Galatians 4, continued

Galatians 4:12-20 – “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

• Galatians 4:13 – Whatever this illness was, it gave Paul the occasion to preach to them the first time. See Philippians 1:12. We need to adjust to God’s plan. Remember the lesson of Jonah.

Galatians 4:21-31 – Allegory of Abraham’s two sons

• Galatians 4:21 – See Genesis 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:1-6; 16:1-11, 15-16. After ten years, Sarai decided to use Hagar, which was not God’s plan. See Genesis 17:1-5, 15-21; 18:10-15; 21:1-5, 9-15. Abraham had been waiting 25 years for Isaac. Ishmael was already 14 years old!
• Galatians 4:23 – Isaac was not a natural birth – both Abraham and Sarah were well past child-bearing age. God did the same thing with Gideon in Judges 7:2. He made it clear that it happened purely because God promised it.

• Galatians 4:25 – See Hebrews 12:18.
• Galatians 4:27 – The quote is from Isaiah 54:1.
• Galatians 4:28 – We are only children of God because of God fulfilling His promise. We can’t do it on our own!
• Galatians 4:29 – See Genesis 21:9.

Introduction

• There are Christians all over the world worshiping God today!

The Philippines

• The population is 106 million people, but the country is only 120,000 square miles. A third the population of the US, but only a thirtieth of the land. Population density is much higher.
• Our work
  • There 2 weeks
  • 16 congregations
  • About 22 sermons – all translated except 1
  • 9 Q & A sessions
  • One radio program
  • One debate / discussion – 7th Day Adventist
  • Countless Bible studies with preachers
  • Lindsay
    • 5 ladies’ classes
    • 5 children’s classes

Things you will learn if you go on these trips:

• Realize your Bible knowledge is lacking.
• You must get out of your comfort zone.
• The perspective you will gain.

Mexico

Nicaragua

Peru

Chile

Challenges in Central / South America

• The mentality that men are too good or too macho for spirituality.
• The definition of marriage.

Involvement

• Already involved
• If you would like to go sometime
• Balikbayan boxes
• Individual financial help
• Ongoing Bible studies via Zoom

Luke 5

• Luke 5:8 – Peter realized his condition!

[Unfortunately, the microphone died for a couple of minutes in the middle of this lessons, I have removed the dead time from the recording. -MRW]

Matthew 10

Matthew 10:1-4 – The twelve apostles

• Jesus gave them authority to work miracles. This did not make them immune to sin. It did not keep Peter from denying Christ. It did not keep Judas from betraying Christ.
• In describing these men, Matthew calls himself out as a tax collector.

Matthew 10:5-6 – Apostles sent to the Jews

• Why did Jesus direct them to only go to the Jews?
  • Matthew 15:24-28 – Jesus healed the lady’s daughter even though she was a Gentile.
  • Acts 1:8
  • Romans 1:16 – To the Jews first and also to the Greek. The gospel is for everyone!
  • Romans 2:9-10 – There would also be tribulation to all who dismissed the gospel.
  • Ephesians 2:11-12 – The Gentiles were formerly outside the camp.
  • Romans 15:8-12 – These are Old Testament passages. Gentiles were in the plan from the beginning.
  • Romans 11:28 – God loved Abraham and because of that, the gospel came to the Jews first.
  • Romans 4:16-17 – Abraham is considered by God to be the father of all who follow in his footsteps of faith.
  • Romans 11:11-12 – The gospel went to the Jews first and they were the first to reject it. Then it went to the Gentiles and it made the Jews jealous.
  • Luke 4:42-43 – Jesus only had so much time and He chose the most appropriate places to go.
  • Acts 13:46 – Paul said it was necessary that the Jews received the gospel first.

Matthew 10:7-8 – The message of the apostles

• The “kingdom of heaven” implies a ruler. Those in the kingdom subject themselves to the ruler.
• Matthew 7:21 – Those who do the will of God can enter the kingdom.
• Mark 12:32-34
• Daniel 7:27
• The king of heaven is coming, so you must repent and get in line!
• John 18:36 – Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world.
• Mark 9:1 – The kingdom of heaven was coming in their lifetime.
• Mark 1:15
• Mark 15:43 – Joseph of Arimathea was waiting for the kingdom of God.
• Daniel 2:44

Introduction

• I Corinthians 14:26

God deserves worship!

• I Chronicles 28:9
• Proverbs 3:19
• Psalms 139:14 – My existence depends on God and David recognized that.
• Psalms 95:1-6
• Revelation 4:11
• Luke 19:36-40 – Spontaneous worship broke out because Jesus deserved it.

Our kids need to be here!

• Mark 9:33-37; 10:13-16 – Jesus loves children! He did not treat them as pests, but as precious souls.

Do some practice outside of church.

• Exodus 12:23-27 – God set up a memorial that He knew future children would ask about.

Teach them to participate as much as possible.

• II Timothy 3:14-15
• Don’t underestimate kids!

Our brethren and visitors need us here!

• Hebrews 10:23-25 – We have an obligation to motivate each other.
• Acts 11:23-26; 15:36-41; 18:23, 27
• When we get together, we strengthen each other.
• I Corinthians 14:26
• Romans 1:9
• Don’t think about what you can get out of worship. Think about what you can do for others.

Galatians 3, continued:

Galatians 3:15-29 – “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed”

• Galatians 3:19 – Moses was the mediator between God and Israel at Sinai.
• Galatians 3:20 – The promise is superior to the Law of Moses in that no mediator is involved. God has promised and will do what He said.
• Galatians 3:22 – See Romans 3:23. All have sinned!
• Galatians 3:25 – We do still have laws to obey under Christ, but it is a completely different sort of system.
• Galatians 3:27 – We cannot be in Christ without being baptized. We are baptized into that relationship.
• Galatians 3:28 – We can all have this blessing of salvation!

Galatians 4

Galatians 4:1-11 – Sons, not slaves

• Galatians 4:4 – God decided precisely when the best time was to bring Jesus into the world. Verses 3 and 4 parallel verses 1 and 2.
• Galatians 4:6 – See Romans 8:15-16. What does “spirit” mean here? See Mark 14:36 for the other use of “Abba! Father!”
• Galatians 4:10 – This may be a reference to elements of the Law of Moses. See Colossians 2:16-17.
• Galatians 4:11 - Now that they had something better, why would they want to go back?