July 13, 2025
Series: The Gospel of Grace
Sermon: Moving from Immaturity to Maturity...
Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7 NIV
“What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
INTRODUCTION: You have to grow up to move up!
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”
1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
Receiving Adoption as Children (Galatians 4:5)
“to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”
Galatians 4:5 NIV
Ephesians 1:4-5: "In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Receiving the Spirit of Sonship (Galatians 4:6)
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.””
Galatians 4:6 NIV
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
Galatians 4:4-7
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Romans 8:14-17 NIV
Receiving Inheritance as Heirs (Galatians 4:7)
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
Galatians 4:7 NIV
“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 5:8-10 NIV
CONCLUSION: Maturity has great priviledges but not without equal responsibilities.
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