Listen to the Law!

Part 4

Text: Galatians 4:21-31

Introduction/Review:

What is the nature of the gospel?

I.       Section 1: The Historical Basis of the Analogy (vv. 21-23)

II.       Section 2: The Spiritual Meaning of the Analogy (vv. 24-27)

Lesson:

III.       Section 3: The Personal Application of the Analogy (vv. 28-31)

A.       We must expect Persecution from legalists, vv. 28-29

“Whenever the teaching of the gospel flourishes in the church, there is always this persecution, that the sons according to the flesh persecute the sons according to the promise” (Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, vol. 26, p. 454).

“All persecutions arise from this source, that wicked men despise and hate in the elect the grace of God…” (John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 21, p. 143).

“If someone does not want to endure persecution from Ishmael, let him not claim that he is a Christian” (Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, vol. 26, p. 451).

Reflection:

The goal of our enemy is to “make void our confidence, which rests on the promises of God; when they ridicule our salvation, when they wantonly laugh to scorn the whole gospel…” (John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, 21, p. 144).

“…the doctrine of justification must be learned diligently; it alone can strengthen us against those endless offenses and comfort us in all trials and persecutions” (Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, vol. 26, p. 453).

© John Fonville

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