Sons, Not Servants

Temple Baptist Church - 7-22-2009

Galatians 4:4-7

Introduction:

A. When a person gets saved, they assume the position of sonship in Christ. We have now entered into a relationship of a Father to His children. This position brings with it both blessings and responsibilities.

B. As sons:

1. As Sons, We Know Who We Are:

a) We Have An Inner Witness - Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (The Holy Spirit assures us.)

b) An Outward Witness - 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (Our actions confirm us.)

2. As Sons, We know What We Are:

a) We Are Sons Of God By The New Birth – Therefore, we take on the characteristics of the Father.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

b) We Are Adopted Sons Of God By Choice – Therefore, we have the irrevocable privileges that go with intentional adoption (We had neither a surprise birth nor an unwanted one. We are His because He chose to set His affection upon us!)

Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Ephesians 1:5-6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

C. Because we are sons, we are no more servants—though we do serve! Our motivation to serve our heavenly Father is both one of love and debt. We love Him because He first loved us and gave Himself for us. Paul said, “I am debtor!”

D. I want to look at some of the blessings, and responsibilities of sonship:

THE BLESSINGS OF SONSHIP:

1. The Blessing Of Coming To God Any Time We Want. (A servant must be called before he approaches.)

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2. The Blessing Of Being Over Comers In This World. (A servant is overcome and in under bondage or indentured.)

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

3. The Blessing Of The Indwelling Holy Spirit. (A servant knows that he is just that but a son realizes that—though he still serves—he is a son.)

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

4. The Blessing Of Being Led by The Holy Spirit. (A servant is ordered while a son is guided.)

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

5. The Blessing Of Chastisement. (A servant is treated differently than that of a son. My father never whipped someone else’s children.)

Hebrews 12:5-8 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

6. The Blessing Of Heir Ship. (A servant works for room and board while a son will one day become heir to everything owned by the Father.)

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SONSHIP

1. The Responsibility Of Obedience

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

2. The Responsibility Of Spiritual Growth

Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

3. The Responsibility Of Testimony

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

4. The Responsibility Of Soul Winning

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

5. The Responsibility Of Faithfulness

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.