The Fullness of Time

The Fulness of Time Galatians 4:4-5 Background 1. Paul & the Galatians: Paul is writing to Christians who are being tempted to add law to grace (1:6-9). 2. Law’s Limitations: “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’” (Galatians 3:10) 3. Grace and Privilege: By faith, people are made sons of God (Galatians 4). The Law enslaved us until “the fulness of time came.” 4. Fulness of Time: Today, let’s unpack the phrase “when the fulness of time came” as Part 1 of an advent series. Galatians 4 • Encouragement for those Inside the Church: Keep yourselves in the love of God by (a) building, (b) praying, and (c) waiting. • Encouragement for those Outside the Church: Help others who are (a) doubting, (b) slipping away, and (c) almost totally gone into error. • Fulness of Time = Completion of a pre-set amount of time. God’s Preparation of Israel 1. Israel’s Charter – “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-2) 2. Israel’s Law: “the Law was our guardian until Christ came” (Galatians 3:24) God’s Preparation of Israel 3. Israel’s Worship: “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” (Hebrews 10:1) 4. Israel’s King: “You have said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations. (Ps. 89:3-4) God’s Preparation of Israel 5. Israel’s Hope: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1-2; see Luke 2:25) 6. Israel’s Dispersion: “I will enter into judgement with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations” (Joel 3:2) God’s Preparation of Greek Culture 1. Daniel 2 – Head of Gold – Babylon; Chest of Silver – Medes and Persians; Thighs of Bronze – Greece 2. Alexander the Great – 4th Century BC; tutored by Aristotle; spread Greek language, culture, philosophy and art wherever his military conquered. 3. Vast Empire – From modern day Greece to modern day Pakistan 4. Greek Old Testament – approximately 250 BC. God’s Preparation of Roman Rule 1. Daniel 2 – Head of Gold – Babylon; Chest of Silver – Medes and Persians; Thighs of Bronze – Greece; Legs of Iron – Rome 2. Pax Romana – Quality roads, protected trade routes, and the notion of personal property tied an empire stretching from Britain to India. 3. Roman Law – Rome’s authorities were gracious yet unbending. Not usually tyrannical, it expected full obedience (which explains why Joseph got Mary to Bethlehem for a simple census) and rule of law. Applications 1. Our Sovereign God neither waited for the right time nor prepared Jesus for the world. He numbered the days, prepared the world, and sent His Son at exactly His preordained moment. The same God who controls these complexities, controls you and all that surrounds you. 2. Our Loving God intervenes – God’s redemption is both personal and costly.