Sermon Tone Analysis

FULLNESS OF TIME

 

Galatians 4:4, 5

 

Introduction

A.      Time is an elusive concept

1.       something we all have the same amount of (24~/7)

2.       no matter

a.       how rich or poor we are

b.

how strong or weak

c.        how spiritually mature or immature

d.       how young or old we are

e.        what gender we might be

f.

what color of skin we might wear

g.        what ethnic background

3.       all have the same amount of time

B.      Several years ago, read an article about God and time

1.       time is a man-made concept

2.       with God, there is not time

a.       all time

b.       past

c.        present

d.       future

e.        is NOW with God

(that’s a sermon in itself)

C.      Thoughts to consider

1.       God who is not limited by time has stepped into time during certain points of man’s existence to interact with man in a major way

a.       the call of Abram in Gen. 12

b.       the deliverance of the Israelites in Ex. 1-20

c.        the building of the Solomon’s temple

d.       the rebuilding of the temple

e.        but the greatest interaction by God in time is referred to in our text today in Galatians 4:4-5

2.       other passages that speak of time in the same way:

a.       Genesis 21:2

b.       Ecc.

3:1-8

c.        Mark 1:15

d.       John 7:8

e.        Romans 5:6

And then our text:  But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Exegesis of Galatians 4:4, 5

Normally, when we look at a passage of Scripture in order to explain and understand it, we begin at the 1st verse of the passage and take it one phrase or word at a time, but today, let’s begin with the last phrase in verse 5 and work backward.

V. 5c  “that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

“we”---reference to you and me

                                  mankind

                                  the human race

“might receive”

           to receive

                not earned

                when one works at a job for a certain amount of time or does a certain task for hire, one earns

                      the wage; the agreed compensation for the work done; it is earned

                here, it is a gift

                      receiver

                             receives

                             is given

                      the gift

                         not because of what he has done

                         but because of what the giver has done

“what is the gift”

      Paul stated it another way in a different passage:  “the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here, Paul calls it “the adoption as sons”

            To be brought up into the position of sons

                 More than being a

                       Cousin

                        Or other relatives

                        Or the family of God

                  But A son

                     With all the privileges and responsibilities of being a son

                          The privileges

1.       can call God “Abba, Father”

God

   Not a distant Supreme Being

   Not one that we must

            Placate to keep His wrath from us

             Convince to listen to us by all kinds of means

                     Remember the story of the prophets of Baal

                          The prophet told them to yell louder to wake him up

                           They cut their wrists

                           They yelled

                            They screamed

                            But Baal did not listen to them

                   Not the same with this God, that we can call “Abba, Father”

            Nor do we have to trick Him to do something for us

                    Jesus said “If you then, being evil [not holy like God, the Father; without any evil or impurity] know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Mt. 7:11

2.       heir “so that thou are no longer a bond-servant, but a son, and if a son,

then an heir through God.”

a. Bond-servant—obeys out of duty

    heir—obeys out of love

b. bond-servant—not privileged to know will of God

    son (heir)—privileged to know the will of God, the Father

c. bond-servant—might not have a personal relationship with God

    son (heir)—has a personal relationship with the Father

                                The responsibilities

                                These thoughts are from book by Rick Warren’s book

                                    The Purpose Driven Life

1.       “Love God with all your heart”:  you were planned for God’s pleasure, so your purpose is to love God through worship.

2.       “Love your neighbor as yourself”:  you were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to show love for others through ministry.

3.       “Go and make disciples”:  you were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share God’s message through evangelism.

4.       “baptize them into…”:  you were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to identify with his church through fellowship.

5.       “teach them to do all things…”:  you were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship.

So, who can receive this gift?