Bible Study Notes for Lord’s Day,
May 10, 2009
Galatians 4:21-31
Free Women, Free Children
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear
the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one
by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the
bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman
through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the
two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage,
which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia,
and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with
her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is
the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
“ Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But,
as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who
was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless
what does the Scripture say? “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.
Introduction Mother’s Day - it’s a great challenge to
be a woman, wife, mother. Many struggles, hard work, decisions.
The decisions a woman makes concerning her life, marriage and motherhood
can make her life a beautiful blessing, or something difficult and
disappointing.
The story of two women, mothers of two sons, symbolizing two different
lifestyles - free and slave. Free to express God’s love, or
forced to perform? Trusting God’s promises or feeling we need
to take matters into our own hands? Motivated by the leading of
the Holy Spirit, or our own desires? Resulting in fulfillment or
failure? What does our lifestyle produce in our children?
I. The History of a Free Woman
A. God’s Plan for Sarah, her son and her generations
1. Abraham and Sarah - living in Ur
2. God’s call and promises - Gen 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
3. Faith, dependence on God required - humanly impossible
4. Struggling with faith
a. Abraham’s failures - she trusted God
b. God’s delay - her faith in God was shaken
B. Man’s Plan
1. Human impatience, unbelief, taking matters into their own hands
2. Abraham and Hagar - fear, lack of faith, human endeavor, flesh
on his part. Forced obedience on her part.
3. Ishmael
C. God’s Plan Prevails
1. God doesn’t give up
2. Abraham and Sarah - promise, trusting God, motivated by love
for God and successive generations
3. Isaac
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman,
the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was
born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise.
D. The Flesh/Faith Conflict
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But,
as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who
was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless
what does the Scripture say? “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.
This is the history of a free woman and her free son.
II. The Theological Meaning
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh,
and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic.
For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which
gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is
Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is,
and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above
is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
“ Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
A. Two Covenants, two lifestyles - flesh and promise, slave abd
free
1. Slave - no faith in God, reliance on the flesh, self motivation,
human effort. Gives birth to bondage, curse and failure. Forced
to perform.
2. Free - trusting God for amazing promises of blessing, know that
it’s impossible by human effort, motivated by God’s love,
directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Gives birth to freedom,
blessing, fulfillment. Free to express love to God and other people.
B. The joy of freedom, promise, blessing, acting in love, motivated
and empowered by God, fulfillment
27 For it is written:
“ Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
C. A mother’s theological lifestyle choices will affect her
children v23-26
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh,
and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic.
For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which
gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is
Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is,
and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above
is free, which is the mother of us all.
1. A mother who is in fearful bondage to rules and regulations will
produce children who are also slaves to the law, motivated by fear.
2. A mother who is free to believe and follow God’s loving
promises for her life will produce free children, motivated by love
for God and people.
III. The Lesson for Mothers - to be like Sarah, to produce Isaacs,
to bless him, his family, the whole world, which is a blessing to
yourself as well.
Sarah responded to God’s call with Abraham
Sarah heard and believed the promises of God
Sarah trusted God when Abraham let her down
Sarah had a crisis of faith, made a wrong decision, reaped consequences
in her household - being mocked and despised by the slave woman
Sarah was given another chance, laughed with joy and amazement as
God showed His determination to fulfill His promise to her and Abraham,
in spite of her temporary unbelief and poor decisions.
Sarah was given Isaac (he laughs)
Sarah had to deal with more conflict in her household - being mocked
by the slave woman’s son
Sarah initiated the final break between the family of freedom and
promise, and the family of slavery and flesh.
Sarah saw Isaac live a truly blessed life as a free man, fulfilling
God’s promises for him and his family.
Every woman has amazing promises for herself and her children. Most,
if not all have had struggles believing God, been tempted to give
way to fear and take matters into their own hands. And God is gracious
to give us other opportunities.
A free woman, who hears and believes the promises of God will produce
free children, who also forsake human endeavor and trust God to
fulfill His promises in their lives.
IV. Application to Present Day:
How can we pass freedom along to our children when so many rules
are required?
Women have many man made restrictions on their lives, hinderances
to freedom, disabilities from damage, how to act, how to dress,
how to protect yourself. Many suggestions,
Tendency toward fear, taking matters into your own hands, resorting
to your own efforts in the flesh, rather than trusting God and His
loving promises for you and your family.
May pass these on to our children - just surviving as slaves, not
living in freedom of sons and daughters
The Solution - to come to Christ, formed in us, filled with love,
fulfilling law and prophets, acting and speaking in love, believing
His promises, blessing and blessed!
Children - take them past the rules to heart motivation. Remind
them of the Cross and Pentecost, humility and power. Can children
have the mind of Christ, the heart of God? Be motivated and led
by the Holy Spirit, not just obeying the rules.
Need to start off concrete and structured, but early connect to
God.
You will have to turn them loose into His hands one day - get them
ready early.
Conclusion
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear
the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one
by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the
bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman
through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the
two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage,
which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia,
and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with
her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is
the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
“ Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But,
as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who
was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless
what does the Scripture say? “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.
Pastor Steve Boggan
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
Heritage Ranch by Lake Nacimiento, CA
Website - livingwaters.cc
