Topics: Christ, journey with Christ
I. Imprisonment before Christ!
* Life separated from Christ is kept in custody of spiritual death!
- But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe (Galatians 3:22).
- But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed (Galatians 3:23).
II. New identity in Christ!
* Life united in Christ produces a new identity of spiritual life!
- Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (Galatians 3:24, 25).
- The paidagogos was a trusted, mature slave who was the disciplinarian and guardian of the child. He would escort the child to school and kept an eye on the child to train in moral character. The child was to fully trust the paidagogos. Similarly, the Law taught us the great truth that only through faith in Christ/Messiah can a sinner be justified.
- For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:26, 27).
III. Inheritance with Christ!
* Life belonging to Christ enjoys His precious, eternal promises!
- There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
- And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:29).
- His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust (2 Peter 1:3, 4).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, November 17th, 2024
Life group flow and discussion questions
"Where is your journey with Christ?"
An important Guideline of Life Groups: Your Life Group needs to keep the four lines of communication strong: Upward = our communication with God; Downward = God's communication with us; Inward = our communication with one another and Outward = our communication with non-believers. Each line of communication helps people grow in their spiritual maturity/journey with Christ.
Getting Started:
- What spiritual parallels can Christians take from Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on April 29, 2011 and the royal inheritance that changed her from Kate Middleton of Bucklebury to the Duchess of Cambridge and heir to royal privileges (Revelation 19:7-9)?
- How does the Law serve as our paidagogos and as protective custody or restrictive confinement under sin until faith in Christ?
Discussing Truths:
- Life means union and death means separation. What constitutes physical life, spiritual life and eternal life? What constitutes physical death, spiritual death and eternal death?
- How has faith in Christ set you free, given you a new identity and blessed you with an eternal inheritance?
- What is your understanding of water baptism and why is it important? What other kinds of baptisms are discussed in Scripture (Matthew 3:11; 28:19; Mark 1:4; 10:38; Luke 12:50; John 4:1,2; Acts 1:5; 10:47; Romans 6:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 12:13; Ephesians 4:5)?
- Because divisions abound in our culture, how can Christians demonstrate godly unity (Galatians 3:28) without compromising sacred truth?
- Can you try to imagine the glorious inheritance that God has for us (1 Corinthians 2:9)?
Now What? Application:
- What is most needed in your spiritual maturity? How will you draw near to Christ in pursuing personal holiness?
- How will you live out your new identity in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24)?
