“Zeal for Jesus”

Memory Verse:  "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,"  Gal. 4:19
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Scripture Reading:  Galatians 4:12-31

1.  Shaped Like Paul: 12-18

• Brother and Sisters, verse 12
• Welcomed him even in illness, verses 13-14
• Listened to him as a messenger from God, verse 14
• Endure painful circumstances, verse 15
• Accept hard truth, verse 16

2.  Shaped Like Christ: verses 17-21

• Zeal for Christ, not the teacher of Christ, verses 17-18
• Desire the good thing all the time! Zeal for Jesus sustains you, not zeal for man’s approval!
• Christ full formed in you! Verse 19
• Requires the “labor pains” of ministry! Verse 19
• Takes time and correction in the truth, verse 20

3.  Shaped Like free Children: verse 22-31

Sarah

• v. 22 Free Woman - Isaac
• v. 23 Born of Divine Promise
• v. 24 Figure of the Abrahamic Covenant
• v. 26 Heavenly Jerusalem Above
• v. 27 Rejoice that God gave children through Sarah! 
• v.28 Children of Promise by faith in Jesus
• v. 30 Free Child
• All Christian whether Jew or Gentile: Faith in Jesus Christ

Hagar

• v. 22 Salve Woman – Ishmael
• v. 23 Born of flesh, Man’s substitute plan
• v. 24 Figure of Mosaic Covenant
• v. 25 Earthly Mountain and City of Jerusalem
• v. 27 Disadvantaged in the plan of God
• v. 29 Children of the curse of slavery
• v. 30 Slave Child
• All non-Christians: No faith in Jesus Christ, depending upon religion and human effort
• Jews, Judaizers, are truly children of the slave woman.

So What?

• Find a godly mentor!
• Ask God to give you zeal for truly good things, becoming like Jesus!
• Ask God to keep you focused on living freely and passionately  for Jesus and to avoid the mindset of a slave.