Home: The God Who Adopts - Week 3 (Galatians 4:4-7)
Galatians 4:4-7
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Galatians 4:4-7
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Galatians 4:4-7 〰️ Galatians 4:4-7 〰️
We're now in the third week of our Advent series, and one of my favorite parts about a series like this is that we can hone in on such short passages of Scripture. Last week we were in Ephesians 1 (JP preached from 3-6, but we went from 3-10!), and the week before that, we were in Isaiah 9:1-7. With these shorter passages, rather than longer narratives, we can steep ourselves in rich theology and teachings.
Quick Context
This week's passage is Galatians 4:4-7, and before we dive in, I wanted to give a little background so we can know the context as we approach this passage. The letter "to the churches of Galatia" (1:2) was written by the apostle Paul, but the intended recipients remain unclear. "Galatians" could have meant two different people groups at the time, as there are two theories surrounding the recipients of this letter: "The North Galatian theory" and "The South Galatian theory."¹ The North Galatian Theory states that Paul visited the geographical region of Galatia in the north, establishing churches there on his (likely second) missionary journey. The South Galatian Theory is that Paul never established the churches being addressed in this epistle, but rather that Paul visited the existing churches in the northern region and established churches in the southern region. For our purposes today, the context of these theories doesn't change much, but the intention remains the same: Judaizers in Galatia are teaching a false gospel and are discrediting Paul. Paul writes this letter to remind them of the true Gospel of Jesus and to re-establish His authority as a teacher and leader of the early Church (v1:"not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ").
As we jump into this passage, I want us to pace ourselves and read it slowly and carefully, as there are some beautiful details in Paul's writing here. This is our third year celebrating Advent as a church, and in this particular passage, we can unintentionally see each perspective we've explored regarding Christ's coming.
2023 - "The King Has Come" (v4 "...God sent His Son...")
2024 - "Ruth: The Redeemer Has Come" (v5a "...to redeem those under the law...")
2025 - Home: The God Who Adopts ("so that we might receive adoption as sons...")
As we follow this progression, we also the the progression our Lord intended for us:
i. In His perfect timing, God sent His Son, Jesus.
ii. Jesus redeemed us and adopted us as His children.
iii. Because of this, God granted his Spirit so that we might have intimate relationship with Him.
This word "Abba" is an aramaic word that conveyed familiarity and intimacy between a father and his child, and this is what God intended in redeeming and adopting us. This intimacy also brings with it the joy of interhitence, as "God has you an heir." But what does that mean for us?
In Romans 8:16b-17, Paul writes that "we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him." So as we share in Christ's suffering (the pain and turmoil of this earth), we who are in Him also share in His glory when we are reunited with the Father for eternity.
This should cause us to live in such a unique way from the rest of the world around us. The world we live in is constantly striving for self-made greatness and climbing the ladder of success, but our Lord graciously adopted us, called us His own, and granted us a place with Him. Think about that for a moment. You, yes you, are priviledged to share in the glory and inheritance with Christ (John 17:22). No earthly accomplishment or achievement could ever compare, and because of that, nothing should be able to define who you are quite like the Lord.
Discussion Questions
Could someone read Galatians 4:4-7 for us?
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
How do we see the "redemption arc" in v4-7? (Creation, fall, redemption)
What does this passage teach us about God's timing and purpose of sending Jesus?
How should v7 influence the way we view ourselves and the way we live in response to God's gift of salvation?
What do you think it means to be made an heir by God?
How could truly knowing and living like this shift the way we live, particularly in this season leading up to Christmas?
1. Donald K. Campbell, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 588.