SLAVE OR FREE
Galatians 4:21-31
March 27th, 2022
Intro – Our text today is an allegory. We should always take the bible literally unless it tells us otherwise. God used signs, illustrations, parables, figures of speech, etc. But the bible tells us when it is doing so. Matt.13:18, John 10:6, Eze.24:3,24 are some examples. An allegory is where a real or literal event had a hidden meaning. In our text we see the birth of Ishmael and Isaac represented two covenants. (24)
I. Ishmael was a normal birth.
A. By birth we are born into sin. Ps.51:5, Rom.3:23
B. Our natural position is one of slavery. Rom.6:6, Rom.7:14
C. Ishmael represented the old covenant. (25)
1. The Pharisees and Judaizers tried to earn salvation by keeping the law. Mt.23:23, Lk.18:10-14
2. The law given to convict not convert. Rom.3:20
II. Isaac was a miraculous birth.
A. Abraham and Sarah were two old to have a baby.
B. God had promised and He would keep that promise. Gen.18:10-11
C. Isaac represents the new birth. Jn.3:6-7
1. He was the son of promise. Rom.10:13, Jn.1:12
2. His was a miraculous birth. Jn.1:13, Gal.3:26
D. Isaac represents those who set free through faith in Jesus. Jn.8:32
III. Ishmael persecuted Isaac.
A. Unbelievers will clash with Christians. Gal.5:17
B. Works based religions will persecute those proclaiming salvation by grace alone. 2Tim.3:12
Con. – Paul is telling the new believers in the Galatian church to not put up with false teachers but to cast them out. (30)