Live in Gospel Freedom! So Stand Fast!

[0:00] please take your Bibles and go to the book of Galatians Galatians chapter 4 if you need a Bible in the chair in front of you go to the back find page 149 of that Bible page 149 Galatians chapter 4 we're going to start in verse 21 chapter 4 verse 21 of Galatians to chapter 5 verse 1 chapter 5 verse 1 should go I believe and others with 421 through 31 so we're going to push chapter 5 verse 1 into our section as well so Galatians 4 21 through chapter 5 verse 1 let me read and we'll jump in with both feet notice both feet with one doesn't have a boot you see that look at that see yeah hopefully I don't fall over anyways with both feet jumping in well let's just walk in verse 21 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 bond woman and one by the free woman but the son by the bond woman was born according to the flesh and the son by the free woman through the promise this is allegorically speaking for these are two covenants one from Mount Sinai bearing children for 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 are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband and you brethren like Isaac are children of promise but as at that time he was born according to the flesh persecuted him according to the spirit so it is now also but what does the scripture say cast out the bond woman and her son for the son of the bond woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman so then brethren we are not children of a bond woman but of the free woman therefore in the freedom of Christ set us free stand fast and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery warfare in the 1700s was definitely different than it is today one website put it like this quote infantrymen would line up shoulder to shoulder in ranks two or three deep you've seen movies you've read books you know what this is like two or three deep and long straight lines in the battlefield with three ranks by having each rank fire a volley in turn they could keep up an almost continuous rate of fire infantry would generally exchange volleys and then close to bayonet range the idea of bayonet charge would be to try to force a breach in the enemy line through which you could pour your forces through often one side would purposely absorb a volley of enemy fire at close range so that they could press their charge home while the enemy was reloading that's scary stuff

[4:03] it was pertinent for infantry to hold the line and not breach commanders would be telling them hold the line stand firm in that hold the line because if a breach would happen the battle could be lost so soldiers are told stand firm hold firm stand fast and that's exactly what Paul was telling the churches in Galatia about this gospel freedom news live in gospel freedom this news is vital so stand fast stand firm hold firm don't waver I'm telling you different ways stand fast stand firm this news is vital so stand fast in it stand fast in this gospel freedom we have in Christ don't waver last week we talked about

[5:14] Paul was asking the questions why do you want to go back why do you want to do that and here we're seeing in this section Paul is imploring the churches of South Galatia stand fast fast in this gospel freedom don't waver and remember the news what is this gospel freedom news we're justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone so stand firm in this gospel freedom this news is vital it's important it's significant to everything that we are as Christians as churches stand fast in this gospel freedom and instead of starting in chapter 4 verse 21 we're actually going to start in chapter 5 verse 1 we'll start there where Paul commands him stand fast in freedom chapter 5 verse 1 new American standard says it was for freedom that

[6:21] Christ set us free therefore keep standing firm another way to translate it is therefore in the freedom Christ set us free stand fast so this verse summarizes all of chapter 4 as as it transitions us into chapter 5 so cling to this freedom the freedom that we have in the news of the gospel cling to this stand fast in this stand fast in freedom freedom means deliverance deliverance from the law the curse which the law pronounced upon sinners everywhere it's freedom from fear from perfect obedience to the law for God's approval you can't do it freedom is the purpose

[7:22] Christ came to give his life for sinners we're called to stand firm in this gospel freedom resisting all attempts any attempts to make ourselves suburbian to law to try to gain God's acceptance to try to gain God's approval which brings nothing but a curse again chapter 3 Christ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law chapter 3 verse 13 so based upon one's trust in Jesus Christ alone a person can be free a true son of Abraham similar to the freeborn Isaac who was promised to Abraham and Sarah by Yahweh himself we'll look at that in a moment so freedom is a positive state it's fulfilling the law of Christ we'll see that in chapter 6 so at the heart of freedom is serving

[8:32] God willingly happily freely and it's free access to the father through Jesus himself at the cross access to the father anytime the veil has been ripped down you can walk in not because of you it's in spite of you it's because of Jesus we looked at that just the first hour he made him and who no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might be the righteousness of God in Christ in Christ you're credited with righteousness the righteousness of God you are as righteous as God himself that's how he declares you an amazing truth so stand fast in and cling to this freedom because the heavenly Jerusalem is a city of free sons and that is who you are live who you are live in this freedom that's who you are we'll see a little bit more of this in a moment that's why he says keep standing firm persevere in the fight against re-enslavement stand firm in your freedom and continue to do so be like a tree standing strong in the midst of a storm be like the soldiers of old were called to stand their ground with stout resistance stand fast and notice the next command and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery do not be subject again having been freed from the unbearable yoke of paganism don't shoulder another yoke

[10:32] Judaism don't do that why go to another ritualism having just been freed from one what do you want to do that for don't give in legalism don't give in antinomianism stay on the straight and narrow path of freedom don't listen to yourself preach the gospel of free grace to yourself God should condemn you you sinned and what does he accuse her do he says look what you did how could you call yourself a Christian you say yes I should be condemned but God was gracious to me in Christ who died for that sin I turn from that Jesus I trust you it's only you can save me it's only by grace through faith in Christ alone and that's the message if you're here today you don't know Jesus you're listening to this message you don't know Jesus God should condemn you but he won't because Jesus died on the cross for sinners for all those who turn from their sin and put what we're preaching this grace these

[11:44] Judaizers we're calling them to go back to Judaism to be circumcised follow the Old Testament law to be accepted by God to be approved by God it's just not enough it's faith plus but this is nothing but slavery it's not gospel freedom it's as I've said before it's a gospel of enslavement flee for refuge to the one whose yoke is easy his burden is light because he became the curse for you so you can be blessed so keep standing firm don't be subject to yoke of slavery now what's the role of verses 4 through 21 excuse me chapter 4 21 through 31 27 31 first of all there's four parts we're going to talk about this four different parts first part hear what the law really says hear what the law really says interesting three times

[12:57] Paul says it is written it is written it is written in this section 4 21 to 31 so Paul is going to turn the argument of these Judaizers he's going to turn it against them by using the law actually Genesis which is part of the law to show the amazing contrast between freedom and slavery I'll put it this way slavery and freedom put it like that this is slavery this side's slavery this side's freedom not you're not slavery over here this section this is not freedom well maybe no I'm just kidding this is slavery this is freedom so we're going to distinguish it tonight this morning okay so we're going to distinguish it this is slavery this is freedom look at how he first begins verse 21 tell me you who want to be under law do you not listen to the law you really don't know what you're talking about do you or you truly don't understand the law do you so he would sharpen the law grace distinction by directing their attention to an historic story the historic story of

[14:08] Ishmael and Isaac Ishmael Isaac shows adherence to the law is nothing but bondage and slavery versus freedom slavery faith is freedom so he's going to make this distinction he's going to say this is what the law really says this account in Genesis this historic account between Ishmael and Isaac notice this is slavery this is freedom Ishmael Isaac distinctions for you Hagar Sarah slavery freedom Mount Sinai or the Mosaic Covenant the new covenant present Jerusalem heavenly Jerusalem Ishmael Isaac flesh birth promise birth flesh spirit persecutor persecuted cast out heir he presents this contrast looking at the historic story between

[15:30] Ishmael and Isaac so let's continue on go to verse 22 for it is written the Old Testament deals with this issue it's relevant to the situation Abraham had two sons one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman but the son by the bondwoman was according to the flesh this side and the son by the free woman through the promise so there's a huge contrast in redemptive history Ishmael the bondwoman Isaac of the free woman are you tracking with me Ishmael was born the natural way according to the promise not according to the promise by God's special intervening grace Isaac was born according to God's promise given to Abraham by God's grace Ishmael came about not only naturally but also sinfully if you know the story

[16:35] Sarah was upset so she said to Abraham which is a cultural thing take my maidservant have children through her so Sarah took matters in her own hands gave her maidservant to Abraham and then Sarah had a son through her Ishmael so here's this contrast already slavery freedom flash promise between those who depend on that which they conjure up and those who rely on God's grace Isaac was spirit born Ishmael was flesh born now look at what Paul says verse 24 this is allegorically speaking now Paul was not saying that the historic story of Ishmael and Isaac was just a story that is an allegory and wasn't for real that's not what he's saying here under inspiration

[17:37] Paul had a deep penetrating and profound understanding of scripture he revealed a greater comprehension of God's redemptive plan through this historical story he saw the historical narrative as an analogy using a typological method he didn't do away with the factual information of Genesis no he actually affirms it and it corresponded to this issue at hand so he expounded explicated interpreted even exegeted redemptive history seeing the climax in Jesus and his resurrection so understand this biblical history is seen as embodying theology and anticipates later events as fuller manifestations of the principles in view now maybe Moses had this in mind maybe he didn't have this in mind when he wrote Genesis but obviously God did so you have a fuller understanding of Genesis 16 and 21 now so notice what Paul says again verse 24 this is allegorically speaking for these are two covenants one from

[18:53] Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves she is Hagar so I want you to see this there's two covenants and really two religions or two approaches to salvation this sums up the debate between the world's religions and biblical Christianity let me put up on the screen there are truly only two religions in the world man made and God ordained law gospel those who base their hope on their own works those who base their hope on God's grace remember we started this at the beginning of the message this side slavery this side grace right all the other religions of the world are slavery this is man made this is God ordained he says verse 25 now this

[19:59] Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem for she is in slavery with her children Sinai stood for the law Hagar who was a slave woman corresponded to Sinai in Arabia her only children were slaves she represented the present earthly Jerusalem Jerusalem at that time was enslaved to Rome under law now understand ancient law and custom was that the mother's status affected the son so a slave woman couldn't give birth to a free child just the same the law cannot produce free children they're over here the law only produces slaves the Mosaic Covenant was not able to bring freedom from sin but actually puts you in bondage to sin it shows you your sin it reveals to you your sin it reveals to you how far short you are and that you'll never ever make it

[21:07] Hagar represented the bondage of that false gospel that the Judaizers preached to the Galatians she represented the bondage of the law as she brought forth the slaves so the law only brings forth slaves it does not bring forth freedom so why do you want to follow the law see and then that's the question what do you want to do that for it's just enslavement they enslaved themselves to Sinai's law and by strict obedience to its legal code these Judaizers thinking they could earn God's kingdom Hagar Mount Sinai earthly Jerusalem slavery verse 26 but the Jerusalem above is free she is our mother

[22:08] Sarah new covenant heavenly Jerusalem the city of the new heavens and the new earth as Hagar represented the earthly Jerusalem Sarah represents the gracious nature of the free news of the promise the heavenly city the new Jerusalem which will one day come down upon the earth is the city of the living God Maranatha O come Lord Jesus so here's here's Abraham and Sarah well beyond the age of childbearing they're promised a son by God and God miraculously fulfilled his promise by bringing life to Sarah's dead barren womb this is man made this is God made God ordained God's grace God does this so the heavenly

[23:12] Jerusalem becomes the mother to all of God's sons whether you're a Jew or Gentile how by God's grace and his promise that's how one writer puts it like this quote those who belong to Christ belong to this Jerusalem this realm of grace and know the freedom that comes through Christ's redemption through excuse me redemption from the bondage of the law and then he quotes here he quotes from Isaiah 54 which we read some this morning verse 27 for it is written rejoice barren woman who does not bear break forth and shout you who are not in labor for more are the children of the desolate of the one who has a husband the barren woman in Isaiah was Israel in captivity the woman bearing more children spoke about Israel's restoration and yet there is a greater fulfillment of this passage because this not only included Jews but also

[24:25] Gentiles those who were grafted into the promises through faith in Jesus alone God's people would be extended to the Gentiles bringing them salvation so when Paul says this he begins in this section here's what the law really says let me unfold this for you and he does and as he unfolds this here's what the law really says here's number two so this is really who you are look at verse 28 and you brethren like Isaac are children of promise this is really who you are believers are not sons of God according to the flesh but according to the promise of God's grace his free grace given to sinners Isaac experienced birth supernaturally right I mean there was no way no way

[25:27] Abraham and Sarah could have children no way as Isaac experiences birth supernaturally every believer experiences a supernatural birth becoming a recipient of the promise heirs those who truly believe in Jesus no matter if they are Jews or Gentiles sons of promise that's who you really are if believers are children or sons of grace like Isaac how can they submit to a principle of law that leads them right back to slavery again you're sons of the free woman look at verse 31 so then brethren we're not children of a bond woman but of the free woman all believers are sons of the free woman you're not slaves so there's two kinds of people in the world today

[26:34] Ishmaelites who rely on law that's slavery Isaacites is that a word I just made it up no sounds good Isaacites who rely on God's free grace freedom there's only two kinds of people in the world remember to rest upon the free grace of God and the gospel that's who you are you're sons of the free woman don't sacrifice this gospel free grace for a false gospel that enslaves its supporters anyone who advocates otherwise should be cast out we'll see that in a moment God showed you his amazing grace his mercy in Christ Jesus at the cross so this is really who you are here's what the law says so this is really who you are and then here's a third one and this is what you will face verse 29 but as at that time he was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born that's added but you understand was born according to the spirit so it is now also what's he saying so Paul had in mind

[27:58] Genesis chapter 21 verse 8 and 9 when Isaac was weaned Abraham probably celebrated this event with a great feast and at that time Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac do you remember that account so with the focus on Isaac at that time it wasn't on Ishmael Ishmael probably mocked Isaac out of envy of him or even to assure Isaac that he would not receive anything but that he Ishmael would get it all so what's Paul doing Paul likened these Judaizers to Ishmael who persecuted Isaac some things don't change Judaizers attempting to destroy the news of free grace proclaimed by

[28:58] Paul responded to Ishmael mocking Isaac that's what corresponds because what it comes down to is this the flesh born they hate the spirit born remember there's two religions in the world right man made God ordained the flesh born they'll hate you this is what you're going to face if you hold to this good news living in the freedom of God's grace you will be persecuted they'll think you're an absolute moron that God could accept you based upon some dude dying for you that's crazy that's like crazy talk who believe that nonsense it's foolishness to them isn't it and yet to the called man it's the power of

[30:05] God this is a lot of every Christian will be persecuted by those who are flesh born by every other religion in the world legalistic religions are persecuting religions because they know they never endure unless its rules are kept it will continue to keep bringing down this gospel news of grace notice it says here again verse 29 according to the spirit that's the holy spirit who inaugurated the coming of messiah we're in the last days now and we wait for the final installment of the kingdom we're of the spirit he's going to say soon we're going to look at that we need to walk by the spirit those who follow the law of the flesh those are sons of the promise we follow the spirit so that's what the law says we really are we're going to face here's the fourth one they say there's five four four four aspects number four this is what you must do chapter four verse thirty here's what you must do what does the scripture say cast out the bond woman and her son for the son of the bond woman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman if you know the story they're in

[31:41] Genesis Sarah asked Abraham well told him you get that woman out of here get her out get Hagar and Ishmael out and if you look at chapter 21 verse 12 of Genesis Yahweh approved of that what and in the story you see how the Lord took care of Hagar and Ishmael you see that but what's what's really going on Paul shows us cast out slavery see interesting the Jews interpreted this in Genesis 21 to mean that God rejects the Gentiles oh well that's convenient Paul under the inspiration of the spirit reversed and applied it to unbelieving

[32:44] Jews they're excluded from the inheritance it's not because you're a Jew that's not why you get into the kingdom it's not because you follow law that's not why you get into the kingdom it's of grace it's of the promise it's of the spirit it's faith in Jesus alone so Judaism really is fulfilled with Christianity it's placed in a coffin and buried forever that's why believers believers you believers we should cast out throw out those who proclaim or embrace this or any false gospel that calls them to works based saving faith get it out don't deal with it don't be part of that law and grace are incompatible it must be ejected I mean what do you do for a football player who's in a game he's wreaking havoc you don't keep him in there what do they do with him they kick him out he's ejected from the game don't keep him in he's wreaking havoc throughout the whole thing they kick him out cast out the enslavement unfortunately the church of Galatia were welcoming them in so here you see again this contrast

[34:13] Hagar excuse me Hagar Ishmael Sinai law Hosaic works flesh enslavement on the other side Sarah Isaac the new covenant heavenly Jerusalem the spirit grace freedom stand fast in and cling to this freedom because the heavenly Jerusalem is the city of free sons and that is who you are why go back why place yourself in a situation where you got to try and get God's acceptance for salvation you must stand fast and cling to this news of grace do you deserve it absolutely not you don't deserve it that's why it's called grace and that news of grace it's vital it's significant it's so important so stand fast in it stand fast in this gospel the freedom that we have in

[35:35] Christ you've been set free we're justified by grace alone through faith alone and Christ alone stand fast and let's pray that we will do that and we stop and pray father help us as believers as followers of Jesus to stand fast in this news of free grace this gospel freedom this news that you should condemn us as a just and holy God and yet out of love you sent your son the Lord Jesus he came he died he rose we turn from sin we trust him alone it's only through faith by grace in Jesus

[36:36] Christ you credit us with your very righteousness we're declared righteous in your sight let us hold fast to this truth hold fast to this grace so I encourage you take these few moments there'll be some times of silence and I'll just be picking a little bit with my guitar so just take this time between you and the Lord preach the gospel to yourself relish in the truth of the gospel maybe the message brought to your mind this past week how you place yourself under enslavement remind yourself of grace and went back to the cross and God's mercy to you at the cross in Christ so ponder let your mind be filled with this truth of the gospel do that now please shall

[37:45] Bobby ask me as part as inим