Passage: Galatians 4:1-7
Point
1. “When we were children we were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world”.
2. “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law so we might receive adoption as sons”.
3. “God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father,”. So we are no longer slaves but a son and a heir through God”.
Personalize
We are living in a society were there is an ever increasing amount of homes without fathers. It is estimated that 40 percent of children in America are fatherless. This condition will create a society void of homes without the nurturing and guiding qualities of a father. In my life, my father was a strong foundation I could go to when I faced a decision or need. If the car broke down he was the first one I called. If I was making a decision about my future, I would always pass it by him for his input. After my father died this left a void in my life.
Even more than our relationship with our biological fathers, when we are without Christ we face a tremendous void. We are missing a son and father relationship with our Heavenly Father. Without our heavenly Father we face life under the task master of the law. We live our lives void of meaning and purpose. Jesus Christ has changed this condition. We were redeemed from the task master and we have now become sons and daughters of God. The Galatians passage states that we now cry out “Abba Father”. This is an intimate relationship to call God “our Father, our daddy”. We are no longer fatherless but we now have a Father who loves us and seeks to guide us.
Prayer
Lord, we praise you for sending your Son to redeem us from the law so we would receive our sonship in your kingdom. We also rejoice in the intimacy we have been given through the Spirit of Christ as we are reminded daily of our son relationship with you. We seek to walk as “sons and daughters” and no longer as slaves of the law.
