From Sonship To Slavery, Part 2

February 20, 2011 Pastor: John Fonville Series: Galatians

Scripture: Galatians 4:8–4:11

From Sonship to Slavery

Part 2

 

Text: Galatians 4:8-11

 

Intro/Review:

 

I.       Paul reminds the Galatians of who they were: ignorant of God, v. 8

 

Lesson:

 

II.       Paul reminds the Galatians of who they are: known by God. v. 9a-b

 

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them,” (Acts 14:14-15).

 

What does it mean to know God?

 

A. The believer’s knowledge of God (v. 9a)

 

1.       A Trinitarian knowledge of God.

 

2.       A Christ-centered knowledge of God

 

3.       A filial knowledge of God

 

B.       God’s knowledge of the believer (v. 9b)

 

How did the Galatians come to a saving knowledge of God?

What does it mean to be known by God?

 

1.       To be known by God is to be visited by Him in mercy.

 

2.       To be known by God is to be received by Him as a son.

 

Reflection:

 

“What matters supremely, therefore, is not the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it- the fact that He knows me. I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted from me, and no moment…when His care falters” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 42).

 

© John Fonville

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