Galatians (Part 12)
Christ Plus Nothing: Living as Children of the Promise
Introduction
Coming to church has a cost—time, effort, inconvenience—but what costs us something has value.
Worship nights and fellowship are reminders of God’s presence and the power of community.
We continue in the Galatians series: Christ + Nothing.
Galatians 4:21–31 — Paul’s Contrast
Main Question: “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?”
Two Sons, Two Ways of Living
Ishmael — born of Hagar (slave woman), represents law, flesh, striving, control.
Isaac — born of Sarah (free woman), represents promise, freedom, faith, rest.
Paul’s Four Purposes
Appealing to Jewish heritage — using Abraham, a spiritual hero.
Highlighting the contrast — law vs. freedom.
Teaching by allegory — Hagar/Ishmael = law & death; Sarah/Isaac = promise & life.
Challenging believers — to choose between slavery to law or freedom in Christ.
The Ishmael Life — Striving in the Flesh
Impatience with God’s timing → Abraham & Sarah took shortcuts, producing strife.
Control issues → Trying to “help God” instead of trusting His plan.
Doubting God’s promises → Choosing human reasoning over divine assurance.
Listening to other voices → Sarah’s suggestion led Abraham astray.
Fear of missing out → Rushing ahead to secure results.
Consequences of the Ishmael Life:
Feels like progress, but produces conflict, regret, and slavery.
Leads to ongoing tension and long-term consequences (Abraham’s decision still impacts history today).
The Isaac Life — Resting in the Promise
God keeps His word — Sarah conceived when it was humanly impossible.
Daily surrender — Dying to self, trusting God’s timing.
Miracles reveal God’s hand — not human effort.
True joy and freedom — Isaac’s name means laughter.
Marks of the Isaac Life:
Peace instead of striving.
Security in God’s promises.
Joy instead of fear.
Confidence in identity as children of the promise.
Practical Application: Cast Out the Slave Woman
Paul urges believers to:
Reject legalism — stop trying to earn God’s love through performance.
Let go of control — submit relationships, finances, and plans to God.
Replace “I must do” with “Christ has done.”
Walk in freedom — embrace grace, not guilt.
Communion: A Call to Repentance and Freedom
Communion is a moment to:
Align our will with God’s.
Place our burdens at the cross.
Remember Christ’s sacrifice and the freedom it secured.
Christ plus nothing — no work, law, or striving adds to His finished work.
Conclusion & Challenge
We are not children of slavery but of freedom.
Choose daily: Ishmael life (striving in the flesh) or Isaac life (resting in the promise).
Trust God with your timing, promises, and future.
Go out and be the church—living as free sons and daughters of God.