!

1. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5)
2. "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:17-18)
3. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians 4:6-7).
4. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ?Abba! Father!? The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:15-17).

Sermon by Pastor Dane Nissen, January 5^th, 2025

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Slaves to Sons"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Discuss in your Life Group the importance of living in the freedom of the gospel and how you do that on a daily basis.

Getting Started:

1. What does it mean to be slave to the Law?

Discussing Truths:

1. What does it mean to you to be a child of God?
2. In light of Romans 8:15 does it mean that Christians should never be fearful?
3. Who does the "heir" represent in this analogy (Galatians 4:1-7), and what does it mean to be considered an "heir" of God?
4. Do you really live set free from the Law?
5. How does this passage challenge the idea of trying to earn God's favor through works of the Law?

Now What? Application:

1. How should we act in light of the fact that as Christians we are not just followers of God but his Children?
2. How can we apply the concept of Sonship to our relationship with God, and what does this change about how we approach Him?