“But When the Time Had Fully Come…”

Are you ready for Christmas?

THERE’S JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME!

Big Idea

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, invaded time with His presence by taking on human flesh in order to buy back those who were under the curse of God’s law. Jesus did this by taking God’s curse upon Him!

Who were the Galatians?• Southern

Galatia – Pisidia– Lycaonia– Phrygia – Cappadocia

• Paul’s first mis-sionary journey

What was the Problem?

• Galatian churches had suddenly been overtaken by the false teaching of Judaizers.

• These Galatians, who having launched their Christian experience by faith, seemed content to leave their voyage of faith and chart a new course based on works.

• Paul launches a vigorous attack against the gospel of works, and a defense of the gospel of faith.

How Is the Book Divided?

Three Sections1. The Gospel of Grace Defended (Ch. 1 &

2)2. The Gospel of Grace Explained (Ch. 3 &

4)a) Liberty we have in Christ vs. the bondage

of the law (Ch. 3)b) Freedom of grace (Ch. 4)

3. The Gospel of Grace Applied (Ch. 5 & 6)

The Purpose of the Mosaic Law

Galatians 3:23-25

Galatians 3:23-25

“Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.”

“lock down”•Our protection•Our punishment

“Pedagogue”

Referred originally to a slave or freedman, to whose care boys were committed, being properly qualified, and who accompanied them to the public schools. The idea here is not that, of instructor, but it was to watch over the boys; to restrain them from evil and temptation; punish misbehavior and to conduct them to the schools, where they might receive instruction.

The Result of Faith

Galatians 3:26-29

Galatians 3:26-29

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

“uios”

Race

This reference to sons has little to do with the male gender, it is the Greek word uios, which refers to one who has reached the age of maturity and is now endowed with the privileges of an heir.

Class Gender

The Illustration of an Heir

Galatians 4:1-3

Galatians 4:1-3

“What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.”

Paul uses this illustration of a child who though his father may have died and he has inherited everything by right, he is in fact under the guardianship of others, as if he were one of the slaves, until he is of the age set by his father.

The Coming to Maturity

Galatians 4:4-7

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

- gathering of all essential elements

Greek language Roman roads Roman protection

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

existed before He was sent

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NIV)

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

- not normal reference to progeny

No sin nature Accomplish redemption Two natures

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

subject to the law of God

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

to purchase a slave with a view of his freedom

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

This relationship is unlike any adoption here on earth, for not only have we received a new name, a new legal standing, and a new family relationship, but also a new image; the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

The word Abba, is an Aramaic word used as a personal name for the head of a family. It was forbidden of slaves to use this title. This word came from the framing of first words by infants, and showed unreasoning trust of the one addressed. Whereas, the word Father expresses an intelligent understanding of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child.

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

This inheritance begins in time, when because of the blood of Jesus Christ, we were taken from Satan’s kingdom and placed into the eternal kingdom of God as sons, and will continue throughout all eternity as eternal life!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,” (1Peter 1:3-4 NIV)

ConculsionGod the Father prepared for the coming of His Son in human flesh by providing a young couple, some shepherds, wise men and angels for that blessed peaceful event.

He also prepared a cross for His Son onto which He would give His life to redeem those who were under the judgment of God’s law.

Are you ready for Christmas?

…But…