GRACE TO GROW
Contrasts Between Works and Grace
Galatians 4:16-31
Jerry A Collins
SCC
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What is
the nature of truth and how do we discern it?
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What is
the nature and definition of ministry?
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How can I
know fake ministry from genuine ministry?
There
are two different ways to look at truth. Relative and
absolute. Relative truth says that which is true sometimes, in some
places, with some people is not necessarily true at all times, in all places,
with all people. Absolute truth says that which is true sometimes, in some
places, with some people is true at all times, in all places, for all people. Truth, then is the way things actually are. Relative truth
says true things are true sometimes. Absolute truth says true things are always
true. What he apostle Paul said he taught the Galatians was the truth vs 16. What they had been hearing from the Judaizers was not the truth—only an attempt to say things
to gain a following vs 17. So we have been in a
perpetual battle about what is true and not true since the church began. We
fight that battle still. So this section begins with an appeal.
1. REMEMBER THE TRUTH AND DO NOT CHANGE IT
LATER BECAUSE SOMETHING ELSE SOUNDS BETTER 15-18
15
Their appreciation for the messenger and his message had no limits when they
originally heard it and believed it. They had the highest esteem for all of it.
They received it, welcomed it, listened to it, and believed it! They were
convinced and persuaded.
16
But all of that had changed. They now acted as tho he
had become their enemy for the simple reason that he had been telling them the
truth. It seems like these Galatian believers have
been persuaded otherwise by something that sounds better to them.
17
They have been eagerly courted by flattery so that they would eagerly follow
these false teachers. These teachers had no good purpose but wanted to alienate
them—the Galatians, drive a wedge so these believers would seek these teachers
instead. So false teachers operate by (1) Getting into your good graces by
flattery (2) to that you would view them in positive way (3) to influence you
about what they believe is true (4) so that you become convinced they have your
best interests in mind (5) and you follow them. This is why false teachers
remove followers from other influences. Contrast this with Jesus who told us to
be engaged as salt and light not to get a following for ourselves. Watch out
for leaders wanting to lord it over you. No-one has authority over your life
spiritually. You are only accountable to Christ and the responsibility of a
teacher or leader is to prepare you for that day by shepherding, equipping,
praying, correcting and teaching you but not exercising authority over you. We
have responsibility for one another but not authority over each other. Hebrews
say obey your leaders but that assumes they are teaching you the Word of God
not that they have any other kind of authority in your life. You will stand
before Christ at your own day of accountability.
18
It always goes back to motives and here it is motives that are for a good
purpose—namely one that is true and not false. Be zealous for that kind of
recognition. Don’t look for something else or something better when you already
have the truth that you have believed from the Word of God.
2. MINISTRY IS DEFINED AS LABORING SO
CHRIST’S LIFE IS REPRODUCED IN ANOTHER
19
Here is his true motive. His
passionate concern is that they become ‘morphed’ into
Christ’s character. It does not say ‘until His life is born in you’ because
they have already believed. Ministry is not feeding people. Ministry has
eternal and theological implications. It’s Gal
20 If only he could
change his tome of voice about them because their spiritual development is
being arrested and aborted. This is the most perplexing thing about ministry
whether you are attempting to have it with your children, extended family,
neighbor, colleague, congregation, men, women, teens—they abort the formation
of Christ’s life and character in them. False teachers are one means—there are
many. Parents grieve because their children aborted spiritual growth. Ministry
has its casualties—Jesus had his Judas, early church her Ananias and Sapphira, Paul his Demas, John his Diotrephes.
But this work never wasted always eternal value so worth doing. 3. FAKE MINISTRY ALWAYS ENSLAVES—HS LED
MINISTRY ALWAYS GIVES FREEDOM
21-23
Here is a contrast between bondage and freedom. First,
listen to what the law says if that is what you want 21. To illustrate this
consider which of these you are most like 22. Here is an appeal to the founding
father-Abe. He did have true faith and this is where they cold trace their
blessing from. Two sons from two different mothers—one slave
the other free-(Hagar and Ishmael and Sarah and Isaac). One born naturally with no miracle and no promise-according to the
flesh. Other supernaturally a miracle—brot life out of a dead womb. With Mary life was
implanted in a living womb. Natural physical descent not enough—John Baptist
and Jesus both said so. You must repent and believe Mt 3:9; John 8:37-44 to
guarantee spiritual blessing. Abe’s natural descendent is not enough for that.
24-27
Here is an allegory illustrating contrast between
bondage and freedom. He is not denying the literal meaning of these stories but
that these mothers figuratively say something too. So this deeper meaning is
based on this true historical account of these women and their children 24. (Allegorizing says the historical meaning is
insignificant. Paul’s allegory is based on a true historical account.
Allegorizing says the deeper meaning is true meaning. Paul draws parallels to
make a point. Allegorizing says the deeper meaning is the true point of the
story. Paul did not say the allegory was the point of the historical account.
The meaning is always in the words of the original author and Paul under
inspiration of HS illustrates his point with an allegory. That does not mean we
can look for deeper meanings in scripture beyond the meaning of the author
since we are not apostles writing NT today.)
2 covenants correspond to 2
28-31 (3
comparisons) (1) Birth of Isaac to that
of xians 28. Both experience supernatural birth and
children of a promise Jn 3:16. (2) Ishmaels persecution of Isaac to false teachers opposition to believers 29. Ishmael mocked Isaac
Gen 21:8-9 at weaning laughing derisively—assuming he was getting the estate as
firstborn. This same animosity perpetuated between brothers
descendents today—
A. Legalism
always enslaves people. B. Works heresies always
persecute the truth of faith. C. Cast out legalism as method of justification
or sanctification. D. God’s grace is our basis of living & triumphs 27.