In Galatians 4:21-26, Paul offers a way of understanding the human condition, one that may be more revealing than we expect. This Sunday’s sermon, “Four Types of People,” invites us to consider not just what we do, but what we rely on.
Paul contrasts two ways of living: life under the law and life in the freedom of God’s promise. From this, we can begin to see four broad categories. Some are law-obedient and law-reliant; doing the right things, yet trusting their obedience to make them right with God. Others are law-disobedient and law-reliant; failing to keep the law, yet still clinging to the hope that their efforts will somehow be enough. Still others are law-disobedient and not law-reliant; no longer striving, but also not trusting in God’s grace.
But there is a fourth way; the way of the gospel. It produces people who are law-obedient, but not law-reliant. These are those who have come to trust fully in Christ, not in their own performance. Their obedience flows not from fear or self-justification, but from freedom, gratitude, and new life in the Spirit.
The challenge before is simple: There are four types of people. Do we know who we are? Are we living as children of the slavery, or as children of promise? Join us this Sunday as we reflect on where we stand, and where the gospel invites us to live.
Dinner Table Conversations:
Adult & Teen Table Talk:
- What’s the difference between obeying God and relying on your obedience? Where do you see confusion between those in your life?
- How does the gospel free us from both pride (when we succeed) and despair (when we fail)?
Little Learners’ Table Talk:
- Does Jesus love us only when we obey, or all the time?
Sermon Title: Four Types of People
Sermon Series: Set Free
Sermon Passage: Galatians 4:21-26
Closing Scripture: Luke 18:9-14
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