HAGAR AND SARAH
TWO MOTHERS IN THIS STORY.
VS21 Tell me who you want to be under the law are you not aware what the law says?
Vs22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.
Vs 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.
Vs 24 These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar
Vs25 Now Hagar stands for Mounts Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.
Vs26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free and she is our mother.
Vs27 For it is written
“Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
Vs28 Now, you brothers like Isaac are children of promise.
Vs29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
Vs 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.
Vs31 Therefore, brothers we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.
Introduction:
LAW AND GRACE-THE THRESHOLD OF THE GOSPEL
Many times when we learn some new truth, there is threshold at the door of that truth that we have to learn in order to understand the rest of it.
Any man who does not understand the difference between Law and Grace will never understand the Gospel.
It is like trying to learn to drive without learning how to use a steering wheel and the brakes
You are the real children of Abraham.
The Apostle Paul uses an Old Testament story from the life of Abraham.
This is significant because the Legalists all claimed to be the sons of Abraham.
Even if you ask a Muslim or a Jew they claim to be the sons of Abraham.
Paul shows them the difference between Law an Grace and proves that the Legalists were under law and therefore not the spiritual children of Abraham.
The Facts( 4:21-23)
The Galatians were in danger of turning back.
They wanted to have both.
Paul was trying to stop them and focus them on life under grace.
Paul challenged them to be aware of what the Law really was.
Today many churches have gone back to the law. Not knowing that they come under curse.
Today the GAM church is enjoying all the blessing of God. Because we believe in 100% Grace. We come under the blessings.
The Interpretation( 4:24-27 )
In order to emphasize the contrast between Law and grace Paul treated those two mothers figuratively.
Two covenants 4:24
One was the Mosaic which had it origin at Mount Sinai.
Those under this legal covenant were slaves.
As Hagar brought forth a slave son, so does the Law.
The other covenant was Grace
5. As Sarah brought forth a free son, so does grace.
TWO JERUSALEMS 4:25-26
Hagar stood for the first-century city of Jerusalem- a city enslaved to Rome and in slavery to the Law.
Sarah, stood for the Jerusalem…..above the mother of all the Children of grace.
Mothers except blessings to come to you. Many blessings is going to come to you. Amen. Fathers say Amen.
This heavenly city, which one day will come to earth( according to Rev.21:2.is now the city of the living God. Heb 12:22
A Quote From Isaiah 54:1 Galatians 4:27
Paul applied this passage Sarah who though previously barren, was later blessed with a child.
She would ultimately have more children than Hagar.
Today You are all children of the free woman Sarah.
Hey Sarah Sarah.
The Application( 4:28-31)
COMPARING ISAAC TO CHRISTIANS 4:28
As “Isaac” experienced a supernatural birth and was a child by means of a promise, so believers experience a supernatural birth.(John 3: 3,5)
Vs 3 Jesus answered and said to him,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Vs5 Jesus answered , “Truly,truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
2. As children of promise Christians are in a distinct category and should not live as children of bondage.
COMPARING ISHMAEL TO FALSE TEACHERS 4:29
Paul compared Ishmael’s persecution of Isaac to false teachers’ opposition to believers.
Abraham celebrated the weaning of Isaac with a banquet.
At that time, Ishmael mocked Isaac, laughing at his younger step brother, since Ishmael was the elder son and assumed he would be heir to his father’s estate.( Gen 21:8-9)
Genesis 21:8-9
Vs 8 And the Child grew and was weaned and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
Vs9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian whom she had borne to Abraham mocking.
COMPARING ISHMAEL TO FALSE TEACHERS( CONTINUE)
4 That early squabble has perpetuated in the two groups even today.
5. The Jews and the Arabs still don’t get along.
6. Paul compared the legalistic to Ishmael as those who were born out of the legalistic self- efforts.
7. He charged them of persecuting the true believers who were born by the power of the Spirit.
8. With few exceptions Paul’s persecution came from the Jew, the people in bondage to the Law.
9. Today the same persecution comes to the churches that preach the Gospel of grace. Those who preach both that mean law and no persecution.
PAUL COMPARED ABRAHAM TO THE GALATIANS 4:30
When Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac, she made Abraham expel the slave woman and her son.
God granted Sarah request.( Gen 21,10,12)
Paul was telling the Galatians to excommunicate the Legalistic ( those preaching Law as the commandment of God)the same way Abraham excommunicated Hagar and Ishmael.
CLOSE:
Therefore brother we are not children of a bondwoman but of the free woman.
God is blessing each and everyone of you. You come under Grace.
You are not under the Law but under Grace.
WISHING ALL MOTHERS AND MOTHERS TO BE A HAPPY AND BLESSED MOTHERS DAY.
