Topics: faith, spirit, supernatural, freedom
I. Trusting the Natural or the Supernatural
* Choose: Faith in human achievement or in God's promise of grace!
- Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise (Galatians 4:21?23).
- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:8:10).
II. Resulting in Slavery or Freedom!
* Choose: Justification under the old covenant or the new covenant!
- This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout you who are not in labor; For more numerous are the children of the desolate. Than of the one who has a husband." And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise (Galatians 4:24?28).
- Because by the works of the Law, no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20; see Jeremiah 31:31, 33; 33:15).
III. Walking By the Flesh or the Spirit
* Choose: Living by sinful flesh or by the power of the Holy Spirit!
- But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman. It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 4:29-5:1).
- But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, February 2, 2025
Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions
Who's Your Mama?
An important Guideline of Life Groups: We all should be able to trace our birth record; not only our human birth, but also our spiritual birth (John 3:3-8). Have people share their story of their family of origin and how they came into God's family by faith.
Getting Started:
- Why do you think the Galatian believers wanted to be under law instead of under grace?
- Do you try to make order of your life by a list of rules, self-effort and self-reliance or do you celebrate life by walking in the freedom of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-11)?
Discussing Truths:
- How does Ishmael's mom Hagar and Isaac's mom Sarah represent natural birth and spiritual birth respectively (John 1:12, 13)?
- Why do many so called "Believers" wrongly think I obey; therefore, I am accepted instead of the biblical truth: I'm accepted; therefore, I obey!
- What holds people back from choosing the Supernatural over the Natural, Freedom over Slavery and living by The Spirit instead of the Flesh?
- How did Abraham and Sarah's fleshly decision to help God fulfill His promise? by impregnating Hagar backfire on them? What is the ongoing result of that foolish choice (Genesis 16:1, 2; 21:9-13; Galatians 4:29)?
- In what way is the "New covenant" better than the "Old covenant" (Hebrews 8:6-13)?
Now What? Application:
- Sarah's son "Isaac" means laughter. How does being a child of promise allow you to experience laughter and joy (Psalm 95:1)?
- Make a two column chart with Hagar and Sarah as the Headings. Put the following in the proper column: Slavery, Freedom, Law, Grace, Old Covenant, New Covenant, Legalism, Liberty, Persecutor, Persecuted, according to the flesh, according to the Spirit, Earthly Jerusalem, Heavenly Jerusalem, Human merit, Trusting God. Then ask: Which life do I want to live?
