Galatians 4:11-31
\nPreached Wednesday Evening February 29, 2012<\/p>\n
Introduction:<\/p>\n
We have been studying what happens when you allow someone to mess with the simple plan of salvation. The enemies of the truth would seek to infect believers with doubt, enslaving them once again, to the bondage of the law. Tonight we will see just how divisive this false teaching is. May we all be sober as we see the corrupting power of legalism.<\/p>\n
I.\tLegalism turns a beloved pastor and spiritual leader into the feared enemy.<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:12-16
\n12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?<\/p>\n
A.\tPaul begs for the restoration of intimacy with the believers. 12<\/p>\n
B.\tPaul suffered and served with the saints in Galatia. 13<\/p>\n
C.\tPaul was received with love and understanding in spite of his physical limitations. (probably his poor eyesight) 14-15<\/p>\n
D.\tPaul preached consistent truth. 16<\/p>\n
E.\tAfter being infected with legalism, this same truth drove a wedge between the pastor and people.<\/p>\n
II.\tLegalism turns disciples into doubters<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:17-20
\n17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
\n19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.<\/p>\n
A.\tFalse teachers aggressively drove wedges between the believer and their pastor. 17-18<\/p>\n
B.\tFalse teachers caused believers to doubt the love of their pastor. 19-20<\/p>\n
III.\tLegalism turns freedom into bondage.<\/p>\n
A.\tLegalists ignore the law they claim to believe.<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:21
\n21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?<\/p>\n
B.\tMoses wrote a great picture of the relationship between the law and grace.<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:22-27
\n22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.<\/p>\n
1.\tIshmael = the law \u2013 bondage
\n2.\tIsaac = grace \u2013 freedom<\/p>\n
C.\tWe are children of promise not bondage.<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:28
\n28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.<\/p>\n
Romans 10:13
\n13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.<\/p>\n
D. That which is fleshly has always persecuted that which is spiritual.<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:29
\n29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.<\/p>\n
E. Cast out the bondwoman = refuse to be placed under the bondage of works whether to obtain or to maintain salvation.<\/p>\n
Galatians 4:30-31
\n30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Galatians 4:11-31 Preached Wednesday Evening February 29, 2012 Introduction: We have been studying what happens when you allow someone to mess with the simple plan of salvation. The enemies of the truth would seek to infect believers with doubt, enslaving them once again, to the bondage of the law. Tonight we will see just how … Continue reading The Corrupting Power of Legalism<\/span>